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

[princess jackie]

I found the disposable sticky placemats at Wal-Mart in the baby section. It was a package of 4 for $1. I think they had some more expensive ones too.

 

[DarthKTrava]

I love them here is a picture- much cheap to just buy at Toys r US
http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Solutions-50-count-Disposable-Placemats/dp/B000068OJ5

I'd seen a couple had those for their small son one time when I was at Panda Express one day.... Neat idea.

 

[fakereadhed]

I love them here is a picture- much cheap to just buy at Toys r US
http://www.amazon.com/Neat-Solutions-50-count-Disposable-Placemats/dp/B000068OJ5

Disney visa sent me a sample one with Pooh on it. (That sounds bad... )
Don't throw away your Visa junk mail-it might be inside!

 

[latrischler]

Great tips, thanks!

 

[DznyDreamz]

My DD always loves a bubble bath when we stay in hotels. Usually I am running around like a lunatic looking for bubble bath or bath beads somewhere. This trip I am planning ahead and bringing some with me so we are ready for the bath whenever she is!!

 

[princessofcandles]

Woohooo... keep them coming! I'm takin notes.

 

[mommylovesdisneymore]

These Are Some Awesome Tips Thanks So Much
Any Tips For The Mvmcp ? This Is Our First Trip And We Do Not Know What We Will Have Time For And Can You Really Get In At 4pm?

 

[ScrappinGran]

One of my favorite tips that I learned right here, was to have Staples deliver a case of bottled water to our resort. Have it sent to your resort under your name with reservation # and date of arrival. I timed it to be there the dya before we got there.I belong to their teacher reward program, (but think there is a reward program anyone can use) so the shipping was FREE. So we got a case of bottled water for 4.99. When we checked in we asked for it and it was brought to our room for us. We stayed at a moderate so we had a fridge in our room.I have heard that you have to have a larger minimum order now, but have not checked it out.Just booked my trip for Sept. 2008 today!

 

[wittybib]

We always bring a little travel pack of the Clorox disinfecting wipes (we find them in the travel section at Target) and wipe down every surface in the hotel room the second we step in the door. You'd be amazed how much dirt (and presumably, germs) come off onto those things.

We also never travel without our "bags". Ours are Eagle Creek ones that aren't made anymore, but we bought the REI boarding bag for my cousin for her honeymoon, and it's pretty awesome too. They fit more stuff than a fanny pack including a spot for your water bottle (but way better than a backpack), look way better, and don't get in the way of ride restraints because they hang across your body. Best. Thing. Ever.

 

[kyhardy]

I'm a Mountain Dew addict so I hear ya

Same goes for my husband but we usually have a case of water & some of the dew delivered from a grocery place. Maybe Green Grocer? Not really sure where from since it's his fix. They have it at bell services & deliver it right to your room.

 

[dmja716]

Last year when we went, I needed to warm my DS's bottle before bed, so I ran the coffee maker with just water, no coffee, and stuck the bottle in the hot water in the coffee pot. Worked awesome!!

 

[kyhardy]

For dirty laundry we just keep the largest suitcase under the end of one of the beds & throw all the dirty stuff in there after showers etc. This way they are already packed for the flight home & we put any clean things in another suitcase together. Sometimes we have 2 dirty clothes suitcases, but this is better than having; to buy a pop up hamper, remember to pack it, find a place in the room to put it,empty & repack it. IMO the less I have to remember or do the better

 

[luvmy2sams]

Our first trip is coming up in less than a month! I'm a little concerned about keeping my stroller outside while we go on a ride, so here is my idea for that...I am going to buy a padlock and put in through one of the wheels, and carry the key with me on whatever ride I go on.

That'll keep it from being stolen, but it won't keep the CMs from moving it to another location. Just an FYI....have a great trip!

 

[jenningspaige]

For babies, they sell most necessities at the baby care stations. One time I packed formula but no bottle for the baby, and they just happened to carry Good Start (her brand). They also sold diapers and pacis, wipes, and gerber bottles, all for just a little more than a regular grocery store. When you need something for a baby, it's wonderful to know there's a place in Disney you can buy them in a pinch.

 

[hsmamato2]

wow! This thread is...long!!! we go to Disney yearly,and I used to pak LONG lists for every eventuality....then I decided i'd rather just buy little things if we needed them,as I like to pack very very light!
I like the cut up sponges idea,and i always pre-buy pins for trading- but beyond basic bandaids etc and some very basic tylenol,a small first aid kit- i know i can just grab what i need if i need it,so i don't stress. For dirty laundry we just use shopping bags,and stuff them back in the suitcases for the ride home- I do bring a couple loads worth of detergent in a baggie-
I like to have 4 days worth of clothes per person,and after that we just wash it and wear again.... must never forget the jacket,sweatshirt,and also shorts in wintertime,you never know what the weather will be.
We order from gardengrocer before we leave,and have water and snacks,etc plus a few easy room meals to save time and money-I hate battling crowds in restaurants-
But I'd rather just buy a pair of extra socks than pack 20 pairs I don't use.
I like an idea I read here about the small coffee maker for the room, for boiling water for coffee,tea,instant oatmeal etc.
I carry my Baggalini in the parks,and we refill our water bottle all day long from fountains- But only the bare minimum- we hate hauling loads of stuff around! And someone else mentioned small first aid items can be gotten in the parks for free or very cheap- my one insistence is a fresh set of rechargable batteries daily in my bag,as I REFUSE to pay $16 for 4 batteries!

 

[jtwilson]

Please do not use the phone in the room for any Long Distance calls. My cell did not work and I used the room phone for a total of 5 Long distance calls totalling 12 minutes. The charge was $101.26!!. Disney blamed AT & T and would not reduce it. An analysis of the calls breaks down to a $12 admin charge and $3 per minute. (1 min = 15.23, 2 min = 18.25, 4 min = 24.27)

 

[brighteyes]

That even the magic of Disney can't make your grumpy, moody 11 yr old into that sweet little boy you once knew! lol

We just got back, and if you were there and saw a mom telling her son that if you can't be nice just don't say anything at all, or telling her child that she just wanted to go back to the room cause his mood was spoiling the magic for her it was me talking to my son!!!

Yes it was magical and great but not ALL great. But aside from that at least he was grumpy and arguing with me in Disney. I tried not to let it ruin my trip but sometimes I wondered what the heck did I do this for??? How can you be grumpy at Disney????

Aside from that I had a great time and loved it and didn't want to go home.

I felt like I was the only one who had a grumpy child in the "Happiest Place on Earth". Guess there wasn't enough pixie dust to go around that day.

Stephanie

 

[ddaz]

The one thing I take down to WDW is pins for trading. I get them on e-bay a few months before the trips, to give my grandsons to trade. $2 a pin instead of park price of $6-up.

How do I know which pins on ebay are capable of being traded at WDW? Most pins are inexpensive on ebay, but they want $5 to ship it to you. Any advice on finding inexpensive pins for trading on ebay?

Thanks
ddaz

 

[disneyfan328]

I edited this post as it quoted the wrong post - I was referring to the staples free water delivery that was posted above



I have read this tip before, however they discontinued this - The only way to get free shipping is now to spend more than $ 50.00. I guess they caught on with all that water going to Disney hotels. Sorry didn't want to be the spoiler on this one but wanted you all to know. Believe me I was hoping to be able to use this one myself as all we really wanted was Water we are brining everything else with us.

 

[princessstacy]

"I felt like I was the only one who had a grumpy child in the "Happiest Place on Earth". Guess there wasn't enough pixie dust to go around that day".....

I understand brighteyes. I have a 5 year old daughter who can be quite the drama queen. I told her that there is no whining allowed at Disney. It is a rule made by Mickey himself. I also told my husband that Grumpy has been banned from Disney. Of course neither one believed me, but it made me happy!