Packing a changing bag for Disney shouldn't be another one of those dreaded, stressful tasks on your to-do list before you leave. With planning and organisation, you can pack all the essentials for a fun-filled successful day at the parks. We've visited Disneyland Paris a few times now during various seasons and I think we've now perfected packing the essentials. One season that requires more items to pack than usual is winter and that's due to the cold weather.
2) Re-fillable Water Bottle
This is the ultimate essential no matter what time of year you visit Disney. All of the parks have water fountains so you can fill up your bottle all day for free.
4) Snacks
Taking plenty of snacks in your bag can not only save you money but I also call them boredom busters whilst queuing. I usually take things like crisps, popcorn, babybells, raisons, rice cakes etc. Whenever the kids are getting bored in the queues I either whip out a snack or we play a game.
5) Ponchos
After being caught out one year with heavy rain, I now always pack ponchos. We did buy ours from Disney so we take those with us but you can buy cheap ones in places like Tiger before you go.
Here's what we pack in our changing bag for winter:
1) A large but Comfortable Changing Bag*
I've tried various bags whilst at Disney and I've finally settled on taking a backpack by Fact + Fiction. The main reason why I love it, is simply how comfortable it is to wear. Even with the amount of items I pack in it, it never feels to heavy on my shoulders. It has multiple compartments which is great for storing/hiding things in a safe place. It's also water resistant inside and out so it's great for wet rides, rainy weather and spillages.
2) Re-fillable Water Bottle
This is the ultimate essential no matter what time of year you visit Disney. All of the parks have water fountains so you can fill up your bottle all day for free.
3) Blanket*
The nights can get very cold and if your children are in a stroller they become even colder because they aren't moving. I always try and take a couple of blankets but as you can imagine they take up a lot of room in a bag. The blanket we have been using on our last few visits to Disney has been our Aden and Anais Winnie the Pooh blanket. It's a fab size for tucking around the girls whilst they are in the stroller. You can also pop it on the floor if you are sat waiting for any parades. It's made of 4 layers of 100% cotton muslin so it's nice and soft.
4) Snacks
Taking plenty of snacks in your bag can not only save you money but I also call them boredom busters whilst queuing. I usually take things like crisps, popcorn, babybells, raisons, rice cakes etc. Whenever the kids are getting bored in the queues I either whip out a snack or we play a game.
5) Ponchos
After being caught out one year with heavy rain, I now always pack ponchos. We did buy ours from Disney so we take those with us but you can buy cheap ones in places like Tiger before you go.
6) Extra Layers/Clothes
I've been caught out a few times when we haven't managed to get the children to the toilet on time. Yep this can definitely happen. I think they get so distracted through excitement that they forget to say when they need to go until it's too late. I now always pack a spare outfit for these mishaps and also for any unwanted puddle jumping.
The evenings get very cold so I always pop in a few extra layers such as vests, tees and hoodies.
I've been caught out a few times when we haven't managed to get the children to the toilet on time. Yep this can definitely happen. I think they get so distracted through excitement that they forget to say when they need to go until it's too late. I now always pack a spare outfit for these mishaps and also for any unwanted puddle jumping.
The evenings get very cold so I always pop in a few extra layers such as vests, tees and hoodies.
7) Glow-Sticks
Glow sticks are great for 2 reasons. First up they serve as great stroller locaters in the dark. If you are hiring a stroller from the parks they all look the same. If you decorate them with some cheap glow sticks you'l instantly spot yours in the dark.
By night there are lots of light up things for sale which usually cost a lot of money. Get some glow-sticks out and make them into shapes for your kids.
Glow sticks are great for 2 reasons. First up they serve as great stroller locaters in the dark. If you are hiring a stroller from the parks they all look the same. If you decorate them with some cheap glow sticks you'l instantly spot yours in the dark.
By night there are lots of light up things for sale which usually cost a lot of money. Get some glow-sticks out and make them into shapes for your kids.
8) Nappy, Wipes, Nappy Bags
Kind of an obvious one but make sure you have enough nappies and wipes.
9) Muslins*
I always take a couple of muslins as they are handy for lots of things. I usually use them to place over the changing mat areas when I'm changing my little one's nappy.
The Muslins I love are from Aden and Anais. They have adorable Disney patterns available and they wash very well.
I always take a couple of muslins as they are handy for lots of things. I usually use them to place over the changing mat areas when I'm changing my little one's nappy.
The Muslins I love are from Aden and Anais. They have adorable Disney patterns available and they wash very well.
10) Wallet, Tickets, Camera, Spare Camera Battery, Phone, Power Bank and Cable
These are fairly obvious items but sometimes when we're busy we do forget these things. Camera and phone batteries can run out quickly so I always pack a plug and power bank. I'd also advise you hide these items in your bag for safe keeping.
These are fairly obvious items but sometimes when we're busy we do forget these things. Camera and phone batteries can run out quickly so I always pack a plug and power bank. I'd also advise you hide these items in your bag for safe keeping.
11) Lip Balm
The wind and chill can cause sore, chapped lips so we regularly use lip balm to keep them moist and soft.
The wind and chill can cause sore, chapped lips so we regularly use lip balm to keep them moist and soft.
12) Hand Warmers
Hand warmers are great for using when you're standing around waiting in a queue or when you're waiting for the fireworks at night. It can honestly get really cold.
Hand warmers are great for using when you're standing around waiting in a queue or when you're waiting for the fireworks at night. It can honestly get really cold.
13) Wet Bag*
I always take a wet bag with me for multiple uses. If one of the girls' end up getting their clothes wet or dirtying them I can pack them away in those. I also use them for storing snacks and for using to carry my valuables when it's raining or when on a ride. I use the Disney themed bags from Bumkins. Their patterns are super cute.
I always take a wet bag with me for multiple uses. If one of the girls' end up getting their clothes wet or dirtying them I can pack them away in those. I also use them for storing snacks and for using to carry my valuables when it's raining or when on a ride. I use the Disney themed bags from Bumkins. Their patterns are super cute.
14) Autograph Book and Pen
The last thing you want after waiting in a queue to meet a character, is to get to the front and realise you don't have an autograph book and pen. You can either get these before you arrive at Disney or at the parks themselves.
15) Mouse Ears
Last but not least, you can't go to Disney without Mouse Ears.
What do you pack in a winter theme park changing bag?
*Items maked with an asterisk were gifted to me. All views and opinions are my own*
The last thing you want after waiting in a queue to meet a character, is to get to the front and realise you don't have an autograph book and pen. You can either get these before you arrive at Disney or at the parks themselves.
15) Mouse Ears
Last but not least, you can't go to Disney without Mouse Ears.
What do you pack in a winter theme park changing bag?
*Items maked with an asterisk were gifted to me. All views and opinions are my own*
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We've recently returned from a 15 night holiday to Walt Disney World in Orlando. Lots of people have asked what we'd recommend on things to do and where to eat etc so I thought i'd put together a post of our top 3's of everything. This includes mine and my husbands top 3's and not what our children think.
I'll be writing about these in more detail on separate blog posts soon, but for now here is our brief roundup.
Disney Hotels to stay in:
1) Animal Kingdom Lodge
2) Yacht Club Resort
3) Caribbean Beach Resort
2) Saana - Animal kingdom lodge
3) T-Rex - Disney Springs
2) Be our Guest Breakfast - Magic Kingdom
2) Akershaus - Epcot
3) 1900 Park Fare - Grand Floridian
I'll be writing about these in more detail on separate blog posts soon, but for now here is our brief roundup.
Disney Hotels to stay in:
1) Animal Kingdom Lodge
Table service dining:
1) Tiffins - Animal kingdom
2) Saana - Animal kingdom lodge
3) T-Rex - Disney Springs
Quick service restaurants:
1) Earl of Sandwich - Disney Springs
1) Earl of Sandwich - Disney Springs
2) Be our Guest Breakfast - Magic Kingdom
3) Flame Tree BBQ - Animal Kingdom
Character dining:
1) Ohana Breakfast - Polynesian
1) Ohana Breakfast - Polynesian
2) Akershaus - Epcot
3) 1900 Park Fare - Grand Floridian
Evening shows:
1) Fantasmic - Hollywood Studios
2) Wishes - Magic Kingdom
3) Rivers of light - Animal Kingdom
1) Fantasmic - Hollywood Studios
2) Wishes - Magic Kingdom
3) Rivers of light - Animal Kingdom
Magic kingdom:
1) Meeting the talking Mickey Mouse
2) Splash Mountain
3) Enchanted Tales with Belle
1) Meeting the talking Mickey Mouse
2) Splash Mountain
3) Enchanted Tales with Belle
Epcot:
1) Soarin
2) Mission Space
3) Meeting Anna and Elsa
1) Soarin
2) Mission Space
3) Meeting Anna and Elsa
Animal kingdom:
1) Kilimanjaro Safaris
2) Expedition Everest
3) Rivers of Light
1) Kilimanjaro Safaris
2) Expedition Everest
3) Rivers of Light
Hollywood Studios:
1) Rockin Roller Coaster
2) Frozen Show
3) Toy Story Ride
1) Rockin Roller Coaster
2) Frozen Show
3) Toy Story Ride
What are your favourites? Don't forget to pop back for more detailed reviews of each experience.
With less than a week to go until we go to Disney World, I thought i'd create my ultimate bucket list. This one will be for myself and I'll do a separate one for the kids.
I haven't been to Disney World since I was 14 years old so almost 18 years ago. It has changed immensely since I was last there and I am hoping this Bucket List will ensure I tick off everything I am hoping to see and do. There are so many more things I need to do but these 25 things are my essentials!
I haven't been to Disney World since I was 14 years old so almost 18 years ago. It has changed immensely since I was last there and I am hoping this Bucket List will ensure I tick off everything I am hoping to see and do. There are so many more things I need to do but these 25 things are my essentials!
- Dine at Be our Guest and try 'The Grey Stuff'
- Get a picture in-front of Cinderella's Castle
- Ride the Seven Dwarves Mine Train at Magic Kingdom
- Meet the talking Mickey Mouse at Town Square
- Ride Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom
- Eat a Turkey Leg
- See The Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom
- Buy new Mickey Mouse Ears
- Buy more Pins
- Buy Disney Pandora Charms
- Watch the Rivers of Light Show at Animal Kingdom
- Ride the Rockin Roller Coaster
- Eat a Dole Whip
- Meet Jasmine
- Get a pair of Mickey Ears with my name on
- Take a Fireworks Cruise
- Find a hidden Mickey
- Buy an ornament from Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
- Trade a Pin with a cast member
- Get a Cupcake from the Sprinkles ATM at Disney Springs
- Visit The Dress Shop at Disney Springs
- Dine at The Coral Reef Restaurant
- See the Fireworks Shows
- Buy a Balloon
- Get at least one family picture a day
Have you got any suggestions?
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