"Survival Kit" for Wedding party...

[CharmingsWoman]

Ok, my fiance and I are haveing our wedding at the DL Hotel, and wanted to put together a "survival kit" of sorts for our wedding party for when they go into the parks with their families. We can't spend a huge fortune, but we are buying things a little at a time. We were hoping for some help with ideas, and I know that everyone here is a DL authority. Here's what we've got so far, and we'd looooove it if anyone could help and add stuff to it:

1. backpack
2. sunscreen
3. notepad and pen (from 99cent store - thanks Pirate Princess!)
4. visors for the bridesmaids
5. Nemo baseball hats for the kids

and thats about it. Any other ideas? Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AVP]

Disposable cameras?

[Tinkermommy]

Non-perishable, individually wrapped snacks like Goldfish crackers or lollipops? Band-aids? (I always have those in my Disneyland bag...)

If you have the computer capability, it would be really cute if you could print out a copy of the Disneyland map for each of them with something on the back that memorializes your wedding day!

[AlbertaMinnie]

Bottle of water?

A Disney Dollar....just to get them started!

[Park Freak]

Some bright shiny pennies to press?
Wet Naps?
You can get Disney themed Lip Balm.

Congratulations on your marriage!!

[janell]

If your guest are from out of town or just not Disney people a list of must sees would be nice. And any in site/hints you can give them to what to avoid when, when its best to go where and places to eat would be a nice. You can print them out and add it to there gift bag.

I think what you have planned is a great idea.

[avalosn]

You can put some glow necklaces for the nighttime. They sell them at Disneyland but they can be pricey, so instead you can buy a pack at a local party store for a lot cheaper than buying only one at Disneyland.

[june1st1997]

Purell... Lots of Purell.

[CharmingsWoman]

Everyone has been so helpful! I never would have thought of the glowing necklaces or the band-aids, I have yet to need them in DL, but I can see how they would be helpful to families!

If anyone else can think of something, help yourself. I was thinking of doing a scavenger hunt of sorts, but everyone's getting there on different days, and it would be hard to arrange. I wish I could've been there for the MouseAdventure!

Thanks everyone!

[BarbD]

Somethings I can think of is get someone to mail you some park maps to put in each back pack. Dont forget to print park hours when it gets closer. Just ad them to your list of nearby restaurants if you plan to add that.

Print out lists of Hidden Mickeys to look for in each park. (Maybe this could work into your scavenger hunt? There is a book you can get at Amazon listing them)

Maybe a few disney dollars just because they are fun to have :-) and cute to look at ;-)

By the way congratualtions on your wedding. And at Disneyland!!

[avalosn]

Purell... Lots of Purell.

That's a definite necessity. Purell comes in extremely handy, especially with little ones.

[janell]

Don't forget the Disney Outlet has stuff that may work, like autograph books and pens.

[UsBurchs]

I think a nice note from you and your fiance with your personal tips and tricks for Disneyland - your favorite rides, your favorite places to eat/snack and maybe some of your favorite Disney memories. This way, they have another way to connect with you and honor your special day.

I also think the water and Purell are wonderful ideas! You can get those teeny travel sizes of Purell at most drug stores. I like to use (and the characters have thanked me often) the big, clickable Sharpies for the autograph books. Those are cheapish and easy to include. I also LOVED the idea of including a couple shiney pennies (and maybe some quarters) for the pressed penny machines.

I also loved the idea of doing a scavenger hunt - the hidden Mickeys are great! Something everyone can keep an eye out for. Maybe a photo scavenger hunt if people are up for it! It would be a fun way for you to share in all the fun your guests had during your wedding! If they agree, they could go home and post their photos on Picassa, or some other free photo site so you can enjoy them too!

Congratulations! WOW! A Disney wedding - how fun!!

[jaymesmom617]

They always have glow necklaces at the dollar store here so, I would look there.
Other ideas...
-Rain ponchos (for the wet rides)
-Johnson and Johnson has a mini firstaid kit (they are a dollar at my local walmart/target)
-Water is a must
-Hard candies/suckers (my kids love these for waiting in line and they last a while so I don't feel like I am loading them with sugar)
-Mini fan
-Make a mini guide book from ideas you have gotten from this website and others... include cheap/good places to eat in DL/DCA, strategies, must sees, etc

[CharmingsWoman]

The waters I found at Costco, like 13 cents each, so that's great.

A guide book would be perfect! I was wondering how to use all these great ideas and how to put them together, and a little book would be perfect!

Everyone's been so helpful, I'll post pictures of what it all looks like when I've got everything out together. I still have a couple months before I need them.

Also, for those of you who have given Bridesmaid and Groomsmen gifts before, do I have to wait until the Rehearsal Dinner, or with something like this do you think that I could give it to them to open on their way to DL?

[avalosn]

Are they staying at the DL hotel? The reason I am asking is because if so, maybe Guest Services could give them to your guests as they check in. I went to a wedding one time and when we checked into the hotel, they told us to go to VIP Services and when we went over there, they handed us a gift basket from the bride. It was very cool because it was totally unexpected. If your wedding party is not staying at the hotel, perhaps you could find out if Guest Services will still hold them for you and could send them a little note telling them when they arrive to check with Guest Services for a special surprise. I am not sure if they can do something like this for you, but maybe you could ask your coordinator for your wedding if it's a possibility?

[fidoprincess]

I would skip the backpacks and go for fanny packs instead! Your guests may initially giggle but DL is the ONE place we always like to have free hands and NO backbacks to lug getting on and off the rides.

It would probably be cheaper too. Another though, there are places(wholesale t-shirt companies for example) that do custom printing on the cotton type fanny packs for a reasonable price depending on how many you order. It would be cute and practical for their trip!!

[CharmingsWoman]

I would skip the backpacks and go for fanny packs instead! Your guests may initially giggle but DL is the ONE place we always like to have free hands and NO backbacks to lug getting on and off the rides.

It would probably be cheaper too. Another though, there are places(wholesale t-shirt companies for example) that do custom printing on the cotton type fanny packs for a reasonable price depending on how many you order. It would be cute and practical for their trip!!

the backpacks that we are going to get are from Oriental Trading, and they're pretty light, but do you know where I could get 11 fanny packs wholesale or for cheap? We always use fanny packs, and I agree that they're easier to use than backpacks...

[CharmingsWoman]

Are they staying at the DL hotel? The reason I am asking is because if so, maybe Guest Services could give them to your guests as they check in. I went to a wedding one time and when we checked into the hotel, they told us to go to VIP Services and when we went over there, they handed us a gift basket from the bride. It was very cool because it was totally unexpected. If your wedding party is not staying at the hotel, perhaps you could find out if Guest Services will still hold them for you and could send them a little note telling them when they arrive to check with Guest Services for a special surprise. I am not sure if they can do something like this for you, but maybe you could ask your coordinator for your wedding if it's a possibility?

Some are, most, I think, aren't. Do you think that the hotels that they're staying at would do something similar?

[disneyjunkie]

I believe that my dd did take baskets for her wedding party and special guest to some off property hotels and they gave them out upon guest check-in. The DLH put in the guest rooms.
Of subject helpful hint... the hotel desk let my daughter check in her wedding dress the night before her arrival: she picked it up from the store took direct to the DLH and they held stored it for her.
Also the visors look cool if you can spell out "bridesmaid", Flower girl, etc in crystals on the brim, or get tanks or tees for the wedding party and do the same. And dont forget your Minnie wedding veil ears and Mickey grooms top hat!!!

[avalosn]

Some are, most, I think, aren't. Do you think that the hotels that they're staying at would do something similar?

I'm sure they would. Even if they can't put it in the room for them, they can probably give it to them when they check in. It's worth a shot to find out.

[CharmingsWoman]

I believe that my dd did take baskets for her wedding party and special guest to some off property hotels and they gave them out upon guest check-in. The DLH put in the guest rooms.

You and Avalon have helped convince me to do it that way!

Also the visors look cool if you can spell out "bridesmaid", Flower girl, etc in crystals on the brim, or get tanks or tees for the wedding party and do the same. And dont forget your Minnie wedding veil ears and Mickey grooms top hat!

For the t-shirt thing, we've got an experiment in progress with the iron ons, we'll see how well I like those, though...

And we've been waiting for the Bride and Groom mickey ears! But we wanted to wait until we were down there for the wedding.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[Shootingstaar]

This might get expensive and I don't know if you can get to the park prior to your wedding, but it would be so cute if you got everyone mickey ears and got "bridesmaid" and such embroidered on. I read somewhere else on this site that someone tried to get a nickname on their ears and the CM wouldn't do it, but if you get the right CM and explain your plans maybe they would do it for you? Your guests might want to pick out their own ears and such so it might not work out, but I think it's a cute idea!

[Pinkhoody]

the backpacks that we are going to get are from Oriental Trading, and they're pretty light, but do you know where I could get 11 fanny packs wholesale or for cheap? We always use fanny packs, and I agree that they're easier to use than backpacks...

I bought a small purse with a long strap at WalMart because I didn't want to wear a fanny pack. That over one shoulder (so you can keep your purse in front of you just like a fanny pack without having to actually wear a fanny pack...) was exactly what I needed. For guys, not sure what to suggest... they might have to wear fanny packs.

[Leap for Joy]

My new favorite park-bag item is the individual drink mix packets. We take one water bottle in with us, then refill it throughout the day and use the drink mix packets to cover the taste.