Take it or Leave
it ?
[ Disney Vacation Planner
]
Luggage
I find it best to take one hard (Samsonite) suitcase and one
soft suitcase, with a pair of smaller cases as hand luggage for
two adults. I also try to make sure that all of the clothing etc
on the outbound journey, although spread between the two main
cases can if necessary all go into one case, so as to leave sufficient
room for any souvenirs etc to be packed into the hard case for
the return journey.
Check with your airline, but you'll probably find that Cameras
and Camcorder cases aren't counted as part of your hand luggage,
so can be kept with you on the plane. Also weigh all your luggage
before heading out for the airport to make sure you know exactly
how close to the baggage limit you are. (This will also give you
an indication how much you can bring back).
Money
I find that for two adults, 500 pounds is a good figure to take
with you for a two week vacation split between cash and travellers
cheques. Most places accept travellers cheques as though they
were cash anyway, so you won't have any problems changing them.
This won't give you enough money for everything you're going to
want (or need) during your holiday, but it's more than enough
in cash. Anything large can be put on a credit card.
Make sure you take details of credit cards and emergency phone
numbers, along with your Travellers Cheque details, so that should
the untoward happen and your cards be stolen you can contact the
card providers and have the cards blacklisted immediately.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards are a must! Without a credit card you'll have real
problems in sorting the hotel and hire car out, both of which
will want to take a card-swipe for security before you take the
car or enter the room. While you could theoretically get by without
one you may find hire companies and hotels insisting on huge returnable
deposits (1,500 - 2,000 dollars or more).
Clothing
The Florida weather varies considerably, from relatively hot
and sunny, to cool and very wet, so it's best to be prepared for
all conditions, but I wouldn't take too many clothes with you,
because it's cheap enough to buy while you're there. Generally
aside from the clothing I wear for the journey I prefer to take
one spare pair of Jeans, one warm Jumper/Cardigan, a few days
supply of T-Shirts, and three or four pairs of shorts. Socks,
additional Jeans, T-Shirts and Shorts etc I usually buy while
in Florida, either from one of the stores in the Belz Mall, or
a sports shop such as Sports Dominator.
Cameras & Video Equipment
I usually take a good quality 35mm compact camera, with a long
zoom lens, flash, along with a Hi-8 Camcorder, so that I can use
the Camcorder while my wife uses the 35mm compact. I also take
a small table-top tripod which will support the compact camera
for pictures at night. Don't bother with a tripod for the Camcorder,
or taking loads of lenses for a 35mm SLR, because you'll just
be overburdoned with equipment while you're trying to see the
sights.
A WORD OF ADVICE HERE While you may want to video the
various parades etc in the Disney parks, PLEASE spare a
thought for other people around you who also want to see the parades.
If possible stake your claim to a front-row position, and SIT
DOWN to film so that people behind you can also see the action.
If you can't get a good position towards the front of the audience,
take a look around and you'll find plenty of walls, benches etc
where you can easily film from (and you'll probably find a better
position stood on a wall than you would in the main audience).
If you are at the front of the audience, let children sit in
front of you. They won't be tall enough to interfere with your
filming, and will probably provide you with some excellent cut-away
shots that can be used for later editing.
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