Things we'll need - what have I forgotten?

[Daysleeper40]

So I've purchased all the tickets and made all the reservations that I can - I've now moved onto supplies

I'm trying to think of things we will need and was hoping you guys could help me. It is OH aged 30, and myself aged 27, who are going - it is our first trip. Here is my list so far:

All ready have:

2x suitcases
2x Holdalls (to take empty and bring home full!)
2x Rucksacks
Pair of water shoes each
Waterproof watch
Bottle spray on suncream SPF 30 / aftersun (intend to buy more there)
Crocs for OH, Reefs for me
The obvious clothes / swimwear / trainers / cap etc
Dollars and AMEX TC card
Books / PSP / DS / MP3 players for the plane

Need:

Cable ties for suitcases / holdalls (btw how do you get them open when you arrive?)
USA plug adaptors - does anyone know where sells them seperatley? I can only find them in 2 packs with EU adaptors and we really don't need any of those!
These ziplock bags I keep hearing about but don't really know what they're for.
More TC's / load up the AMEX card
Extra LIon Battery's for Dig Cameras
Extra Memory Cards for Camera
Puzzle books for airport / plane
Little hardback notebook for my trip report notes

...and there I run out of inspiration. Am I missing something obvious or does anyone have any tips for what we will need??

 

[Daysleeper40]

Forgot to say - we are going for 2 weeks on September 17th

 

[wicket2005]

Scissors to open cable ties. We usually pack them loose in an outside pocket of a zipped holdall bag that goes in the hold. Forgot one year and had to go out and buy some.

You could get some aeroplane ear phone adaptors (about £2) from Maplins that allow you to connect your own earphones to the sound system on the plane.

I use ziplock type bags to pack, everything gets rolled up and put into separate bags and labelled. When I arrive at the room I just chuck various named bags at the various members of the family, makes unpacking quick. You seem to get more in the case as well.

Labels for inside the case, I usually put the name of the hotel we are staying inside too as well as our address. I also make a note of what goes in each case.

I use Aquapac bags to carry my electronic devices around. These bags are totally waterproof. (I lost a digital camera one year when in a heavy downpour rain seeped through the zip of my camera case and into the camera). These bags are also see through which makes going through security at the parks really quick because I just hold my bag up. If taking a haversack you have to open all the sections up.

Some form of photograph ID, you can be asked for this on the gates to parks, in shops, etc. Though in reality it has only happened on a few occasions to us.

Copy of your passport in case you lose them.

Obviously the chargers for cameras, ipods, etc.

Driving licence, both parts - if driving. Handy for id in any case if the new photo type one.

Credit cards, with emergency numbers written down somewhere if they get pinched.

Change for toll roads (if driving yourself from airports).

Good map to get you from airport and around Orlando area.

If I think of anything else I will post it. I tend to make a list out and keep adding to it as I remember things.

 

[Daysleeper40]

Thankyou - we are not driving so I don't have to worry about maps etc but I had not thought of putting labels in the cases (seems so obvious now you mention it tho!)

Do have a couple of questions -
Is aquapac a brand name? Where do you buy them?
Will photo driving licence work as ID or will we have to take our passports out with us?

 

[wicket2005]

Email addresses. In Epcot there are free computers that you can take your photo with a silly background and send it to relatives. Many hotels have internet machines that you can send emails back home if you want to.

Aquapac is a brand name, just google it and it will come up.

Driving licence photo ID will work fine, much better than carrying passport around.

Blisterize (or something like that). It is a special blister plaster that bubbles up with a protective cushion. It is sold in a blue plaster container in supermarkets. Handy to have on you because it is dead easy to get a blister, especially if you get wet feet.

If going to Islands of Adventure wear sandals that are easily dried. On all the water rides you do get soaked and it isn't very pleasant walking round in wet trainers.

 

[Daysleeper40]

I'll defo look for those blister things as my OH is a known sufferer!
Glad the Driv Lic will do as had visions of losing passport / getting it wet etc etc.

RE IOA - thats why we were planning to wear Crocs / Reefs most of the time. Comfy and easily dried. I think I'd probably end up with trench foot if I wore trainers all the time... even without taking the water rides into consideration!

 

[snookhams]

If you like a cup of tea first thing in the morning then take some teabags - American teabags are just vial!!! the only decent cup of tea made by an American that I have ever had was at the afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, so my teabags are a must.
I also take a travel pack of wet wipes, if you have a fridge in your room keep them in there better still a freezer and they are so refreshing in the hot sun, just remember to reapply sun cream.

 

[carolfoy]

my most useful packing thing is one of those canvas sweater holders that has a velcro top, i pack two days of clothes into each shelf, fold it and pack it, then when i get to the other end i just lift it out the case and fasten it over the rail in the room, i've got all my clothes sorted then, they're all pressed and tidy and they go back into the case once worn.

this is the type of thing i mean
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produ...torage>C$cip=49848.Bedroom+canvas+storage.htm

 

[wifey]

Remember your toiletries and essential medicines like head ache tablets and/or indigestion tablets or immodium. Plus take some aloe vera it's great for damaged skin e.g .scrapes and cuts not it's just after sun lotion and some spray on sunscreen is great for the scalp and hair line. Make sure you take some laundry detergent / dryer sheets even if you don't want to wash much laundry it can get expensive to use the laundrette facilities there, the tablets we have here are fine to use in the washing machines over there. Oh and don't forget any dining reservation numbers and contact details for the restaurants just in case you run late or need to change them. If you can get to a supermarket we suggest you buy your bottled water there it's way cheaper than buying it in the parks.

 

[MorningGlory]

USA plug adaptors - does anyone know where sells them seperatley? I can only find them in 2 packs with EU adaptors and we really don't need any of those!

You can buy them over there in any supermarket for a couple of dollars. I would take one with you though, as well as a strip of sockets, that way you can plug your UK chargers in to the strip, and plug the strip itself into the adapter. We had alot of things to charge up so it worked well for us. Make sure to check the voltage on your electrics though, they must be compatible with 110v

Extra LIon Battery's for Dig Cameras

I bought a Duracell pack in Walmart that included a quick-charge charger and 4 AA Duracell batteries for $18! I didn't buy a charger until just before I left the UK, and never thought to check the voltage - it couldn't work over there!


Hope you have a great time

 

[Claire L]

Boots in their holiday section were selling travel adaptors for US/Canada only or if not you can get them at the airport.

Claire