Disney Vacation Packing/Tying Up Loose Ends Day: Complete!!

Our Disney Vacation started today. How exciting!

Except for the dreaded day-before packing preparation. That’s usually the roughest part of the trip, right?

Wrong! At 11 pm last night, I was sitting in bed, done with all my travel tasks, already relaxing and writing. This was on the day before we left for an 8-day vacation some 1,000 miles from home, with my entire nuclear family in tow. I must have been in quite a good place, preparation-wise, amirite?

I want to shout it from the rooftops. YES!

Though I must admit that Packing Day, in itself, wasn’t exactly easy. Yesterday… nearly killed me, exhaustion-wise. But it could have 100% been worse!

Packing for an 8-day vacation I plan to take likely once in my parental-unit lifetime means I have a true need for everything to go 100% smoothly. And yes, that even means trip preparation the day before we leave. Regarding this particular Disney trip, folks, its go hard, go miserably, or simply go, because kids, we ain’t gon’ be goin’ again soon!

Why?

Vacationing Disney-resort, Disney-park style for 8 straight days costs about the equivalent of six iPhone Xs. For the love of gravy, we have a standard room at a “moderate” resort down in DW and it’s still crazytown expensive. Thank heavens my mother lives in Florida and was willing to help us financially with this trip, or else I truly don’t think we could swing it. Disney is an upper-middle-class indulgence in 2018, for realz.

When traveling with children, packing always becomes complicated, because, well, children complicate everything. I’ve personally done this traveling-with-kiddos thing several times before, with both one and two children, in various ages and stages. My experiences traveling with kids over the past dozen years has taught me a tip or two about how best to handle vacation stresses tiny and tall. And today, dear readers, I’ll be sharing some of that knowledge vat, with you. Enjoy!

Different Ages = Different Approaches to Travel Prep

Blogger/Mom of three Zoe Withers of ThinkBaby.org wrote an extremely informative blog post earlier this summer covering packing essentials when flying with very young children. Withers’ children are all quite young as well as close in age (12 months, 2, and 4). Check out her “essentials list” especially if you plan to be in a similar boat, or uh, plane, soon.

Also, Ima just take a brief moment and give Zoe a shout-out for even attempting to travel with three kids that young and small. While her husband did come too, that still leaves the total quantity of supervising adults outnumbered.

My “packing preparations” list for S12 and S4 actually will be split into two, because when traveling with a 4 and 12-year-old, both travel needs, as well as the level of responsibility each child has over what they choose to pack, is vastly different.

Let’s start with S12.

Pre-Teen Travel Prep and Essentials: The Must-List

Give pre-teen aged kids some, but not total independence when packing.

I’ve learned the hard way that S12 is not ready to autonomously pack for a trip yet. Finding three iPhone chargers and no bathing suits in her suitcase in the relatively recent past has told me that for the time being, some guidance remains necessary.

Though I REFUSE to pack S12’s suitcase for her. I will help, but she also needs to learn how to do it too. The best way to learn life skills are in the moment when they are needed, at least I think.

So yesterday afternoon, Mike took S4 to the park so that S12 and I could pack our bags in relative peace (highly recommended for families of mixed-aged kids). After they left, we sat together and churned out a list of what items and how many of each she would need (6-8 complete outfits, 2 bathing suits, etc.). I also advised S12 of a few NONOs, such as not packing hoodies because hello- its Florida in August. As we spoke, she took notes on her iPhone, so that I could pack after our talk without interruption.

S12 was then sent off to fulfill her list. I suppose I will find out soon enough how well, too- because no, I did NOT check her bag before leaving.

Hope I don’t regret that.

Pre-teens overpack, so share with her what you can.

Young girls are notorious hoarders. Typically, they want to pack everything that they own. Perhaps its some sort of protective evolutionary trait that’s stuck around since cavewoman times? Who knows. What I do know, is that one easy way to lessen an adolescent girl’s suitcase load while also demonstrating an effort on my part to be helpful but without diminishing her current level of control, is by offering to share travel toiletries. For example, while I shave every day, she does not. So why bring a separate razor? She can use mine! I also packed us nice-smelling body wash to share, and for our curls, salon-quality hairspray and creme gel for styling against the horrendous Florida humidity. We use the same sunblock, too.

Some beauty items must stay separate, of course, given our ages. For example, S12’s adolescent skincare routine and the color-safe shampoo she uses for her professionally-dyed purple ombre hair doesn’t quite jive with my organic earth mother shampoo and basic, middle-aged woman-esque face wash. However, many other toiletries can be shared, which frees up space in S12’s bag and takes some of the packing pressure off. Win-win!

Explain how to pack; assume NOTHING.

Sometimes I forget that S12 isn’t going to know certain travel hacks that just seem obvious to me. I’ve learned through the experience she currently lacks simply because she’s 12 and I’m 40. A 12-year-old is going to pack 10+ outfits for 8 days because she is thinking what if I run out of clothes and have NOTHING TO WEAR? She’s not thinking of checking if the resort has laundry amenities (it does). That would never once cross her mind, especially since its a VACATION and laundry is one of her chores! Instead, pre-teens usually go for the most dramatic possible scenario to drive much of their decision-making. It’s, like who they currently ARE.

So while I gave S12 her packing list, I also explained the reasoning behind some of my choices and rules, even if she didn’t ask me (not all of them though, as then our time together becomes a lecture and she will end up tuning out. It’s a balancing act). Likely, given sensible reasons for certain parameters I’ve set, she will be more apt to utilize them herself in the future. That’s how kids learn best, right?

At least I hope it is.

Help her prioritize while covering all possible worst-case travel scenarios.

Essential items when traveling with/as a pre-teen include:

Organic cotton/chem-free Pads/Tampons/Menstrual cups. It does not matter if your preteen has met Aunt Flo or not, in the United States, the average age of menses is just 12.5. Therefore, rookie AF could drop by anytime. For a daughter’s first period, would you really want her to use just any brand name pads? Yeech. And if you choose pads as her starter kit, what happens when she asks to swim? No swimming for 5 days? On vacation? Surely you jest.

Tampons or menstrual cups should be packed, perhaps even both. The cups can be a crap shoot from what I’ve heard (and I’m 40 and birthed two children. Yet I’m scared of the notorious MC myself!) If your daughter has already received her monthly bill, honestly, that still doesn’t exempt your situation. At such a young age, her cycle likely has yet to regulate and can appear and disappear anytime. So any way you slice it, she should pack period stuff for a trip. Sadly, not every vacation destination sells the premium period stuff, either. So a box each of Seventh Generation brand tampons and pads placed in your daughter’s suitcase is an insurance policy you may both end up thankful you thought of.

Her own style. While I think S12 is cute AF, sometimes I’m taken aback by how mature she looks too. But seriously, we’re on vacation. Does she want to wear a shirt that shows a little belly? She looks great in it, so who cares? Any boys over the age of 16 looking at her in any way other than “that’s a good-looking child” has got the problem, NOT my daughter or myself. My mother allowed me to wear crop tops and purple lipstick when we went to Disney back in 1987 and I was only nine. I felt like a glamour girl, too. We are far from home, she’s not at school or the nonreligious equivalent of church, she’s appropriately covered, she looks amazing, and most importantly, she knows it, too. If only all girls could have such confidence.

Her skincare routine. Adolescent skin can be a curse. It definitely was for me. My husband, too. Luckily for S12 these days, there are much better options available than there were back in my late-80s heyday, where Retin-A and Clearasil reigned supreme. With school right around the corner, a vacation from life can no longer be a vacation from skincare unless you or your daughter finds drama enjoyable. I don’t, and neither does she. Also, tell your daughter that your sorry but… neglecting various basic hygiene practices without consequence like her 4-year old sister can on a life break? That’s over for ya, and likely, for good.

DEODORANT. Especially in a place like Florida, especially during the month of August. One stick in the suitcase and one in the day bag will keep all the stanky stank at bay. While I use Suave antiperspirant (because I legitimately HAVE TO) I recommend the more gentle Tom’s brand for the pre-teen set. A pack of two.

And now, S4’s list!

Travel Prep and Essentials for Preschoolers: The Must-List

Give your preschooler limited choices and a voice when packing her bag, as well as your undivided attention.

After S4 and Mike arrived home from the park yesterday, she was RARING to get started with her own packing. While I did not plan to have her bring her own suitcase, the moment she looked at me sweetly and asked, “do I get a suitcase TOO?”

How could I say no?

Looking back, its a good thing I did say yes. Her bag ended up fullest of all!

While Mike, me, and S12 used roll-away suitcases, I utilized an oversized travel bag from 31 Gifts for S4. Right away, her awkwardly-shaped deep-water swimming life jacket fit perfectly inside, and S4 chose two bathing suits to bring along as well- a two-piece, and a one piece. Cause you never know what a 4-year old will decide she hates wearing on any possible given day so choices rule!

For packing, I asked S4 to come up to her room with me, so I could have the closest thing to the undivided attention of a 4-year old. We went through each list item at a time, and at first, starting with pajamas, everything went quite well! I took out four pajama options and ask S4 to pick two. She’d oblige, then I’d put the rest away and move onto the next category. I paired shorts with shirts and she approved or disproved each combination. I changed any disapprovals to her satisfaction. It was working!

Until it wasn’t.

Requests to pick three dresses returned five. Repeat with shoes. I decided to pick my battles and take it all, too. I erroneously believed that hey! S4 is small and so are her clothes, right? There will be plenty of room in her bag.

#Nope. Which brings me to my next tip:

Preschoolers need all the comforts of home. So minimalism, schminimalism.

Young children need SO MUCH MORE than just their clothing on trips. They need their usual comforts of home. Unlike their older counterparts, they can’t just “Let It Go,” even at Disney. Their routine is law and law must be followed or their current wrong little world on the road may never turn right ever again- even back at home.

I sometimes forget that is likely a terrifying thought to S4. She is quite good at reminding me, though.

We move on to choosing bedtime-story books, and S4 decides she wants to tackle “a bunch I haven’t read before, Mama.” She puts together a literal STACK of books I’ve been trying to get her interested in reading for YEARS. I can’t say no to this! I have to find room for all of it in everyone’s luggage. S4 then reminds me that she also needs bedtime pals for sleeping, and chooses three of the largest stuffed animals in her collection. Any attempt to squander her plans gets me the sad eyeballs, though I finally insist NO at packing a stuffed dog that’s legit longer than her travel bag. Begrudgingly, she exchanges brown Clifford for a palm-sized Peppa Pig.

I feel victorious for a hot second.

Her M&M blanket and round ballerina pillow she sleeps with each night? Both must come along. I do not argue this. If you’ve ever vacationed with an under-5, you know better than to try and mess with their sleep needs. I struggled to get S4 to sleep tonight while on vacation WITH all the comforts of home present PLUS our regular bedtime routine followed to a T. If I messed with any of that, she’d probably still be awake right now, at almost 1!

One empty bag, eight million toys, and all the choices.

One great travel hack I have utilized since S4 was about a year old is the “fill an empty bag with toys” trick. It has been a successful staple of every vacation we have taken! What it entails is actually quite simple. I give S4 either a reusable grocery bag or in this case, her new school bookbag with the largest zipper pocket completely empty. The smaller pockets house her glasses, pencil grips, headphones, iPad, and iPad stand, and she doesn’t pay them much mind anyway. I then tell her she can take any toy she wants on this trip provided it fits in the bag. Once the bag is filled, that’s it. She cannot bring anything else.

I have S12 help her sister with this particular task, as it is something S12 can easily supervise and S4 gets to work with someone different for a change. Plus I get a break! I used it last night to help Mike bring in all the outdoor toys to be locked up when we are gone, but hey! He and I were able to have a few conversations outside as the sun set, uninterrupted!

S12 typically leads S4 to choose small toys so she can make the most of her space. This way, she’ll be less likely to get bored with what she brought. Shopkins, LOL surprise dolls, etc. are always good choices and as soon as we were settled in our room today, little figurines slowly began overtaking both beds. Another successful travel toy bag for the books!

Make sure you cover all possible worst-case travel scenarios.

Some essential items on my must-list when traveling with a preschooler include:

BRING UNDERWEAR. LOTS OF UNDERWEAR. SPARE CLOTHES, TOO. S4 has been potty-trained since last November, and it was literally the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She still has pee accidents from time to time, due to an unwillingness to accept that she cannot out-stubborn her own urethra. And on vacation, there aren’t two usually-vacant bathrooms nearby like at home. So, the “potty stakes” are indeed higher.

And while yes, our resort has laundry facilities, I don’t need her thinking “oh well, Mommy will just wash my clothes if I pee in them anyway, who cares, I don’t want to stop having fun to use the bathroom.” Because she totally would. Instead, I bring backup. I bought 11 pairs of S4’s underwear on this trip. No lie.

I also had night diapers delivered. Mike and I have been discussing night potty training with S4 as I am pretty sure she does wake up at night having to pee, then remembers she is wearing a night pull-up. Thus, she decides to just let it fly in the ‘ol diaper because she doesn’t have to get up that way. S4 really should have been named Lazy Brilliance. And now is NOT the time for training, day OR night. Save that till you’re home. Enjoy the diapers on vacation- it could possibly be their last hurrah!

WIPES. OMG WIPES WIPES WIPES WIPES WIPES. At age 4, my daughter is certainly not a baby, but she still needs to travel with wipes. While she eats pretty neatly for a 4-year-old, food still ends up stuck to her face and clothes, especially rich, ultra-saucy vacation types of food. Additionally, after a night of sleeping and peeing in a night diaper, using a wipe cleans her up much more thoroughly than dry toilet paper. Plus, hell- all of us have little spills here and there, nobody’s perfect! So wipes can help everyone. Wipes clean the world. You should pack em.

Headphones appropriate for young children. If you are a screen-free family, that’s great! But that’s not ever gon happen here, #sorrynotsorry. S4’s iPad comes on vacation with us, and we allow her to use it when she wants to. I won’t explain myself further or add a “but” to exempt me from anything either because yes, I do allow my daughters to have screen time, and I am not ashamed of that fact. 

SO…

When S4 is on her iPad, usually I just let her play with it turned to low volume. I feel earbuds shouldn’t be placed in such young ears at age 4. However, there have been times when the sound must be off like at S12’s concerts, however, S4 still can’t really sit through all that yet and needs entertainment, especially during the final performances. Last Christmas, I found the most ADORABLE toddler headphones, like, ever and bought them for S4. The limited maximum volume feature cannot turn up past a certain point. The speakers adjust in the headband to fit. Plus, the headphones are so stinking cute! Unfortunately, they are now getting too small for S4’s big head though, so I’ll be looking for a larger option soon.

Patience. The questions, whining, and very audible dislike commentary for having to wait. She’s hungry, she’s not hungry, she’s tired, she’s not tired, she’s bored, she’s not bored, she’s bouncing off the walls, she’s crying… little kids sensory systems are on overload when in new and exciting places. They process these experiences very differently than adults and even older kids do, and it can be hard for them. On vacation, especially with a “spirited” child such as S4, things I wouldn’t typically let slide at home… slide more often here. Expected behaviors carried out get heaps of praise (such as S4’s wonderful demeanor on the flight in.) One week of letting my guard down will not a brat-for-life make.

So relax. Try less punitive methods when your little ones are difficult on vacation. Experiment with your personal style of discipline. And… if any “well-meaning” stranger attempts to audibly judge either your chosen parenting methods or your child, at least down here in Orlando, I plan to reply first as a Disney traveler, but end like a New York resident. And I quote:

“Thanks for the feedback. Have a magical day! You dirty rotten judgemental piece of ****! **** you!” 😂😎

Thanks for reading. Until next time!