29 days out and I already pulled my suitcases...

[lmbcdb]

Maybe we could start a club! I'm no good at picking catchy names, though.

Packers Anonymous (sounds more like a football team with a problem)
Exceptionally Early Packers (EEP)

 

[HLDisney]

I don't think there's anything wrong with you. It's all the non-Disney lovers that have the issues! Right????

Right!

My problem is that by starting so early, I'm going to end up with too much stuff and too little suitcase space. We're going to be flying and I'm trying to do carry-on only to avoid the luggage fees so I don't have much space. However, I think I've already tossed enough in my suitcase to fill one suitcase and I haven't even packed most of the clothes yet!!

I'm going to be using the air compression bags, though, so hopefully that'll help.

Helen

 

[*love*2*shop]

Be careful with that- Just remember there still is a WEIGHT Limit on your bags....We tried the space bag thing too and were ..over.....had to unpack and repack IN THE AIRPORT...we have a scale now thankfully and only pack our suitcase to 40 Lbs MAX( that way when i SHOP there i know i have room!!)

Right!



I'm going to be using the air compression bags, though, so hopefully that'll help.

Helen

 

[cajunbaby1]

Is there a 12 step program for Disney lovers i wonder??
I've got one of those huge reusable totes that I got at the disney store a few yrs back and keep in the corner of my closet that i just toss thing i find for an upcoming trip. See i've been trying to take said trip to wdw since last fall and have had to change several times due to work schedule. So techinally i've been semi packed since last year.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Maybe we could start a club! I'm no good at picking catchy names, though.

Packers Anonymous (sounds more like a football team with a problem)
Exceptionally Early Packers (EEP)

Good idea. Hmmm... I have a friend who is really good at that. I may have to ask her even if she's never been to WDW.

Right!

My problem is that by starting so early, I'm going to end up with too much stuff and too little suitcase space. We're going to be flying and I'm trying to do carry-on only to avoid the luggage fees so I don't have much space. However, I think I've already tossed enough in my suitcase to fill one suitcase and I haven't even packed most of the clothes yet!!

I'm going to be using the air compression bags, though, so hopefully that'll help.

Helen

I did the ziploc bags! I loved them! They were SO easy! I think I actually had less in my suitcases because I packed for so long. I just kept pulling things out to make room for souvenirs. I packed 7 carry-on suitcases, 7 personal item bags, 1 c-pap machine, 1 auto-pap machine, 1 nebulizer, and a stroller, and all the bags fell within the right weight to be carryons. I think extra time means you can really think about what you want to take and what you really need. You have more time to pull things out that you can do without. I feel like it cuts down on impulse packing.

Is there a 12 step program for Disney lovers i wonder??
I've got one of those huge reusable totes that I got at the disney store a few yrs back and keep in the corner of my closet that i just toss thing i find for an upcoming trip. See i've been trying to take said trip to wdw since last fall and have had to change several times due to work schedule. So techinally i've been semi packed since last year.

hmmm....I wonder???? Has anyone googled it? I do the same! Mine is busting at the seams with a large box, a small one, and a bag, but I will be prepared! Hopefully you can take that much needed trip soon. We didn't take a vacation for the first 13 years of our marriage. Then we tagged along on the kids' trip with my parents. I think it was good for our marriage and our family. We needed to take the time. Then one major surgery and 7 months later we went back. Now we are waiting one whole year due to buying a new house!!! I want to be there now!!! Oh well. Maybe I can perfect my planning. I just don't know how I can make it even more perfect than our last trip. I don't think it's possible. I am getting made fun of so much for already planning my ADR's and park schedule. It's never too early to start planning is it? Is it??????

 

[lmbcdb]

I did the ziploc bags! I loved them! They were SO easy!

It's never too early to start planning is it? Is it??????

No, it's never too early to start planning! I'm already planning our October trip for NEXT year and we haven't even gone on this year's trip.

Ziploc bags - love 'em! I actually buy the ones from dollar tree, though. I learned that both brands don't make it through more than one trip, anyway! Do you put outfits in yours? We actually have a whole outfit in each bag - underwear, socks, shorts/pants, shirt, hair bow if it's for my DD.


The only packing issue I'm having this year is I don't know where I put my over the door shoe holder. It was too big for the Disney box. Has anyone seen it?

 

[lmbcdb]

See i've been trying to take said trip to wdw since last fall and have had to change several times due to work schedule.

So when are you going?

Right!

I'm going to be using the air compression bags, though, so hopefully that'll help.

Helen, the ziploc bags work just as well and don't weigh as much. To get all the air out, my DH sits on them then seals them. Works like a charm.

 

[lmbcdb]

Hi! I also have the sickness.

Next weekend I will pack our "bathroom bag" (toiletries and such).

Happy packing!

Welcome to the club!

Luck you to pack the bathroom bag so early. We don't have enough extras on hand to do that. DH was even commenting that we could just use their soap and shampoo while there. But those little bottles aren't enough for 4 people for even one day. Will they give you more?

Oh, and I LOVE your signauture design with the family heads and the dates you have visited. Did you make that?

 

[pepe of ohio]

I want to be completely packed and zipped a month before we go.....enough trips to WDW (over 40) and pack by a list (so as to not forget anything)....the only things that chage is quanity (based on length of stay)...

My toiletry bag is always packed and replenished after every trip so it's always ready to go.....clothes I take are generally worn only in WDW....very easy for me to go down my list...pack away and we do have a travel scale, I weigh our bags....we use Amtrak and they allow 50# each but we try to stay at 40#....told the wife, you packed it, you haul it.....

I don't like last minute packing.....I rather know it's done and can relax before the trip and the journey to the train station at 1 am....

And I have a short list for buttoning up the house...timers set, water off and hot water tank set to vacation and A/C off....we're good to go!

 

[babyrich]

29 days out and I already pulled out suitcases. I even put a few things in them - pirate costumes and window decor. Even packed my park bag.

Then I got a good laugh this morning reading a planning checklist on another site:

"The night before leaving, pack suitcases and carry on bags if flying."

I think I would have a small panic attack...

Ha ha ha, at my 60 day mark I told my DH I would like the suitcases from the attic, he just looked at me like I was crazy. Yes I know it was a crazy request.

Now we are at 25 days!!!!!! I will get the suitcases this weekend. I do already have a area in the bedroom where I have gathered a bunch of stuff that I plan to take. I couldnt imagine packing the night before.

 

[cajunbaby1]

So when are you going?


Helen, the ziploc bags work just as well and don't weigh as much. To get all the air out, my DH sits on them then seals them. Works like a charm.

I'm finally going Dec 11-19th at PODQ And i'm gonna make it there if i have to kill my boss if she tries to change my dates!! (JUST KIDDING Theresa) or am i?? hahaha

 

[magicaldisney11]

I keep one suitcase always ready (trading pins, sun tan lotion, new tooth brushes, first aid kits, rain poncho's, etc etc) just in case someone calls me up and says...lets go to Disney!! I even keep flip flops, bathing suits in there Only need to add the new clothes

 

[HLDisney]

Thanks for the warning about the compression bags. I had forgotten about the 40lb limit.

I'll try the ziploc idea but I seem to remember that they didn't keep the air out as well as the compression bags (or maybe it was just that I couldn't get as much air out) But then, maybe if I didn't pack the bags weeks ahead of time, the air wouldn't have time to seep back in

Helen

 

[Rekenna]

Welcome to the club!

Luck you to pack the bathroom bag so early. We don't have enough extras on hand to do that. DH was even commenting that we could just use their soap and shampoo while there. But those little bottles aren't enough for 4 people for even one day. Will they give you more?

Oh, and I LOVE your signauture design with the family heads and the dates you have visited. Did you make that?

Hi! I have a bins in our linen closet and I just throw the sample size of things we receive throughout the year (I also work for a large consumer goods company and sometimes score useful items). Also, I have 3 boys and a DH-big boy and DH use the resort shampoo, soap, etc, so that makes it pretty easy. I just went to Walmart and got the last few things on my list-so we are good to go. Now I just need to sneak and pack the boys' clothes (it is killing me b/c I will have to wait until the day before we leave to pack clothes--or else they will be running around naked, they're cute and all, but naked booties get frowned on in public!).

Thanks for the comments on my sig-the Disney Autism Family was made for me on the DISigns forum here-there are so many talented people on there and they are so sweet to create these images (at no charge!). I am a sort of an Excel sheet activist and I created the rest there-moved the pics where I wanted them and then used snagit to take a picture of it and saved the pic to photobucket and then Presto! fun signature! The Autism Pirate image I found online, I think it's really cool and original.

Happy packing and travels to all! One suitcase down, 5 or 6 more to pack + backpacks, 12 more work days, 3 weekends and 22 more days to go!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

No, it's never too early to start planning! I'm already planning our October trip for NEXT year and we haven't even gone on this year's trip.

Ziploc bags - love 'em! I actually buy the ones from dollar tree, though. I learned that both brands don't make it through more than one trip, anyway! Do you put outfits in yours? We actually have a whole outfit in each bag - underwear, socks, shorts/pants, shirt, hair bow if it's for my DD.


The only packing issue I'm having this year is I don't know where I put my over the door shoe holder. It was too big for the Disney box. Has anyone seen it?

I'm one of those extreme couponers, so I get the brand name Ziplocs for free or close to free, otherwise I would go generic too! I am actually using a lot of the ones from our last trip for this trip. They made it through! I do everything but underwear and socks in one ziploc. I figure undies can go in a separate one b/c who knows how many times they may need to be changed with getting wet on rides and such. As for socks, I never know what the kids are going to decide to wear on their feet that day, so I put those inside the shoes we pack. I didn't use the bags for my clothes. I am pooh sized and didn't want to try to fit a full outfit in one bag. They were perfect for everyone else's.

Helen, the ziploc bags work just as well and don't weigh as much. To get all the air out, my DH sits on them then seals them. Works like a charm.

True dat!!! Heehee.

Thanks for the warning about the compression bags. I had forgotten about the 40lb limit.

I'll try the ziploc idea but I seem to remember that they didn't keep the air out as well as the compression bags (or maybe it was just that I couldn't get as much air out) But then, maybe if I didn't pack the bags weeks ahead of time, the air wouldn't have time to seep back in

Helen

I just seal them temporarily and then re-roll them right before leaving and zip. Works perfectly! We squeezed everything we needed into little carry-on suitcases for an 11 day trip for 7! Yikes!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

If we are going off-season (living in Wisconsin and going down in December) I tend to pack even earlier.

Same here living in Illinois! When I started packing up his summer wardrobe a couple weeks ago, I just started packing his suitcase! Haha!

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

Be careful with that- Just remember there still is a WEIGHT Limit on your bags....We tried the space bag thing too and were ..over.....had to unpack and repack IN THE AIRPORT...we have a scale now thankfully and only pack our suitcase to 40 Lbs MAX( that way when i SHOP there i know i have room!!)

Haha! I'm with you! The last trip, even after throwing away all the shampoo, conditioner, deoderants and toothpast to try and make my bag weigh less, I ended up carrying 2 huge shopping bags on the plane! Was not fun!

This year I think I'm just going to check an extra bag, so I'll have it for all the fun stuff on the way home. My son's b-day is January, so I usually end up doing LOTS of Christmas and Birthday shopping while I'm down there! I figure I might as well fill it with snacks/breakfast items on the way down for my son to have in the hotel room.

 

[RNlovesWDW]

DH thinks I have lost my mind!

I am so excited, I just can't wait to head back to WDW. Packing a little bit every weekend will help build the excitement.

 

[lmbcdb]

pack by a list (so as to not forget anything)....the only things that chage is quanity (based on length of stay)...

I always pack by a list - I'd be a nervous wreck without it!


My toiletry bag is always packed and replenished after every trip so it's always ready to go

This is a great idea that I am going to steal!

pack away and we do have a travel scale

Travel scale? Where can you buy one of these? DH usually has to stand on our bathroom scale holding the suitcases so I can see the weight then subtract his weight from the number.

.

I keep one suitcase always ready (trading pins, sun tan lotion, new tooth brushes, first aid kits, rain poncho's, etc etc) just in case someone calls me up and says...lets go to Disney!! I even keep flip flops, bathing suits in there Only need to add the new clothes

I keep reading about people taking new toothbrushes...I must be missing something...Why not take the current ones you are using?

But then, maybe if I didn't pack the bags weeks ahead of time, the air wouldn't have time to seep back in

The air still seeps back in after 24 hours or so, but they still pack better than without them.

(it is killing me b/c I will have to wait until the day before we leave to pack clothes--or else they will be running around naked, they're cute and all, but naked booties get frowned on in public!).

Packing a little bit every weekend will help build the excitement.

We've been doing the same. This year, though, I am making everyone help - even the 3yo. I give them little jobs. Even though it takes them FOREVER to do their job, something gets accomplished, and I can get other things packed while they are working on their job.

 

[snowcourt]

Suprisingly i have 26 days and still the suitcases arent out!!!