what travel gear do you recommend?

[dpswift]

I have found that I could spend a good chunk of money buying gear to get ready for the current trip that would be better used being saved for the next trip!

I am going old school/low budget and trying to NOT buy stuff - would love to go to the parks with no bag.

What is the purpose of packing cubes? I can see if multiple people are sharing a suitcase, but if you have your own case, aren't these a suitcase for your suitcase?

I use the laundry bag provided at the resort for dirty laundry, as well as plan on doing laundry during the trip.

That is the way we look at it. I just pack a suicase and a small-er bag to take into the parks if needed.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I've been eyeballing those packing cubes. Are they good?

I need a manservant

I just used them for our cruise, WONDERFUL!
Everything stayed neat, organized and easy to pack. I used two gal zip locks too. I got them on Ebags. 3 lg 3 med, about 24" x 18" and 14" x 18" worked for me.

 

[bettymae1121]

When it comes to air travel, hands down the best "bag for your buck" is a plain old back pack! It fits a fair amount of stuff, it's hands free, it fits under your seat (so no worries about finding overhead space) and it counts as a personal item, not a carry on so can still bring a larger carry-on if needed. And you can use it during your trip as well if you need to go out-and-about and have a lot of things to carry along.

I used one when traveling with my DH and DD in April. I had the backpack and with both hands free I could easily handle DD in the stroller (which we gate checked) and DH just had his mini-cooler with his meds and the car seat strapped to a small wheeled cart (which also worked perfectly, he wheeled the cart up the airplane aisle, installed the seat, collapsed the cart and stuck it in the overhead in no time flat!).

I have NEVER moved through an airport so easily!

My other travel fav is having a small thin wallet that I can easily tuck into my front pocket. It has my credit card, room card, license, health insurance cards, and cash. I put my cell in one pocket and the wallet in the other, and the purse stays in the room. Makes for easy park touring, city sightseeing, etc. No worries about forgetting my purse, purse snatchers, or just the general pain of having to carry something around all day. If I just have to carry something else, the backpack I used for the airport does double-duty. But because the wallet is in my pocket and not the backpack, if the backpack gets lost/stolen I'm only inconvenienced and not totally screwed.

 

[abmitch01]

I have a wallet on a string from sherpani that I love. I can put it in my pocket, it even holds my phone. but last time I wasn't paying attention and my phone fell out when I was paying for something. someone turned it in but it had been stepped on. went to the mall in orlando and Apple gave me a new even though I didn't have Applecare

love Apple and Sherpani!

 

[katiescat]

A med travel kit is essential! And keep hydrated, only water is sometimes not enough, so take one of those sports drinks.

 

[abmitch01]

god idea, I'm a nurse and I never pack a med kit, yikes

 

[Gracie09]

Since my kids are always tripping and skinning their knees I always bring a tiny first aid kit. It actually fits in my pocket and has a few band aides, some antiseptic, gauze, bite and burn ointment and stickers. It easy to have it on my then going across he park to first aid. I have also given band aides to other kids (with parents permission of course) and shared our stickers.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Ziploc bags, quart and gallon size. Paracetamol, ibuprofen and blister plasters, the first two are hideously expensive over there, I can get a 16 pack for 50 cents over here. I also buy a cheap £5 kettle when I'm at a value resort so I can have a coffee or hot chocolate, travel size kettles are ridiculously expensive and if there isn't room to bring it back then I leave it in the room.

 

[Baptist]

I don't know what they are called, but it's a raincoat that folds up into a small square pouch. I bought the family some at the Eddie Bauer outlet shop.

Florida can be like a rainforest at times. So, you have to be ready. Plus, I use mine as a light jacket.