So, what do we *really* need to take to the park?

[KarBear]

Although some of you may disagree, I try to pack a little something for my DD6 to do while waiting in lines. This year I think it may be the IPOD touch or mini book of word searches. Standing in line for 45 mins is a long time for a little one. You can only play I-Spy for so long.....

And I never leave home without some Anti-bacterial wipes. There good for hands and tables/strollers/armrest/toilet seats..etc.
Also always have a small travel size bottle of oxyclean spray, someone always spills something...most of the time it's me....

 

[duffy]

About bringing bandages and moleskin, etc.: Yes, there are first aid offices in each park, but really, what a pain it would be to have to hunt one down and get there! I always take sun lotion in a small bottle. I take a roll of duct tape and wrap it around the bottle a few times. I use this for blisters in an emergency.

We were at Epcot and I noticed my niece was getting blisters on her heels while we were in line for Spaceship Earth. It was no big deal to just slap a piece of duct tape on her heels quickly. The people behind us really admired my ingenuity too!! I would have hated to have made her walk with me to find a first aid location!!

As for bandages, well, I just toss a few in my bag. They take up practically no room at all! And I'd just put a few aspirin/acetiminophen/ibuprofen in a baggie, so they won't take up hardly any room either.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Thank you all for the kind replies. I have a very good idea of what my family will need to have in their bags, and I just need to find a good bag, since I can't figure out where the movers packed my fanny packs (or dh's really good camera - GGGRRRRRR).

Too bad Disney is just 4 days away and I don't have time to order anything...

 

[chellewashere]

I have read on here prvsly. Have the boys wear cargo shorts and DH too then no need for a bag

 

[Seven Seas Lagoon]

Thought I'd share this thought:

I once saw a lady take in a whole rotisserie chicken in to MK with her....I was so surprised...I guess I never thought much about taking food in, especially a chicken. It was a good idea, I'm packing food when I have toddlers. I suppose I thought they wouldn't let you bring lots of food in, but I don't really think they mind. ??? Either way, it was a good idea. Thank you misc. lady.

 

[brandylouwho]

I have found that less is more. If you find that you absolutely NEED something you did not bring, you can usually buy it in the parks. I don't mind risking having to pay Disney prices for something that I'll likely never need if it means I'll have less to carry around all vacation.

Since we have a little one, we bring diapers and baby wipes. I try to only bring as many diapers as I'll really need. Sunscreen is a must too. I just got some little sample sized ones from Walgreens to take along this year. And our cell phones.

Also, sippie cups for the girls (which we re-use/refill). My SLR camera & additional lens plus the point & shoot (for the 5 yr old to use). Sometimes the video camera too (it's small).

And yes, dad's who wear cargo shorts can carry quite a bit! And I am looking for decent women's cargos for myself...so I don't loose my phone & money (last year I realized my shorts pockets are very shallow & when I sit down my phone & cash always wanted to pop out. I lost $20 in a bathroom and almost lost my phone in the water on It's a Small World! )

We generally have a small, sling style bag & my camera case (it is like an oversized fanny pack, you can wear around your waist). Since we have a 2 year old, we still need a stroller and these items are shoved in the stroller basket until we need them or go on a ride. I like to wear my resort card, AP, credit card, etc. around my neck in an ID badge type holder).

And our iPhones have been AWESOME for so many things, not the least of which is entertaining the kids during long waits. (Watch a cartoon, listen to music, play connect four or tic tac toe...I love it!)

 

[camlace]

I have read on here prvsly. Have the boys wear cargo shorts and DH too then no need for a bag

I second that....I only pack cargo shorts for my DH when we go away. You can fit A LOT in those side pockets He usually has 2 water bottles, camera, baby wipes case, tylenol, gum, tissues, car keys, etc, etc. And I carry the tickets

 

[srwarden1928]

OP, this is what I carry in the parks--wallet (including money and credit cards), park ticket, room key, car keys (we always drive), cell phone, camera (unless DW has it), plastic bag (for cell phone & camera on KRR and SpM), touringplan folded in fourths, map & times guide picked up at park entrance. In addition to the above, DW carries certain medication that she needs during the park day.

Anything else is not a NEED. We have successfully toured the parks on a number of occasions without taking anything else with us.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Sunscreen, hand sanitized gel, packet of handi wipes, and misting fans. I love brining my sling style backpack to put it all into. Ponchos are also a great idea. You can get them for $1 at Walmart and just throw them out after use. I would also bring hats if your family wears them to block out the sun. Oh, and bandaides. My kids are always getting boo boos on vacation!

 

[DISNEYNV]

Thought I'd share this thought:

I once saw a lady take in a whole rotisserie chicken in to MK with her....I was so surprised...I guess I never thought much about taking food in, especially a chicken. It was a good idea, I'm packing food when I have toddlers. I suppose I thought they wouldn't let you bring lots of food in, but I don't really think they mind. ??? Either way, it was a good idea. Thank you misc. lady.

Wow! A whole chicken and they let her bring it in?! I always bring sippies, drinks and snacks in without any problem... Don't think I would want to carry a whole chicken around though!

 

[penguin087]

My DS is a bit older than your children so I don't need autograph books or anything. I only carry a small bag (Baggallini Large Wallet Bag) with
ID, park tickets/room key, money, insurance card, small sunscreen, small hand sanitizer or small package of wipes, cell phone, index cards with ADRs etc on them, sometimes a camera.
I have a strict rule that my son must have pockets for his wallet and cell phone so for the most part that means so basketball type shorts in the parks.

 

[trnorbrn]

Headache is one of the early warning signs of dehydration. If anyone complains of a headache we find a shady spot and all take a break for hydration.

We always bring in snacks and sandwiches, no chickens though . It is so much easier with kids to pull something out when they get hungry. My kids do better with small frequent meals than trying to get in line for food and eating a big meal.

I thnk ice cold washclothes kept in the cooler lunch bag are a necessity. We use a collapsible cooler bag and often find ourselves stuffing it with things by the end of the day that we have taken off like wet socks.

My kids love the fan necklaces you can buy now at WalMart for $2.50 or the water bottle misters for about $8. The water bottle misters are pure heaven on hot days.

 

[crisi]

We take park passes, room keys, credit card, Drivers licenses - four cards - sometimes down to two if we bother to put the passes on the room key and use that as our charge card. Cell phones.

Sometimes we bother with a camera. Sometimes we bring in water or snacks. Depends on what the day is going to look like.