When do you Pack?

[codimouse]

We have our Sheraton Safari reservations made, tickets, dining reservations and now i am slowly getting the house together and making arrangements for a house sitter and cat sitter.
But I havent begun to pack. I have things in piles in the closet. New t-shirts, autograph books and pens i bought at the dollar store, etc.
When do you start to pack your suitcases?

[growinupdisney]

I would have already done it by now but my DH would think I'm nuts, so I will about 2 weeks before we leave. I do have piles and containers with disney stuff in them so I will just need to transfer!
I have a trip to Myrtle Beach in Mid March for 4 days with 16 cheerleaders..:scared1: I'm a a HS cheer coach so will be heading to Nationals so I have put my DW packing to the side until I get back!

[ZoZo]

Actual packing of the suitcase begins a few days before I leave. But I start tossing things in my "Disney Box" months before I leave.

Some stuff stays in the box all the time (mister fans, bodyglide, etc.) and I just start adding things as I think of them. Since we normally go in October, when I put away my summer things (shorts, tank tops, sandals) I set aside the things I know I'll want to take on my trip. Saves me lots of "pawing through" boxes later.

[codimouse]

same here. i have a box and then various piles going on. this coming weekend i'll start packing.
the weather has just been so horrible on and off with no sun and lots of rain.
makes it hard to get into the spring break spirit!

[KingdomKeepersFinn]

I pretty much start packing and getting stuff ready that i dont need a week before.. Then I put other things about 4 days before we leave.

[lilosurf11]

When I leave to visit my families for weekends, I'm usually packed the Monday of that week, or earlier. For me it depends on my schedule and how busy I will be with school. For my spring break trip, I'll be packed early that week, since I have to leave my apartment. BUT my family has a bad habit of always packing one or two days before we leave. I enjoy packing for trips though; I put on some Disney music and jam while I am getting everything packed; it's my time to just chill and have fun. :cool1:

[everylastbreath]

I am the strangest packer of all.... I actually start a week or two before, put everything I think I might want to bring into the bag, and then as the days go by I take stuff out, by the time we are leaving the bag is packed with just the stuff I actually want to take- also got a system with clothes- lay them all out on the bed (shorts in one pile, T-shirts another... etc) then I match up outfits and if I find that something only goes with 1 other thing, I leave it home, because it's easier when you stick to things that will all go together- find I have to pack less and only bring the stuff I really want to wear.

[justplaingoofy]

About 1 week prior I do my "mock" pack :rolleyes1
just to see how everything fits in the suitcase. (we only do 1 carryon). If it seems like I am 3/4 or less full then great. If I am more than 3/4 full then I remove some items.
I then take everything out of the suitcase & run a light iron over them, and repack it all the day before and bring it down to the trunk of the car... i know.. I have too much time on my hands:rotfl2:

[vacation_junkie]

We have our Sheraton Safari reservations made, tickets, dining reservations and now i am slowly getting the house together and making arrangements for a house sitter and cat sitter.
But I havent begun to pack. I have things in piles in the closet. New t-shirts, autograph books and pens i bought at the dollar store, etc.
When do you start to pack your suitcases?

I usually start to get stuff together a couple months in advance. My Dh thinks I'm nuts if I put stuff in the suitcases too far ahead of time!

I'm a bit of an obsesive organizer/packer.

We leave in like 41 days and I've got all the clothing ready to go.

Each days clothing on a pant/clothing hanger. Shirt , shorts , little baggie cliped to each with the days underwear and such in it.

This way the clothing goes out of the closet at home in an orderly fashion into the suitcases....once we check in...its an easy out of the suitcase and into the closet.

Each day is a breeze. No sorting through suitcases....trying to find what to wear... you just grab a hanger and get dressed

But I won't pull the suitcase out on the bed in the guest room til easter weekend.

[braylan]

I usually pack a week ahead. I over pack though! I have a rolling suitcase for each family member DF, Me, SD6, DS4, and DS2 for a 4 day 3 night trip! :lmao:

[meekofan1]

Since I usually try to pack as little as possible (but without having to do laundry in WDW), I pack a day or two in advance.

[vacation_junkie]

I usually pack a week ahead. I over pack though! I have a rolling suitcase for each family member DF, Me, SD6, DS4, and DS2 for a 4 day 3 night trip! :lmao:

I OVER pack all the time..i think thats why latley I've been starting to pack ahead of time..by the time the trip rolls around i am usually down to half the amount in the suitcases!

[tink713]

Well Im almost completely packed for our trip that is over a month away. DH thinks I'm crazy too but I don't care! I'm excited!

[HermanTriplets+1]

What do you early packers wear for all those weeks before the trip???:confused3

[tink713]

Well its winter in New England so I'm packing summer clothes. As far as socks/underwear I have millions of those anyways.

[vacation_junkie]

What do you early packers wear for all those weeks before the trip???:confused3

warm clothing..I live in the north..its COLD here!!!!! -5 right now and thats warm here..:laughing::laughing:

[honeydiane1953]

This is a hard question. I pack make-up/ toiletries weeks ahead as it seems to be the most items. Then the day before I pack. I plan on what to take clothes wise MONTHS in advance. Packing is important!!! Most men just throw things in a bag. Women on the other hand are gatherers so we HAVE to have things we HAVE to have. Most of the stuff (toiletries) I probably only touch while I'm packing it.:confused3

[codimouse]

i'm gonna start tomorrow for sure!

[MyVirtueAidan]

We'll actually be 100% offically packed about a week before we leave... I have numerous things already in the suitcauses!

[Queen-Bee]

Virgin Airways have cut the luggage allowance from 2 x 23kg to 1 x 23kg... so im wearing all my clothes to fly in!! How else can i bring loads of clothes back?!

BUT normally i pack a few weeks in advance, but i unpack and repack too many times to count - taking thing out, putting other things in.... i am a nightmare packer, i just take far too much clothes and shoes....

[codimouse]

repacking. i started a few days ago, but need to cut down on so much luggage so starting over.

[jamstew]

I pack the night before, but I have an owner's locker that has all my cosmetics, toiletries & lots of other stuff. All I have to pack are clothes and meds.

[stacy87]

I like to be completely packed about a week before I leave. I have already started putting things in my suitcase that I have bought - like toiletries and clothes especially for my holiday!

I also tend to pack and re-pack far too many times!! I like to be sure that I have everything I need though! lol :lmao:

[perfectparanoia]

I have a packing strategy:

Step 1 (up to six months prior): Make a detailed list of what I want to pack (down to number of each type of clothing for each person). I call this the master packing list.
Step 2 (about 2 months prior): Make a list of the items I need to buy.
Step 3 (about 1 month prior): Obtain things I did not have and store in one of the suitcases (and check them off the master packing list as I go).
Step 4 (1 week prior): Pack all things that are not daily items and clothing that will not be needed until we leave (and check them off the master packing list as I go)
Step 5 (2 days prior): Collect all clothing that needs to be packed and is not and launder then pack it (again, checking it off the list).
Step 6 (1 day prior): Determine what items need to be packed 'day of' and make sure that everything else is all set.
Step 7 (day of): pack the small number of items remaining.

So, I sort of start months in advance but don't do the heavy duty packing until about a week before we leave.

[vacation_junkie]

I have a packing strategy:

Step 1 (up to six months prior): Make a detailed list of what I want to pack (down to number of each type of clothing for each person). I call this the master packing list.
Step 2 (about 2 months prior): Make a list of the items I need to buy.
Step 3 (about 1 month prior): Obtain things I did not have and store in one of the suitcases (and check them off the master packing list as I go).
Step 4 (1 week prior): Pack all things that are not daily items and clothing that will not be needed until we leave (and check them off the master packing list as I go)
Step 5 (2 days prior): Collect all clothing that needs to be packed and is not and launder then pack it (again, checking it off the list).
Step 6 (1 day prior): Determine what items need to be packed 'day of' and make sure that everything else is all set.
Step 7 (day of): pack the small number of items remaining.

So, I sort of start months in advance but don't do the heavy duty packing until about a week before we leave.

Its a bit easier for us cause we always go away when its cold here..so all of our summer stuff can be packed way ahead of time!!

[mpbest]

I stay packed.:rotfl: Just kidding! I generally start a few months out, throwing items into a box. Pulled out the suitcase two weeks ago. We'll have everything packed and ready to go a week out. There are always last minute stuff to throw in, like capris and shorts. It's been nice here so I've had on my capris, but the tops are all disney shirts I've made or picked up so they can be packed. My DH thinks I'm nuts too, but I can't wait to leave!!!

[gatormommy07]

I have a packing strategy:

Step 1 (up to six months prior): Make a detailed list of what I want to pack (down to number of each type of clothing for each person). I call this the master packing list.
Step 2 (about 2 months prior): Make a list of the items I need to buy.
Step 3 (about 1 month prior): Obtain things I did not have and store in one of the suitcases (and check them off the master packing list as I go).
Step 4 (1 week prior): Pack all things that are not daily items and clothing that will not be needed until we leave (and check them off the master packing list as I go)
Step 5 (2 days prior): Collect all clothing that needs to be packed and is not and launder then pack it (again, checking it off the list).
Step 6 (1 day prior): Determine what items need to be packed 'day of' and make sure that everything else is all set.
Step 7 (day of): pack the small number of items remaining.

So, I sort of start months in advance but don't do the heavy duty packing until about a week before we leave.

We must have been separated at birth!! :rotfl: That is EXACTLY what I do!!! I always have my list, with the number of items and all!! My husband makes fun of me, but I do not care!! He is always happy that he has everything he needs!:cool1:

[perfectparanoia]

We must have been separated at birth!! :rotfl: That is EXACTLY what I do!!! I always have my list, with the number of items and all!! My husband makes fun of me, but I do not care!! He is always happy that he has everything he needs!:cool1:

My husband was quite angry the first time I did this...until we used everything I packed. He no longer argues (or gets involved, an ideal situation).

[delaneyc52]

After all these years (going on trip 50) I have this packing thing down to a science. I developed my packing list and refine or tweak it each year. A day or two before, I pull out the list and ... ta da!!....pack! Now having said that, I have to tell you that I am just packing for myself. DH packs himself and the kids have left the nest.

[disneychard]

Its a bit easier for us cause we always go away when its cold here..so all of our summer stuff can be packed way ahead of time!!

.
I like this idea!!!


:):)

[momof3Disneykids]

Well. when we go on 3-4 day trips I pack the night before. when we went to the beach for 7 nights 2 years ago, I started about 2 weeks out getting stuff together. well I now have a box in my laundry room with a few things like sun screen, swimming diapers, sun burn relief spray... etc. I cant wait till the reall packing starts!!

[katt789]

My trip isn't until Feb 2011, so I'm definately not packing right now...but honestly, that's probably because I'm not living where everything I need is, so I can't!:lmao:

I would definately pack far in advance, make sure everything fits, take it all out, put half of it (the stuff I really didn't need) back into my closet, and pack again, seeing how much space there is.

Then I'd unpack it all (except for the essentials that are only needed for that specific trip!) until a week or so before hand!

[can'twaittobewarm]

I start early. I already have one "Dinsey bin" full and I am starting on my second...once I get to the third, I'll pull out the suitcases!! I poke lots of things away ahead of time: cute matching Ts for the kids, puzzle books for the trip down, pesonalized stuff for the kids, summer clothes (as we have a VERY long winter here and will need only a limited amount of summer clothes before we leave in June).

[Sadie22]

Actual packing of the suitcase begins a few days before I leave. But I start tossing things in my "Disney Box" months before I leave.

Some stuff stays in the box all the time (mister fans, bodyglide, etc.) and I just start adding things as I think of them.

I agree! This helps me see what I need to replace, so I can shop sales using coupons in the months before the trip, rather than rushing out to buy things at full price just before we leave, or worse, having to buy things at inflated prices from the hotel gift shop.

[flipflopmom]

I do the same thing. Disney box stays packed. About 2 months before (now) :cool1: I make a list of the consumable things I need to buy, and start getting one or 2 at a time at the dollar tree. Makes it a little easier than one big buy.

About a week before, I bag all the girls clothes up, 1 complete outfit w/ hair accessories, and label w/ name and day. Makes getting ready in the am a lot easier! Lay all my clothes out in the living room, on the couch, by outfit. Start harassing Dh to get his clothes out. By 2 days before, everything but the last minute stuff is packed (makeup, hair straightener, etc). That way, I can concentrate on the last minute stuff I need to do - clean house, etc.

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

All toiletries, meds and any extras get packed about a month in advance. It gives me time to buy anything I need on sale way in advance.

We also try on swimsuits about 2 months before our trip so if we need new ones, we have time to go hunting. Same with shoes. I'll be taking DS14 out to find new tennis shoes this week so he'll have plenty of time to break them in before our trip. (Hope he doesn't wear them out!).

Clothes usually a few days before the trip.
We go in the summer and here in GA, we are already wearing our shorts/tees so we have already bought what we need clotheswise.

[Sinderelly]

I have a "Disney box" and we aren't going till November. When I find a bargain on something we need for our trip. Into the box it goes!

[JoShan1719]

I only live two hours away :banana:, so we pack the day of. But the week leading up to departure day I start putting everything together in one spot so I don't have to go looking everywhere for them.

[3floridarays]

An hour before we leave. Well, except last time - I packed about 30 minutes before walking out the door.

I have perfected procrastination into an artform.

[angierae]

This is our first trip, so I'm kind of overwhelmed. We leave in 25 days and yesterday I took a box and wrote "DISNEY SUPPLIES" on it and drew mickey heads all over it. As I buy stuff we're going to need we'll toss it in there. Yesterday, two boxes of drink mixes went in. I'm going to hit up the local dollar store at some point this week and see what I can find there, etc.

We're going to a sci-fi convention on Friday and Saturday, then Sunday morning leaving for Disney, so I have to do a kind of crazy double-packing so that we can easily move our "daily stuff" from one set of suitcases to the other.

It's going to be interesting, to say the least. :wizard:

[aaylasecura]

I start gathering things that aren't clothes and putting them into suitcase like items anywhere from 1 week to 2 months before the trip. For clothes, I start washing all of my clothes 2 days in advance of the trip. Because I don't have a large wardrobe and don't buy new clothes for trips (since I don't know if I'll actually wear them) I have to pack clothes that I already wore in the prior week. Then, I put everything in my suitcase the night before I leave. Then all night, I continously check to make sure I have everything. I run through my trip in my head and if there is anything that think I might need, I pack it as well. I know it's unconventional, but it works for me.

[Googelibear]

That is a very good question. My WDW suitcases are always packed. Well sort of. I stash them under my bed so to have quick access whenever I buy something I think I might want to wear at WDW. We "only" (<---how spoiled are we?)go once a year.
But all jesting aside, I pack as early as 3 months before. It's part of the building of excitement. :dance3: :cheer2:

[cceandme]

We are going in 88 days and I already have a huge suitcase in my room that i hace started outting stuff into already

[vacation_junkie]

We are going in 88 days and I already have a huge suitcase in my room that i hace started outting stuff into already

You sound just like me..I took everything out of my suitcase for the 5th time last night. I started it about 10-12 weeks ago. Its down in the laundry room since our DS has no idea we are leaving Tuesday for a surprise Disney trip!!!
Just making sure we have everything needed while I have time...family birthday party for him today. He questioned why we are doing it a week early..I just said because people are busy next weekend..just go with it!

[eand3]

It's so nice to know there are other OCD early packers besides me. While I have not started officially yet, I have my list and my box started. 14 days to go and LOL, last night I had a dream that the cab was there to get us to leave for the airport ( mind you, I live in Dallas suburbs, we never do cabs, but ok, dreamland) and none of the clothes were washed and nothing was packed. I remember telling my hubby to grab some laundry soap and we would do a load when we got to Disney and I just threw some stuff in the suitcase and we left. HUH?? In my dreams I was so casual about it, but you can guess that I will probably officially start some of my packing today.:goodvibes

[disneychard]

I said every trip that I am going to start packing early. I start gathering items a month in advance. But, I don't start packing until the night before. I'm running around like a crazy person trying to pack myself and everyone else. My house looks like something hit it when I am finished packing.

:cool1:

[thebigkahuna]

I am SO glad to hear I'm not the only one!!

For me, part of the fun is the packing and the planning - I will do several lists, one "generic" (3 pair of pants, 4 shirts, 6 pair of socks) and then later, as the trip gets closer i will do a more "specific" list that will have outfits planned (black jeans, blue polo shirt, blue socks).

THEN, even closer, I will try on each outfit - making sure it all matches & fits right, down to shoes and accessories. :cutie:

after that, it all gets freshly washed & dried - and packed? no, no way!:laughing: it all goes on hangers so there are no "crease marks"! I pack the day before we go. (which is, ironically, when I realize I need a bigger suitcase!):rotfl:

[Sugardimples]

We're going to Hawaii in 6 weeks and I started my preliminary prepack this weekend. I make quite a production out of packing (prepack, reevaluate, repack, etc.). For me it's part of the fun!

[PrincessPiperMommy]

I have a packing strategy:

Step 1 (up to six months prior): Make a detailed list of what I want to pack (down to number of each type of clothing for each person). I call this the master packing list.
Step 2 (about 2 months prior): Make a list of the items I need to buy.
Step 3 (about 1 month prior): Obtain things I did not have and store in one of the suitcases (and check them off the master packing list as I go).
Step 4 (1 week prior): Pack all things that are not daily items and clothing that will not be needed until we leave (and check them off the master packing list as I go)
Step 5 (2 days prior): Collect all clothing that needs to be packed and is not and launder then pack it (again, checking it off the list).
Step 6 (1 day prior): Determine what items need to be packed 'day of' and make sure that everything else is all set.
Step 7 (day of): pack the small number of items remaining.

So, I sort of start months in advance but don't do the heavy duty packing until about a week before we leave.

How funny :cool1: this is almost exactly what I do as well! However, I seem to keep reading other tips on dis and adding to my list... :rotfl2:

[perfectparanoia]

How funny :cool1: this is almost exactly what I do as well! However, I seem to keep reading other tips on dis and adding to my list... :rotfl2:

Me, too! I just added a closet organizer for the hall closet in our 1BR villa to store the kids clothes in (since there is limited drawer space).

[wvnative]

We have yet to do the big week long (or longer) trip to the East coast so I only have to pack for 3 or 4 days. (WDW is on my list for soon though)

I keep a list (or an excel workbook actually that holds all of the lists ...:confused3) in excel on the flashdrive I use for homework. That way I always have it. lol I keep the things that always go (sunblock, nightlight, powerstrip, backpack, tide 2 go, etc) in the suitcase at all times. When we go to DLR, we leave on a Thursday. I do laundry on the weekends so I pack the weekend before. Of course, I've already been through all of my checklists of what needs to be purchased beforehand and have all of that by then. lol It all goes in the suitcase when it comes home. All I have left to add on the DoD is the toiletries we use in the mornings.

My kid, yeah, not so much. She packs the night before and ALWAYS overpacks and almost always forgets something. Luckily for her, her mom is usually one step ahead. haha

I'm sure my process will be much the same when we venture the other direction.