What Shouldn't You Pack?

If you're getting ready to start your journey on the Disney College Program, you've probably read hundreds of articles or blog posts on what you should pack. Have you thought about things you shouldn't bring though? Much like packing for college, there are a bunch of things that sound like a good idea to bring but really they're not entirely necessary. Here's my list of items that do not need to be packed:

1. The obvious
And by the obvious, I mean things that are not allowed in housing-- candles, pets, drugs, "weapons," (I say "weapons" because this even includes things like lightsabers.) For more on items that are not allowed in housing, check out the official Disney College Program website (or use common sense.) 

2. Alcohol (and things like wine glasses, shot glasses, etc..) 
If you're in a Wellness apartment. Living in a Wellness apartment means that you're under 21 and therefore can't have alcohol, but you can even get in trouble for having things like shot glasses. So if you really do use shot glasses as "toothpick holders," it's still best not to pack them. 

3. Plush
If you haven't yet worked for Disney, you might know this term as "stuffed animals," but once you start working merchandise for Disney you'll understand how grotesque this term actually sounds. Now, if you have one little plush bear that you'd really like to have on your bed, that's totally fine. But if you're planning on bringing your whole childhood collection with you, you might want to rethink that. I had friends who brought tons of plush that looked really cute on their beds but were absolutely not worth the hassle of trying to bring all of that home along with everything they'd accumulated during their program.

4. Formal wear
If you're doing your college program in the Fall, you'll be able to go to formal! Formal was really fun, and it was nice to dress up for a night during the program, however I would not recommend bringing an over the top formal outfit just for this event. Some people wore prom dresses, and frankly there's no need to do that. They just take up space in your suitcase and closet and you only wear them once. Go to the Florida Mall or the outlets across the street from the Commons during your program, and buy something that you'll get more than one wear out of instead.

5. Books/movies
If you're like me, most of your free time will be spent in the parks, so you won't have much of a need for books and movies. But there's also a learning center at Vista where you can check out books and movies, so they're not worth packing.

6. Toiletries
Obviously you need toiletries, but don't pack them, especially if you're flying. They'll add a lot of space (and weight) to your suitcase and you're better off buying them there.

7. Instruments 
I can see maybe bringing instruments if you're dead set on winning the Night of Stars talent competition, but for the most part, everyone I know who brought instruments hardly used them and just had to deal with the headache of getting them home.

8. Clothes you never wear
If you never wear them at home, you'll never wear them in Florida.

9. Video game systems
Bringing something portable is totally fine, but lugging your Xbox down to Florida is not a good idea, because like books/movies, you'll hardly have any time to actually use it.

10. Valuables (that you don't need)
I have nothing against bringing a nice watch, or your tablet, but the DCP is not the place to bring your expensive/family heirloom jewelry. If there's anything you own that's super valuable or irreplaceable it's best to leave it at home with your family, especially if you forgo renters insurance for your apartment in Florida.

11. Socks
This might sound stupid, but I regret bringing so many white socks. I brought so many white below the ankle socks, thinking I could wear them for work, but as it turned out I needed white socks that covered my ankles and black socks. If you're thinking of buying socks right before you move down, wait until you know the details of your costume.

12. Apartment decor
Of course you want to make your apartment homey, but just remember that everything you bring down you'll need to bring back home with you. And by the time your program is over you'll have accumulated so much more stuff to bring home anyway.

If you've done the program before is there anything else that you'd regret bringing?

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