I'm going to be honest with you friends, one of my favorite parts of a vacation, is the planning process. Not just making the hotel reservations or planning out what we will be doing, but the planning outfits and the lists that go along with that!
Anyone that's been to Disney knows that half the fun of going is planning out what you and your kids are going to wear while you're in the parks. I love a good coordinating family outfit. I'm getting a little lax this time around however because I just cannot find any cute boy outfits that fit with Maggie's little girl outfits. So I'm doing the best I can!
I sat down the minute we finalized our dates and made a Google Spreadsheet of what we would be taking and what everyone was wearing to the parks. I will admit that I'm an over packer, especially for Disney, but I prefer to be over prepared and not have to wear the outfit than under prepared and buying hoodies because I didn't plan correctly. If you have kids, you know.
Because I thrive on the organized chaos that is my Disney planning life I thought I would share my packing list with you. Just so you can get some idea of what I take with me. There are a million lists out there to look at. But this one is mine and it works for me!
It also evolves as I think of things I need to bring. So just because you don't see something on the spreadsheet, doesn't mean I won't be taking it. It just means I haven't added it yet. Always evolving.
**Disclaimer: Some links provided may lead to me receiving a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Click here to check out my list and see what I come up with to bring with me on this trip.
Clothes
I like to start off with the kids clothes and entertainment because everyone knows that if the kids aren't happy, no one is going to be happy. And a 16 hour road trip calls for more than just the iPad or coloring books.I also plan out what they'll be wearing on the travel days and on the off days. I like to keep their travel outfits either pajamas or something extra comfortable like sweats. I don't like to travel all dressed up in jeans, so I know the babies won't want to travel like that either.
Our Magic Kingdom day they will have two outfits. I got Maggie a little dress that matches the blue in Walter's bow tie on his outfit. These are just for pictures. They'll go in a ziplock bag and back in my backpack after pictures or whenever we think might be a good time to switch. Then they'll be in something a little more comfortable.
You'll notice I'm taking two pairs of shoes for each, they won't be walking a ton but if it rains I want to be able to switch their shoes while the others dry. And if you've ever been to Florida, you know that it can being down pouring one minute and the next it's sunshine. It's insane.
Snacks
I also pack loads of snacks for the road trip. The less stopping we have to do the better, but we also anticipate stopping frequently. Full kids are happy kids and I'm not trying to spend $60+ at the gas station every time we stop so they can get a snack.
On our last trip with my (then) three year old granddaughter and (then) 19mo old Maggie, I used these handy little reusable lunchable containers to give them multiple snacks at one time. I have since purchased these and intend on using these instead. I just brought a cooler and a little snack bag with us to be able to refill them when we stopped for the night. With these larger containers I'm hoping the contents will go a little further than the smaller ones.
I like to keep the snacks semi healthy on the road for the babies. I stick to crackers, cheese (for Walter, Maggie doesn't like cheese), fruit, beef snack bites, etc. The last thing I want is them to have a bunch of sugar and junk while being confined to their seats. Marshallows and fruit snacks are the extent of the more unhealthy road trip snacks for them.
Road Trip Entertainment
It is so important to take different things with you on a road trip than you would normally use at home. I am not a no screen time mom, we are taking their iPads. However, I don't want them to just be on the iPads for the entire trip. I've purchased some Scratch Fantastic activity books, some more Imagine Ink books, this little pop it game (that both my husband and 17 year old son have become fans of since we got it).
This is in addition to the toys/activities I keep in the car on a regular basis that they know is in there and can only have in the car.
An entertained child is a quiet child on a 16 hour road trip.
I really can't wait to be able to share all of the content I have planned leading up to this trip. Are you an over packer for a trip? What snacks to do you bring with you?
**Disclaimer: Some links provided may lead to me receiving a small commission on qualifying purchases.
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