"A Very Merry Unbirthday to You!"

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"Let's get Down to Business"

Each program I've had a little bit of a different experience packing wise. I got a lot wiser much quicker with each program. I've compiled a list of the DOs and DON'Ts of packing as well as a list of the reoccurring things that I found that I needed.

DO:

Connect with roommates (if you've linked) to see what everyone wants to be in charge of brining. Apartments cover pots and pans as well as furniture, but the rest is all on you and your housemates. DON'T FORGET THE WIFI. Someone will want to make sure thats taken care of. P.S. vacuums and other cleaning supplies can be borrowed from the housing office in exchange for your ID so those are taken care of as well.

Bring things with multiple uses. If it can be used for more than one thing or can be used more than one time I would bring it. The apartments are not very big at all once you shove 4-8 people in them, so the less room you can take the better.

Collect gift cards. WOW. I can't express how poor I felt on my first program. I hadn't prepared financially at all. My following programs I took time throughout the year to stock up on Disney, Walmart, gas, and Starbucks gift cards. It really saved my butt when I got to Florida.

Check out the Facebook page where Cast Members buy, sell, and trade things! I didn't know about it on my first program but lived on it the rest of the time. This page is a great way to make a little extra cash at the end of your program and save a heck of a lot of it at the beginning. People leaving the program will often be giving away canned food, hangers, and other souvenirs. They will also be selling small furniture things like TVs, Bed sets and sheets, and clothes! The link is posted here DCP trading page it is a private group that you will need to answer a few questions to join.

DON'T: 

Overpack. If you can hardly fit it all coming you will have to make some pretty rough choices at the end of your program. Bring a minimal amount so that you can grab souvenirs from Cast Connections when you get there! 

*tip for those who pack light and still have no room. Throughout the program mail boxes home with things that you don't need right now. Spreading it out will keep you from over cluttering your apartment, save you from spending a ton of money all at once, and stop you from scrambling last minuet while you could be enjoying the end of your program.

Bring an endless supply of shoes and clothes. You would be surprised how little of it you need. You will almost always wear the same comfortable shoes to the parks to play and you only need a few outfits through the week. You will almost ALWAYS be wearing your costume and when you aren't sweats will be your very best friends.

Bring anything that resembles a weapon or that can be used as such. There is nothing that will get to Termed faster that bringing a weapon. No fake swords, lightsabers, or even pepper-spray. 

PACKING LIST:

Lanyard and clear ID holder to attach. This will be a must have once you get your IDs it saves you a lot of hassle and keeps keys and IDs together.

Gift Cards

Sweats

Regular Clothes/shoes/socks/essentials

Swim wear/ towels/ sunscreen

hygiene products

Small book bag for parks. I've used the same one for three years and its just a small waterproof beach bag from the Disney Store.

Headphones. Especially if you are a bus rider you will want/NEED these.

Portable phone charger and phone. Lets just say it sucks to have missed the bus in the middle of the night with a dead phone. 

SUNGLASSES and WATCHES! To be safe I always recommend looking at your Disney look packet when choosing these. Usually all black and very simple is the way to go. Avoid aviators for sunglasses.

IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BRING A CAR. It is the BEST thing to have on this program. Without it you're limited to places to visit, you run on someone else's time table, you have to leave like 2 hours early for work, and you have to squeeze onto a tiny bus with a million people who stink after a long day of working in the hot sun. 

*If you bring a car I recommend getting pillows, food, and other need to buy items at the Walmart that is NOT on Turkey Lake Road, literally any other one will be so much better. The bus only goes to that one so as you can imagine it is packed and picked through by the time you find time to get there.

Laptop Computer or Ipad/tablet: You will check your schedule every Sunday and will need to access the HUB to do so. I've done it from the phone for an entire program and let me just say it is NOT fun.

CALENDAR!! You may think you know your schedule but its honestly better to just write it down. Its not worth getting a half a point for being late or a whole point for not showing up at all. The more you write down the less likely you are to show up in the wrong location at the wrong time wearing the wrong costume. ALSO WRITE DOWN WHEN THE BUS LEAVES. Its all written in military time so if you're looking at night or early morning it can get confusing. JUST WRITE IT ON THE CALENDAR.

Be sure to look at the things recommended for your role. QSFB will be given their shoes. MERCHANDISE WILL NOT. In most cases you will need black shoes with no logos. Performers for the love of all things holy PLEASE bring extra deodorant with you to work. Stock up now and NEVER be without it. In fact, that rule goes for everyone. 

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Be sure to bring excitement and an open mind. Its not going to the best day of your life everyday, in fact, most days won't be. BE EXCITED ANYWAY. The program and experiences that come with it go by way too quickly. Use that camera phone and take pictures and videos of everything.