What do you wish you packed... what do you wish you didn't.

[evemomma]

Ok new, lurked before I went on my trip and just got back. Here's what I was soooooo glad I brought (keep in mind this was in the HEAT of summer!):

1) Mister fans...my neice and nephew carried them across their bodies and provided us with essential cooling while waiting in lines.

2) Like someone else just mentioned: stroller rain cover....so nice not to have a soaking wet strollet after the daily afternoon summer rain shower.

3) Pill container with tylenol, excedrin migraine, tums, antigas, immondium AD, and senokot (I guess my fam has tummy probs...lol!). At least one of my fam members was in need for each of these things on our trip.

4) Band-aids!

5) Small wet wipes case (used for sticky fingers, sweaty brows, etc).

6) Two hats a person (they got so sweaty and gross).

What I didn't need but brought anyway:

1) earplugs just in case my ds was scared in the loud shows (he wasn't)
2) pipe cleaners for ds to play with in line at rides (forgot I had them)
3) ponchos...we lucked out and got inside or went back to the hotel before the downpours...still glad we had the ponchos just in case

What I forgot/or didn't bring but wish I would've:

1) Cell phone charger....duh!!!!!
2) Light-up toy from home (had a buzz lightyear fan but forgot it, duh again)
3) Extra small and large ziplock bags: never underestimate the convenience of these things!
4) insulated sippy cup for my ds...I bought one especially for disney and then left it at home. Oh yeah, and the free water is DISGUSTING! Should've brought some crystal light packets.

 

[daisyyy]

I think the rain cover for the stroller is a great idea... hadn't thought of that.. last time we went we had a soaked stroller... luckily, the sun did come out and dry it, but I wish I had a cover....

Same thing with the tummy items... I know my DH will complain about one of those issues after the buffets...

I did think about the misting fans.. but I know I'll end up carrying them... if I don't bring it, I know they'll want it.. if i do bring it.. they will make me carry it. But I remember when my girls were little they actually put ice in them from the restaurants.. and would squirt it in their mouths... I guess it was ok.. sounds gross, but they're still around.. no harm.. plus it helped keep them hydrated.. so I guess it will be worth it..

Oh.. and last time we brought our pal mickey.. they loved it for a few days, but then I ended up carrying him,,,, I know they discontinued selling him, but I'm assuming he will still work?? anyone confirm this?

 

[tinkerlisa]

I think the rain cover for the stroller is a great idea... hadn't thought of that.. last time we went we had a soaked stroller... luckily, the sun did come out and dry it, but I wish I had a cover....

Same thing with the tummy items... I know my DH will complain about one of those issues after the buffets...
QUOTE]



I love my stroller cover...Saved my son from looking like a drowned rat many times!

I always carry tummy stuff with me....Unfortunatly I didnt when we went to D.C. last spring and my sister threw up outside the golden corral in PA!

 

[brivers222]

i would for sure not pack my ex-MIL again... and thankfull being an ex... i wont have to!!!!!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

i would for sure not pack my ex-MIL again... and thankfull being an ex... i wont have to!!!!!

 

[pgumiela]

I agree on the stroller cover, it rained on our stroller while we were on a ride maybe three times last Sept. The cover saved out DS from a wet soggy backside and kept our bags dry.

Batteries - if your camera uses AA or AAA buy the rechargables! Cameras suck the life out of batteries so quick, the energizer ones are not that expensive(I think 10.00 for 4?), and if you get two or three sets for your camera you can have one set charging back at your room and an extra set on you at the park then just change out every night/morning.

I did have too many outfits for the kids, but I have two boys and they are so messy sometimes. And I can't do laundry on vacation, it just doesn't seem right, maybe DH could do laundry.

I liked having a pop up hamper, ours fits perfectly into the bottom of the suitcase and takes up almost no space in the suitcase. Then for the week I didn't have dirty clothes piling up in the bathroom or around the beds.

Wish I had - a hanging organizer, a suction cup toothbrush holder thing to stick on the mirror so our toothbrushers were not laying around, a refridgerator(we are driving this year and are thinking about taking our own minifridge - is that crazy, does anyone else cart around their own fridge?)

 

[Pally*Wally]

I didn't see this mentioned, but if you are bringing your own stroller, throw a rain cover in the basket. It rained everyday on our trip and I was glad the baby didn't have to sit in a soggy stroller.

Where is the best place to find one? That is a great tip, thank you

 

[pgumiela]

Where is the best place to find one? That is a great tip, thank you

We got ours at Babies R Us, I think that they had maybe three of four to choose from to best fit your stroller. They also had them on their website.

 

[mcvixen]

This might have been mentioned - a collapsible laundry hamper. It's a small thing, but boy, did it ever help me keep things tidy!

 

[btcrane]

 

[Dani C]

Something you might want to add are emergency chargers (for both cell phone and ipod) and batteries (AA) for the chargers to take with you into the parks.

 

[Pally*Wally]

We got ours at Babies R Us, I think that they had maybe three of four to choose from to best fit your stroller. They also had them on their website.

Thank you

 

[nothnbutherainsir]

I like to bring one of our laptops so we can load pictures from each day onto it. If you don't have a laptop to bring I highly suggest more memory cards! I'm lucky enough to have an extra battery from another camera that fits mine so I always bring that too!

Edit: I should also add that we take a flashdrive to back-up the pictures on.

I also had joined a coffee pot/fridge swap but we didn't really use either! If you do bring a coffee pot or join a swap remember filters! We forgot them and couldn't find any anywhere! We ended up using some paper towels and it was a mess!

 

[nothnbutherainsir]

What about rain gear?? do you bother packing umbrellas / ponchos?

We grab some of those plastic ponchos from the dollar store. They fit nicely in a bag (if you carry one in the parks) and they can be re-used but you can also toss them after your trip.

I agree with the power strip idea too. Last trip we stayed at POP and all of the outlets were in odd places and some of our plugged in stuff didn't stay in them because they were crappy outlets!

Oh and if you don't want to pay for Ziplocks or buy as many you can always grab a roll of small trash bags. Those work great too and I always have a hair band to seal them up!

We don't do laundry when we go to WDW but we did do it when we took another vacation a few months ago and I was glad we did because we're the kind of people who don't unpack right away. It was nice when we finally decided to put away our clothes because that's really all we had to do.

I agree, as well, with the whole "don't pack so many clothes" thing because last year I ended up packing 8 outfits (went for 7 days) and wore 2 pair of shorts and maybe 4 different shirts.

 

[nothnbutherainsir]

Batteries - if your camera uses AA or AAA buy the rechargables! Cameras suck the life out of batteries so quick, the energizer ones are not that expensive(I think 10.00 for 4?), and if you get two or three sets for your camera you can have one set charging back at your room and an extra set on you at the park then just change out every night/morning.


Wish I had - a hanging organizer, a suction cup toothbrush holder thing to stick on the mirror so our toothbrushers were not laying around, a refridgerator(we are driving this year and are thinking about taking our own minifridge - is that crazy, does anyone else cart around their own fridge?)

Don't forget to charge them! I was too lazy to get up and stick my battery in the charger and I fell asleep before I could remember and I was so mad at myself the next day when my camera died! Thankfully my husband had his camera as a back-up!

We like to buy those toothbrush caps that you can get in the travel section of Target (or any store for that matter). I was thankful we brought those because our Mousekeeper didn't keep our room clean and the toothbrushes ended up getting knocked off and into things!

 

[daisyyy]

i would for sure not pack my ex-MIL again... and thankfull being an ex... i wont have to!!!!!

Depends on where you pack her..
I know where I'd pack mine.... (no.. I shouldn't say that.. god will strike me dead... I like my MIL)..

OK... I've picked up a bunch of tips... many things I haven't thought of, and some I've already gone out to purchase and pack even though I've got a month and a 1/2 before we leave... but keep em coming...
colapsible hamper.. great idea!.. at least .. even if I don't do the laundry that week.. all of the dirty clothes will be in one tidy spot.. not all over our already crowded room..

 

[jad215]

Instead of a collapsable hamper I bought these laundry bags for the two of us (blue and pink) from the online Disney store, but it's just me and DBF and no kids so this works out better for us, plus should be easier to carry to the laundry room. Just wanted to throw another option out there.

http://www.disneystore.com/disney/s...:10601,pStoreID:10052)&Dn=0&lid=search_submit