Overpackers Anonymous

[neptuneflame]

Hi, my name is Neptune, and I am an overpacker.

How in the world is it possible to NOT pack my entire house for a trip? Granted, I have two little kids who each need sleeping gear and toys from home, but COME ON! I think I insist on driving just so I can pack to my heart's content.

This has been a gradual problem. Back in my carefree early 20s, I was able to pack--for both my husband and myself--for a ten day trip to California with just two carry on bags and a purse! Now, I'm looking at no fewer than 10 bags ready to load in the car, and my husband hasn't even packed yet! And he insists on bringing all of his full size toiletries and his own pillow.

I swear I have a problem and I need help! We are staying at POP and I don't even know if all of this stuff will even fit in the room with the four of us!

 

[fallen_angel727]

Hi Neptune!!

I would also like to join OA...as I have the same problem. This trip we're limited to one dufflebag for each of us (4 adults) as we're taking my little Honda Civic down. I dunno how I'm gonna do it

 

[dansdad]

That used to be my DW a couple years ago. During one particular trip, I made a mental note of all the things she "had to bring" for her or DS that were never used. Once we got home, I gathered all that up and laid it out on the bed in our spare room. All the stuff filled one of our large checked bags. Ever since then, we have been able to get away with much less.

I know it's different for you with little ones, but just wanted to throw that out there. Just make a note of what goes with you but either doesn't get used at all or could be done without.

 

[Sweettears]

"options. You have to have options.". George Costanza. Count me in.

 

[Canooknic]

The best thing I learnt from one of my suitcases going missing (not to Disney, but a 2 week vacation abroad) is that I am not going to the moon - there are stores if I need something that I don't have, I may pay a little bit more but travelling is so much easier!
I have two 4yr olds and they both have a small Buzz suitcase that is their carry-on. They put their bedtime toys and a pair of PJs in it with any other books/toys they 'must' have. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't come.
I bought travel bottles for my toiletries and buy small packets of 'just in case' medication (pepto tabs, kids Tylenol - only stuff that I couldn't wait to buy)

I haven't been out to buy anything on any trip since doing this!

 

[ArieBella]

You call it overpacking, I call it being prepared

I know what you mean though, and I blame diaper bags! Before I had DD, I didn't even carry a purse, just some money and my id in my pocket. Then I had a baby and was introduced to the diaper bag. The thing had to be packed with 4-5 diapers, a case of wipes, a bottle (or two), teething rings, antibacterial gel, a change of baby clothes, an extra shirt for me, ziplocs, plastic bags, changing pad, blanket, sunscreen, tissues, hat, Desitin cream, snacks, toys and a partridge in a pear tree. And that was just to run down to 7-11 to pick up some milk. I was Super Mom! Every problem was solved with just a reach in the bag!

Having a Mary Poppins-esque diaper bag destroyed my light packing days forever. Yea I probably won't need the cheese grater in the hotel room but what if I do and its not in the bag???

 

[GusGus77]

And thus why we don't know if we want to fly or drive next time. It really comes down to can we pack light enough to fly?!?!?

Neptune- we had the same scenario and stayed at Pop (with a pack and play and double stroller added in the room!) We made it fit!!! We actually ended up packing some of our stuff in laundry baskets (and put food in boxes so we could stack them in the room) which really helped to get everything situated in the room!

 

[Miss Peach]

I, too, am what many would call an over packer!

I think it is the minimum required!

We only live a short drive from Disneyland so airline regulations do not come into play.

My sweet husband just laughs as he watches my packing rituals and asks if I am going to need him to rent a U-haul trailer... so far, no... But you never know...

 

[jojomoore]

We tease my daughter about always packing too much every where she goes. We sometimes call her "bag lady". I think she grabbed onto the idea of a diaper bag when she was a toddler and never let it go. But in all sincerity, I think its better to be prepared and carry more than you need than to really need something and not have it. Joining Overpackers Anonymous!

 

[neptuneflame]

That used to be my DW a couple years ago. During one particular trip, I made a mental note of all the things she "had to bring" for her or DS that were never used. Once we got home, I gathered all that up and laid it out on the bed in our spare room. All the stuff filled one of our large checked bags. Ever since then, we have been able to get away with much less.

I know it's different for you with little ones, but just wanted to throw that out there. Just make a note of what goes with you but either doesn't get used at all or could be done without.

Good idea

 

[neptuneflame]

You call it overpacking, I call it being prepared

I know what you mean though, and I blame diaper bags! Before I had DD, I didn't even carry a purse, just some money and my id in my pocket. Then I had a baby and was introduced to the diaper bag. The thing had to be packed with 4-5 diapers, a case of wipes, a bottle (or two), teething rings, antibacterial gel, a change of baby clothes, an extra shirt for me, ziplocs, plastic bags, changing pad, blanket, sunscreen, tissues, hat, Desitin cream, snacks, toys and a partridge in a pear tree. And that was just to run down to 7-11 to pick up some milk. I was Super Mom! Every problem was solved with just a reach in the bag!

Having a Mary Poppins-esque diaper bag destroyed my light packing days forever. Yea I probably won't need the cheese grater in the hotel room but what if I do and its not in the bag???

Oh this explains so much! I'm subscribing to your theory

 

[neptuneflame]

Okay, guys, the first meeting of OA will be in the basement of the Penny Arcade on Main Street this Sunday. Coffee will be provided, but it will be Nescafé. See you there!

 

[Angeejoe]

I need to join your club, my name is Angela & I'm a total overpacker! I'm always so worried that I will need something, that I pack everything! This last trip I packed so much clothes that i never ended up wearing! I bought 3 cute Disney shirts that I ended up wearing on the trip instead of the shirts I packed. I'm so bad!

 

[FortForever]

Sounds like me.

I bring 4 large suitcases just for myself. One just for shoes. That doesn't count the messenger type bag, overnight bag, and train case.

I do the same thing on cruises since we can drive to all the ports.

Trouble is brewing in the form a trip to Germany later this year. I need to get down to one 50 lb bag and a carry on.

 

[SingingMom]

Oh I hear ya!!!! Just came back from 8 nights at WDW. Never traveled south in the winter before this year. Had all our options set out to pack - everyone said "layers". Then 2 days before we left, the forecast showed 80 degrees the entire week! Had to rethink everything, pull out summer shorts, but still kept some warmer clothes just in case. Somehow the 3 of us were able to stay to 3 bags under 50 lbs each. It was a miracle!! Lol

Every time we pack, my husband reminds me ,"we are not going to a third world country. They have STORES!" Wise guy. LOLOLOL

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Angebee]

Hi, my name is Ange and my overpacking problems usually stem from being terrified of flying so I have to bring my 'Linus Blanket', which, in my case, is the baby Mickey plushie I got as a kid. He takes up 2/3rds the length of a check in bag easy. It was so much fun trying to pack around him the first time that I had a crying fit thinking we'd miss our plane because I couldn't get everything in properly. Granted I was trying to also pack a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, light overjacket, shorts and jeans option for practically every single day of the trip.

This time around I'm making a check list of how many days we're there, what the weather should be like (one week out), and how often I can get away with wearing something twice (jeans & overjackets). On any normal day I'm that girl who just reaches into the closet and wears whatever I grab first but take that option away from me for a week and suddenly I'm London Tipton! Hopefully the chart will help.

Should I count the mini-pharmacy I try to bring with me due to sensitive skin and twelve-dozen allergies as 'overpacking', too?

 

[jclos1980]

Hello fellow over packers!

Just got back from a 10 day trip at Fort Wilderness in the cabins, but you could have sworn from my luggage that I had traveled the world for the past month.

My toiletries, jewelry, medications, make-up, hairbrushes, blow dryer, straightener, variety of anti-bacterials, etc all take up their own full size luggage. I had 3 pairs of sneakers and 3 pairs of sandals, 14 pairs each of all the essentials (socks, bras, underoos, plain white tank tops for sleeping). Had 4 sweatshirts, different thicknesses, 2 pairs jeans, 2 pairs capris,1 pair black slacks, 7 pairs shorts, 15 tee shirts, 3 long sleeve shirts, 3 pairs sweatpants/warm up type athletic pants, 2 bathing suits, 1 cover-up, 3 pairs sunglasses and 1 hat.

But I used almost everything just to prove to my husband that I needed all of it. Also if I listed everything that comes under the heading of "toiletries" you would know why it needs it's own luggage. I also bring my own sheet set for use in hotels that we hit on the ride down and pillows with 2 sets of cases, for use in the car and when in the hotel.

There is also a variety of things I take for the car, completely separate from everything listed above. This is an inherited trait from my mother, she taught me well. After our last vacation together, my father and my husband wanted to sit us down for an intervention.

 

[catra121]

Oh...I always seem to over pack...even when I think I am cutting way back...lol!

Considering a solo trip in April and thinking of doing something totally unheard of and packing toiletries, undies, and 2 pairs of jeans...buying the rest of my clothes there. Could be fun...could be a disaster. I'll think of it as an adventure for a self-confessed overpacker.

 

[T. Baker]

I really need to join this group. In December my husband said I was packing way too much stuff. I thought it over and decided to lighten the load. Well, I took out 2 pairs of his shorts and 3 of his short sleeve shirts while doing this.

We had 80 degree weather all week and he only had 2 pairs of shorts and 3 short sleeve shirts for 8 days. I don't believe he will comment about how much stuff I have packed again. He was cured when he was hot and having to roll us his long sleeves. This is why I bought him a Grumpy shirt because he was being grumpy about being hot and he needed short sleeves!!!!

 

[Indy Denise]

Hello, my name is Denise and I am an overpacker.

But even more distressing..I am an EARLY packer.

I have already started putting things aside for July in a over the door shoe holder ( larger items are on one shelf in the closet ) .

This is a disease. I need help. Last month my college age DD was doing " homework" while we were watching Top Chef. ( this is another addiction of mine...the Bravo channel ). I glanced at her " homework" and it was a Disney packing list.

Apparently overpacking and early packing are contagious.