What is absolutely essential to pack?

[lmhall2000]

I LOVE flying Spirit Air because they have bare bones rates! Booked amazing flights for our family of five. The key is bringing just ONE luggage (18x14x8) per person.

We all have our bags and the plan is to just pack 3 outfits/socks/undies/swimsuit, all toiletries in clear zip bag. We'll wash clothes before heading up to Yosemite. We have 3 days at Disney.

Do we need:
Sunglasses
Water shoes/sandals (worried about wet rides?)
Hoodie? I am packing throwaway ponchos
We won't be carrying much besides our phones for MaxPass/pictures and water bottles, we are having those shipped to our hotel.
We leave Wednesday, anything I am forgetting??

Oh! My sister, niece, brother-n-law will meet us there for 2 days...can I add their MaxPass tickets on my phone so we can get 8 fastpasses together? Just doing MaxPass next Thursday, not all 3 days.

 

[DDhunter]

I would die without sunglasses, so I would say absolutely yes on sunglasses. No on the Water shoes/sandals - I have never worn either to the park and have gone on the wet rides, sneakers dry pretty fast. It can get cool in the evenings but I rarely bring a jacket or hoodie and have been fine without.

 

[lmhall2000]

On sunglasses, are they a pain on rides? Do you have neck holder thingies??

 

[SteveMP]

Now normally you get a checked bag and/or a carry on bag (depending on airline and fare) AND one "personal item" which for me is a backpack. So I would check as a backpack can hold quite a bit, as long as it fits under the seat in front of you. And sunglasses can go pn your head, in a shirt pocket, seat back pocket, so i wouldn't really pack away "wearable" things.

 

[DLgal]

No jacket/hoodie. It's been about 70 at the lowest lately.

No water shoes. Completely unnecessary. Skip Grizzly River Run if you don't want to get soaked. Shoes will only sort of get wet on Splash Mountain.

YES sunglasses. I would add hats as well. The sun is brutal and shade is hard to come by. We actually bought UV block mini umbellas and have been using them as well.

Just wear your sunglasses on rides or hold them in your hand. No biggie.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I must wear closed in leather shoes due to foot issues. I switch out to flip flops for wet rides because my shoes would take days to dry out. So it depends on what kind of shoes you will be wearing. Even some tennis shoes would take a while to dry. I would also suggest some sort of hat to shield the sun. I just wear a ball cap.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I personally perfer two pairs of walking shoes/sneakers so I'd wear one and pack one especially if you'll be doing a lot of walking in Yosemite too. Otherwise I'd definitely need sunglasses - they are just as important and applying sunscreen! - and a sweater. I freeze going into shops and restaurants and am often chilly at night. On our trip in August 2016 I packed a light sweater that I could easily carry in my purse - I also used it in August 2015 in WDW - and those were the first two Disney trips where I came home without a cold from temperate changes. Plus I find the evenings to be generally pretty cool.

 

[Kender]

Weather can turn quickly. I've been there with it being 100+ degrees and it dropping significantly at night the moment the sun is down in the height of summer to the point I was freezing (and I'm someone who will still be sweating in the low 70s). So I say yes, a hoodie of some sort. Anything you can tie around your waist. That way it won't take up room in your bag on the airplane and it doubles as a cushion on the plane itself.

Unless you want an excuse to buy a new hoodie/sweater while at DLR . I've totally never done this myself. Uh uh. Never deliberately not packed a jacket of any sort so I could feel justified buying anything I had my eyes on.

Water shoes definitely aren't a big deal. I would pack extra socks, though. If your tennis shoes get wet, then you can always just change your socks out to avoid any blisters from the wet fabric rubbing. But I've only been miserable while soaked when it came from a couple heavy rainstorms during a July trip. The rides never soak me totally through. Ponchos are a good idea, though. Those packable ones are great that they sell in camping sections. Cheap, but they work. I've also spent a little more to get the more jacket like ones so I have more range of motion.

Extra underwear I would vote yes on. You never know when an accident can happen.

I would bring ziplock bags if I was planning to do water rides and was going to be relying on my phone for anything during the trip. Just as a precaution. Plus extra bags are good for toiletries going home.

I also usually bring some sort of Motrin (or your painkiller of choice) because a headache in the parks makes me a miserable person to be around. Also a small first aid kit (band aids, etc).

Any important cards, of course.

A power bank can be useful. I use a 20,000 one most of the time as I get at least six charges out of it for my phone (3,000 sized battery) and between my mom and myself we've never depleted it in a single day. I would consider my 6,000 essential for personal use, though. My 10,000 if I'm sharing with someone else.

I have other things I would consider essential, but I doubt many others bring a small sewing kit with them, haha!

 

[lmhall2000]

Yes! Just bought a power bank specifically bc we need our phones with MaxPass. I think the kids would love buying a hoodie at the parks, but I'll try and have them put a small light sweater on for the plane ride.

Spirit charges for every bag except for the personal item limited to 18x14x8, but our round trip from Houston was under $75 pp just bought a RT to Atlanta for $46!! For those rates, I really love saving more $$ by not buying luggage passes

Went ahead and bought new sunglasses, my daughter stepped on my pair and just figured I'd go without them...but better not!

Thanks for all the tips!! So excited to take our family!!!! The kids are 18-22, don't remember their first trip there at age 6 months to 3

 

[SteveMP]

Geez thats pretty strict. Wonder what they do with the empty luggage area. Maybe shipping mail/packages? The rate airlines are going I won't be surprised if they start charging for every pound you weigh over 150, etc.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

CVS (24/7) and Walgreens (assuming it is 24/7) are right across from each other at the intersection of Katella and Harbor, just minutes from the parks. If you forget/need something basic during your stay, there is a good chance you can find it there. We always bring a First Aid kit, but First Aid in either park will be able to help you with bandaids and other small things. If you need daily Rx meds, bring them and a copy of your prescription. (Or your doctor can phone a prescription in to either the CVS or Walgreens if necessary.) There are vending machines for chargers at various locations in the parks, in case of emergency. Sounds like you are pretty well covered. Have a great trip!

 

[lmhall2000]

Geez thats pretty strict. Wonder what they do with the empty luggage area. Maybe shipping mail/packages? The rate airlines are going I won't be surprised if they start charging for every pound you weigh over 150, etc.

The weight is what costs airlines $$, due to needing more fuel. By charging for every little thing (literally, they charge for each carry-on, checked baggage, if you want to choose your seat, etc.) they are able to cut down on weight, thereby squeezing more paying passengers on...seats are not even 1/2 inch thick, so they have about 15% more seats than other airlines. Novel idea, really...if it means we can fly to LAX for under $400 for five of us, count me in

Great to know there is a CVS across the way, we'll get our sunscreen and essentials there!! Thanks all!! Very excited!!!