Quick Packing Tips.

My household is currently gearing up for a trip to Disney World.  While packing for a family of six is always a cumbersome task, I thought I'd throw out a few of my "grab & go" essentials for a successful Disney experience, both at the parks as well as at the resorts.  Heads up, though: this won't be your typical "comfortable shoes, sunscreen, poncho, autograph book, & good attitude" post, although those are certainly important.  In this quick list, you'll find more off-the-wall, random type essentials that make our trips easier.

1.  Desitin.  Yep, I said it.  And yes, I'm referring to the diaper rash cream.  We always pick up a tube at our local grocery store and/or CVS when packing, especially when we're visiting the parks in the summer. I'm hoping I don't have to say much more than this for you to get the picture: long, hot, sweaty days and lots & lots of walking. Trust me; it's a game changer for kids (and adults) of all ages. A bottle of Advil (for both children & grown-ups) can make a big difference, too.

2.  A bottle brush.  Even though our children gave up bottles long ago, we've found that a bottle brush is the perfect design for thoroughly cleaning the resort refillable drink mugs that come as part of the dining plan (and are also available for purchase).  While there is a sink area in the food court at each resort, I'm a fan of actually washing my dishes every couple of days or so, and a bottle brush and a small bottle of dish soap go a long way in a resort room sink!

3.  A sharpie marker.  Now, sharpies are great for character autographs in the parks, but they come in super handy at the resorts, too.  My kiddos are notorious for always choosing the same color refillable mugs, even when there are more than enough options for our family!  It never fails that three of the four will choose pink mugs, or that my husband & son will want red, or whatever.  In theory, the different color choices are a great way for family members to distinguish which drink/mug belongs to which person, but my family tends to defy the odds at every turn.  I started to write names on the tops of refillable mugs and we haven't had an issue since.

4.  A pre-loaded Peach Pass.  This one won't work for everyone, but for those of you who live in Georgia, purchasing a Peach Pass (and/or putting a few dollars on your current account) will save you a ton of time on the Florida turnpike.  There are multiple toll booths on the way to Disney World, and because Peach Passes are also valid on Florida's toll roads, having one on your vehicle will allow you to pass right through the pre-paid line (no stopping!).

5.  Breakfast foods.  We ALWAYS bring breakfast foods that can be eaten in our room and/or on the go.  Cereal bars, bananas, protein bars, cold pop tarts, dry cereal, etc. are within reach and simply make life easier.  We stock the mini fridge with milk and bottled water as well!  Rooms aren't always located close to the food court, and with kiddos waking up and/or being ready at different times, it helps to have some healthy choices on hand to start the day.  We also know that the first hour a park is open is typically when you'll find the shortest lines, so spending time eating breakfast in the food court simply isn't on our priority list.

This certainly isn't a complete list, but it does include five of my "must have" items for any and every Disney trip we take.  I'm a light packer and prefer not to have lots of extraneous stuff, but I've found that the items mentioned above definitely help me keep my sanity when traveling with my family. Please don't hesitate to reach out and let me know how I can help your family plan and prepare for a fantastic Disney vacation of your own!