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

[Dcanoli]

A clear jumbo trash liner- I bring one a day into the park and leave it under the stroller. If it remotely looks like rain when we park the stroller, I bag it and it's all dry when we get back to it. Ponchos can blow away and now I don't have to worry. I have also seen people use a plastic drop cloth and clothespins.

Okay. I've never heard of someone using a plastic drop cloth and clothespins! But, I like your garbage bag idea!

 

[sconnell]

garbage bag works great! Especially if you have an umbrella stroller and you fold it up! But, you can get bright colored cheap ($1ish) ponchos in many colors at sporting good stores like Outdoor World/Bass Pro Shop. The colors make it easier to look for.
We had 2 umbrella's on our last trip. When it looked like it might rain, we folded them, put them both in the bag and then used a small bungee cord to secure it. (Sometimes when it's folded small, you can find a corner or a spot under a ledge. When we were at Sci-Fi we stuck it behind the opened door and it was not in the way in the least!)

 

[sconnell]

We went to WDW last fall and I used so many of the tips I found on this thread! My trip was very enjoyable because of it!!!

Here is my own tip!!

We (Me, DH, DS10, DS8, DD6 and DD4) drove to Florida in a van. In the past our suitcases didn't fit that well in the back of the van. They would all fall when we opened the door. What a mess!! I decided to use "underbed storage boxes." I happen to have about a million of them. I packed the kids outfits in ziplock bags and then into the boxes. The girls had one box and the boys had one box. My DH had a box. I had a box all to myself!!! I had one full box just for shoes! And one full box for phone chargers, power strips and camera battery chargers and other misc goodies. They stacked so neatly in the van!!! I should have taken a picture! When we got to our Fort Wilderness cabin we simply carried the boxes into the cabin, very easy!

They fit under the bed in the cabin and the empties we just stacked together. No storage problem and no tripping over suitcases!!!

They may look odd this fall when we check into ASMu! But I bet nothing will fall off our cart! Hey, you have to do what works!!!

I took some of those filled with all of our goodies and gifts to POFQ last September! Works great! I actually think that there wasn't an under the bed though and I had to find somewhere else to put them. (under the bench) So you might want to check with some people to see if there is an under the bed.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

Just subscribing...great ideas!!

 

[akalittleeva]

We went to WDW last fall and I used so many of the tips I found on this thread! My trip was very enjoyable because of it!!!

Here is my own tip!!

We (Me, DH, DS10, DS8, DD6 and DD4) drove to Florida in a van. In the past our suitcases didn't fit that well in the back of the van. They would all fall when we opened the door. What a mess!! I decided to use "underbed storage boxes." I happen to have about a million of them. I packed the kids outfits in ziplock bags and then into the boxes. The girls had one box and the boys had one box. My DH had a box. I had a box all to myself!!! I had one full box just for shoes! And one full box for phone chargers, power strips and camera battery chargers and other misc goodies. They stacked so neatly in the van!!! I should have taken a picture! When we got to our Fort Wilderness cabin we simply carried the boxes into the cabin, very easy!

They fit under the bed in the cabin and the empties we just stacked together. No storage problem and no tripping over suitcases!!!

They may look odd this fall when we check into ASMu! But I bet nothing will fall off our cart! Hey, you have to do what works!!!

We always travel like this as well - it works so great! We stayed at POP last time and the bins we didn't keep in the room, we just put back in our van after unpacking. I also bring an empty one for bringing home souvies...It was easy to load up the cart and bring up to the room, too. We got a couple strange looks, but a couple people also commented on it being a good idea. We have a really nice set of luggage but rarely use it - I find the bins keep things so much neater and fit in the van so much better.

 

[Dcanoli]

Now, are you talking about those cardboard things or the plastic Sterlite-type boxes available at W/M, Target, and such?

I was just thinking last night I need a HUGE one for all the Disney stuffed animals that are now taking over the kids' beds! I'm addicted to "tubs!"

If you are talking about the plastic tubs, you are right! They work great. The family we travel with always uses them. I don't think I've ever seen them use suitcases come to think of it......

Deb

 

[akalittleeva]

I use the rubbermaid totes - a tote for the kids to share, a tote for dh and I, and a tote for everything else. I usually bring an extra tote, like I said, for bringing home our purchases, but initially, they usually have snacks and food in it. I also have a smaller one that goes in the back with the kids for all the stuff they need for the drive - gameboys, DVD players etc. When we get home from our trip, they all stack inside each other, with the top one storing all the things we use only for vacation.

 

[AngieWin]

We are packing a box to ship out and I think I will have to put one of those totes in it! Thanks for the idea!

 

[Dcanoli]

I use the rubbermaid totes - a tote for the kids to share, a tote for dh and I, and a tote for everything else. I usually bring an extra tote, like I said, for bringing home our purchases, but initially, they usually have snacks and food in it. I also have a smaller one that goes in the back with the kids for all the stuff they need for the drive - gameboys, DVD players etc. When we get home from our trip, they all stack inside each other, with the top one storing all the things we use only for vacation.

Yes, thanks for the idea! We have Disney luggage, so I guess we'll keep using that, but I love using the tubs for everything else (and if I DIDN'T have Mickey luggage, I'd probably start using the tubs for that too)!

I like how they all store inside each other. Tubs are great for EVERYTHING!

 

[PHefner]

Just wanted to say Hi and that I'm subscribing to this thread. I've spent many hours reading everyone's tips so I don't want to miss out on one.

Probably one of the best tips I have is if you don't have a rain cover for your stroller bring a large lawn and leaf bag to use to cover your stroller in the threat/event of rain (of course taking your child out of it first). It fits perfectly over a small stroller and kept everything dry including the diaper bags.

Keep the tips coming!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Someone on another thread said they ship all their luggage before they leave!! I just wondered how to go about shipping it home? I do ship a box with food and toiletries. I also learned the organizer bag, hand soap, and clothespin-along with several other- great tips here!!!

I love all you planners!!! do any of you ship your clothes?

 

[disney-a-holic]

sorry if this is repeated.
we were in wdw dec 06 with dd12 ds 11 dd 10 and they each had a "key to the world" and could charge things to the room, so i kept an a5 ziploc bag with me with a pen so that any reciepts we got i would write who's receipt it was!!! ( kids had a budget on spending money!!!)
also this was " home " to the camera on any water rides. and home to 4x6 card for autograhs and would protect these items from getting wet!!
as i am an avid scrapper i also was able to keep receipts and any other souvenirs in my much loved " pink " ziploc bag ( i think i have named it correctly ...small waterproof a5 size bag with zip!!!)

 

[TENIA66]

instead of the plastic dropcloth, rain poncho or garbage bag for the stroller we use the cheapie flannel backed plastic tablecloths.....we use them all over..a nice place to sit for the fireworks or parades, a cover for a wet seat, a nice cover with clips for the stroller, a quick poncho with clips also....

 

[thelionqueen]

lil bump for July

 

[tmfranlk]

To aid the bumping, I read a great idea for the car for those who drive. I think that I read it in Organize magazine. They suggested using those small shower caddies that suction cup to the wall for holding kid stuff in the car. Just stick it to the window and it can hold crayons, MP3s, etc that the kids want easy access to in the car.

 

[sconnell]

To aid the bumping, I read a great idea for the car for those who drive. I think that I read it in Organize magazine. They suggested using those small shower caddies that suction cup to the wall for holding kid stuff in the car. Just stick it to the window and it can hold crayons, MP3s, etc that the kids want easy access to in the car.

Except if you have a mini-van, don't put it on the sliding door! crunch!
But other than that, it's a great tip!

 

[northriver]

To aid the bumping, I read a great idea for the car for those who drive. I think that I read it in Organize magazine. They suggested using those small shower caddies that suction cup to the wall for holding kid stuff in the car. Just stick it to the window and it can hold crayons, MP3s, etc that the kids want easy access to in the car.

Please DO NOT attach anything to the window if you have curtain airbags!!! If those deployed it would send your shower caddy hurtling toward your children at about 150mph. If you have questions about the airbags, see your owners manual.

 

[Dizneydaz]

The post, a page or two back, about having a waterproof backpack reminded me of one of my favorites things to do. I Scotchguard things!

A few of the things I do are:
Cheap umbrellas (the kind that water actually drips through );
Hats-the point of wearing a hat is to keep my hair dry, so by Scotchguarding it, it does;
Fabric purses, and or totes;
Stroller fabric (won't soak up water) including the cover;
Sneakers (fabric ones.) Keeps your feet drier during inclement weather

I also take along the larger Ziplocs to put any items in I want to keep dry on rides like Kali River Rapids.

 

[angwill]

I hate to be another bash the shower caddy on the window person but just imagine crayons sitting in the broiling sun with the drainage holes in the bottom of the caddy. I wouldn't wan't to clean that mess. Not to mention finding my child's MP3 player or Ipod broiled and melted. It was over 90 degrees today so I feel like I am melting myself right now.

 

[Claudia1]

I'm a big fan of shipping a box ahead to the resort before leaving home. I saves me lots of money and packing space, too. I always try to pack things that will be used during the trip and not need to be shipped back home. Lots of snacks, foods, diapers, etc.... Be sure to make a list of what you shipped so that you don't duplicate. Also, ship it to yourself and put your arrival date on the package.

I buy & ship 8oz. water bottles and somtimes the 8oz pop cans, too. On our last trip, I spent over $15 in UPS shipping but I calculated that I saved over $40 from buying water & pop at WDW. If I can get a 12 pack of 8 oz water bottles for under $3, then I don't have to pay WDW over $3 for one bottle. Ditto with pop. This is a real saver if you are flying. If you are driving, though, you could easily pack them in your van.

When the kids were eating baby or toddler food (and in diapers, too), I would wrap the baby food jars in a diaper, then put 2 or 3 in a large ziploc bag for shipping. Nothing has ever broken in 3 years and I had the diapers & zipbags to use at WDW.

In case you need to ship something back, put packing tape, a label, markers, etc...., anything that you will need to ship it back. Just ask at the front desk where the nearest business desk is located. I know that BoardWalk has one. We just take the box there and they bill our room for the shipping charges. It is not cheap but it can be done. DH did that once with his golf clubs, too. They ship out of WDW usually on the next business day.

My youngest is now 5 yrs old but I still like to take the 8oz water bottles. Great size to freeze and take to the parks and a great size for kids. I give my DGD a frozen bottle on a bottle strap (that is looped onto the stroller to avoid getting lost) and she plays with it. The thawing bottles help to keep her a little cooler in the hot, summer sun, too.

One of the more bizarre things I have done is to ship a rocking lawn chair to WDW. Now, before you laugh at me, some of you parents will understand this. DGD needs to be calmed before going to sleep and rocking is the best way. I got a garage sale rocking chair and shipped it round-trip for under $20. (Yes, I shipped it back home when we were done.) It was the best money I ever spent on vacation! Much cheaper than renting a rocking chair for our 10 day vacation and we were able to maintain a solid nightime routine without ruining my back trying to "rock" in a regular chair.

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If you have kids that often need antibiotics, ask you doctor to write a prescription to be filled not reconstituted. Take it dry and mix it up if you need it on the trip. This will only work if you have a good working relationship with your doctor and they are in the routine of prescribing antibiotics over the phone. Your pharmacist can give you the low-down on how to reconstitute it.


GREAT THREAD!