7 things I No Longer PAck for Disney World

After multiple Disney trips, I've learned that I tend to go overboard in packing a few too many things, in part because we try and save money. I about cried out first trip when we ran short on sunscreen and it was like $15 for a bottle of Coppertone.

​Here are the things we now skip (and you can too) without losing any of the magic, and saving yourself a few extra trips too and from the car. 


Tinkerbell Gifts

Ahh Tinkerbell gifts! While the internet assures you you can not only save your ears from hearing a ton of "I want!"'s and you'll save your wallet a lot of cash, the simple fact of the matter is unless you've got the tiniest of Mouseketeers, they don't want your Disney themed dollar store stuff. The stickers, and coloring books, the cheapy lightsabers and tiny figurines. They don't. Especially not when everyone else has a Princess Bubble Wand, or a lightsaber they made themselves piece by piece for $30. 

Save yourself a suitcase full of junk you're just going to throw away later because it sit around. A souvenir or two that your child chooses themselves means so much more. The only exception is if you did manage to score some really nice quality Disney plushies, or hats or backpacks at a super discount, things that will be useful on the trip! Souvenirs aren't just a toy, they are a memory. 


Too many snacks

I'm guilty...I do tend to overdo bringing snacks because we drive. Each year I get better, but a good suggestion is if you plan to just snack for breakfast, and don't buy too many, 4 snacks a person per day. Chances are that'll be just a bit more than you need, and if you do run short it won't be by much. 


Misting Fans

Our first and second trips we wanted these sooo badly. We admired the Disney misting fans with the lanyards, those awesome expensive fans all the cool people had.  We didn't buy them  but the following summer I found not one, not two but three, at different yard sales so last summer we loaded them up, lugged them to the hotel room and...there they sat. The whole time. We didn't use them, but we tripped over them, had to squeeze them in the car, and well, last I saw they were in a closet. 


Water bottles

Okay, so this is sort of half right, half wrong. We don't pack reusable water bottles. We do disposable (I know, queue the gasps!) but more often than not, we will just ask for a cup of water. Who really wants one more thing to lug around, or lose? Or, more likely, to send mom back to hunt down while everyone else is sitting or on a ride. Nope. Not happening. 


Impractical Shoes

Flip flops? Only for the pool. Super cute shoes? Staying at home! There's too much walking to do to risk blisters and swollen feet from crummy shoes. If you've GOT to bring along a pair of Princess shoes for our Princess, throw some practical ones in your backpack too. 


One pair of shoes

If you've ever spent two hours trying to dry everyone's sopping sneakers with the weak little in room hair dryers you totally understand why a second pair of shoes is so important. (NOT impractical shoes).  


No cash

​There have been multiple times each trip I've needed to use cash to buy something because card and magic band readers were down. I always keep $30 in my backpack. That's enough to buy a few Mickey Pretzels or drinks if the kiddos are just so hungry they can't wait or if we need to leave a tip at a Disney Springs restaurant.

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So what about you? What are some things you've packed, then decided weren't such a great idea after all? 
 


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