Most Helpful Items to Pack

[roamma]

This may already be in the forums somewhere, but I can't find it. If so, feel free to point me to it!
I thought it would be neat to share your top 2-3 most useful items that you pack. We all know about ponchos and hand-sanitizer, but what other things do you pack- either for your room or the park- that you think are the most helpful or the best to have?

We are staying on-site for the first time, and I've been advised to take:
1. A power strip- to charge all the various electronics
2. A pop-up hamper to store laundry & take to/from the laundry area (just bought at Walmart for <$3!)

I look forward to seeing what everyone else takes with them!

[Canwegosoon]

I used to pack a pop up hamper, but now I just use a Michael Graves laundry bag (something that holds 2+ loads) . I bring purex 3 in 1 sheets.
Over all the trips I have gotten into bring as little as possible- for me now it is making sure I have pockets and avoiding security check points.
I do like recharageable batteries for camera/charger so every day I have a fresh pair.

[BlountFam5]

Here's a link to what to take into the parks:

http://www.easywdw.com/forums/showthread.php?5183-what-do-you-carry-in-your-park-bag-especially-if-you-have-kids

If you have young kids - safety outlet protectors, sippy cups

nightlights, Tylenol/Advil adult and kids, band-aids, ziploc bags, mini-flashlight

[WTP]

Personally i've never needed a power strip.

Dollar store ponchos
breakfast bars/raisins/snacks
pennies for little ones to toss in the fountains (i've joked that the cheapest thing to do at disney is to literally throw money away...but i'm not sure it's just a joke)
Quarters if you do the pressed penny thing
Coffee if you are a coffee snob
some kond of unique item for stroller decoration, to differentiate it
a refillable bottle withba tight cap. Use for leftover drinks so you dont have to toss before entering attractions


Sorry for typos i can spell but ibsuck at touchscreen

[annethomas]

Band-Aid Friction Block! I started to get a blister and it stopped it quickly! Two pairs of shoes- my favorite worn ones caused my almost blister and my new Crocs saved me. Last but my fav was my lanyard, I didn't think I could stand something around my neck all day and it was the best thing I bought, Room key, Fastpass, Photo Card all had a safe place and easy access.

[Tinkerkell]

We use a shoe organizer from the dollar store to hang in the bathroom area. It hold all of our brushes/combs, deodorants, meds, skin care stuff, sunscreen, etc. Having that keeps the counter clutter free.

[ke_page]

I like to pack the kids clothes in gallon bags. Underwear, socks, hair ties, and outfits... that way even if it's early I can throw a bag at them and there is no argument about not finding stuff.

[blyday]

I love using Moleskin for those potential blister spots (just be careful taking it off.....as in....don't quickly rip it off or you will rip skin of with it...as me how I know!!!)

Ziploc bags are a must. I bring Gallon, Quart and sandwich sizes. I keep all of my liquid items in Ziplocs so I don't have to worry about them leaking onto my clothes, etc. And the sandwich sized bags work great for putting your cell phone and other small items in to keep them dry on water rides, in the rain, etc.

Extra camera batteries. Both of my cameras use a special battery and by having an extra, it always me to insure that we always have a charged battery to use for the next day.

[dmandaro]

We take a roll of duct tape to tape balcony doors closed.

[MrsNick]

Benadryl. It's the McGyver of medicines. Allergies, insomnia, motion sickness, etc. I keep it with us on the plane, too. It's a great first line of defense against a severe allergic reaction. I'm always worried we'll be stuck at 30,000 feet in the air and one of us will be exposed to something that causes a severe allergic reaction and we won't have access to medical treatment. We don't, by the way, have known allergies but this is something that worries me for some reason (screwball.jpg)

[pfalcioni]

I agree with Brenda about the Ziploc baggies. We use tons of them on any vacation.

Also the extra camera batteries - and memory!

It's not as big a deal at a destination resort, but I love my mini Monster Outlets To Go power strip http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG...7279579&sr=8-1 When we are traveling and at a different hotel every night, it's wonderful to be able to have everything plugged in one place and not have to do the "electronic equipment easter egg hunt" the next morning before we leave.

I have a checklist that is laminated and clipped to my backpack which lists everything we need to bring with us to the parks every day. This way I can remember to replace aspirin or anything else that was depleted the day before, plus make sure to get our bottled water and other goodies packed.

Checklists are my best friend. I'm a worrier, and they are the only way I can sleep before a big trip - as long as I've checked everything off my travel list, I know I haven't forgotten anything! My Disney on the Cheap guide (link below) has copies of a basic travel checklist that I use, in case you're interested.

I'm a real budget traveler, so I never buy anything that I'll only use once. So items that are cool and seem like a good idea for one family, if you've never used them before on vacation, you can probably get along without them. I know there are tons of people who love to buy new stuff just for a single vacation, and I understand the fun of it, but I'm such a pennypincher it's just not fun for ME.

One thing that I always recommend to friends who travel very rarely, and may only take one vacation that requires air travel every decade - don't buy good luggage, borrow! If you don't have anyone to borrow from, keep an eye at Goodwill and other 2nd hand stores (fumigate any used luggage before you bring it into your home).

[jhalpin76]

We are a family of two adults and three kids, so drawer space is at a premium, we always make sure to pack the days of the week organizer that hangs in the closet to put the kids clothes in - an outfit for each day and it saves drawer space. I also bring a pop-up hamper and garbage bags. A package of baby wipes too - they come in handy for sticky situations.

[mousehelper]

Advil Pm.
Besides clothes and tickets, that's all I really miss if I forget it.
Oh-- and good socks. You need good socks.
: )

[lisapennie]

Nexcare adhesive bandages - I'm allergic to most adhesives (Including generics and Band-Aid brand), so I always have a supply in case I would myself. I also bring Neosporin cream with pain reliever - it really helps with those wounds (I'm really not that accident prone, honest).

[keristars]

Okay, this is a "ladies only" thing, but seriously: extra stuff for your period, even if it's not due yet. For some reason, my last 4 overnight trips have included the joy of horrible pain and discomfort while at the parks, much to my surprise ("but, wait, isn't it supposed to be next week?!"). There's nothing like having a slightly irregular month and then having to pay twice or three times as much as usual for items that you're not used to, which is more discomfort. There's no knowing when your body might decide to switch things up on you because of fluctuating hormones, after all. Just one or two, maybe three, things in your bag to hold you over if you get a surprise until you can get off site to a proper store.


My personal Must Have, which I don't think is on most people's or parents', is a book or three. I always carry a small paperback in my bag, to occupy myself when I'm eating or otherwise sitting around and there's not much interesting to look at, since I usually visit WDW alone. I am a voracious reader, but my books are often larger or hardcover, which are too big and heavy to keep with me all day. So I have to put "pocket-sized book" on my list. If I don't have any at hand, I visit the secondhand bookstore before heading out to get one specially. (I also make sure to put earphones and my USB charger into my bag for my music player, so that I can listen while on the buses, instead of having to listen to cell phone conversations or kids crying. Public transit isn't feasible in my town, so I normally just plug my music player directly into the sound system in my car - no earphones necessary.)

[Grumpy]

Over all the trips I have gotten into bring as little as possible- for me now it is making sure I have pockets and avoiding security check points.

Amen. We haven't been through bag check since the kids were in strollers. Cargo shorts (and ziploc bags) FTW.

[Tinkerkell]

Okay, this is a "ladies only" thing, but seriously: extra stuff for your period, even if it's not due yet. For some reason, my last 4 overnight trips have included the joy of horrible pain and discomfort while at the parks, much to my surprise ("but, wait, isn't it supposed to be next week?!"). There's nothing like having a slightly irregular month and then having to pay twice or three times as much as usual for items that you're not used to, which is more discomfort. There's no knowing when your body might decide to switch things up on you because of fluctuating hormones, after all. Just one or two, maybe three, things in your bag to hold you over if you get a surprise until you can get off site to a proper store.


My personal Must Have, which I don't think is on most people's or parents', is a book or three. I always carry a small paperback in my bag, to occupy myself when I'm eating or otherwise sitting around and there's not much interesting to look at, since I usually visit WDW alone. I am a voracious reader, but my books are often larger or hardcover, which are too big and heavy to keep with me all day. So I have to put "pocket-sized book" on my list. If I don't have any at hand, I visit the secondhand bookstore before heading out to get one specially. (I also make sure to put earphones and my USB charger into my bag for my music player, so that I can listen while on the buses, instead of having to listen to cell phone conversations or kids crying. Public transit isn't feasible in my town, so I normally just plug my music player directly into the sound system in my car - no earphones necessary.)

Two good suggestions! Also......if you have a tween dd who hasn't started her period and could do so at any time, be prepared for at least a day's worth of supplies until you can buy more if you need them.

I read a lot too, and ALWAYS bring a few old paperbacks to WDW. If it's a book I finish on the trip and know I will not read again, I leave the book in the laundry room with a little note saying "Free to a good home" so someone else can enjoy the book while relaxing at the pool & doing laundry.

I bought a Kindle since our last trip. I'd love to bring it, but there's a security issue with that. I usually lounge in a pool chair for 20-30 minutes, leave my book on the chair to take a quick dip and cool off, and resume reading. I repeat that pattern all afternoon. I don't mind leaving a ratty secondhand paperback on my chair unattended for 5-10 minutes because I doubt anyone would steal that, and if they did it's not a big loss. But I cannot leave my Kindle unattended at all. I wish pool areas at resorts would have small lockers for Kindles, smart phones, ipads, etc.

[pfalcioni]

I have that same worry about my glasses. Although I wear contacts to the waterpark, if I'm just lounging by the pool I have my glasses on and need to take them off if I get in the pool. Leaving them just sitting on top of my towel is bad for two reasons, one, some dummy might snag them. Two, I'm blind as a bat without them and could easily come back, pick up the towel, and fling the glasses to kingdom come without realizing what I'm doing.

[drj898]

We take a roll of duct tape to tape balcony doors closed.

I know this is an old thread but....I gotta ask. Really?

[jtcarr]

I'm with ya, are they joking or do they really tape their doors shut?

[Janine]

I think it's so the small kids don't open them and go out onto the balcony unattended.

[jtcarr]

Makes sense, I would have never thought of that. Good idea though.

[dmandaro]

Wow, judge much? We have 3 small children who are strong enough to open balcony doors.

[pfalcioni]

He wasn't judging, just asking what it was for. Us childless folks are a little ignorant!

[M2u]

Big binder clips to clip the curtains closed against the morning sun.