Photo Credit: Jean Caldora
One of the most important things to remember while planning a Walt Disney World vacation with little ones, is that you must stay organized! If organization is not a priority to you then it is very easy for chaos to ensue and for everything to fall to pieces. If you are a NDM then being organized should come as second nature to you. You plan out your trip down to when you will use the bathroom. You create detailed packing lists and find great joy in checking off each item as it gets stowed away in your Walt Disney World luggage. Then you arrive at your resort, and unpack everything while your NDH takes the NDKs down to the pool. You put everything in it’s exact spot. Then your Neurotic Disney Family bursts back into the room and in 3 seconds flat everything is laying all over the floor. But have no fear! This does not need to happen! Here is the first half of your Disney Dozen for keeping your hotel room as organized, neat, and tidy as the rest of your trip!
#1. Hampers! Hampers in a hotel room? You betcha’! I am not asking you to use your children’s wicker clothes hampers as checked baggage. There are some fabulous mesh hampers that squash down flat held with velcro and then pop back into shape while ready for use. These will easily fit into a large suitcase! You and I both know that it is inevitable that worn clothes will be strewn around your room faster then it takes the Rockin’ Roller Coaster to take off. This is easily avoidable by having a couple hampers in the corner of the room for everyone to throw their clothes into just like they do at home! We love the ones we purchased at Ikea!
#2. Boxes! Yes I know that this too sounds ridiculous but just like they make hampers that are collapsible, they also make handy little boxes! How annoying is it when everyone’s toothpaste and deodorants are all over the vanity counter? A few of these boxes will easily hold everyone’s grooming supplies. A novel idea, I know! You can find some great ones at Ikea!
#3. Bins! We all know that you are going to tell yourself that each child is only getting one, maybe two souvenirs. You may even document it in writing. Why not just be honest with yourself from the beginning and admit that by the end of your trip they’re going to have like 5,000 each. And they will be all over the place. And on departure day you will be walking around like a crazy person making sure each little plush is accounted for. Let me tell you that this is not necessary! And you guessed it. They totally make bins that squash down. Throw one for each kid into your packing pile and you’re good to go! Now they can clean up their toys and throw them into their designated bin just like they do in their playroom at home! Genius! Ikea strikes again!
#4. Handsoap! If you are an NDM chances are you are neurotic about other things and I’ll take bets that these neurosis have rubbed off on your kids. I can’t stand washing my hands with a bar of soap. I don’t like how it makes a big soggy mess on the bathroom counter! I completely need liquid soap to pump out of a little plastic container when I wash my hands. I just need it! If you are like me, pop down to your favorite dollar store right now and buy yourself a pump bottle of hand soap and throw it in your suitcase! If you are worried about it leaking just throw it in your husband’s.
#5. Got potty trainers? If you have a toddler that is potty training do not make the mistake of forgetting the things that you use at home for him! If you do forget, things are bound to get a little messy. I bring my boy’s potty seat so they don’t go falling in the toilet, their step stool, and their flush-able wipes. If you think packing a stool would prove to be impossible, it’s not. If you have a plastic one with a hollow inside, you can place it upside down in your suitcase, and then place clothing and other things inside of it! It ends up taking up no room at all!
#6. Folders! All of us NDMs are going to be armed with our typed itineraries, all of our conformation numbers, and other such things that involve many pieces of papers. We will also compulsively grab every little guide map and printed napkin that might look good in our scrap books. Don’t forget to bring a couple of folders to keep these things in to keep them safe and in order!
Contributed by: Molly Beckley (NDM#398) Molly is a DDL Planning with Little Ones Blogger. She is also the creator of The Real Disney Mom.
Molly is a proud mommy of three Neurotic Disney Children. Though young in age, she is a veteran Walt Disney World vacation planner. She would classify her life in two parts; on a Disney vacation, or planning one. She first visited her utopia at age 3 and could not imagine her life without it. One of her proudest moments was when her son told her that he wanted to be an Imagineer and she can’t wait until her daughter is old enough to have a favorite Disney princess. She hopes to instill a life long love for Disney in her children and any one else who is willing to have a little faith and trust!
These are great tips. And I can relate with it all!
Thanks so much!
The Disney community has officially run out of things to write about.
Really great tips! Organization is key to a smooth vacation!
Thank you Ami! <3
I actually suggested to the Disneyland Hotel 3 items to make the room more family friendly: stool, night light and (I forget the 3rd thing). It did not occur to me to pack my own stool! 🙂 We turned a trash can upside down, but not the best solution.
I would have never thought I could pack my own step stool for the kids until I found a plastic one with a hollow inside from Ikea. Super easy to pack!!