Tips about Packing

I bought a half yard each of featherweight and medium-weight NON-fusible interfacing at a fabric store. I cut the interfacing into 6" x 6" squares, squirted a small amount of liquid dish detergent on each, folded the squares, and stowed them in a couple of freezer zipper top bags. The lightweight ones are soft enough for eyeglasses, and the heavier ones are great for washing dishes. Voila! - Mary Vinson

Dawn makes a presoaped pad. They are individually wrapped and have soap in them. They are wonderful. Just be sure and pack it in a ziplock baggie, because once you open it, if you have something to put it in, you will get more uses out of it. We found it a great product to have around and you don't have to worry about the bottle spilling, or having wash cloths handy. - Dawn Clark

I bring along the Palmolive dish detergent cloths. They are slightly abrasive cloths (about 7 inches square) and have the detergent built in them (dry) and they suds up when wet. I cut mine in halves or quarters for doing light items like bottles, cups, etc. They are great because they can go on planes and there is no liquid to spill. - Jennifer Frawley

Our last trip to Walt Disney World was our first with a little one. I thought I did such a great job packing, remembering all the important baby things -- special toys, sippy cups, favorite blanket, pacifier, and all that. But I completely forgot to bring one important thing -- dish detergent to wash those sippy cups and pacifier! Now that we are planning our next trip for the fall, I have that on the top of my list! - Elizabeth Doda

In order to save on the extra bag charges and overweight charges, we often plan out a few interchangeable outfits and then just wash them while we are there. We found a laundry detergent called "Drop-ins". They are pre-measured pods that you just throw in the laundry (just like the dish detergent gel packs). They are small and light -- the only thing you need to do is make sure you pack them in a hard container like a tupperware, so they don't burst, or you will be doing laundry as soon as you get to Disney! I have found them at Target and at Shoprite. You can also order them online from Wal-mart, Target, Amazon, and their own website. Add a few fabric softener sheets and you're all set! - Lisa Ruiz

In a previous tip, someone suggested an umbrella stroller as something to pick up at Wal-Mart or the like to use during the trip, and then give it to someone as you're leaving. Well, my wife and I have expanded on this idea, because many items can't be carried on a plane with the TSA issues associated with them. So, we head to Target, which is right near Walt Disney World, and we purchase sunscreen, hairspray, and many other items. As we're leaving, we offer all of these items to a family just arriving. Just last week we did this as we were leaving the Saratoga Springs Resort and the family indicated it would be saving them a trip to the store. By the way, the sunscreen is easy to give away at the pool. - Brian Allen

Since dresser drawers are few in the rooms, bring along one of those hanging closet organizers for each child with at least seven slots. You can place your child's shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc. in the cubes thus saving on drawer space. - Barbara D.

We just returned from a cruise and parks trip -- two days in the parks, then a four-day cruise, then two more days in the parks. We packed separate suitcases for the cruise and the parks days. We left our "parks" suitcase with bell services and they even transferred it to our next hotel. It was there waiting for us when we got off the cruise. Saved everyone time and energy of having one fewer bag to get on/off the ship. Another part of the Disney magic! - Sue and John Bower

When traveling, bring your own soap for face and body, wrapped up in a face cloth and packed in a large secure zipper-lock bag. You never loose the "scent" of home nor do you have to use provided soap. Since you have your own soap products there's no need to worry about potential allergies to the provided soaps. - Ruth Ann Hastings

My husband and I were staying at All Star Music in October. We wanted to make sure that our luggage wasn't over the weight limit. We asked the concierge if they had a scale that we could use for our baggage. She told me that they did have one at the Magical Express check-in outside. We took our bags out to them and they had a large scale that they let us use free of charge. It's great to know ahead of time what the weight of your luggage is instead of being surprised at the airport with the fees. - Jennifer Baldovinos

When we travel to Disney World we usually worry about the 50 lb. limit coming home just like everyone else. We have learned to put a flat box with a pre-addressed label on it in the bottom of our luggage with a roll of packing tape. When we have made several purchases (non-breakable) we pack them in the box and take it to the desk at the hotel. They mail it to our home and it arrives shortly after we do. It extends the magic just a little longer when we open the box at home, and there are no worries about being over the weight limit at the airport. - Nancy Nickerson

With regard to the 50 lb. weight limit for luggage on the airlines, I now carry a duffle bag with me. I just pack it in my suitcase on the way down to WDW. If I think I'm over the limit, I just throw a few things into the duffle for the return flight. It also comes in handy if you have breakables and need a bag to carry things home on the plane. - Noreen E. Rachuba

When flying to my happy place I usually pack waaaaayy more than I need to. This means that on my return flight I am usually pushing the envelope on the 50lb weight limit per bag for air travel. What I do now is carry a fish scale with me. You can pick them up at Wal Mart or any bait and tackle shop. I elected to go with a digital one which set me back $20 but you can find others in the $5-$10 range. Basically it is a hand-held scale that has a hook at the bottom and a handle at the top. You hold it up in the air and attach your fish... I mean luggage... to the bottom hook and it weighs it for you. The one that I have only goes to 50 pounds, so if I get an error I know that I am over the limit. I find it much easier to distribute my items while still in my hotel room than standing at the sidewalk of the airport an hour before my flight. I hope this helps others and HAPPY SHOPPING! - Tom

I put a luggage tag with my name and cell number on everything we take in -- strollers, backpacks, camera cases, etc. A brightly colored luggage tag also helps me spot our stroller more quickly in the sea of strollers when returning from an attraction. - Allison Valdes

Though we pack a suitcase within a suitcase for souvenirs, I'm always nervous of going over the 50-pound weight limit for checking a suitcase onto an airline. Suitcases weighing over 50 pounds are typically charged an additional fee. This trip, we purchased a 50-pound fish scale for $5.00 at a local department store prior to packing. The scale has a small hook that can connect to the handle of a suitcase and it has another handle for you to lift the suitcase and scale. We were able to pack and redistribute items where needed to insure that we did not exceed the 50-pound limit. - Denny Shealer