What I wish I would have known BEFORE getting to WDW!

[IDoBelieveInFairies]

Subscribing!

 

[dvc at last !]

Subscribing

 

[KJF]

I agree! I like them way better than that sanitizer goo you squeeze out of a tube.

Is there some place to buy those individual packets of disposable wipes? (Like you get at KFC or BBQ restaurants). They would be handy to toss in the bad, and a lot less bulky than hauling around a big canister of them through the parks, or a baggie of wipes out of the tub they come in.

I buy them at Target. At my store, they're in the section w/ the plastic forks/knives, paper plates, etc. Mine are individually wrapped antibacterial Wet Ones brand. I love them. Also, for Disney in my backpack, in the same section & by the registers, the had soft-sided packs of like 10 or 15 or so. So, they're smaller, but were good for our family of 4. I always have the individual ones in my car, purse, etc. I even use them at the grocery store - like when you're buying meat & the package you pick up leaks - so gross! I wipe my hand before touching anything else, esp the kids!

I've never tried Costco for them - I'm going to have to look for them on my next trip there.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Yep, the do let you bring in your own water. (However, I stopped carrying a water bottle last trip after reading a post about getting free cups of ice water at CS restaurants. I hated lugging around a heavy water bottle, and this turned out to be a great tip!)

I found that with water bottles, wearing cargo shorts is a godsend. Just stick the bottle into the cargo pocket. Last year, I found one of those "bottle lanyards" that they make a small fortune on at the parks at a local Dollar Tree.

I do various Science Fiction conventions a year and take along all the medications I would need after paying $10(!) for allergy meds one time at this newstand in a food court in downtown Atlanta...

Things to take along (as I think of them! )

Allergy meds
Headache meds
Ibuprofen for aches and pains
Heartburn or other stomach ailment meds
Soap
Mouthwash
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Hairbrush
Razor
Shave Cream
Plenty of clothes (including extra socks and undergarments!)
Camera with extra rechargable batteries!
Large memory card
Computer to do a "memory dump" of memory card if necessary (one laptop)
Drinks (soda, bottled water)
Various snacks
Foodstuffs (especially if you're on a budget)
Large cooler to hold the food and drinks

Make sure your shoes are comfy when you go. My Nike Airs had a "blowout" right before I got there and they killed the feet!

Not sure I'd wear crocs. I'm not sure how comfy they would be for those of us who are cursed with flat feet... but they might do for wearing around the resort, to the pool or at one of the water parks...

Make sure you have at least a vague plan of what you're going to do that day.... Or at least go with someone who's familiar with the parks....

 

[DarthKTrava]

How do you guys handle the heat of the August sun when it comes
to running shoes... do you guys still wear it with sox..... or do most
people just not wear running shoes ??

thanks !

As someone who lives in hot and humid North Carolina (near as icky as FL), I still wear shoes. And socks. If you're worried about the heat, then get some foot powder to put on your feet before you put on socks. Change socks several times a day if you have to.

 

[Telynn]

I really liked the Men's water shoes I bought from Walmart. They had just enough support for my needs and quickly dried when I got caught in a downpour! (and for under $5 a pair, I brought a couple of pairs for hubby and I)

Telynn

 

[Tinkerbell_Tiffany]

one thing I am taking with us to try and beat the heat this september is something I found at CVS.
have you ever seen the heating patches? well the ones I found are cooling patches and they stay cool for 6 hours. we got some to put on our necks to keep us cool. the name is be kool and I think they were actually made for people having hot flashes, I found them on the feminine isle...lol

I tested them out here around the house and they are awesome!

 

[LanaJae]

one thing I am taking with us to try and beat the heat this september is something I found at CVS.
have you ever seen the heating patches? well the ones I found are cooling patches and they stay cool for 6 hours. we got some to put on our necks to keep us cool. the name is be kool and I think they were actually made for people having hot flashes, I found them on the feminine isle...lol

I tested them out here around the house and they are awesome!

great idea - I think I might have seen something like that at Dollar Tree

 

[LauraAnn630]

Will it be that hot in September? We melted in June and thought September would be better.

 

[Girldreamer02@gmail.]

I don't know about sept, but last year I went the 16th-21st of dec and the weather couldn't of been nicer. It was a bit chilly in the morning for me, but I just wore light layers that I could peel off once it got warmer. I am hoping for the same kind of nice weather this dec instead of colder weather(i've heard it can get chilly around christmas time)Good luck, have fun and stay cool!

 

[Clopert]

.

 

[greeneyedchic75]

This isnt a packing tip, but a helpful tip to use at WDW. You can ask any CM to take pictures with your camera for you so all your family can be in the pictures. You can also ask the photopass photographers to use your camera after they take your pic with theirs. We do that everytime so that way we have some pictures with all of us at WDW together .

 

[DisneyClay]

SOCKS SOCKS AND MORE SOCKS. pUT AN EXTRA PAIR IN YOUR FANNIE PACK OR BOOK BAG. iF IT RAINS your feet will already be hurting from all that walking, but if it rains and you are wearing wet socks it makes your feet hurt worse. I always take at least one extra pair. I had to learn the hard way.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I brought sponges last trip. Soaked them in dishwashing liquid solution and let them dry out. Then cut them into 1in. squares and put them in a baggie. Just wet, scrub your mug, and toss!

When I first read this, I thought, "But I don't want to wash my face w/ dishwashing liquid. Then I realized you weren't referring to your face as a mug but the refillable drink mugs." Guess I shouldn't be so tired when I'm reading these boards.

 

[Julianna07]

I don't know if this was mentioned or not.

As soon as you get your park tickets, get the backs photocopied or take a picture of the backs of them. Just in case they got misplaced. For Guest serviced to replace them, they need the numbers on the back.

Make sure to write them down in your planner or take a picture or ask guest services to photocopy them.

 

[LanaJae]

I don't know if this was mentioned or not.

As soon as you get your park tickets, get the backs photocopied or take a picture of the backs of them. Just in case they got misplaced. For Guest serviced to replace them, they need the numbers on the back.

Make sure to write them down in your planner or take a picture or ask guest services to photocopy them.

What gets me about this is that you'd think they'd have the numbers in the computer since it's such an elaborate system with names printed on the card and the whole finger scanning/measuring system.

I've read other posts where people said they couldn't get theirs replaced when lost and also warned to copy them.

Are there any CMs here who could explain why the numbers aren't tied to the reservation? or is this tip only for those not staying on property?

 

[Julianna07]

What gets me about this is that you'd think they'd have the numbers in the computer since it's such an elaborate system with names printed on the card and the whole finger scanning/measuring system.

I've read other posts where people said they couldn't get theirs replaced when lost and also warned to copy them.

Are there any CMs here who could explain why the numbers aren't tied to the reservation? or is this tip only for those not staying on property?

I do it because I'd rather be safe then sorry.

I also write down the number on my photopass cards in my planner incase they get lost. I use a mini photoalbum (hold 24 pics) that fits 4x6 index cards and save one page in there to list card codes.

Since so many people have said "Copy them!" on the Dis, that I just trust it.

 

[DarthKTrava]

Will it be that hot in September? We melted in June and thought September would be better.

It'll still be hot in Sept. The temps will average around 90-92. With the usual afternoon/evening rainshower (typical for Florida anyways..).

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

SOCKS SOCKS AND MORE SOCKS. pUT AN EXTRA PAIR IN YOUR FANNIE PACK OR BOOK BAG. iF IT RAINS your feet will already be hurting from all that walking, but if it rains and you are wearing wet socks it makes your feet hurt worse. I always take at least one extra pair. I had to learn the hard way.

I have to agree that a change of socks midday pr after getting wet will automatically give you a refreshing boost! Also, I packed a few pairs of those cool max socks---they really do help keep your feet cool all day long. I bought mine from K-mart--WORKED.

 

[ILMICKEY]

If you are driving, take your pillows from home. You get much better sleep with your own pillow.

It seems like the pillows in different hotels are either too small, too flat or too fluffy.

You will appreciate having your own!!