There are fewer things that can throw me into a tizzy then those who try to pack without a list. Why would one try to do this? Lists. Are. Good. The only thing that makes me twitch more? When my girls claim they are all packed, don’t need my help, but there’s no list in sight! On one level, I truly know they don’t need me to nag, double check, and peek at their suitcases to see if they have everything they need for our upcoming vacations. On another level this Mama wants to make sure I don’t spend precious vacation time out emergency shopping for bikini tops and missing T-shirts. So today I bring to you my universal list for Mama’s, Tweens or Teens headed out to Disney, a Resort or just to the sunny south!
Basics For Mama and Two Teens
For your purse and carry on bag:
- Passports
- Airline, train or bus ticket and confirmation numbers
- Copy of your itineray
- ID (Drivers License, Birth Certificate if required)
- Credit Cards
- Bank Card
- Travel Insurance
- Copy of all those important cards. Credit, Passport, Health Cards and Travel Insurance.
- Cash
- A good book/ magazine
- Phones and chargers (x3 for us)
- Laptop and cords as needed to keep on top of work and school
- Handful of Business cards
- A pen for filling out customs forms
- Gum
- Lifesavers/Breath mints
- Advil for unexpected headaches
- Gravol and Imodium for emergencies
- Purel (and if you’re at all like me, WetOnes to wipe off that airplane tray. Germs be gone!)
- Travel Size Hand Lotion (I like the slim EOS hand lotion, fits in any pocket and meets Airline size requirements)
- Personal prescriptions
- Powerbar (a powerbar or granola bar can save the day when faced with a two hour delay and no snacks in sight!)
- Band-aids (because you never know)
- Camera and Charger
- Hair Elastics
- Lipgloss or chapstick because dry lips on the plane are risiculously annoying
For your suitcase:
- Hair brush
- Flat iron or Curling iron if you need it
- Hair dryer (but only if your hotel doesn’t have one)
- Hair spray and gel
- Hair accessories. You can’t have enough elastics.
- Travel sized Shampoo and Conditioners
- Make-up
- Face moisturizer
- Make-up remover (We love make-up wipes, also great if you try to go carry on only)
- Night cream (you know, incase you are over 40 and don’t want to look that way)
- Razors
- Deodorant
- Dry Shampoo (my love)
- Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss / wax for those with teens with braces
- Glasses & sunglasses
- Medicines / prescriptions / vitamins and a copy of all your prescriptions incase they are lost
- Feminine products
- Ear plugs to drown out those hotel noises
- Undies / bras/ sportsbras
- Tanktops for fabulous layering
- Socks, if not for outside then for in the hotel.
- PJ’s
For the Pool/Outside:
- Sunscreen (don’t forget sunscreen for your lips!)
- Lotion and Aftersun
- Bathing suits
- Sarong/Cover-ups
- Sun hat or Baseball hat
- Flip Flops
- Beach Bag
Resort Wear:
- Pants/Jeans
- Shorts
- T-Shirts
- Sundresses for the girls, Maxi Dresses for me. Long live the Maxi!
- Sun Protective shirt, or dress
- Sandals
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Capri’s
- Yoga Pants
- Sweatshirt
- Sweater for cool evenings or restaurants
- Rain Jacket
In a few short days we’re off to the Disney Social Media Moms Conference at DisneyWorld in Florida! We’re excited, and perhaps lacking a little direction in the packing department, so I’m off to print off this list and get my life organized!
Hope this list helps you on your next adventure.
kathy downey says
We just got back from vacation and following your tips i never missed a thing…first time ever
kathy downey says
Thanks for sharing your well prepared list,i have never once went on a trip and had everything needed when i got there.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
that is a super long list, mine’s never as long but then I do tend to group things together more as in I’ll just write ‘papers’ and know that I mean health ins., credit cards, driving license, passport etc etc.
Victoria Ess says
This is such a good list for any travelling!
mrdisco says
you definitely need a spare charge cable on that list
Stephanie says
That’s a great tip!
Melinda L. says
What a great list! Wish I had seen this when I went on my trip last week. Luckily I didn’t do too badly