what useful things do you pack and really need them!

[aussiedaisy]

Just thinking about packing. I would hate to get to WDW and realise that I should have packed something that I really needed...little things such as batteries, spare plastic bags etc. Just the things that you could live without but they really make a difference.

so far, my list is:

small torch in case of black out or to get up in the night without turning on lights.

cheap slip on slippers for hotel room/ flip flops for shower

antibacterial wipes/ hand wash
my own pillow case.
travel alarm...last holiday we couldnt work out the hotel alarm!

What else can I add... I really want to be prepared for anything...I'm a control freak can you tell

 

[missypie]

I don't know how easy this will be to get, but try to get some US one dollar bills and quarters (and pennies if you want to do pressed pennies). You'll need dollar bills for tips, and quarters for laundry and pressed pennies. If people you know have visited the US, they probably have American change lying around...see if you can buy it from them. Or else, try to get some change and $1 bills as soon as you get to your hotel.

If you plan to swim, bring something to be a beach bag (to carry down sunscreen, snacks, reading material).

I think shallow plastic baskets are great for organizing things (keys, toiletries, etc.) in the room; lots of folks use over the door shoe organizers, too.

Think about what you like to wear/use in the rain. Lots of people like ponchos; others use umbrellas. I personally prefer to wear a ball cap instead of the hood of a poncho. Rain happens (it rained for at least part of the day for 6 of the 10 days of our trip), so be prepared. On that subject, bring at least two pair of shoes.

 

[amwhitaker]

I don't know when you are traveling, but if in November/December consider gloves and a hat!

Here is a thread you may be interested in:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=787435

 

[Cangrejera]

I went to Disney at the beggining of June and I am really grateful about some tips I got on this board and others regarding thinks one should pack when going to Disney.
1- It rained cats and dogs while we were there. This was actually great because we did not have to step on long lines for any attraction. Actually, we walked right in on must of them. This was priceless specially with our small child who gets very irritated if having to stand online for a long time. I packed the RAINCOATS for everyone and a mini umbrella. And we really used it. I wish I have packed a mini umbrella for everyone because everyone wanted to use the only one we had PLUS the raincoats. In this line too...I am glad i brought a small towel with me to the parks every day, because it allowed me to dry the stroller every time we got out of an attraction so our child could ride it confortably. I wish I had brought a big trash bag to cover it (like they recommended me here!) while we were inside the attraction. Next time I will.
2- I brought a fanny pack and a backpack. It was extremely useful. But it was a bit overpacked. I am planning to make it lighter next time. I had a lot of regular size products on it, next time i will carry them only travel size items (like sun block, etc)
3- I am very allergic and I am glad I had my benadryl there because i Need it, specially when we went to outdoor attractions with hight humidity and vegetation. I wish i had brought an antiallergen matress cover. People that are allergic to dust mites sould consider this because dust mites can live on matress even if they are very clean. This can affect your sleep if you are allergic like me.
4- I am glad i brough 2 disposable cameras instead of a regular one because it was easy to carry, no batteries need it, etc. I also gave one of the cameras to my kid and told him it was his to take pictures of whatever suits him. This allowed me to take pictures of him and everyone else without him wanting to "see" through the camera (he is young and curious) or asking me to use my camera to take a picture of something like "someone's feet!!haha
But next time I think i will bring one more camera or consider buying one disposable for everyone in the group.
5- I am glad we did not brough a stroller because it was so convenient to rent it in the parks and the kids really love the "car" concept. My 5 year old thought he was too big to be on a stroller but did not mind it at all when the cast member told him that this was not a stroller but a CAR
I hope my post helped you.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

change for vending machines

 

[mimif1]

wet wipes! I can't believe how handy they are after eating a Mickey bar!

 

[twotoohappy]

individually wrapped antibacterial wipes
crystal light individual packets for 20oz water bottles (ice tea/lemonade)
glow sticks
cel phone with text messaging to find people that you've lost
trail mix/snacks

 

[foxfire]

A few things I can think of are --

**Tylenol & Tylenol PM (more expensive at Disney & someone usually needs some on the trip. The PM really can help you sleep if a strange bed or whatever makes it hard to doze off)

**Earplugs (to help block outside noises at night so you don't get your sleep disturbed)

**Peppermint Lotion (soak your feet at night then rub the lotion in..helps tired, sore feet after a long day in the parks)

**Power strip (Room outlets are few & sometimes behind a piece of furniture so they are hard to get to. The power strip makes it easy to plug in your phone charger, etc.)

 

[Poodlebud]

A few things I can think of are --


**Power strip (Room outlets are few & sometimes behind a piece of furniture so they are hard to get to. The power strip makes it easy to plug in your phone charger, etc.)

I wish I had thought of that when we went. There weren't enough outlets to charge our cell phones, camcorder, and battery charger at the end of the day.

 

[dyna]

Nail clippers, sissors, and pocket knife or sharp kitchen knife.

Cloth laundry bag keeps the clean clothing and dirty seperate and since we drive can be thrown in back of the van for the ride home as it is.

Extra plastic shopping bags from Walmart or Kmart almost always find a used for a few extra of those bags.

Must have a good book to read for those odd times that I can't sleep but rest of the family can.

OH and the glow lights like night lights but put out much less light they great for pointing way to bathroom in middle of the night but don't put out enough light to actually keep me awake.

 

[rosiejo]

I don't know when you are traveling, but if in November/December consider gloves and a hat!

Here is a thread you may be interested in:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=787435

Really?? We went November 03 and the weather was warm and sunny - a couple of days rain - but certainly not gloves and hat weather - more like sweatshirt... Did we just get lucky??