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

[PaMom001]

AAA Card
A giant bag to put dirty laundry in for storage and to take to the laundry room
Airplane Tickets
All of my monthly/weekly magazines from the preceding month (I save them for the trip)
Aloe Vera gel
Anbesol (for toothaches)
Anti-bacterial gel
Automatic dish detergent packs (if staying in a place with a dishwasher; pack in suitcase)

Backpack
Band Aids
Batteries
Beach Towels
Bee sting kill wipes
Blister shield
Breathe right strips and throat spray (saves nights sometimes)
Brush/Comb

Camera & camcorder (don’t forget tapes/memory chips, film, chargers)
Camp towels (use to wipe off water ride seats/park benches)
Candy(tootsie rolls, pop rocks to amuse kids while waiting for shows or in lines)
Cash
Change of clothes (put in ziplock bag in backpack)
Change of socks for all (ziplock bag in backpack)
Change purse for basic necessities and leave the big wallet at home
Chapstick
Clear Backpack (easy for security checks)
Clothes pins
Coffee and Filters (if staying at a place with a kitchenette)
Comb/Brush
Conditioner (if wanted)
Copies of flight info, driver’s license, credit card, park tickets, and reservations (keep originals and copies separate)
Credit Cards

Dish Detergent (if staying in a place with a kitchenette; pack in suitcase)
Disposable dish cloths with dish soap
Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Dramamine
Drivers License
Dryer sheets (in case you do laundry)

Emergency Car Kit (if driving)
Empty collapsible suitcase for bringing home goodies
Extension cord (power strip)
Extra batteries
Extra contact lenses/solution/glasses (in suitcase)
Extra credit card
Extra hats to replace the lost ones
Extra pair of shoelaces for sneakers (someone's always breaks)
Eyeglass repair kit

Face Wash
Fanny pack
Feminine hygiene products (just in case)
Film canisters or M&M minis candy containers (for pressed penny machines)
Film
First aid cream
First aid kit
Floss

Glow sticks for nighttime in the parks
Green tea bags (place in water bottle - instant flavor!)
Gum

Hairspray
Hand Sanitizer
Hand warmer packets (in case you stay to watch fireworks)

ID card (laminated) for your child's pocket (put child’s name, your name, your cell #)
If park tickets are pre-purchased a photo copy of the back of them in case they are lost
Inflatable bath pillow (for use on plane or soaking in tub)
In a small ziplock bags children's Tylenol, generic benadryl, a spoon measuring thing for the meds (for taking into the parks; put in suitcase)
Index cards with you plan for each day (be sure to include you ADR confirmation numbers, EMH, etc.)
Insect repellant wipes
Insurance, maps, tips, etc. (carry in tote bag with you on plane)

Jackets

Laynard

Make-up
Medicine (Advil, Aleve for the joints, Antacid tablets, Aspirin, Cold Medicine, Cough syrup, Headache medicine)
Memory chip for camera
Mesh laundry bag
Mini-fans w/mister (for summer)
Moleskin or other products for blisters
Mosquito wipes (for summer)
Motion sickness medicine
Mouth Wash

Nail file
Neosporin Antibiotic ointment
Nightlight

Over-the-counter temporary filling gummy stuff (from drug store)

Pants
Park Tickets
Pepto-Bismol (or Imodium)
Permanent marker (can be used to write child’s name, your name, your cell # on child’s back or for autograph books)
Petroleum jelly(Vaseline)
Plastic cups or Paper bathroom cups (don't trust those glasses by sink)
Plastic ID for security and keeping tickets in
Ponchos
Power strip to plug in the laptop, digi camera and 2 cell phone chargers in one easy location.
Powdered laundry soap (get from local Laundromat)
Pre-bought autograph books (get them at your local Disney store and Velcro a BIG {i.e., THICK} pen for the characters)

Q-Tips

Raincoats
Razor (in suitcase)
Rechargeable batteries and charger for batteries
Reservation Confirmations
Retractable Sharpie for the Autograph book (with a quart sized ziplock to keep them both in so they stay dry!)
Roll of quarters and some singles for any tolls
Room air fresheners

Safety pins
Sandals
Scissors (in suitcase)
Shampoo
Shaving Cream
Shopping Bag
Shorts
Sleep aids
Small fans
Small flashlight (in case accident happens at night)
Small screwdriver kit for eyeglasses, sunglasses and putting batteries in the new toys (in suitcase)
Small sewing kit that has needle, thread, scissors, a button, and safety pins (in suitcase)
Small umbrella at the dollar store
Soap (for showers, if wanted; pack in suitcase)
Socks
Spare Contacts/Glasses
Stain stick or Shout Wipes
Stamps
Sterlite plastic containers (one is food items, one is medical items)
Store shoe bag (from $1 store for hanging over back of bathroom door)
Suction cup hooks for wet clothes (to hang in the shower)
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Superglue (for broken nails)
Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
Swim Suits
Swimmers ear medicine

Tension shower curtain rod (mount directly over the bathtub for dripping wet swim suits)
T-Shirts
Tide stick
Toothbrush & toothbrush holder (from $1 store that way you can leave them behind, if desired)
Toothpaste
Travel size deodorant
Tweezers

Underwear

Vaseline

Wallet
Walkie talkie
Washcloths
Water bottle
Waterproof camera
Wipes (individual travel size)

Ziplock bags (for cell phones and cameras when riding the really wet rides) (of all sizes, snack to gallon, for various uses)

1/2 to 1 inch binder w/tabs for itinerary, tickets, park info, emergency numbers of doctors


Babies

• Baby Bath (if portable)
• Baby Food
• Baby Soap/Shampoo
• Baby Sunscreen/lip balm
• Baby toys
• Baby Wipes
• Bottles
• Car Seat
• Carrier
• Diapers
• Diaper Bag
• Diaper Wipes
• Disposable Changing Pads
• Formula
• Nightlights
• Outlet Plug Covers
• Pacifier
• Playpen (if portable)
• Rash Cream
• Stroller(Umbrella and reclining)
• Stroller Sunshade
• Swim Diapers

Children (of all ages)

• Baby Wipes
• Books
• CD’s
• Magazines
• Movies
• Portable CD Player
• Portable DVD Player
• Sippy Cup (for toddlers)
• Snacks
• Travel Toys
Word Games

 

[PaMom001]

Breakfast
Breakfast Sandwiches(homemade)
Cereal & toast
Cinnamon Rolls
Donuts
Eggs, homefries
Eggs, toast, sausage/ham
French toast, sausage/ham
Jimmie Dean breakfast sandwiches
Pancakes
Waffles

Dinners
Cheesesteaks
Chicken (bake whole, then make soup, make night before)
Chicken meal (boxed)
Chicken Parmesan & Spaghetti
Chicken patty sandwiches
Chicken with Soup Sauce & Noodles
Chili
Fajitas
Fish
Grilled Cheese & Soup
Hamburgers
Hot Dogs
Kielbasa
Lasagna (frozen)
Mac & cheese
Manwichs
Meatball Subs
Meatloaf
Pierogies
Pizza (first night)
Pork chops
Quesadillas
Ravioli
Ravioli Lasagna
Roast with Potatoes
Sausage & Potatoes
Sausage Subs
Shrimp and Pasta
Soup & Sandwiches/Hoagies
Spaghetti with or without Meatballs/Sausage
Stew
Stromboli (homemade)
Stuffed shells
Tacos

 

[PaMom001]

Wow I feel honored that so many people wanted my little list.

 

[LeeLee2U]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING

 

[DIXIEDIVAMOM]

Travel size toilet paper. I think it is called Charmin to Go at Target but I have also seen it at Walmart. I know it sounds strange but I always take this on trips and sure enough we always end up using it. Waterproof watch. First time at WDW we got caught in rainstorm and I ruined my good watch. Kids were always asking what time is it at parks or even to watch the time until ADR. I just get one of those cheap ones and when I get home from my trip I put it away. My last one lasted three years. Also I don't know if they sell these anymore but a few years ago someone suggested the Brita Water bottle. I purchased a few before we left and it was a real improvement on the taste of the water. I have also brought a sleeve of the disposable 3 oz bathroom cups. With everyone using the plastic ones in the bathroom if one of my kids got sick then it was hard to keep track of who used the cup. It was easier to just set up the disposable little cups.

 

[carelady]

I never heard of someone being allergic to band aids before.

 

[carelady]

It looks like you are prepared for anything that may come along. How long do you usually stay at WDW?

 

[AmberI]

I never heard of someone being allergic to band aids before.

My son is.

 

[ashleypmo]

Most of mine aren't things to pack, just my tips:

Instead of the autograph books, on day 1 we let each kid pick out a hat for all the characters to sign (make sure to bring sharpies!). This way they have their sun hat, souvenier, and autographs all in one. I suggested we pre-buy our hats at the Dis store this time around to save money and was told by DD11 that they wouldn't have any magic in them if we didn't buy them in the park!

Don't forget to download your pics to your laptop (if you bring it) each evening.

We collected the pressed pennies and then glued them to a picture frame that we put our AK family photo in.

What I really wish I'd known before Fantasmic!: during the show, the CMs round up all the strollers--even if you have your personal stuff still in them! We had brought my DDs special Bug's Life cup and luckily someone found it and set it on top of a trash can, where we spotted it from waaaay down the street.


Wish I knew last time...that at counter service, you can get a double burger, order an extra bun for less than $1, and have 2 burgers at a bargain (well, by WDW standards anyway)! I read that on the dis somewhere & my DH cracked up at how excited I was. See, I'm figuring we're splitting the burgers anyway w/ each kid getting 1/2, so now we can feed 4 people from 1 burger. (can you say "mommy's a cheapskate?")

 

[PaMom001]

I never heard of someone being allergic to band aids before.

There are people who have allergies to latex which is what most bandaids are made of. There are latex free band aids as well as latex free "plastic/vinyl" gloves.

 

[ashleypmo]

I never heard of someone being allergic to band aids before.

You can be allergic to just about anything! When I was pregnant w/ my 2nd, I developed an allergy to leather, of all things!

 

[Jewels*CPA]

Wow I feel honored that so many people wanted my little list.

Thank you so much for sharing this great list!!

 

[*CheshireCat*]

Awesome list !!!! Thanks for sharing

 

[LanaJae]

I never heard of someone being allergic to band aids before.

I have an autoimmune disease (that I got from pregnancy 6 years ago) that destroys the protein that holds my top layer of skin on - if I put a bandaid on, all the skin would come right off with it.

Mostly it's the latex that people are allergic to, as others have written. All these weird allergies kinda makes you wonder what's going on with people's immune systems in the last 10 years.

 

[BunBun]

Ummm ya'll.. Those bandannas and keep cool stuff is so easy to make at home ya'll are going to laugh.. Go to Wal Mart, and pick up a 1/4 yard of fabric or so. Now go to the garden center, and look for water crystals - they are water absorbing soil polymer stuff, usually in blue bottle for about 8 bucks. You have enough crystals in there to make 100's of bandannas. HTH!!!

 

[teachrfuture]

There are some great suggestions here. I have a packing list if anyone wants it.

I could use that list also. Thanks so much.

 

[DizzDoll]

I know that the latex intolerance has been around for a long time. My cousin has it and he told me that one time he got scraped in school - a playground thing - and his teacher wanted to put a bandaid on the scratch and he said no, he's allergic to bandaids. The teacher didn't believe him, put the bandaid on, and he had a fairly severe reaction. Fast forward to last summer when my son had a blood virus that worked its way out through pimples on his skin (stop eating here). Unfortunately, if a pimple oozed onto his skin, he got re-infected. I had to put ointment on his arm and I also put a very large bandaid on to keep the oozing from reinfecting him. When the bandaid came off, you should have seen his arm. Horrible. I took him to a dermatologist who told me he was allergic to the latex and said to use cotton gauze and paper tape. Fortunately he went on an antibiotic and had a different cream to use (with cotton and paper tape) and that took care of the virus. However, every time we see a little bump he gets nervous. So far, however, so good.

 

[jkearson]

I'd love a copy of your packing list. We're going on our first ever trip in Sept. and want to be prepared, especially with 2 young children with us. jlkearson@yahoo.com

Thanks!!!

 

[MorrowsMom]

There are some great suggestions here. I have a packing list if anyone wants it.

I would love a copy of your packing list!

 

[Indy's Girl]

FYI- Pamom's packing list is on pg 9 of this thread. Just go to pg 9 and copy and paste on a word document!