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

[Calirya]

We are disaster-prone travelers.

Everytime we plan a vacation, some sort of natural disaster occurs. We've been to Disney during THREE hurricanes. Two in WDW, one on the cruise. We've been through an earthquake, flash flood and tornado.

LOL Ok so this it so off topic but I HAVE to share because we kind of fall into that category too!!! People dont want to go on vacation with us! I swear these are *not* made up.

9/7/1998- DH and I moving in together and the sky turned green -- small tornadoes touched down
1999- our first vacation together- at Cape Cod and JFK Jr dies
9/8/01- Got married. On honeymoon cruise for 9/11- terrifying! Finally get back to port with a Coast Guard escort (our ship was the first back to port and people we saw each night at dinner were interviewed for the Fox News) then go to check in for our first time in Disney and a hurricane comes thru.
2003- go to Los Angeles/Hollywood, CA for the first time ever- that blackout in NYC.
2005- just got back from Vegas when Katrina hits
2009-in Newport, RI - Ted Kennedy dies
2011- we left for Myrtle Beach as Hurricane Irene hit us up here in NEPA. Stayed up all night watching the flood gates- thankfully we live on a hill and far enough away from the river but still way too close.

(We have a timeshare so usually only do big vacations every other year- looking at our record- think we need to change to even years!)

Its 2013 and DD first trip to Disney- praying for good luck!! Knocking on wood right now!

 

[Calirya]

Not only "do they get wrinkly" (which i would love to know how to avoid since we had to iron a lot) but with that system (which I tried) I over packed the bag and had to pay the overage fee

so while this is a great idea, remember as you pack the bag to check the weight (especially if you are flying!!!)

I overpack as it is, this would so not be a good item for me! Plus we're going to fly for the first time in years. I'd have to buy a ticket for my suitcase!

 

[Dragontears]

Dont the clothes get all wrinkly?

I have no problems with wrinkles. I fold items that might wrinkle to the width of the cube and then roll them. Just make sure they are folded smoothly. My DH is retired Navy, so I guess it may be a "Navy thing". But after years of packing sea bags - I automatically fold every item to the same dementions for perfect stacking.

We drive, so weight is not a problem (so long as DH can still lift it into the back of the van ). We make it into a two day trip and the cubes make packing for just the one night a snap. I pack a cube with one day's clothes for the two of us, toss that and a few toiletries into a small duffel, make sure it is at the last bag in and we are good to go. We only have to grab one bag for the night.

 

[HiMagicFan]

Its 2013 and DD first trip to Disney- praying for good luck!! Knocking on wood right now!

When are you going?

I sure hope it is before or after me
- I am going at the end of September/beginning of October - not that I don't want you to enjoy your trip...but well

Seriously - laughing hard, trying to be nice, but when are you going?

But hey, just know you will never forget these trips and boy do you have storeis to tell!

Really and Truly - I hope your DD has the first best trip ever with nothing but magic!

 

[HiMagicFan]

I have no problems with wrinkles. I fold items that might wrinkle to the width of the cube and then roll them. Just make sure they are folded smoothly. My DH is retired Navy, so I guess it may be a "Navy thing". But after years of packing sea bags - I automatically fold every item to the same dementions for perfect stacking.

Thank you! Rolling the length of the cube - will try that one next. I think I folded it the last time.

Dad is retired Navy too! But my Mom does all their packing

 

[tjmj9801]

LOL Ok so this it so off topic but I HAVE to share because we kind of fall into that category too!!! People dont want to go on vacation with us! I swear these are *not* made up.
...

9/8/01- Got married. On honeymoon cruise for 9/11- terrifying! Finally get back to port with a Coast Guard escort (our ship was the first back to port and people we saw each night at dinner were interviewed for the Fox News) then go to check in for our first time in Disney and a hurricane comes thru.

Ahh! We're anniversary buddies!!

We were at Disney for our honeymoon so we were there for the hurricane too! The parks closed every day for either weather or precaution. It wasn't fun at all.

 

[djmeredith]

I just returned and will make a complete list of helpful hints I used from this board or came up with on my own later. For now I wanted to share two odd items I highly recommend taking if you are driving: a TV tray table (for extra counter space when multiple adults are sharing the room -- we used ours for the coffee maker we brought) and a folding laundry drying rack. The laundry line in the tub could not hold 3 adults swimwear and beach towels and I really wish I had thrown mine in the van. My dad thought I was crazy for bringing the tray table, but realized quickly how nice that little bit of extra counter space was next to the sink.

 

[amyy]

Lots of great ideas.

*My pillow case from home. Silly but I sometimes have a hard time sleeping and it really helps.
*My travel journal because I just forget some of the details if I don't write them down. It is book and has a page for everyday with sections like people me met, favorite purchases etc. I love looking back and reading about our previous trips.
*Binoculars for when we stay at AKL but they just stay in our suitcase now.
*Lysol wipes.
*Menus that I print from All Ears. Silly because they are on-line, we go enough I know them but I always bring a couple in my planning folder. Usually the new restaurants.

 

[heathere3]

Lots of great ideas.

*My pillow case from home. Silly but I sometimes have a hard time sleeping and it really helps.
.

Not silly at all, I pack the pillows too! They squish down to nothing and make any bed feel like home. Always did even before I had neck problems, and now it's not even up for discussion

 

[amyy]

Not silly at all, I pack the pillows too! They squish down to nothing and make any bed feel like home. Always did even before I had neck problems, and now it's not even up for discussion

Thanks, my husband just shakes his head at me

 

[Nakkira]

Thank you! Rolling the length of the cube - will try that one next. I think I folded it the last time.

Dad is retired Navy too! But my Mom does all their packing

I have been "rolling" My clothes for years even without the packing cube. I do feel I can can fit more in my suitcase that way and it massively reduces the wrinkle factor (I hate to iron)

 

[Jacqui]

I have been "rolling" My clothes for years even without the packing cube. I do feel I can can fit more in my suitcase that way and it massively reduces the wrinkle factor (I hate to iron)

Please help me!! I have tried rolling and my clothes are a wrinkled mess!! I gave up on this last trip and just packed. I would love to roll though and possibly eliminate a suitcase, if I could.

Thanks,

 

[jdcthree]

I have been "rolling" My clothes for years even without the packing cube. I do feel I can can fit more in my suitcase that way and it massively reduces the wrinkle factor (I hate to iron)

Since you hate to iron (like me), have you heard the trick about spraying your clothes with water from a mister bottle and then shaking the wrinkles out? I do it every day. Works great unless clothes are super wrinkled, but even when I'm on vacation I don't have to iron. I just have to shake harder, lol.

 

[djmeredith]

Downy Wrinkle Release works miracles on even horribly wrinkled clothes. I found a "recipe" for it online and now make my own to save money. I introduced this product to my parents last week while at Disney and they were amazed. Just spray it on and shake garment or spray and smooth out with your hand if its super wrinkled.

 

[Calirya]

When are you going?

I sure hope it is before or after me
- I am going at the end of September/beginning of October - not that I don't want you to enjoy your trip...but well

Seriously - laughing hard, trying to be nice, but when are you going?

But hey, just know you will never forget these trips and boy do you have storeis to tell!

Really and Truly - I hope your DD has the first best trip ever with nothing but magic!

No worries! Just keep your fingers crossed for me!
Nov 3rd -Nov 10th

 

[Calirya]

Ahh! We're anniversary buddies!!

We were at Disney for our honeymoon so we were there for the hurricane too! The parks closed every day for either weather or precaution. It wasn't fun at all.

Hey!! Happy Early Anniversary!!

We couldnt go to the park the day of the hurricane and even though the hotel staff said we should really stay inside, we hit Disney Quest.

Then the next day it was still rainy but we went! First time in Disney- as long as the parks were open- we were going!!! Swear they were ready to strip search people. t was scary!
The parks were pretty empty and no lines. Also managed to walk up to Cinderella's castle and get in for breaskfast with no ressie! We did mention it was our honeymoon and that might have helped. Got wine glasses with CRT engraved on them and a special "proclamation" signed by Cindy and Prince Charming.

 

[zhalo]

Downy Wrinkle Release works miracles on even horribly wrinkled clothes. I found a "recipe" for it online and now make my own to save money. I introduced this product to my parents last week while at Disney and they were amazed. Just spray it on and shake garment or spray and smooth out with your hand if its super wrinkled.

I was just going to post this. I love, love, love Downy Wrinkle Release. There is a bottle in every closet of my home, and I always take a trial sized bottle on every vacation.

The trick to having wrinkle-free rolled clothes is simply to take your time and smooth out all of the wrinkles as you roll. I usually fold everything in half, smooth out the wrinkles, then roll, smoothing as I go. It can take a very long time if you are not used to it, but once you get the hang of it, you will become quite fast.

Again, though, let me emphasize the wonderful Downy Wrinkle Release!

 

[tjmj9801]

Hey!! Happy Early Anniversary!!

We couldnt go to the park the day of the hurricane and even though the hotel staff said we should really stay inside, we hit Disney Quest.

Then the next day it was still rainy but we went! First time in Disney- as long as the parks were open- we were going!!! Swear they were ready to strip search people. t was scary!
The parks were pretty empty and no lines. Also managed to walk up to Cinderella's castle and get in for breaskfast with no ressie! We did mention it was our honeymoon and that might have helped. Got wine glasses with CRT engraved on them and a special "proclamation" signed by Cindy and Prince Charming.

That's awesome! Happy Early Anniversary to you too!!

 

[smidgy]

sigh, I forgot my favorite squooshy pillow in a motel in southern Illinois...

oh, and the one time I packed a pray bottle o the downy wrinkle free, the bottle got jostle in the box I had it packed in, and all my paper plates, napkins , etc. were soaked with the downy...


rats!!! tee hee

 

[Nakkira]

Please help me!! I have tried rolling and my clothes are a wrinkled mess!! I gave up on this last trip and just packed. I would love to roll though and possibly eliminate a suitcase, if I could.

Thanks,

Well I give them a gentle fold length wise (like for t-shirts I tri fold the sleeves in) Then I start at the top of the garment and roll it into a "tube". I roll pretty tightly so they take up less room, I am just careful as I do to keep smoothing any bunches. Then I layer them into the suitcase.
The only real wrinkles I have sometime are on those initial fold lines.

Since you hate to iron (like me), have you heard the trick about spraying your clothes with water from a mister bottle and then shaking the wrinkles out? I do it every day. Works great unless clothes are super wrinkled, but even when I'm on vacation I don't have to iron. I just have to shake harder, lol.

I am terrible. I do that and sometimes if it is stubborn I spritz them and then toss them in the dryer for a minute or two.

Downy Wrinkle Release works miracles on even horribly wrinkled clothes. I found a "recipe" for it online and now make my own to save money. I introduced this product to my parents last week while at Disney and they were amazed. Just spray it on and shake garment or spray and smooth out with your hand if its super wrinkled.

Could you please share your recipe?