Survey!!!! Whats the one thing you couldnt do without in Florida??

[lisagirlyUK]

HI,

I am off to Florida in August and have started looking at bits n pieces to buy in preparation. However there is loads out there and I am one of those people that will buy something 'just in case' - I know this will cost me a fortune!!! This applies to everything from tablets to suntan lotion to all those little travel accessories (snooze pillows, money wallets etc..)

So I wanted to ask all you experienced travellers the following 2 questions:

1. Whats the one thing that you could not have managed without in Florida?

2. Whats the one thing that you bought that was a total waste of money and you never used?


Thanks!!!

Lisa

 

[vernon]

1) Plenty of money!!!.
Pretty much anything you need will be cheaper in the US than in the UK. I'd only take stuff you're certain you need (lenses,glasses, wooden leg etc) that you don't want to buy new
2) if you'd inserted "wish you'd never used" the answer would be ticket home. First couple of trips I over bought theme park tickets.

 

[WDWFOREVER]

DH because he does the driving

DS because that boy really knows how to have fun

Other than that, my trusty walking stick because I wouldn't get far without it!

Everything else I can buy out there.

Jackie

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

If I am being practical - my number one item would have to be my credit card. Whatever I forget to pack, I can then buy it out there and also use it for the things I still need to buy like food, car hire, souvenirs etc etc.

But that answer is a bit obvious I suppose.

If you are talking about things that other people might not think important but I ABSOLUTELY MUST pack, mmmm, well, probably my two books on Orlando. They are full of useful 'phone numbers, tips on all the parks and loads of useful stuff.

2BoysMum&Dad

 

[SidB]

I don't think it's really a "couldn't do without", more a "must have". The Brit's Guide. Simple. Everything else you can buy.

 

[Dimplenose]

1. Sun cream - (I like to take mine as my DS reacts to some products.)

2. Flight socks - I was too self concious to wear them with shorts.


Libby

 

[mandysev]

Hi fellow gosporteer,

I live at Lee on Solent but work at Brune Park school. I am off to Orlando on July 23rd.
Anyway what is a definate must to take to Florida, yes a credit card and travellers cheques are a good one. A good suntan lotion as well.

As for the things I could do without are "dressy clothes". Forget the dresses - plenty of casual gear. OK

Anyway hope that helps
Mandy:
:MinnieMo

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I always take Tea Bags - to get a decent cuppa!!

Can't think if anything I have taken and haven't used....

Cath

 

[Hilary]

I can't do without my travel kettle and teabags (pathetic, I know, but I'm not human until I've had a cup of tea in the morning ) - sorry, that's two things. Those US coffee-makers just don't make a decent cup of tea IMHO!

I'm not sure I can think of any one item that's been a complete waste, but I always pack far too many clothes. I usually do some laundry out there and we end up wearing the same favourite items all the time and bring the rest home unworn.

 

[stubb]

my my

I live in stubbington!!!!

I think best to buy your tickets in the uk

Dont take your nice disney towels to wet and wild my ds tower of terror towel was taken. How people could steal a towel I dont know. Dont go to mad on taking loads of toiletries as you can get them over there[ NOTE TO SELF TAKE THIS ADVICE]

michelle

 

[lisagirlyUK]

Teabags!!!! Why didnt I think of that one!!! I went to Mexico a couple of years ago and was crawling the walls without my cuppa!! I had better remind my mum to pack her Gold Blend too!!

Apart from that I dont think I will worry too much about what I pack. I certainly wasn't intending to take any dressy clothes apart from maybe a thin summer dress and a dressy top to wear with my cotton trousers.

Thanks for all your help!!!!

PS for the Lee-on-Solenter and Stubbingtoner - I have sent you both private messages!!

 

[TraceyL]

I used to live in Stubbington

I always take too many clothes

Can't do without an empty suitcase to bring back all the shopping !

 

[RUSHBURY]

DH - he does the driving!

I don't drive and have no intention of learning.

 

[Selina]

I always pack my P.G. tips too and I bought in a supermarket off international drive an electric sort of a saucepan/kettle. You can heat milk, soup, water for tea etc....it's really been good value. Another must is the spray bottle for water as it get's so hot sometimes.
I always pack the rain poncho too - that's a must.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Teabags, definitely, and my Ariel washing liquid tabs (sorry, but the washing still has to be done and I've never yet found a good US washing powder)

Also, I discovered zip-lock plastic bags this year. Pack a few of those because they are so useful to take out to the parks to protect wallets/purses/cameras/ride photos etc on the really wet rides, we spend more time down on the beach than in the parks so they are great for shell-sorting and for lots of other uses.

After 6 trips, I've realised that we still pack too many clothes. Even though we think we won't be taking enough, we always forget about all the t-shirts, shorts etc that we'll be buying

My theory is, so long as we've got each other and our credit card, tickets and passports, anything you've left behind you can purchase over there, often better and cheaper . . . which leads me into a spare case/bag

 

[onlyholly]

Just a quick question - where did you get your zip lock bags ? I've got the ones that you pinch together and slide along between your fingers (if you know what I mean !!). Searched everywhere for the zip-lock ones without success.

Thanks
Holly

 

[Korbs]

1) Do not overpack. A friend of ours was over the limit on the way out. (she had everything but the kitchen sink and had to pay $150 to get her stuff back on the plane.) We only took 2 t shirt and shorts each and had plenty of room for our shopping.

2) The one useful thing that she did have in that case was talcun powder. At that time of year it is very hot and humid. This makes you sweat, which then makes your legs rub, and if you ignore it like we did.........you will be in pain. (My, what must we have looked like, stopping every half hour to run behind a bush and put talcun powder up our skirts! )

3) Take your own washing powder. Not like a box or anything, just a few of the individually wrapped cubes. The stuff at the hotel was expensive and didn't even work that well.

Apart from that, take a credit card and buy everything out there!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi Holly

I had terrible trouble getting proper Zip-lock bags - I managed, purely by chance one day, to track some down in some little old hardware store out in the middle of Dorset when I was visiting relatives.

The ones you can buy from supermarkets/drugstores are just as good really - the ones where you slide your finger across like you say I managed to also get some of these in all sorts of sizes from one of those poundshops, again couldn't do without them now

 

[2BoysMum&Dad]

Regarding talcum powder - I always take this whenever I go away anywhere! Very useful for all those crevices! Also, I never (or rarely) wear skirts and this helps prevent the sore legs problem. I always wear trousers or shorts, I am not a skirt or dress person! Also regarding skirts, you don't know what people might see if you are queueing up on a metal staircase for an attraction (for instance). Are there any like this?

Zoe.

 

[onlyholly]

I'll just keep my eyes peeled when out shopping.

Holly