This is going to be a long one, so buckle in...get some snacks and a glass of wine because I can't have one quite yet.
I will be the first to admit that although we have traveling to Disney down to science, without fail, there is always the one thing we forget and its always a vital item (like her favorite sippy cup and by favorite I mean the only one she will drink out of ::sigh::).
Hubs and I divide and conquer when we pack for Disney. He takes care of cups, drinks, snacks and anything else that is needed from the kitchen/dining area (notice who was in charge of the missing sippy cup...just saying) and I ummmmm take care of everything else. I will either set my stuff aside that I want to pack first or I will pack my things simultaneously with EV. I admit I am that Disney mom that has ears for us (and by us I mean just EV and I) and cute matching mama and mini (#seewhatIdidthere) Disney t-shirts, so oftentimes packing our stuff together makes the most sense. Unless, it is an Epcot Festival drinking kind of day, Hubs DOES NOT do matching shirts!
I'll be the first to admit that the amount of luggage we take with us is somewhat...okay very....excessive. However, if we used normal sized suitcases and not travel bags, I am pretty sure this would decline by half...or so I have convinced myself as I type this. In our (mainly my) defense we only live three hours south of Disney and we take my car which is an SUV. Therefore, I justify this as being able to take as much as we want even when its just for a weekend and no one can side-eye or judge us....at least until we arrive at the hotel and they ask us where we are coming from.
Because items such as diapers, wipes, pediasure, snack, etc., are the most paramount and apparently the most forgettable, they get packed first. We use the same duffel bag for these items every time so it makes it easy. We use a particularly large Disney duffel that we received last July for spending more than $30 in one of their main stores (MouseGears, Emporium, etc.). I absolutely love these bags, they are lined well and are sturdy so it can hold a ton of stuff without feeling extra weighty. Plus, Hubs can just throw the items in without having to worry about what else is going in there, since it is the same items every time.
THESE three tier rolling carts are in in every room (literally every room) of our house. They are vital! So vital that I give them as baby shower gifts. I love that you can buy these now at Target, because for one, they are cheaper then IKEA and two, I do not have to go into IKEA just for these. I also love that you can roll these carts easily into any room and yes, I notice the irony of having one in every room and being able to do this. The one in our room has her bath and everyday essentials (detangler, hairbrush, thermometer, nail clippers, wipes, aquaphor, swaddles because duh, its hot in Florida and blankets won't cut it, etc.). The kitchen cart has what you would expect, such as; medications, traveling cups and bowls, snacks, etc.
The cart in her nursery has all of her traveling Disney essentials on the top (since we frequent Disney A LOT having this section has proved a 100% necessary). Everything in one place for travel is perfect because it allows you to scoop everything up and throw it into the duffel. We do not have to think about anything or wonder if we are forgetting anything, we just take the entire top section and know we are covered.
Even if we don't end up using everything, we have it and it all goes back to the same spot when we return! Just to give you an idea of the items that we have in this section;
Baby Earphones EV loves loud noise (Janet Jackson at 7 months and 5 months in the NICU prior probably prepared her for this), so we have never used them, but we bring them anyway just in case she all of a sudden develops an aversion lol (kinda like she did to broccoli)
Travel USB Fans We have 2 of these. One gets hooked to the front of the stroller visor and the other goes on the vent flap towards the back. We have found that 2 are necessary and keep EV nice and cool for a day in the parks (we also have a mister as well that is permanently in the car since it takes batteries and water and doesn't need to be charged. PRO TIP: buy yours ahead of time in Target or on Amazon, the ones in the park are insanely expensive).
Plus, I love that there is a USB port on the fans so those charged up portable chargers I talked about, come in extra handy.
Travel Changing Mats (Ours happens to be the Cloud Island but it doesn't appear to be on Target's website). The changing station in the Disney bathrooms are not always the cleanest or wiped down so it feels more sanitary to me if I am not near the baby changing center.
Suntan and Insect Repellent (because duh, we live in Florida) We use The Babyganics for the Insect Repellent and bring both the wipes and the spray #weextraliekthat and for sun protection we use Bum sunscreen spray in 50. I like that it is a light mist and that it dries without the white cast #alwayspictureready , plus it has the same ingredients as the adult version so we can all use it.
Wet/Dry Bags. We have about three or four of these and I always pick extra up in the Target Dollar Spot during Summer time (they range from $3 to $5 and come in the most adorable Summer-y prints). They are perfect to throw in wet bathing suits, clothes (both wet and soiled), and anything that we are afraid might explode in the baby bag (hence why we bring more then one)
A Small Cosmetic Bag. These are perfect to hold all of EV's small things that could get lost among everything else. I carry a travel leave-in conditioner detangler in here, a small WET brush, hair ties that are soft and won't pull, several fancier hair clips (#dinnerready) and two pairs of little bitty sunglasses (I love the ones from Carters because they go over her glasses without a problem). Oh and secret binkies. These are for EMERGENCY not ready to leave the park yet, meltdown is about to occur, and a naptime is on the horizon kind of emergency (EV is quite comfy napping in her stroller so we will find a cool place to sit (The Land in Epcot is diving for this this, plus there are outlets) and not even bother leaving the park). As mentioned, pacifiers are only for naptime and she knows this so we try not to be excessive with them.
Travel Wipes & the Large Package. I am sure this will change when I have two, but for right now we only bring travel wipes with us into the park, we don't need to be weighted down and we will never use that many in a day, so there is no point and we keep the larger package in the room.
Rain-protector for Stroller and Mosquito Netting (again, its Florida). Both these items although can be cumbersome to bring into the park are detrimental since it rains at the drop of a hat here and during the summer mosquitoes are basically vampire bugs in mass.
EV has the traveling patience of a squirrel. She is good for about an hour or two and after that she either needs to be entertained or she needs something to do. Since the beginning of this pregnancy, I went from never getting car sick by sitting in the back to the thought of sitting int he back makes me car sick, so I know longer can sit in the back with her and "entertain" her. I was also that parent was anti-Kindle for kids (especially at her age) and our pediatrician is definitely against it, but you know what....these people do not have to be in a car with her when her boredom sets in...so nuts to that and we got her a Kids Kindle.
Here is the deal with it. She has no clue where in the house it is nor does she care that it is somewhere in the house at all. It is simply a travel to Disney, solely for long roadtrips, Disney song-loving device that she adores and will go the ENTIRE 3 hour trip and not make a peep unless to try and shake her groove thing to Moana (I officially know that movie backwards and forewords #boatsnack).
We also bought the headrest holster for the Kindle, which proved to be our most important piece of equipment since she couldn't understand that the movie wouldn't work if her fingers were always touching and swiping the screen.
EV is a big fan of the Vampirina (okay honestly, mama is too) so she has a small-ish Vampirina backpack that holds one lovie (stuffed animal) a book to read at night, a swaddle blanket, the kindle, a monkey harness (I apologize to all the mamas I made fun of out there for having this) and a couple other small things which normally includes a purse (#dontask) and her Minnie Mouse cellphone (we got this at the Disney Store during their Black Friday deals and I am having difficulty tracking it down to link it) with a direct-line to the happy helpers...jealous yet? She feels tres' important with her own travel bag. We tend not to let her bring too much stuff because...hullo...we are in Disney and two, keeping track of it in a hotel room with all of its hidey spots are torture.
I will admit the next thing is beyond extra, but again as mentioned, we are in Disney a lot so I consider it a must-have for us, but definitely not something that is necessary...or even close to necessary. I just thought I would mention it since it is something special that we take every trip. EV and I (probably more me) are obsessed with DISNEY EARS!!
So obsessed that a traveling case for them to stay nice in transit became a "necessity." I absolutely love this case, love the seller/designer and do not regret the purchase for one second.
The Parc bag is amazing! We are not pin collectors, but there is an area where you can place your pin-trading pins. Instead I use this space for EV's headband ears. Make sure to take note of when delivery for the bags are, so that you receive them in time for your trip. The bag is also large enough for other Disney goodies, such as Disney flair (earrings, necklaces, celebratory pins, etc) and magicbands (which I am always afraid of forgetting so its nice to have an immediate spot for them). Comfortably, I can fit about six ears of my own, and four or five of EV's since hers are smaller and in a different space. I tend to put this in the front seat with me so it doesn't get bumped around in the back with all of the luggage and stroller...I told you...extra...lol.
Here is EV's suitcase, she loves it because she can roll it around herself and I love it because it fits everything comfortably and her clothes come out looking the same as they did before I packed them. Plus, on the other side of the hard shell there is a zipper part which is deep, so it allots me lots of extra space for items such as; shoes, special Disney outfits/costumes that I do not want to get crumpled and her hats (sun visors, baseball caps, straw hats, etc). I will also put her wet/dry bag here that will have her swimsuits in them if they are still damp or dirty clothes which will be in another bag separating it from everything else.
sidenote: these towel ponchos and water shoes are the best for little's at the pool or beach. They are both Cat & Jack from Target. I admittedly am obsessed with that line (who am I kidding, everything from Target is amazing). As per usual, I bring more than one so items have time to dry out. But, it is great to be able to pull her out of the pool for snack and lunch and just throw on the towel poncho to dry her out and she stays toasty.
I am not including my suitcase, since the only thing worth showing would have been our matching shirts, and I can always cover where we get ours at a later date.
However, I am including my Travel Makeup case. It has been a game-changer, has saved me so much space in my bag since I am not using several different cosmetic bags and during the holidays I think I paid $7 for it (even though I wasn't over the moon regarding the print). The one linked is full price, but honestly it is a 100% worth it and if it was full-price when I bought mine, I still would have paid it. I actually first learned about this case from a Disney loving mama and beauty YouTuber I follow JamBeauty89 (Jessica Braun). Her hubby is a travel agent and they frequent Disney quite a lot too and the minute she showed it on her channel, I was at my local Target trying to track it down.
The top holds brushes (I love that they are not sectioned so any ol' sized brush handles can go here) and there is also a pocket that I use for slimmer items like tweezers, facial hair razor (#dontjudge), eyebrow and lip pencils, etc.
The second section holds my makeup. I have an awesome Makeup Forever compact that has a bronzer, blush, and highlighter and everything else are my makeup essentials that come in travel sizes.
The last tier is my favorite because I have always had a separate cosmetic bag for my skincare routine, hair, lotion, toothbrush, etc., so that they wouldn't get the other items wet & now they won't! #itsthelittlethings #literally. Again, a majority of my "must-haves" are in travel size or travel-size containers.
Yes, it all fits. If it is not travel size it does not need to come with me. I normally wash my hair the night before so it is fresh and then I will take travel packets of the shampoo and conditioner I use on the regular in case I have to wash my hair again. I only bring one hair tool with me which is THIS and much like the makeup case, it has been a game-changer and 100% worth the money (and the space it takes up). I know its kind of expensive for a Revlon hair tool and their hair tool accessories have been spotty in the past, but this right here...not spotty...a 100% necessary...you are welcome!
One thing to know, is that this bag always stays packed. So if anything is necessary for me to take that I use every day, I either buy a duplicate or I buy travel containers like THIS so I can depot any of my everyday skincare/hair regime and place it in these containers ( a mini label maker is a must if you are afraid that you will forget what is in the clear containers). The great thing about an already packed makeup case is not having to worry about taking the extra time to pack your toiletries. I have found that no matter the length of time we are staying in O-town, I have been excessive with packing my makeup and skincare and I wind up I NEVER EVER using any of those items...EVER. My makeup routine for the parks ALWAYS stays the same, so now I do not even tempt myself, I just check the bag to make sure nothing needs to get replenished and I pack it. The bag may not look like much, but having the three tiers has been a life-changer I didn't know I needed.
I know this is not for the every day person, but honestly we have taken less and we have taken more. We did the Disney Cruise over Halloween ( another MUST and totally worth it) and honestly, with the exception of the ear case, everything else pretty much remained the same with the exception of larger suitcases. I will be the first to admit that packing for the Disney Cruise was a little more stress inducing as Orlando has a Target, Walmart, and a Walgreen/CVS on every corner so you never feel that you do not have access to something if it become detrimental. My MIL luckily warned us way ahead of time that there is NOTHING like that on the ship and we would have to plan for every little happenstance that could potentially occur. Oh, and we also brought a wine bag cooler (thank you TJMaxx), so our packing was a little outside the norm.
Having a packing routine and a place in the house (linen closet, spare bedroom closet, laundry room, garage etc.) where essential travel items can be stored makes a difference, especially, if you are a last minute packer (one of us in the house is and the other is not, I will let you guess who is who). It takes the guesswork out and you are not scrambling around the house last minute for that "item" you need, but now cannot find and are most likely out of. It also has saved a lot of arguments (sans sippy cup drama of 2018) between the Hubs and I when we get to the hotel, I'm unpacking and realizing things that should have been packed and should have been an automatic packed item are not in the bag.
Now, the night before we leave, we relax, put on a Disney movie, sing and dance at the top of our lungs, double check the bags, and put them by the door. Having this routine makes it easy to throw everything into the car (including EV), make sure EV's movie is all set and ready to go (snacks and drink on the ready), AND have the ability to leave on time the next morning, something that prior to this method rarely happened. Hopefully these tips help save you time, the headache and provide you the the ability to incorporate it into your lives as well....cause when traveling with littles...may the odds be ever in your favor!