Thursday's Tip

Today's Thurday's Tip is actually more of a list of several of my favorite tips for packing a bag to take into the Parks. After traveling to WDW with toddlers and school-aged kids for the last 6 years, we've learned a few things about packing light (relatively) and in the most convenient way. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Use a clear backpack. Not only will you breeze through security, but you'll also be able to find what you need in a timely manner. You'll avoid unpacking and repacking your bag every time you need to find something in it.


• If your kids love pressed pennies, keep an empty tube from those yummy mini-M&M's to hold shiny pennies and quarters for the machine. (These are also great for holding quarters for laundry and even tolls.)


• Put everything within your backpack (cameras, autograph books, costumes) in plastic zipper bags. This protects items from Florida showers, and also from getting soaked on water attractions. And cramming those Disney Princess costumes into a zipper bag keeps them from taking up your entire backpack. (Most are very durable and forgiving...they shake out and look just fine.)


• Keep tickets, FastPasses, Photo Pass, and even credit cards in a small plastic photo shield/album for easy access. You know the kind I mean--they come with almost any wallet you purchase. These allow you to see all your cards and grab the proper one that you need at any given moment.


• Finally, carry a small, soft insulated cooler/lunchbox for cold drinks and/or snacks that require refrigeration. Use ice from your Resort (in doubled or even trippled zipper bags), or freeze items like yougurt tubes, water bottles, or juice boxes that will gradually thaw while keeping other items cool. By the end of the day, your load will be lighter from consumed snacks, and you will have saved a good chunk of cash!

These are some of my favorite tips for packing a Park bag. If you have others to share, leave them below!