Now for some vacation tips DW (still getting used to the lingo) and I use.
We never knew about the body glide or mole skin. We're getting those for our next trip. Everybody suggested raincoats. Part of the fun for us was getting wet. Especially on Kali River Rapids. We wore sandals on the ride, 'cause we knew we were going to get wet. We took extra shoes along and changed into them later in the evening. I like to wear mesh style basketball shorts and mesh style shirts. If you get wet, they dry fast. I wore cargo pants one time on KRR and I developed a rash on my legs where they rubbed against my wet cargo shorts. Guessing this is where the body glide helps.
Bandanas & Skull caps. They're great. I wear a skull cap around the park. I can take it off, wet it and helps keep me cool. Keeps my scalp from getting burned (slowly losing my hair and I don't like to wear a cap all day). Great alternative. DW uses a bandana to tie her hair up. She has naturally curly hair and the humidity makes it frizz out. So this her best alternative. She does like I do, takes it off and wets it to help her cool down. Helps keep the head nice and cool. I read about the neck cools, I'll be looking into those. One of the best tips I read, don't worry about making a fashion statement. If you're comfortable, that's all that matters.
Personally, we're big fans of renting a locker. We take everything we need (extra shoes, socks, jackets, sunscreen, towel) in a small gym bag or backpack. Get there early enough to get a large locker (same price as a small locker). 4 people can usually share one big locker. We go back to it as needed. This way we're not lugging a big bag around all day. As others mentioned; we use a fanny pack for the simple things we need throughout the day like small tube of sunscreen, wallet and cell phone. Plus we personally don't feel like pushing a stroller around all day. We also rent a car. If you're on a tight budget, as we sometimes are, then we'll keep extra stuff like shoes and jackets in the car. Hassle to go back for them sometimes; but if you don't want to rent a locker or carry around a bag, best alternative. Now that we know you can get free ICED H20, we'll be taking advantage of this tip. No more lugging around bottled water anymore either.
We usually don't stay on site, so we rent a car. Car has so much added benefits. Can go and come as you please. Don't have to wait for transportation. Can make a trip to the grocery store and take a day trip to the beach. WDW parks only charge one parking fee per day for all parks. So you if you like to park hop, and rented a car to go from park to park, you don't have to pay for parking at each park.
I strongly agree with taking only 1/2 of what you're going to wear. We stay at a resort and have access to laundry facilities. So we only take 1/2 our clothes and do laundry while we're there. If you're not allergic to specific types of laundry detergent, Purex has come out with one the greatest invention ever. They developed 3 in 1 laundry sheet. It has the laundry detergent and fabric softener in it already. Once you finish washing clothes, it's used a dryer sheet as well. They are real compact and transport easily in your luggage.
One other thing we like to take along is a small sewing kit. Can usually pick one up at a dollar store. Sounds ridiculous and you're probably laughing at me, but that's ok. Last time we went, my sister laughed at me to; until she lost a button and needed it. We throw this in our bag we take to the park, along with a portable first aid kit. Did I mention carrying a safety pin or 2 in your fanny pack or pocket? Never know when you might lose that button. Will come in handy until you get to your sewing kit.
These are some of the tips I can throw in. Everybody has mentioned a lot of the general tips. Eat off site. Take water, snacks, sunscreen, raincoats, shoes, socks, etc.. Make ADR for sit down restaurants. Utilize Fast Pass. Use Teva sandals and coolmax socks. This was my favorite, take along a power strip. Someone mentioned this and I to have found myself looking for every available plug to charge cell phones, ipods and camera batteries.
Sorry for making this post and my last post so long. Thanks for all the tips. Keep them coming. If I think of anymore, I'll be sure to pass them along; and try to keep them short and sweet.


