What Disney Tip Are you really glad you listened to?

[Ecboyd]

Small binder clips to close uneaten food bags, they "lock"

Crystal light drink mix packets for water

The reusable water bottles

Candy, a pocket full of sugar free candy 1 it cuts down on the munchies budget and 2, gives you something to keep your mouth from getting dry.

Personal wipes. Like the cottenl (TP) ones. Makes for a much "fresher" day. and they come in little handy pks too.

Mini sun bock bottles with the clip. Hangs off your pocket or bag.

Small advil (or other) bottle with a bit of different meds in it. Pain killer, sudifed. Pepto etc...

Glow sticks from the dollar store

Batteries for the glowey stuff you bought LAST time

Extra Socks and undies

"Treat bags" for the flight/ Drive. $1 cards, stickers, drawing paper, etc, just fun time killing stuff.

Games in line A,B,C movies etc

Clicker Sharpies for autographs

2 Gallon zip lock bags to put your bag in for water rides

and last but not least.

Pad lock from your suit case to hold you towel, bag and whatever to the chair at the water parks. WORKS wonders, and no one ever kicks you out of your seat...


Huggs

 

[starlionblue]

Use a collapsible water bottle so you don't spend a fortune on bottled water. Just fill it at the public fountains.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/nalgene_cantene_water_bottle_48oz_wide.html

Seriously consider taking a pillow case. Moms should take one per child minimum since they take up almost no space in the bags. You can stuff it with your dirty clothing so it doubles as a hamper and it helps support your neck should the hotel cheap out and give you a fake pillow, I'm talking about the ones that are all air: they flatten completely when you sleep on them! I did this on a trip to New York and was very grateful to have my pillowcase with me. Even better, if you have it on the flight to Orlando, you won't have to worry about your kids picking up someone else's germs on the airline pillows. I KNOW they don't wash them often. Ugh, how do you know the last person to use it didn't have a cold?

And also, no matter how old you are, it might be wise to talk mom and dad into renting a minivan IF they know a few cousins will be going. Trust me, no matter how old you are, you never stop having silly fights with your cousins over the seats!

 

[jusero]

Use a collapsible water bottle so you don't spend a fortune on bottled water. Just fill it at the public fountains.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/nalgene_cantene_water_bottle_48oz_wide.html

If you don't like the taste or temperature of the water fountain water, you can ask at any of the counter services/vendors that have fountain drinks. They will either fill your bottle for you or give you a full size cup of ice water for free.

 

[sdwrdt]

At walmart i went to the machine that makes dog tags. I made one for each of my kids with there names, my cell phone number, and my husbands cell phone number.and put it on a necklace and they wore them just in case we got seperated.

What I did when my girls were 6 & 4, had them attach the dog tags through their shoe laces so it went over the tops of their shoes. This way, they didn't have to wear them, but wouldn't lose them.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

When I know I am going to do a lot of walking I plan on wearing my most comfortable tennis shoes--- I prefer running shoes. Also I always take 2 pain relievers/aspirin before I leave. I never have any troubles with my feet, back, or legs from too much walking. When I forget then there's trouble.

 

[Emm]

Seriously consider taking a pillow case. Moms should take one per child minimum since they take up almost no space in the bags.

I always travel with at least one pillowcase per person. As you say, they take up very little space and can be useful for a lot of things.

For example: If you have questions about the cleanliness of the hotel, at least you can be sure the pillowcase you sleep on is clean (or has only your germs). OR If you (or a picky child) don't like the feel of the fabric of the hotel pillow cases, you can always have your own. A homesick child (not likely to happen at Disney, but you never know) might sleep better on his own pillowcase with Thomas the Tank Engine on it or whatever.

IDEA: A pretty Disney-themed pillowcase might add magic to the hotel room, especially if you are staying off-site. Or if someone is having a birthday or special occasion, a personalized pillowcase (you can get them from places like Land's End) might be fun too.

Pillowcases are also useful when packing. You can roll small things (headbands, thongs, etc.) in them so that when you unpack they will be easily found, and you can use them to tuck around odd shaped things, like shoes (which should be in shoe bags or plastic bags, of course) so that they fit more snuggly with surrounding clothing.

This is just in addition to what was mentioned earlier, which are all great ideas also.

 

[pasoawe]

This is a good discussion.It is helpfull to me.

 

[Brit_Jude]

I always travel with at least one pillowcase per person. As you say, they take up very little space and can be useful for a lot of things.

For example: If you have questions about the cleanliness of the hotel, at least you can be sure the pillowcase you sleep on is clean (or has only your germs). OR If you (or a picky child) don't like the feel of the fabric of the hotel pillow cases, you can always have your own. A homesick child (not likely to happen at Disney, but you never know) might sleep better on his own pillowcase with Thomas the Tank Engine on it or whatever.

IDEA: A pretty Disney-themed pillowcase might add magic to the hotel room, especially if you are staying off-site. Or if someone is having a birthday or special occasion, a personalized pillowcase (you can get them from places like Land's End) might be fun too.

Pillowcases are also useful when packing. You can roll small things (headbands, thongs, etc.) in them so that when you unpack they will be easily found, and you can use them to tuck around odd shaped things, like shoes (which should be in shoe bags or plastic bags, of course) so that they fit more snuggly with surrounding clothing.

This is just in addition to what was mentioned earlier, which are all great ideas also.

When I am traveling in the winter I carry a pillowcase with me for plane travel. When I get to the Airport and don't need my coat I put it in the pillowcase. It has several funtions, it makes carrying my coat a lot easier, it is easier to put into the overhead bin when the coat is in the pillow case or I can use it as a pillow on the plane.

 

[Janell]

You all have such great tips thank you for sharing.

 

[LizEN]

A CM gave me the great advice to cut a small square from the plastic card the pins come on and press the pin through it before putting on the pin back. If the back falls off, the plastic piece still holds the pin in place. We saved a couple of pins this way! And, as mentioned, we get the metal screw-on pin backs for the pins we don't plan to trade.

One thing about Ebay pins--they are often knock offs. My DD loves to trade with other children but it is frustrating to me to see that she traded a genuine (and pricey!) pin and received a thin, cheapo, copy pin. I know the other child had no idea, but it isn't really fair. Instead, I tend to lead her to the CMs to trade her pins.

This has been a really helpful topic!

 

[dzneelvr]

take time to enjoy your resort. we use the 2 travels days to stay at the ASMo and relax, swim, sun, etc. rather than do every day at a park
don't over pack. Use the laundry and save your luggage space for purchases. In this economy with the cost of checking bags it will be a good habit to start.
make some dining ADRs at the Deluxe resorts or other resorts you'd like to check out. After dining, explore the resort and grounds and all it has to offer.

 

[Mom2adisneybaby]

I too think that Fanny packs are great!

Though with a small child, I will need more than that in carry space. I have decided on a smallish knapsack (a sporty type...weather proof material) and ziplock bags for those items that must stay dry. This will enable me to carry those essential sippy cups and snacks that my little one will need throughout the day. I will also be able to carry dh's wallet for him (in a ziplock of course!) and maybe a dry pair of shorts for myself and dd3...we hate wet bottoms!!! DH doesn't care if he is wet...man thing I suppose!.....

Just to let you and anyone else know I wanted a fanny pack so I got on ebay and bought a Kelty pack and oh my word was it big! My husband laughed at me when I put it on because of the size. I took my kids hiking a few weeks ago and took it along. I fit 6 caprisuns in it and snacks as well as an extra pair of shoes for my 2yr old. It even came with a changing pad. It will be plenty big enough for us on our trip. It will fit my pal mickey in there with plenty of extra room for sunscreen, wallet, camera, and more.

My favorite advice was to bring a stroller. I am so glad we did. the rentals were hard and very uncomfortable looking!

 

[Thumper_Man]

DW and I just returned from a mini-vacation to Vegas. Headed to the World in October for our big vacation. We had to try some of the tips we learned here and I gotta say, you Dis'ers are awesome. This is what we tried out so far:

Mole Skin. Trying to break in new sandals and this came in handy.
Body Glide. Love it.
Powerstrip. This was one of the best tips yet. We encountered the, not enough plugs scenario.
Space saver bags. Only needed one suitcase between the 2 of us this way. Where we each would've taken one,thus eliminating one.

One new one we discovered was a clothesline that hangs in the shower. We used it to hang our swim suits after. I know people mentioned they use the hangers with the clips. The one we found was from REI and you don't need hangers. It twists to hold your clothes in place.

Thanks to all my Dis'ers. Can't wait to try the rest of the tips we've learned.

 

[Disney Mom of 4]

Saving this thread. Thanks!!

 

[lllGurulll]

Sure it has been said, but $1 Coleman ponchos at Target or WalMart are a win! And now they come in colors other than hunter orange!

Are these Coleman ponchos as good as the Disney ones? I found some at Walmart $6 for adult and $5 for kids. Are they similar materials?

also, do the Disney ones come with their own storage bag like the Colemans do?

 

[therannj]

thanks for all the great tips!

 

[skiingfast]

Are these Coleman ponchos as good as the Disney ones? I found some at Walmart $6 for adult and $5 for kids. Are they similar materials?

also, do the Disney ones come with their own storage bag like the Colemans do?

Disney ponchos do not come with a storage bag only thier original wrapping and it would be tough to restuff it.

 

[jinia]

Disney ponchos do not come with a storage bag only thier original wrapping and it would be tough to restuff it.

Absolutely agree with that! We always buy the dollar store ones - lots. That way we just throw them away when were finished. No trying to deal with putting wet ponchos away. We have used ponchos on the ground/chairs when they were wet to! Very handy and light.

 

[homeschool101]

Disney tip that I'm glad we listened to?? Buy "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World"! Man, that was so handy for the first few trips to Disney!

 

[Disney Mom of 4]

1) Don't bother sending your kids into the swarms of kids bombarding the characters along Main Street, in Adventureland, etc. Book a character meal, and meet them there instead. Or, meet them in Toontown -the line is long, but so worth it -especially the princesses!

2) We had been collecting pins for souvenirs. You can get a huge lot of these on ebay. It doesn't matter if you don't like them because you can trade them.

3) Pressed pennies are a really cheap and really fun souvenir.