What did you buy for your trip?

[twinboysandalulu]

A few new t-shirts for a 5 of us(I bought more than I normally would have because they were so cheap on black friday). New sneakers for 3 out of the 5 of us, but they were needed otherwise we would have worn the older ones. A small xmas tree for our room and the light up bulb necklaces(I found them for $5 each instead of the $15 that disney charges) and a few travel size items. We plan on buying whatever else we need food wise when we get there on saturday using the 20% coupon from target that was available on black Friday

 

[Shellyb84]

Some new clothes, sneakers and socks, a case of water and vitamin water, clif bars, a small cooler bag, a new stroller and rain cover, glow sticks and cheap in room surprises from Party City, and a small cross body bag. We just bought a new camera on a black Friday deal for the next trip. And a new cooler bag because our dog ate the other one...

 

[Disneytam]

Something that this thread reminded me about was to make my suitcases look different from everyone else's at the airport baggage claim! I think everyone's is green ,black or red. When I got a bright red one a few years ago I hadn't seen any that color but half of them were red on our last trip so it's time to get creative. I'm always worried that someone is going to grab mine and not look at the tag and take off with it.

 

[Canuck16]

Portable charging bank for everyone's devices.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I like to use my 75-300mm while wandering the trails at AK to get great shots. Also to get architectural details at all the parks but especially Epcot.

That is a big lens, do you use it at only those two parks? I was planning on only using my 300mm at AK, but Epcot might make sense too. With my smaller camera bag I can only bring three lenses, 24-105 and 10-20 always a must. The 50 f1.4 is usually the other lens I bring, but the 300 will make an appearance this trip for sure. There aren't any dark rides in AK are there?

 

[keepswimming76]

Our next trip is May 2016 and I've been stocking up on items as I see them. Disney-themed shirts on sale, ponchos, glo-sticks for the kids, etc. I did purchase a new rolling duffle bag and a backpack duffle bag because we sorely needed some new luggage. I'm also getting some packing cubes to try out. We have a split stay so I'm hoping they make the trip a bit easier. I'd like to get a small action video camera and a portable phone charger.

 

[Boudin]

Before our last trip I bought a very small and slim travel wallet that just holds a couple cards and some folded bills. It slips into my cargo shorts front pocket and I never notice it's there.
I have been focusing on traveling light the last few trips and I have to tell you that it's liberating not having to haul around so much junk. I'm trying to work up the courage to leave my phone in the room.

 

[DiannaVM]

Because I don't live in the States and knew I wouldn't have any off-site transportation (unless I used a taxi), what I ordered from Amazon were essentials I would've otherwise stopped to get from WalMart if we rented a car. These things included re-fillable Brita water bottles, snacks and cheap rain ponchos. Oh, and I did buy several Disney t-shirts beforehand from Hot Topic as well.

 

[scrapquitler]

One thing I ALWAYS buy for the whole family when we go on a vacation is new socks and underwear. We don't usually think about our socks, but somehow NEW socks make my feet feel better and ready to go!

 

[Musicman20]

I went in Oct 15 and I was not prepared for the humidity and sheer heat! I am British, and this was my first trip to the USA in ten years.

This was also my partner's first ever Disney experience and she loved it.

Whilst I was there, I stocked up on a few pair of Nikes, more shorts, extra summer t shirts. I will get a poncho or two from the UK at some point when I see them cheap as we liked it so much we are back in Oct 16!

I think cool light summer clothing, good footwear, suncream, hat, (didn't have one this time and burnt my scalp!) lip balm, water, camera are all essentials, including your phone. Next year I also need flip flops for the water rides and parks.

I didn't really feel that prepared this year but I know what to do it 2016. Believe me, after a ten year break of being away from Florida, I forgot just how lovely the weather is. Now it's addictive.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I bought some t-shirts for myself. I am going with my husband and two teenage sons. When I suggested that I should buy them some new Disney shirts they laughed and said "we have clothes". Yep, I'll be decked out in Disney gear and they'll just be wearing regular clothes. They are no fun.

 

[bryanb]

Sunscreen
Portable battery pack for my phone
Lightweight sackpack to hold stuff like sunscreen and my portable battery pack
Plastic water bottle (with insulated walls) to fill with ice water

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

The two purchases that really transformed Disney for me were a small, light, portable charger so we would never have to worry about running our phones down using Wi-Fi in the parks, and a sports band for my eyeglasses so I could finally just leave them on no matter what I rode. Having dropped my eyeglasses out of my parks bag without realizing it in the unloading zone of Space Mountain at 2am before, the latter is probably more significant than the former for me. Having your broken eyeglasses handed to you by a cast member at 2:10 in the morning, then having to grope your way through a psychedelically illuminated Magic Kingdom back to the bus stop is something I only ever want to have to do that one time.

 

[MudQueen22]

We try to buy new sneakers for everyone and break them in a month or so before going.

Ponchos.
Disney dresses for DD.
New Disney PJs for kids.
New t-shirts for all of us (mostly Disney).
Battery pack for phone.

I bought a new backpack this year, but I needed one.
Kids get new swimsuits.
Travel size on some toiletries.

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

We typically buy disposable ponchos, some sort of breakfast/granola bars, and any sort of medication/travel toiletries that we don't feel like bringing the standard size of. The DW also buys a matching shirt or two for each of our DDs for the trip.

We try to pack as light as possible to avoid bag fees and also to save room for souvenirs!

 

[housetomouse]

Last time I went, I bought a Mophie charger that charges two USB devices. That was great to have for the phones, which would die mid-day otherwise if they were getting used. It would be better to just unplug, but ya know. Plus I like it for checking the lines, changing or canceling dining reservations, etc. It's still going strong so I'll definitely bring it on my next trip.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I buy whatever I need to restock my park bag (med-small crossbody), and I check to see what shape the bag is in. I will replace it if it has any issues. My park / vacation bag broke a strap halfway through a 2 week trip to Egypt one year and it was miserable trying to replace it with something that worked well. I despise dickering with vendors. There are plenty of places to see what to put in your park bag, so I won't go into detail there.

I make sure everyone has a pair of waterproof hiking sandals (Keens of various styles) and wicking clothes that fit their current size. I'm big into activewear skorts for the parks for myself. New wicking socks to wear with sneakers. A new game for each boys' portable gaming system, since it's a 12 hr drive before stops. Books on cd from the library for the same reason. A new sun hat. Croakies for everyone, since they tend to get mislaid between vacations. Dollar store ponchos.

We stay in a timeshare, so I have a timeshare bag full of necessities for that, as well. I go through and make sure it has everything I might want, like nightlights, which we tend to forget when we check out.

 

[Farro]

Yes, let's make a list!

Well since we are going in October, I will have the new clothing I buy myself at the beginning of summer. I always buy a few new things every summer, to go along with what I already have.

We did buy FANTASTIC new luggage, but we broke those in going to Dollywood last October. Also have the ponchos from that trip.

Shoes - same, will already have gotten them for the summer.

We will both buy a swimsuit for this trip.

Costumes (something simple) for Halloween party - for myself, he won't wear one. boo.

I did buy a really cute Baggallini for this trip - small, over the shoulder, zipper pockets and nylon/waterproof, perfect for rides.

Um, can't think of anything else right now, but I'm sure I will later!

 

[d-train]

I buy new socks for each trip, UA heat and moisture wicking!

 

[mindeola]

We travel light! I might grab some dollar store ponchos before a trip if I do not have any. If I am driving I get cases of drinks and snack foods to bring. I have a little Ziploc that I keep Disney stuff in that I do not use unless we are there. I just throw it in the bag. I swear it has stuff in it that we rarely need though - like moleskin, body glide, band aids, little disposable toothbrushes...


I do seem to be obsessed with Etsy purchases before a trip- ears, shirts, etc. Nothing I need, but it sure is fun!