The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 46 ; Packing For a Trip to Walt Disney World

By Nick

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Packing For a Trip to Walt Disney World 

The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

We start off with a behind the scenes glitch, and go on to talk about Minnie's Seasonal Dine at Hollywood and Vine at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Photo: Disney

We briefly discuss my trip to Walt Disney World in January which will likely be solo which leads directly into our main discussion; packing for a trip to Walt Disney World. We look at average temperatures in Orlando, packing for flying as opposed to driving, doing laundry while there, and several other variables.

We focus on shoes, and the importance of having proper footwear as well as strategies to avoid over packing.

Must haves are discussed, such as ponchos or other rain gear and sunscreen.

Photos: Lisa

We talk non clothes items and I state I don't take much before going on to discuss the apothecary I carry with me on every trip.

Seersucker clothes are great, and it's a fun word.

Wheel of Distiny topic: Favorite spot for Holiday Decorations at Walt Disney World

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange Podcast.

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Choosing a Bag for Walt Disney World

 

By Lisa Green

I felt I needed to add a qualifier to this post’s title.  If you’ve got little one’s (especially of the diaper-wearing variety), this article won’t be very helpful – in the end, you’re going to need a bigger bag than any of the ones I’m about to recommend.  I’m also not recommending a specific brand – the three bags featured today ranged from cheap (discount store) to not-so-cheap (upscale outlet mall) to pretty-darned-expensive (major department store).  You can find the perfect bag or bags for your next Walt Disney World vacation at a multitude of stores – brand doesn’t matter.

When choosing a bag for a day of park touring, I take a few things into consideration:

• What size camera will I be carrying?
• Will I be going back to the resort mid-day or to dress for dinner or not at all?
• Will I be toting anything for gathering character autographs?

Once I know the answers to those questions, I can choose from among the three bags I bring along.  They are: the small backpack, the smaller hipster, and the teeny, tiny wristlet.  I know what you’re thinking:  THREE bags?  This chick is bonkers!

All I can say is that after a dozen trips to Walt Disney World, I know what I like.  I like choices!  I don’t carry the same stuff everyday and I don’t want to tote around a larger bag than absolutely necessary.  Also – I want my bag to always fit in the “stuff holder” provided on many rides and attractions.  If I’m not going to be collecting autographs, I don’t want to carry those supplies.  If I’m carrying my super-small camera, I don’t need a big bag.  If I’m not going back to the resort before dinner, I may need supplies for a little hair or make-up refresher.  I like to travel as light as possible and still have everything I need.  See how that works?  You don’t have to have multiple bags, one or two of the perfect size will do.
In EVERY bag, I need to carry:

• Travel-sized sunscreen
• Emergency medical supplies (ibuprofen, antacid, band-aids)
• Smartphone and portable charger
• Camera

Optional things I may WANT to carry:

• Extra pins for trading
• Photo mats / ornaments / pens (for autographs)
• Visor and/or hair utensils (I refer to as hairaphernalia, ’cause I’m clever that way)
• Touch-up supplies like lipstick, oil blotting papers, pressed powder, etc.
• Rain jacket or poncho (folded tightly)

When packing, I put the unused bags inside each other and they don’t take up much room or weight in my suitcase.  For touring without a bag, see my tips here.

What’s your favorite bag like?  Do you bring multiple options with you?  Do you have any tips to share that I haven’t mentioned?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

How to Avoid Over Packing on a Disney Vacation

I confess. I'm an over packer.

There are several reasons for this.

For one, we go to the parks early, and then return to the room for a nap or a swim. I don't want to wear the same sweaty shirt and such that I wore that morning. So, that's 2 shirts and extra underthings per day.

What if it rains? I need to bring a couple of extra pairs of socks and a couple more shirts, and yes, extra underthings, just in case.

I wear night clothes. Nothing outrageous, lounge pants, and a t-shirt. And, while I do re-wear the night pants, I often get up earlier than my wife (because I'm too excited to sleep!) and take a walk, which means I'm sweating up that shirt, and that means I'll need a new one for that evening.

What if I get a stain on my pants or shorts? Gotta bring at least a couple of extra pair of pants!

Then there are dress clothes. Do we have any fancy dinners planned? How many? Gotta have nice button down shirts for those. Maybe even a suit!

And I can't wear the same thing twice because I am going to have my picture posted on Instagram and scattered across several blogs and Facebook pages!

Then there's packing for cooler months!  Bulky clothes take up a lot of space in your suitcase.

Okay, let's see what I can do to cut back on some of this.

• Washing clothes is an obvious option. This would eliminate about 1/2 of the shirts, socks, and underclothing I usually bring.

• Stain stick would eliminate the need for extra shorts and pants due to spills.

• If I have multiple meals at fancy restaurants planned, one pair of dress pants would be sufficient.

• Have one or 2 shirts tops for exercise. I'm going to walk, get sweaty, and shower. I could just re-wear that exercise shirt the next day, since I'm going to shower anyway. Then I could re-wear the shirt that I used to sleep in.

• Re-wear jeans or shorts. 

• I'll pack closer to the time we depart. This is tough, I pack early, like a week prior to leaving. But that leads to over-packing in the cooler months. But if I watch the weather channel before  packing, I'll avoid packing unnecessary bulky clothes. 

• In those cooler months, a lot of sweaters and sweatshirts can be replaced by one jacket.

• I'm not on prescription medication, but do bring cold medicine, just in case, as well as aspirin, Airborne, and various other pharmaceuticals. I will take only a few of each, and put them in a plastic baggie, rather than have my bag look like an apothecary.

I hope some of these packing tips help you (and me!) on your future Disney Vacations.

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog Where Nick is a contributing writer.

Stop back tomorrow to see an article by Gaylin, who REALLY knows how to NOT overpack!

Spring in Florida

Spring in Florida

By: Gaylin

When I went on my first solo trip in April 2008, I thought to myself – spring in Florida will be like summer in Vancouver. I packed for summer weather.

The first couple days were beautiful, warm to hot and sunny and bright, I thought I had packed perfectly. Here I am with Sully and Mike, a lovely warm day.

And here it is, two days later, Chip and Dale were all nice and warm. They have fur coats! I had to buy a hoodie and wear my scarf as it had gotten darn chilly!

Lesson learned, when packing for a trip - check the weather forecast and believe it! Next spring I will be bringing a hoodie with me or maybe I could buy another one anyways, this one is nearly 6 years old.