Disposable rain ponchos!:number1:
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Disposable rain ponchos!:number1:
Cheap rain ponchos from the dollar store (2 in a pack for $1), batteries (although pretty much everything now is rechargeable), and when we drive, we stop at the local Walmart for a grocery run - milk, water, coffee creamer, and a few breakfast items and snacks.
I too pack most of the popular aforementioned items, I was surprised to see how many of us bring extra hangers! Which made me think of the "new" item that I packed last year that was a wonderful time saver! Downy Wrinkle Release! I'm a neurotic ironer, not so much on vacation, but you can't pack all those clothes in a suitcase & expect them to come out looking like they did when they went in! LOL With the help of the extra hangers, I have everyone pick out their clothes the night before & I spray some of the Downy WR, a few tugs here & there & they look great in the morning! I even hang some of the shorts using the skirt hanger clips or the clothes pins I bring with!
One thing that I didn't see mentioned in this thread, but I got the tip on here a few years ago, is one of those over the door shoe bags! This is HUGE for us! It has dozens of clear pockets & I sort everyone's personal toiletries, etc, the items we use everyday, & it keeps us from leaving it all out on the tiny counter or tossing back into the bag just to have to dig for it again! This is a time saver for us every morning & night! :thumbsup:
I'm taking one new item when we go next month, a small fold up drying rack for all of those wet beach towels & bathing suits! I figure we never have enough room for those & we all get tired of taking them down for all to shower & then hang them all up again! I figure I can fold it & stow it under the sink or on the top shelf of the closet area if/when we don't need it! :thumbsup:
Food and drinks for the park, of course. You can save HUNDREDS! ;)
Save money on those light-up toys that your kids beg you for while waiting for the fireworks-- go to the dollar store and buy glow bracelets. I usually buy more than we need and we pass them out to nearby families.
Bring some ziploc bags. Handy for just about anything -- we like to get fruit and muffins from the breakfast buffet at Crystal Palace and have them for later.
Buy trading pins online before going to WDW. You can get pins for about $2-$3 each and have them to trade with other guests and CMs.
We make our own WDW t-shirts every year instead of buying them. The craft stores in our area have shirts for about $5 apiece (then use the 40% coupon). We use craft paint and our imaginations. Voila, matching custom t-shirts.
One year I tried saving money by buying spray fans at Walmart. They broke so quickly! We splurged and bought the WDW fans that year, and we've been using those every trip since. Some things you have to spend money on. ;)
last trip I was determined to do it on the way cheap. We drove from NJ and had a 2br value at AKLV. I brought my crock pot and cooked dinner most nights. Easy stuff, like hot dogs, sandwiches, spaghetti (even brought my homemade spaghetti sauce!), sausages, chili. I brought all the food and went to the store when we got there for milk, eggs, etc. We had breakfast in the room and packed sandwiches and snacks for the afternoon.
I have also packed a case of water (loose bottles) in my suitcase. I just stuff the bottles in whereever there is room. Just watch the weight of your bags.
In the parks, I use a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel water bottle. I stop anywhere and everywhere that sells fountain drinks and ask for a large cup of ice and just keep adding it and it keeps melting. Ice cold water, all day long.
I buy ponchos ahead of time from Walmart for those pop-up showers. They only cost about a dollar - much cheaper than a Mickey poncho. I also throw one on for water rides - I hate walking around in wet clothes. Then I just put the used poncho in a ziploc bag in case I need it later.
Two items I went and bought AFTER returning from our last trip are ... a hand held luggage scale and a compact foldup nylon duffle bag.
Can anyone guess why? :confused: Ding ding ding! Rushing to pack the morning of departure, one of the suitcases was overweight and we were promptly gouged the "idiot" fee :bang:
Hubby was able to contact the airline (he's a frequent flyer) and get off on a technicality obtaining a refund :woohoo: but I'm STILL ready for next time!
whats the rules for bringing OTC medication on the plane as carryon? do you need to original packaging or will just putting them in a ziplock back be okay? (not the same bag as that 3-1-1 liquid)
When we go for a week I always get one of these strollers. Then I load all our water bottles, jackets, anything that is not valuable and then I push it around and leave it in a central stroller parking area. ( and no I don't have a child in it)This is especially wonderful at EPCOT. I also bring a large garbage bag to put over it if it is raining ( something I learned to do years ago when the girls would get a wet bottom after a Florida afternoon shower)
and I bring cherrios granola bars and nuts to snack on since we normally just eat one bog meal a day
TSA rules can be found here.
We do many of the thing already posted....
Another item that I don't think was mentioned yet is that we bring our Disney park purchased light up toy things every year. If the batteries go out, you can go to any of the light toy carts while waiting for a night parade or fireworks and they will replace the batteries for free. :thumbsup: At least I think they still do this.
We also bring our own toilet paper :D - ah the comforts of home.
Also, the flushable wipes instead of wet wipes now since they are smaller and we are all potty trained now!
I pack the kids clothes hanging to help with unpacking time.
We buy surprise sovienears from the dollar store, disney store (on clearance), halloween time when cheaper costume things are out.
I buy disney iron ons and make our own shirts.
And while its not something I pack, but, something we practise... For lunch in the parks, a few days out of our vacation, we order a double cheeseburger + extra bun + a great fixin's bar and have 2 meals for the price of one.
We drive so we are able to bring more.
Pins: If you are a pin trader, but them on eBay for about $0.85 each now.
Medicine: If you have prescription or a definite need, buy them and pack them at home. If it is only an emergency need, then it is not outrageous at WDW. Yes, a little more, but not 5x.
Sancks/B'fast: As others have stated, these get packed in DD's suitcase. Her clothes take up 1/3 and this stuff takes up 2/3.
Gum/Candy: It is not cheap at WDW. If you want it, bring it. Gum is not sold in the parks at all I believe.
Electronics: Memory cards, batteries, cables, chargers, etc. If you have something you need, it is not cheap at WDW.
LED Flashlights: I get several of the one bulb, versions for dark rides. DD may get scared. The flashlight on the phone, regular flashlight are too bright. These little ones can be covered up to only give enough off not to be scared.
Pool toys/glow lights: I get a blow up beach ball for each day and leave it in the pool area for others. I also get the glow bracelets and necklaces to save a ton.
Gum is not sold on Disney property period! It never has been. In her younger days, my daughter was a gum chewer and always made sure to have a stash with her whenever we headed to Disney World.
On our last trip, we heard folks asking for gum in the store at Animal Kingdom Lodge. They seemed very surprised that none was available.
Hand held luggage scales and my DVC card are a must !!!:thumbsup:
disposable ponchos from walmart 88 cents, snacks (pringles, cheese and crackers) breakfast foods like little bites muffins aspirin, etc. the best thing you can do is print up the walt disney world packing list so you dont forget the essentials. you would be amazed by how many people im sure left deodarant or toothpaste at home. those are the things you dont want to be purchasing on vacation. they know you need them so they charge a nice premium.