How to Pack for Your Trip to Walt Disney World

Published January 3, 2013 by Disneyways.com

This is a guest post by Samantha Jolicoeur that contains her suggested packing list for your next trip to Disney World. Please see below for Samantha’s bio and a link to join her facebook group. Please contact Krista at Disneyways if you are interested in guest blogging.

How to Pack for Your Trip to Walt Disney World by Samantha:

If you are new to Walt Disney World, you may be wondering;

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“What do I need to pack for Walt Disney World?”

I’m not generally an over-packer but I do like to cover all my bases when it comes to visiting the World!

Floridian weather can be unpredictable and we can get sick at the drop of a hat, but why spend your dole whip money on WDW’s overpriced cold meds or ponchos? This checklist is something I have been using and checking twice, each and every time I visit the happiest place on Earth!

– Clothes – socks, underwear, pajamas, shorts, capris, tanks, t-shirts, one hoodie/light jacket (depending on season), one pair of jeans (again…depending on season)

NOTE: You will want to pack for your length of stay. Remember, resorts on WDW property have laundry services. Doing laundry while on vacay not for you? Throw it in while you sit by the pool!

– Bathing suits
– Shoes – flip flops and runners
– Shampoo and conditioner (those little ones aren’t enough from Disney, but I still hoard them)
– Toothbrush and toothpaste
– Hairbrush, straightener and hair products. (Hairdryers are in each WDW resort room)
– Makeup (keep it basic: liner, mascara, shadow)
– Meds: Allergy pills, cold and cough pills, aspirin (just in case), any prescriptions.
– Hair clips, elastics
– Razors
– Deodorant
– Confirmations – ADRs, Park hours and EMH lists.

(I am crazy about this, I have a WDW travel book that I write up)

– Lanyards (I like to wear it to hold my Key to the World/Park ticket)
– Laptop and charger
– Camera and battery charger
– Passports, money and traveller’s cheques, ID (I seperate my “tip” money from souvenir cash)
– Watch
– Dollar store ponchos (yet to use them *knocks on wood* – bringing your own saves you money!)
– Hats
– Sunscreen!
– Sunglasses
– Aloe vera, polysporin, etc.
– Ziploc bags (keep thing dry on wet rides, etc)
– Collapsible Cooler
– Stroller (if needed)
– Backpack/fanny pack/beach bag.

Other Ideas:
– Walkie talkies for the parks
– Mist fans
– Decorations for your hotel room window
– In-room snacks
– Cell phone and charger

To me, this is a very basic list of what you need to bring with you. Some people bring their own autograph books, pens, towels … but that is up to you! I look at it this way, if you are flying to WDW, you’ll want more room (and spending money) for your souvenirs. When I make my list, I write it out and leave a little check box beside each item, and it doesn’t get checked off until it is actually packed. I wouldn’t want to leave anything important behind!

Your trip to Disney will be magical though, whether or not you forget your favorite t-shirt, but hopefully, with this list you won’t!

SAMANTHA

About Samantha:

My name is Samantha and I am a Disney-aholic! It’s true. I’ve always loved all things Disney, but didn’t make my first trip until I was 21 years old. It only took that one day at Magic Kingdom to get me hooked. I don’t get to go as often as I’d like, but I have made it my own personal hobby to research Walt Disney World as much as possible and I enjoy lending some of my advice to others. I have a husband and a beautiful son, both who love Disney (maybe not QUITE as much as myself). I’d rather be a pirate than a princess, although being a princess wouldn’t be too bad either! Please, feel free to come join my happy, laughin’ place on Facebook “Disney Dreamers“- we discuss all things Disney, do trivia and giveaways, and most importantly, make new friends who share the same passion for Disney!
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirates life for me!

~Samantha Jolicoeur

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Dapper Day 2013 – An Introduction

Published January 2, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Last year Dapper Day saw 3,000 – 4,000 participants in Disneyland alone. Judging by the popularity, we believe it is destined to get bigger every year. So what is Dapper Day and what does it all mean for you and your visit to Disney Parks?

Let me start by saying that Dapper Day is NOT a Disney sponsored event. It is completely optional and perfectly OK to stay casual or not even participate at all.

In fact, the concept is very new. Started spring of 2011, Dapper Day organizes fashionable gatherings at The Disney Resorts in LA, Orlando, and Paris. The coming celebration will be an  all-day event, including an “evening affair.”

Again, it is certainly NOT official, and purely optional and fun. 

How did the event come about? Organizer Justin Jorgensen is said to have been inspired by the original Imagineer Illustrations of Disney Park designs and even more recent concept art for Epcot.

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These images often portray guests dressed as though they are going out for a very upscale event such as an opera or a maybe a high-end restaurant. Why shouldn’t going to Disney still be on par with such grand affairs?  Well, that is what Dapper Day is all about. It is a chance to realize those designer’s dreams. On Dapper Day, you bring those illustrations to life when you become those well dressed guests the designers imagined (or hoped) would be filling the park.

Stay tuned to Disneyways for more on Dapper Day, including ideas for what to wear, videos from last year, event hours and suggested schedules. Each event usually has a simple schedule of one or two in-park gatherings like the evening “Dapper Derby” at the Fantasyland carrousel in Disneyland.  However you and your party are encouraged to enjoy the park at your leisure.

So what are your thoughts? What do you think of the idea of Dapper Day and will you be participating?

 

Disney Time announcement 2013

Published January 1, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Disney Parks is giving away a vacation every day this January. Enter to win a little #DisneyTime in 2013: http://t.co/Ysma6fOh

Limited time magic 2013

Published December 28, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Sorry I am updating from my phone so this is not pretty! I just had to share this link with you all. Disney has given us some details on the first week of limited time magic for 2013!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/12/limited-time-magic-at-disney-parks-begins-with-week-long-new-years-party-year-of-the-ear/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DisneyParks+%28Disney+Parks+Blog%29

It’s a Tall World After All – Date for Starbucks in Magic Kingdom

Published December 26, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Back in August 2012 Disneyways readers found out about the Starbucks coming to Walt Disney World.

Rumor has it we can look for Starbucks in Magic Kingdom as early as May 18, 2012.

Here is the train of thought. Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom is the proposed location for the new Starbucks. Because the bakery is scheduled for closure between January 6, 2013 and May 17, 2013 – sources are saying the Starbucks-branded location can be expected to be open May 18, 2013.

Disney’s California Adventure has had it’s new Starbucks for a while now. You can click here to see photos and read more about this one. Here at Disneyways we imagine that the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom counterpart will be very similar. Cast members will wear costumes that will invoke the feelings of Main Street and it’s theme, and prices for cups of joe and snacks will be quite high.

This will be the second of six announced in-park locations, one at each theme park between the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. A location at Epcot’s Fountain View has also been announced, though it will close for its changeover at some point in March, re-opening in late summer.

Christmas at the Yacht Club

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

The Yacht Club has one of my favorite Christmas displays of all, a meticulously crafted Christmas village featuring a working train. It reminds me of the train set in Germany at Epcot. Every time I look through these pictures I see something different. I have a real soft spot for this display! The tree and wreaths at Yacht Club are also very neat, as they are themed with boats and other nautical items. I hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them.

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Kilimanjaro Safaris – Hippopotamuses for Christmas

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Every year at Christmas the radio stations here in Orlando play that old song, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas!

Here are some actual pictures we took on Animal Kingdom’s  Kilimanjaro Safaris recently! I hope you enjoy them and have a magical day!

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Christmas at the Beach Club Resort

Published December 25, 2012 by Disneyways.com

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It’s not all gingerbread houses – how about an enchanting holiday carousel, crafted of gingerbread, chocolate, and fondant? The carousel is a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. There are also some sculptures to enjoy, and even a little shop where you can buy some Christmas goodies to take with you.

Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Published December 24, 2012 by Disneyways.com

The most widely spoken language in Africa is Swahili. “Jambo!” meant the cast members over at Animal Kingdom were saying hello to me, NOT calling me fat, as I originally thought.

Visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge at Christmas time means you may find the cast members saying “Kuwa na Krismasi njema!” – or – “Merry Christmas!” in Swahili. The decorations at Animal Kingdom Lodge are lovely, understated, and of course African themed, as you will see here.

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To check out Disneyways Animal Safari Sundays series click here.

Christmas at the Polynesian

Published December 23, 2012 by Disneyways.com

Mele Kalikimaka and welcome to the Polynesian during the Holiday season.

A tropical island Christmas? Sure, why not?

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