I am by no means an expert traveler. My family has been to a few places, I've traveled with work, and been on one spring break trip with Purdue. That does not make me an expert in the traveling department.
BUT - I go to Disney A LOT. I read blogs about Disney, I talk about Disney with friends and family, I long for Disney.....Some might think that's sad, but hey, everyone has their favorite thing. Disney is mine!
Over the last four years and the last five (yes, five) trips to Uncle Walt's (and this is just been since we were married. My famliy traveled there several times before the boys entered our lives!), I've learned a few things. I've had an opportunity to travel both with a child and with out a child. We've gone in large groups and we've gone when its just been my hubby and I. Here are some tips I have learned and want to share with you as I count down the weeks until my next visit.
(These are in no specific order)
1)Rain Pancho's
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| December 2009 Trip |
We normally go to Disney between September and January. During these months, we've experienced rain. Not like rain at home, though. The rains in Florida that we've been through generally come and go quickly. And its usually a gentle rain. When you get there you can purchase an authentic Disney rain coat... But lets face it, why spend your souvenir money on a rain jacket, when you and I both know the giant stuffed Steam Boat Willie is really calling your name.
Here's what we do.... We buy several (and I mean several!) rain ponchos from the Walmart camping section. They're 88 cents - you can't beat that. We typically will open one and when were done fold it back up to use later that day or we just pitch it. Each morning we throw two or three (they're very small) in one of the back packs and take off for the parks.
2) Gallon Zip Lock Bags
And I don't mean just one. I take about five. You never know when you'll need one. They're handy. First, we use one for our mugs. Disney resorts offers reusable mugs to use throughout your stay at any resort. So we fill up the mug before we leave and sip on in throughout the morning. After you get to the park though, you don't want to be stuck carrying a mug- nor do you want to just dump it in your back pack or bottom of the stroller. So we rinse them out in the bathroom and - BAM - plop them in a zip lock bag. Perfect!
Another reason for the bags - buffets. That's right. I sneak food. I'm not ashamed! Sometimes you think you'll eat that banana you put on your plate, only to realize that the pancakes took up all your room. They can't put that back on the serving table, so stick it in your bag. Or when they bring you pretzel bread to your table (If you've been to Le Cellier, you know what I'm talking about!) you can't turn it down! Throw those extra sticks in a zip lock bag and munch on them later. Trust me, you'll be thanking me when that three o'clock hunger rolls in!
The last reason for the zip lock bags that I'm going to mention - Messes! My little girl isn't always the cleanest eater. (Lets face it, she comes by that honestly!) Sometimes we have a costume change after lunch. Or what about those little ones who are too excited that they're in line to meet the head mouse that they forget that they need to use the restroom. Or - those darn kids who run to the fountains in ECPOT and get soaked! Looks like fun, until you have to sit in wet clothes the rest of the day. Zip lock it and don't worry about it! Disney is made for fun, not for worries!
3) Neck holders for your sun glasses
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| Notice where his glasses are??? |
I know, I sound old. But trust me, they're a life saver (Unless you hook them on the back of your chair at a restaurant and walk off and leave them...Ahh, I still miss that pair...) You go in and out of so many buildings to see shows or ride rides, you're taking your glasses on and off all the time. Its so much easier to just let them hang! Plus, when you're on the big kid rides (Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, etc) you can feel better about knowing they're safely attached to your neck!
4) A backpack
I've mentioned a few items above. Where do you think I meant to put these items? A back pack of course! We've carried one since before Maddie. Now that she's here, we each have one (one for a diaper bag and one for the regular stuff) Our back packs are equipped not only with the stuff mentioned about, but long sleeve tshirts (I get chilly after being on a water ride them sitting for a 3-D show in the air conditioning), movie camera, digital camera, maps (ha - like we really need one of those!), snacks, sun screen, etc. They're great to carry and we've never gotten tired with them on. If you're back pack does get loaded down by the middle of the day with your goodies, check out the Disney lockers at the front of each park. The last I checked they're about $7 to check one for the day.
5) Glow Sticks
You're thinking - what?! I know it. This one is more for the families with kids (or kids at heart!) I once read a blog post, where the author talked about how she stocks up on the glow sticks around Halloween time at the dollar store for their trips to Disney. They last as long as you don't crack them (you know, you crack them and they start glowing.) And at night when you're sitting on the ground waiting for fireworks pull them out! Totally makes you the coolest parent, aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa in the world! Plus it keeps you from having children who are tempted to want all the glowing toys that are brought out on carts the moment it gets dark at the parks. (Trust me, the ones that twirl - pretty cool....) Save your money on glow toys at Disney by bringing your own!
6) Applesauce and Carrots
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| September 2010 |
Remember that awesome back pack I mentioned??? Last time we visited with the Little Bug in tow, we always kept an apple sauce, some carrots (the kind that you can buy at Walmart - individual serving already diced), and even some of the yogurt found in the baby section (doesn't have to be refrigerated until opened). These were things that we know Maddie LOVES. If are dining reservations don't match her eating schedule, we could give her something like this to tide her over. It also ensured that she was getting at least a little nutrition on vacation. Also, since she's under 3, she still technically eats off of our plates. So I can cut up bites of my main dish, then add the side dishes that I brought along and that I already know she'll eat!
7) Wipes
Whether they're the hand sanitizing ones or the kind made for baby's bottoms, carry wipes. Sometimes riding rides and holding on to the same hand rail that everyone and their brother has held on to can get pretty gross. Wipe you're hands often. Especially if you forgot to visit the restroom to wash your hands before you started diving into that chocolate Mickey-shaped ice cream! (Plus, if you're like me, you'll need a wipe for around your mouth when you get done with one of those....Oh man, I can taste the chocolate now.....)
I'll stop at seven. I have soooo much more advice I'd love to share! But these are things I think you should bring to the parks. My other advice is more about planning or what to do once you're there.
Again, I'm totally not an expert - I just wanted to share my thoughts since I have Disney on the brain!
If you have addition tips for traveling to the World or any where else for that matter - Please share them!!!! I'd love to hear it!!!
More to come...
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