Vacation "Dry Run": Here's what I MUST bring to WDW!

[missypie]

We were out of town over the weekend - a quicky trip 4 hours away for a kid event. We stayed at a La Quinta which was pretty darned nice for the $56 a night we paid.

With our WDW trip at the front of my mind (17 days away!) here's what I learned:

1. I can't STAND to have the toothbrushes on the counter top or in a cup that keeps tipping over. I went to WalMart yesterday and bought a plain plastic toothbrush holder for 78 cents. I also bought a matching soap dish. I don't know what the bathroom set ups will be, but for another 78 cents, I thought it was worth it.

2. I had already bought a pop-up hamper - thank goodness! I alrady know it was money well spent. I HATE having clothes all over the floor, or in the corner of the closet.

3. I had alrady bought a few shallow trays for organizing the bathroom counter. I hate having to take my makeup out of the bag every morning. Now I'll be able to have it out and arranged.

4. I'll have to spring for a deluxe for every WDW trip. I really have a problem having a room without a balcony when the entire family is with me.

5. We had to deal with the "wet bathing suit" issue. At Walmart I bought some plastic clips, so we can dry the wet suits on hangers instead of over the shower rod.

After one night with my family in a cheap motel room, I was thinking "How will I survive nine nights at WDW?" As a family of 5, we typically rent condos or timeshares on vacation, so we are used to having multiple bedrooms, a washer and dryer, etc. I just hate paying a huge amount a night for a deluxe hotel, then having the room look like we're the Beverly Hillbillies. We'll see if all my organization pays off.

 

[prncess674]

We were out of town over the weekend - a quicky trip 4 hours away for a kid event. We stayed at a La Quinta which was pretty darned nice for the $56 a night we paid.

With our WDW trip at the front of my mind (17 days away!) here's what I learned:

1. I can't STAND to have the toothbrushes on the counter top or in a cup that keeps tipping over. I went to WalMart yesterday and bought a plain plastic toothbrush holder for 78 cents. I also bought a matching soap dish. I don't know what the bathroom set ups will be, but for another 78 cents, I thought it was worth it.
3. I had alrady bought a few shallow trays for organizing the bathroom counter. I hate having to take my makeup out of the bag every morning. Now I'll be able to have it out and arranged.

be sure to have a place off the counter to store these items when you leave for the day. Housekeeping needs to come in and clean the bathroom counter. I wouldn't want them responsible for moving my toothbrush and personal items. What if cleaning chemicals were accidently sprayed on your toothbrush?

 

[missypie]

You think they actually spray cleaning chemicals in the bathroom when they clean the counter? I always assumed they just used one of the dirty towels to dry it off.

 

[prncess674]

You think they actually spray cleaning chemicals in the bathroom when they clean the counter? I always assumed they just used one of the dirty towels to dry it off.

Yes, they use a bathroom cleaner. Even though it is WDW I always put my toothbrush away. They may pick it up and clean the toilet with it for you know. While I realize this is against policy, I don't want to risk anyone touching something that I put inside my mouth. Even in the nicest hotels that I travel to for business, I always place my toothbrush inside my luggage. Bathroom counters are kept clear! If there is tons of stuff scattered in the bathroom they will just clean around your belongings which to me is only doing half the job. Most cleaning staff frankly aren't going to move your belongings.

 

[missypie]

Yes, they use a bathroom cleaner. Even though it is WDW I always put my toothbrush away. They may pick it up and clean the toilet with it for you know. While I realize this is against policy, I don't want to risk anyone touching something that I put inside my mouth. Even in the nicest hotels that I travel to for business, I always place my toothbrush inside my luggage. Bathroom counters are kept clear! If there is tons of stuff scattered in the bathroom they will just clean around your belongings which to me is only doing half the job. Most cleaning staff frankly aren't going to move your belongings.

That's why I bought shallow trays - so stuff won't be "scattered." Everything will be together, so the mousekeeper can lift the tray and clean under it if she is so inclined. And if she doesn't...well, at my house, the bathroom counters get cleaned with chemical cleaning products once every two weeks. If the mousekeeper only cleans around a tray of makeup instead of picking it up, I think I can live with that for 5 days if the counter started out clean. (I always keep our room very clean myself.)

 

[prncess674]

That's why I bought shallow trays - so stuff won't be "scattered." Everything will be together, so the mousekeeper can lift the tray and clean under it if she is so inclined. And if she doesn't...well, at my house, the bathroom counters get cleaned with chemical cleaning products once every two weeks. If the mousekeeper only cleans around a tray of makeup instead of picking it up, I think I can live with that for 5 days if the counter started out clean. (I always keep our room very clean myself.)

I would still move the toothbrushes. I wouldn't worry so much about the trays on the counter, but I just don't trust someone I don't know around my toothbrush that I use to clean my teeth. If you don't mind the risk of chemicals being possibly sprayed on your toothbrush then feel free to leave them on the counter. Mine is being put away.

 

[tjmw2727]

sorry posted 2x?
TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

I am the same way - but I do want the bathroom cleaned so I don't like anything out on it.

I have the LLBean travel bag and it suits my needs perfectly. You can have everything hanging either on the back of the door or on the towel rack depending on the set up. I have everthing separated so its easy to find but its also put away.

My MIL gave us the first one and I didn't think I would like it at all, tried it onces and bought a smaller one for the kids. I always use the plastic toothbrush covers in addition to keeping them in the slot in the bag.

Here is a link in case anyone is interested:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...egory=4525&cat4=2936&shop_method=pp&feat=dp50

ITA about the pop up hamper - we bring one on every trip now. Its so easy to keep the dirty separate and since I usually do a laundry at WDW when I am ready I just grap it and go.

I use office clips or clothespins for hanging wet stuff and I always pack lots of zip lock bags. I also have a couple plastic hooks that loop over the top of a door, they come in handy in the bathroom as well as in the closet for hoodies etc. Just hang them over the closet rod instead of the door. Lately I have been packing a few hangers as I never seem to have enough in a hotel room. I also like the glade plug in nightlight, makes the room smell like home and my kids like a bit of light in a strange place.

TJ

 

[missypie]

I agree about the hangers. For a family of 5, there is never enough drawer space and never enough hangers. I have collected about 8 of the "pants" hangers from the dry cleaners. I'll just leave them behind when our trip is over.

 

[DawnCt1]

I always take my "over the door" shoe bag. I have been doing this since I have been cruising. Cabins are so small that it was convenient for glasses, keys, suntan lotion, etc. I love using it just as much in a hotel room. It packs up small and nothing gets lost. I also take an army duffle bag, nylon. It folds up small but holds a week's worth of laundry. When its time to go home, no packing dirty clothes into suitcases. Just fold it down and send it as luggage. It also hangs over the bathroom door, on the inside.

 

[missypie]

I always take my "over the door" shoe bag. I have been doing this since I have been cruising. Cabins are so small that it was convenient for glasses, keys, suntan lotion, etc. I love using it just as much in a hotel room. It packs up small and nothing gets lost. I also take an army duffle bag, nylon. It folds up small but holds a week's worth of laundry. When its time to go home, no packing dirty clothes into suitcases. Just fold it down and send it as luggage. It also hangs over the bathroom door, on the inside.

I was on the verge of buying an over the door shoe bag one tme but couldn't image what I'd put in all the pockets. So I just bought a small one at the dollar store. I like putting robes, etc. on the hooks that are usually behind the door, so I don't know if I'll use the shoe bag or not.

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

Hey...I like the over the door shoe bag idea...why hadn't I thought of that before!! With a family of five, I can never keep up with the shoes when we are on vacation....each person has three pairs of shoes...tennis shoes, sandals (well, except my DH), and watershoes, that's 14 pairs of shoes!!! What a great idea!! Thanks!!!

 

[lab_girl]

... They may pick it up and clean the toilet with it for you know. While I realize this is against policy...

I certainly hope this is against policy

Thanx I needed a chuckle today!



I LOVE Smilies

 

[Morganpics]

I keep my small toiletries in a clear plastic zipper bag. That way I can either move it off the counter or not and I'm not worried about it being touched or sprayed by housekeeping.