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

[jdcthree]

Hi! I have a list of 22 oddball items we packed for our trip. You can see it here:
www {dot} latteandlegos {dot} com

Hope it helps!
Stephanie

Why don't you just post your ideas here?

 

[momofEAP]

The reason you should try to find pre 1982 pennies is due to the metal content. In 1982 the mint started using a zink core covered with copper for pennies (zink is cheaper). When pressed, the zink bleeds through and can cause streaks.

We start checking our change about 3 months before the trip. That way we can pick out the cleanest to use. When the teller at my bank realized what we were doing, she sold us rolls of old pennies to go through and would buy them back when we were through picking them over. (We replaced any pennies we could use with newer ones.) Try asking at your bank.

Happy Pressing

I am still trying to get through the thread...(only 15+ pages to go!!) but this one caught my eye. My DD did a science experiment at school. They found that katchup did the same thing as the vinegar. Just in case you are already at WDW and can't find anything but katchup.

Now back to reading...

 

[momofEAP]

Being DVC, I ALWAYS do laundry when visiting. Even when it's just DH and I, every night before showering, I'd throw a load in the washer in the room (sooooo nice). Then right before getting in bed, I toss it in the dryer. REALLY helps cut down on overpacking. At least for me.

And honestly, unpacking once you get home is the worst. I would much rather come home and put away a suitcase full of clean clothes, opposed to knowing that I had loads of laundry ahead of me.

That's just me though

I couldn't agree with you more! For me it makes the vacation feel a little longer!

 

[Disney2013Girl]

I'm going to shamelessly use this post to do a victory dance of actually finishing all 83 pages of this thread.

 

[Dragontears]

Being DVC, I ALWAYS do laundry when visiting. Even when it's just DH and I, every night before showering, I'd throw a load in the washer in the room (sooooo nice). Then right before getting in bed, I toss it in the dryer. REALLY helps cut down on overpacking. At least for me.

And honestly, unpacking once you get home is the worst. I would much rather come home and put away a suitcase full of clean clothes, opposed to knowing that I had loads of laundry ahead of me.

That's just me though

I might consider doing laundry at Disney too if there were machines in the room. But our deluxe hotel only has machines in separate laundry rooms. **sigh** Oh well...

 

[Jessicalynne]

Love the shout wipes idea!

 

[Dragontears]

How about what NOT to take (or is that a whole other thread)...never take NEW just about anything.

Everyone knows not to take new shoes...not until they are good and broken in; but there are other new things you might not expect to attack while on vacation.

I never take any "untried" product that goes on the skin. Lotion, sun screen, medications, soap, make up - even the temporary tattoos the kids love. Try them out on a sunny day well before the trip. Many more skin care products than you might expect make you more sensitive to the sun or can cause an allergic reaction.

And speaking of medications. Be sure to ask the pharmacist when filling any new prescriptions about sun sensitivity. Many meds will cause a burn in a very short amount of time. I can count the number of sun burns I have had in my life (and that's a long time ) on the fingers of one hand...and one of them was from just cutting roses for an arrangement while on antibiotics.

DD bought a new hat to keep the sun off, not realizing how hot it would make her head (no vents) or how uncomfortable the strap would be. (Not all straps are created equal.)

DH bought new "runners' socks" only to discover that they squished his toes worse than tight fitting shoes. (must have been runners with small feet )

I got the "back bag" because it was supposed to be easier on the back...it was, but it kept slipping around and dumping my sunglasses out of the top pocket.

Test any new "gadgets" before you go to make sure they work...and work for you. There are many great suggestions on the board for things that are absolutely great. But not necessarily of use to all of us. Even when I find something that wasn't particularly useful for me doesn't mean it isn't a great idea...just not what I would pack again. So now when I find a really neat (told you I was old) idea, I try it out before the big trip to see if it is worth the luggage space.

I'm sure you can all remember at least one such "error in judgment" ... so be sure to try it before you pack it...and have an "oops" free vacation.

 

[Dragontears]

Re: pills. We take several vitamins a day between us. Instead if taking each bottle I went to the craft section at Walmart and got a small bead organizer for a dollar. Each section holds more than enough for the 10 days we'll be gone.

Great idea...works great for DH....but I still need to get them down to breakfast (one needs to be taken with food). So this time I think I will get the little 2X2 inch ziplock bags (at any craft store in the beading section) and make up one bag for each morning. Then I can take it to breakfast and toss the bag in the trash instead of having to bundle them up in a Kleenex and hope it doesn't spill. lol

 

[Dragontears]

This might not be that weird, but I pack color coded trash bags for dirty clothes. That way when I get home, I can dump my whites, darks, etc right in the wash. More neurotic than weird I guess.

We are not neurotic, we are well organized and anyone who says differently is just jealous. lol

So,tell me tell me....where did you find colored trash bags other than black and white?

 

[Jessicalynne]

Crystal Lite little squeeze things to add to water to make it into a funner drink. Easy to carry, small, and lots of servings in one little thing.

 

[pammydw]

Crystal Lite little squeeze things to add to water to make it into a funner drink. Easy to carry, small, and lots of servings in one little thing.

I must say the most unusual thing to pike is pinkxav or bordeauxs butt paste. Chaffing is a huge issue with all the walking

 

[emlibs1mom]

I must say the most unusual thing to pike is pinkxav or bordeauxs butt paste. Chaffing is a huge issue with all the walking

There is a product called Body Glide available on Amazon I bought for us. It looks like a deodorant stick and goes on easily. I tested it this weekend and it worked wonders. Can't wait for the parks.

 

[lmbraun]

I just bought the mini keurig coffee maker for our 8 day trip- I like my Newman's Own coffee and I like it first thing in the morning! We are staying @ BWV so we have a small kitchen, can't wait!

 

[dayvewc]

But Wal-Mart used to carry trash bags in all sorts of pastel colors - pink, blue, green, purple - that I remember. They were smaller bags, for like the bathroom trash can, not the large kitchen trash cans.

Don't know if they still do, but I remember having to stock them way back when.

We are not neurotic, we are well organized and anyone who says differently is just jealous. lol

So,tell me tell me....where did you find colored trash bags other than black and white?

 

[AnnaNonamus]

I know Dollar Tree carries them, but they are not sturdy. Pretty sure Walmart still carries some colors as well.

But Wal-Mart used to carry trash bags in all sorts of pastel colors - pink, blue, green, purple - that I remember. They were smaller bags, for like the bathroom trash can, not the large kitchen trash cans.

Don't know if they still do, but I remember having to stock them way back when.

 

[Nakkira]

We also bring a power bar with at least 8 outlets in it. We use the power bar to plug in our 4 cell phones, camera batteries, ipods, and anything else which needs charging. It helps when there are only 2 or 3 plus available to charge things at night.

What do you bring and use at WDW which are not normal items like a brush, clothes, extra sneakers ?

That is Brilliant! I always have issues finding enough outlets but for some reason it had Never occurred to me to pack my own power strip!
Adding it to the LIST!
Thanks!

 

[Nakkira]

We also bring two mini M&M tubes. One green and one red. They're the perfect size. Green holds quarters and pennies for pressing. Red holds the pressed pennies.

I use a pill bottle for this!
Also, before my trip I find actual copper pennies and pre-clean them so that I get pretty/shiny pressed pennies.
Worth the effort.

 

[Nakkira]

Might be strange
I bring boxed wine.
I like to relax with a little vino sometimes after a day in the parks. To save money I packed boxed wine in my checked bag. Whatever we don't drink will get left behind but since it is cheaper than buying there I do not mind too much.

I also bring my own crackers and other snacks.

That space they took up in my bag on the way there can be used for the souvenirs I buy on the way home!

So I save money and reserve space for new acquisitions in the same go!

 

[Nana2Callie]

I use a pill bottle for this!
Also, before my trip I find actual copper pennies and pre-clean them so that I get pretty/shiny pressed pennies.
Worth the effort.

Copper pennies - is this a certain year range?

 

[LisaTC]

Copper pennies - is this a certain year range?

Pre-1982 pennies are best. Newest ones have a lot of zinc and when pressed will show through grey.

This is from parkpennies.com: Circulated copper, pre 1982 cents can be found in every day change. Rolls of cents purchased at the bank are a great place to find copper cents and they are only one cent each! Just sort out the pre 1982 cents and youre done. (With a little hinting, a family member might help you by sorting out coppers from their pocket change too.) If you want "shiny" pressed pennies, Id suggest that you clean the cents before you press them. (It will make for a nicer looking coin than if you clean the elongated coin after pressing.)