So thankful that you packed...

[luv_cinderella]

Large mesh laundry bag...

I empty our suitcase when we arrive and put all clothes away, but then as the days go by, we toss dirty clothes into the mesh bag. The first time we put everything back in the suitcase as it got dirty, and wow! did that suitcase stink by the end of the week! From that point on, I do the mesh bag on any vacation.

I, personally, don't bother trying to keep clothes separate for the trip home - everything gets washed upon return.

[jonahbear2006]

Our Kolcraft Contours stroller. It's seat comes off and I can't tell you what a blessing this was for us while our son was 7mths and 17 mths old. Both times we took the seat off several times and carried him through The Land, a restaurant, a ride, a show, and especially during the Backlot tour while he napped. Our son was much happier, since he wasn't woken up all of these times, and we were happier too because no one had to wait out with the baby while he napped. The best part is that it is form fitting, so when layed on the floor it lays flat. How many times he layed on the floor in his stroller seat while we ate. It seemed like everytime we wanted to eat he slept.
Something different that we did with the wipes ( I highly recommend this); everytime our kids ordered kids' meals, we took the three mickey plates and wiped them out with a wipe and threw it in the bottom of the stroller. By the end of our trip we had 24 disney plates that we brought home as a free souvenir. 7 mths later we still have them all, the kids love love love to eat out of them, and the best part is that they are dishwasher safe. We have yet to have found one of these plates disfigured or melted in the washer! BONUS Souvenir!! Needless to say, we will be doing this Again!

[Vito]

Most of the things I would suggest have already been said, but I don't think anyone mentioned:

Hand sanitizer (the anti-bacterial gel stuff). Buy a big bottle and a tiny "portable" bottle. I use this stuff all the time after getting off rides, before eating when you can't get to a restroom, etc. You never know who had a cold/flu, when someone sneezed on a handrail or whatever. Every night you can refill the tiny bottle with the large bottle.

Tiny deoderant sticks (the travel size ones). I bring them in a camera bag or waist pack to the parks along with the hand sanitizer, because sometimes over the course of a long, hot day you don't smell so great any more

[GoOfY'sGiRl]

We got the bags for "dirty diapers" and actually used them more for other things. We had an incident with Apple juice in our backpack leaking, so now we use them to put juices in, a clean change of clothes, and also to put the dirty clothes in if we had to change our DD's outfit in the parks. We also got the marshmallow treats in downtown disney that comes on the straws, and we had leftovers so they went in the bag too.
We get these at Walmart for about 3 dollars for 2 sets of about 25 bags.
Happy Packing everyone

[jillluvsdisney]

Cold and sinus medication. The change in climate always seem to flare something up.

Postcard stamps.

Small ballet type slippers for walking around the hotel room. You never know what might be on the carpet. My BF's grand daughter stepped on a sewing needle in a hotel room in Toronto.

Back in 1981, my cousin broke a shoelace. My mother promptly took a fresh pair out of her purse. This must be where I get my preparedness from.

[Faver]

disposable rain ponchos
and useful over the counter medications

have fun

[Marci]

Question: Can you take little fans on planes? I have to have a fan at home in order to be able to sleep, but wasn't sure if I could take one on the plane. Thanks!

[Puppy Mom]

Hats for everyone?

My BF always wears a hat to protect his "shiny" head, but I never wore one until last trip. You know, typical "girl" reasons.... It will ruin my hair, It will make my head sweat more.

Last trip we went in May and I broke down and got a straw hat with a brim all the way around and I felt so much better with the additional shade for my eyes and face and neck. I had always used sunglasses, but the hat kept so much more sun out of my eyes.

[pwdebbie]

Question: Can you take little fans on planes? I have to have a fan at home in order to be able to sleep, but wasn't sure if I could take one on the plane. Thanks!

Our room at the POFQ had a ceiling fan. I'm not sure if all the resorts do, but I know I've seen pictures of several that have ceiling fans. Makes all the difference in the world!

Deb
POFQ, Oct. 2007

[prprincess]

An extra pair of contact lenses AND my glasses. Missing on on the spectacular beauty of the Grand Canyon because you can only see clearly out of one eye, was a real bummer for me!!

[rnin02]

An extra pair of contact lenses AND my glasses. Missing on on the spectacular beauty of the Grand Canyon because you can only see clearly out of one eye, was a real bummer for me!!

I have to agree with this 100%! I also make sure I bring an unopened bottle of contact lens solution, that way I can be positive I won't run out 1/2 thru the trip.

[Mousemates]

Hats for everyone?....I never wore one until last trip. You know, typical "girl" reasons.... It will ruin my hair, It will make my head sweat more.

Last trip we went in May and I broke down and got a straw hat with a brim all the way around and I felt so much better with the additional shade for my eyes and face and neck. I had always used sunglasses, but the hat kept so much more sun out of my eyes.

Hoping my DW will see this post.

[Puppy Mom]

LOL!

We women and our vanity. We are sometimes our own worst enemies.

Don't even get me started on the fools I see in HIGH HEELS walking around Disney!

[DisneyDudet]

The new Tide Sink packets. Its great for washing socks or undies in a pinch! Fill the sink, pour, and there ya go! No need to pack a bunch of extras anymore!

We usually pack a fresh pair of socks in our park bags. We'll change them at lunch (or sooner if its raining). Also, we plan on getting some of those super absorbant towels you use on your cars. We'll stick them in our wet shoes at night and should be dry by morning!

I now swear by bringing Similisan ear drops. At 4am on our first morning of our 9 day trip one year, I got HORRIBLE ear pain. We finally went and bought some ear drops. The pain was gone by the end, but HORRIBLE!

Extra contacts or glasses are a must. As is an extra pair of sunglasses. Nothing like your only pair breaking or being lost. Luckily it hasn't happened to me, but it has happened to my mother.

We bring a fan for white noise (and for people who are too hot while everyone else is chilly in the room).

We liked Body Glide, but I LOVE the new Monistat Soothin Care cream to use on "hot spots". Its not your "normal" use of Monistat, but its made for chaffing. I am Marathon training, and I like it better than Body Glide.

Benadryl cream. My savior. I'm allergic to Latex, and you have no idea how many things have Latex in it! Other drugs include immodium, advil, and allergy pills.

Nail clippers and files. Unless you walk a lot in your tennis shoes for hours on end in the heat often, you may find a toenail that is just a little too long for comfort!

[Sharon1026]

I try to remember to bring air freshener spray for the bathroom. Lots of people eating food you don't normally eat, one bathroom.... you get the picture...

[Sharon1026]

Pedometer. Then I feel less guilty about eating dessert.

[Going2HeavenRU]

These are all fantastic ideas and I am writing them down for my trip in a couple of weeks!!
One thing I thought of is hydrocordizone (sp?) cream for those crazy bug bites or mysterious itches that just drive you nuts.

[PETE FROM NYC]

My DW and I are both hadicapped, and we both use a variety of meds.We each have a list of meds, allergies, conditions, along with our doctors, and each other's cell numbers.
Lists can be tailored to each persons individual needs, and updated as necessary.
We also have our name and cell number taped to our canes.I know.I lost my cane once at another entertainment venue.

[azdisneymom]

Spray and wash stain stick - You just rub it in and can launder later. I will be trying Tide stain stick this trip but I will still take my stain stick for larger areas.

[iheartmickey]

This last trip I brough a few new things I'll never go without!

1. folding/compact laundry hamper
2. re-usable canvas bags (like the ones at the grocery store)

I found that the hamper really came in handy!! No more dirty laundry ... or guessing what was dirty. I also loved the canvas bags. I used them for everything. It just made packing my stuff up so much easier ... especially on my transfer (hotels). I folded up my clothes into the bags and then packed them in the suitcases ... I also used one on the way home as a carryon for all my extra stuff!


I always bring already:

sound machine, cup for toothbrushes and other things I don't want laying on the vanity, saftey pins