Confessions of an Over Packer...Need Tips!!!

[Hunzi]

I'm sort of both an overpacker and a supertight packer deending on the situation. On our first trip to WDW with kids 6 & 11, I wayyyyy over packed. We were doing 17days (WDW, Cocoa Beach, Dis Cruise) and we looked like we were going on an African safari. Four huge duffles, plus backpacks/laptop bags. The next few trips I was a little better.

I think for me a lot of the problem is in not knowing what to expect. That first trip I was really nervous because we had never traveled with the kids before and DS has ADD so I was just stressed out over how it was all going to go and tried to pack for all contingencies.

Funny thing is I can also pack for a whole week's business trip (with girly clothes) in a 22in carryon.

What's really funny is DD is an uber-overpacker. But she's also very good, really uses everything she packs, and packs about 3-4 weeks ahead of time.

This trip will be an overpacker type. DD and I are going "GirlzOnly" this September. We're doing matching shirts for 10 days. So we're packing 16 shirts each. She's the "change 2 times a day" type, so I'm lucky I'm not bringing more like 24 shirts each. Toss in 3 or 4 pr of shorts & pants, a million pair of undies, two swim suits each, a boatload of toiletries, one sweatshirt, jammies, and probably 3 pairs of shoes each. And of course all the snacks and park supplies. And a camera and laptop and other various electronics.

I think I just realized I may need more than the 26in big bag, 22in bag, and rolling cooler I was planning to take for the 2 of us. (Plus a carryon backpack & laptop) Looks like I may need one of those big wheeled duffles too! EEK!

Always ;-)
Hunzi

 

[Leofoenget]

Ok I admit it...I am a serious overpacker and need help. I tend to bring everything but the kitchen sink from home and can't seem to stop myself. PLEASE HELP!!! We are traveling in August for 8 nights and are a family of 5. Is it best to do laundry while I'm there? I really would like to travel lighter this time and DH and his back would be forever grateful Please share your best packing tips!! TIA

Well, I too am a terrible overpacker. I learned this tip on the China Adopt "carry on only" list. Put in EVERYTHING you think you will need on your trip----Then take out 50% of it, maybe more.
Remember you CAN do laundry there. I'ts not like you are going to the outback it is LOS ANGELES (OR FLORIDA) they have Target. If you forget something just buy it there!!

I tend to over pack too but i'm getting better.

 

[dani blaski]

Hi, I am Dani, and I am an overpacker!
It has gotten worse with my little guy since babies actually go through lots of clothes and food and snacks and formula and juice. We only bring two toys when we are flying.
I have found the following works for me so I do not overpack and are less likely to forget things:

1. I keep packed toiletry bags for DH & myself. DS's toiletries (head to toe wash travel size, toothpaste, toothbrush, powder, lotion all travel size) are in my bag. Everything is travel size and gets replaced when we get home.
2. I always make a list, do the math to determine how much of what do we need.
3. I have a seperate emergency eagle creek bag always packed. It has childrens tylenol, excedrin, neosporin or equivalent, bandaids, benadryl, and saline spray.
4. I always use Eagle Creek travel system. Youu can find it online if you search eagle creek. easy to pack & unpack, nothing gets lost & I can fit what I need.
5. when you see travel size items of tide etc pick it up. especially at the end of summer when it may goes on clearance at target. pack one and if you need to use it you have it.

 

[coolbeans]

correct me if i'm wrong, but are the dryers are 2.00$ for 30 min?

i recall it being that back in july of 2006 when my mom went to use them. i remember her complaining about the fact that it was 2.00$ for only 30 min, not an hour...

I don't pack any denim, nothing very heavy, just light t-shirts, tank tops, knit shorts stuff like that, so 30 minutes should work, if not I'll hang what's not quite dry in the room. I have a cheap pack of hangers from Wal-Mart that are in my Disney Box for just that purpose. (plus to hang swimsuits and beach towels on)

 

[englishteacha]

Growing up I was only allowed to pack 4 days' worth of clothing, and mom would do laundry midweek. So my first trip as an adult I brought almost my entire wardrobe! I've gotten much better now. Now, I don't own enough clothes to pack more than 8 outfits. My advice is to pack smart. I volunteer at a summer camp for a week every year and doing laundry isn't an option. I have had to get creative in how I pack! I have a master packing list. Every year I pare it down a little. I even wrote myself a note last year saying, "A week's worth of clothes WILL fit in the black duffle bag!" So my challenge this year is to stick to it. Part of my trouble is our other bags and suitcases are all very large, so I always see that I have "extra" room and add more stuff, even when I know I have plenty! On vacation, if we have a washer and dryer in our condo, I will do laundry, just so I don't have to do it at home. When we don't have our own facilities, I don't usually do laundry, though I do bring detergent just in case. I also pack by "outfit" so I know I always have matching clothes.

 

[fAnnF]

I'm a total over packer, if I go for 7 days I need to bring outfits for 10-14. I'm going for 4 days this time and bf told me we're sharing a suitcase, it's a large suitcase(I could fit in it), and I have to cut down what I bring. I don't do laundry when I'm there, not in the room or awake long enough to do that. I take 2 shrits that can be worn with 1 pair of pants, and I only bring 1 pair of shoes, the same shoes that were on my feet when I walked out the door to Disney world. BF we also throw in a small empty duffle for those things that won't fit in the bag on the way back.

 

[TXTurtle]

I'm all about traveling light - my only suitcase is about 2/3 the size of your standard carry-on one. My current record is managing to pack for a 4 night cruise (Wonder, I miss you!) and 5 days in the park all in that one suitcase. And naturally that trip I got pulled for a bag search.

A couple disclaimers - I'm a single smallish female who spent enough time overseas to think it perfectly acceptable to wear the same outfit two days in a row. Three, even. No children to pack or plan for so my following tips will probably need to be modified if baby spit or popsicles need to be accounted for. But with that ...

Tips learned (and yes, most of these are repeats. Figured it was worth the repetition so I don't forget anything)

- Tight packing starts with a tight closet. I go through my clothes twice a year and clean out ruthlessly. If it hasn't been worn in two years (max) then it goes. If it needs fixing to be worn it either gets fixed within a week or it goes. By the time I'm done I don't have much but it's all stuff I wear and feel good in. This reeeeally helps in packing since, with all the purging and careful buying, most tops go with most bottoms and I have a good feel for what I'll actually wear.

- Pack favorites - a top you never wear at home won't get any more use on the vacation.

- Two pairs of shoes. That's it. One pair that you could walk to China and back in, one nicer pair for nicer dinners. But still comfortable. Comfort beats fashion on trips.

- One bottom for every two or three days I usually travel with a pair of jeans (worn onto the plane), a nice but comfortable skirt, and a pair of shorts. That way I'm ready for anything, nice, cold, hot, whatever. Skirts are fantastically versitile -- I wear them all the time at work -- and I work with small children so I'm on the ground, carrying stuff, you name it. A narrow a-line is both modest and easy to walk in. And cool!

- One shirt per day. Inevitably even with just one shirt a day you'll wear your favorite multiple times. But this gives you some wiggle room in case something happens. All shirts must go with all bottoms. No exception. If you don't have enough matches then it's time to go shopping and fix that. One shirt should be nice enough for a nice dinner but not out of place in the World. I have a nice scoop-neck black tee that's perfect. Worn with a nice skirt, shoes, and a necklace it's ready for anything short of formal night.

-Don't think in terms of "outfits". If each top goes with each bottom then you've got outfits there. They'll sort themselves out. What you want to avoid is bringing that top that only goes with those capris which only go with those shoes ... but man, they're a cute outfit all together. They're just as cute being worn at home. Leave them there. Vacations are a team effort on the part of all your clothes. If they don't play well with others then they don't go.

-Socks and undies for each day Some things CAN'T be worn more than one day. While I've found some undies that wash up wonderfully in the sink and dry in a few hours, they don't take up enough room even in my tiny bag to be worth skimping on.

-Two things to read. For the airplane. I'm a reader and even so I usually just crash when we get back to the hotel room.

- Bag and roll. Roll up things instead of folding. Even undies get rolled. Everything gets put in plastic baggies, too. Things fit so much tighter in bags. Some people do outfits but I do by type - all shirts in one, socks in another, etc. This both saves room and keeps things from wrinkling. In theory.

-No "high maintenace" clothes. Nothing that needs to be drycleaned or ironed. Knits are your friend on vacation.

- Two pairs of earrings, one necklace. If a nice dinner's on the schedule. If not, don't worry. But nice jewelry can take park-ready seperates and bump them up to something ready for a nice dinner. And a necklace takes up far less room than another outfit!

- Disney won't let you go without. Chances are that if you need it disney will sell it to you. So don't pack all that "just in case" stuff. Pack what you KNOW you'll need (sunscreen, specific medications) and let a little extra cash stand in for your bag of "just in case" stuff. Confession - I do pack a few asprin and two bandaids, even though they sell them. But that's it!

- Now go through and eliminate five things. Or, in my case, whatever won't fit in the bag. If it doesn't fit you must ... leave it. Ok, not so catchy but it works.

- Wear the bulkiest stuff on the plane. Jacket, shoes, jeans... Oh, and you only need one jacket. That's it. No more. Nope. You don't need it. Trust me on this.

Those are my packing rules and I gotta say, after years of traveling like this and striving for an even smaller bag each time, that I've NEVER had a problem. I've always been covered for whatever situation I found myself in. And the feeling of freedom is completely worth it. When I lived in China I was amazed by one of my friends whose idea of packing for a week long trip across the nation was to throw a second sundress, change of underwear, and a toothbrush into her purse. I'm not even sure she had toothpaste. And you know what? She had a wonderful trip without any problems. If she could do it then surely I can travel with just one suitcase! I'm still working on it (and loving the tips from others!) but she's my inspiration to the end.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

I am a serious overpacker, so I feel your pain! We are DVC owners so having a villa with a washing machine helps...GREATLY. On our last trip in March, I planned on doing laundry while there and just packed WAY less. It worked out so much better! Left more room for souvies, plus, since some airlines charge for bags that weigh over 50lbs, this also helps.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

hmm i know what you mean. This trip i tried to do just carry ons. I'm going for 6 days and I got my smallest suitcase and somehow managed to fit everything! Then as my "personal item" to have with me at my seat, i brought a drawstring bag that has my things im going to keep myself busy with on the plane (Ds lite, ipod) as well as things i need to access right away... wallet, ID and that.

It's been tough but i think i pulled it off! Will make things go alot quicker when getting off the plane as i think none of my group is bringing a bag they have to check in.

 

[Leofoenget]

Nice rules! If it don't fit then you must OMIT... that rhymes..

(kind of an OJ reference there....)

 

[Starr W.]

I'm all about traveling light - my only suitcase is about 2/3 the size of your standard carry-on one. My current record is managing to pack for a 4 night cruise (Wonder, I miss you!) and 5 days in the park all in that one suitcase. And naturally that trip I got pulled for a bag search.

A couple disclaimers - I'm a single smallish female who spent enough time overseas to think it perfectly acceptable to wear the same outfit two days in a row. Three, even. No children to pack or plan for so my following tips will probably need to be modified if baby spit or popsicles need to be accounted for. But with that ...

Tips learned (and yes, most of these are repeats. Figured it was worth the repetition so I don't forget anything)

- Tight packing starts with a tight closet. I go through my clothes twice a year and clean out ruthlessly. If it hasn't been worn in two years (max) then it goes. If it needs fixing to be worn it either gets fixed within a week or it goes. By the time I'm done I don't have much but it's all stuff I wear and feel good in. This reeeeally helps in packing since, with all the purging and careful buying, most tops go with most bottoms and I have a good feel for what I'll actually wear.

- Pack favorites - a top you never wear at home won't get any more use on the vacation.

- Two pairs of shoes. That's it. One pair that you could walk to China and back in, one nicer pair for nicer dinners. But still comfortable. Comfort beats fashion on trips.

- One bottom for every two or three days I usually travel with a pair of jeans (worn onto the plane), a nice but comfortable skirt, and a pair of shorts. That way I'm ready for anything, nice, cold, hot, whatever. Skirts are fantastically versitile -- I wear them all the time at work -- and I work with small children so I'm on the ground, carrying stuff, you name it. A narrow a-line is both modest and easy to walk in. And cool!

- One shirt per day. Inevitably even with just one shirt a day you'll wear your favorite multiple times. But this gives you some wiggle room in case something happens. All shirts must go with all bottoms. No exception. If you don't have enough matches then it's time to go shopping and fix that. One shirt should be nice enough for a nice dinner but not out of place in the World. I have a nice scoop-neck black tee that's perfect. Worn with a nice skirt, shoes, and a necklace it's ready for anything short of formal night.

-Don't think in terms of "outfits". If each top goes with each bottom then you've got outfits there. They'll sort themselves out. What you want to avoid is bringing that top that only goes with those capris which only go with those shoes ... but man, they're a cute outfit all together. They're just as cute being worn at home. Leave them there. Vacations are a team effort on the part of all your clothes. If they don't play well with others then they don't go.

-Socks and undies for each day Some things CAN'T be worn more than one day. While I've found some undies that wash up wonderfully in the sink and dry in a few hours, they don't take up enough room even in my tiny bag to be worth skimping on.

-Two things to read. For the airplane. I'm a reader and even so I usually just crash when we get back to the hotel room.

- Bag and roll. Roll up things instead of folding. Even undies get rolled. Everything gets put in plastic baggies, too. Things fit so much tighter in bags. Some people do outfits but I do by type - all shirts in one, socks in another, etc. This both saves room and keeps things from wrinkling. In theory.

-No "high maintenace" clothes. Nothing that needs to be drycleaned or ironed. Knits are your friend on vacation.

- Two pairs of earrings, one necklace. If a nice dinner's on the schedule. If not, don't worry. But nice jewelry can take park-ready seperates and bump them up to something ready for a nice dinner. And a necklace takes up far less room than another outfit!

- Disney won't let you go without. Chances are that if you need it disney will sell it to you. So don't pack all that "just in case" stuff. Pack what you KNOW you'll need (sunscreen, specific medications) and let a little extra cash stand in for your bag of "just in case" stuff. Confession - I do pack a few asprin and two bandaids, even though they sell them. But that's it!

- Now go through and eliminate five things. Or, in my case, whatever won't fit in the bag. If it doesn't fit you must ... leave it. Ok, not so catchy but it works.

- Wear the bulkiest stuff on the plane. Jacket, shoes, jeans... Oh, and you only need one jacket. That's it. No more. Nope. You don't need it. Trust me on this.

Those are my packing rules and I gotta say, after years of traveling like this and striving for an even smaller bag each time, that I've NEVER had a problem. I've always been covered for whatever situation I found myself in. And the feeling of freedom is completely worth it. When I lived in China I was amazed by one of my friends whose idea of packing for a week long trip across the nation was to throw a second sundress, change of underwear, and a toothbrush into her purse. I'm not even sure she had toothpaste. And you know what? She had a wonderful trip without any problems. If she could do it then surely I can travel with just one suitcase! I'm still working on it (and loving the tips from others!) but she's my inspiration to the end.

OMG were we separated at birth? . That's exactly how I pack for myself(DH does his own along the same lines). My problem is 2boys.

I have a couple of J Jill matte jersey outfits that are wonderful and never wrinkle(in black of course).

If a top or bottom can not be worn with at least 2 other things it stays home, no matter how much I love it(Years of travelling on business by myself or employees and yes I carried/wheeled my bag my self).

 

[Leofoenget]

OK I LOVE your rules. There is a whole Yahoo board devoted to "Carry On ONLY" devoted to families traveling to China to pick up their newly adopted child. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the "pack it" system, with the folders, bags etc. They they also tell you to roll stuff. I like it because if you fold your clothes correctly, they will not wrinkle. Every family member is a different color so you can tell right away whose junk is whose. Anyhoo.... MY biggest "overpacking issue" is the What if.... What if I spill something on my top, What if I start my period, What if one of the kids wets his pants or throws up?? Thats hard. If you are alone, it's much easier but packing for other people it's much harder not to bring too much.

I printed out your tips gonna keep them handy for inspiration.

 

[TXTurtle]

Nice rules! If it don't fit then you must OMIT... that rhymes..

(kind of an OJ reference there....)

Oh, love it, thanks!

And thanks for the kind words! Yesterday was a bad day and reading the positive feedback gave me nice warm fuzzies.

I'm very glad to only have me to pack for at this time - small kids definately add a whole different twist to packing! How is it that someone so small can take up so much room?!?

 

[Leofoenget]

Ok I admit it...I am a serious overpacker and need help. I tend to bring everything but the kitchen sink from home and can't seem to stop myself. PLEASE HELP!!! We are traveling in August for 8 nights and are a family of 5. Is it best to do laundry while I'm there? I really would like to travel lighter this time and DH and his back would be forever grateful Please share your best packing tips!! TIA

Serenity Prayer for Overpackers
courtesy of Julia Hartgrove

Samsonite,
Grant me the serenity to accept my wife's packing,

The courage to go Carry On Only

And the wisdom to know that I can have laundry done in a foreign country.

 

[pezheadmeg]

OK I LOVE your rules. There is a whole Yahoo board devoted to "Carry On ONLY" devoted to families traveling to China to pick up their newly adopted child. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the "pack it" system, with the folders, bags etc. They they also tell you to roll stuff. I like it because if you fold your clothes correctly, they will not wrinkle. Every family member is a different color so you can tell right away whose junk is whose. Anyhoo.... MY biggest "overpacking issue" is the What if.... What if I spill something on my top, What if I start my period, What if one of the kids wets his pants or throws up?? Thats hard. If you are alone, it's much easier but packing for other people it's much harder not to bring too much.

I printed out your tips gonna keep them handy for inspiration.

That's what Tide-to-Go pens are for. I got pooped on by one of those lovely storks that hang out at the MK. The Tide-to-Go pen saved those shorts.

 

[beckanoah]

subscribing

 

[tmbrea]

Ok, we leave 1 week from today. I plan to pack 5 pair capri pants with tops and 2-3 pair of shorts with tops for 8 days. I like to know I have options each day. I do plan to do laundry at least once during our tip for several reasons....

1. The night we return we fly out of Orlando late, arrive at DFW at about 9:30, then a 2 1/2 hour drive home (not including time to get luggage and travel time to our car).

2. The would be my normal weekend to work so will return late on Sat night and most likely have to be at work on Sunday night.

and
3. I like coming home with most of the laundry done and not having to spend a day and half catching up on it or fighting over who get the washer first.

We already know we will be spending some afternoons at the resort resting. I can get the laundry done while the DH rest and the kids do whatever. This is the only time I ever do any of their laundry for them is on vacation. At home in everyday life everyone is responsible for thier own....

 

[madenon]

Just loved reading this topic. Thought I was an overpacker (am the one in the extended family) but I am so budgetpacking if I read this all, I feel great.

We're used to (live in Holland, so flying in Europe, Asia or Oceania is all the same rules) only be allowed about to bring 11 pounds carry on and 44 pounds checked luggage, and that's allways a challenge for me. Being allowed now to take 2 pieces of checked luggage up to 70 pound each and about 35/40 pounds of carry on is like living it so large it made me wonder if people did bring their home or something to make it to those numbers. Now I know better.

I guess it all comes down to what your used to and allowed to. We don't know any better and most of us overhere can manage with the 44 pounds only, also on a trip for a month. But just give us a couple of years of the two-pieces-concept and no way you'll find a lot of us still being able to do this at that point.

My strategie? Anything I could need during the flight or arriving at WDW before my luggage does goes into the carry-on. Most weight'll be in the medical extra's, but even if they were counted (got some have stuff for the wc) I wouldn't make the weightlimit this time. Any showerproducts etc; small bottles! T-shirt numbers fit the number of days travelling + 15%. (for instance, if travelling 10 days; 10 t-shirts plus 2 -1.5 is a bit hard-). Travelling to hot places that don't cool down to fast during the night; 1 or 2 light sweaters per 10 days. 1 or 2 pants per 10 days. 2 or 3 skirts/dresses per 10 days. Enough socks, allthough if warm weather; about 2 pairs. A pair of heavy warm shoes (wearing them!) and a pair of slippers. This'll be the first trip I'm probably taking 2 pair. Underwear; same rule as the shirts. 1 Thin jacket or something (getting home it'll be very cold, but I'll let the people picking me up bring along my winterjacket; makes a lot of difference in the luggage!). Besides my suitcase and carry-on bag, I'll bring along 1 backpack for usage in the park, and 1 small hipbag (for money etc during flight and in WDW). Enough readingmaterial; in carry-on and bought at the airport. Towels; my downfall. Don't have to bring them this time. Souvenirs; tend to pick the heaviest thing, but this time I can finally relax about the weight!! (went to Australia with about 30 pounds of checked and 11 pounds carry on and packing to go back, I had 68 pounds checked and 27 pounds carry on. Oops! Had to cut down the checked, so my nieces got a lot of new clothes, and toiletry (learned about that one, only bring almost empty cans or buy some one-use stuff at my destination). The carry on was allowed on board, which I'm sure had mainly to do with them not wanting the hassle of weighing as that would mean airport assistence would have to spend more time assisting me and the were short a lot of people. They carried the bag, they weren't stupid and could see the bottles of wine, (knowing that would weigh enough) but I got lucky anyway.

 

[dyna]

Some of you do got the over packing bug bad!!!

Our upcoming Sept trip we are riding down on Elvira who is a big harley dresser no trailer tho. On our way down we will be stopping an camping for the weekend with some friends. Thankfully some other friends will be bringing our camping gear back home for us. We'll be on the road about a week before we ever get to disney need clothes for that then our summer disney clothing.

Meaning we will have 3 sets of clothes for riding and 3 sets of clothes for disney for 3 weeks. A couple of swimsuits each 2 pairs of shoes 1 pair of boots our rain gear for riding that we won't use at disney to warm to use it there but got to have it.

In other words we pack what we like and make sure we like it an it's comfy or we suffer, riding it's the same clothes we wear daily at home. Disney we tend to wear lighter colors this trip tho it might all be BLACK because of space limitations.

We take a daily break every afternoon anyway so doing laundry not a problem at disney an I'd rather come home with clean clothes than dirty anyway. This trip unless we take all BLACK we will never have a full load of laundry at any 1 time either but that has it's advantages too as a smaller load usually drys faster than a full load esp 1 that is over full which ppl tend to do on vacation.

Yes in my cage (car) I can tend to overpack on a bike NO. There just isn't room lol.

 

[silverarrowknits]

I used to be a massive overpacker, but then I applied to grad school and had to go on interviews with only carry on (in fear that my suitcase would get lost) and a broken wrist (so I only had a large black bag and a backpack).

Here is what I learned from my crazy two week experience...

1) Get travel size everything...even smaller hair brushes
2) One pair of pants per every two to three days and wear dark pants to ensure multiple day usage
3) Pile on the bed/floor/etc everything you want to bring and then slowly cut back
4) Pick one to two things to entertain you like ONE book and ONE small knitting project or your iPod. You are never going to finish three books and a sweater.
5) You can do laundry anywhere (even in the bathroom sink if necessary)
6) Almost anything can be bought at WDW (or anywhere else for that matter). Everytime I worry that I should have brought something (extra sweatshirt, swimsuit, an extra pair of sanals), I remember that I can buy it there. I usually discover that I don't need the item, but it is comforting to know that I can purchase any item I need at WDW or elsewhere. I love the mandatory souvenir concept.