Packing List for trips

As I am anxiously getting my traveling gear together, I have a check list that helps.

My cruise is around the corner, I am getting SOOOO excited!

Of course, each person can have their own preferred list. I wanted to share mine.

I am slowly obtaining/purchasing things in advance so not all at once in order to budget better. Nothing worse than spending a TON of money for 'not so much' fun things prior, UNLESS it is road snacks!! Am I right????

I already bought new sunscreen weeks ago. I bought new swimsuit cover ups! Stores release many swimsuit/summer gear because they know cruises start kicking up in February. There is a reason for it after all!!

I checked the swim suits and do need to buy a new one. I like to take at least two for a cruise trip. One can dry for a day. HATE putting on a cold wet suit. Yuck!

I did end up having to purchase a new underwater camera. My old one had a few too many drops.. oopsie! At least they have come way down in price. You can get a decent one for around $40.
Here is a link to the one I purchased. Camera

My family must have bodyglide. For some reason I had a hard time finding this at my local stores. Had to order that too.

Bought some new sunglasses!!
I bought a new pack of toothbrushes. Just easier to have a new pack instead of packing older ones that we seem to always forget to pack if not in a new pack. (huge eyeroll here)

But, it is easier to buy few of these type items here and there while out. Account for it in your weekly budget helps little better to spread out the cost.

I do have a cooler backpack that I am also bringing. Disney sells them onboard and at Castaway either on their own or full of ice and water bottles. Their's is around $24 but the strap on theirs is hard. Really hard especially loaded down with ice/bottles. I wanted something with a little more comfort. We can bring water bottles onboard with Disney!! Make them cool by placing inside mini fridge inside stateroom, we will be good to go!

I also bought a fold up blanket! SO adorable. Convenient fold up size with strap for easy travel use.
We plan to lay it on the deck one night, enjoy some snacks on it while we are watching a movie on their Wave screen(giant outdoor movie screen)!
These blankets are pretty easily available. Great to have in general for concerts or picnics! I have also used to lay in car when having to load something possibly dirty.

With the Disney Cruises, you do get free sodas, coffee, teas etc/ (some you have to pay for) but the free ones are either in the dining restaurants or the drink stations on deck 11(Dream/Fantasy). We will plan on brining our own refillable cups, ones that will be easy enough to clean/rinse out. NO more lids available onboard and they only have paper straws!!! So, the refillable cups will help in that aspect as well.  I will also be looking for travel straws.. I am a straw girl.

I also just did a prescription med check to make sure I am good with quantities. Not something you want to run out of or grab last minute.

We do also pack our own goggles and snorkel!

This is just a few items! Here is the full list I do have!

All liquids are packed in ZIP bags.. Will never have that mistake again! Just saying.

PACKING!

Neat items to have and my thoughts on them, you may want to look them up online for visual.

Mini Matador: these are portable seat covers. They sell for $20 to $25. Each. Water resistant. Great idea to save spaces for parades or cover wet benches/grounds. Take up very little room. May be cumbersome to fold back into tiny pouch. Personally never had issue with needing one. I do like the idea of it, I personally wouldn’t need it.

Raincoat: Instead of buying ponchos, I recommend investing in simple pullover raincoats that can fold up into itself as a pouch. These work great and are fairly cheap.  

Purse Pods: These are a great idea. They sell for $20 to $25. Each. I personally feel you can make your own for less than half the cost. I also prefer the baby clippers if you can find without extended plastic piece on them. You may can remove the plastic piece. Bring your own tweezers, lip balm, anti-bacterial gel, band aids, pill box & lotion in a little pouch and you are set.  

Prevent chafing: wear proper under garments/skimmies, bandelettes or use products such as bodyglide. 

*Pack all liquid supplies within a zip lock bag to limit accidents.

*I always recommend an underwater camera. Luckily they can be found fairly inexpensive. You can still take great pictures in the rain, in the pool, water rides, at the beach or at water parks! Those are some of my most favorite pictures.

SHOES: Do not wear new shoes! Make sure they are worn in well if you do buy new ones. You never know how a new pair could affect you. Wear what you are comfortable with. If you are one that can wear flip flops/sandals on heavy walking conditions then you should be fine. Sneakers are recommended though for more comfort.

Please make this fit your needs, you do not need to get all of these items!

·         T-shirts/shirts  & Shorts or what is comfortable for you.

·         socks (look for some with moisture wicking)

·         underwear/ bras

·          “water” shoes (ie crocks, tevas, flip flops)

·         Shoes: your preference (but no New Shoes!)

·         Pajamas

·         Swimsuit / Cover-up

·         hat & sunglasses

Bag of some type to place wet or damp clothes in just in case. Prevent other clothes from the dampness and help reduce possible mold issues. 

Extra Nicknacks that can help:

D rings (spring clasp) ~can either clip bags together, Clip a bag to a stroller, Clip a bag to a backpack

Small Zippy bag~ They can hold snacks, coins, left over food, use to prevent an item from getting wet and many other things!  Make sure to get proper size D ring to fit stroller or backpack!

Buy cheaper souvenirs to surprise your kids during your stay. 

Driving:

Take small pillows. I made pillows from small toddler shirts. Perfect car size. 

Take lap blankets for car. 

Zippy Bags to contain opened bags of snacks or to use as trash. 

Disney will provide Lotions, soaps, Shampoos and conditioners on board. No charge. Always ask for more if needed. This is changing. You can still ask but the lotion is NOT supplied anymore and some resorts that have been recently refurbished have the shampoo/conditioner mounted to wall.

Toiletries (most anything you forget can be bought at a store or in the resort)

·         WDW resort will provide you with shampoo/conditioner/ body & face BAR soap daily)

·         Suntan Lotion (you should be using 1oz , I recommend Neutrogena as a brand!)

·         Lip balm/Chapstick

·         After-sun lotion (prefer with aloe and possibly lidocaine)

·         Deodorant

·         Hair products and brush/flat iron (WDW provides a hairdryer), hair rubber bands!

·         Toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss/ mouthwash

·         Make-Up

·         Shaving cream/ razor/after-shave

·         Nail file (there is nothing more annoying than a hang-nail and no file to be found.)

·         Feminine products

          Shout Wipes

·         MEDICINES 

        

Important pieces of paper you may need

·         Cash/Credit Cards/ Picture ID’s

·         Health Insurance Card

·         Emergency Contact phone numbers

·         Contact phone numbers for credit cards if you lose your wallet.

·         YOUR PARK TICKETS! (AKA Magic Bands)

*Someone should have copies of all of your information, ID cards, confirmation numbers, Additional

·         Cell phones and chargers (have at least more than one so if you split up you can get back together). Some people rent or borrow walkie-talkies.

·         Coins for washing machine or penny presses

·         Band-Aid BLISTER STICKS &  First Aid kit

·         Mole-skin

·         Gallon sized zip-lock bags (perfect for wet clothes-but be careful not to seal or leave in there or mold could grow or keeping cameras safe)

·         Cash/Credit Card (you don’t have to bring ALLLL of them, one or two will be more than fine)/ Picture ID’s/ Birth certificates if required for children. (Passports for airlines works well)

·         Camera, Camera Case, Camera Batteries, Camera Charger Camera 

·         Anti-Bacterial Gel