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

[lisahoo]

We got our girls these LED glow stick/flashlights on lanyards for our first night in the parks. In pink, of course.
They could use them as a flashlight to read a map, or just leave it on the glow stick setting if they were scared by dark rides, or more likely the dark line for the ride. When all the vendors came out at dusk with their overpriced trinkets, our girls weren't quite as interested. (WIN!)

 

[Katie10]

Prepared tip envelopes with something ( stickers) on the outside to represent our state/hometown
Roll of qtr for laundry room n those tide liquid detergents found at target
Nite lite for bathroom area
My used/ older make up that I then discard at end of trip ( mascara especially)
I buy cheapo toothbrushes n do the same ( leave our good ones at home)
Quart n gallon ziplock ...qts for cells that don't get wet on rides, and gallon for whomever changes their shirt cause they spilled something ( they know who they are in our family, lol)

Great ideas! I buy nice new toothbrushes and open them at home. Then pack our "old" toothbrushes for our vacation so I can toss them out on vacation.

 

[Karen Barnes]

An extension lead so we only need one travel adapter!

 

[WooPigScientist]

I've only made it to page 40, so if anyone has mentioned this already, I apologize . . .

One of my essentials traveling with small kids is my travel hand sanitizer. I buy the ones from bath and body works because they are very small (but still enough to last over a day of hard use) and fit in a holder (which you purchase separately) that can be attached to practically anything. Just day to day I keep one on my purse, the diaper bag, and the stroller. You can always get the bottles 5 for $5 and the holders are a couple bucks maybe?

I use them when we just don't have access to soap and water. But the best application I've found is for quick touch ups on sticky hands (mine included!). For my kids they seem to work better than wet wipes. The kids LOVE rubbing it all over their hands and fight me pretty much the whole time I try with a wet wipe. Can't blame them, I wouldn't like someone rubbing all over my hands either!

 

[WooPigScientist]

We got our girls these LED glow stick/flashlights on lanyards for our first night in the parks.

I love these! We use them for camping all the time. The flashlight is suprisingly bright for its size (LED, I guess?) and you can set the "glow stick" to light up constant or blinking.

My MIL bought them for the kids, but if I remember correctly, our chain hardware stores around here carry them by the registers and such. I'm thinking she might have gotten ours at a camping/sporting goods store.

 

[sweetie1996]

We

I've only made it to page 40, so if anyone has mentioned this already, I apologize . . .

One of my essentials traveling with small kids is my travel hand sanitizer. I buy the ones from bath and body works because they are very small (but still enough to last over a day of hard use) and fit in a holder (which you purchase separately) that can be attached to practically anything. Just day to day I keep one on my purse, the diaper bag, and the stroller. You can always get the bottles 5 for $5 and the holders are a couple bucks maybe?

I use them when we just don't have access to soap and water. But the best application I've found is for quick touch ups on sticky hands (mine included!). For my kids they seem to work better than wet wipes. The kids LOVE rubbing it all over their hands and fight me pretty much the whole time I try with a wet wipe. Can't blame them, I wouldn't like someone rubbing all over my hands either!

also like the travel size

Target also makes these, and they smell great . We used them on our last trip and no one got sick during that trip!

 

[happymommy]

Prepared tip envelopes with something ( stickers) on the outside to represent our state/hometown
Roll of qtr for laundry room n those tide liquid detergents found at target
Nite lite for bathroom area
My used/ older make up that I then discard at end of trip ( mascara especially)
I buy cheapo toothbrushes n do the same ( leave our good ones at home)
Quart n gallon ziplock ...qts for cells that don't get wet on rides, and gallon for whomever changes their shirt cause they spilled something ( they know who they are in our family, lol)

They're going to credit cards for the laundry rooms! YAY! No more quarters!
I was at the BWI last month, and we had them. They don't take Amex but are so nice to have! You can check remotely to see how much time is left on them (like college dorms).
I bring laundry tabs or pods and dryer sheets!

 

[lelesansan]

I start my packing list early so I can add to it until we leave, but all this information is helpful. As soon as we book, I start emailing my favorite companies with a pre written script I have describing how much I love their products (BodyGlide, Procter&Gamble Etc.) and they typically send a mailed response with tons of freebies. I hold on to these for trips and since they are small sampled sizes, ideal for Disney!

An absolute must packing for us which has been named I'm sure in the past 88 pages in plastic alcohol minis for sitting pool side

 

[Disney before Sally]

I start my packing list early so I can add to it until we leave, but all this information is helpful. As soon as we book, I start emailing my favorite companies with a pre written script I have describing how much I love their products (BodyGlide, Procter&Gamble Etc.) and they typically send a mailed response with tons of freebies. I hold on to these for trips and since they are small sampled sizes, ideal for Disney!

An absolute must packing for us which has been named I'm sure in the past 88 pages in plastic alcohol minis for sitting pool side

Care to share your script?

 

[totebagg]

I start my packing list early so I can add to it until we leave, but all this information is helpful. As soon as we book, I start emailing my favorite companies with a pre written script I have describing how much I love their products (BodyGlide, Procter&Gamble Etc.) and they typically send a mailed response with tons of freebies. I hold on to these for trips and since they are small sampled sizes, ideal for Disney!

An absolute must packing for us which has been named I'm sure in the past 88 pages in plastic alcohol minis for sitting pool side

I've never thought about doing this! Great idea.

 

[lelesansan]

Please feel free to reword so that it fits you best. I also use it for various food companies, jennie-o turkey, wholly guac, ect. Hope it brings you all great freebies

Your Name
Street Address
City, ST, Zip Code

Date

Company Name
Street Address
City, ST, Zip Code

Dear (Recipient Name):

Although this may be an overlooked task most times, I feel that I must bring to your attention the outstanding quality and value that I receive with your product line.

I am, of course, delighted to serve and use your products in my home and with my family on a daily basis. Your attention to my family’s health and budget are important to my complete customer satisfaction.

I am Full-Time mother of (INSERT #) while working Full-Time job as well and to have others such as yourself ensure that my family receives the best food at the best price is not an everyday occurrence. This is one less concern for me and we are deeply appreciative of your efforts to make cost effective products that taste good too. (if applicable) We regularly speak of your products when having gatherings at our home and share our coupons so that others may partake in your goods.

In the past, I felt that food goods providers were not sensitive to my family’s health needs or budget. But not in this case! We will continue to use your products and look forward to patronizing your brand for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Your Name

 

[TheFuriFamily]

In January my husband put battery powered LED mini christmas lights on our stroller..it made it really easy to find and everyone loved it

This is GENIUS! We are going in October, so I think I'll try and see if I can find some orange and "black" purple LED lights! Thanks for this tip!

 

[Disneytwinsmom]

Love all of these! Keep sharing please!

 

[RainforestGuy]

I have a camera case with a small compartment in the top, where I usually have a mini-bag of nice pennies and quarters for the coin press machines. Others use film containers. I also make lists in advance of things I want to see/photograph/buy, they aren't strictly followed, but can be good reminders when taken with to Disney.

 

[jen7233]

Battery-operated candle to sit on the dresser or nightstand for my son who is scared of the dark!

 

[cadawson]

Electric Tea Kettle (POP doesnt have coffemakers in rooms). I bring tea bags and a container of sugar and get milk @ Food Court. I cant function before my first cup of tea. Hot water is handy for breakfast oatmeal or hot chocolate at the end of an evening!

Another vote for the electric kettle! We do tea rather than coffee, and I bring along my own PG Tips tea bags and sugar b/c I am super picky.

 

[hsmamato2]

Another vote for the electric kettle! We do tea rather than coffee, and I bring along my own PG Tips tea bags and sugar b/c I am super picky.

OMG this is me too! Plus that hot water is great for instant oatmeal packets in the morning with my tea.....or hot herb tea at night to relax....(love PG tips tea w/ stevia and almond milk)

 

[hsmamato2]

oh yeah.... the white noise machine is a necessity,I use it at home nightly,and this way no outside the room noises are bothersome....it's a must have.

 

[sock2you]

thanks to this thread I picked up a couple of LED glow lights from our local sporting goods store (in camping section), they were really cheap $2.99. These will be a big help for DD who does not like the dark, I only worry that they might be too bright if she wants to use them on a dark ride.

 

[jec6613]

My odder what I bring isn't too unusual. I am a frequent traveler besides WDW, I'm on a plane at least once a month and tend not to check bags (although I get free checked bags):

• Portable kettle
• Four outlet power strip with wide spaced outlets (Monster Outlets To Go 4), which can fit multiple camera battery chargers, unlike a more normal home one, and packs small.
• Backup HDD so my photos can be backed up and stored in the safe (my laptop doesn't fit in the safe, and is a single point of failure, anyway).
• As mentioned elsewhere, a dedicated electronics bag (ish). I use it for all of my travels, it's a laptop bag that fits my tablet, laptop, all chargers, passport, travel documents, noise cancelling headphones, and has an individual pocket for everything. All of my chargers are dedicated to travel as well, so I never leave anything behind and end up in trouble (either leaving it behind at home or at the hotel). Everything goes into it and it's mostly pre-packed, and it definitely keeps me from leaving stuff behind.
• Large denomination USPS stamps, including flat rate priority mail, so that I can ship something home without fiddling with finding postage (our luggage scale doubles as a, "Close enough," postage scale).
• A printed list of all of my electronics and their serial numbers, stored with my clothes. I also store it online in OneDrive for easy retrieval if needed.
• Mophie battery to recharge my cell phone on the go.
• Separate toiletries that I use just for travel - I have my old razor (with a new blade), a toothbrush, et cetera, all packed and ready to go at a moment's notice.

But maybe what I leave at home, is interesting:

• Cell phone charger bricks - I just bring the cable and power them off of my laptop. I also don't bring the ones I use at home, I have separate ones for travel with cord wraps on them.