Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
breaker. We recommend buying full-size hip packs at outdoor retailers as opposed to
small, child-size hip packs. The packs are light; can be made to fit any child large
enough to tote a hip pack; have slip-resistant, comfortable, wide belting; and will last
for years.
Do not carry billfolds or wallets, car keys, Disney Resort IDs, or room keys
in your hip packs. We usually give this advice because hip packs are vulnerable to
thieves (who snip them off and run), but pickpocketing and theft are not all that com-
mon at Disneyland. In this instance, the advice stems from a tendency of children to
inadvertently drop their wallet in the process of rummaging around in their hip packs
for snacks and other items.
You should weed through your billfold and remove to a safe place anything that
youwillnotneedonyourvacation(photos,librarycard,departmentstorecreditcards,
business cards, and so on). In addition to having a lighter wallet to lug around, you
will decrease your exposure in the event that your wallet is lost or stolen. When we
are working at Disneyland, we carry a small profile billfold with a driver's license, a
credit card, our room key, and a small amount of cash. You don't need anything else.
unofficial
TIP
About two weeks before arriving, ship a box to your hotel containing food, plastic
cutlery, and toiletries, plus pretty much any other consumables that might come in
handy during your stay. If you fly, this helps avoid overweight fees and problems
with liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage.
DAY PACKS
We see a lot of folks at Disneyland carrying day packs (that is, small,
frameless backpacks) and/or water bottle belts that strap around your waist. Day
packs might be a good choice if you plan to carry a lot of camera equipment or if you
need to carry baby supplies on your person. Otherwise, try to travel as light as pos-
sible. Packs are hot, cumbersome, not very secure, and must be removed every time
you get on a ride or sit down for a show. Hip packs, by way of contrast, can simply
be rotated around the waist from your back to your abdomen if you need to sit down.
Additionally, our observation has been that the contents of one day pack can usually
be redistributed to two or so hip packs (except in the case of camera equipment).
CAPS
Kids pull caps on and off as they enter and exit attractions, restrooms, and res-
taurants, and—big surprise—they lose them. In fact, they lose them by the thousands.
If your children are partial to caps, a device sold at ski and camping supply stores
might increase the likelihood of the cap returning home with the child. Essentially,
it's a short, light cord with little alligator clips on both ends. Hook one clip to the shirt
