Aside from your usual clothing, toiletries, tickets, etc. that you would usually pack for DLP, what are your other 'must pack' items?
Peppermint tea bags are something I usually pack (as I can't stand UHT milk, so normal tea is out) for in the evenings. Hot chocolate sachets are a must for my boyfriend.
After we experienced a very unwell stomach on two different trips to DLP (despite having pretty strong stomachs), several packs of Immodium (well, Tesco's own) are ALWAYS packed.
To begin with what you ended with: my medication, for starters!
Then the ID-bracelets for the kids (although by now they know every inch of the park so as long as we agree on a "go there when you don't see us anymore-place" I guess we're fine) and ofcourse my DPC.
Oh - and one more thing: a bonus bolt for our stroller - two years ago we lost a small bolt that seems to hold the entire thing together and had to carry the stroller and buy a nuts-and-bolts-box at the Carrefour, so now I just put two extra ones in the backpack :)).
I know you said 'apart from clothing', but for starters, this is a consideration depending on the time of year. Any time between November and February thermals, hat, gloves and handwarmers are essential. Even if it's not too cold on the first day, it could be arctic the next.
Other than that, my phone and charger as its invaluable for checking wait times and taking photos.
And a small back pack including a refillable bottle for water and some light snacks like cereal bars and bananas.
We usually eat at least one big meal in the parks per day, but for economy and convenience, bring snacks to fill up the rest of the day.
Boots peppermint foot spray! After walking round the parks all day my feet usually hurt lots. I find the peppermint spray really helps and am usually ready to go then for the next day.
Plasters and sore spots help too!
My medication! Plus all kinds of medication/first aid supplies haha just in case. Heat packs for my aching back because after being on my feet all day my back often feels like it is going to snap!
A 4 way adapter so can charge all the electrical items
A coat at all times because you can never be sure of the weather- we've had 10deg in winter so been warm & torrential rain in summer so got very wet in our t-shirts & shorts.
A Disney bag each for the kids- DVDs, activities, book, snacks & drinks.
Snacks & drinks for the room.
After we experienced a very unwell stomach on two different trips to DLP (despite having pretty strong stomachs), several packs of Immodium (well, Tesco's own) are ALWAYS packed.
[/quote]
I experienced the same thing when we were there in feb, i had a very unwell tummy for most of the trip was really gutted as it meant i couldnt enjoy a lot of the restaurants. we also took Immodium and lots if headache tablets and medicine for the kids. I noticed the hotel shop had a few things but I didnt see a chemist anywhere close by.....
A must is also an electrical extension cable as there was only one socket in the room and of course our camera!! :P
The Children ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
medication (painkillers, immodium, calpol etc)
chargers
camera and a spare memory card
Ipod,
A good book (or 2) - which I never have time to read!
a notebook & pen,
nice bath foam (I like to chill in the bath when I put DS to bed and always treat myself to something nice - although last year on our stop at the premier inn at ashford, he threw 2 of my molton brown bottles out of the hotel window!) , extra pairs of contact lenses
Water and toddler milk (all hell breaks loose if DS can't go to bed and wake up to some milk!)
Snacks
Blister plasters
Normal plasters
The kitchen sink...... (as you can probably tell - I don't pack light!)
Sunscreen, unless I'm going Nov-Feb. I've gotten sunburnt in March and October.
A 3 SIM for free roaming, because wifi in the parks is still mostly a pipe dream.
My Metro Bank debit card which gives the best exchange rate and free withdrawals.
Minnie ears, French sim card, camera and phone with extra battery.
I don't need more than that
Phone, camera, small coin purse (which will also fit a debit card), straighteners, all of my chargers and travel plugs, and a portable phone charger (this is a lifesaver when I'm constantly taking photos on my phone).
It was nice to see lots of replies to my question. :)
Quote from: grovesie on March 14, 2016, 10:03:24 AM
The Children ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I don't have to worry about those! ;)
Quote from: 15stitch on March 14, 2016, 12:22:44 PM
nice bath foam (I like to chill in the bath when I put DS to bed and always treat myself to something nice - although last year on our stop at the premier inn at ashford, he threw 2 of my molton brown bottles out of the hotel window!)
:o Noooo! Not the Molton Brown!
Quote from: DLRPWonders on March 14, 2016, 04:24:18 PM
Minnie ears, French sim card, camera and phone with extra battery.
I don't need more than that.
I always eye up the Minnie ears in the shops at DLP (especially the pirate ones at POTC) but never end up buying them as I worry that I'll lose them on a ride.
For Disney Parks I always take
Bubble Bath - I find a soak in a bath after a day in the park really soothes my aching feet ready for the next day
Foot file - while in the bath, to massage away those aches
Pins for trading
Plastic Tinkerbell ticket pouch on a retractable ID tag thingy (cant think of the proper word, you know those things you attach to your belt and then pull out to swipe your ID card in an office)
Minnie Ears
Foam insoles, thick socks, plasters, foot spray, epsom salts, trainers and slippers (are you sensing a theme yet?)
The only negative for me at Disney is the Disney Feet!
I buy new Minnie ears every time we go, its a ritual and usually the first thing we do, then we run to Phantom Manor ;D
A lot of people get 'Disney feet' it seems. I don't tend to get sore feet at Disney. I work in a library and on my feet all day, so perhaps I am used to it? I do find my (possible) sciatica plays up after a while though.
~
I forgot to say in my original post, was that prior to going to DLP I look up all the park restaurant opening hours (either here or at http://disneykindofday.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://disneykindofday.blogspot.co.uk/) for our trip, spend time putting them into an Excel document and then print it out (sometimes I laminate it because I am that sad).
Please excuse the terrible photo (I am sans scanner currently): (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y162/Evil_Miss_Sarah/DLP%20Restaurant%20Print%20Off.jpg) (http://s5.photobucket.com/user/Evil_Miss_Sarah/media/DLP%20Restaurant%20Print%20Off.jpg.html)
I add the park opening hours and ride closures too, The above isn't the best example of one as I did it in B&W that time.
Anyway, from producing one of these I find it easier to plan our meals and restaurant bookings. Also, if you go to a counter service restaurant, find it's closed with that unhelpful "these other restaurants are open" sign (which is often wrong) then you can look at the sheet and find another that should be open nearby.
When we started going to DLP in 2012, I made one with all the restaurants on with where they are and the food style they serve. This helped me to learn about the restaurants' location and cuisine.
@CitrusZing
I do the same thing :-[ :P :-[
Not just because it's easier to plan when we're in the park but for me it's also part of the pre-fun ;D
I put everything in an excel document (restaurant times/closures, show times, attraction closures etc)
So I'm also sad in that way 8) But I love it ;D ;D
Quote from: Rolo on March 18, 2016, 07:08:51 PM
@CitrusZing
I do the same thing :-[ :P :-[
Not just because it's easier to plan when we're in the park but for me it's also part of the pre-fun ;D
I put everything in an excel document (restaurant times/closures, show times, attraction closures etc)
So I'm also sad in that way 8) But I love it ;D ;D
*High five* Rolo! It's so useful isn't it?
I have also just planned all our meals for our April trip and worked out roughly how much money we will need for the meals. Having a free Plus half board plan is great but sometimes the set menus don't interest me (unexciting choices, too much food, etc) so have to allow for the extra I will have to pay. I'm hoping my April wage is good, I'm going to need it!
Quote from: CitrusZing on March 18, 2016, 07:58:28 PM
Quote from: Rolo on March 18, 2016, 07:08:51 PM
@CitrusZing
I do the same thing :-[ :P :-[
Not just because it's easier to plan when we're in the park but for me it's also part of the pre-fun ;D
I put everything in an excel document (restaurant times/closures, show times, attraction closures etc)
So I'm also sad in that way 8) But I love it ;D ;D
*High five* Rolo! It's so useful isn't it?
I have also just planned all our meals for our April trip and worked out roughly how much money we will need for the meals. Having a free Plus half board plan is great but sometimes the set menus don't interest me (unexciting choices, too much food, etc) so have to allow for the extra I will have to pay. I'm hoping my April wage is good, I'm going to need it!
*High five* back ;D
I'm printing the excel documents as I write this :o ;)
We leave sundaymorning at 6 for 5 magical days Swing into Spring *bounce...bounce*
This morning my daughter (4) and I were dancing on the sound of "Sunny Bunnyland" :-X
We are so ready... :-[
Quote from: Rolo on March 18, 2016, 08:26:12 PM
*High five* back ;D
I'm printing the excel documents as I write this :o ;)
We leave sundaymorning at 6 for 5 magical days Swing into Spring *bounce...bounce*
This morning my daughter (4) and I were dancing on the sound of "Sunny Bunnyland" :-X
We are so ready... :-[
Rolo, ask for a laminator for Christmas this year ;).
Have a great time! I hope the weather is nice and that you have lots of fun.
It'll be our first Swing into Spring this year so I am looking forward to that.
Report back on your trip please. :)
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