MY TIPS:
Purchase and use Bodyglide daily
Awesome.
No chaffing No blisters
Break your sneakers in before going. Flip flops in the parks are a bad idea
no matter how you look at it.
My DH would sprinkle foot powder in our sneakers at the end of each day. This would help absorb any moisture as well as freshen up the sneaker.
Pre-measure your laundry detergent and bring your own dryer sheets. I put the detergent into small snack sized baggies and then put dryer sheets in another bag and then bagged them all together in a larger bag. Make sure to pack this away from food stuff so the smell doesnt infiltrate any food.
I had purchased (at a drug store for around $3) collapsible hampers. These were great to have.
An easy way to keep the dirty clothes contained and if you have more than 1 you can sort your dirty clothing each evening. These were also convenient for carry laundry to and from the laundry center.
Bring a stain stick and at the end of each day use it to pretreat any stains or spills you may have on your clothes. This way you wont forget when you get home and most stain sticks are safe on most clothing for up to 2 weeks.
I used a small soft sided lunch sized cooler and packed a small medical kit. I included pain relievers, a thermometer, decongestant, cough syrup, Band-Aids, antibacterial ointment, tweezers, small nail scissors, anti itch cream, Benedryl, allergy meds, pepto bismal tablets, antacids, cotton balls, small gauze pads, q-tips, small alcohol swab packets and some antibacterial gel. I also printed off our Drs names and numbers and any prescription meds & their RX number. I take this little bag with us on every trip and it has come in handy many times. It takes up only a small amount of room in the suitcase and I store it on the shelf in the top of the closet. It is also a $$$ saver. These OTC medications can be very expensive at Disney.
We did take a few snacks and I pre-packaged those in snack size baggies just for convenience purposes. If you are not driving and wish to have food or drinks delivered we found Garden Grocer to be awesome. You can check out their web site to see what is available. On this last trip we used them and they delivered everything fresh and just as we had requested. We ordered milk, half & half (for coffee), OJ, fruit, yogurt and string cheese, pop tarts, as well as a case of water and a 12 pack of sodas. They also carry Styrofoam coolers and we purchased those as well. I think they were in the $5 range. We used one cooler for water and food stuff and the other for milk, juice & ½&½ . The coolers worked out great. Garden Grocer does charge a delivery fee but it is cheaper than renting a car (maybe $10).
As I mentioned above, we did bring our own coffee maker from home. The one thing that we absolutely cannot do without is our coffee.
My DH and I both prefer a French roasted coffee. I pre-measured the coffee for our number of mornings plus about 5 or 6 extra for those afternoons that scream for a pick me up. I also brought a container of sugar but I guess it could be confiscated from the food court. I then packed all of the pre- measured baggies of coffee and my coffee filters in another large freezer bag. I placed this inside the pot. This along with the coffee maker went in my carry on. I also packed 2 mugs in our suitcase. It is much nicer to drink your coffee out of a real mug than styrofoam. At least I think so.
I have read a lot about the bad coffee from WDW. So Beware!!!
I refuse to risk it.
We found using a back pack to be essential. Our back pack contents: one small pill bottle with Tylenol, Advil, & Tums; Anti bacterial gel and wipes; Autograph books & pens; Chap Stick; Ponchos and a very small collapsible umbrella. Bring along at least one hand towel. This is great to have in case you get really wet on a ride or a sudden rain storm or for sitting on (i.e. parade time or metal bleachers) and also if it rains you can wrap your camera in it until you get to a dry place. Include extra batteries and memory cards or film. We also kept our water bottles, small fans, a couple of small baggies with non crushable snacks like dried fruit & nuts and a small pkg. of mints. I laminated a small card with all of our ADRs and confirmation #s, and 2 contact numbers in case of an emergency( I kept his in the front pocket). I think if you had any type of drug or food allergies or medical condition I would include that also. My DH carried this around
..he is the pack mule like I said. Sometimes when DH was lucky; DS would carry it.
I used a small purse that hung around my neck and in that I kept our Keys to the World cards, our Photopass card and any FPs. I also had my cell phone and a few $$.
Write your name and cell # on your Photopass card. This helps keep them separate in case the photographer has more than one or if you loose it. If using a digital camera take a photo of your cards
just in case. I made sure to program in all my important #s in my cell phone.
Remember if you purchase anything in the parks or at another resort they will ship it to your hotel FREE. So,
Why lug it around??? Just do this before the last 2 days.
Use Fast Passes!
Why wait in line?
Take afternoon breaks especially when it is hot. Cool off, nap and get refreshed before heading back out.
Bring batteries, film, memory cards and the like from home. They are very expensive at WDW.
Pack a small screwdriver for repairing sunglasses or replacing batteries.
I found if each child has a set amount of money for souvenirs they do better. We separated their money and I carried it in separate envelopes. When they wanted something extra they had to use their money. It was amazing how much more they thought about their purchases when it was their money.
Dont forget
.Take more pictures than you can imagine. Very, very important!
I preprinted Mouse keeping envelopes for tipping, at home. I pre filled them with $$$ and each morning as we headed out we left one out. I kept the others in the room safe.
I made a couple of calendars and had them laminated prior to our trip. I put one out on the table so we could all see it whenever we were curious about what was on the agenda. I also kept one in the backpack as a back up.
Remember that it takes longer than you could ever imagine to go from point A to point B. Give yourself more time than you think it will take because sometimes the buses (& boats) are just unpredictable.
Dont be afraid to ask questions. We always found the CMs were extremely helpful and this usually ended up in a conversation of sorts.
Just relax, laugh and have fun. Be flexible. Try not to sweat the small stuff and you know what they say it is all small stuff
Heck, it is WDW how bad could it be
I wanted to share these photos with ya'll. These were taken throughout the different parks and it makes me realize just how beautiful WDW really is. This is just a tiny portion of the variety of flowers for us all to enjoy...
My TOP TEN LESSONS LEARNED This Trip:
#10 Purchase extra batteries at home they are expensive at WDW.
#9 Bring more than 1 pair of sunglasses
#8 The tram does not go to the MK!!!
#7 Pack 2 pairs of socks for each day
one for the morning and one for the evening. There is nothing worse than taking off hot socks to let your feet cool and then in a couple of hours having to put the dirty ones back on
because you didnt bring enough pairs.YUK!.
#6 Do not go into a park on your first day! Make it a rest day. Go out to dinner, swim, rest and then you are ready for a full day of fun the next day. We made this mistake once but we will not repeat it. I remember sitting in the waiting area for Chef Mickeys and not being able to stay awake. My Dh and I were pitiful.
Not good
not what you think of when dreaming about your WDW vacation and it is certainly not a great way to start your vacation..
#5 When purchasing a DoleWhip or RootBear Float Drink it down some before walking in the hot Fl sun and if you dont do that steer clear of cranky people.
#4 Do not seek out cheap gasoline in a strange city, when you are running late for a flight
especially one with a bridge
#3 Do not leave chocolate in a closed up car in FL. It will melt and become a mess. Duh!!!
#2 Carry your Drivers License everywhere!!! Double Duh!!! (as well as a Credit Card.)
#1 Dont be afraid to meet up with other Dissers
they probably are not terrorist or insane people. If they are you can always escape from the bathroom. It was great to get a chance to meet and know Eeyores Tiara, Glendamax, Glendamaxs Mom, MickeyGirl76 and Utahmama. You just never know
you may become lifelong friends.
Well, that is it for my TR. It kind of saddens me in a strange way to be finished.
It is like leaving WDW
I guess writing a TR is a way to hang on to that magic for just a bit longer. Maybe that is why I have taken so looooooonnngggg. I have enjoyed writing it and reliving all of the magic & fun with you all. I hope that one day my kids will appreciate this and get a kick out of reading it. Next time I promise to take some notes and be a bit quicker to finish.
I thank you all for sticking with me and reading it. Thanks for all of the wonderfully sweet and encouraging comments. I feel as though we are all friends now. I wish I could personally meet each one of yall. Hey, if youre ever in GA
let me know. You can stop by for a glass of sweet tea
.
TTFN
Darlene
I'll be on the
LGMH FOCKER WATCH in Oct
. I promise. I almost have 1 of the last 2 installments ready to post. I do have my pics uploaded and ready...so hang in there.
I loved your Sci Fi pictures, I never ate there but it looks fun. Thanks for the tip about the candy as we are going to MNSSHP in October. We are driving, but I still would have left it in the car for a couple hours in a suitcase 
I am so sad to here you TR come to an end! I really have enjoyed every moment! You take the most amazing pictures! You're kids are such cutie patooties! Thanks for sharing your memories!
We did get home safe, sound and pooped.
She is a hoot and already a disneyholic.
I am so excited. I would love
to stay at the POLY. I know that will be awesome. I still need to call back and try to change my ressies. I will try tomorrow. Send me some pixie dust!
I get to reply first...
We need to plan an afternoon in the spa this time......with tiaras on! Maybe we can have afternoon tea sent over while we do the spa thing.... And then have dinner together! 
