There are those who pack lightly and those who do not. I tend to pack lightly, but thoroughly; I try to prepare for many possibilities with as few items as possible. Here is my list of what to bring along for a Disney trip:
Other must-haves:
Address book & stamps for sending postcards
Autograph book & a fat pen (easier for characters to use)
Back pack or fanny pack for carrying all your stuff!
Band-Aids
Batteries for your camera, videocamera, any electronic games and misting fans. You can buy them onsite, but they are expensive!
Bathing suit bring two if you plan on swimming a lot - nothing is ickier than pulling on a cold, wet suit! Batteries for your camera especially important if your camera uses an odd size as parks don't have a very wide selection
Battery-operated personal fan the kind that comes on a cord so you can hang it around your neck. You can also get models with a spray bottle attached so you get a nice, cooling mist. This is my kind of BYOB - Bring Your Own Breeze!
Beach shoes saves you from stubbing your toes on rough sidewalks and burning your tootsies on hot concrete!
Books/reading material for the trip down, or even to pass the time in long lines!
Bubble bath if your room has a whirlpool tub
Camera Duh!
Cash/credit cards/traveler's checks Duh!
Coffee premeasured, with filters - you might be able to get a coffeemaker for your room.
Contact lenses bring yours, a spare pair and your glasses
Corkscrew for opening wine bottles for those romantic evenings in your room
Cotton sweater to ward off off-season chills and on-season air-conditioning!
Dental floss a must for unwedging popcorn hulls!
Disney guidebooks & planning notes
Dishwashing liquid for washing out refillable mugs
Disposible camera great for kids, get a waterproof one for the water parks! FYI - a 39 exposure disposible with flash in the parks is about $17.95!
E-mail addresses for sending electronic postcards to family and friends
Emergency phone numbers to get in touch with people back home if necessary (like kennel, babysitter, housesitter, insurance company)
Film bring more than you think you need - you can always use it later and film is muy expensive in the parks!
First aid kit include pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, moleskin, waterproof bandages & tape, antacids, anti-diahhreals, cold medications and tweezers
Flashlight great for reading maps/guides in dark line areas, reading the menu at San Angel Inn, or comforting small children who are scared by dark rides
Foot bath Bath and Body Works makes a great one. They also make a wonderful cooling foot spray!
Gum this is not sold anywhere on Disney property, so if you want it, it's BYO! Also good to have for the flight down and back in case of ear pressure troubles.
Hats something to shield your head from the Florida sun is a lifesaver - brims can also shield your delicate earlobes from sunburn in case you forget them in your sunscreen application!
Insect repellant
Kleenex especially purse size package
Laundry supplies for using hotel laundry facilities
Lip balm be sure to select one with sunscreen!
Mister fan this is a water bottle with a battery operated fan attached. Turn on the fan, pull the trigger, and you are sprayed with a superfine cooling mist! These run $20-$25 in the parks, so bring your own!
Moleskin this stuff is wonderful for blisters and won't slip and bunch like band-aids will. Remember to bring a small pair of scissors to trim the pieces or pre-trim pieces before you go.
Nail clippers especially important for taking care of toenails. A too-long toenail or torn toenail can really slow you down!
Needle & thread
Notebook for jotting down trip notes
Q-tips
Passes if you buy them ahead of time, don't leave them behind!! Keep them with your plane tickets.
Plane tickets goes without saying. Travel with electronic tickets if you can, but be sure to note your confirmation number and remember to bring your driver's license for ID. Also, some airlines require you to show the credit card used for tickets purchased on-line when you check in.
Plastic cutlery for in-room eating
Playing cards/travel games for the trip down or rainy days
Phone Cards for making long distance calls
Powdered drink mix like pre-sweetened Kool-Aid. Mix this with water in bottles for drinking throughout the day.
Proof of Insurance for waiving Collision Damage Waiver insurance on car rentals
Rain poncho more on this above
Safety pins
Snacks like breakfast bars, cheese and crackers, etc. for warding off the munchies without shelling out $10 for a round of ice cream.
Socks and sneakers bring plenty of extra socks, and at least two pairs of comfortable shoes. A change of socks and shoes midday will help quiet barking dogs!
Stain stick or wipes
Sunscreen covered this one above
Sunglasses remember to bring along a "leash" to hold the sunglasses around your neck.
Tape multiple uses...a small roll of double-sided tape can fix a torn bag, a torn hem, just about a torn anything!
Tote bag roll one up in your suitcase so you'll have something to carry home all your Disney loot!
Video camera don't forget extra tapes and a spare battery!
Water bottles a must, especially in the summer!
Wet wipes for washing hands before meals or after
Wine for a romantic evening
Ziploc bags multiple uses - hold your refillable mug after washing, keeps film or your camera dry, stores snacks
Things you DON'T need to bring:
Iron all Disney hotels will provide you with one and a board as well
Hair dryer almost Disney hotels have one in room. And ones that don't have one in-room will deliver one to you.
Shampoo/conditioner/soap unless you have particular preferences, these items are provided by all Disney hotels.
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