Does anyone else overpack for a disney trip?

[CoachBeard]

What rules? Depending on the stock or store you can buy beer, wine, liquor/spirits.

Florida laws. Publix, for example has a separate liquor store next to the supermarket. In some states you can only buy beer and wine in a super market and spirits have to be at a separate/dedicated store, some states liquor stores are state run. Things like that. They’re called blue laws and carry over weird hurdles from prohibition that make acquiring booze tricky at times.

In Texas on Sunday you can’t buy liquor in the store but beer and wine can be purchased after noon. Some counties are dry some are “damp”. In Dallas county until 2010 you had to join a “private club” in order to buy alcohol in a restaurant with your meal.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_law?wprov=sfti1

I appreciate the help though. It is a good tool to plug in the zip code on the target app. Thank you.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

What rules? Depending on the stock or store you can buy beer, wine, liquor/spirits.

They might be referring to what is legally allowed to be sold in stores. I know our trip to visit my father-in-law in Texas many years ago we found out the very strict rules where you could only get beer or wine or vast amounts of dry counties there (that was back then not sure what it is now). Then there's rules about when it can be sold, etc.

In my state you can't buy hard alcohol or wine at the grocery stores and up until 2019 you couldn't buy beer that was more than 3.2% alcohol at the grocery stores, since 2019 you can buy up to 6% beer in grocery stores. You have to go to liquor stores for hard liquor and wine and for higher alcohol content on the beer. Personally I just go to the liquor store as it gives me ordinarily the most options.

For your part though you're just explaining what you can buy in the store, presumably the retailers are following the law of the state they are distributing, in this case FL.

 

[imbelle]

I agree with wearing different things according to the weather. When we leave for vacation, usually in the winter months, we have snow and ice and below zero temps. Then we arrive in Florida in jeans, sweaters and coats and we burn up til we get to the resort, lol. Sometimes, we leave our coats in our parked car and dress lite. Either way, it's a pain in the keezer to dress for both places when the climates are so different.

A pair of convertible pants with zip off legs is my best traveling companion.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I overpack on clothes for all vacations. As a woman so many things can affect my body and how comfortable I feel in a particular outfit. I don't see the reason not to pack a few extra outfits just in case.

As for toiletries, I always pack all of my own. I also pack some meds but I don't pack the whole medicine cabinet. I understand I'm not in a third world country and can get most stuff in the gift shop or do a Walmart order if needed (and we have before). We've also ubered to Target when DD needed a medicine that wasn't available at Disney.

 

[PatsGirl]

No. I find lugging "extra" luggage on any trip cumbersome. I can manage a four night trip in a backpack, a one week trip in a small (European size) carry-on. This holds true for all trips EXCEPT cruising and winter/ski type trips. I always bring rain ponchos and some first aid supplies (bandaids/antibiotic/Tylenol etc). I'm not a person who MUST have my specific brand of hair/body wash products so use whats offered and my make-up usage is minimal. I just completed a 21 day trip to three different climates in my small carry-on. I did laundry on day 6 (Wyndham at Bonnet Creek) before leaving for Vieques/San Juan. Laundry on day 14 when I arrived in MD and again the day before I left to come home (just because I could - staying with my son and family). I did buy some winter clothes when I arrived in MD to keep there for future winter visits (coat, two long sleeve tshirts, PJs, slippers).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No. I find lugging "extra" luggage on any trip cumbersome. I can manage a four night trip in a backpack, a one week trip in a small (European size) carry-on. This holds true for all trips EXCEPT cruising and winter/ski type trips. I always bring rain ponchos and some first aid supplies (bandaids/antibiotic/Tylenol etc). I'm not a person who MUST have my specific brand of hair/body wash products so use whats offered and my make-up usage is minimal. I just completed a 21 day trip to three different climates in my small carry-on. I did laundry on day 6 (Wyndham at Bonnet Creek) before leaving for Vieques/San Juan. Laundry on day 14 when I arrived in MD and again the day before I left to come home (just because I could - staying with my son and family). I did buy some winter clothes when I arrived in MD to keep there for future winter visits (coat, two long sleeve tshirts, PJs, slippers).

The laundry situation depends on if you have a machine or doing sink laundry. We have done international trips with a carry on and a personal item (the carry on being that smaller size like you mentioned) but the places don't have full on laundry machines. And sinks are often not ones like they are here where the plug fully plugs it up making for needing to be more strategic in how you do it. We use laundry sheets for this purpose. With that in mind it means we have to pack a tad more than we would if I knew we would have a full washing machine to get close to an entire luggage in one fell swoop. Our international trips usually are 2 weeks and longer with a personal item and carry on. So in fairness to your discussion of 21 day trip with different climates I think how you're washing your clothes matters a lot more than just being able to say you're able to get by with less luggage.

 

[Sydnerella]

Exactly!!! And they could have their trip ruined if I don't pack rain ponchos, band-aids, sunscreen, etc. for them....even if they pack it for themselves! And there are 5 of them....and they each have a spouse/SO....so I *need* all that extra stuff.

And the control of knowing you have it covered!!! I just sent my two college “kids” a shared note checklist on iPhone of the things that they need to remember to pack and bring home after finals so that they/we have the things they need for our pre-Christmas trip to Disney World! I am certain they think I’m over the top! But who is gonna be bummin’ if they lose a contact and don’t bring the extra set I spec’d along?

 

[PatsGirl]

The laundry situation depends on if you have a machine or doing sink laundry. We have done international trips with a carry on and a personal item (the carry on being that smaller size like you mentioned) but the places don't have full on laundry machines. And sinks are often not ones like they are here where the plug fully plugs it up making for needing to be more strategic in how you do it. We use laundry sheets for this purpose. With that in mind it means we have to pack a tad more than we would if I knew we would have a full washing machine to get close to an entire luggage in one fell swoop. Our international trips usually are 2 weeks and longer with a personal item and carry on. So in fairness to your discussion of 21 day trip with different climates I think how you're washing your clothes matters a lot more than just being able to say you're able to get by with less luggage.

Of course, but I always try to find places with washer/dryers and often pick Airbnbs over hotel rooms for just this reason (and having a kitchen is nice as I prefer my breakfast before heading out and if a beach vacation I'm happy to pack my cooler for lunch). I've also had good luck with sending laundry out on some international trips for cheap $$.

 

[CoachBeard]

I'm probably making it difficult on myself because not only do I overpack, but this next trip, I will be at 5 different hotels.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Of course, but I always try to find places with washer/dryers and often pick Airbnbs over hotel rooms for just this reason (and having a kitchen is nice as I prefer my breakfast before heading out and if a beach vacation I'm happy to pack my cooler for lunch). I've also had good luck with sending laundry out on some international trips for cheap $$.

For sure! But in the grand scheme of things you're not getting by with packing less and having less luggage so you have less to deal with, you're relying on a washer and dryer and time to do the laundry. For sending out laundry internationally that really doesn't work when you're moving around from place to place OR if you have delicate fabrics OR if you need stuff quickly, etc. For us we're relying on sink laundry which allows us to pack a bit less than checked luggage and get by with carry on and personal item but with the limitations it still needs a bit more packed than if we could do a washer and dryer and time to do that.

I totally get what you're doing shifting the strategy to where you're vacationing largely to where you can have that washer and dryer (although we don't do air bnbs internationally) but I do think it's different than being able to trim down what you're packing so you're not overpacking and bringing things unnecessarily adding weight/space in the luggage.

 

[zackiedawg]

I massively overpack for Disney. For a 4 night stay, just for me, I have two luggage bags, a cooler, a camera bag, and a tote bag with food (I typically check 5 bags for myself if staying solo - if I go with a friend, I add in their luggage. I bring 10 pairs of shorts, 10 shirts, 4 sleep shorts, 12 pairs of socks, 12 underwear, 5 pairs of shoes, toiletries, 14 cans of soda/tea, 10 bottles of water, my camera bag has 6 lenses, I bring 3-4 books for reading, and various food items (DVC villa with full kitchen. Of course, the fact that I only drive 2 1/2 hours to Disney, and my car has no restrictions or limits on luggage...it's easier to just toss in far more than I need - the only downside is if staying in one of the resorts where you park by your building and bring everything in - there usually aren't luggage carts, so I have to make 2-3 trips back and forth from the car to bring everything in. But it pays off sometimes like when it rains 3 of the 4 days and I end up with soaked clothes - I can change 2-3 times a day every day and not worry about doing laundry.

And that's as a guy. One girlfriend that often likes to come will bring clothes for the parks, more dress-up clothes for evening, specialty dresses or clothes for parties or events, and far far too many shoes between the casual & dressy stuff. Hats, accessories, makeup, different handbags/purses for different outfits, and so on. I have to fold down the seats in my SUV and use the back seat with her two massive suitcases plus my 5 pieces. I've had Bell Services unpacking the car ask me how many weeks we're staying, and look at me a little funny when I say '4 nights'.

When I go with friends who live in Florida, they generally follow my lead and overpack as well. But when I travel with a friend from out of town who had to fly down to stay with me, they look positively spartan by comparison with their 1 little bag with just enough clothes to cover 5 days.

 

[CoachBeard]

I massively overpack for Disney. For a 4 night stay, just for me, I have two luggage bags, a cooler, a camera bag, and a tote bag with food (I typically check 5 bags for myself if staying solo - if I go with a friend, I add in their luggage. I bring 10 pairs of shorts, 10 shirts, 4 sleep shorts, 12 pairs of socks, 12 underwear, 5 pairs of shoes, toiletries, 14 cans of soda/tea, 10 bottles of water, my camera bag has 6 lenses, I bring 3-4 books for reading, and various food items (DVC villa with full kitchen. Of course, the fact that I only drive 2 1/2 hours to Disney, and my car has no restrictions or limits on luggage...it's easier to just toss in far more than I need - the only downside is if staying in one of the resorts where you park by your building and bring everything in - there usually aren't luggage carts, so I have to make 2-3 trips back and forth from the car to bring everything in. But it pays off sometimes like when it rains 3 of the 4 days and I end up with soaked clothes - I can change 2-3 times a day every day and not worry about doing laundry.

And that's as a guy. One girlfriend that often likes to come will bring clothes for the parks, more dress-up clothes for evening, specialty dresses or clothes for parties or events, and far far too many shoes between the casual & dressy stuff. Hats, accessories, makeup, different handbags/purses for different outfits, and so on. I have to fold down the seats in my SUV and use the back seat with her two massive suitcases plus my 5 pieces. I've had Bell Services unpacking the car ask me how many weeks we're staying, and look at me a little funny when I say '4 nights'.

When I go with friends who live in Florida, they generally follow my lead and overpack as well. But when I travel with a friend from out of town who had to fly down to stay with me, they look positively spartan by comparison with their 1 little bag with just enough clothes to cover 5 days.

You got me beat! Also, kudos to you for having more than one girlfriend!

One trip with my ex we stayed in a one bedroom villa and she found this forum (almost 20 years ago). So we shipped a box of stuff to the resort and timed it with our arrival. This was long before delivery services or anything like that. I think garden grocer may have existed but it seemed complicated and wasteful to have to meet the driver and all that jazz.

I always bring a set of clothes for each day, some extra socks and undies, and a few “what if” things. My last trip during the month of January was a mix of cold and almost 80 degrees. So I had to pack jackets and as a dude I wear jeans and don’t do just t shirts so I have my under shirts and button up shirts. They take up a lot of room! But then with laundry half my stuff is hang dry and half dryer so that means you have to time it and bring enough spares to wear during jeans drying and such.

I also have OCD. It’s not “I am OCD”, no. I was diagnosed with it by a doctor and I have it. So I constantly obsess over potential scenarios and over pack to be prepared for that. I have like the timing and steps laid out mentally (even though it rarely goes that way). I just can’t stop it all from zooming through my head in circles. I’m ok with that.

This time I’m going to do a Walmart run and pick up a bunch of stuff so I don’t have to pack or lug it around and I think that will be calming. I have 1.5 days planned on the front of the trip to do this kind of thing before my ticket date starts, so I have to and I don’t feel like I’m wasting park time buying supplies.

 

[PatsGirl]

LOL

I massively overpack for Disney. For a 4 night stay, just for me, I have two luggage bags, a cooler, a camera bag, and a tote bag with food (I typically check 5 bags for myself if staying solo - if I go with a friend, I add in their luggage. I bring 10 pairs of shorts, 10 shirts, 4 sleep shorts, 12 pairs of socks, 12 underwear, 5 pairs of shoes, toiletries, 14 cans of soda/tea, 10 bottles of water, my camera bag has 6 lenses, I bring 3-4 books for reading, and various food items (DVC villa with full kitchen. Of course, the fact that I only drive 2 1/2 hours to Disney, and my car has no restrictions or limits on luggage...it's easier to just toss in far more than I need - the only downside is if staying in one of the resorts where you park by your building and bring everything in - there usually aren't luggage carts, so I have to make 2-3 trips back and forth from the car to bring everything in. But it pays off sometimes like when it rains 3 of the 4 days and I end up with soaked clothes - I can change 2-3 times a day every day and not worry about doing laundry.

And that's as a guy. One girlfriend that often likes to come will bring clothes for the parks, more dress-up clothes for evening, specialty dresses or clothes for parties or events, and far far too many shoes between the casual & dressy stuff. Hats, accessories, makeup, different handbags/purses for different outfits, and so on. I have to fold down the seats in my SUV and use the back seat with her two massive suitcases plus my 5 pieces. I've had Bell Services unpacking the car ask me how many weeks we're staying, and look at me a little funny when I say '4 nights'.

When I go with friends who live in Florida, they generally follow my lead and overpack as well. But when I travel with a friend from out of town who had to fly down to stay with me, they look positively spartan by comparison with their 1 little bag with just enough clothes to cover 5 days.

LOL and that's what makes the world go round. If I had someone else carrying my bags into/out of car trunks, planes-trains-and automobiles, I might pack more too!

 

[CoachBeard]

Which Walmart does everyone recommend? Specifically from Boardwalk.

 

[fla4fun]

I take what I think I will need, so I don’t consider it overpacking. If I have complimentary laundry access I typically pack one outfit for every two days and plan to run a load. If I don’t have in room laundry, I take one outfit for each day and I take one spare outfit in case something happens (have had an entire tray of sodas dumped on me in line at QS before). I pack one pair of shoes and wear one if rain is forecast (learned my lesson getting my shoes so soaked there was water standing in them when I took them off), but if no rain is expected I just wear the ones I need for the parks. If traveling solo I will take half the underwear and socks and do sink laundry, but if traveling with others I pack one set per day so I don’t have stuff hanging all over the room.

I will be going for a five day stay later this month and will be taking one large carry on size bag and a small duffel bag, plus one flat of bottled water. I’m driving, not flying, though. Those three items will fit nicely on my luggage cart so I can unload, and later reload, the car in one trip.