Must have "Get through the Parks" Item/Tool

[CommandoDisney]

When I was younger, I could not go through the parks without my trusty neon orange pack. It carried my snacks, my autograph book and pen, and anything i happened to collect. Oh man, i felt cool, i thought of it like my utility belt.

Anyway, i stopped bringing a pack when i realized i looked like a huge nerd (still am a huge nerd, but its not as obvious). Now i have this awesome backback that has a built in drinking water system (its like a knock-off camelback) thats small enough i can bring on rides, but holds everything i need, camera, snacks, and wife's stuff.

Does anyone else have anything like this that really makes it easier for surviving a long day at the parks?

 

[wdwwdeagle]

We've always carried one backpack for all the "stuff" -- sunscreen, ponchos, pens, etc.

My latest 'must have' item for the backpack is called a Tube Towel (available at swim team supply stores and swim meets). Basically it's a very thin and lightweight towel that's super absorbent (somewhat like a chamois, but doesn't become stiff when dry), dries quickly, but opens to the size of a regular beach towel. It literally folds up to the size of a Mickey poncho, though.

We've used it to sit on for the parades and fireworks, to dry off a wet seat on a ride, to dry off ourselves after riding a wet ride, as an emergency kleenex, a sunshield on a hot day, a blanket for a chilly evening, etc.

It's actually like a thneed, which everyone, everyone, everyone needs....

 

[rsoxguy]

Really comfortable footwear.

 

[cblodg]

Really comfortable footwear.

:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[a2grafix]

^^^^ and a comfortable pair of socks or doubling up socks for those long walks around property. Last two WDW trips must have walked 50 miles (both times) in a week.

 

[tiaragirl]

Granola bars. Seriously.

 

[CommandoDisney]

We've always carried one backpack for all the "stuff" -- sunscreen, ponchos, pens, etc.

My latest 'must have' item for the backpack is called a Tube Towel (available at swim team supply stores and swim meets). Basically it's a very thin and lightweight towel that's super absorbent (somewhat like a chamois, but doesn't become stiff when dry), dries quickly, but opens to the size of a regular beach towel. It literally folds up to the size of a Mickey poncho, though.

We've used it to sit on for the parades and fireworks, to dry off a wet seat on a ride, to dry off ourselves after riding a wet ride, as an emergency kleenex, a sunshield on a hot day, a blanket for a chilly evening, etc.

It's actually like a thneed, which everyone, everyone, everyone needs....

that sounds awesome! i need to find me one of those before friday....

 

[trr1]

lots of money and sunscreen

 

[FireChiefGoofy]

Cell phone. While ride the big kid rides (TT, M:S, etc.), DW goes shopping. After the ride, I make a call to see where she is. She is the biggest scaredy cat I have ever met :ROFLOL:.

 

[CommandoDisney]

Cell phone. While ride the big kid rides (TT, M:S, etc.), DW goes shopping. After the ride, I make a call to see where she is. She is the biggest scaredy cat I have ever met :ROFLOL:.

cell phones definitely come in handy in that sense! i remember before EVERYONE had a cell phone, people would bring those hand held radios to the park. we brought some, but we couldnt find any channels that werent in use!

 

[DisneyLeo18]

Really comfortable footwear.

Last week I went to the mall to buy some shorts and t-shirts for my trip in 2 weeks and came to this issue: I saw a winter coat I really wanted and loved, and a nice pair of sneakers I liked too. The shoes were cheaper but I could only buy one and went with the coat :brick:. So now I am hoping to squeeze enough out of my next paycheck to buy the shoes also before my trip. :lol:

As for my item - Sunscreen! I don't always bring it to the parks but I always put it on in the morning or when I go back to the hotel.

 

[DimpledDevil18]

cell phones definitely come in handy in that sense! i remember before EVERYONE had a cell phone, people would bring those hand held radios to the park. we brought some, but we couldnt find any channels that werent in use!

Yea I remember before we all had cell phones we had purchased walkie talkies for our Disney trip and we had split up to go on a ride. My brother came off and radioed my Mom saying, "Mom where are you?" And some other Mother answered him back and it got all confused! Then they were trying to find a clear channel and this other woman thinking my brother was HER son kept following them... Yea cell phones definitely make life a LOT easier!

As for essentials when we go... We usually wind up going in Aug because that's just the only time everyone can get off, but of course the heat can be insane that time of year! We always stock up on bottled water from Wal-mart after we arrive and we always rent a fridge for the room. We freeze the water bottles overnight and then bring insulated water bottle covers to keep it fairly cold for a good part of the day. We also buy those spray bottles with the fan attached which are awesome, but not worth buying in the parks. (They go for like $18 there.) We went to Wal-Greens and got them a lot cheaper.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

My trusty SA80 (or L85 for the nit pickers), ideal for picking off stragglers, Q jumpers, noisy teens and folk wearing green n grey nylon hooped shirts.

 

[stephmtl]

If you use one of the camelback type backpacks, (Which I have been using in the parks for the last 5 visits - and heartily recommend) Before you leave in the morning, say whilst your partner/kids are getting ready fill the reservoir halfway with ice, and the rest with water.

This keeps things cool for a long while. We just refilled with ice around middle of the afternoon if we were headed back to the hotel or, alternately lived with not-as-cold-water. Some non-sweltering days, the cold water lasted until sundown.

 

[Laura]

I don't bring anything to the parks anymore. :lol: Just my ticket, money, and cell phone in my pocket. Sometimes I bring my camera if I'm in a creative mood, but not often. There is nothing I can ever think of that is worth lugging around for an entire day. If I want water, I just go up to a fast food place and ask for a cup of it.

 

[hack2112]

I make sure to always have my blood glucose meter with me, but that may be for a different reason... :lookaroun

I always make sure to have another clip for my insulin pump, though, as I always seem to brake it in the most awkward places on property. (HISTA at DL at 9:30 at night, for example)

 

[EaglesfanNJ]

As many have mentioned, mine is my trusty backpack. But i don't change it up for every trip, i have the same backpack that i use for every trip. It makes me nostalgic anytime i use it because i know it's been on all of my Disney trips with me. I have updated newer backpacks, but it's not the same! I have a compartment i know where my phone/camera would be located. I have another compartment i know my keys to the world are located. I have a water bottle holder on the outside. There's just no guessing where something may be!

 

[diddy_mouse]

Sunscreen is a big one for me even when going in "off-season." I like to get a little tan but I am not a fan of getting sunburned, especially for week in FL. My other item would be contact lens drops, dry eyes are the worst.

 

[JoMarch]

Aside from obvious stuff like sunscreen, I can't live without: energy gum, deodorant and some type of body splash.

I'm good to go if I have those three items.

 

[Laura]

Kind of getting off track here, but what is it with the sunscreen necessity? (Asking out of pure curiosity.) In all the 20 something weeks I've spent at WDW I have never come close to getting a burn or even a tan line and I'm one of those pale types who burns like crazy. Most of the queues are indoors and most of the outdoors is shaded. I would guess I'm only out in the direct sun about 2% of the time at WDW. I've never brought or used sunscreen at the parks.

I know some people are REALLY into sunscreen and wear it every day (which I guess you should), but I haven't found any more need for it at WDW than there is a need for it at home. The exception being the water parks and pools. But it seems to be a number 1 necessity for people on these boards.