What do you pack when visiting Florida?

[T16GEM]

Am I the only person who always packs a bottle opener???! Granted not so necessary since so many bottles are screw top now, but just in case.....!


Jules x

Nope - we have a resident "holiday corkscrew / bottle opener" that stays in one of our suitcases, one year we were away and we were staying in a spanish apartment and there was no bottle opener, we were gutted that we couldn't have out icy cold beers *** we couldn't get the tops off them

 

[2Tiggies]

Nope - we have a resident "holiday corkscrew / bottle opener" that stays in one of our suitcases, one year we were away and we were staying in a spanish apartment and there was no bottle opener, we were gutted that we couldn't have out icy cold beers *** we couldn't get the tops off them

Glad I am not the only one with resident items in my suitcases. When I unpack I sort and repack anything that always goes and that won't perish. It is all listed and stuck to the inside of one of them so I can check if I want to. Things like the mini first aid box, small calculator, travel adapters, ponchos .... and luggage scales of course! I'm not going to use them here so they may as well wait where they belong.

 

[islandmum]

Laughing at your DH!

You obviously have a DVD player that plays that DVD format. I need a new DVD player - both of ours are a bit worse for wear now Maybe I should keep that in mind.

we bought 2 Colby DVD's from Walmart, they're the small size ones, $15 each!! just googled for a hack and converted them to all regions.

 

[2Tiggies]

we bought 2 Colby DVD's from Walmart, they're the small size ones, $15 each!! just googled for a hack and converted them to all regions.

Thank you.

 

[iluvtot]

Nope - we have a resident "holiday corkscrew / bottle opener" that stays in one of our suitcases, one year we were away and we were staying in a spanish apartment and there was no bottle opener, we were gutted that we couldn't have out icy cold beers *** we couldn't get the tops off them

LOL! I know, I've never found one in Disney! I keep mine in our first aid box!

Jules x

 

[2Tiggies]

I keep mine in our first aid box!

Jules x

Sounds like good common sense to me! Especially given that a first aid box is designed to rescue you in emergencies

 

[iluvtot]

Sounds like good common sense to me! Especially given that a first aid box is designed to rescue you in emergencies

Too right! A hot, thirsty DH, after waiting half an hour for disney transport and then having to stand certainly qualifies as an emergency!!

Jules x

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Just interested in what people pack?

In another thread I was astonished at advice to take plasters, small scissors and basic medical kits. I feel that is a little OTT, - but each to their own.

What do you all do?

Ha!! I take all of that!! I feel a bit eccentric now!! I just always figure why would I want to waste time on holiday looking for somewhere to buy plasters, when they are so small and light to take!!

I like to get my stuff on a buy 1 get 1 free months in advance of going and the free 1 goes on holiday

.

Thats just what I do! We don't go until October and I already have half of my toiletries thanks to the good old BOGOF's!

I take half of Boots!!

Lots of IBS medication and pain killers, as well as medicine for any other illness we could be struck with (I have a big illness phobia, that would ruin my trip if I couldnt prepare as much as possible - I know it's weird, I'm a smart girl, but I cannot rationalise it, and everyone has learnt to just let me be prepared for any illness and they will have a trip with me worry free - PLUS they know who to come to if there's a problem!) My Doctor is very good and lets me take anitibotics just in case too..

I was mocked mercilessly in Australia a few years ago by my friends for taking loads of different medicines - but who did they all come to when one by one they needed paracetamol, savlon (don't ask!!), plasters etc! Me! Naturally I made them all agree I was a packing genius before I would hand anything over!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Also keep an eye in the next couple of months for the end of summer sales. I got some £15 a bottle spray sunscreen that I like for £1 a pop at Tesco last year. Now I don't care how cheap it is in the US, but you can't beat that. I also wait for the Avon summer sale and get their end of line bargains. The beauty of it is when you have 20p worth of sunscreen left, you feel nothing for ditching the remainer to free up shopping space.

 

[PChef]

Really trying to pack light this year with 23kg each and 3 different hotels! Just got a load of suncream from Boots, that's about 1kg! Unfortunately DS9 has sensitive skin so we have to use a tried and tested brand, also have to take our own washing tabs as that can also trigger a reaction.

Will try to keep it to maybe 5 outfits each plus some extra tops (Who am I kidding?!)

 

[2Tiggies]

Really trying to pack light this year with 23kg each and 3 different hotels! Just got a load of suncream from Boots, that's about 1kg! Unfortunately DS9 has sensitive skin so we have to use a tried and tested brand, also have to take our own washing tabs as that can also trigger a reaction.

Now that is another big factor and if you do use medicines, skincare products or anything that could cause a reaction if you or your kids are prone to one, it is always better to just take what you know.

I only take clothes for about 5 days. We do buy clothes there and I also do some washing so you really don't need one outfit per day.

 

[kevin harrison]

Kevin if you don't mind me asking do you ship because of weight or to avoid customs/security issues.

My DD has a disability and uses a myo electic prosthetic arm.

Last trip we were advised by Virgin to have a covering letter from the Consultant which we did and I packed the arm in the case because I thought it would cause difficulties going through security and no doubt DD wouldn't want it on the plane. But I can see the arm in the suitcase isn't ideal either as on a scan it would look suspicious - it has wires and batteries!

Does anyone know if you are you better packing medical stuff as hand luggage, then at least you are there to explain/ show your letter?

The vital meds go in our hand luggage. We have a letter from the consultant, so it's not an issue. Some has to be stored in a fridge immediately - it only lasts a week and has to be made specially. On the last trip the virgin stewardesses refused to put it in the fridge on health and safety grounds, until I made the supervisor see the error of her ways.

Daniel has a feeding pump that is electric and has a battery. We had to notify the airline and airport way in advance about that, even sending the serial number to them.

Daniel has to have 800 mls of special feed a day, this on top of the others meds and feeding equipment is a lot of stuff, it fills two chests.

Homeward, who supply it to us on behalf of the NHS ship it over via UPS, with no charge. The problem is getting it through customs, the first time it was 7 days late and our friend at the Hard Rock hotel was trying to arrange emergency supplies through the Arnold Palmer children's hospital. You also have to get the IRS details of someone willing to accept the shipment at the other end.

We are thinking of doing it ourselves in 2011, problem is with our suitcases and these chests, we haven't got enough space in our car to get to the airport and we have a people carrier!

It will also be the problem of where to store it on the plane. What happens if it's in the hold and gets lost like luggage time after time. We were told that it will not be allowed on the plane before..

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for replying Kevin - hope everything goes smoothly whichever way you do it on your next trip.

 

[kevin harrison]

However, as Kevin has said with special needs it's different, we have wheelchair accessories that go in the suitcase, Joshua's medication etc.

Exactly Julie and as Bruce Springsteen wrote..

"Now all them things that seemed so important
Well mister they vanished right into the air"