With the new wristbands, what do we REALLY need to bring into the parks? About This Page:

[Tink1769]

We are thinking one SMALL bag for a family of 5 this summer. It's a Camelback water backpack which really limits what can go into it. We figure we'll need: 1 small autograph book for the 3 kiddos to share with a clickable Sharpie (we've been on 6 trips so there's not many characters they need autographs from), a few pins for each child to trade each day, a roll of quarters and pennies for pressing, a couple of water flavor packets and Starbucks Vias, rain ponchos if the weather calls for it, sunglasses, and caps (to be worn by everyone), 2 cell phones, one digital camera, a couple of snacks, and car keys. The bracelet covers the fast passes and money and ticket issue. My phone will have all my reservations and park info for the day. Am I forgetting anything?

[apqsmom]

Wet bags or ziplock to put said cellphones on water rides.

[nurse_mom]

Don't for get bandaids and mole skin!

[acidreignn]

Small size sunblock and chapstick.

[Jajezoza]

Last year, we packed a small backpack with a change of clothes for each kids in ziplock bags, a small pack of handwipes, sunscreen, chapstick, and an even smaller bag with an emery board, bandaids, neosporin, hand sanitizer (and another hooked to the stroller), and our rain jackets.

We kept all the cards plus our driver's licenses in a small business card holder put it in the stroller cup holder with a baggie of quarters and pennies for souvenir coins. There was nothing important or valuable in the backpack, so it mostly just stayed under the stroller and we grabbed the baggie of coins and our cards whenever left the stroller.

This year, I'm guessing it will be pretty much the same.

[Kelly66]

At least one person in each party entering the park should have a picture ID in case there is a problem with the wristbands. Once Guest Services can identify you-then they can take good care of you. I like the M'n Ms mini containers for the quarters & pennies, but I have learned NOT to pack them in my carry on baggage-BIG problems. Depending on the length of your day, the weather and your skin-will you need to re-apply sunscreen? We usually do. I find 'trail mix' as my little snack helps with the heat and fatigue. Cheers to you for 'packing light'.

[thenewsmiths]

Do you really need the camera? Our cellphones (iPhone4s) have a better resolution than our nicer camera and we also did some PhotoPass pictures.

[MayorOfMagicKingdom]

Originally Posted by thenewsmiths

Do you really need the camera? Our cellphones (iPhone4s) have a better resolution than our nicer camera and we also did some PhotoPass pictures.

I also ditched my camera for the past few trips. Makes everything so much easier! If you do have an iPhone, there are also some pretty cute Disney picture apps that you can download.

[mamaloya]

What are the Disney picture apps?

[WillCAD]

Each adult should carry their photo ID on their person at all times. This is not just a Disney World thing; you never know when you might be hurt or get sick or need to drive a car. And at WDW, you also have the potential for your KTTW card or park pass to be lost, damaged, or malfunction, in which case a photo ID may be required to get it replaced.

Never go anywhere without your health insurance cards. Nobody ever expects to need a hospital or clinic, but you should always plan for the worst, hope for the best; twisted ankles and heat exhaustion happen every day at WDW.

Someone in the party should also carry a little cash and at least one credit or debit card, for unexpected purchases at non-Disney venues like most of the places on Downtown Disney's West Side.

If anyone in your party has any medical conditions that require medication, such as allergies or asthma, never go anywhere without that medication. "Oh, I hardly ever need that inhaler! I only use it when I'm playing baseball!" Yeah, but walking all day in Florida heat and humidity can be as tiring as playing 9 innings, so take the inhaler with you. Allergies? Keep the meds with you. Epi-pen? If you've got a condition bad enough to even have one, it should be with you at all times. I prefer to keep all of my daily meds with me, even if I only take something at bedtime or first thing in the morning; I never know when I might forget to take it before I leave my room (no prob, I keep some in my pocket), or might be out later than I expect and not get back to my room till after midnight (no prob, I have some in my pocket).

[trixiedixie]

Do you get any discounts? D23? Disney Visa, AP or Dvc? Those cards would be needed

[zhemi]

Each member of our party carries their own small backpack/sling bag with the following in it:
Brita waterbottle (essential for us since it has the built in filter and wide mouth)
chapstick
misting fan - small size (if it's in the hot months)
rain poncho
ziploc bags - 1 sandwich, 1 gallon
ID
phone
sunglasses
jacket
band aides
small bottle sunblock

[yalibrarian]

Each adult should carry their photo ID on their person at all times. This is not just a Disney World thing; you never know when you might be hurt or get sick or need to drive a car. And at WDW, you also have the potential for your KTTW card or park pass to be lost, damaged, or malfunction, in which case a photo ID may be required to get it replaced.

Never go anywhere without your health insurance cards. Nobody ever expects to need a hospital or clinic, but you should always plan for the worst, hope for the best; twisted ankles and heat exhaustion happen every day at WDW.

Someone in the party should also carry a little cash and at least one credit or debit card, for unexpected purchases at non-Disney venues like most of the places on Downtown Disney's West Side.

If anyone in your party has any medical conditions that require medication, such as allergies or asthma, never go anywhere without that medication. "Oh, I hardly ever need that inhaler! I only use it when I'm playing baseball!" Yeah, but walking all day in Florida heat and humidity can be as tiring as playing 9 innings, so take the inhaler with you. Allergies? Keep the meds with you. Epi-pen? If you've got a condition bad enough to even have one, it should be with you at all times. I prefer to keep all of my daily meds with me, even if I only take something at bedtime or first thing in the morning; I never know when I might forget to take it before I leave my room (no prob, I keep some in my pocket), or might be out later than I expect and not get back to my room till after midnight (no prob, I have some in my pocket).

All of the above. I once left my ticket voucher for MVMCP back in the room but with my ID, they were able to quickly pull us up in the computer and issue our tickets. I always carry a bit of cash just in case we need something from a cart that doesn't take KTTW, or if there's an electronic crash and the cards aren't working.

My husband was an ER nurse for many years and can tell you sad tales of people who came in without ID, without any way to let their families know where they were, and with nothing to tell the staff if that shot of penicillin will help or hurt. (Joggers, I'm talkin' to YOU!) All the adults in your party should carry ID, all the kids should be tagged in some way (try Whose Shoes ID's, available online), and every morning, take a picture of your kids and what they're wearing so Security will have an easier time reuniting you with any wandering kid (or spouse ).

[Her Dotness]

Wise advice, yalibrarian. I'd add that if anyone in your party has significant health issues or takes prescribed medicine daily, a Medic Alert membership is a very good idea.

My bracelet has my three major health concerns engraved on the back of the tag with my personal ID number and the 800 number to call for more detailed information about my medical needs.

Sure, it costs money, but isn't more assurance that ER personnel won't have to guess what you need or must not be given if allergic worth some bucks? Certainly is for me.

[julieb]

lots of good advice provided! I'd add sunglasses to the list, and I always have OTC meds like Advil. I carry a ton, though, so I'm the last person to talk about traveling light