Post your best organizational, space saving and trip making secrets here!!

[Atchley]

To the DISer that used the retractable dog leash for her DS, don't let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong!! The last time we were at WDW in MK my DS, DH, DD, and I were in Cinderellas Castle in a very crowded store. My DS (who loved Buzz Lightyear) saw a light up spinning Buzz on a cart outside that apparently caught his eye. He told me he wanted to show me something and I said okay. He took off. Since the store was very crowed he was able to squeeze between peoples legs and I couldn't. I thought he was going over to another section of the store but when I got there, he wasn't! I went back to where we were and told DH and we were off! I kept screaming his name and after searching one way went out the door of the shop to look outside. Looked down the corridor and saw my DH walking towards him to my relief. DS had went out of the shop and back around to the back side of the castle, got up on something, stole a Buzz Lightyear, and was coming back into the castle to find us. After hugging him awhile (and crying) DH took him and DD back to pay for his Buzz Lightyear and to get DD one. He was only gone a few minutes (about 4-5) but it felt like a lifetime and I wish that no other parent would have to go through that experience again!

People who look at others doing these things have never had wanderers or even any kids at all!!

 

[momlvsdsny]

Bump.....love these ideas my word document is 4 pages long already and I just started!! Keep them coming please!!

 

[Passions71203]

Where do you get the leash type things at? TIA


Erin

 

[lovetocook]

When our kids were little and we were planning trips where we flew, I always got them a new box of Colorforms (I think that's what they are called -- they stick on anything, then pull right off and re-stick). They would arrange them on the window by their seat. I would let them pick out the box ahead of time (Batman, Cinderella, etc), but they couldn't open it until we were airborne.

Also, whoever mentioned rolling your clothes -- my Mom has always done this. I finally took her advice for a trip a few months ago and it is a great idea. I couldn't believe how few wrinkles!

 

[thelionqueen]

Hello again all, just wanted to give this a bump. Leaving soon and am already trying to organize a list for our box to ship down.

I've already bought sand pails/shovels, sand castle toys, clearance items @ The Disney Store for late night visits from characters for the boys and other things.

Any other ideas of what to ship off in a box to get upon check-in??

 

[Disneyfriend]

Here's a tip I haven't seen mentioned:

1. Go to the bank and buy a couple rolls of quarters for laundry. Unfortunately, you'll go through a $10 roll very quickly, since I think WDW charges $2 for each wash and each dry ($4 per load). But it sure beats trying to get change when you're there!

2. I always pack the Tide tablets, which are individually wrapped and fairly lightweight. I then take several dryer sheets and just put them in a zip loc bag. This is less expensive and more convenient than trying to get them from WDW (what if they're out of something and you're trying to do laundry at an odd time of day?).

HTH,

Disneyfriend

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

y'all have such great ideas--thanks!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

(As a side note, I take garbage bags, cut a hole in the middle, roll them up, and carry them in my bag to line the toilet with when I have to take DD to a public restroom. I do this all the time, even just going to the mall here at home.)!

Just an FYI, I was so pleasantly surprised that at EVERY Disney bathroom we went into they had the seat liners (if you are ok with those). Not 1 we ever used last year in 8 days were out of them. Half the time at our all they have the dispener but no liners!. Just wanted you to know so you won't have to overpack garbage bags if you don't want.

 

[swillis]

Just got back on Friday and here's what I used, and what I didn't use....

I USED:
Over the door organizer
pop up hamper
moleskin
purell
lots of sunscreen
ponchos
fanny pack


I BROUGHT, BUT DID NOT USE:
water bottles...the kids tried this the first day, and found them to be a big pain in the butt. The ones we had clipped to their fanny packs.

water flavor packets...well thats easy to figure out why (see above)

glow things (necklaces, bracelets etc) The kids are too old to be fooled. They spent their own money on the expensive Disney ones.

Makeup...yup, except some mascara. It was all running down my face by 10 am each morning.

sweatshirts...except for the plane rides.

extra bathing suits...for me. I only swam once.

Lots of medications...I was like a CVS pharmacy. I had an fix for what ails ya! Thankfully, except for a couple rolaids, it all stayed packed away.

 

[momlvsdsny]

I just saw this in the family fun magazine. You can take one of those plastic hanging door shoe organizers and put it over the back of the car seat so that it is facing your child, and use it to put things for them to do on the trip (the picture showed crayons in one pocket, stickers in another, a container of snacks in one, etc) I thought that looked really neat, and could keep them occupied for quite a while on the long trip!!

 

[bobkbaines]

We decided to pack our ponchos (bought at Wal-Mart and Dollar Store) in gallon sized ziploc bags. This way if we get a brief rain shower that only lasts a little while, we can put the wet poncho back into the baggie and not get the rest of the stuff in the backpack wet.

 

[cinjam]

I learned this lesson the hard way: remember to take your wet ponchos out of the plastic holder and let them COMPLETELY dry before repacking them away for the long term.

Mine were not completely dry, I took them out of my suitcase & put them in my foyer closet, took them out again about 4 months later and the mold that had grew, and grew, and grew was quite amazing! It made for a good science project

 

[Gabby&Liv's Mommy]

I read this tip somewhere else. Bring pipecleaners to keep kids busy (probably best for ages 3 to 6). They keep my DDs busy while waiting in line for a ride, waiting for dinner, on the airplane, etc. We make neclaces, bracelets, letters, shapes, etc.

Also, we always bring a deck of cards for the kids to play with. They keep my DDs 4&2 really busy. They make up so many fun little games. I just throw them away as they get bent, wet, etc. I just found some great Princess, Pooh and Barbie learning cards at Dollar Tree...matching colors, shapes, etc. I will tuck those away until our Christmas trip. =)

Where would I find info on show times, character greetings, in advance of the trip. I think that was in one of the laminating suggestions. Thanks.

 

[disneymominny]

Thanks for all of the wonderful tips! I will be using MANY of them.

My DD (9 months) still needs a bottle, any one know where I could get a tiny bottle of liquid dish detergent to wash them out at night?

 

[bigorangeandy]

We have a box for our Disney must takes (misters, poncho's etc...) at home, that way when its time to get ready to go, I get out the box and don't have to look for things. When we get back we just load up the box and store it until our next trip.
We drive down for our trips and have started to take a laundry basket from home. Its great to carry lose items to the room, then when to hold dirty cloths. I also used to carry the dirty cloths down to laundry one day when we were taking a swim one afternoon.
The toothbrush holder is a great idea, I'm sure we have a old one laying around the house (my wife likes to redo the bathroom from time to time).
We buy lots of the cheap poncho's at Big Lots, and can either toss them at the end of the day, or toss them in a zip-lock to dry out in the room at night. We also bring our on beach towels for going to the water parks and a small cooler, this way we don't have to purchase drinks or snacks. The small cooler also makes a good place to store your pass and extra money (I put mine in a zip-lock under the ice), thats a tip that I read somewhere a few years back.
I also make a habit to check the DOT web sites that I will be driving through to see what the road construction will be. This allows me to make a detour if needed, but for us to definatley hit the restroom, and gas up before we get to the road work.

 

[disneyfansx5]

Thanks for all of the wonderful tips! I will be using MANY of them.

My DD (9 months) still needs a bottle, any one know where I could get a tiny bottle of liquid dish detergent to wash them out at night?

I bought a small travel bottle and filled it with dishwashing detergent when my child was still using a bottle. It worked well and did not leak.

 

[KimRaye]

Where would I find info on show times, character greetings, in advance of the trip. I think that was in one of the laminating suggestions. Thanks.

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/

 

[traciedee]

Funny, I use to be one of those people glaring at the parents who had their kid on a leash. Then one day about 10 years ago my 3 year old darted off at a 4th of July celebration. After that, I understood the leash thing and wanted to use chains so I wouldn't lose my kids in crowds. Now they are all teens and I'd still like to keep them on a leash.

So if it works for you, I say don't worry about those glaring parents. Who cares?

My helpful hint is to take little snacks to the parks with you. We always buy the good stuff at the parks (can't miss out on the cotton candy or pretzels or mickey bars), but it's nice to have a thing of crackers or candy to keep you busy waiting in lines.

We also take little, cheap inflatable floatie things for the pool and then just leave them behind.

Water proof containers and disposable water proof cameras for the water parks.

 

[katytrott]

Great ideas - having fun reading through them!!

I collect tips etc from all over and add them on my computer, so I have looked back over others I have collected and thought I would post my favourites, which I haven't seen mentioned yet:

1: Take a chamois instead of a towel to the parks to dry kids off after they've played in the water areas. Much smaller then a towel, absorbs more water and can be rung out dry ready for any future uses. Makes sense!

2: Keep the extra napkins, plastic mickey shaped plates, straws etc. They are a cheap souvenir and apparently they last a long time and are a good way to keep the magic alive until your next trip.

3: While watching Wishes, one person had their daughter wear headphones with the soundtrack to Wishes playing. Apparently this helped her fear of loud noises. I guess this would work for Fantasmic as well. I guess ear plugs could be worth a try as well.

4: If it's the dark the kids are scared of, little pen lights (or anything that omits a dim light that doesn't distract other visitors) are a good source of comfort in the dark rides.

5: Take a small bottle of bubble mixture into the parks. This is light (and reasonably small) to carry, provides entertainment for the kids while waiting in line etc, is cheap, battery and noise free and can add to the magic for other guests.

6: Take the kids pyjamas into the park if staying up late to watch fireworks etc. Change them into them just before they start so they can be put straight to bed when home without being woken.


Some of these tips are probably old favourites, but there are probably plenty of first time mums who have never heard or thought of these ideas, like me. I don't know if they work well but I'll be giving them a try when we take our 2 year old son on his first trip in Oct. Can't wait!!

 

[MayMom]

One very important item to take with you......a photocopy of your MYW tickets - you never know!!!!!