Wiloughby1
Challenge Accepted
- Joined
- May 21, 2010
Hi everyone!
I am updating the thread with a bit more structure so you can jump through the lists. It make take me a while to get the hang of it. I also would rather leave the original lists intact and add revised lists for more options. That way moms (or dads) can find the list that pertains to the right age group/mode of transportation, etc. Please let me know what you think of the restructuring as it progresses.
Original Message:
I see a lot of packing lists and questions around here so I wanted to share my system. Its more than what to pack but also how to pack as well. Over a few posts, Ill share my lists and strategies for everything I need and use on Disney trips (and maybe a few other trips). I welcome your insight, too! DH calls it neurosis, but I call it strategically compartmentalizing- and it works REALLY well. Im never hunting, digging, scrounging, or otherwise wasting my valuable vacation time or money.
For me its both an art and a science. After reading all the tips and tricks on DIS, we had a perfectly streamlined trip with our then 20m/o in 2009. Were going back in (GASP) 30 days, with our now nearly 4 y/o and 18 m/o.
My strategy is simple, but takes some planning. I tried to organize this post to make it easier to follow. There are Tips in bold and Tools in red. Mini-Kits are green.
Tip #1: group all the items you need for a given situation together, in their own smaller package.
Tip #3: Then put the packages in a larger bag for portability.
Tip #2: I recommend clear packaging when possible. You can use ziplocs, but I prefer to save the clear vinyl zipper bags that come with bedding and kids toys. I keep them in a Rubbermaid in the basement and grab the smallest size that fits all the items in the package.
What I take to the parks using Tips 1-3 (and 4):
Sometime last year, I found a big, clear plastic backpack. Most of this stuff fits in there and that streamlines loading the car and getting through security.
Tip #4: Everything else goes into a big blue IKEA bag until I put it in the stroller. This is also very useful to whip out when you need to fold your stroller on trams, trains, and busses. I load the stroller basket by how often I need stuff and its shape. Sometimes we use a double, sometimes 2 singles, but the strategy works either way.
I have several mini-bags for the parks. Attached to my stroller I have a Skip-Hop Saddle Bag and a small parent organizer, and a shade-extender for DD. Here are the packing lists for each:
Diaper Kit (Skip-Hop Pronto Change-o)- Diapers, Wipes, Changing Pad, foldable potty seat for DS, post-it notes for self-flushing toilets
Change of clothes kit- smallest packable outfits for each kid, plus a pull-up for DS, even though he is potty trained*, ziplocs.
Rain kit- ponchos for all, stroller covers, one small umbrella, small hand towel, ziplocs
Water play kit (now just for Epcot splash pads, but was great for Donalds boat)- kids swimwear, travel chamois style towel, swim diapers, spray sunscreen*, last years outgrown crocs*
Side Saddle (most accessible)- sunscreen, chapstick with sunscreen, first aid kit, moleskin roll w/mini scissors*, sunglasses, Ziploc w/autograph book and markers(and Epcot passport) , drink lids for popsicles, menu book, hand sanitizer, pack of Wet Ones, pressed penny coin tubes
Soft Sided Cooler- Bobbles*, frozen juice boxes, snacks, Misty mates
General backpack-(everything else) hats, glow sticks and light-up toys for parades, layers that we remove
Small Baggalini (on me)- tix in a Ziploc for easy FP runner usage, ID, CC, cash, Flip Camera, small point and shoot camera, cell phone (with my touring plans and ADRs stored), index card with ADRs just in case, and a big Ziploc to store the whole bag on wet rides and in rain.
Camera case (DH carries)- better camera, extra batteries for all cams*
*Notes of clarification on selections:
-Why an extra pull up? Because with a recently potty trained, excited at a park kid, I can only carry so many pairs of underwear. If we use 2 back up pairs, Im not fighting. Hell wear a pull-up.
-Spray sunscreen- I know this is controversial. I typically use mineral sunscreen and only on parts not covered by clothes, but Ill spray to get good coverage fast.
-Outgrown crocs are stretchy and good in a pinch to protect feet during water play or for a shoe-soaking rainstorm
-Moleskin roll- O prefer the roll because I can cut to fit and its far better in price/unit than precut circles
-Bobbles- I HATE FL water! These are a lifesaver so we dont have to tote tons of bottles or pay out the you-know-what in the park.
-Camera tips- dont bring your bulky bag with all of the cords and whatnot. Only take the small items you can actually use in the park. If it connects to the computer or an outlet, you wont use it! Leave it in the hotel!
So thats my first post of Packing with Strategic Compartments. In future posts, Ill cover clothes, baby gear, cars/planes/trains, toiletries and meds, visits to pools and water parks and more. I hope this helps and inspires!
-Autumn
Jump to more lists...
The Ever-Ready Toiletry Kit, Family Medicine Kit, and Pool Bag
Clothes
Travel by train, and other modes of transportation
Infants and Toddlers
Pre-departure tasks
Work in progress....
I am updating the thread with a bit more structure so you can jump through the lists. It make take me a while to get the hang of it. I also would rather leave the original lists intact and add revised lists for more options. That way moms (or dads) can find the list that pertains to the right age group/mode of transportation, etc. Please let me know what you think of the restructuring as it progresses.
Original Message:
I see a lot of packing lists and questions around here so I wanted to share my system. Its more than what to pack but also how to pack as well. Over a few posts, Ill share my lists and strategies for everything I need and use on Disney trips (and maybe a few other trips). I welcome your insight, too! DH calls it neurosis, but I call it strategically compartmentalizing- and it works REALLY well. Im never hunting, digging, scrounging, or otherwise wasting my valuable vacation time or money.
For me its both an art and a science. After reading all the tips and tricks on DIS, we had a perfectly streamlined trip with our then 20m/o in 2009. Were going back in (GASP) 30 days, with our now nearly 4 y/o and 18 m/o.
My strategy is simple, but takes some planning. I tried to organize this post to make it easier to follow. There are Tips in bold and Tools in red. Mini-Kits are green.
Tip #1: group all the items you need for a given situation together, in their own smaller package.
Tip #3: Then put the packages in a larger bag for portability.
Tip #2: I recommend clear packaging when possible. You can use ziplocs, but I prefer to save the clear vinyl zipper bags that come with bedding and kids toys. I keep them in a Rubbermaid in the basement and grab the smallest size that fits all the items in the package.
What I take to the parks using Tips 1-3 (and 4):
Sometime last year, I found a big, clear plastic backpack. Most of this stuff fits in there and that streamlines loading the car and getting through security.
Tip #4: Everything else goes into a big blue IKEA bag until I put it in the stroller. This is also very useful to whip out when you need to fold your stroller on trams, trains, and busses. I load the stroller basket by how often I need stuff and its shape. Sometimes we use a double, sometimes 2 singles, but the strategy works either way.
I have several mini-bags for the parks. Attached to my stroller I have a Skip-Hop Saddle Bag and a small parent organizer, and a shade-extender for DD. Here are the packing lists for each:
Diaper Kit (Skip-Hop Pronto Change-o)- Diapers, Wipes, Changing Pad, foldable potty seat for DS, post-it notes for self-flushing toilets
Change of clothes kit- smallest packable outfits for each kid, plus a pull-up for DS, even though he is potty trained*, ziplocs.
Rain kit- ponchos for all, stroller covers, one small umbrella, small hand towel, ziplocs
Water play kit (now just for Epcot splash pads, but was great for Donalds boat)- kids swimwear, travel chamois style towel, swim diapers, spray sunscreen*, last years outgrown crocs*
Side Saddle (most accessible)- sunscreen, chapstick with sunscreen, first aid kit, moleskin roll w/mini scissors*, sunglasses, Ziploc w/autograph book and markers(and Epcot passport) , drink lids for popsicles, menu book, hand sanitizer, pack of Wet Ones, pressed penny coin tubes
Soft Sided Cooler- Bobbles*, frozen juice boxes, snacks, Misty mates
General backpack-(everything else) hats, glow sticks and light-up toys for parades, layers that we remove
Small Baggalini (on me)- tix in a Ziploc for easy FP runner usage, ID, CC, cash, Flip Camera, small point and shoot camera, cell phone (with my touring plans and ADRs stored), index card with ADRs just in case, and a big Ziploc to store the whole bag on wet rides and in rain.
Camera case (DH carries)- better camera, extra batteries for all cams*
*Notes of clarification on selections:
-Why an extra pull up? Because with a recently potty trained, excited at a park kid, I can only carry so many pairs of underwear. If we use 2 back up pairs, Im not fighting. Hell wear a pull-up.
-Spray sunscreen- I know this is controversial. I typically use mineral sunscreen and only on parts not covered by clothes, but Ill spray to get good coverage fast.
-Outgrown crocs are stretchy and good in a pinch to protect feet during water play or for a shoe-soaking rainstorm
-Moleskin roll- O prefer the roll because I can cut to fit and its far better in price/unit than precut circles
-Bobbles- I HATE FL water! These are a lifesaver so we dont have to tote tons of bottles or pay out the you-know-what in the park.
-Camera tips- dont bring your bulky bag with all of the cords and whatnot. Only take the small items you can actually use in the park. If it connects to the computer or an outlet, you wont use it! Leave it in the hotel!
So thats my first post of Packing with Strategic Compartments. In future posts, Ill cover clothes, baby gear, cars/planes/trains, toiletries and meds, visits to pools and water parks and more. I hope this helps and inspires!
-Autumn
Jump to more lists...
The Ever-Ready Toiletry Kit, Family Medicine Kit, and Pool Bag
Clothes
Travel by train, and other modes of transportation
Infants and Toddlers
Pre-departure tasks
Work in progress....
