What is your not so normal item to pack, which is helpful while at WDW ?

[cijay]

Is it acceptable to bring your own food in your own container to the resort food court and use the hot water dispenser and/or microwave? We're staying at ASsports next week, and I was planning to bring my own oatmeal (oats, raisins, nuts, cinnamon, flax seed meal) but I wasn't sure if that's frowned upon.

I don't know if it's frowned upon but you'll have a kettle in your room. I stayed at ASMusic and loved it but the 'food court' is very expensive. I don't know how families do it. I was solo and I fill up - not like kids with hollow legs that never seem to fill up. My best advice is to keep them full on snacks. Bring what you say and crackers and cheese and such, maybe only have one 'meal' a day.

 

[hsmamato2]

Is it acceptable to bring your own food in your own container to the resort food court and use the hot water dispenser and/or microwave? We're staying at ASsports next week, and I was planning to bring my own oatmeal (oats, raisins, nuts, cinnamon, flax seed meal) but I wasn't sure if that's frowned upon.

I would do it- just remember to bring your own bowls....

 

[mommycrawford]

Where do you get crystalized ginger/

You can find it in bulk at health food stores, and some specialty grocery shops. "Reed's" is a popular brand for small packages...and "Ginger People" items can do in a pinch....Sometimes these things can be found near check out at TJ Maxx stores.

 

[mommycrawford]

I don't know if it's frowned upon but you'll have a kettle in your room. I stayed at ASMusic and loved it but the 'food court' is very expensive. I don't know how families do it. I was solo and I fill up - not like kids with hollow legs that never seem to fill up. My best advice is to keep them full on snacks. Bring what you say and crackers and cheese and such, maybe only have one 'meal' a day.

Not frowned upon...They provide these items so people don't cook in their rooms. I believe there are also toasters....I have microwaved popcorn in there for movies at the pool!

 

[Shonte Durrett]

We bring a small box fan, I can not sleep with some kind of air movement, and it creates white noise to help cover the sounds of our neighbors flushing at pop.

I am hoping we drive for this very reason! I need my fan!

 

[fairy oma]

Handwarmers for a December trip...they make for a much more comfortable time waiting for the parades in the evenings or while waiting in queues if the evenings go down into the 40s.

 

[kimis]

I saw someone mentioned moleskin for blisters. Just a bit of info to provide to prevent those blisters. Each morning, after the shower and before dressing, spray your feet with antiperspirant/deodorant. Any kind will do---a cheap $1 can of Suave works fine. Spray in between toes, soles, sides, etc. This will prevent your feet from sweating which results in friction and blisters. If you rest in the afternoon, reapply the deo before going back out. We could have potentially not needed to reapply, but why take chances?

My spouse and I ended up with over a dozen blisters on our first trip. WDW does not have any real relief aids for feet. After this tip, not one blister have we had since. Hope it works well for everyone.

We use Body Glide! It's awesome. Runners and dancers use it I find it at sports stores.

 

[phillymummer]

I didn't read all 92 pages so I apologize if this has been mentioned..... Carabiner clips. they are great for carrying mugs or other bulky objects on your back pack.

 

[MKay]

Blow up inner tubes and beach ball; they pack easier than the noodles.
We use the large ziploc bags to keep loose things together; we label them with a sharpie (i.e.: kitchen, power cords, first aid, etc) so they can stay in a suitcase to keep the room less cluttered; we also use the shoe bag and hang it on the closet bar instead of over the door.
Fanny pack...yup...I have some in different sizes and material now; I have one that is slim enough to wear under my shirt. Trust me, I am not a fanny pack kind of girl anywhere else but cannot do WDW without mine now. I am going to try my smallest Vera Bradley purse this year and will update here if it works out.
Not sure if these were mentioned before as I am going to read from the bottom up.
21 days until we arrive in WDW...

 

[keahgirl8]

I didn't read all 92 pages so I apologize if this has been mentioned..... Carabiner clips. they are great for carrying mugs or other bulky objects on your back pack.

Blow up inner tubes and beach ball; they pack easier than the noodles.
We use the large ziploc bags to keep loose things together; we label them with a sharpie (i.e.: kitchen, power cords, first aid, etc) so they can stay in a suitcase to keep the room less cluttered; we also use the shoe bag and hang it on the closet bar instead of over the door.
Fanny pack...yup...I have some in different sizes and material now; I have one that is slim enough to wear under my shirt. Trust me, I am not a fanny pack kind of girl anywhere else but cannot do WDW without mine now. I am going to try my smallest Vera Bradley purse this year and will update here if it works out.
Not sure if these were mentioned before as I am going to read from the bottom up.
21 days until we arrive in WDW...

I totally agree on the carabiners and Ziploc bags! I don't go anywhere without them! The uses are endless!

 

[dreamit]

An absorbent towel for drying chairs in the parks. A cheap vinyl/plastic table cloth cut into strips about a foot wide to sit on for parades, etc. Deeper, square, foldable gift boxes to use for resort room organization (lighter traveling weight than bringing the foldable fabric boxes).

 

[dreamit]

The absolute best thing I brought on our last trip was a convenient way to access our itinerary. I created daily itineraries in a half-page size. Each day had its own page and included a final, color-coded itinerary, including FP times, ADR confirmation numbers. I added notes of snacks we wanted to try, things we wanted to try to see, best locations for viewing parades, transportation info, even notes on clothes to wear for that day. It also listed options for the afternoon if we didn't want to stick with "the plan". I put these pages, back to back, in page protector pockets, so two to a pocket. I bound these using a binder ring. Each day I would only have a few days of these attached to the binder ring and then I attached the binder ring to my park bag (hanging outside of the bag). The page protectors kept these dry. I could slip the day's park map/schedule into the pocket of a page protector. Most helpful was that it was SO EASY to quickly access as we made our way through the parks--no digging through a bag. I loved, too, that I thought to include information on the itineraries that was useful when my brain was on overload.

 

[eeyoreluvr77]

Bounty with Dawn!!!! They are great for cleaning the reusable glasses in the room and for cleaning up any sticky spills. I cut them in half and place them in a baggie.

http://bountytowels.com/en-us/shop-products/paper-towels/bounty-with-dawn

 

[luvformickey]

We buy disposable coffee cups for our room. Makes getting out of the room faster and easier when we can take our coffee on the bus.

 

[KatyTheFairyPrincess]

After a horrific experience in a hotel in Paris (not DLP, central Paris), EVERYTHING in my case goes in ziploc bags - clothes, shoes, all make up etc.

We woke up in the middle of the night to find bedbugs all over us, our clothes and in our cases. The cases had to be tossed and all make up bags and shoes disposed of as they can live in the seams for over a year. All clothes had to be shaken and blasted with a hair dryer before we could wear them, then washed on a super high heat when we got home.

It's also safe to say I keep insect repellent on me at all times now haha

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Excellent idea @KatyTheFairyPrincess!!!

 

[ana44]

I read someone brought the Purex All In One sheets but could not find those. I bought a travel size bag of the Tide Pods. Does anyone have any experience with flying with these? I'm so afraid they will explode in my checked bag. I plan on putting it in double gallon ziplock bags.

 

[Badamon]

I read someone brought the Purex All In One sheets but could not find those. I bought a travel size bag of the Tide Pods. Does anyone have any experience with flying with these? I'm so afraid they will explode in my checked bag. I plan on putting it in double gallon ziplock bags.

Purex 3 in 1 sheets have been discontinued. I purchased my last box on Amazon. Not sure on the Tide Pods exploding in checked bags, but not sure whey they would. I typically don't have any issue with shampoo bottles, tooth paste and other items exploding in my luggage. There are some pod detergents that are not liquid filled, but rather have powdered detergent, maybe that would be better?

 

[ana44]

Purex 3 in 1 sheets have been discontinued. I purchased my last box on Amazon. Not sure on the Tide Pods exploding in checked bags, but not sure whey they would. I typically don't have any issue with shampoo bottles, tooth paste and other items exploding in my luggage. There are some pod detergents that are not liquid filled, but rather have powdered detergent, maybe that would be better?

That's very true, I guess I've never had anything explode. Just paranoid.
Thank you for the info on the Purex!

 

[Kaylee Ann]

Mini M&M containers- For quarters and pennies to press!