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

[kitsch4]

I love this thread, LionQueen! Lots of great ideas! I like the idea of bringing pipe cleaners for the kids to play with; the popup laundry hamper; the toothbrush holder, etc. djm- where did you get the toilet seat covers? What a great idea to carry them with you! Any other ideas for little things to keep the kids (7 and 3) busy while waiting in lines or waiting for the food in a restaurant? (Again- love the pipe cleaner idea.) Thanks, everyone, for all the great ideas.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Jumping in here because I just saw them today at Target in the travel section (in front of our pharmacy). However, I do have to say that I never encountered a bathroom at WDW last May(our 1st trip) that did not have seat covers available! It was a great surprise at how well they were kept up.
if anyone has seen different, please advise, otherwise, I woudl say that is 1 thing that you don't have to bring. Thanks!

 

[djm99]

djm- where did you get the toilet seat covers? What a great idea to carry them with you! Any other ideas for little things to keep the kids (7 and 3) busy while waiting in lines or waiting for the food in a restaurant? (Again- love the pipe cleaner idea.) Thanks, everyone, for all the great ideas.

Both Target and Wal-Mart have them. Wal-Mart’s are 50 cents vs. Target's .99 cents. Although Disney often has these available it’s a must to almost always have these in my possession - just because. If you visit any restaurant outside of Disney, have to stop on your way to Disney (especially if your driving). And sometimes you walk in stall and that particular stall does not have any more. They are just great to have always.

 

[Deebo]

Thanks for all of the great ideas! You guys have covered most of my ideas, and then some. I have one tip to add. . .
My nephew overheats easily. Instead of one of those misting fans, we carry a tiny spray bottle (the size that sample hairsprays come in) filled with water so that we can spritz him when he needs to be reconstituted. It works great, and doesn't take up much room in the fanny pack (I know- they are uncool, but they are WAY convenient).

 

[kitsch4]

Both Target and Wal-Mart have them. Wal-Mart’s are 50 cents vs. Target's .99 cents. Although Disney often has these available it’s a must to almost always have these in my possession - just because. If you visit any restaurant outside of Disney, have to stop on your way to Disney (especially if your driving). And sometimes you walk in stall and that particular stall does not have any more. They are just great to have always.

That's just what I was thinking. I am leaving in a week to take my DS on a roadtrip to Northern Mich. He is potty training, which will mean lots of stops at rest areas. Yuk. But just to have them for local stops, too, will be great. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

Subscribing. Thanks for all of the great tips. I never would have thought of some of these. Keep them coming.

 

[LindaBabe]

I miss the purex laundry tablets - they were so much less messy than either liquid OR powder.

We're adults, so our list probably differs from the families, although we do use the shoe holder . . .

When staying in a value resort, I take a little hard side cooler as one of my three luggage items. It holds very nicely a 4 cup coffee maker, filters, dishtowl (for padding), coffee (in a zip lock), sharp knife, spoon, paper towels, some big ziplocks & a tiny bottle of dishsoap. I LOATHE Nescafe!

At the resort, All the stuff comes out to the closet shelf - ice goes in the zip lock (lasts longer if packed tight, rather than lose in the cooler) - and my fruit / cheese/ juice / water from the grocery stop or food court has a place to stay cool. I cover the cooler with a folded bathtowel for increased insulation, and stash it under the sink.

Also, I have "packs" in zippered clear bags from the cosmetics section of target/wally,k - I refill when I get home so they're ready to go.

laundry pack (soap, dryer sheets, quarters, stain stick) -

camera pack (camera, media cards, batteries, charger, mini-tripod, brush, lens wipes, instruction book) -

medicine pack (small packets of anything I might need - cause you ONLY need it when you don't have it) -

postcard / trip report pack - (preprinted address labels, stamps, pen, small spiral notebook, sometimes prewritten postcards from the last trip)

Pin traders pack - (trading pins from ebay)


Also, I have certain things I only use at Disney / or cruise - glow sticks, bubbles, watertight boxes on lanyards, fancy socks, ponchos, fanny pack, etc. They get packed right back in one small bag and stored in the luggage.

Great thread! Keep it up!

 

[mom2aba]

Thanks for all the tips. I can't believe all I have learned just reading this thread - didn't think about taking autograph books, imprinted pennies, etc. I had never heard of trading pins, either.

I have a question about the lanyards. I have not been to Disney in over 20 years - I was a teenager then and we had little ticket books where we ripped out the tickets for each ride. I know that now they have passes, but don't you need to use these passes for entrance and the fast pass machines? Wouldn't it be a hassle to put them in those plastic cases on the lanyard? Please explain.

Thanks,

Carole

 

[mom 2 3]

We just got back and I used the shoe rack, toothbrush holder, and ziploc bags for clothes. I even used the ziploc bags for my DS14 because he is color blind and it saved so much time by him not having to ask me if his clothes matched. I have to say I was disappointed in that I went to HD and go t all the lime green mickey heads I could find, even got some other colors and my DD12 and I spent time cutting out and laminating and making signs for our windows and we were the only room in the entire 4 building courtyard that had our window decorated. We stayed at POP in the 90's section. However, I did not see anyone else with towel animals except us. I had gotten all excited thinking that I might see other DISers but didn't. Oh well we had fun decorating.

 

[bobcat]

I have a question about the lanyards. I have not been to Disney in over 20 years - I was a teenager then and we had little ticket books where we ripped out the tickets for each ride. I know that now they have passes, but don't you need to use these passes for entrance and the fast pass machines? Wouldn't it be a hassle to put them in those plastic cases on the lanyard? Please explain.

Yes you will need to use your passes to enter the parks and get FP but not all rides have FP. You will only need to take your pass out a few times during the day so if you have it in a wallet , pocket or FP holder on your lanyard you will still need access to it.

 

[lovesdumbo]

For anyone who like getting pressed pennies, I put my quarters and pennies in the little plastic film containers that 35mm film come in. I put in two quarters, penny, two quarters, penny,etc... so that way when I see a pressed penny machine, I just grab the film container instead of fumbling in my bag for quarters and pennies. If you never buy 35mm film, you can go to a Walgreens photo department and ask for some empty containers. Most Walgreens recycle the little containers so they have extras behind the counter.

I use a mini M&M container exactly the same way-stacking 2 quarters, penny.


I read the idea about having extra $1 bills. I do that. I also have an envelope for everynight of our stay for Mousekeeping. That way I'm not looking for change every morning. I leave it everyday as the mousekeeper may not be the same everyday.

 

[macrosswife]

For those of you looking for the Palmolive Dish Wipes, I found an alternative at Publix's!! Dawn makes a "Wash & Toss".
Here's the description: Dawn Wash & Toss is a disposable dish pad from Dawn®. These disposable dish pads have the grease-cleaning power of Dawn right inside the dish pad and a scrubbing side to clean tough food better. Dawn Wash & Toss also features a soft side for gentler cleaning. Simplify your life and try one today!

You can do a search on the Proctor & Gamble website (pg.com) if you want to know what it looks like.

Thanks everyone for all the awesome tips!!
~Kimber

 

[sconnell]

For those of you looking for the Palmolive Dish Wipes, I found an alternative at Publix's!! Dawn makes a "Wash & Toss".
Here's the description: Dawn Wash & Toss is a disposable dish pad from Dawn®. These disposable dish pads have the grease-cleaning power of Dawn right inside the dish pad and a scrubbing side to clean tough food better. Dawn Wash & Toss also features a soft side for gentler cleaning. Simplify your life and try one today!

You can do a search on the Proctor & Gamble website (pg.com) if you want to know what it looks like.

Thanks everyone for all the awesome tips!!
~Kimber

Argh! I've actually been looking for these also! But I did get our lovely Dis friend to buy some of the Palmolive ones for me.

*FOAM BLADE FANS: I got some battery operated, clip on, flexible, foam-blade fans at the Discovery Store this weekend. They were originally $7.95 and got 30% off. I got one for each stroller. The foam blades are important for my kids. They will inevitablly stick their fingers in it.

 

[Lilacq]

Hi guys!
For those of you with more time before the trip, why not sign up for laundry detergent free samples? I just googled "laundry detergent samples" and a bunch of things came up. If you aren't picky about what kind you use, you could sign up for a couple different ones and take them along on your trip! They're packaged to be mailed, so they're virtually leakproof. And FREE!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i cant find the mister fans anywhere
i looked at target and theres none on walmart online
anyone else know where i can get them ??

 

[sconnell]

i cant find the mister fans anywhere
i looked at target and theres none on walmart online
anyone else know where i can get them ??

Well, our Walmart store has a bunch of them. Actually the squirt bottle kind and the "misty mate look a likes." I think I saw some at the Disney store too. I've heard some people have bought a misty mate off of ebay. Check there as well.

 

[new02mom]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their help on this thread!

Sunny (sconnell) sent me a copy of the schedule she uses. Thanks!

Thank you PreppyPolyMom for sending the Palmolive Dish Wipes. That was so nice of you!

I have been having so much fun buying everything for our trip. Most of the ideas come from this board! Here are some of the things I have bought so far; Shoe Bag, Pop-Up Laundry Hamper, Toothbrush Holder, Handheld Fans, Ponchos, Moleskin, Chamois, Disney-themed paper products, and almost anything with Disney Princesses that I can get my hands on!

I have a bin that I put everything into as soon as I buy it. That way, it is all in one place and the kids don't see it so it will all be a surprise to them!

Also, I keep all of my trip information in an excel file. There are 10 tabs! It all started with Packages when I started planning the trip, then I added Flights, Itinerary, Schedule, ADR, Menus, Misc. Info., Budget, Packing List, and Websites. I am in this file almost daily. When it comes time to go, I will print the important ones out and give them to everyone in my party (we're traveling with 8 people). Also, this will make our next trip so much easier to plan, because I have all of the info. in one place.

Thanks again everyone for your help and ideas!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

i cant find the mister fans anywhere
i looked at target and theres none on walmart online
anyone else know where i can get them ??

I've seen them at both Walgreens and CVS for $7.99. They are $4.96 at Walmart. $17 at WDW. I also purchased a very small one at Walmart-like a squirtgun with a fan. It worked OK and was nice and easy to carry but it had to be refilled about every 5 minutes.

Walgreens also had a mini mistymate for $7.99. Mistymates don't take batteries. You pump it up and then it sprays a nice fine pressurized mist.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Love all the tips here...I am going to add a tip with laundry. I always bring an extra bag for all of the dirty laundry. Before packing to go home, I sort and fold it...Mom always told me that folding the dirties saves room in the luggage. Sorting the colors save a little bit of time when you get home. Unpacking is my least favorite task!

 

[djm99]

Just to kid of "piggie back" on laundry, I always either stay in condos that have washer and dryers or I WILL find a laundry mat. I hardly ever return home with dirty clothes, especially after nearly a week or more vacation. Who wants to unpack after a vacation? But unpacking is no problem when your clothes are already clean. Remember, at a laundry mat that you are washing all your clothes at one setting, so we are talking about an hour max. Its so worth it!!! I usually go to the dollar store and purchase the Tide powder detergent (3 pack for $1) or the liquid which has 3 loads for $1. Target also has the liquid Tide for $1. Just remember to place the containers in zip lock bags - just in case of a leak. You may think you are wasting vacation time doing laundry but trust me - it's worth it!!!