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Twelve Things You Didn’t Know You Needed to Pack for Your Trip to Walt Disney World

Part 1 

In my almost 10 years of traveling to Disney World, I have discovered many little things that make a big difference in the quality of your stay. 

Here are six of my favorite ideas that I never leave home without!

   1. Shoe Organizer

You can use this for shoes of course but on vacation it is useful for holding anything you can think of.  Magic bands, extra cookies from quick service, napkins, tissues, toiletries, receipts, important travel documents, diapers, wipes, extra washcloths, food/snacks you brought from home or had delivered, and much more!  The ideas are up to you. 

What items do you want easy access to?

 What items might be lost otherwise? 

How can you reduce clutter on the tables, desks, nightstands, and the TV stand? 

See the picture below of how my family used ours on our most recent trip to WDW.





2.     Pressed Pennies and Quarters

Penny-press machines.  They are all over Disney property and my family loves them!  It will cost you 50 cents to press one penny.  Bringing a roll of quarters will help you out when your child wants to press a penny but you don’t want to stand in line somewhere to get change for $1.  Keep your quarters and pennies in a container in your pack.  No need to dig around the bottom of a purse or bag.  If you want stunning pressed pennies, collect the shiniest ones.  I have been known to take a penny back from a cashier, hand them a dull one and say,  “Oops, I try to keep my shiny pennies!”  



Mini M&M, bubble containers or prescription bottles make excellent storage for your coins.



3.     Coffee Maker / Coffee Pods

If you are very picky (like I am) about your morning cup of coffee consider bringing your own single-cup coffee maker.  If you are staying at a resort without a coffee pot like a Value resort, this may be a must.  They are fairly small and light – they can easily be packed in your checked luggage or your carry on.  Other resorts have coffee makers that use pods (NOT K-cups.) Grocery stores, Target and online websites should have options for coffee pods.  If you are super spoiled, you can make your own pods.  Search on Amazon to find this option.  

Note: I have seen a K-cup coffee maker in one deluxe concierge room.

4.   Laundry Hamper

Buy yourself a foldable/collapsible hamper and you will never travel without one again.  This is perfect for reducing clothes thrown on the floor and an easy grab and go if laundering while on vacation.  When it’s time to pack up, throw the whole thing in your largest suitcase to be ready for washday when you return home.  It folds up in a very packable round shape but pops up to a hamper.

See the picture below for an example. 



5.     Travel Clock

Most Disney resorts these days have taken out their clocks and replaced them with USB ports.  If you like being able to simply look up to see the time when getting ready in the morning or in the middle of the night, I suggest you bring your own travel clock.

6.     Kids Outfits in Plastic Zip-bags

If you have babies or young children, I highly suggest putting outfits together ahead of time.  Pack each outfit in its own zip-top bag.  Include socks, underwear, hair ties or hairbands.  In the rush of the morning to grab the bus or make that early morning breakfast reservation these bags will be a lifesaver.  It also makes it super easy for Dad to help get the kids dressed.  Older children can just choose a bag when it is time to get dressed!  If you have particular outfits for particular events or park days, label them with tape, a label maker or just write directly on the bag with a permanent marker.  “Wear this for Animal Kingdom on Friday.”

I hope you find these tips as useful as my family has. It’s really the little things that can make or break a family vacation.  The little extra time it takes to have these on hand will be worth it!













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