4 weeks to go and feeling unprepared!

[sejeta]

not sure why. This is my second time but my first in December.

I guess I'm not sure what I need to pack. I don't want to overpack (which I've been known to do) but I dont' want to underpack either. Any tips on what I should be doing week to week. I also need to get all my christmas shopping done too before I leave so I dont' like that's helping either.

I just want this trip to be fun since I know we won't be going back for a while after this.

Thanks in advance.

Selena

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Make sure you pack ready for any weather (including light mitts and hats) and fleece jackets. What I'm not doing this time, which I ALWAYS do is overpack clothes - airlines are so tight now on excess baggage there is no way I'm taking any chances. I'm packing laundry supplies, and if needed camp out in the laundry room at AKL for a few hours. Challenge will be keeping DD12 from packing at least one change for clothes for each day.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I almost never take to many clothes. When I'm on vacation I don't care if I wear something 2 or 3 times as long as I haven't spilled on it or sweated in it. I just plan on doing a load of laundry. It only takes about an hour since you can do multiply loads at the same time. I save laundry soap samples and take those along with some dryer sheets but you can buy them there in the laundry room for $2 each.

Try to not over think things. Just throw some stuff in a bag and go have fun. If you forget something just buy it. There's not much that the gift shops don't have.

In December think about clothes that you can layer if needed and I agree with a pair of gloves. Those little stretchy ones from the dollar store are perfect.

 

[encinc]

I hear you on the needing to get the Christmas shopping done ahead of time. I did some this weekend, and ordered a couple more things online this afternoon. We leave in less than 3 weeks. It is coming up quickly! I can't wait!

Don't stress ... it will all get done somehow. It always does!

 

[aristocat65]

I always start checking Accuweather.com about a week before we go anywhere, to get an idea of what type of clothes to pack. When we were in Orlando over New Years one year I was glad I did because we knew to pack fleece gloves and hats and were ready for freezing temperatures.

I also make a packing list (as I'm sure most of us overplanners do) and start from there. At least it helps to start getting you organized.

Good Luck. WDW is beautiful at Christmas with all the decorations

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Leaving in 4 weeks huh so are we. We leave 4 weeks Saturday Dec 12 5am ish lol. WHat to bring. Now this all depends on how you are getting there. If your flying or driving.
Also what ages are the kids if any.
PASSPORTS
A couple of things to bring for sure is
-small bottles of hand sanitizer to bring into the parks with you. Pack in below luggage if flying.
-gloves and toque as it can get cold down there too.
-you will have your winter jacket anyway but bring a light jacket spring fall one.
-a couple pairs of long comfie pants.
-etc etc. Pack a bit for both hot and cold you never know.
PASSPORTS
-Bring a backpack for your purse and other stuff you will need for the park. That way theves will have a tougher time getting at it. Never leave unatended. Yes there are theves at disney as anywhere else. Dont worry just be cautious.
-get messanger bags for the kids to carry a bottle of water and snacks for them so you dont become a pack mule for them.
-camera with extra rechargable batteries and extra memory cards id you have digital.
-sun glasses
-comfie shoes
-If your driving and you have the room and have a small bar fridge bring it for your room. That way you can have beverages cooling down.(depending on which hotel your in)
PASSPORTS
-CHeck with your cell phone carrier about a travel package so you can make calls in the USA without big charges and check about texts messages too.
-If your driving and have CAA get a trip-tic We are getting a few routes made up just incase of weather for different options.
Oh I can go on lol

oh yeah dont forget PASSPORTS.

See ya down there

 

[sejeta]

We are flying. My kids are 8 and 5. I need to pick up some little bottles of laundry soap. I plan on doing laundry for one or two days.

I'm hoping for nice weather.

Thanks again.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

Flying thats great. No need for amusment for the trip down. Just remember to pack for both types of weather. The last time we were there for christmas one day we were in shorts around 17c (getting weird looks mind you) the next day we had winter coats and gloves onas it got to a balmy 5c that day.

 

[connorsmom911]

I've found pretty good luck with weather.com, checking their 10-day forcast for Orlando. I check it every day as soon as I'm within the 10 day window for my trip, and start to pack based on the weather when I'm going to be there. I've never been in December, although I've been in Oct/Nov a couple of years and had both extreme cold and extreme heat!

As other posters have said, sit down and make out a list, head to toe, and just keep the list handy when you think of something to jot it down. When you go to pack, just tick off all the items on your list and away you go.

My only other tip would be just make sure you have passport and money. If you forget anything else at least you can get there and buy whatever you have to!! Have fun!!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

" My only other tip would be just make sure you have passport and money. If you forget anything else at least you can get there and buy whatever you have to!! Have fun!! "

I used to travel on business, worldwide, at fairly short notice and that was my credo - a passport and a credit card all else can be bought......

 

[Tiggs14]

We're heading down in January and I'm a bit stumped with what clothing to pack. I don't want to pack both shorts and pants for each day but it's sounds like that is what has to be done.

We had enough suit cases when we went down in September and that was with only shorts and t's packed...

 

[alohamom]

We are also heading down in 3 weeks, leaving Dec 8th. We did a similar trip a few years back when my kids were younger and I was shocked at the prices Disney was charging for the little stretchy gloves one night, it was something insane like 5 or 6 bucks a pair!Of course, I am a total overplanner so we had some and I always throw them into the suitcase for winter evenings at the World. Actually, I bought a 2 pack of larger adult black ones at my local Dollarama for this trip, fyi...

 

[mlegerto]

Here are a few suggestions that I can offer for a trip to the World during the christmas season:

- pack items that are easy to layer
- pack 1/2 of your clothing as summer / spring type clothing
EX: Shorts, Skirts, Dresses, Swim Suits
- pack 1/2 of your clothing as fall / light winter clothing
EX: Long sleeve shirts, Pants, Small gloves
- pack a pair of flip flops
- pack a pair of closed shoes
EX: Running shoes

- I highly suggest that you visit your local dollar store before leaving. You can often get a pack of the small stretchy gloves (usually 2 pairs in a pack). This will be really inexpensive and they are VERY easy and light weight to pack and store if you dont need them.


MOST OF ALL....be prepared for any type of weather, but don't stress over it. You are at WALT DISNEY FREAKIN WORLD and your there to enjoy yourself. If you plan / pack ahead of time you will be ready for anything and you will not be down or upset with the frequent change in weather.


HAPPY TRAVELS!!!!!!

 

[sejeta]

I leave Dec 12 so less than 4 weeks now. I'll go to the dollar store and pick up some gloves. I guess I'll have to pack for both types of weather and hope it doesn't get too cold. I'm planning on doing laundry one day but I will do one load another day if I have to. I only want to pack one suitcase per person but I want one empy on the way down to make room for suviners(sp)

I'm trying not to stress to much. We are celebrating my 40th birthday (2 weeks early) and our 10th anniversary ( late) so I'm trying to figure out what do for this too plus I'm thinking about taking a town car back. Thinking about all the things I want to do before I leave is leaving me a little crazy.
I may have to forget everything and just go and have fun

Thanks again.

Now I'm just waiting to recive my DME and vouchers which my TA said she was sending in the mail today! When I get these I will really feel my trip is soon

Selena