Tips I am learning while here . . . please add yours!

[Whistle]

It was really helpful for me to read all of the planning tips ahead of time. I thought I would start a thread of things I am learning while here that I wouldn't have thought of ahead of time . . . .

~ We are at Pop Centurty and are really enjoying it! I am learning to "not be afraid to ask" (politely)- it started when we got here and my room wasn't going to be ready for another 6 hours- I asked if there might be a different room available right away (there was, and it was in a better location).
Getting nachos, I politely asked for a little container of cheese (they happily game some) . . . my point is, everyone has been very accomodating. If you don't get what you want/need, politely ask- if they can help you, they will!

~ It would have been helpful to have an activity in my bag to keep the kids entertained while we waited for Fantasmic last night (80 minute wait)-- they did fine. We visited with others, my ds read his new Star Wars book, I looked at my Hidden Mickey book, and we played the "Who Am I" game (think of a person/character and others ask yes/no questions)- we did them all Disney related. From now on, I will put a few word searches, our Touches, or the DS in the bag as well (lots of other kids had them)

~ Some items I am REALLY glad we have are:
power strip for room
sun block for lips (several)
sunscreen
clothespins to hang bathing suits by closet
SD card and rechargable batteries
our own sharpees for character autographs
LOTS of extra Disney pins for trading
ziploc bags (we packed our clothes in them when flying)
a small thing of powder- feels great in this heat

~ Some items I wish I had packed:
a scrunchie for my hair (I had brought clips that hurt my head when on rides)
a better conditioner for my hair
my Disney pjs to relax in the evening


We are on the quick service dining plan, and we are getting more food than we could have imagined. It is GREAT! We are hearty eaters and can NOT eat it all. We use our refillable resort mugs and then get powerade/bottle waters for our drink choice to take with us to the park. We started getting prepackaged desserts (rice krispy Mickey Heads) to take back with us if we need to. It is VERY filling! We are very glad we did this- I wasn't sure at the beginning if it was worth it or not, but it is!

Anyway, sorry this got so long winded, but I hope it may help someone. Please add your favorite tips as well!

 

[tweedlemom]

I totally agree with bringing your own conditioner! Also, if your kids are little, don't forget to call the front desk each night and arrange a free wake up call for the following morning so that the little ones can answer the phone and hear Mickey or Stitch talk to them! My kids always get a kick out of that. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Whistle]

I wanted to add that it would have been helpful if I had packed bobby pins- I normally don't use them so it never occurred to me. However, they would be helpful to help secure mouse ears rather than using the strap.

Also, I was impressed with the store here at Pop- they really have a lot of the "extras" that you may forget. Yes, they are more expensive, but nice knowing they are there.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Great tips! I started bringing a power strip a few years back and it's a brilliant thing to bring! I plug it in by the table and use it to plug in all my rechargeables-cell phone, cam., digital camera, etc. Eveything being is one place makes it easy to not forget to charge at the end of the day.

Bring as many camera cards as you have (buy more if needed). Years ago I only had 1 or 2 SD cards and I would fill them up about halfway through our trip. This would mean a trip to Sam's Club to transfer pictures to a CD. Which is fine if you have a rental car (we always do) but it does mean making a trip there when I might not have the time. Oh, and what if the machine is down? In Jan. 06 we made a trip with the most family members we ever have. It was myself, my DD (then 6), my DM, my 2 Dsis, and my adult DNiece. My 2 DSis' and I filled up our cards early on in the trip. We had to make a special trip to get them downloaded to CDs. After that I bought a few more SD cards, more as they continued to drop in price. I know have a 4 GB, and many 2 GB. So much easier now that I don't have to worry about running out of storage space.

Also with digital cameras that use rechargeables batteries, have at least 1 spare and carry it with you. Don't run out of power at the wrong moment.

Another use for Sharpies-mark your refillable mugs with each person's initials. Especially handy if you have more in your group than they have different colored mugs. May not seem like a big deal but since my DM drinks coffee and I don't I can't tell you how bad Diet Cokes tastes, and smells, if put in a mug that held coffee. Same goes for hot tea in same mug.

Also use a Sharpie to put your name/phone number on your Photopass cards (if you don't take a picture of the back of the card, that is). Makes it easy to identify when the PP photog hands it back to you and just in case it's lost, maybe someone will call you . Can't tell you how many PP cards I see laying around along with all the Park Tickets I have picked up with no info on them. I turn the found tickets in to L&F but I wonder if they ever get them back?

I have many more but these are my favs.

 

[minushka72]

Great tips everyone. In addition to my own conditioner, i also bring my own shampoo. The humidity in Florida wrecks my hair and trying to use a shampoo or conditioner I don't normally use does not help any. I do love to bring home the shampoo from the hotel and use it at home though where it reminds me of my vacation.

 

[WAMomof3]

These are great! I'm adding some of these to my packing list.

19 days till suprise trip.

 

[Whistle]

Okay, still thinking of them as we are here . . .

~ a misting fan (they are 16.00 here if you plan on purchasing)
~ glowsticks (from Michael's 1.00 bin)- my boys have loved them!


We brought 2 beach towels but haven't really needed them at all. Mousekeeping will give you plenty (I take 2 for me)

I 2nd the extra rechargable batteries- mine must be running out b/c the charge is only lasting a day (that or I am really overdoing the picture taking)

I brought a fanny pack that my 12 y.o. has loved wearing- he carries his cell, room key, pins to trade, park map, etc.

Also, I brought a Disney backpack (we bought last year as one of the "promotions" they do), and I have found my boys will willingly carry it (as opposed to my Vera hipster I had planned using)- works for me- I have only been carrying the camera, and they have taken turns with the backpack.

Make sure your shoes are comfortable!

Bodyglide would have been helpful. I don't have it with me. You sweat here in places you didn't know existed (sorry if that is TMI)- however, another post I read mentioned using deodorant/antipersperant on feet to keep them from sweating/getting blisters. I brought a sample size deodorant that I am using for that purpose. I am also putting it on my inner thighs, and that seems to be doing the trick (first day I didn't do this, and I could tell the difference!). Sorry if that is TMI, but if it helps one person, it is worth it.

Anyway, keep adding . . . I know how much everone's tips helped me!

 

[Dynamite626]

MORE! MORE! We will be there on July 18th for our 2nd time and need all the info I can get!

 

[MiniGirl]

One thing we put in our park bag during hot weather is a washcloth in a ziploc baggie. It is so refreshing to be able to take it out, wet it and run it over your face and the back of the neck. Then back in the baggie it goes. It is much more durable and softer than using paper towels.

 

[mousebymarriage]

One thing we put in our park bag during hot weather is a washcloth in a ziploc baggie. It is so refreshing to be able to take it out, wet it and run it over your face and the back of the neck. Then back in the baggie it goes. It is much more durable and softer than using paper towels.

another great washcloth idea given to me by a friend.
-first double ziplock bag the wash cloth
-wet the was cloth so it's damp but not soaking
-place a handful of ice cubes (every resort has an ice machine) in the ziplock bag with the wash cloth. keeps the was cloth cold and it feels so refreshing when it's hot out.
* just dump out the water when the ice melts and refill with fresh ice from almost any counter service area. Most will give you a small cup of ice for free if you ask.