Hi Guys! I promise I didn’t fall off the edge of the earth! I’m still here! We just celebrated Bryce’s 1st birthday yesterday and I can’t believe it’s already been a year! We are also getting ready to buy our first house this Friday! Oh, yeah, and football season just started. We couldn’t be any busier right now!! I have some fun posts coming up soon, I promise, but in the mean time my wonderful sister has offered to write a few posts to share with you! Jamie is not only an awesome older sister, but also my bestest friend in the whole wide world. Seriously, we talk on the phone at least 3 times a day. She is also a Disney fanatic! She is constantly taking my nephew Thomas and is dying for the boys and I to join her! She is an annual pass holder and visits the parks frequently. They live in Tallahassee and my brother-in-law travels to Orlando frequently for work. Jamie and Thomas will often tag along and go to Disney World or one of the other parks while he’s in meetings. She’s even been known to stop and spend a couple of hours at the park while traveling through Orlando. Basically, what I am saying is she is a Disney expert and she has offered to share some of her tips with you! Enjoy
How To Pack a Diaper Bag – The Disney Edition
Over the last couple of years, our Disney trips have become some of my favorite memories. If you want to enjoy your trips and remember them blissfully, not stressed out and mad, then check out my tricks of the trade. I was that type of mom that packed everything but the kitchen sink to try and make our life easier. Boy was that a bad idea. It turned into dragging multiple bags around and getting all hot and stressed out. After a lot of trial and error and a few extra trips to Disney I have come up with the perfect tips for making your trip to Disney stress free. Check out these tips on how to pack a diaper bag for your next trip into a Disney park!
First Things First – The Bag
Your best bet is a small sport backpack. I have a kid that eats anything I eat… so that helps. My first trip we started with a standard diaper bag. In my opinion, you really don’t need that big of a bag. And remember you either leave the bag in the stroller while you go on rides or you have to take it with you.
What to Pack
- Changing Pad
- Diapers & Wipes – If you have a small changing pad that folds up, like the Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station, put the wipes and a diaper in that and only take that into the bathrooms when your child needs changing. If you happen to run out of diapers or wipes, there is a Baby Care Center in each park and they sell baby changing kits (which include everything you need for a couple changes) or you can buy a whole package of diapers. Either way you are covered if you run out.
- Antibacterial Spray or Wipes – Enough said! You can get these in any food service area for free if you can wait until you get into the parks.
- Wallet – If you prefer to carry only the necessities like me then something like a small Vera Bradley coin purse works well. It can hold credit cards, driver’s license and cash. Plus mine even holds chap-stick or lip gloss.
- Disposable Poncho – It rains just about every afternoon in Florida. We have showers that just blow through but sometimes they are enough to soak you to the bone. You can pick up a poncho for really cheap at a drugstore or Walmart. They charge a small fortune for these in the parks. Also, make sure you get an extra one to cover your stroller. Made that mistake a few times!
- Sunscreen and A Hat – Make sure to bring one spray bottle of sunscreen and make sure to have some chap-stick with sunscreen in it. My son loves his hats and we bring one that is adjustable with a Velcro strap. That way I strap it to my bag when he isn’t wearing it. Don’t forget a hat for you too!
- Snacks – Juice boxes, a couple of packs of fruit gummies, raisins and an orange or banana are our go to snacks. Make sure to bring just enough for a snack or two. You can eat lunch or breakfast before entering the park and try to eat your next meal after you leave the park. Lunch or dinner can be expensive! For those with younger children, bring a couple of cheap bottles or disposable sippy cups that you can toss at the end of the day. That way you can lighten your load as the day goes on.
- Smart Phone & Charger – You can use your smartphone for pictures and to check the wait times on the Disney Experience app.
- Autograph Book – Last but certainly not least, you will have a great time looking through your child’s autographs and remembering their reactions. However, your child might not enjoy meeting the characters at first (mine didn’t until he was two).
Depending on the age of your child, you might not need to bring a change of clothes into the park. If you stay on Disney property you can quickly take a bus or monorail back to the hotel. And if you aren’t staying on the Disney properties you can keep something in your car. If you do find yourself in need of a change of clothing it might be the perfect time for a break. It is really quite easy to jump on a tram, bus or monorail and take a quick ride back to your hotel or car. You can always leave and reenter the park through out the day.
I have found that this is really all I need with my son for a fun day at Disney. I am able to enjoy our trips much more without lugging half my house around. I love going to Disney and so does my son, and who doesn’t love to see Disney through their children’s eyes? It truly is the most “Magical Place on Earth”!
Bonus Tip: As you probably know Disney does provide strollers if you are in a pinch. However, if you have a younger child who might be napping through out the day, these strollers tend to be hard and do not recline. I use the Babies R Us Deluxe Umbrella stroller. It reclines and is very lightweight. It doesn’t fold exactly like an umbrella stroller but is still very compact and perfect for a day at the park. I researched strollers and this was chosen specifically for our Disney trips.
What have you found is essential to have on hand when visiting Disney? Please post any questions in the comment section below and I will make sure Jamie answers them!