Things You Need To Buy Pre-Trip

[mpeters]

So every year we go to WDW there are a few items that i need to buy for myself and I was wondering if anyone else buys things that aren't really absolutes like sun tan lotion etc.? For myself i always have to buy a new pair of sneakers a month before we leave.

 

[bgraham34]

I buy plenty of Gum since I am addicted to it. But when I get to Disney I ever seem to need it.

 

[yensid67]

I buy almost everything that IS A MUST, like spray fans, rain poncho, film, discs, stuff like that. No sense in paying WDW prices when its cheaper to buy B4 you go!

 

[disney magic 06]

I make a list of things I plan to take weeks in advance, make a note of anything I need to buy and sensibly and gradually get all the essentials. Then a few days before our trip my daughter and I always go on a shopping trip and buy ALL KINDS of non-essentials and treats - flip flops, hats, belts, bags, we go MAD once we get into holiday mode!! Then we go for cocktails and giggle over our bags of treasures :ROFLOL:

 

[Xethos]

New shoes a couple weeks before.

 

[fractal]

new pair of Crocs flip-flops.

 

[melmood2000]

I also buy new sneakers about a month before. I used to buy a new pair of sunglasses however once I splurged and bought a pair of Oakley's I haven't bought a new pair since.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I get a new Passporter book for each trip, even though they hardly change from year to year. I like to keep track of everything we did, and then put little souvenirs in the pockets. I usually get a new camera chip for each trip too, so I can start fresh.

 

[TangledKat]

I make a list of things I need to buy before the trip and buy things a little at a time so it's not a huge shopping trip at one time. I did buy a new pair of shoes a couple months back and just started wearing them this month to get them broken in for my Feb trip. This year my daughter had to have clothes. She's 5 and nothing seems to fit long so I've been picking up an outfit for her at least once a week the past month.

 

[trr1]

A new swimsuit,underware(Cant have old undies at WDW),socks

 

[wilkeliza]

I always buy new undies and socks. I can't imagine buying new shoes for the trip because I much prefer my worn in sneakers I walk in here in NYC.

I also will buy new jeans or shorts depending on the season and I always pick up a Disney t-shirt to wear in the world before I leave. This time around I actually bought 2 new Disney shirts that have Oswald on them.

Oh had to edit this to add on that I typically buy a new tooth brush for the trip. I do this whenever I travel because I use an electric Oral B at home and would not want to risk such an expensive tooth brush getting lost or messed up. I have recently started picking up the 10 dollar electric ones and just replacing the head on it between trips.

 

[real mad hatter]

6 Months to Vacation.

Well we have started to check our " must pack list ".On it is all the usual stuff like,MasterCard,adaptors,cooling bandanas,our character name tags,ponchos,alarm clock,empty plastic bottle,esta forms,our character t-shirts,aftersun,sun lotion,passports,t-bags,swim wear,hats,sun glasses,camera,camcorder,charging units,flip flops,beach towels,wine waiters friend,travel ins,ADR reservations,dollars,oh and 3 new designer suitcases with power steering and cruise control,dual air con,and 3inch alloy wheels.The cases are in the brightest colour of turquoise I've ever seen.:lol:

 

[Hrudey3032]

I always buy new shoes and break them in a few weeks before the trip.Then I buy new socks as when I wear new socks at the parks they are usually more cushiony than used socks. It just adds more comfort for me. I also make sure to buy a couple magazines to read while on the plane or at my dads to pass the time. I will always buy new film or as now is the case new memory cards for my camera. I like to keep my memory chips seperate so I can differentiate from each trip.Now that I found I am diabetic and quit drinking all forms of soda I buy a ton of sugar free water packs as you never know if you will find your favorite flavors in another city and my favorite(Hawaiin Punch Lemon Lime Splash) I can only find at one store(Family Dollar) here in Indy.The last thing I usually get is a new Indianapolis Colts hat to wear. We may have had a horrible season but I still got to represent!

 

[Minnie1976]

I try and pack a lot of over the counter medicines and prescription medicines I have just in case. If I have them, I won't need them. I have now added suntan lotion. We always went in the fall or winter and last year we went in April and I got burned. I had to pay $12 for what I would have paid $6 at home for.

 

[mrksmpsn]

Since we go the first week of December and do the Candlelight Processional at Epcot we wear something more holiday festive on the day we go to the processional. It has become a tradition to buy some sort of nice holiday shirt/top for that day at home, which we can then wear the rest of the season when we return home. We also buy Atkin's bars at home for days we don't plan to do breakfast in the parks, and because our DVC room has a coffee maker we take coffee packs to use.

We have a long-time tradition of getting each other some sort of small fun gift to give each other at the time of arrival at the resort when we get to the room. Usually this is some sort of Disney-themed item (like a coin purse for mom who can never find her change) or some gag gift that reflects a need of one of us (a purse kleenex holder full of ziplock snack bags for grandma since she always wants to take food back to the hotel with her). I also give mom and grandma a monetary gift card I make at home so they can get something for themselves at the parks. Usually with mom this lasts until our first stop that day at Downtown Disney (generally our first place to go on the day of arrival due to time of day we arrive at WDW).

I learned the hard way (blisters) to be sure not to get new shoes too close to the trip. I now allow at least a month of use of new shoes before taking them on a trip to be sure they will fit comfortably and be durable.

Because of the possibility of cold weather in December and getting sniffles from being in the parks after dark on cool days, we have found it best to buy basic meds at home rather than the hotels (things like asprin, cold/flu capsules, stomach ailment stuff, etc.). We have found it helpful to have these on hand rather than having to search for them if you need them (and they are cheaper at home as another post reminded us). I suppose these are technically absolutes, but not always thought of--no one wants to think about getting ill on a trip to WDW.

So every year we go to WDW there are a few items that i need to buy for myself and I was wondering if anyone else buys things that aren't really absolutes like sun tan lotion etc.? For myself i always have to buy a new pair of sneakers a month before we leave.

 

[ThinkTink721]

Ponchos
Camera batteries
Snacks for the room
Over the counter medicines
First aid supplies

 

[finaldynasty]

We buy New Crocs for me, because I can't find WDW Crocs in my size. We also buy new toothbushes, undies and ponchos from Family Dollar.

 

[LoriSue]

In addition to what's already been mentioned here, I wanted to to add that one thing I find myself needing is medication for leg cramps. One brand I use has the active ingredient of Magnesium and the other is Quinine Sulfate (I think). It's the weirdest thing, I never have trouble with this at home or at Disneyland, and some have explained to me that it's the altitude difference (home goes from 5000 feet in the city to over 10000 feet in the mountains on the outskirts) but I find that after a few days it becomes very painful to walk and I need to sit often, these pills seem to help. One other thing that I keep in our park bag is ziploc bags for keeping our electronics in on the water rides.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We have our packing list that we keep to go by every trip. Sometimes we add things on or remove things from trip to trip. We used to pack a lot of snacks so we wouldn't spend as much in the parks. But every time we find it doesn't work as planned because those Disney snacks in the parks always looks so much better than what we bring. :ROFLOL:
We also pack aspirin, allergy/cold meds, band aids, moleskin, etc. One time I needed some Nyquil and was astounded by the price in the resort shop. No matter how well prepared you are it seems there's always something you overlook.

 

[mpeters]

I always buy new shoes and break them in a few weeks before the trip.Then I buy new socks as when I wear new socks at the parks they are usually more cushiony than used socks. It just adds more comfort for me. I also make sure to buy a couple magazines to read while on the plane or at my dads to pass the time. I will always buy new film or as now is the case new memory cards for my camera. I like to keep my memory chips seperate so I can differentiate from each trip.Now that I found I am diabetic and quit drinking all forms of soda I buy a ton of sugar free water packs as you never know if you will find your favorite flavors in another city and my favorite(Hawaiin Punch Lemon Lime Splash) I can only find at one store(Family Dollar) here in Indy.The last thing I usually get is a new Indianapolis Colts hat to wear. We may have had a horrible season but I still got to represent!

I feel your pain......Eagles fan over here.