Stuff you wish you had packed/did ahead of time last time you went to WDW

[doclegler]

Baggies are huge with us. We use them for everything at WDW (I know, not green, but only at Disney!) Pack extra kids clothes to bring everyday. I also love my lists...I have a great list I look at each morning before we leave for the parks on what we need to bring along. Laminate it so it lasts longer.
Something else I like to pack is pillowcases. My kids don't love hotel pillows, but if I put their own pillowcase on, it just seems better.
I always pack a nightlight for the room too. My kids are in a separate bedroom and it can get quite dark. Ikea has some really cute one's that either plug-in or work on battery that we use both at home and for travel.
To save a little $ this year, I'm packing sugar-free individual drink packets for water bottles too. Less pop, and less money in the long run.
I'm sure I could go on and on with this list, but I'll spare you the time! Good luck and I hope you have a magical trip!!

 

[ElementCamper]

did u report it to the frount desk I would have in a heart beat

Just a little off topic but...
Yes, I did and a report was taken. Whether anything came of it, don't know and of course never saw the pills again. Now I know better, just put them in the safe or zip tie my luggage they are in.

Anywhere you stay can have issues with theft. Stayed offsite at a major chain hotel one year, came back to the room and my knapsack was gone with over $1000 dollars worth of prescription glasses, dvd player and dive computer. Filed a police report and claimed on insurance, never heard from my stuff again. Don't even want to start on the front desk response so please, don't ask. I just know to be prepared if theft happens.
I now record serial numbers and contents of my bags, then if something like this happens easier to file report.

 

[Diznejen1]

I have posted this several times on the boards, its still my favorite.
Take a regular dry kitchen sponge and drizzle liquid dish soap on one side. Let the sponge dry overnight. In the morning, cut the sponge into 4 equal parts and place them into a ziploc bag. When you need to wash anything out, like a resort mug, coffee mug or anything like that, just run the sponge under the sink and you have instant bubbles to clean your belongings.

 

[brittanyherndon]

Just a little off topic but...
Yes, I did and a report was taken. Whether anything came of it, don't know and of course never saw the pills again. Now I know better, just put them in the safe or zip tie my luggage they are in.

Anywhere you stay can have issues with theft. Stayed offsite at a major chain hotel one year, came back to the room and my knapsack was gone with over $1000 dollars worth of prescription glasses, dvd player and dive computer. Filed a police report and claimed on insurance, never heard from my stuff again. Don't even want to start on the front desk response so please, don't ask. I just know to be prepared if theft happens.
I now record serial numbers and contents of my bags, then if something like this happens easier to file report.

sry did not mean to upset u

I have posted this several times on the boards, its still my favorite.
Take a regular dry kitchen sponge and drizzle liquid dish soap on one side. Let the sponge dry overnight. In the morning, cut the sponge into 4 equal parts and place them into a ziploc bag. When you need to wash anything out, like a resort mug, coffee mug or anything like that, just run the sponge under the sink and you have instant bubbles to clean your belongings.

that is a kool idea

 

[hollybearsmom]

When I was planning our first big family trip...I combined all the packing lists I could find...it is a bit crazy...so don't take it all, but it should help you make sure you have everything you want.
It's here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1451899 on page 2 posts # 23, 24, and 25.


For us we don't want to forget to leave space for purchases to come home.

 

[cmskok]

I am not sure if you are driving or flying, so if you are flying, try not to overpack....the fees are crazy. There are essentials....sunblock, first aid kit, believe it or not, nail clipper, because they can also be used as scissors. Extra pair of shoes per person and empty water bottles (we got aluminum ones from TJ Maxx and Target) so you can fill yourself to save on spending and polluting with all of the plastic trash!

Also, ponchos in FL are a must! However, I must disagree about dollar store ponchos. We have the thicker ponchos, some Disney, some not. This past September we got caught in a HUGE rainstorm and there were people with Dollar Store ponchos that were soaked...they are too thin and flimsy, waving everywhere! We were just fine....and I am so glad! Crabby, wet kids are not too fun! BTW, ponchos at Dis are $7 each...we had two disappear this last trip, so we are waiting until our next trip to buy them at Disney (yes, worth ity to our family!!)

Have a great time

 

[yrdlyprincess]

my best suggestions are a power cord and those XXL bags for everything in your suitcase--you never know when something will spill.

 

[lovesmurfs]

This is a great thread!

I make photo copies of each of the park tickets and keep them in a suitcase pocket (tickets stay with me).

In the event of loss, I believe (I've never had to test it out) that the only way Disney will replace the cards is with a photocopy.

 

[micheluvscorgis]

Even though I posted this, I'll chime in with some unusual items I plan on bringing:

1. large clothespins/chip clilps for hotel curtains (for use during naptime)...and possibly to even keep a bag of chips fresh!

2. lysol spray for the room (I found a travel size)

3. Caribiner(sp?) clips to attach bag(s) to our stroller


Thanks, everyone!


-Michele

 

[Thumper_Man]

I remember someone started a thread on this. I subscribed to it so I could find it for future use. It's a long post to read, but there are a lot of great suggestions. The OP took some time to make a list of what mostly everybody suggested. It's a long list on the first page of the post. Keep in mind that these are merely suggestions. If you were to try to pack everything on this list, you would need quite a bit of luggage.

The most important things not to forget, that I didn't see on the list; don't forget your clothes and underwear.

Here's the link to that post:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1884129

 

[Chelley00]

I make photo copies of each of the park tickets and keep them in a suitcase pocket (tickets stay with me). .

Take the copies with you! If you lose your ticket in a park, you can't get fastpasses until you replace the ticket, and it's so much easier to do it with a copy. Our first trip a fastpass machine ate our ticket and it took seconds to replace it with the copy.

Last year we flat out lost a ticket somehow, left the copy at home and it was 10-15 minutes to replace it, by running the other ticket numbers we had, then trying to see what was entered in the park turnstile.

 

[BelleRocks]

We packed an overnight bag with a case of bottled water. When we were done with the water, we used the overnight bag to pack home souvies, etc. that we bought while there.

 

[smylie1]

I have posted this several times on the boards, its still my favorite.
Take a regular dry kitchen sponge and drizzle liquid dish soap on one side. Let the sponge dry overnight. In the morning, cut the sponge into 4 equal parts and place them into a ziploc bag. When you need to wash anything out, like a resort mug, coffee mug or anything like that, just run the sponge under the sink and you have instant bubbles to clean your belongings.

I love this! I'm going to do this for our next trip! Great idea!

 

[ScrappyRN]

I brought an inexpensive pop up hamper(suggested by other Disers). I kept it in the closet and we threw ours clothes in at the end of the day. I did do a load of dark laundry the day before we left, so I used the hamper to carry the clothes to the laundry room. The clothes I didn't wash, I separated into darks and lights. I folded them and placed them in large Disney bags from souveniers separated the lights and darks into 2 bags. When I packed to come home, I put all the dirty stuff in one suitcase and the clean stuff and souveniers in the others. When I got home, the dirty clothes suitcase went right to the laundry room and the clothes were already sorted inside.

 

[figment41]

If youare doing photopass make sure you take a pic of the numbers on the back. They can bring your pics up with the number and copy them onto a new card.

Also if you have a camera take a picture of your phone number and address if you loose your camera it may be sent back to you or maybe at least they will send your irreplaceable family photos to you.

I can not leave with out my wet one travel packs. Sometimes your touch something gross or just need to wipe your handsoff.

If you are going to anyparues like MNSSHP or MVMCP make sure you bring your confirmation numbers with you. They can not print your tickets at the hotel without the number. You will have to go to the parks to get them printed.

Lots of money!!

 

[mikera329]

I have posted this several times on the boards, its still my favorite.
Take a regular dry kitchen sponge and drizzle liquid dish soap on one side. Let the sponge dry overnight. In the morning, cut the sponge into 4 equal parts and place them into a ziploc bag. When you need to wash anything out, like a resort mug, coffee mug or anything like that, just run the sponge under the sink and you have instant bubbles to clean your belongings.

OMG! This idea is BRILLIANT!!! Thank u so much for posting it

Even if ur using the dining plan, we like to take a carry-on and put small snack and breakfast items that u can have has backups so u don't have to dish out $ if u get the munchies. We also found that putting our eating times and reservation #'s on a piece of paper and laminating it so it can go with us everywhere and not get ruined from water rides...just in case one of restauants didn't have our reservation, we had back up

 

[ZoZo]

Bring a variety of clothes. I just got back from a 10-day trip, and we had record-breaking heat and record-breaking cold, all in one trip! I wish I'd had more warm clothes (long socks, a warm sweatshirt/jacket, a long-sleeve shirt) because it barely broke 60 degrees one day, after a week of 92 to 97 degrees every day! I had packed mostly shorts, sandals, and sleeveless tops, and sooo wish I'd had a pair of warm, long socks! It was very breezy at Epcot, and my legs got very cold, even though I was wearing sweatpants.

Bring plenty of sunscreen, batteries, OTC medications, and other things that might be expensive at WDW. Remember, you can always wash clothes while you're there (and therefore pack fewer clothes) but it's things like this that are pretty expensive if you have to buy them on-site. I had to buy a little sewing kit that was $3.99, and wished I'd brought a needle and thread from home!

 

[seus-mouse]

Great ideas all

We always have a hot plate and pan, guess I'm used to it because of my Gramma, great for real coffee, tea or mac and cheese

DH makes scans and prints copies of Dis Tickets, Personal ID's, credit cards, and car reg and ins info. He also adds them as an attachment and sends it in an e-mail to our own e-mail and can retrieve it anywhere there is a connection

Love the soap and sponge idea, +1

 

[mom2maggie]

A small screwdriver! We had to replace batteries in a fan we bought and you had to use a screwdriver to remove the battery compartment. I had to go to about 6 stores at DHS looking for a cashier to have a small screwdriver before I finally just returned the Mickey fan for a new one (I told them the batteries died, showed my receipt from purchase the day before!, and they just gave me a new one)

 

[Dramamama]

When my kids were small we always packed a small night light and a small foot stool so they could reach the sinks. I know they sell small plastic folding ones. I never traveled without those 2 things.