1. A can koozy. Yes, like a beer can one. I use one I got free from a radio station promotion-but not for beer. I use it to put around my bottled water (which I, much like most of you, ship to my hotel room before I get there, and keep cold in my room’s fridge). It prevents the bottle’s condensation from getting stuff in your bag wet, and keeps it cold.
2. A pocket-sized first aid kit. Ok, if you have kids this may not seems as odd. Despite being 26, I’m pretty darn accident prone. It’s also nice to have on hand to spread a little magic.
3. Monistant anti-chafing gel. Let’s get this over with right away-no, it’s not THAT Monistat. It’s perfect for keeping your things from rubbing together. For my feet-I use the much more genteel sounding “body glide”-I haven’t had any issues with blisters since I started using it.
4. Empty Plastic mini M&M’s container of pennies and quarters (for pressing). I put them in quarter, quarter, penny, so when I see a good penny machine they are pretty much literally at my finger tips.
5. Waterproof bags. I’m a worry wart, and as such prefer to have my iPod, cell phone, GPS on me rather than in my hotel room. I bundle them up in here so they’re safe as I splash away.
Not sure which bag to pack? Check out this list of bags to carry to the Disney Theme Parks.
Learn more tips and tricks for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Destinations in Florida can also help you add tips and tricks to your next vacation.
(Thanks Walt Disney World Is Not Just For Kids!)
Lots of snacks. Granola bars, dried fruits & nuts, applesauce packs…what ever is light & helps you get through the day.
SUNSCREEN!!!! Even if it is overcast, you can still burn! Apply generously, and frequently. And bring more than you would think. Sunscreen & lip balm with sunscreen is crazy expensive at the parks!
Also, bring cordless battery charges/extra batteries for your phones!!!
Just info for those that may be flying, I packed my quarters and pennies in my M & M container and I was pulled out of line because they thought I had a pipe bomb. My husband thought it was hilarious.
wow, never thought about that one!
How about a Mentos container for the pressed pennies. It fits them “just right”.
Good idea!
What we do is bring refillable water bottles and then we buy drinking water by the gallon when we get there. Usually we have our car so I drive down to the Target which is just down the street from Disney. When I dont have a car, the mini mart in the Tropicana Inn is a good place to get it. We freeze one bottle, then put it next to the other bottles and it keeps them cold (I also have a Disney backpack that has a cooler compartment on the bottom, best backpack ever!). By the time the other water is gone the frozen one is pretty much melted, so cold water all day long! The Tropicana also has less expensive ponchos, fruit, & souveniers.
I bring boxes of granola bars & other food in empty carry-ons. On most airlines you are allowed 1 carry-on bag and one personal item (purse or backpack). We only carry on luggage, and I can pack 1 week of clothes into my kids’ backpacks by “military rolling” their clothes. That leaves 3 empty carry-ons for snacks & dinner stuff so we don’t buy so much in the park and we can eat dinner in our hotel room.
I also do the glow necklaces, Target has them in the $1 bin for a pack of 12!
I love the idea of waterproof bags. DH dropped his phone on It’s a Small World one year and they had to fish it out. Thankfully he was able to dry it out by taking the battery out & leaving it open overnight. No new phone needed! Next time I’ll bring a Ziploc for him :)
quarter, quarter, penny lol too funny
I pack most of this for any day trip (and more) anyway! LOL But I also have children and need to be prepared for literally anything!!
I just love your pointers. Your blog is the BEST!! Thanks!!
These are great. I had already heard of the m&m thing and have one ready and saving the change.
I haven’t seen a koozy since the 80’s. Guess I don’t look around much anymore. I love the idea on the water! My favorite idea was the waterproof bag. I went to the beach one year and my phone was in my backpack several yards away from the water. I came back up and the water line had moved in and gotten the bag wet – along with my phone! Not a smart move so I’ll look into this waterproof bag thingy! Thanks!
We took in the travel size packs of antibacterial wipes and kept them in the outside pocket of our back pack. These came in great to give the kids a quick germ killer wipe down while standing in lines. We also took several packs a day of the drink mixes you pour right in your water bottle. We refilled our same bottles at water fountains and added drink mix. Saved a couple of dollars and time not having to stand in line just for a drink.
Thanks for the tip on the penny machines – my girls LOVE these and they get them everywhere we go so we have quite the collection. Now I won’t have the lumps in my pockets or be fumbling for correct change.
We brought glow necklaces from the dollar store. A package of 12 cost me $1. One glow necklace at the park costs $5.
Don’t forget your spare camera batteries (or film if you don’t do digital). That’s another expensive item in the parks. Besides, who wants to hunt down that sort of thing when there are rides to go on?
so curious about this shipping water to your hotel idea. (my daughter is little, so I’m not up on the theme park tricks…can’t wait for that day, though!)
I use staples.com, but I have access to a teacher rewards card that gives me free shipping. AS long as you’re not at a convention resort (BWV, CSR), it’s free. You can find more info here http://wdwnotjustforkids.com/disney/how-to-save-money-on-your-walt-disney-world-vacation/
I am still confused…so, you order water from staples.com and have it delivered on your day of arrival? Do you need to let the hotel know ahead of time? How does the hotel handle it? I love this idea…I just want to make sure I make it work. Thanks!!
Get some poncho’s, one for everyone and one to throw over a stroller if it rains. They are expensive at the parks. They have them at the $ store. Nothing is worse than being wet in the park.. Also, use them on wet rides like splash mt and rapid ride.
Great advice, thanks!!
I have been to disney more than 65 times. My mom is prone to “park rash”, so that monistat is a good idea. We do the coins in the m&m canister trick too.. and we bring bags to keep water out! :) Also, Depending on the bag I choose to carry, I put a slim pair of flip flops in my bag and a grocery store plastic bag so that I can go on the wet rides that wont let you ride barefoot… just put sneakers in the grocery bag and wear flip flops! :)
Love the flip flop idea. We are visiting for the first time this year and I will defiantly be using this idea. Thanks!
Don’t the water rides have lockers to store valuables while on rides? We are going in Oct. Are the ziplock bags really good for keeping water out? I’m so paranoid about my electronics…
Oh, how I want to hug you. My husband and I started walking to gear up for our trip in 50 days and my thighs rubbed together the whole time we walked. I was so miserable. Where do you buy that? First aid section?
It’s in the women’s care section at my store. :)
Another ‘body glide’ option is Dove slick deodorant. It last way over 24hrs. I am a big girl, so I use it more than in one place. For those larger chested woman, it works wonders under the bra line as well.