Favorite Items for Travel (Part One)

Baggage fees can be hella expensive, I don’t typically carry a purse, the Florida heat is brutal, and I generally just don’t trust people… 🤣 All of these reasons and more are why I have a variety of tried and true non-negotiables for my trips! The 10 items I’m including in Part One of this series are those that I either use daily or don’t even unpack after the last trip…they stay in my bag, ready to go, because most suit a variety of needs for more than one location. In future posts, I can dive into more specifics, so be sure to let me know what I can recommend for you!

Now, I know these things below have knock-offs that are cheaper, but I’m recommending items that I’ve either personally tested and trust, or that travel companions of mine have used and can vouch for quality. For any item you purchase online, I encourage you to read the descriptions carefully, understand return policies in case you don’t like something or it doesn’t work the way you expected, and above all – CHECK THE REVIEWS. Especially if it isn’t a name brand, you’ll find so many listings for the same or similar product and it can be difficult to know what is legit and useful (and what’s not). So just be careful! (And note: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.)

Foldie Crossbody
(and Foldie Travel Tote Bag)

This one is at the top of the list because I no longer travel without at least one of these! Both the Crossbody (on my waist second from the right in the picture) and Tote are roomier than you think! I prefer having what most call a fanny pack for Universal because I don’t have to take it off or put it in a locker for a majority of the rides. I can fit my collapsed water bottle, portable charger with cord, chapstick, sunglasses, and a few other small items in there! So much room for activities!! 😆

The larger bag (see Cooling Towel picture further down) is great for trips when you think you might bring back more than you left with, since it expands! It can also fold down to a small square to pack as an easy beach bag or secondary option for your return trip. Makes a great personal item since it can squish under the seat in front of you easily, or go in the overhead compartment as a carry-on size if you want more leg room. And there are TONS of color options!

Foldie Crossbody: https://amzn.to/4dQXiav
Foldie Tote: https://amzn.to/4jA6UYr

Magnetic Wallet

This is a game changer for those of us that don’t carry a purse, backpack, or diaper bag. I like that it’s still small enough attached to my phone to fit in my pocket easily. I can also remove it and put it in my fanny pack for more security. It even doubles as an adjustable stand which is great for watching videos or playing games on flights, taking selfies, and more! It’s compatible with any MagSafe case, which is available for both Android and iOS users. This particular one has a clear pocket for identification plus a regular pocket for other cards inside, and another slot outside (that’s where I keep my Universal Orlando Photo Pass for easy access after rides)!

ESR Magnetic Wallet with Adjustable Stand: https://amzn.to/4mQ5tYI
TOCOL Magnetic Case (shown) for Samsung Galaxy 22 Ultra: https://amzn.to/3HrUPHu)

Collapsible Water Bottle

Another must have for theme parks, especially Universal because they have the Freestyle machines everywhere, and that ice cold water is FREE! I do recommend getting a 2-pack or at least buying more than one because they are so useful to have both in the hotel room and on the go. You’ll want to be sure to leave it to dry out completely before folding up or they can mold. The ones that I originally purchased, shown here, aren’t available anymore, but I’ve selected a decent alternative that friends use!

BEAUTAIL Collapsible Water Bottles, 2-Pack: https://amzn.to/3HntYfU

Electric Spin Cup

I use this almost every single day, not just on trips, for energy and/or hydration mixes, plus sometimes recovery formulas and protein shakes. There are no metal blades, so you can even have it in your carry-on! But because of that, it’s good for powders only, not really hardcore mixing. I currently use one from VOLTRX which has a snapping lid with finger-grip that you could attach a carabiner to for easy portability. This one also glows when you’re using it, and I only have to charge it once a month! Craziness!

VOLTRX Vortex Portable Mixer Cup: https://amzn.to/43uR6Sa

I have used PROMiXX in the past, but had some issues with previous models. I’ve heard the new one is better! It also comes with a convenient carrying cup for powder mix. So if you wanna try or compare… https://amzn.to/3FMHLvV

Cooling Towels

Now, shown here are TWO impulse-purchased official Disney ones (🙄😂), but I’ve linked below to a great alternative others in our group have used if you want to save some money and get them ahead of time! They do have a convenient carrying case that can clip on a backpack, stroller, or belt loop (also shown because I would say they’re on semi-permanent loan haha). During a particularly hot July trip to Disney, my brother-in-law had the genius idea to put ice and cold water in a thermos and put the cooling towels in there, so we could use them throughout the day. Boy, was that a life saver! 🥵 And the different colors help you “assign” them to different members of your party, in case you don’t wanna share sweat (just don’t put back in the thermos or that defeats the purpose haha) 😛

CADONO Cooling Towel, 4-Pack: https://amzn.to/45KYla2

Portable Charger

So apparently the lovely travel sized charger (–>) I’ve been using for over a year that fits so nicely in my Foldie Crossbody… is actually the battery pack from my husband’s heated vest 🤦🏻‍♀️ (oopsie!). And I have a Jackery that I love (just on the heavier side), but apparently they don’t make that anymore. Darn technology changes!!! So here’s a good alternative that is very similar to the one I use, and we have other Anker products we know and trust (plus they have a great warranty)! 🙂 Especially at the theme parks when you’re watching wait times, possibly using Virtual Queue systems, making dining reservations, and more to drain your battery… it’s nice to have something small that can fit in my pocket or fanny pack to charge while I’m waiting in line, riding a ride, or grabbing a snack or drink.

Anker Power Bank: https://amzn.to/4kXlKJL

Smart Tags

While I try not to check luggage if at all possible, I highly recommend having some type of smart tag for your items if you do. We also have one on our dog!! The kind we are currently using aren’t sold anymore, but this is the newest version (which we have and show both here, but haven’t started using yet). Definitely busting out the new bad boys for the next Hawaii trip if not before!! I appreciate the extra peace of mind when we are on the plane and check the app to see that the bags are safely stored below us rather than back in the airport. Added bonus that you can find your baggage carousel quicker if you failed to hear where your bags would be located or the monitor has yet to update 🎉

Samsung SmartTag2, 4-Pack: https://amzn.to/3FIujcq
Apple AirTag, 4-Pack (for you non-Android folks): https://amzn.to/4e1GoWT

Bike Shorts & Capris

So if you’re a thick-thighed gal like me, you know that chub rub is a serious issue, especially in warmer climates. I have tried a MULTITUDE of options and either they started to pill up after very few uses, left way too little to the imagination, weren’t a breathable material, or my toosh was eating the fabric (no shame – IYKYK haha). But then I stumbled upon IUGA… cheaper than other options I had tried, a super smooth non-pilling material (after probably 50 wears and washes at this point!) that wasn’t see-through, and lots of variety! I believe I now have 5 pairs of the 8-inch bike shorts, 3 pairs of the 6-inch bike shorts, a pair of the capris, and recently purchased a swim short (I’ll update here after I wear them for the first time at Typhoon Lagoon in about a week!). I even wear these under my dresses at work, so that I feel more comfortable throughout the day (since I rarely sit, reach, or bend over like a lady 🤷🏻‍♀️haha). This really should be my number one item, because I love love love them. And, duh, OF COURSE they have pockets!!! Including the link for the 8-inch shorts, because that’s what started my obsession, but also including a link to the full IUGA store as I have no doubts that everything else is awesome.

IUGA 8-Inch Biker Shorts with Pockets: https://amzn.to/457Jfv2
IUGA Store: https://amzn.to/4mXo3yr

Travel Power Strip

Welcome to convenience haha. I call mine the donut charger because that’s what it looks like to me haha. This was actually something my mom bought before our cruise to Alaska! If you didn’t know, cruise lines are really picky on the items you can bring on board, especially when it comes to surge protectors and power strips. This met the criteria and didn’t get confiscated (phew), plus I enjoyed the convenience of it so much I’ve been packing it along ever since! It’s extra convenient for our trips that include Disney because I can plug both mine and Ricky’s MagicBand+, my watch charger, and both of our phone chargers… in the same strip!! And it wraps up pretty nicely, not taking up much space in any bag. I see the updated version now has 2 USB-A and a USB-C, sweet!

NTONPOWER Cruise-Approved Travel Power Strip: https://amzn.to/4koV70o

Rain Ponchos

While these are great for theme parks, especially in Florida as it typically rains for at least a few minutes every day haha, they also pack down nicely for travel everywhere else! We used them for Hawai’i originally, because we were staying in Hilo on the big island and it’s considered the rainiest city in the US if you can believe it! Thankfully the weather was glorious most of the time, but we did see some sprinkles when we hit up Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (see picture). I also greatly appreciated having mine on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during my solo 4-Park Disney World adventure when it was oddly low-40 degree temperatures, because being wet AND cold at Disney is just no bueno haha.

Cosowe Reusable Rain Ponchos, 2-Pack: https://amzn.to/4dUtzO4

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So there you have it…my Cat-Tested, Adventure-Approved items that will keep you organized, hydrated, cool, powered up, comfortable, secure, and dry. 😊 Next up in this series… more clothing (light and airy is a must), immunity boosters (cuz ew germs), hydration and energy support (surely I mentioned Florida is equal parts hot and exhausting?), and self-care items to help keep up and also recover from ALL. THOSE. STEPS. 😆 Stay tuned!