What do you tote to theme parks?

With all those littel kids running around touching things it's probably not a bad idea. Although I seem to be unusual in that I've never gotten sick at WDW or shortly after that I remember.

Good luck finding hand sanitizer now. Somebody out there is stockpiling and hoarding. I tried to buy some this weekend....I've checked drug stores and grocery stores and Wal-Mart and they're all sold out. (Mind you, Vermont has NO swine flu yet, and probably 50% of Vermonters never travel anywhere anyway, so why do they all think they need it???)

The best I could do was the individually-wrapped antibacterial wipes, which I don't like as much, because every time you use one, you've created trash. But it's better than nothing.

people enjoy a good panic now and again.

Add your medical insurance card and LOTS of water...Clean underwear too, the paramedics appreciate it.

I apparently carry too damn much to the parks with me. In future, I must NOT bring camera crap with me. Because I brought my D40 with me every day, I had to bring my knapsack and it was just too much to carry around all day in 90+ degree temps.

I bring:

1) wallet with all the typical acoutrements (ID, debit card, credit card, room key, annual pass, etc..

2)Camera

3) cel phone

and most importantly....

4) Pin lanyard stocked with 'traders'!!

Uh oh! Do you have bad news to report Marzyar??

Welcome home, by the way!

Do you get a chance to trade in the parks? I've seen people trading pins in the resort lobbies, but I'm not sure I've ever seen them throw down in the parks. Or am I just not paying attention?

Oh yeah, lots of trading goes down at the parks. I usually only trade with CMs though. I've traded with other guests but I find it never goes as smoothly as trading with CMs. Guests are collecters too, so they're looking for certain pins, or just want to get something from you that they may think is valuable. CMs have to trade with you one for one, of your choice. Because of this tough, you'll find many CMs pins are picked over very early.

True. But those CMs have cast member lanyard pins--you can't buy those anywhere, right? How can you tell it's a CM lanyard pin?

I have a back pack...and I never go anywhere without it. It has the usual 'garbage' in it...camera, wallet, sunglasses, etc, etc etc. I dont have insurance anymore so I have no card to carry.

The back pack is rather bulky, and I get some static from the CM's on rides...but they have always accomodated me when I want to leave it at the egress from a ride.

But the big deal is all the pins and key rings I have on it. It never fails to attract attention and get comments. To me, it is a great way to interact with other people.

I've always wondered if the CMs would let you leave the backpack where you load a ride -- which rides does this work for? Thanks!

I've thought about this for a couple of days and cant recall any specific ride. But I know that on all the big coaster rides, the CM's took my back pack and set it aside until I came back. A couple even remembered me and reminded me to grab it before I walked out.

That's good news. I wonder if this works on rides like RnR Coaster that have different loading and unloading areas...

According to Donna...yes. I got a real good case of CRSS, so I have been known to check with her on occasion.

Just seeing this now, five months later.

Most (but not all) Cast Lanyard pins have Hidden Mickeys on them. This usually isn't really hidden, but a small classic Mickey shilouette.

On some occasions, Hidden Mickey pins are sold in stores (sometimes in pouches with multiple pins), but for the most part, it's best to find them on the lanyards of CMs or other guests.

I carry meds, bandaids, lip balm, eye drops, cell phone, AP, room key, insurance cards, drivers license in a fanny pack. I know it's not fashionable to some, but it's hands free. If it's hot, I carry a water bottle on a strap. Wear sunglasses on a strap and always a cap. Two things my DH and I always have with us are a list of medications and a list of emergency contacts. When my husband became ill a couple of years ago, it was really simple to hand the ER person the meds list.

Imagineer: Haha -- no problem. It's good to know the answer to the question. I've definitely seen those little mickey silhouettes. Good to know what they mean!

bunnykoko: great point to bring a list of medications. That's a really good idea for emergencies so that you can avoid being given meds that may counteract or mix badly with what you're already on.

This thread always makes me feel unprepared at the parks.

I pretty much try to just carry my room key.

The fanny pack seems very handy if you're carrying a lot of stuff. We don't bring much, but I think I'd want one if we did.

One thing no one's mentioned that I always take to the park is Moleskin! Nowhere is harder on my feet than WDW, and I find that if I can quickly apply some pre-cut moleskin strips to the sore areas of my feet, I can last much longer in the park.

Hi Aryssa! Welcome to the boards!

Moleskin was pretty much a MUST HAVE for my first several trips. I was getting terrible blisters. I actually do "training walks" before we go now, so that I'm prepared. If you're not used to walking you should start with Moleskins DAY ONE so that you can head off the blisters.

Great suggestion!

Hi, Aryssa and welcome! I agree, moleskin is a MUST. I usually carry a few piece pre-cut for my usual trouble areas. "The best blister is the one you don't get......" I use the moleskin as soon as I start to feel a hotspot.

dopeynme, cdub, and aryssa -- AGREED 100%. We need moleskin every time. I've suggested to DH that he just wrap his whole foot in it before we go to the parks

Do you find that it's fairly easy to take a small bookbag on most rides? We won't have a bag holder (like my mom or brother - scared of the bigger rides) with us for this trip. If not, what are some options for storing your stuff while riding?

Thanks,

Natalie

Has anyone tried to use their portable GPS around the park? I wondered what all if anything it would have stored for WDW. Wouldn't it be nice to have an electronic map of the area? If it doesn't exist, I think I have a business plan!

Natalie, we've carried those small drawstring bags before, and those are fine. You can always stick them under your feet on the bigger rides.

Also, a lot of new mobile applications have been created recently with maps of the parks, wait times, etc. beamed right to your phone! Here are a couple:

Real time line wait times: http://m.touringplans.com/

Park Maps and Times Guides: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/10/mobile-magic-first-disney-parks-mobile-app-details-screen-shots-unveiled/

Here's another one I just found, shows all the hidden mickeys! or rather you have to search for them.
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp?id=11109Hidden

Cool! That'd be a lot of fun to have around the parks

Yeah, I wish they would put hot spots in the park so you could use IPOD Touch. That would be great! Then I would have to get one.