Who hasn’t heard the idiom, “taking everything, but the kitchen sink?” Some of us would throw that in if we could, because we just don’t know where to begin (or end). Packing for a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming.

If you aren’t organized, you just might be tempted to pack a dozen things which never even make it out of the suitcase (you really don’t need 4 pairs of jeans in June) and inevitably you’ll forget something you really can’t live without (like your phone charger). Don’t worry with a good packing list, the only kitchen sink you’ll be worried about is the one waiting for you at Beaches and Cream.

Below is a list of things to get you started on making your packing list (also, many Disney sites have pre-made packing lists available to download):

• pack the things you use everyday, like toothpaste and contact solution -this may go without saying, but make a list of these things and you won’t forget any of them
• think about the season, the weather, family photo ops and what attire you will need
• think about what shoes you will be wearing and be sure they are broken in. I wear Crocs for touring the parks. They are comfortable and don’t get soggy on water rides. I highly recommend a pair!
• bring a sweatshirt or sweater – the plane, car and some attractions and restaurants can be chilly, even in summer
• snacks and portable breakfast food -Disney Parks allow outside food to be carried in – you might save a bundle and a lot of heartache by having goldfish crackers, peanuts, raisins, granola bars, etc on hand to stave off the crankies
• hats and/or sunglasses and sunscreen. Wear it everyday. You are in Florida!
• a good poncho. NOT the throw away, thin dollar store kind! If you don’t have one, pay the extra cash for a Disney Parks poncho, they are cute, sturdy, can be used year after year. If they tear Disney will replace them -even on future trips!!!
• phone, camera and ipod chargers and a power strip to plug it all into
• an external battery for your iphone or droid or take your charger to the parks – I hear there are plenty of outlets but I could never stop long enough to use one
• if you are overheated easily and worried about the hot summer weather, I hear good things about Frogg Togg Chilly Pads. Personally, we prefer cooling off in the water rides and letting the little ones splash in the fountains
• Tide Pen or Shout Wipes – even adults and big kids can end up with a little melted Mickey bar on their t-shirt. You might not want to document the mishap in all of your photopass pics.
• Wet wipes -we also find that carrying a damp Mickey Mouse washcloth in a plastic baggie does the trick for us.
• Ziplock bags in different sizes –  for leftover snacks, damp things and to help organize all the maps and small trinkets that find their way into your backpack
• Penny Pressing Supplies like M&M tubes, sandwich bags, penny press books and plenty of pennies and quarters
• Autograph supplies. Some like to make these at home, but I find the small books and giant pens sold in the parks are just perfect
• Pin trading supplies: lanyard and pins
• Along with any medicines you take on a regular basis, don’t forget medicines you might need for allergies, colds, fevers, aches and pains or tummy aches. The nurses in each park are wonderful and also have some medications on hand. My son got a terrible headache at DHS once and they gave him medicine and a cool place to take a little rest and he was as good as new, no charge!
• If you travel to Disney World often, bring a few special souvenirs from past trips. When your 5 year old sees all the other boys running around Adventureland with a pirate sword, he will want one too, even if he has one at home from last year’s trip… trust me.