Your Vacation Box

[nicki.momof3]

WOW, some people bring a ton of stuff with them. I am guessing that many of these people drive. There is no way with airline fee and restrictions you could bring all the stuff people have listed.

We just returned from our second trip this year (12/18-12/25). We have 3 kids (DD5, DS7, DS8).

One thing I always take is a bath mat. My youngest still takes baths and the thought of her sitting on a hotel tub gives me the willies.

Other things (we fly so our list is not as long). We also do the dining plan.

*Nightlight - Hate leaving the bathroom light on
*Body glide
*Sewing kit - actually used it this year
*Ton of extra pins bought off ebay - kids lanyards
*3 boxes of capri sun - always nice to have some juice for the room.
*Goggles and inflatable rings
*DVD players for kids on plane / chargers
*cute shirts and items I pick up on sale at the disney store


Things I ship a box ahead of time: These include things we will use while there and not bring home - shipping a box is a ton cheaper than an extra baggage fee.

*Glow sticks - 1 per child per night - with 3 kids I love having them glow.
*Zip lock bags - large and small
*Wipes - clean ice cream faces
*Oatmeal -- we make it for breakfast with hot water
*Disposable spoons / bowls
*Snack foods
*Laundry soap

Things we DON'T take - no need

*Over the door hanger - did it once - does not work - can not shut the bathroom door and hated it on the the clothes bar.
*power strip - I go on vacation to get away from real life - that means only taking a cell phone and only using it in emergecies. Nothing to plug in beyond ravor.
*Misting fans - hate those things - only thing I hate more is when someone in line gets me all moist with theirs.
*Rain ponchos - in 4 trips we have never needed them - I am afraid if I take them I will be jinxing our trip and it will rain.
*Any electronic device - as I said it is a vacation
*Hamper - we just use a empty suitcase and leave the top unzipped and push stuff into it. We do wash every 3 days.
*Beach towels - we use their towels - waste of space to me

 

[pattibehan]

You are right!! We do drive. I don't use the shoe hanger for shampoo and such. I use it for receipts, extra park maps I pick up, and pockets for the various "junk" we collect every day. I scrapbook, so when I get home, our days are all in individual "pockets" !!

 

[nicki.momof3]

You are right!! We do drive. I don't use the shoe hanger for shampoo and such. I use it for receipts, extra park maps I pick up, and pockets for the various "junk" we collect every day. I scrapbook, so when I get home, our days are all in individual "pockets" !!

That does seem like a good idea to organize scrapbooking stuff. I keep my "paper stuff" in a plasitic folder that ties shut.

 

[Arenita]

My cousin is a DFreak, too. She sent me a roll of Disney ribbon before our recent trip so we could put a Mickey bow on our luggage. The ribbon is now in my box - I love new traditions!

My sister gave us bottle coozies with hooks - so easy to hook a soda or water bottle to a purse or belt loop.

Benadryl, decongestant and pain reliever of choice.

And, everything everyone else said!

 

[melnbil]

One thing I always take is a bath mat. My youngest still takes baths and the thought of her sitting on a hotel tub gives me the willies.

I would have NEVER thought of that since we don't use one at home. It would keep the adults from touching the bottom in a shower as well.

 

[LaughingSphinx]

This thread is fantastic; I already have the perfect box to start planning in, and a few things to toss in even though we haven't even booked our trip yet! I can also add a couple small items that will be helpful for me:
~smaller/samples of favorite perfume (just in case something gets lost/broken)
~extra pairs of sunglasses for DH and I
~index cards with appropriate dining (DH and I will be on a specialized diet by then, and will be limited in what we can eat.)
~travel-size deodorant for in the parks (it gets warm, I know I'll need it)
~extra hair ties ( I once had one break in a zoo, and the hair blowing in my face irritated me all day.)
~deck of cards/compact games. Fluxx, Set, Farkel, and Phase 10 are all good games (especially for groups) if you have a flat surface and get bored.

DH keeps rolling his eyes at me when I ask him about some new WDW-related detail. I'm sure the magic will get to him soon enough!

 

[pixiedustmomma]

This thread is fantastic; I already have the perfect box to start planning in, and a few things to toss in even though we haven't even booked our trip yet! I can also add a couple small items that will be helpful for me:
~smaller/samples of favorite perfume (just in case something gets lost/broken)
~extra pairs of sunglasses for DH and I
~index cards with appropriate dining (DH and I will be on a specialized diet by then, and will be limited in what we can eat.)
~travel-size deodorant for in the parks (it gets warm, I know I'll need it)
~extra hair ties ( I once had one break in a zoo, and the hair blowing in my face irritated me all day.)
~deck of cards/compact games. Fluxx, Set, Farkel, and Phase 10 are all good games (especially for groups) if you have a flat surface and get bored.

DH keeps rolling his eyes at me when I ask him about some new WDW-related detail. I'm sure the magic will get to him soon enough!

I never thought to bring card games! Thanks! My girls will be 4 and 1 so I am sure My DH and I will be bored when they take a nap or go to bed early.

 

[sandiegosusie]

I pack a hole punch and a small caribeaner(sp) to attach the photopass to my backpack. It is my must have for my vacation box these days. I've used it several times at DL, but now that we are going back to DW in March it is coming with us!

 

[scrapbookmommy]

I never thought to bring card games! Thanks! My girls will be 4 and 1 so I am sure My DH and I will be bored when they take a nap or go to bed early.

In case your needing to buy a card game Target has the classic Uno game for a dollar this week. I'm going to pick one up for the kids goodie bags.

 

[scrapbookmommy]

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned or not but last year I picked up those magic towels at the Dollar Tree. We threw them in the back pack and when we got hot at the park we got it out and run it under a water fountain to expand it and use it to cool down. I kept some extra zip lock bags in my bag to put it in when we where done. Also don't forget scissors to cut the mole skin. I forgot but luckily DH had his pocket knife.
I have to say it's nice that I already have the biggest part of these things mentioned already put away in our box from last years trip. I felt like I bought a million things last year to get ready to go so it's nice I don't have as much to pick up ahead of time this year.

 

[lindap1]

This is an AWESOME idea! What size box does everyone use and how early do you start stocking it? We're booked for the end of Sept 2011. TIA

 

[noahdove]

I use whatever box I can find, and right now it's a diaper box which is great as it has little handle like things to hold tight to. One thing I have in the box is a "buddy sudsy" bar. It's a bar of soap in a net like thingy that the kids love for the tub Never thought about a tub mat so I put that on my list...keep those ideas coming...

 

[hsembrick]

This is an AWESOME idea! What size box does everyone use and how early do you start stocking it? We're booked for the end of Sept 2011. TIA

I use a big rubbermaid tub. I usually start filling it anytime I see something on sale that I might need. I good way to start filling it is to make a list of things from this site that you might need for your vacation. Keep the list on the fridge or a place that you will see it often. I usually will add an item or two to my weekly grocery list that way I have everything I need before my trip and it doesn't seem like I am spending a lot right before we leave. I also keep the list on my iphone so if I am out and see something on sale I may need I can just mark it off.

I currently have a pretty full box from our last trip in Sept but plan on going through it this weekend and making my list for things that need to be replaced for our upcoming trip this May.

HTH Have a magical time!!!

 

[SnDMommy]

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet, I have some medium sized 3M removable hooks. The shoe organizer I bought has holes at the top so I can attach the hooks to the wall and hang it up that way.

I also bought a small hanging shower organizer so we dont have to have everything balanced on the edges of the tub. I got if from Dollar Tree so Im' not worried if it turns out to be a piece of junk.

 

[lindap1]

I'm starting my box this week
DH is laughing at me about it, but I just said I want to make sure we have what we need for our drive down and while were there (no waiting til the last minute to get things)!

 

[lindap1]

I went to Dollar Tree yesterday and got: two glow necklaces, 5 glow bracelets, bath mat (for resort tub), laundry bag.

 

[bfamily5]

glad to be surrounded by like minded people!! My box appeared the day I booked and created my ticker Subscribing!!!

 

[SnDMommy]

I have a bright red, large Rubbermaid container in the corner of my bedroom. It's full to max capacity. As of four days ago, it is now topped by a mountain of more stuff that can't fit inside. Think I'm prepared enough??

 

[cajunbaby1]

Thank goodness for the dollar tree! It's the best place to get stuff for your trip. That way you're not out a ton of money. Glow sticks, plates/cups, zipbags, etc. Esp the throw away stuff. Today our $ tree had lots of pain relief, sunscreen lotion. You definetily want to take pain relief, tums, bandaids so tht u don't have to pay those outragous resort prices

 

[lindap1]

I have a lime green rubbermaid container...lol My daughter and I are going to start decorating it next week!