What do you pack when visiting Florida?

[Netty]

Ha! Awesome, they're on Quidco too for 10% off - at this rate they'll be paying me

brill! I'm going to order some now- are there mossies in cornwall???!!! no wdw this yr..

 

[2Tiggies]

brill! I'm going to order some now- are there mossies in cornwall???!!! no wdw this yr..

If you're desperate to get to use your dry oil spray you can pop up to Scotland next month for all the midgies. They are sooooo annoying. I remember what looked like a cloud of them a couple of years ago right at my kitchen door while I was cleaning so I grabbed the oven cleaner spray and zapped them I don't recommend Oven Pride for your skin though

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

I always take the medical stuff because if you suddenly find the need for a plaster/headache tablet/immodium etc. it usually means you need it NOW, and you can't wait til you have been out to find and purchase the item.

 

[dixonsontour]

Nail/small scissors are very useful to have in your case (not hand luggage obviously)

Aswell as the obvious breaking a nail they are useful for removing tags on new clothes, dvd packaging etc.

Sometimes we take toiletries, sometimes we buy there. Think we will take this time and leave any unused there as we will be struggling for weight on the way back on Virgin's new 23kg policy.

Osceola walmart is my favourite. I love the nail salon a few doors down for a pedicure in a massage chair. There is also a used dvd/ bluray shop for my husband whilst im in the nail place.

Kmart - been to the one on 192 and it was interesting to say the least - makes walmart look upmarket! Husband was moaning then he found the plus sized menswear and got some camouflage combat shorts for a few dollars and was then impressed with the place.

 

[2Tiggies]

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.

 

[kevin harrison]

I take as little as possible. My wife used to take enough shoes to make Imelda Marcos jealous! When we land, we stop at Wallgreens on the way to the hotel and get what we need.

We have to ship over via courier, 50 syringes, 35 pouches of special feeding milk, loads of medication, 28 feeding tubes, 2 electric feeding pumps for Daniel, so you can see why worrying about plasters seems a little daft to me.. As anyone who cares for someone with special needs will tell you, your priorities change a little...

 

[JulieSharp]

Most toileteries we buy out there from Publix, well my husband does as he takes care of all that
Ordering from Garden Grocer helps as it saves doing a big shop when we arrive.

We take overall what we can without cramming the suitcases too much, shampoo & conditioner/deodorant/shaving foam (not for me I might add!) plus other stuff we get in Orlando.
Usually buy sun lotion from Publix too but we got some Ambre Solaire from Asda that was too cheap to refuse.

I tend to take quite a large wardrobe and pass to hubby to pack it all . He has a lot of summer clothing he only wears on holiday, Tommy Bahama shirts, Y3 trainers and more.
However, as Kevin has said with special needs it's different, we have wheelchair accessories that go in the suitcase, Joshua's medication etc.

Just have to balance out what's best as we never have our 3 suitcases jam packed full.

 

[disney_princess_85]

I probably take too many clothes with me. Last year, I actually planned each outfit I'd be wearing (I had a spreadsheet and everything! ). I might try to take less this year.

As for toiletries, I tend to take mini versions of what I use at home.

My (very basic) first-aid kit consists of ibuprofen and lots of plasters!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya - we pack light as we rent a villa and do laundry. We do take some medication and plasters for emergencies - and nail scissors and tweezers - just makes life easier, and takes no room ....

Medications are tricky though - my painkiller of choice is soluble paracetemol with codeine.... codeine is a controlled substance in the US - you must declare it at customs. So I don't bother with taking it - any declarations can add loads of time - as they have to open the case and check you have declared the right number of pills, they are in original packaging - including the outer box, and less then 50 doses etc (ie for personal use, not trafficking) .....

Tessa

 

[chesterpdt186]

if you are looking for a good walmart, go to the one near orlando airport. If you have a car that is. They have a decent amout of disney merch as well. This is my favorite walmart and have 4 in the area togo to.

Since you are coming with alot of medical gear for your child, have you checked if a local phamacy can get you any medicine or medical supplies? There is always the chance that one of those boxes does not arrive on time or at all.

 

[Pegasus928]

We take enough clothes for 5 or 6 days as we stay in a villa and they all come with washing machines and dryers. Normally we can stick a bunch of clothes in before we go to bed and hang it out to dry before we leave the villa for the day
Also staying in a villa means we probably do more trips to Walmart than those who stay onsite so stocking up on toiletries etc is no big deal to us.
We do take a few painkillers etc in hand luggage just in case but the rest we buy over there and chuck half empty bottles before we leave again.
We also have one of the small first aid kits in the suitcase that is still sealed and contains anything we may need. Some of the villas have had them - others not so we feel its better safe than sorry.

 

[darthtatty]

I alway take way too much.
I usually take all the toiletries as we never venture off site. although we only take enough to last our trip, ive timed them pretty well on our past trips.
we take enough clothes to last the 2 weeks and a few spares. we dont get time to do washing and a holiday isnt for washing.
we plan to take 4 cases as usual, so will have to pay for an extra case this time as weve always been allowed 6. I may try to cut down next time but we need loads for our son so im sure we'll still need 4.

 

[dixonsontour]

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?

 

[disneyholic family]

i take all the toiletries we need, but i don't bring any of them back home...

i take very little in the way of clothing, so that i'll have room to bring purchases back..

this time, i filled my 3/4 empty suitcase with old torn up towels that need to be thrown away - which is what i'm about to do...
i didn't want my case to be broken in transit because it was mostly empty...

 

[2Tiggies]

Last year, I actually planned each outfit I'd be wearing (I had a spreadsheet and everything! ). QUOTE]

Seriously?

 

[disney_princess_85]

Seriously?

Yeah. I guess I'm just weird!

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah. I guess I'm just weird!

Actually, I guess you look really good in all your holiday photos.

 

[Netty]

I probably take too many clothes with me. Last year, I actually planned each outfit I'd be wearing (I had a spreadsheet and everything! ). I might try to take less this year.

now that is extreme planning!!

if you are looking for a good walmart, go to the one near orlando airport. If you have a car that is. They have a decent amout of disney merch as well. This is my favorite walmart and have 4 in the area togo to.

where abouts is this walmart?

I think the amount everyone takes obviously depends on whether they are staying in a hotel or villa and whether they have a car or not.
I'm lucky my dh loves shopping so will happily go around walmart for hours not to mention going to Kohls and Bealls as well...

 

[iluvtot]

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.....!
DD's bought home a full suitcase of unworn clothes last year Can't happen this year because we haven't the luggage allowance. Think I will be doing ALL the packing this year

Jules x

 

[scojos]

well as i packed 4 weeks ago for our holiday in 5 weeks..im taking.
minimal toiletteries, i ahve a few travel size bits for 1st night/airport hotel
6 outfits each (mix of day and night stuff 3 x swimming costumes each, 2 x crocs each and 1 pair of smart shoes for me and dh.
there are chargers for ds/laptop adaptors and some pool toys.
thats about it!
i have to buy books mags etc for plane, but ll get those at airport..
we are taking some plasters/moleskin/antiseptic, as pp has said, when you need it, you need it.
have high dose painkillers whicj ll have to come in hand luggage, and some calpol for kids.
err... you lot make me feel like im missing something