What to pack (things others might not think of)

[ColoradoLime]

1.Pop up hamper for dirty clothes.

This is genius.

 

[annadreamsofdisneyworld]

-Stroller cover for the rain if you're planning on using a stroller.
-Good quality, comfortable waterproof sandals to wear in the parks (it rains a lot, and sneakers get soaked).
-Ponchos or raincoats
-trash bag to put dirty laundry in
-I realize most people won't need this, but due to dust mite allergies we pack dust mite covers for the mattresses and pillows.
-stainless steel water bottles and a little dish soap for washing them out
-portable phone charger to bring into parks
-ziplock bag to keep phones in to prevent them from getting wet
-glasses case for keeping glasses safe during wild rides

 

[ktlm]

Body Glide. A lot of sporting goods stores carry it and you can also get it online. Put it all over their feet and ankles every morning and they won't get blisters anywhere. It will work for you too. Got that tip here years ago and it has kept my whole family blister free for over a decade at WDW and DLR (and we have been to one or the other or both every year since 2008 except last year). I am blister prone and before I started using it, I never had a trip that didn't involve at least one blister. I use it when I get new shoes too now- works for that too.

Portable charger- since WDW has gone to so much being managed from MDE- it is hard to keep a phone charged all day (although without FP right now probably will be on it less).

We usually bring a large ziplock bag that my purse will fit in on water rides.

 

[Jane Eyre]

We will be staying at Pop so #4 is a great idea!!
And I’m adding the idea about the pressed pennies. Great idea! My kids love pressed pennies. They are such a fun and cheap souvenir!

I always pack a night light to put in the bathroom. Makes it easier to navigate the room in the middle of the night (and with kids it might help to be less scary in a strange room).

 

[Blondie58]

Plastic bags from the grocery neatly folded and packed to sit on for water rides so you do not have to be a member of the Wet Butt Yacht Club in January when it takes a bit of time to dry. Bags can also be used to sit on when waiting for fireworks shows. In both cases the bags can easily be disposed of.

 

[browneyedgirl1683]

We take a bottle of no rinse baby wash for those times when baby wipes just aren't enough. I also bring wet bags that zip up to contain wet or messy clothes. A thermometer because I' awful at judging if somoene is feverish. Alcohol wipes are great for hands and surfaces vs purell. One of those "packable" nylon blankets are great for when you need to make a seat happen. I've also taken to bring Dum Dums lollypops (especially the mystery flavors) for instant distractions.

Oh and bubbles. I never go anywhere without them. Either my kid is having a melt down or a kid around me is, and it's an instant way to calm everyone down.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

A trip to the dollar tree if you have a car was a life saver...
We needed some small toys or things to keep them busy in the hotel. Even after a long day in the parks or by the pool we had some down time. I bought the boys playdough hot wheels and army men just junk toys really ..
We were staying in a regular room with one TV so I could not promise they were going to be able to watch cartoons with sharing the tv with dad.

We also bought gallon and quart ziplocks,
Mac and cheese cups and some other snacks
Juice boxes ,water bottles and the sticks that make flavored water.
Packed in my bag was vinyl decals to decorate the window. It's my kids favorite tradition since they were little.
In the past we have used stuffed animals and things they made ahead of time out of construction paper stickers, window markers.

I'm a mom to 6 boys 10-26 we have been at least once a year.
Google -decorated disney resort windows for cute ideas some people go way out.

 

[TracyM]

ditto the collapsible hamper. I bring a pump soap; the give a bar but it gets so messy! And we never leave home without out an extension cord or power strip!

 

[Rory607]

Portable phone charger. I always bring a thermometer, Tylenol and Benadryl, bandaids and neosporin. We’ve never needed the thermometer or medication, but I’m convinced if I don’t someone will get sick

 

[quoo]

I bring an ikea bag for dirty clothes. It doubles as a tote bag if you end up having to do laundry.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I’m a minimalist traveler so I can only think of a few extra things that are packed.

Two 12’ cable for electronic devices. The length is important so it reaches across 3 public transport seats. It has a braided covering so it lasts longer than the plastic covering on the cord that comes with a cell phone, tablet, etc.

At this point we all have a Mophie cellphone cover with built in rechargeable battery. Protects the phone from falls as well.

My mini first aid kit that fits in a credit card holder. I get one use Neosporin and sanitizer/ alcohol prep packets from the doctor’s office, add a few Bandaids and done. Anything more and WDW’s first aid stations can provide.

A travel bottle filled with vinegar works in the rinse cycle when hand washing. A few Tide pods, and bookbinders to hang wet clothing such as bathing suits. Sometimes I bring a bungie cord to act as a clothesline. That’s about it. All hotels give you at least one disposable valet bags so I use them as individual dirty laundry bags.
Each of us has one 25” wheeled carryon and if everything you want to pack doesn’t fit, you obviously overpacked.

 

[ColoradoLime]

An extra suitcase....not kidding.

The first time we went to WDW I knew we were going to crazy with shopping and souvenirs - shirts, christmas decorations, stuffed animals, home goods, etc. We had the 3 piece type of luggage that fits within each other for storage. So we took our largest suitcase and put the medium size one inside and packed all our stuff in the medium size one. Two suitcases in one! Then we had an entire suitcase available to pack all the extras in for the trip home. Worked perfectly!

 

[OliviaB]

Before you go since pennies look better pressed when they are bright and shiny sit them down with a bowl of ketchup and let them polish the pennies with it. It works wonders and feels like play.

Ketchup huh? Didn’t know that one. We will give it a try. Thank you!

 

[disneyseniors]

Lots of great ideas.
I bring a large cloth tote bag. Just fold it up, put it in the suitcase, and it's great for carrying all those souveniers on the plane. I actually have a huge tote that was given by my disney TA way back when they would give us gifts just for booking. I love the disney touches on the bag. Sadly, they quit giving gifts a few years ago.
I also bring those tea lights from the dollar store. They are great for a little light for those night time bathroom breaks. At the dollar store I buy those cheap glow light necklaces and bracelets. I carry them with me and give them out to kids that I think might want one (with M and D's approval of course). I'm a gramma and love to see all those happy kids
I have one of those folding makeup, beauty supplies bags with the hook. I load all my beauty stuff, hair stuff, some meds, bath gel, lotion, etc. in it. I hang it on the towel bar. Love it

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Moleskin. It is helpful for a host of issues. Last trip the plastic strap adjuster thing on my backpack got a sharp edge and it was scratching up my arm. Broke out the mokeskin and covered the plastic piece. Also helpful if you have kids dressing up with costumes and they have an itchy spot.
Bodyglide for the legs.