What is your not so normal item to pack, which is helpful while at WDW ?

[1tripandIfell]

One new thing that I found is Boudreaux's butt paste (for babies diaper rash...not sure if you can find it everywhere) now comes in a spray...This is perfect to spray to keep from chafing during those long hot days..My have for DH. I also packed a small pen light in our backpack for reading maps, notes, etc. at night in the parts of the park that aren't so well lit. One other tip that I read somewhere, take a cheap sponge that you would use for dishes squirt dishwashing liquid on it let it dry and then cut it into little squares, you can use these to wash a quick cup or plate in the room whatever and the sponges stay dry and mess free until you are ready to use either in your room or in the parks.

 

[delaneyc52]

OK so I know this really isnt a packing tip and more of just a "while you are there tip". DH and I are from Maine. Even in the winter it gets REALLY hot for us...after all we are used to wearing a snowsuit year round We stayed at pop the first year it opened and have been doing this ever since the CM tipped us off to this idea. The A/C units have a sensor that senses motion. So when we would walk into our room it was REALLY hot. He told us next time we were at a park right before we leave purchase a balloon. If you tie it to the room chair and have it in the middle of the room where the fan blows it will set off the motion sensor and keep moving which will keep the room nice a cool It worked!!! and now whenever we go I always pick up a cheap balloon and our room is always nice and cool

This is a great tip!!! I wonder if the motion sensors in the A/C are only in the newer hotels? Anyone know?

 

[coachsrs]

We always take a couple of cheaper carabiners that we can put onto packs or our shorts that we use to hold things like our hats while standing in line or on rides. I also use a very small compact zipper camera case for keeping up with our tickets and Fast Passes so they are all in one place and dry in their ziploc bag....just in case.

 

[MegSmethurst]

So a bunch of page back there was a tip about chapstick. I love chapstick! There is a million uses for it, and it's always cheap! My suggestion for using chapstick is to shave off a layer of the stick with a piece of your hair. Usually we women have a spare piece floating about, and you can pull it tight to shave a part of it off! I hope this makes sense. Think of a cheese cutter or an egg slicer. Try it, it works!!

 

[tjmj9801]

So a bunch of page back there was a tip about chapstick. I love chapstick! There is a million uses for it, and it's always cheap! My suggestion for using chapstick is to shave off a layer of the stick with a piece of your hair. Usually we women have a spare piece floating about, and you can pull it tight to shave a part of it off! I hope this makes sense. Think of a cheese cutter or an egg slicer. Try it, it works!!

What does this "do"? Like if you drop the chapstick while open, are you cutting off the dirty part, is it good for your hair?

 

[Disjunky]

This is a great thread and im sure ill have some reppeats.
1. bandaids(moleskin) i always get listers so ill usually justbandaid up pre blister. Esp if im playin golf down there.
2. Mini laptop with downloaded digital copy movies. I can get bored (as well as my DS) with the tv selection if we are in the room and on the flight.
3. Ziplock bags, you never know.
Ponchos, i have never used them but that makes me think that haing them scares away the rain.
4. More than one pair of shoes. this is more for the blister thing. I like my feet to be comfortable esp once the blisters come.
5. Cell phone charger. Laugh now.
6. Camera. Sounds silly but i am a photog junkie. I take pics of everything and some of nothing. Last year i used my Nikon d3000 and took upwards of 300 pics a day. Back to the Laptop thing. Good place to dump your photos "DAILY"

 

[WDWRids]

Fantastic thread!!! Add a roll of papertowels or stack of napkins. Always can use them in your room.

 

[CherylLynn]

What does this "do"? Like if you drop the chapstick while open, are you cutting off the dirty part, is it good for your hair?

The chapstick thing was from a previous tip somewhere in the last 45 pages. I don't know if I can remember all the uses, but I'll try.
Chapstick with sunscreen- no sunburned lips. Also can be used to cover the part in your hair. Liquid sunscreen is hard to get in the part, with the chapstick you can swipe it right on the scalp in the part.
In a pinch can be used on the feet to prevent blisters or in areas that chafe (in case you forgot your Body Glide).
If someone's nose gets raw from blowing// wiping// rubbing it chapstick can be used to moisten the skin if you don't have vaseline (just a tip from me- don't use any of the ones that have scents, esp peppermint like Burts Bees- it can irritate raw skin. Plain old chapstick works best for this).

That's all I can remember for now. The point of the hair tip above was to use a ssingle strnd of hair to take off a layer of chapstick so you can wipe it on other body parts. That way you're not wiping it on your feet or inner thigh then reapplying on your lip. Or you can just carry two tubes. One for your mouth, the other for everything else. The hair strand thing just means you only have to carry 1 tube. HTH!

 

[nkereina]

OK so I know this really isnt a packing tip and more of just a "while you are there tip". DH and I are from Maine. Even in the winter it gets REALLY hot for us...after all we are used to wearing a snowsuit year round We stayed at pop the first year it opened and have been doing this ever since the CM tipped us off to this idea. The A/C units have a sensor that senses motion. So when we would walk into our room it was REALLY hot. He told us next time we were at a park right before we leave purchase a balloon. If you tie it to the room chair and have it in the middle of the room where the fan blows it will set off the motion sensor and keep moving which will keep the room nice a cool It worked!!! and now whenever we go I always pick up a cheap balloon and our room is always nice and cool

This is a great idea! Are all the ACs like this? Do they sell balloons at the resort? I can't picture it, and don't really want to bring one back from a park. I'd pack one, but I'm sure it would need to be blown up with helium to stay up and moving...

 

[mindy5648]

This is a great idea! Are all the ACs like this? Do they sell balloons at the resort? I can't picture it, and don't really want to bring one back from a park. I'd pack one, but I'm sure it would need to be blown up with helium to stay up and moving...

Im not sure if you can get balloons at a hotel...def the parks...If you have a car you can get one from publix im sure

 

[HeatherLassell]

Thank you to EVERYONE who has contributed to this thread! Having never stayed on Disney property before (and my trip next year will be my first since 1994!) I had no idea what to bring other than the usual. I've learnt ALOT! I am definately subscribing to this thread! I know I'll be the most prepared first timer by next September!!!

 

[roumic]

We bring a roll of toilet paper from home! Much softer than the hotel stuff on our sensitive bottoms!

Which is why we bring flushable wipes. One thing that we bring is matches aka Cajun air freshener. After blowing it just be sure that you pass it under water to ensure that there are no trash can fires when you throw it way.

 

[tjdismom]

Some of our 'must haves', that are probably majority repeats, but I'll put them out there just in case:

-ziploc bags of various sizes (big for wet clothes after Splash Mtn or Kali, small for snacks and wet face cloths)
-frozen/wet face clothes (freeze overnight in ziploc and take into parks for hot days)
- baby wipes
- sm. pocket router for wifi access in room (DH is techie)
- powerbar for camera and phone chargers
- frozen bottled water for cold water all day
- body glide for chafe during long days of walking/also helps with blisters
- cheap ponchos
- glow sticks/bracelets/necklaces from dollar store
- id tags for kids sneakers
- tea bags from home ...... just can't find the right tea in FL yet

probably more just can't think of anything else right now!

 

[Nature Mom]

So many great tips on this thread already but wanted to add 2 of my own travel must-haves:

A turbie twist towel for my hair. If you are a 2 towel person, one for the hair and one for the body, then get a turbie twist. Small, super-absorbent and now I think you can even get them at Target. My grandmother bought me one years ago when they first came out off of QVC or some other home shopping, and I have to say, it is one of the best cheesy gifts EVER. I always pack one for each of us girls in the suitcase because there are never enough towels for everyone.

Also, my book-light. My DH hates the big light when he is trying to sleep, so I always use a book-light. It has come in handy during night at the park and I just clip it to my shirt or bag strap for hands free map reading.

 

[tjdismom]

I forgot my best find from our last trip.....Purex laundry sheets! Easy to pack and one sheet for wash and dry!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Here is how to over ride the motion sensor
Press the power button and the down arrow button simultaneously. The letters "bp" should appear in the display indicating you are in "bypass" mode. Then you can use the up/down buttons to set the temperature. You may have to do this every 24 hours or every few days.

The sensor by-pass for our kind of thermostat was simple--I just pressed the "off" button and both the temperature "up/down" buttons all at the same time. "BP' appears in the thermostat, and then it operates as most other themostats in most other hotels in the US

And yet another:

The thermostat has two buttons on the left (ON/OFF and AUTO/FAN) and two buttons on the right (UP and DOWN)

1) Press the ON/OFF and AUTO/FAN buttons together. The digital display will change to 'CA'.

2) Press the ON/OFF and DOWN button together. The digital display will change to 'OR" (or something similar).

You have just deactivated the motion sensor. This will last for three days at which point you will have to repeat the process.


TO CHANGE AC THERMOSTAT SETTINGS THE THERMOSTAT HAS TO BE PUT INTO "SERVICE MODE" IT IS SIMPLE TO DO BY PRESSING THE FOLLOWING KEYS ON THE FRONT OF THE THERMOSTAT.

EXECUTE THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE:

1. PRESS (AND KEEP PRESSED) THE F/C KEY

2. PRESS (AND RELEASE) THE OFF/AUTO KEY

3. PRESS (AND RELEASE) THE DISPLAY KEY.

4. RELEASE THE F/C KEY.

UPON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THIS SEQUENCE, THE LCD WILL DISPLAY PAR (PARAMETER) AND THE PARAMETER NUMBER.

1. PRESS THE UP ARROW KEY AND SCROLL UNTIL # 6 APPEARS. (NEW MODELS # 24)

2. PRESS THE OFF/AUTO KEY

3. THE CURRENT LOW TEMPERATURE IS DISPLAYED.

4. PRESS THE DOWN ARROW KEY AND SCROLL UNTIL THE DESIRED ROOM
TEMPERATURE APPEARS
5. PRESS THE F/C KEY

OK so I know this really isnt a packing tip and more of just a "while you are there tip". DH and I are from Maine. Even in the winter it gets REALLY hot for us...after all we are used to wearing a snowsuit year round We stayed at pop the first year it opened and have been doing this ever since the CM tipped us off to this idea. The A/C units have a sensor that senses motion. So when we would walk into our room it was REALLY hot. He told us next time we were at a park right before we leave purchase a balloon. If you tie it to the room chair and have it in the middle of the room where the fan blows it will set off the motion sensor and keep moving which will keep the room nice a cool It worked!!! and now whenever we go I always pick up a cheap balloon and our room is always nice and cool

 

[GiGi1969]

WOW, this is my first post on the DISboards but I just had to say thank you to everyone for all the tips!!! All 46 pages of them. Now I'll have to go through again and write them all down! lol

 

[purpblonde]

These are great tips. The purex sheets help, so nothing spills. Any pointers on unusual items for 3 year olds?
thanks

 

[HLDisney]

These are great tips. The purex sheets help, so nothing spills. Any pointers on unusual items for 3 year olds?
thanks

Post-it notes to cover the sensor if your child is afraid of the automatic flushing toilets

Buy glowsticks inexpensively now instead of paying for the expensive light-up toys at Disney

Something that your child can wear so that if he/she gets lost, you can be contacted. I used this for my DD

http://www.amazon.com/Velcro-Child-ID-Bracelet-Safety/dp/B000UXNHQG

If you're using a stroller, something to cover it in case of rain. And be sure you cover the stroller everytime you leave it outside of a ride because you never know when there might be an unexpected shower that will drench the stroller and all of the belongings you left inside of it.

Helen

 

[suetoo]

This thread has been great! I always pack in carry-on for all four of us...lots of ideas here I will never use due to space, but I am glad I am not the only one who prepares way in advance, either!
My best find is not unusual, but I have found the perfect brand...for KTTW cards, etc, I bring my Vera Bradley lanyard and zip id. I have lost (and later found) an photo pass from a less secure case. This one has a zipper (metal- not plastic) and two compartments and for its size is the best purchase I have made. Park passes/KTTW on one side and gift/credit/disney rewards cards on the other. Never have to fumble for anything.
Also, for those that like to use cash vs credit in the parks...Consider a Disney gift card. Not a VISA gift card. W/ DIsney card, you just swipe and go...sometimes sign...with a VISA, you MUST keep track of your balance and when it gets low have the EXACT dollar amount left on it known before you pay..the Disney card is so much easier~ and no fee!