The Anti-Packing List: What should have been left at home?

[mecllap]

I really like having an umbrella for use in the sun -- I use a smallish one and am careful about watching to be sure I don't run into people with it, or block their view.

I usually take too much food -- snacks into the parks or stuff in the room (but we drive so it's easy to haul it home again). I wouldn't bother taking in bottled water.

 

[srwarden1928]

We went spring break and did not need:

papers to grade--they werent touched while in florida
all the extra snacks--we ate so much in WDW we didnt want more food--and we were NOT on the dining plan

 

[hroyale]

I'll vote again for the extra toys for the room. I had packed a lot of coloring, videos and small games. Next time I'll just bring one DVD and the animals they sleep with.

Also way over ordered from Garden Grocer*. Now I know. Only breakfast items and snacks to carry in the parks. The last thing we wanted at the room was junk food. Also, you can't overestimate how much bottled water you'll use. Even in Jan we went through a case.

Blister treatments. I brought 3-4 different treatments for blisters or aids to avoid blisters (mole skin etc...) Luckily it wasn't necessary. By the end I was almost hoping for DH to get a blister so I could feel proud that I was prepared.

I also didn't use the "nice" clothes I packed for myself or the make-up and hair stuff. (If you know you're planning a fancy night out, bring it, if not save the space.)

I'll still bring the hats. Maybe we'll wear them next year. I know we should.

Things I didn't pack enough of:
Sweatpants. (To bring with us to pull on over our shorts when we were out and it cooled off. (Jan))
Flip-flops (we had to wear our sneakers to the pool)
Scissors. (Totally forgot these. Have you tried opening some of those toy packages with a nail clipper and a wine opener?)
Bandaids. (We ran out. They're small, no reason not to load up.)


*If you're looking for free fruit, walk through the villa area of a resort around check-out. 2 times we had other DVC guests offering us all the food they had left AND we did the same when we were checking out.**

** Note: We never took any. I'm sure if was fine, but the whole "never take food from strangers" precluded me from accepting unknown banannas. That and the entire bunch sitting on our counter.

 

[Dr. M]

We've taken insect repellant all 5 trips and never needed it once. We go in September and stay at the value resorts (not at the camp-grounds).

 

[beccasmom]

Ditto on the reading materials and umbrellas! I love to read, but carried just one magazine and one paperback (for the plane) and I was fine. It is nice to think you'll be able to catch up on your reading...but it doesn't happen that way! And you can't waste your precious "weight allowance" on books...

As for umbrellas, they are a pain to carry and can be a major annoyance when walking in crowds. Ponchos are just easier - although, I might add, "toastier"!

Pop-up hampers are the best!

 

[mocame]

We were there earlier this month.

* Jeans
* Hats
* Watershoes - Didn't even need them for the waterpark
* Too many first aid supplies & OTC medicines
* Reading Material
* Snacks - We were on the DDP and didn't need many snacks besides for breakfast.
* Hand sanitizer - With the swine flu scare, I had tons of bottles and wipes.
* Activities for the kids to use while waiting in line - Didn't use any of them.
* Too many of our kids Disney stuffed animals - Plus my friend sent a surprise package to our resort with a large Disney stuffed animal for EACH of my two children. I had to find room in our suitcases for them when we left!

One thing that I'm glad I took more than one of is sunglasses. We each took 2 pair of sunglasses along. My husband lost one pair in the water at the water park (the slide was more intense than he thought it would be) and my daughter's one pair broke. Thankfully, we had backups.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

We usually pack too many snacks but hate to buy the overpriced snacks at the hotel

I took jewelry last year to wear with my outfits and didn't wear it
It was hot and I didn't need anything extra on my body!

Ziploc bags, we always carry them and never use them, I will bring one to use as an ice pack if needed but thats it

and yes, I bring way too many books.. at night I am exhausted and want to go right to sleep

My daughter didn't bring a sweatshirt and needed it, when it rains and you go into the A/C it can get really chilly

 

[MissAndrea]

I agree with the makeup thing. I always wear foundation because I still break out and I want them covered up. I ended up sweating it all off within an hour or two and I think it made me break out worse. Tinted moisurizer is all I will use next time. Oh, only use waterproof mascara...more for the sweating than the water rides!

Also, we drove and took WAY too much for my DD to do in the car. I'd made her an activity book, brought homework (she missed a week for the vacay), and TONS of DVDs...it was too much. She only did a few pages out of the activity book that I spent HOURS making (from the creative boards!!) because I made her work on homework first. Then she spent the rest of the time watching the bazillion movies I brought. The activity book is still fabulous though and we'll use it the next time we go.

What I didn't bring that I wished I would have- something for blisters!!!! Last year I wore my keens and never had one problem. I decided to get Mickey crocs (even though I think crocs are ugly) but I didn't break them in ahead of time. I assumed since they are supposed to be soooo comfortable, I would be fine. WRONG! OMG I got some blisters. Ended up wearing my keens again. So, break in the shoes, no matter what kind they are and bring blister stuff JUST IN CASE!

Oh, I also never used any of the little crystal light things to mix with in the water bottle. Didn't really eat any of the snack I brought to the park either. However, I am SOOOO glad my boyfriend and I each brought a water bottle. We filled it up at the water fountains (near most if not all of the bathrooms) and never paid a dime for water but were very hydrated. Our bags each had a place for it though too so that helped.

 

[singnring]

Hangers (because I could have gotten as many as I wanted just by calling housekeeping)
.

WOW!! thanks for that one.

I did not know you could request more!

I always lug about 20 hangers for my and DH's shirts and pants!

We always pack too many clothes.
All the "Just in Case" stuff never gets used.

Also, long sleeved shirts. Just a light jacket is needed unless going Jan-Feb. Even then, not always needed.

Pack fewer bulky pants/shorts and wash once while @WDW. Take 2 tops to match each bottom and you have half the bulk.

Ditto on the kid stuff and umbrellas!!

Portable DVD - not worth the hassle!

When on the DDP, don't need extra food, except light breakfast foods for when we have late resies for Br buffets.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Dollar tree shoe thing that hung on back of door.

Nobody but me used it so it was a waste of space. My stuff would have fit on the shelf below the mirror easily.

 

[SingingMom]

GREAT thread for me, the QUEEN OF OVER-PACKING! DH always says to me "we aren't going to a THIRD WORLD COUNTRY - they HAVE STORES!" My "problem" is that we do not rent a car, so I feel "trapped" that I can't get to the grocery store "just in case"... I know,
"just in case" WHAT? I am pathetic.

We leave in two weeks - I have things all over the guest room bed, trying to lessen the pile.

I do agree with leave the jewelry & make up at home - I wear the same things I go down with, and only bring mascara, lipstick, and a light powder.
Must remind DD16 that for this time around!

I go overboard on medicines and first aid, but DH gets the most horrendous blisters, no matter WHAT he wears, and I'm really particular about brands. So, that's my one overpacking situation I can't change.

I always bring too many shoes, also. This year - NO SNEAKERS! I never wear them anyway. And I always bring too many sweatshirts/jackets. ONE is enough for chilly air conditioning. Again - THERE ARE STORES!

NO JEANS, and no long pants is a good rule when you visit in JUNE!

I am guilty of too many tops & shorts, but I refuse to do laundry when I am ON VACATION.

And this year, no extra sundresses, etc. I will bring ONE.

....now.... let's see if I really follow it this time...

 

[cheap traveler]

I like to bring an umbrella, was a life-saver last year during the show. I made sure there was nobody behind me before I sat, of course.

Water shoes will FINALLY be left behind this year. we never use them since we don't go to water parks.

I always bring one or two extra outfits, but it is worth it.

We always bring hats and never wear them. I don't think I will leave them home though because we really should wear them.

Stuffed animals - brought them for fun, they just took up space. They will be limited to one Lovie each.

I always bring too many snacks. I really plan to cut down the list this year, but I guess we will see.

My last item is water. I always bring a case and have half left. I might bring one re-usable bottle to fill up this year. I have no way to bring it with me, so I would have to have it shipped, so it will cut costs too

 

[ZoZo]

Aqua socks (never needed them at the water parks)

Brought waaaay too many clothes; ended up doing laundry mid-trip, so I could've brought half the amount I did.

 

[mherzlovesdisney]

1. Hats - didn't really use them
2. Sneakers - wore them on Day 1 and they made my feet hurt; switched to my favourite Reef sandals for the rest of the trip
3. Reading material - I love to read, but I just didn't get the chance to do much of it on vacation
4. Blow dryer & curling iron - didn't really use either
5. Extra sunglasses - at home, I rotate between 2 pairs, but I ended up wearing the same lightweight pair for the whole trip
6. Too many clothes - including a dressy just-in-case outfit I didn't use.
7. First aid supplies - took way more than we needed; next time it'll be allergy meds, Advil or Aleve, chewable or quick-melting kids pain/ fever meds, Band-Aids and Neosporin to go. For anything else, there are first aid stations, and 24 hour Walmart stores

i disagree we needed the meds everyone is always sore and needs the meds

 

[mherzlovesdisney]

I usually take too much food -- snacks into the parks or stuff in the room (but we drive so it's easy to haul it home again). I wouldn't bother taking in bottled water.

i disagree when we go we ship two cases of water and take 4 bottles in the park everyday

 

[PeytonSdiz]

I've gotten to be a lighter packer over the years, thankfully. On the last disneyworld trip I brought shorts but I never wore them. And a swimsuit that I didn't use. We also don't bring the laptop anymore because we don't have time to go online for anything anyway. On our last trip to disneyland, I wore every pair of shoes I brought. And all of my clothes (with the exception of a couple extras. But I will continue to pack at least one extra of every clothing item.)

 

[KimDis]

Great thread! I was actually thinking of starting one like this as I packed to return home a few weeks ago.
My list
Hand wipes/sanitizers - I bought tons of this stuff after the swine flu scare too. We used some... just not as much as I packed.
Makeup - forgot to wear it until the last 2 days - could've completely done without it and just packed some gloss
Swimsuit - brought 3 wore one that never even got wet, LOL
iPod - never used it especially since I had my iPhone
Workout clothes - honestly one pair of sweat pants or pajama pants would have sufficed for the quick trip to the lounge in the morning and after all the walking I did there was NO way I was going to the gym
Jewelry - would've done with just 2 necklaces and a bracelet
Chafing sprays/gel sticks - NEVER used them

 

[Cdn Mickey]

i disagree we needed the meds everyone is always sore and needs the meds

Last time I brought way to many clothes.... this time Sept. 12-19/09

4 pairs of light weight shorts
6 tops (all will match work with shorts (2 t-shirts, golf shirt, 3 tank tops)
1 swim suit/cove rup
Keens, 1 pair flips flops - no socks!
Dollar store poncho
small bottle sunscreen & purell
pj's
Liquid Tide/2 bounce sheets

If I need a heavier sweat shirt, I will buy one.

 

[mickeytattoo95]

I always bring too many snacks. My husband ends up lugging a backpack full of bottled water, teddy grahams, goldfish, etc and we only ever drink the water. We're almost always on the DDP too so we get a snack each day. Why do I do this to him? I guess I just like to be prepared.

I know this sounds crazy, but I bring a deck of cards with me and it has come in handy waiting in long lines that don't move. Ex. waiting for Playhouse Disney show, Voyage of Little Mermaid, or seated waiting for Fantasmic or any firework/parade event. Keeps the kids busy anyway!

 

[Native NYer]

I agree about the toys. We brought some and they sat in the bag for the whole week!