Does anyone "test" pack?

[oogieboogie]

I've never test packed but I do have a system for packing that I always use. I usually take 1 27" suitcase for 2 adults, 2 kids with 5 days of clothes, 1 large duffle bag for noodles, body pillow, car seat, and fan, and 1 large duffle for incidentals. I'll bring one laptop bag and 1 small carryon.

I don't use ziploc bags except for the shoes and toiletries, and I just roll everything. I take just enough for 4-5 days and plan on doing laundry. We bring 2 pairs of shorts for each person, and 5 tshirts and enough underwear/socks. We'll bring 1 pair of nice clothes (business casual) to wear to the nicer restaurants. The big toiletries go in the checked luggage, smaller toiletries go in the carryon. The carryon has 1 day's clothing for everyone for just in case situations. Each person gets 2 pairs of shoes/sandals.

 

[mas6010]

got2lovedisney : Love the one about the President. Maybe he could take some hints and tips on packing

 

[disgram]

thought I was the only one who was conpulsive!! I usually have the luggage out a month before we go and try very hard not to fill them before a week before we go!!! This trip, I will have to start earlier as I bought new luggage when I was at my son's.(Bought WAAAYYY too much stuff while there!) We are going in August and I am certian that before we go I will have packed and repacked 5 or 6 times!! That is physically pack,,I most likely will have nightmares about packing 8 or 9 times!!!

 

[Deedee]

A tip if you are flying put some of every ones things in each bag ,that way if one bag goes missing you all still have clothes to keep you going until it turns up. I get our bags out of the roof at least 2 months before we go and put things in as i think of them.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm with you guys. I am a rather compulsive over-packer (always think of one more thing that it would be nice to bring . . .). It's especially hard now that I've learned some great tips from this chat board!

But now that the airlines are strictly limiting checked-luggage weights, I'm trying to pare down. I plan to take one medium suitcase (plus a carry-on) for an eight day trip. Really want to be sure my checked bag is not over-weight - the penalty is too high!

 

[Tigger714]

The Ziploc thing really does work! We were in DW in 2003 and I did this with my them 6 year old. IT WAS GREAT! We leave in 22 days and have a nine month old, I will be doing the SAME THING! I would recommend the test packing and be sure to leave room for souveniers or to pack an empty bag within another bag. Last time we had to buy a WDW suitcase just to get it all home! Good Luck!

 

[The Sweetness]

I thought I was pretty obsessed with planning and organizing, but I never once thought of test packing.

 

[mbb]

Listen to this I am only going in 5 months but since we will be putting all the summer clothes away soon for the winter I was thinking of packing our clothes as I take out the winter clothes, will it wrinkle being packed for 5 months? Probably but when I'm on vacation I won't care about wrinkles.

Exactly what I do

We leave in February, and we're only taking carryons...so all the summer clothes are packed away, except for what is going in the suitcase, ie, everyone's 2 pr shorts, t-shirts, sandals, and swimsuits.

Have fun!!