Stuff to take to parks...with kids...

[mommyof2boys1girl]

<<<really missing the search option here....>>>

Now that our trip is booked, completely anal control freak planner Carm must make umpteen lists that are 10 miles long and include everything including the hotel room sink!

I have found many examples of packing lists for the trip itself. What I am wondering is: what do we need to pack for being at the parks for the day?

I've already gathered that we need things like:
water
changes of clothes (kids ages 1, 3 and 5 - need I say more?)
chamois or some small towel (to dry them off if they get wet in the water attractions - who ever heard of a 3 year old that could resist getting soaked in a spraying fountain!?)
snacks (since we don't want to pay a fortune for everything in the park)
camera (of course)
first aid kit
autograph books
Edited to add:
Click Sharpie Marker
Wipes etc (with the 1 yr old, we'll have a complete diaper bag, so wipes are definitely a must for SO many reasons!)
light blanket
sunscreen (duh!)
coins for pressing (thanks for this one!)


We will have some type of double stroller (trying to locate one of those sit and stand ones, so older kids can ride, but stroller isn't so HUGE! Our double is a disaster in public places, and it still wouldn't hold all of the kids!)
Disney Notebook (I actually have one started already - flight info, ride schedules, hotel info, etc....)
2 way radio thingys (anyone ever try these at the parks? My guidebook recommended them, and since we have some anyway for camping, thought we'd bring them along - saves on the cell phone bill when dh and I get separated and we can't find each other again - happens all the time at our local amusement park!!!)


What am I forgetting? Any help would be appreciated!

We are returning to the hotel each afternoon for naps, then coming back to the park around 4 or so to spend the rest of the evening. I assume in May jackets will be in order? What about a picnic blanket for watching parades/fireworks/Fantasmic?

Thanks everyone - I think I am more excited about this trip than the kids!

Carm

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we went to DL in 06, we had a double stroller for DS 2 and 4. We used our double jogger with a swivel front wheel. It was great for storing water bottles and snacks, a light weight blanket to keep the sun off a sleeping child, light weight windbreakers (it was a little overcast and rainy). The snacks and water were really nice, I bought some things that I don't usually buy. This made it nice to avoid the sucker, candy, soda wail. We didn't take our snacks the first day and it was a huge mistake. It was no big deal to take them in through security. I really appreciated having a light blanket (receiving blanket size or a little larger) when my DS 2 was sleeping for 4 hours the first day. I could protect him from the sun without making him too warm. The only thing I wish we had taken was a lightweight blanket for sitting on for the parades. It sort of defines your spot and everyone can be comfortable. I have seen some kind of multipurpose lightweight blanket in the summer at Costco and WalMart. I can't remember the name of them though. I think they are blue. I might try to find one before our trip in March!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Sharpie pen for the autograph book. The thick clicker ones are perfectly sized for big paws, and no cap to fuss with.

Wet naps (or diaper wipes). 'Nuff said. (my kids are 7 and 3yo; DS7 hates when I use diaper wipes on his hands.)

Small notepad or blackberry? Actually, I have a 3-ring binder that I keep all the trip planning stuff in, and have each day's park schedule printed out separately. I add notes on each page for PSes, highlight anything we need/want to do that day, etc. Then I pull out the page for the day to fold up and carry in the backpack.

Water bottles. They run around $3 per in the park, so we try to bring our own in. (We make a grocery store run at the beginning of our trip.)

The chamois/small towel is a great idea, I hadn't thought of that one!

 

[daisy_77]

Clorox wipes, sunscreen, pennies and quarters for the pressed penny machines.

 

[brergnat]

Bring toys for your kids to keep them occupied in lines or at meals. Small stuff like matchbox cars, travel magnadoodle, or a handheld video game is good.

Hats/sunglasses (if your kids will wear them). The sun can be brutally bright, and there's not a whole lot of shade to be found at the DLR.

 

[dizzyami]

I totally agree with the sharpie clicker - but also bring a back up pen as some characters (or their "helpers") refuse to use a permanent marker to sign.

I am sure I may get beat up for "sugaring" my kiddos - but one must have when our kids were younger was smarties. These proved to be the perfect distraction in line, as they make no mess, the kids don't get sticky, they don't have odd colored drool running down their face, you can stash a few in the pocket when entering the line...etc... I realize many won't go for the sugar, but they sure beat the messier treats we would inevitably buy at the parks

 

[22grover22]

This is a great question. I can't wait for some more replies. I do however remember someone posting about bubbles. It was a great way to pass some time in the lines. Gymboree makes great bubbles and they have small compact ones too. Have a great trip.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

This is a great question. I can't wait for some more replies. I do however remember someone posting about bubbles. It was a great way to pass some time in the lines. Gymboree makes great bubbles and they have small compact ones too. Have a great trip.

A friend of mine bought a box of the little bubble bottles they sometimes hand out at weddings, parties etc...from a wedding supply store - there were tons of bubbles for each kid (she had 2), and they were already prepackaged in little bottles that didn't leak!
Almost forgot those!!!

Thanks!

 

[Zoemakes5]

We always bring bubbles. They're a big hit while waiting for parades.

Those small etch a sketch/magna doodles are good too.
When DD was 14 months, we went to WDW. I had never owned a sling before, but at the suggestion of a friend purchased one for that trip. DD was a runner and also liked to be held alot. It was the best purchase I ever made! It made it easier to carry her while we were in lines or over in EPCOT in the lands ('cause you can't take them there) as well as for transportation. An added benefit was it helped us at the airport, too. And, my little energizer bunny child who never fell asleep in strollers fell asleep multiple times in that sling. I've still never gotten the hang of them for smaller children, but for my older one, it was GREAT!
I bring a big garbage bag and towel. I use the garbage bag to place on the ground if there's been rain and we want a spot for the parade or fireworks.
I get those spinning top things and glow sticks/necklaces before leaving home (at the Disney Store when they're on sale...even not on sale they're cheaper or at Walmart/Target, etc.)
The first year my kids collected pins, I got a bunch of pins online to start off with...didn't matter which ones they got, as they were for trading purposes. They were alot cheaper than the ones at DLR.
We used walkie talkies with varying levels of success. We've had trouble finding a frequency that's not being used. I still like them, though, as we've had issues with cel phones not working in many places in DLR.

 

[ballarinamom]

When DD was younger, we kept the little buble bottles in every bag. They were great for flights too! We have an LL Bean backpack. We take this with us evertime we go somewhere- daytrips or long vacations. The arm straps fit easily over the stroller handles and saves our back. YES, DD ( now 6) still rides in a stroller for Disney Sea World etc. Why wear her out and make her tired by walking? Plus we can carry everything on the stroller. She may be 18 and I'll still make her sit in the stroller just so I don't have to haul everything around!
This is what we keep in our backpack-
Side pocket- granola bars, fruit roll ups and kraft cheese & crackers
other side pocket- water bottle (we refill as needed)
front pocket- ziplocks for wet ride (cameras & wallets), magic towel and magic t-shirt, chapstick and lipstick (gotta have it!!)
middle pocket- pen, notepad, purel, first aid kit (we took a J&J kit and added samples of aspirin, imodium, sudifed, cough drops, pepto tablets), sunscreen Charmin to go (You never know!!), Altiods, travel tissues, travel wipes and bug repel towelettes. All of these are the travel size and they fit nicely in the little compatments.
Large Middle Pocket- 3 $1 Store ponchos, 3 small travel umbrellas. We have tons of extra space for stuffing last minute things like cameras or wind breakers, extra snacks- whatever
We even add two hats to the outside straps!

I know this sounds crazy but it all fits nicely in our one backpack. We have friends who are shoked with all the stuff we have when THEY need them!!

We use our 2 way radios at Disneyland because there are a lot of dead spots around the Ladn with our Sprint service.

Have a great trip!

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

Glow sticks, or necklaces and bracelets for the night parade. Saves having to buy from Disney.

I packed all my kids clothes in gallon sized Ziploc bags. It worked great and then you didn't have to worry about matching outfits or stuff all over the place.

I have heard that an M&M minis container works great for the penny press machines.

Disney Visa if you have one so you can rent a stroller for free if you need another one. Also you can get some discounts at places.

I also brought a bow to make our stroller stand out so I could find it fast.

I'm sure I will think of more.

 

[Leofoenget]

Extra batteries for your camera. I waited in line for Mickey Mouse and just as it was my turn BAM dead battery. I quickly pulled out my stash and good to go. You do NOT want to buy batteries in the park.

extra socks for wet feet on simple rides like Pirates. Nothing worse than wet feet.

 

[ctamama]

* Bandaids (If you didn't want to carry the whole first aid kit).

* Travel sized Children's and adult tylenol, or other meds needed.

* Tide Wipes packet for stains.

* 1-2 gallon size plastic bags for dirty clothes or to store messy things.

Everyone else has listed some wonderful suggestions too!! Boy, if one followed all the suggestions here, you'd need one of those magic "Mary Poppins carpet bags"!!

 

[Hound 109]

All of the above is great advice. As a male I suggest:

- all possible kid medications for tummys/heads/throats, etc. Dad doesn't want to search for a Walgreens at midnite.
- Dad should wear cargo pants/shorts. The extra pockets are great for sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, cell phones etc.
- Have dad look at HydroGuy's FP tip thread. It outlines how they work & I suggest he (or you) be the holder of the FPs & Tickets.
- Waiting at the front gate is a great place to apply lotions, take pics at the Cal. sign & eating bfast snacks.

Have fun.

 

[SnowWhite12]

I have taken most of these things to WDW, and they all work great. However, I will say that on the WDW forum, I have read many times that many people have allergic reactions to the bubbles getting on their skin; so they asked on there that people not use them. Guess it is the soapy solution that irritates some people's skin. I would have never thought about that before.

 

[BecBennett]

I have found many examples of packing lists for the trip itself.

Where did you find your lists? I'm still looking for some extensive ones...

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Where did you find your lists? I'm still looking for some extensive ones...

I actually just did a google search for 'disneyland packing list' and came up with tons -

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/trip/UltimatePackingList.shtml

http://www.mousesavers.com/timeismoney.html (same list as above, but other good ideas on site.)

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dlguide/3_Tripplan/packing_list.htm (nto a real list, but full of items and tips...)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1585416&page=2
(found on the WDW board of DIS - other great ideas from fellow Mouse fans!)


Hope that at least gets you started. I am a compulsive list maker, so I also merged stuff from my camping lists and car trip lists, etc.

HTH!
Carm

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

All of the above is great advice. As a male I suggest:

- all possible kid medications for tummys/heads/throats, etc. Dad doesn't want to search for a Walgreens at midnite.
- Dad should wear cargo pants/shorts. The extra pockets are great for sunglasses, sunscreen, cameras, cell phones etc.
- Have dad look at HydroGuy's FP tip thread. It outlines how they work & I suggest he (or you) be the holder of the FPs & Tickets.
- Waiting at the front gate is a great place to apply lotions, take pics at the Cal. sign & eating bfast snacks.

Have fun.

Hound - speaking from personal experience on the meds?
re - Dad being the pack mule - this should be a switch for my dh - he's always tossing his blackberry, keys, etc into my purse for me to carry around - time for some turnabout!
re - Hydroguy FP tips - we are designating a "runner" for each day (trading off to give one another a break - not sure if it will be for a break from the kids, or a break from being the runner! )
thanks for the 'waiting in line' tip - anything to keep these guys busy while standing around is a great idea!

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Kimberlina]

This isn't specific to kids, but this is something that not a lot of people think about:

-Diaper pins or large safety pins. I know, you're thinking, yes, lots of people DO think about them. But not for using the way I am going to suggest. Even though nobody likes to think of Disney as a place where you will get robbed, any place there is a crowd is an invitation for pickpockets and thieves, particularly someplace like DTD. If you are carrying any sort of bag that zips, zip it shut and then use the pin to pin it shut, also. You will be a less attractive target to thieves because they can't just surreptitiously unzip your bag (while waiting in line behind you) and make off with your belongings- they would actually have to unpin, then unzip, which offers way too much chance to be caught. It will only take you a second more to get into your bag, though.

ETA thanks for the links to the lists- they are all very helpful, and I consider myself a seasoned traveler. (We travel a LOT and took DD on her first big trip at less than two months, but I NEVER thought about zipping outfits into individual zipper bags. What an AWESOME idea!!!)

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Just wanted to bump this up again, since it took me awhile to find it now that I need it!

Thanks, everyone!