Firstimer Packing Advice

[jworthy]

if you are flying, make sure you weigh your luggage first as most airlines only allow up to 50 lbs. otherwise they will charge you an extra amount.

 

[Medicmouse]

Great post Paula! We are exactly in the same boat. We are leaving in 20 days for our first trip too. DH, DD11, DS9 and me. My suit cases too are sitting on the spare bed calling too me. Now that we are under 3 weeks I guess I better finalize packing even the small stuff. I am from Ontario - so I'm packing mainly shorts/capris - if we are cold we can throw on a sweatshirt - right? I don't expect to be cold though! Feb weather in Florida is equal to our July weather here. To top off our similar situations - my name is Paula too!

Have fun!

Paula - Ontario Canada

How long are you going for? How much are you packing?

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Any idea where to get these glow sticks and bracelets other than dollar stores? We dont have a dollar store near here. TIA!
Paula

Paula70--This is my first post and I can finally impart some wisdom--We are going in July and staying at Ft Wilderness and were considering buying them for our three girls. The best place I have found to buy them is Ebay. They offer many different kinds from bracelets to necklaces and beyond. The price varies as does the amount you can buy. You can find sellers with 3 all the way up to 100. And the prices ranged from $3 to $25. Hope this helps you!

 

[paula70]

Great post Paula! We are exactly in the same boat. We are leaving in 20 days for our first trip too. DH, DD11, DS9 and me. My suit cases too are sitting on the spare bed calling too me. Now that we are under 3 weeks I guess I better finalize packing even the small stuff. I am from Ontario - so I'm packing mainly shorts/capris - if we are cold we can throw on a sweatshirt - right? I don't expect to be cold though! Feb weather in Florida is equal to our July weather here. To top off our similar situations - my name is Paula too!

Have fun!

Paula - Ontario Canada

How long are you going for? How much are you packing?

Hi Paula from Ontario! We are going to be in DW from 2/8-2/14 staying at POFQ. I got my DD's partially packed yesterday. I packed 4 complete outfits (capris, t-shirt and shorts, in gallon ziploc bags) for each of them, then packed each 2 sweatshirts (one lightweight, one heavy) and 1 pair of jeans. We have a night off on our 3rd full day there and plan on doing laundry. Iplan on doing the same for me. My guess is I will mostly wear capris (not sure if i want to show my WI white legs!).
To all my fellow DISers...Thank you very much for all the great advice I feel inspired now and not overwhelmed for the first time! Feel free to keep the great advice coming...

Paula70 (I had to let my DD5 help w/ the icons!)

 

[first time at 40]

Big V thanks for the list. You think like my husband who thinks I should have a list to pack buy. I printed yours and said Here is your list. LOL I was so inspired I packed my carryon bag today and have the kids trying on their clothes from summer to see if they fit......Boy do they grow fast..... Going to home depot to buy a surge protector extension to plug those cell phones in (what a great idea) and get my alien green mickey heads.....LOL.....

 

[spaceacewannabe]

I wouldn't say shorts, but definitely short sleeves!

 

[paula70]

I wouldn't say shorts, but definitely short sleeves!

To each his own...but if it is 65 here in WI, my family is in shorts! Now, keep in mind we swam in the ocean in Myrtle Beach last march when it was only 65-70 degrees...LOL! So we will be the crazy ones in the pool as well

We have freinds that have been there the last 4 years in Feb and they wore shorts/capris most of the time! Now that being said, I have learned enough on these boards to know to pack for all kinds of weather!

17 days and counting....

 

[Medicmouse]

Hi Paula!
We are going Feb 11-18. We are going to a wedding on the 14th and the 15th is my 33rd Birthday - definitly its going to be the best one of my life. We are staying at POR! I can't believe how similar things seem to be for us. I am definitly hiding my white legs - unless I'm swimming. I was planning on packing a few pairs of pants each (3 actually ) do you think that is going to be too much? I am getting the packing bug today - I have a big list of things to pick up downtown - Yah!! I'm getting soooo excited! Are you bringing towels for the water park? I have read some sites that say yes and some that say no?

Paula - Ontario

 

[keishashadow]

As another poster stated - leave @ least 1/2 of your planned outfits @ home!

All of the on-site resorts have a laundy room if you're stuck (@ the AS's they're near the pool - you can swim & do your laundy @ same time).

As for all the sundry/drug store items; I used to lug them all w/us. Finally have wised up...if you need an item you don't generally use every day - they'll have it @ the gift shop. Still take the things we use each day & sun-care products, anti-biotic cream, motrin, etc...but refuse to bring my medicine chest anymore.

Do suggest that you bring 2 pair of socks per day...nothing nicer than soft, dry socks on tired feet; as well as 2 pair of comfortable shoes to change out every other day.

For kids, we always carried a change of t-shirt w/us...my DS's always managed to spill something while they ate.

Big fan of the "jungle/safari" style hats...water proof them & you might not have to always put on the poncho when it's raining lightly.

Finally, bring:
*an extension cord w/multiple outlets,
*plenty of large, zip-lock bags &
*disposable cameras (water-proof are nice) for the kids, and extra film/memory cards (or have them burned on CD @ park).

Good luck.

 

[mickeywho?]

Any idea where to get these glow sticks and bracelets other than dollar stores? We dont have a dollar store near here. TIA!
Paula

Check out party supply stores. We have "Party Packagers" here in Ontario. I buy a 50 pack of bracelets for $10. We hand them out at Halloween to any kids prefer them over candy (with allergies etc.) and we buy them for the Cub troupe for their night hikes. I'll definitely bring down a pack for our trip - at that price we'll be passing them out to any little ones around us!

 

[jennydep]

Subscribing to the thread for our daughter's wish trip in April.

 

[lordhavemercy]

Jumping into this thread....Love it....especially the over-the-door organizer. Going to have to do that one...!!!
I do a list...and make "piles" of different categories of things we're packing. We leave in 11 days...driving,so I need to start packing ...time is a wastin'...!!!
thanks for the great threads....i've learned a LOT...

 

[momofbgtwins]

I have to agree with those who recommended not overpacking. I have been over the 50 lb limit a few times! There's nothing worse than being in the airport, and trying to shift stuff from one suitcase to another in front of everyone. Not to mention the dirty looks coming from my DH, who can pack for a week in 5 minutes in one rolling duffle! I also used to try to pack everything I could possibly need, but then realized I wasn't going to a deserted island! If the kids get a cold...off to the store for medicine!

 

[paula70]

Lordhave mercy...looks like we'll be at POFQ at the same time! We're there fro 2/8-2/14. It is my families (me, DH, DD8, DD5) first ever trip to WDW! I got my girls mostly packed last weekend, thanks to all the great advice I got from this thread! Now, i am working on me! Have a great trip!
Paula

 

[pawsitivemom]

I am notorious for over packing too. My list is about 1.5 typed pages long. AND...my theory is...if I forget it I can buy it. I also plan on doing laundry at least once. For 5night, 6 day...plus 4-5 days travell, I am bringing (for clothes).....3 sweatshirts, 3 t-shirts, 2 "dress" t's, 2 dress shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 1 skirt, 1 dress pants, 3 shorts, 2 capris, 9 socks plus pjs, unmentionables, 3-4 shoes and swimsuit.....DH thinks that is too much as it is! (esp the shoes!) BUT...I never know what I will "feel like" wearing so I pack most of what I own!

My main suggestion for packing (even though I haven't been to disney I do travel) Don't stress....pack what you *know* you will need then, if there is room, add what you "may" need.

BTW....I *LOVE* the organizer idea.....I'm getting one for my camper too!

 

[Drizzo67]

We also pack a folding (collapsable) laundry basket to throw dirty clothes in. They have handles that we use to carry it to the laundry room and easily carry back the clean folded clothes. We also pack extra hangers as there are never enough in the room. (Our winter coats take up 4 alone- poor things, they just sit there all week, not being used ).

Dina Marie

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Go to your favorite store and replace all of your personal care items. Now take the ones that are not quite empty/full and pack them in your bag. Leave it packed. If you run out of an item--say deodarant while you are gone, simply replace it with the one you have at home when you return and replace the one from home with a new one. Leave these items packed for future trips.

Fold up one or two large ziploc bags (I used the two gallon size last trip) and put them into your pocket/fanny pack/messenger bag, etc. When you are going on a water ride, remove the ziploc and put all of your stuff into it--fanny pack, hat, tickets, camera, cell phone, etc. I usually bring along a washcloth from my room--yes, I return it at the end of the day--so I can dry may face when I get off of the ride.

 

[cwnhokie]

I soooo want to start packing. We leave Feb 25th for 10 days. I am trying to wait until it gets closer to see the weather. We will be in a house with a washer and dryer. I was thinking 2-3 of everything. pants, shorts, short sleeves, long sleeves, sweat shirts, and of course more of the under things. I always overpack and refuse to do it again. We have to lug 2 carseats through the airport as it is, no need for extra clothes as well. When we get home DH and I always have a contest to see who wore the most of what they brought.

 

[carolfoy]

I use a canvas 'sweater shelf' it has about 6 shelves in it and a velcro strap at the top to hang over the rail. I put 2 days worth of clothes in each shelf and then just squash it down into my suitcase, when I arrive I can then just open my case and hang the whole thing up, so no 'unpacking', when everythings dirty it goes back in the case and takes up far less room so theres lots of space for souvenirs.

 

[Secondgradememories]

Something I brought last time that paid off big time was a small bottle of delicate laundry detergent. It was nice to wash out our swimming suits every day and catch a few stains before they set.