Here's an example--and I know I'll hear a collective groan from some parents: skip the handheld games in the Parks. Unless your child has ADHD or some other issue that keeps him or her from being able to stand still for more than 5 minutes, it's really not necessary to give your kiddos something to do every second of the day. There's so much to explore, even as you're standing in line. Let them use their imaginations a bit!
Also, consider whether you really need to take everything into the Parks. Are you driving? Can you leave your light jackets or a change of clothes for the toddler who might have an accident in your car? We love to take a small cooler in our car so that we can refill on cold drinks and grab a snack when we park-hop. That also allows us to unload our princess costumes the girls wore at breakfast and grab their sweatshirts if the forecast calls for cooler night temps. Or maybe you're going back to the resort for an afternoon swim--that's a great time to re-think what you'll need for the evening hours.
Finally, let everyone carry his or her own load. Even as preschoolers, my girls each had their own kid-size fanny pack that held their sunglasses, a couple of snacks, and anything else they insisted on taking. Dad carried our clear backpack (great for getting through security and finding things in a hurry--see this post), and Mom carried a small purse with lots of pockets (just got a great one on clearance at Target for $2.49--see pic below). We still have one who occasionally uses a stroller, so we often hang a small soft-side lunchbox with beverages in it over the stroller handles too. (But we sometimes eliminate this extra bag by letting each family member carry a small water bottle.) We have everything we need, and we're not overloaded.
Got any smart packing ideas you want to share?
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