You’re gonna pack what? Tips for a Twist on Typical Disney Parks Packing!

I just returned from a GLORIOUS week at Disney World where I celebrated my birthday in true Disney Princess style!  It was fabulous!  I highly encourage you to take a birthday trip  (if you’ve never done that before).  While I was at my home away from home, I noticed a theme in my days.  This theme came in the form of atypical uses that I have for very typical items.  Also included in this theme are items that I am repurposing and packing for my next trip!  With this theme in mind,  I’ve created a list of Frankenstein like proportions.  Today, we’re mixing things up and rethinking the packing potential of a few ordinary items!  Let’s get going with my tips for a twist on typical Disney Parks packing!

Large Band-aids

Typical use:  First aid

Twist use:  My nephew HATES automatic flush toilets.  He’s only 3 1/2, but he can spot (and name– automatic or manual that is…proud teacher/auntie moment!) an automatic or manual flush toilet from a mile away!  After struggling with him a few times at bathroom time, I had a light bulb moment!  It was fitting that we were in the restrooms near EPCOT’s Innoventions when I thought up this cleaver use for the Band-aid!  I had a few large Band-aids which I picked up from First aid (for FREE) to help with a blister on my ankle.  Take the unknown out of your little one’s potty experience by converting that automatic flush toilet to a manual flush toilet.  All you have to do is  place  large Band-aid over the automatic flush sensor.  I stick my Band-aid on vertically, only adhering the top portion of sticky, folding over a portion of the bottom half of the Band-aid to make removal easy. Just press the manual flush button or remove the Band-aid and let the flushing magic begin!  It worked like a charm  try it next time!

Dish Detergent

Typical use: Washing Household Dishes

Twist use: Okay, so my twist use isn’t totally a far fetched use.  In fact, it’s still being used to wash a dish, so forgive my lack of creativity.  If you’ve ever had the dining plan or stayed at a Disney resort, chances are you own a refillable mug…Rapid Fill is what they’re calling them nowadays.  I am all about using those refill allowances up!  I swing by the food court at my resort on a daily basis, filling up before heading out to the parks–refilling when I return to my resort…I get my money’s worth out of those mugs!  Coffee, soda, hot chocolate…you name it!  But then, I’m left to carry that mug around all day in the parks!  I am a bit of a germaphobe (seriously the thought of an uncovered sneeze sends me over the edge!!!!).  So, you can imagine the disgust that streamed through my mind at the thought of that mug making its way around the World; on rides, in restrooms, parked on the floor of buses, monorails, and boats…oh my!  So…while dish detergent isn’t being used in a different way or purpose, I think it might be one of the last things you pack…especially if you are not cooking or washing dishes! From now on, I plan on packing a small bottle of dish detergent for some in room cleaning…the mug cleaning sink in the food courts will never be enough for me–there’s always the hot water tap on the side of the coffee dispenser (don’t think I didn’t swish around some of that scalding water in my mug).  Detergent is a great idea! One that I won’t soon forget!

Carabiner

Typical use: climbing or key chain

Twist use:  I’ve written about this one before, but I cannot stress enough the usefulness of these little pieces of metal!  With all the love that I gave them in that article, it would probably come as a shock that I FORGOT mine at home on my last trip–I know–BAD BLOGGER!  Then I had to buy new ones…the same make as the $2.00 Walmart version…for the Disney price of about $10.00 (with the only identifiable Disney feature being a teeny Animal Kingdom logo).  I couldn’t help myself!  I had too much to wrestle with as I made my way around the parks with my nephew and the gargantuan structure we call a jogging stroller.  After about 3 days of shuffling bags and Rapid Fill Mugs, I had enough!  I broke down and broke my “if you can buy it at home, don’t buy it at Disney” rule.  Whatever.  By the time I made my purchase, I would have paid 20 bucks!

Transparent Tape

Typical use: for mending and sticking paper and such

Twist use:  As I mentioned earlier, this past trip I celebrated my birthday.  So you better believe that I donned a birthday button (EVERY single day of my stay…I know Chip noticed my repeat button wearomg in my Instagram photos!  But why not??)  The only problem I had with my birthday button was that the marker magically wore off.  At first I thought the marker was faulty.  I had a cast member re-write it.My name vanished only a few hours into the day.  Then I thought the surface of that particular button was the fault.  I got a new button.  No matter what I did, my name disappeared.  I started paying attention to other button bearing guests and I noticed the problem wasn’t unique to my button.  I’m not sure if this is a constant problem or if we were there during a particularly rainy or sweaty week.  Whatever the reason, my frustrations were relieved two days before my vacation ended when I went for breakfast at ‘Ohana.  Because my reservations included my birthday celebration, I received a new button (and a sweet card signed by Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch!).  I noticed matte finished transparent tape over my name on my button.  The tape acted as a protective seal for my precious name!  Whoever came up with that was BRILLIANT!  I was able to wear it the rest of the week with NO disappearing name!  The tape did the trick!  Next time I’m bringing a roll of tape to cover my celebration button!

Hair Ties

Typical use: pulling back hair

Twist use:  I am ALWAYS wearing a hair tie.  My hair is really long and it doesn’t stay down often.  On a typical day, my wrist is occupied by at least two of the stretch bands, ready to come to my rescue!  This trip I found my simple hair tie to be like a survival bracelet, ready to assist beyond simple hair holding!  I used that thing to seal up left over snack bags, corral our Key to the World cards, hold together my rolled up drawings from the Animation Station, and so much more.  Those little elastics pack a punch and don’t occupy much (or really any) packing space!

I enjoyed these ah-ha moments of sheer innovation.  Okay, so it’s just a re-purposed hair tie, but it  was enough to impress me.  I hope this little list of re-thought items will inspire your packing or your creativity on your next tip.  So, now it’s your turn.  What are your best Pinterest worthy ideas?  What smart ideas have you come up with to help out in a pinch?  Share your ideas with us below in the comment section!

As always, thanks for reading and commenting!

See ya real soon,

Ashley

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