Vacation Tips for Women (Part 2)

[Luv2Run]

What a great thread! I'm such a planner that I welcome tips like these! I've been to WDW 6 times in the past 3 years, so here's what has worked for me (so far, lol).

makeup / skincare / tanning?
I don't go tanning, I embrace the pale, lol. But as far as makeup goes, I just do my usual face powder, eyeliner, maybe eyeshadow if I'm feeling pretty, mascara and blush. I touch up with blotting paper throughout the day, since I tend to get shiny from wearing sunscreen under my makeup.

How do you choose clothing to wear / shoes?
Not gonna lie, I choose my outfits based on which park I'm visiting that day. MK - princess or Mickey Mouse shirt w/shorts, and Mickey ears. AK - black or brown tank top, olive or khaki shorts, possibly a hat w/a brim for shade. HS - Star Wars shirt, shorts. EPCOT - Pretty top w/shorts. I either wear my Spenco sandals or running shoes, since they both offer support.

What are your *essentials* when packing for WDW?
Other than the usual stuff (cell phone charger, sunscreen, etc) I make sure to always bring:
-Wet Ones antibacterial wipes (travel sized packet)
-AZO Yeast, AZO cranberry (preventative)
-Flossers for cleaning stuff out of my teeth (don't want that in pics!)
-Deoderant (travel sized)
-Gum (not sold in the parks)
-Band Aids
-Dr. Scholls rub relief stick

How do you manage your hair? ( that florida humidity and heat is so unforgiving! Speaking of...)
Two words: side braid. I have waist-length wavy hair, and this seems to be the only thing that keeps it tame without looking ratty after a day in the parks. I also have bangs, so I carry extra bobby pins with me in case they get unruly and I need to pin them back.

What are your tips for dealing with the heat?
I've only been once in the summer months, and vowed to never do it again. But, what helped me get through that trip was that I got a locker and kept a backup pair of shoes, socks, baby wipes, Tiger Balm, and that Evian face spray stuff that refreshes you. After lunchtime, I'd go to the locker to freshen up a bit. It got me out of the sun, and into dry shoes/socks, while I tended to my sore muscles/feet. I also carried a Camelbak backpack that I filled the bladder of it with ice from the ice machine before heading to the parks. The ice kept my back cool, and as it melted I had fresh, cold water to drink all day.

How do you deal when "that time of the month" suprises you on your vacation!?
Before leaving the room for the day, I always double-check my park bag to make sure I have supplies at the ready. Since I have the Mirena, I don't need much, but I always have some with me just in case I or another lady needs it. I have a small cosmetics bag that I keep all that stuff in (tampons, pantyliners, Midol, AZO, a small compact mirror, hand sanitizer, and eye drops).

How do you deal with the men folk / children / even other women!
The only man I'm concerned with in the parks is mine, lol, but we've been together long enough now that I am receptive to his moods. I can always tell when he needs a break, because he gets quiet and sometimes a bit snippy. That's when I know it's time for us to sit down and have a cup of iced coffee or go to an inside show like Hall of Presidents/Carousel of Progress/Muppets 3D/Spaceship Earth/etc. He's usually good to go after he recharges his batteries a bit. If he's really worn out, I have zero problems heading back to the resort for a power nap or a drink or two (or seven...lol).

How do you plan for your trip?
I have an Excel spreadsheet that I keep all of our trip info on (itinerary, flight info, resort reservation info, ADRs (if we have any), race info, etc). I use WDW Prep School and the Dis for other information, as well as the MDE app (duh, lol).

How do you save money on your vacation?
After booking our stay, every two weeks I put down a set amount, in decreasing increments, so the first one is always the most ($200), then it does down every time I make a payment, so that my last payment at the 45 day mark is only about seventy-five bucks. It helps. I have a spreadsheet for that, too haha.

what are your strategies for the parks / what rides / shows / parades?
We're both night owls, so we rarely make it to rope drop. We prefer to get to the parks around 11am, maybe a bit earlier, and besides our FP+ reservations, we just like to meander about the parks. We're not really into the parades, and would honestly not miss them if Disney did away with them completely, but it's understandable that for many this is the only time they really see the characters. For me, I just love shopping, even if I'm not really able to buy much. And I used to not be much an AK lover, but my bf is, and seeing the park through his eyes, it has really grown on me, and I quite like it now.

your strategies for the bus lines and transportation?
For me, I become the zen master when it comes to lines, especially for the bus. I always let older people or people w/lap children or pregnant ladies have my seat. I don't mind standing on the bus, so long as I have something to hold onto, it's not a big deal to me. My bf and I are pretty heavily-tattooed, so that tends to generate some conversation on the bus or waiting in lines, so that helps to pass the time a bit.

What resorts do you choose and why?
With my bf being in a rock band, he LOVES ASMusic, so that's where we've been staying. I would love love love to be able to stay in one of the royal rooms at POR someday, but for now, that's out of our pricerange. I've been a guest of my friends when they've used their DVC for OKW and BLT, and those were both very nice. I enjoyed those a lot.

Why do you take your magical vacation
For runDisney events, to be honest. I've only gone twice for a non-rD race, and that was my very first trip to WDW and then a brief one right after that to join my friend who was traveling solo and didn't want to be alone. I've done the Princess Half Marathon three times, and the Wine & Dine Half Marathon once, and much prefer going for races since it helps me justify all the good food I'm eating! LOL

 

[alice99]

I don't understand how to empty or clean a Diva cup in a public restroom.

Do you have to rinse it out?.... Do you have to go to the sink for this?....Or, do you wipe it out with a wipe, or something, in the stall?

I was interested in changing to the cup but don't fully understand the logistics.

 

[kelly3927]

I don't understand how to empty or clean a Diva cup in a public restroom. Do you have to rinse it out?.... Do you have to go to the sink for this?....Or, do you wipe it out with a wipe, or something, in the stall? I was interested in changing to the cup but don't fully understand the logistics.

Thanks for this question. I am sitting here wondering the same myself!

Thanks for this thread. Can someone provide a link to the old one? I can't seem to find it.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Comfy shoes,whatever works for you so long as they are so comfortable you don't have sore feet and/or blisters. Leave everyone at home, you will never have such a relaxing holiday Lip balm and lots of water, stay hydrated.

 

[cheap traveler]

My period is due the exact day of our arrival! (thanks a lot aunt Flo) Normally (read: every time I go to Disney), I would just deal with it, but it has been very heavy lately, and we are doing the water parks this trip!

Just started a cycle today (on day 23), have 1 more at home to look forward to, then the next one will be Disney.

Ever since having Mirena removed (3 years ago), my cycle has been very random - 22-28 days, no rhyme or reason. Lately it has settled closer to 24 (last one was 25, this one is 23). Man, do I miss those predictable pre-baby days!

Is there anything I can do to adjust my cycle temporarily? Making it come sooner would be fine, delaying it would be ok too. I could call my dr and get the pill, if it could help me adjust that quickly. The internet has a lot of stuff about vitamin c, ginger tea, cinnamon.....

Has anyone successfully made an adjustment within 2 cycles? TY!!

 

[hayles77]

With a lot of pills you can take 2 packs consecutively to skip a period. Check out whether that's possible...

 

[lylone]

I am an "aunt flo" skipper thanks to birth control pills. It is very possible to have less periods with taking pills continuously. I only have a week every three months. The doctor prescribes it and insurance actually pays for 84 active pills per 90 day script! It does depend on the pill you are on and the advice of your doctor of course! Its great because I can plan when she comes and when she doesn't!

 

[jenniy122]

I don't understand how to empty or clean a Diva cup in a public restroom.

Do you have to rinse it out?.... Do you have to go to the sink for this?....Or, do you wipe it out with a wipe, or something, in the stall?

I was interested in changing to the cup but don't fully understand the logistics.

I have never had the need to empty my cup in a public restroom. TMI I have a heavy flow, but even I can wear the smaller sized cup for over 12 hours without emptying it. I've probably gone more like 18 hours a few times with no problems. At home, yes I rinse it in the sink, but I suppose you could just dump the contents in the toilet then wipe it out with toilet paper if you really needed to do it in public.

 

[RoyalPrincess]

Thanks for this question. I am sitting here wondering the same myself!

Thanks for this thread. Can someone provide a link to the old one? I can't seem to find it.

Absolutely! The old one was so helpful, that I thought, why not make a more updated one?

Here is the link to the old one: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1506559&highlight=vacation+tips+for+women

 

[Svhadden]

If you're using the restroom anyway how is this easier? I'm curious.

I find it much easier to just pop into a restroom simply to, ahem, use the restroom than to use the restroom and deal with period stuff :good vibes. If I'm just popping in/out, no big deal. When I only have to deal with period stuff once or twice during an entire 16 hr day, it's much, much easier.

I don't understand how to empty or clean a Diva cup in a public restroom.

Do you have to rinse it out?.... Do you have to go to the sink for this?....Or, do you wipe it out with a wipe, or something, in the stall?

I was interested in changing to the cup but don't fully understand the logistics.

My flow is quite heavy for the first day, so I do have to empty the cup 2-3 times during that day. But I just take a couple of wet paper towels (if I'm out, in a public restroom) into the stall with me, empty the cup and wipe it off/out, and wipe my hands, then wash my hands thoroughly when I leave the stall.

After that first day or day and a half, I empty when I wake up in the morning, and don't even give it another thought until I empty it right before bedtime. Seriously, it's like period-parole .

If I'm at home, I'll rinse it out in the sink, but not if I'm out. You do have to accept the fact that you're going to get a bit of blood on your fingers until you get the hang of it. It took me a couple of cycles to really get it down, but now I can handle it in 30 seconds, easy. I truly with it hadn't taken me until my late 30's to discover it .