What things did you forget to pack?

[lalasmama]

If ya'll haven't figured it out, I'm OCD about planning. I've actually had FB friends tell me I'm taking the fun out of it because of all the planning. But, that's how I am. I need to know I've covered all my bases before I can relax and enjoy things.

So, my question of the day:

What did you forget/not think to pack, and then actually needed?

While I love Target, I'm not paying all this money to go to the Target on Harbor!

So, save me from visiting Target, and tell me what I wouldn't think I'd need, but likely will....

We're like 6 weeks away from our trip, and it's just DD(7) and I.

 

[FourM's]

Things we have made a run to Target for in past years-
Socks-DH forgot to pack socks, Advil and laundry detergent. We also go so we can stock up on Pepsi, since it's Coke only in the parks.

 

[Mugglemama]

Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, Emergen-C packets, Vicks VapoRub, and salt. Also, Purell in the purse or bag that goes into the park. And chapstick.

We seem to come down with some kind of cold or flu every time we spend several days in the parks (which is weird, because my family hardly ever catches anything...but it never seems to fail that on our drive home, somebody starts with a sore throat, it morphs into a cold/flu, and makes its way through our whole house during the first several days home from DLR).

After this happened yet again in 2008, I found myself wishing I had prepped a bit more for this scenario (because it appears to be a recurring theme for our family).

So, on our last trip, in 2010, I brought everything listed above, except for the Vick's (which I wish I would have had just so my son could have felt a bit comforted on the long drive home, because he was the one who came down with it first that year).

What I did, was pull back the bedspreads in the hotel and I lysoled the sheets and pillowcases (I don't do this because of cold/virus germs - I do this because I thought my family was exposed to staph at the hotel on our previous trip). I lysoled the tub, toilet, doorknob, faucet, etc. I'm pretty sure I lysoled the carpet and the bathroom floor as well (not in a big hurry to catch somebody else's foot fungus). Naturally, I do this and then leave the door/window open while the family mills around outside (the pool?) long enough for the room to air out from all of the Lysol.

Clorox wipes were great for things like TV remote controls, countertops, air conditioner controls, and lightswitches.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it only took about 5 minutes to Lysol and wipe everything down with Clorox wipes. It's really no big deal.

On the last trip, I had everybody drink a packet of Emergen-C in water before bed each night, and we also gargled with saltwater and cleaned our noses with saltwater and Q-tips (it's supposed to really help wash out any virus germs that you've breathed in, which can totally prevent you from coming down with it, or at the very least, helps to minimize the degree of your symptoms - and we found this to be true when we got home after that last trip). Again, it sounds like a hassle, but it only takes a couple of minutes.

Vick's on the feet with socks over them really does help when you're sick, and the eucalyptus can help you get well faster, too. So, I wished I'd had that on the drive home last time, for my son.

We have forgotten to bring Purell into the parks before (Oh, the humanity! LOL!! ), and we just had to make several extra stops into bathrooms during the day solely for a quick handwash. So, that was inconvenient.

We've forgotten chapstick before too, and had to buy it in the park ($$$).

 

[jory29]

I won't tell you what we forgot to pack, because I can't remember, but here are some things to not forget:

Duct tape - roll a fair size amount onto the end of a pencil or pen, to have handy - you never know when you might need it.

Safety pins

Night light for room

Extra power bar if you need one to charge phones/netbooks etc.

Dollar store plastic capes for riding on splash mountain

sunscreen

TAKE A PICTURE of a piece of paper with your name/phone number on it, so that if you lost JUST your memory card, someone might be able to track you down.

LABEL all electronics with all contact info.

TAKE A PICTURE of all luggage packed and leave it on memory card in camera so that if your luggage is lost on flight, you will have a fresh and neat photographic list right on you (camera goes in carry on!)

Take all prescription medications in a carry on and make sure to take a few days extra with you, in case you couldn't make it back. KEEP it in the original, labeled container as well.

Pack first aid medications and what not - bring polysporin, BenGay, muscle relaxants, gravol, stool softener (colace) in case anyone gets constipated which is not fun! cooling foot lotion, blister bandaids, MOLESKIN, (moleskin is a blessing for blisters, oh my gosh!! I used it on blisters on the bottom of my feet over top of bandaids, and it padded it enough to be able to walk on them.) reg. bandaids, advil, tylenol, heartburn medicine such as tums, eno, cold medicines/antihistamines if you plan on taking decongestant before plane ride, HAND SANITIZER for in the parks, etc.

Vicks inhaler is nice for on plane, you just sniff the vicks inside, and it can help to decongest.

Nasal spray like otrivin for on plane, you can use it to help decongest.

Polysporin eye/ear drops if you want to make sure if your eyes are sore/irritated OR for use after swimming if you get water clogged in your ear, etc.

Swimmers drops for ears, to help dry out water? Water wings?



BUY and use earplanes if you are flying, (can buy them in airports, pharmacies, etc.) they are a GODSEND for kids and adults - I used them when I had a horrible ear infection that Dr. said I shouldn't fly, and it was a miracle that my ear drums didn't burst, IMO, but it was thanks to the earplanes. Put them in and wear them the whole time, I swear by it. I always had ear trauma before I found them, not anymore.

Ring pops - some people like to 'suck' on a lollipop when landing on a plane, they say it is better than a chewing gum motion.

Cool gel pack - could be used to cool down hot tired feet at night!

lip balm sunscreen

ALL electronics - cameras, netbooks, laptops, ipods, PSP's, ipods, phones, etc. - charger cords, memory cards, batteries, battery chargers, cases, etc,


Backpack, or (LOL!! Fanny pack worn in front - I do this since I don't know anyone in the parks, and I look like a total geek!) You can carry basics around in the park.

Your Lime Green Mickey head so other DISers can say Hi!





Cuticle nippers, tweezers, nail clippers, emery boards.

FLIP FLOP cheap sandals to use to go to and from pool.

Bathing suit!

PACK everyone's things in a couple of bags, so if one bag got lost, at least each of you have something!

Tooth paste, tooth brush, dental floss

dollar store glo sticks - FUN!

cosmetics - VERY basic - sunscreen foundation, powder, eyeliner, 2 shadows, lipstick with liner in one, mascara preferably waterproof! Blush

Eye makeup remover
shampoo
skin cleanser
moisturizer with spf 15 or higher
toner (to feel reaaaaally clean after cleansing)
cotton pads
Qtips

all tickets, confirmation emails, insurance policies. Passport? Make a photocopy and have spouse carry one. Make sure someone at home has a copy too.

You can also save on a netbook, all of this info., as well as have a hard paper copy.

Sign up for BOINGO before leaving?

Set up cell phone to have area code Anaheim? (Coming from Canada, we swap our sim cards out for Tmobile ones, and it works great!!)

Health insurance info.

cash

credit card/bank card

Disney passes

House keys (seems obvious, but,,, lol)

crystal light - can add to free water.

Tide to go - for stains

spare ziplock bags - for clothes, individual items, even a make-shift barf bag after riding Mickey's Wheel of Death???

garbage bag - for laundry!!

wallet

sunglasses

hat

clothes!!! socks, underwear, bras, shirts long and short sleeved, skirts, skorts, pants, jeans, YOGA pants so you can eat more churros!! ,

pyjamas/sleep pants/sleep shirt

jacket - light one and heavy one?

Shoes - 2 pairs for sure, to swap out

socks -should be wool if you can, can help to avoid blisters!

anti blister foot balm? (Avon has a cheap one)

antiperspirant

perfume. (Not too much!! It can make people in line feel nauseated and can promote migraines, ouch!)

hair conditioner

hair antifrizz balm!! I didn't know that the humidity could make my hair look more frizzy in Anaheim area, so a balm is really nice to use.

hair spray

hair clips

combs

elastics

bobby pins

contraceptives?

lubricant?

spare glasses

contact lens
case
lens
contact lens solution

bras

pullups, if any small kids who MIGHT be sooo tired they could have a night time accident, possibly?

Generally from all the walking around our kids are dehydrated, and it hasn't happened to us, but in case someone has small kids, could be a tip to remember.

wireless card for netbook, if a person has an old netbook that doesn't have wireless lan, for use in hotels?

headphones? Can use google voice on netbook

magic jack and phone?

migraine medicine, if needed

diaper rash creme!!! Not kidding - our 14 year old got chafed legs in between his thighs from so much walking. Sudocreme was awesome for him.

coupons for various meals, etc.??

pen - sounds obvious, but is handy to have.

mini flashlight?

Please ignore any repeats, etc... I am just trying to think of things you may not have thought of... sounds like you are totally prepared though, to have fun!

 

[jory29]

Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, Emergen-C packets, Vicks VapoRub, and salt. Also, Purell in the purse or bag that goes into the park. And chapstick.

We seem to come down with some kind of cold or flu every time we spend several days in the parks (which is weird, because my family hardly ever catches anything...but it never seems to fail that on our drive home, somebody starts with a sore throat, it morphs into a cold/flu, and makes its way through our whole house during the first several days home from DLR).

After this happened yet again in 2008, I found myself wishing I had prepped a bit more for this scenario (because it appears to be a recurring theme for our family).

So, on our last trip, in 2010, I brought everything listed above, except for the Vick's (which I wish I would have had just so my son could have felt a bit comforted on the long drive home, because he was the one who came down with it first that year).

What I did, was pull back the bedspreads in the hotel and I lysoled the sheets and pillowcases (I don't do this because of cold/virus germs - I do this because I thought my family was exposed to staph at the hotel on our previous trip). I lysoled the tub, toilet, doorknob, faucet, etc. I'm pretty sure I lysoled the carpet and the bathroom floor as well (not in a big hurry to catch somebody else's foot fungus). Naturally, I do this and then leave the door/window open while the family mills around outside (the pool?) long enough for the room to air out from all of the Lysol.

Clorox wipes were great for things like TV remote controls, countertops, air conditioner controls, and lightswitches.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it only took about 5 minutes to Lysol and wipe everything down with Clorox wipes. It's really no big deal.

On the last trip, I had everybody drink a packet of Emergen-C in water before bed each night, and we also gargled with saltwater and cleaned our noses with saltwater and Q-tips (it's supposed to really help wash out any virus germs that you've breathed in, which can totally prevent you from coming down with it, or at the very least, helps to minimize the degree of your symptoms - and we found this to be true when we got home after that last trip). Again, it sounds like a hassle, but it only takes a couple of minutes.

Vick's on the feet with socks over them really does help when you're sick, and the eucalyptus can help you get well faster, too. So, I wished I'd had that on the drive home last time, for my son.

We have forgotten to bring Purell into the parks before (Oh, the humanity! LOL!! ), and we just had to make several extra stops into bathrooms during the day solely for a quick handwash. So, that was inconvenient.

We've forgotten chapstick before too, and had to buy it in the park ($$$).

Thanks, Mugglemama! I bolded the things I will be bringing on our next trip! ") We too have had several trips where we get sick, and it has ruined things for us. Doesn't help to be on a plane with sick people, either.

I have heard polysporin in the nose can prevent germs from entering, but not sure it's necessary. Normally at home we are not as much germ freaks as we are at the parks, but with so many germs, so many people visiting from so many countries, it just makes sense to try to prevent things from happening.

Biggest thing - never - ever - eat without first washing or sanitzing hands -sanitize after every ride - you don't know how many people have touched the hand rails, etc. and ride handle bars.

We also get our flu shots, annually. I understand if some don't want to, but it does seem to help us.

 

[darph nader]

Hey jory29. I think you forgot the kitchen sink.

 

[jory29]

Hey jory29. I think you forgot the kitchen sink.

I don't know what I was thinking... I should have remembered to include that!

 

[Mugglemama]

I'm glad we drive, Jory29. I don't envy that you have to take all of that on a plane.

 

[jory29]

A few minutes of prevention can make the difference between a really good vacation, and a pretty miserable one (or a miserable week afterwards). A lot of us don't want to spend that much time, effort, and money on a trip that leaves us too sick to enjoy vacation, or sick enough to be miserable on the way home and for days afterward. All of those items actually take up very, very little space.

Darth Nader was just teasing, , but you know, we did have a $1000 USD medical bill in 2009 and it would have been worse if we didn't have medical insurance! The medical insurance paid every cent, a few weeks later. The doctor came over to our hotel room at Hojo's (this was acceptable by our insurance company), gave us an antibiotic shot, and antibiotics, and 2 days later we were in the parks. We knew if we were on antibiotics for that long that we wouldn't spread it to someone at that point, that was a huge concern of mine - I knew how much it was bothering us to have to stay in the hotel room and miss the parks for a few days (thank God it was the Hojo's kids suites with comfy beds) but we took ALL precautions not to spread it, even made sure housekeeping only dropped off towels and picked up dirty towels, provided more coffee, and garbage empties, and that was it. Our misery should never become anyone's company. Anyway, I am sure we caught it on the plane over. Planes are hideous germ vessels. Clorox wipes are good to have on the plane so you can wipe down seat trays, seat belts, arm rests, window shades, and more.

Might help, doesn't hurt.

Mugglemama, what have you heard about staph infection not being killed by the hotel washing/drying? I've not heard that one before.

Remote control, don't forget the BACK of it either!!

Some people bring a sandwich bag to put the remote control in, to keep it away from them, lol.

Telephone ear piece/dial pad as well, can carry a lot of germs.

I actually do travel light compared to other families, as we don't pack as many clothes, I don't think... For our family of 4, we have 2 suit cases that we check in, and 2 carry ons.

P.S. Mugglemama, I respect your decision to not have the flu shot - initially we started only when H1N1 was such a scare, and as we were traveling to another country, with medical insurance etc., we wanted to try not to get sick in the first place... I have crohn's disease so am at a high risk of getting really sick when a bad flu is caught, so we found out that it helped all of us not to get sick, so we've continued with the shot annually as a family, plus, we still take annual week long trips to the USA to go to Disneyland if we can. We estimate our entire trip costs around $2500 minimum, probably closer to $3000 total for our family of 4 from Northern Canada, including air fare, park tickets, food in the parks, hotel, shuttle to and from LAX, and around $20 each souvenir allowance. We cut corners in every way we can when we go to the parks. Yes, if you are really sick, it really stinks. Big time.

 

[Mugglemama]

Darth Nader was just teasing, ,
Mugglemama, what have you heard about staph infection not being killed by the hotel washing/drying? I've not heard that one before.

Actually, I misunderstood Darth Nader, so I edited my post. We must have been posting at the same time, so I didn't see your extensive list, and I thought he was just being critical of those want to avoid germs to a degree while in the parks. Sorry Darth!!

Regarding the staph issues...it's just that there are instances of hotels actually not changing bedding like they are supposed to...like maybe they'll change the sheets but leave the same bedspreads that the last guests were using, etc., and we've arrived at hotels when it was *obvious* that the bathroom had not been adequately disinfected. Ewww. And I don't think for one second that they are going through and disinfecting TV remotes or anything. So, since we have to come into such extended and close contact with the hotel room during our trips to DLR...I like to do a thorough once-over before we settle in.

 

[jory29]

I'm glad we drive, Jory29. I don't envy that you have to take all of that on a plane.

Security personnel at the airports always thank me for wrapping up my electrical cords, and storing everything in plastic bags so they can easily see.

I don't like carrying everything like that on a plane, but for electronics, I will never leave them in a check in bag it has to be carry on, just in case the airline loses it. Prescription meds have to come along with us, as well as a few on plane decongestants, tylenol, etc., but the rest gets packed, and well documented, in case the airline lost out luggage.

 

[jory29]

Actually, I misunderstood Darth Nader, so I edited my post. We must have been posting at the same time, so I didn't see your extensive list, and I thought he was just being critical of those want to avoid germs to a degree while in the parks. Sorry Darth!!

Regarding the staph issues...it's just that there are instances of hotels actually not changing bedding like they are supposed to...like maybe they'll change the sheets but leave the same bedspreads that the last guests were using, etc., and we've arrived at hotels when it was *obvious* that the bathroom had not been adequately disinfected. Ewww. And I don't think for one second that they are going through and disinfecting TV remotes or anything. So, since we have to come into such extended and close contact with the hotel room during our trips to DLR...I like to do a thorough once-over before we settle in.

You didn't sound critical in your other posts, you were just explaining... no worries... I did take it (Darth Nader's posting) as a joking manner for sure, too, as clearly, I have an extensive list. I felt silly posting, but thought, if it helps even one person out, then great. It sure makes me feel prepared though, to have 'my packing list' ha ha!

 

[jemimabean]

My do not forget list includes chocolate (Toblerones, to be exact), tea bags and a mug, gluten-free cereal (because I am never able to eat any of the free offerings at the hotels due to dietary restrictions), and gum.

Oh, and I also like to over-pack in terms of socks and undies, because sometimes it's just nice and refreshing to put clean ones on after a mid-day break from the parks.

I wash my hands CONSTANTLY (and am not a huge fan of hand sanitizer...just feels ugh to me, so I'd rather use hot water and soap), but I still came down with a super nasty cold at the end of my trip in December. Good thinking on the Clorox and Lysol. I may need to consider that for my upcoming trip.

 

[Madhatter7]

I always fofget my cell charger, bandaides, Gel-ins for my sons shoes-i wear Crocs. sleep meds-cause im too excited to sleep, and pepto

 

[Aladora]

A few things we forgot to pack last summer:
small tube of sunscreen, the ones in the park are HUGE and heavy!
blister bandaids or moleskin

 

[Mugglemama]

I wash my hands CONSTANTLY (and am not a huge fan of hand sanitizer...just feels ugh to me, so I'd rather use hot water and soap), but I still came down with a super nasty cold at the end of my trip in December. Good thinking on the Clorox and Lysol. I may need to consider that for my upcoming trip.

If you can tolerate the small hassle that it is, gargling with saltwater each night and swabbing the inside of the nostrils with a Q-tip and saltwater seem to go a looooooong way for us, as far as reducing symptom severity. At times, I think it helps us avoid catching something altogether. We still caught something on our last trip, but it was shorter than usual, and nobody was particularly miserable (with the exception of my son who spent the first day of being sick stuck in a car for 12 hours while we drove home).

On our next trip, I might even add a drop of tea tree oil (it's an immunobooster) to the bottom of a plugged-up tub during showers at night for an extra boost. It's kind of an experiment at this point, lol....to see if we actually *can* visit Disneyland without getting sick!!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Lysol spray, Clorox wipes, Emergen-C packets, Vicks VapoRub, and salt. Also, Purell in the purse or bag that goes into the park. And chapstick.

We seem to come down with some kind of cold or flu every time we spend several days in the parks (which is weird, because my family hardly ever catches anything...but it never seems to fail that on our drive home, somebody starts with a sore throat, it morphs into a cold/flu, and makes its way through our whole house during the first several days home from DLR).

After this happened yet again in 2008, I found myself wishing I had prepped a bit more for this scenario (because it appears to be a recurring theme for our family).

So, on our last trip, in 2010, I brought everything listed above, except for the Vick's (which I wish I would have had just so my son could have felt a bit comforted on the long drive home, because he was the one who came down with it first that year).

What I did, was pull back the bedspreads in the hotel and I lysoled the sheets and pillowcases (I don't do this because of cold/virus germs - I do this because I thought my family was exposed to staph at the hotel on our previous trip). I lysoled the tub, toilet, doorknob, faucet, etc. I'm pretty sure I lysoled the carpet and the bathroom floor as well (not in a big hurry to catch somebody else's foot fungus). Naturally, I do this and then leave the door/window open while the family mills around outside (the pool?) long enough for the room to air out from all of the Lysol.

Clorox wipes were great for things like TV remote controls, countertops, air conditioner controls, and lightswitches.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it only took about 5 minutes to Lysol and wipe everything down with Clorox wipes. It's really no big deal.

On the last trip, I had everybody drink a packet of Emergen-C in water before bed each night, and we also gargled with saltwater and cleaned our noses with saltwater and Q-tips (it's supposed to really help wash out any virus germs that you've breathed in, which can totally prevent you from coming down with it, or at the very least, helps to minimize the degree of your symptoms - and we found this to be true when we got home after that last trip). Again, it sounds like a hassle, but it only takes a couple of minutes.

Vick's on the feet with socks over them really does help when you're sick, and the eucalyptus can help you get well faster, too. So, I wished I'd had that on the drive home last time, for my son.

We have forgotten to bring Purell into the parks before (Oh, the humanity! LOL!! ), and we just had to make several extra stops into bathrooms during the day solely for a quick handwash. So, that was inconvenient.

We've forgotten chapstick before too, and had to buy it in the park ($$$).

Do you mind if I ask what hotel you usually stay in?
Thanks,
Lisa

 

[cp11]

Cold medicine. I ended up buying Dayquil in December. Yikes. I think I paid ten dollars for the box.

Also, take a pic (I did so with my phone camera) of your park tickets in case they get dropped or lost.

I took a small Sharpie to differntiate between gift cards, so I could tell them apart when making purchases.

Ziploc baggies came in handy for taking snacks to the park. We had groceries delivered so we were able to divide things down for the days at the park.

I personally pack my own pillow and blanket and pull down comforter immediately upon arrival at hotel and tend to "cuddle" my own personal blanket and pillow. I like the lysol idea though. LOL

 

[Eliza32]

With everyone going around with Lysol and Clorox, there's no wonder they're all sick - no-one builds up any resistance to germs any more. I never worry about wiping down the plane, rides, TV remotes or anything else...never had any problems.

 

[Disneylandfan1]

What great tips on this thread!

Medicine - I would really hate to forget medicine on our long trips!

For kids, I really love the chewables for traveling. The chewables fly well, and can be packed easily in our bags for our time in the parks.
Here's what we bring:

Chewable children's acetaminophen (for headaches or fever)
Chewable children's Benadryl (for allergy issues or cold symptoms)
Chewable children's Claritin (turns out it's great for reducing symptoms of a mild cold without the drowsiness)

For adults, we bring headache meds in pill form.

One of my kids has a lot of allergy issues which is why we travel with the allergy meds. We also have to remember his EpiPen.

Here's a few repeats, but would hate to forget:
cell phone charger
blister bandaids
sunscreen stick for kids
coffee (somehow I doubt we'd forget this)

So, what did we actually forget on our last trip?
Our cell phone!!!! Yes, we packed the charger, and left the phone behind in our rush to get out! We managed without it, but the DLR cannot help you if you forget your cell phone.