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No, this isn't going to be a post about remembering to bring your clean underwear to Disney.....although you should do that, seriously.
This is about all those things that we always forget to bring on our Disney vacations. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and some other oft left behind items.
- Hats! Yes, hats. With the Florida sun shining nearly every day of the year, it's critical to bring along your own "shade." I like Columbia boonie-type hats, but anything that provides some cover for those beautiful, delicate features of your face will suffice. It doesn't matter how much sunscreen I put on my daughter's face, she still manages to get a little red under her eyes if I don't put a hat on her noggin.
- Water! I prefer to bring along a Camelbak on our Disney vacations. You may prefer some other way to cart around some aqua-relief. This is one few people think about bringing along, yet makes a huge difference! I find it's also a convenient way to carry the camera and other odds & ends into the park without carrying a full-size backpack. You end up getting through security faster and aren't feeling exhausted from being weighted down all day.
- Sunscreen. This is not a make or break item. Disney does sell sunscreen, everywhere. However, you will pay a bit more for it at the resort, rather than buying it at home and bringing it along.
- Swimmies. People often forget this one. We've been stuck in the resort not able to let the kids swim because we have no way to even buy swim diapers, anywhere or travel to a store that sells them. Imagine, stuck in a resort room, kids REALLY wanting to go swimming, and no swim diapers! Talk about awful.
- Medicines. Children's Tylenol or Motrin, Children's Benedryl, pain reliever for you. You get the idea. You don't want to be without these when your kid wakes up with a fever or your legs are killing you from the bataan death march you took through Magic Kingdom.
- Band-Aids. You don't need a full first aid kit, just a few Band-Aids for the kids. I don't know about you, but our kids can be saved by a single Band-Aid. The crying and fussing over a minor scrape all stop with the application of a strip of plastic with a gauze pad.
- Shoes. You'd be surprised how many people bring along only one pair of shoes on their Disney World vacation. You'll be doing A LOT of walking. Bring a few pairs of shoes along to assist in adding to your comfort level. Oh yeah, you may want to bring along a pair that can get wet, too.
- Clothes that can get wet. Even if you don't plan to go to a Disney water park, the parks include lots of opportunities to get wet. Rides, water jets, and water features spread throughout the Disney World Resort attract you and your kids with relief from the Florida heat. Be prepared to get wet and bring some clothes along for the occasion.
- Batteries. Again, like sunscreen above, you can buy these when you get to Orlando, but you'll pay a premium to get them and they may not have the ones you need. Last time my batteries died in the park, I needed a 9-volt and couldn't find one, anywhere.
- Memory cards. This one used to be film, but now, you have to make sure you have enough memory for your pics. Plus, those little SD cards can break, very easily. Have a back-up.
- Plastic bags. Ziploc bags and garbage bags come in very handy. Storing that sticky candy for the flight home, separating out your dirty clothes, medicines and colognes that may leak, and on and on. It's easy to include and uses are endless.
- An extra suitcase/bag. You're coming home with souvenirs. Accept it and plan for it. Bring along an extra duffel bag or something to bring it all home.
- Sunglasses. Not so much for you, but we always forget to bring along sunglasses for the kids! Make sure everyone has their shades before they walk out the door.
- Kids activities. A Nintendo DS, your iPhone or iTouch, a Leapster...whatever it takes to keep the little ones busy during the waits in lines. We're not just talking about the rides -- waiting to check-in, waiting on the bus, food, the never-ending Disne-line that starts at the departure airport.
Hopefully, our short list of often forgotten items will help make your Disney World vacation a little more enjoyable. Have a magical time!