Travel Tips
Packing for Walt Disney World with young children
Everyone has different packing lists that work well, and these tips shouldn’t ever be considered a priority or replacement for personal lists. Rather, these are items that we may not think about, but you will often find useful while there.
Portable cell phone chargers: You will be using your phone constantly to take pictures, access the My Disney Experience app, and communicate. Your battery will get used faster than you may realize. Make sure to have a portable battery with you so that you can charge while sitting down for a meal, during a show, or waiting in line.
Sharpies with a fine point: If your kids (or you) want to have autographs, I would suggest bringing a couple of these types of markers. They are thick enough for characters to hold while still legible to read.
Travel dish soap and/or laundry detergent: In today’s world, you need to have multiple face masks when you travel. However, being able to wash them at night and let one set dry while the wearing the others can be a way to let them feel a bit fresher each day. These items can also be helpful to rinse clothes or to wash reusable bottles.
Ponchos (or garbage bags, in a pinch): There are often quick pop-up showers and having a poncho (or even a garbage bag) can keep you having fun at the parks without getting drenched.
Clothes Hangers: Often, there is lots of hanging space in closets, but there are fewer hangers than you might need. If you’re someone who likes to unpack and settle into a room (which I totally am), having extra hangers can make it easy to unpack and let clothes breathe while saving drawer space for socks, swimsuits, pajamas and the like.
Water delivery: We all need to stay hydrated and while I certainly endorse bringing reusable water bottles with you, having a case of water delivered to your resort is helpful for refilling regularly. You can also put bottles in the fridge the night to help keep them cool throughout the day.
At the airport
Going through security
Dressing for the airport can make things easier for everyone—wear shoes that are easy to get on and off, keep any larger metal pieces (jewelry, belt buckles, change, etc.) in your carry-on and put it on after you go through security, take off your coat/jacket while waiting in line so it can be quickly placed in a bin once you are at that point—all of these things can and do help for a quicker and smoother transition through security.
Plan for the plane.
Are your electronic devices charged? Have you downloaded movies/games? Does everyone have headphones accessible in carry-ons? What books do you have? Or reusable color-with-water-books (rather than crayons which can easily be dropped and roll away)?
Have you packed gum or lollipops (to help with plugged ears)? Something to drink?
Do you bring a hoodie to take on or off depending on the temperature in the plane?
Cruises
Pack carefully, friends
Your ship’s cabin will be smaller than you might realize if you are a first-time cruiser. This means it’s important to be acutely aware of your space. Plan to bring bags that you can (ideally) store under the bed. Bring plenty of hangers to hang your clothes (far more hanging space than drawer storage).
Magnets FTW
The cabin’s walls will be magnetic. This can actually work in your favor if you bring magnetic clips with you. You can put them on the wall and then clip your ship lanyards, damp swimsuits, hats, etc. to the wall to save space.