5. Band-Aids and Hand Sanitizer
This is the ultimate example of better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Uh-ohs are an inevitable part of amusement park visits. You don’t want to drip blood as you’re walking through the park, because other people don’t appreciate that sort of thing. Plus, it attracts vampires.
On a seemingly unrelated note, hand sanitizer is a great idea at the most trafficked amusement park on the planet. Since you don’t know where everyone else has been and you probably don’t want to know the various bodily fluids that have previously resided on the various things you touch at the park, just bring hand sanitizer. Since you cannot carry liquids on planes for security reasons, you can also elect to bring a box of wipes instead.
6. Sandals/Flip Flops/Aqua Socks
While we’re discussing footwear, here’s a not-so-secret fact about Florida. It’s hot there, especially in the summer. Since you’re probably going to swim some and may even visit one of Walt Disney World’s vaunted water parks, think about your feet. You won’t want to wear your regular shoes while you’re near all the sand and water. Going barefoot is also a mistake, because your feet will wind up medium rare after a couple of hours. Seriously, nobody understands how hot sand gets until they’re standing on it. By that point, your options are to suffer in silence, suffer loudly (and thereby ruining the fun for your loved ones), or pay Disney’s gouge-pricing for an emergency pair of Aqua Socks. By thinking ahead, you can save yourself money and third-degree burns.
7. Cell Charger/Battery
Speaking of MyDisneyExperience, I’ve previously discussed the issues this app has in terms of draining batteries as well as the best ways to address the issue. While a lot of people bristle at the idea of tourists using their phones too much at Disney parks, the company itself has integrated so much of its system into the realm of portable device that it’s a necessary evil.
Since you’re going to need to use your phone and the app is battery-intensive, you need a plan. Your cell phone charger is a must. When you return to your hotel at night, you’ll discover that your battery charge is low. You’ll want to hook it up to the charger overnight to get back to 100%. Alternately or in addition to this, you should consider a back-up battery. Anker offers an entire line of products in the $10-$30 range that effectively triple your battery life. Better yet, they’re small and therefore portable, so you can carry them in your travel bag/purse.
By the way, if you have a wearable device such as a Jawbone Up, Apple Watch, or Fitbit, remember to pack it as well as its charger. You’ll get thousands of steps while at the various parks. So, if you use a rewards service such as Achievemint, your vacation entertainment will aid you in earning rewards. It’s an additional benefit for living a healthy lifestyle while traveling.
8. Ponchos
FYI: Florida gets a lot of rain. I mean, it’s not Seattle by any stretch, but that’s only because Seattle experiences an average of only 71 sunny days annually. Orlando isn’t much better at 89 sunny days per year. Conversely, Orlando receives 36 percent more rain than the average city, and the worst season for such precipitation is summer, which also happens to be the primary tourist season for amusement park visits. This is the type of thing you learn when you marry a weather nerd. The point is that in the face of such inclement weather, you’re going to want to carry a poncho. I don’t recommend umbrellas, because it’s harder to travel with them. Whatever your preference, make sure to pack one before you leave for your trip.
Comments
I totally agree, especially #8 - in a quirky coincidence, if I bring my poncho it doesn't rain - but heaven help me if I forget the poncho, it will rain buckets!
Hand sanitiser?..... Pfffft
All necessities, we always pack these things. I recommend cheap rain ponchos and a fanny pack as top priorities. Yeah, the pack is ugly, but it carries everything you really need. Like dry socks.
Sunscreen, and a change of socks!