What did you bring or wished you would have brought to make your trip easier??

[G&J's Mom]

Heading out for our first trip on Saturday with a 4 year old and 2 year old. Are there any helpful items that you brought or wished you would have brought to make your lives easier with little ones. I know there are stores and we will have our own car, but I am just sure I am forgetting something ya know???

Thanks in advance for the welcome advice and ideas.

Denise

 

[ahilly]

We brought the folding potty seat for DD 3yrs old on this past May trip. It was a life saver since she is so petite. It fits right on top of the seat and it has little handles on both sides for her to hold on to. It folds into 4ths and I would put it in a ziploc bag and put it right into the backpack. I used to wash it out in the hotel room each night. It really was nice that she was able to sit on her own without me having to hold her over the seat or try and let her position herself just right on the "big potty!" HTH.

 

[Miniefan]

We drive down too from NW Fl, and the only thing I forgot to bring that I really could have used was my own pillow, and a blanket for the car ride down, I get cold easily in the car and me and my dh always fight over the thermostat. Other than that I managed to bring everything else we needed.
Kim

 

[stacy6552]

table toppers: presterilized placemats that stick to the table and get thrown away when youre done.

Rain cover for the stroller. Cover it when you leave it alone somewhere.

ziploc sandwich bags are great for cheapie rain ponchos, you can easily get them in if you dont want to just toss them when youre done.

 

[momxx5]

Walkie Talkies.

DH would take the boys on some thrill rides while the girls & I hit some shows - MGM. I would have spent alot less time "waiting around" if we had taken the walkie talkies.

 

[Yardbird]

We just got back from taking my 5 year old grandson. Some of the things that I pre-purchased (at the dollar store), and was happy that I did:

1. nightlight - those hotel rooms can be reallllllly dark with the lights off!

2. spray water bottle/fan - my grandson loved this and used it constantly. With the ones in the park costing $16.50, I am very glad that I bought one for $1.00.

3. rubbermaid insulated, sports bottle - filled these up daily before going to the park. Saved lots on not having to purchase water in the parks.

4. disposable rain ponchos - it rained several times, and these ponchos fold up so small that we were able to carry them in a pants pocket for those instant showers.

5. We made a grocery stop before going to our hotel and purchased bottled water, half and half, milk, peanut butter and jelly, bread and snacks. The water there is not real tasty , the nescafe tastes much better with added half and half, we had a PBJ sandwich for quick breakfasts (very glad I did this!)

Have a great time!

 

[laughinplace199]

Those reusable/disposable sippy cups.

 

[BelleDaisy]

laundry soap!

 

[G&J's Mom]

Great suggestions. I made my pilgrimage to Walmart last night to pick up "alot" of these items.

I thought the night light was a great idea. DD is 4 and does pretty good getting up at night, but in a strange place, I think that will be really helpful.

Boy, my clock is winding down. SO EXCITED!!!!

You guys are great!

Denise

 

[swilshire]

Re: the night light

We bought one of those small rechargeable flashlights that plugs into a standard wall outlet. You can unplug it and use it like any other flashlight. It also has a small light on the back that is a perfect nightlight. I think it was only about $10.

Sheila

 

[gritzel4]

My DS is an escape artist so we bought at Radio Shack a personal alarm. It hangs from the door and if he attempts to make a break for it the alarm sounds. It also has a flashlight. Great for late night walks.

We also bring a nightlight for the bathroom.

Don't forget a prescription for eyeglasses in case you lose or break yours.

Have a great vacation!

 

[CathyC]

Just a couple of suggestions that have helped our trips a little easier.

1. Brita water filter water bottles. We have used them for our last few trips and have saved a bundle on bottled water. We refill them whenever we see a water fountain. It makes even the icky tap water taste just like spring water.

2. Bubbles. IT keeps the kids entertained in line and waiting for shows to start etc. The kids (2 and 4) love them and the people around us seem to enjoy them too.

3. A small flashlight (like a keychain one) comes in handy for my son who sometimes gets afraid of the dark on those darker rides and shows. We put it on his belt loop and he knows he can discreetly light up the dark if he is scared.

4. Earplugs are great if your child doesn't like the bang of fireworks then they can enjoy them without the noise.

Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[all4fun]

One thing we didn't have that I wished we had on our last trip:
a baby tub for the little one. My ds (13 mos at the time) flipped out every time we tried to give him a bath in the "big people" tub. At home he gets baths in his hard plastic infant tub set inside the big tub. I think he was frightened because he didn't feel as secure just sitting in the big tub. It made bathtime a real bummer. For the next trip I have bought an inflatable bath tub that sets in the big tub. I bought it in the baby dept at Target and it looks like a duck. I hope this makes bathtime a little easier. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[gritzel4]

If traveling with small kids - a plastic cup to rinse their heads during bath time.

 

[kelscross]

Disposable bibs and disposable sippy cups. We would carry one for each DD to dinner.

 

[bobcat]

Disposable ponchos - enough said

Moleskin and scissors to cut it with (I forgot this our first trip and had to cut the moleskin with fingermnail clippers)

Disney trivia cards - they saved us when we were stuck in the airport at midnight waiting for the wether to clear.

Squeeze flashlight - The kids used these when they were small on dark rides so they didn't get scared.

My own detergent and fabric softener

Collapsible laundry hamper to take all the clothes to the laundry room and keep them off the floor in the hotel room.

Collapsible cooler

 

[NotUrsula]

A small compass and a good map of S. Orlando (if you are a AAA member you can request maps for free.) Make sure they are NOT still in the trunk of the car when your rental car starts moving.

The compass will help in the parks, too; if you have trouble figuring out where you are in relation to the places on the parks map. Just look at the map and the compass, and go in the general direction of whatever goal you have. You'll find the signs as long as you are heading in the right direction.

I also second the plastic cup for hair rinsing. Another really good thing to have are fishing-license-holder lanyards to keep your passes in so that they are handy for FP. If they are around your necks in a clear pouch, you won't forget or misplace them. Also, spray anti-perspirant to help prevent blisters and chafing.

 

[gopherit]

We use beach towels as blankets on the way down. THe kids love this, and then it's something they can use at the water parks when we arrive.

We bring lots of ziploc baggies -- so very handy for so many things!

Also pack film containers with 2 quarters, then a penny, 2 quarters, then a penny, etc etc. When you come to a pressed penny machine, your child will have the correct change ready to go.

We bring an over-the-door shoe hanger bought solely for travelin' purposes. It's even Disney-decorated (it's an all-canvas type that holds 20 shoes -- 4 pairs in 5 rows. I think I got it at Lowe's for about 10 bucks and then painted on it). Each of our 5 family members gets a "row" in which to stash stuff -- like their sunglasses, personal items, autograph books, ziploc baggies with toothbrushes and paste, etc. Keeps the bathroom counter relatively free and clean too!

We bring the Orlando maps too -- even though we drive and know the route, one year we got completely turned around because road construction and an accident sent us on a detour. We were clueless -- we finally spotted a motor home from Quebec that had a Disney bumper sticker. I told DH "FOLLOW THAT WINNEBAGO!" Sure enough, Winnebago was headed to Fort Wilderness, which led us to WL.

We bring misting fans and sunscreen.

I always bring a box of goodies for the kids and paper bags with handles and stickers. They decorate their "bag" with the stickers. THen every night they put the bag out. In the a.m. there is a small treat in it.

And lest I forget -- the green stuff. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_102.gif' alt='Dollar Smiley' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_102.gif' alt='Dollar Smiley' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_102.gif' alt='Dollar Smiley' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_102.gif' alt='Dollar Smiley' border=0></a><a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_1_102.gif' alt='Dollar Smiley' border=0></a> LOTS of it!

 

[Sandy Feet]

Originally posted by gopherit
-- we finally spotted a motor home from Quebec that had a Disney bumper sticker. I told DH "FOLLOW THAT WINNEBAGO!" Sure enough, Winnebago was headed to Fort Wilderness, which led us to WL.

gopherit - You had a lot of good suggestions. I did smile at the thought of you all following that RV and finding yourselves in Quebec. Phew!

 

[beebumble]

I've been reading these posts and almost everyone says they bring water bottles. Why not bring the single serving pouches of Crystal Light so the water wont be so bad. There's many flavours to choose from too!
Happy Disney Reading