Help us pack - please!!

[C.Ann]

We're headed down to DW next Saturday - Dec. 2nd thru the 10th.. From the looks of the extended weather forecast, we're going to need clothes suitable for both warm and cold weather..

DD - 34, her DH - 35 - my DGD - 8 - and me ("Grandma") 57.. We (DD & I) always, ALWAYS overpack.. I'd really like to pare down this time - especially with the new security guidelines for flying - and in general, just so we're not lugging around a lot of stuff we don't need..

We're flying out of the northeast.. Please share what you would pack for this trip...

Thanks!

 

[Traveliz]

I will be there the same time and am doing capris, pants, short sleeves and jackets or sweatshirts - pretty much skipping shorts all together as I feel I will be comfortable in capris day time.

We are mostly layering. Since we are coming from cold weather we will also have our winter coats and accessories with us..

Liz

 

[phantom728]

We're flying down on the 1st and staying through the 9th and here is a general idea. We are also from the northeast, so hoping for some warm temps, but not sure yet.

Here's a basic idea of what I'm bringing: 2 pair jeans, 2 pair capri's, 2 pair short, 2 sweatshirts, then 3 long sleeves and a mix of short sleeves. Also bringing along our swimsuits and ponchos, 2 pairs of sneaker, 1 pair flip flops and 1 pair sandals, earmuffs, gloves and scarf.
Because it's not usually super hot during this time of year, some of the items will only be worn a few hours, so will be able to put wear again. I also like to pack items that will coordinate and can be worn with any of the pants, etc.

It's usually chilly in the morning, then warm in the afternoon, then chilly/cold in the evening.

Enjoy - maybe we'll see you around the Kingdom!

 

[princess sparkle p]

Dec 1-10 for us...I share the packing problems...I am struggling...thanks for the ideas!!!! I am not a capri girl...hoping I will be ok in jeans...any thoughts?

 

[bjscheel]

From what I've seen, the highs for our trip Dec 2-8 are only up to about 70. I am only packing jeans for myself. I don't think you'll get hot in jeans when it's only 70. Jeans and a t-shirt for day, and a sweatshirt for evening, possibly stretch gloves for the Christmas party and other later nights. The girls are bringing one pair of capris but I doubt we use them.

 

[C.Ann]

Dec 1-10 for us...I share the packing problems...I am struggling...thanks for the ideas!!!! I am not a capri girl...hoping I will be ok in jeans...any thoughts?

------------------------

DD & I don't "do" capri's either - so I'm thinking mostly pants; 2 or 3 pair of shorts; tee shirts; long sleeve shirts; couple of sweatshirts; hat, scarf, gloves; and those really, really lightweight thermal underwear items (some stores call them "Cuddles") that are so thin (but warm) that you could carry them in a fanny pack or backpack and you wouldn't even notice the weight..

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We went last year at this time, and we're heading down again on Dec. 5th.

I'm packing cotton pants for each day (I don't wear jeans much) - they seem to work okay for both day and night. Then I wear T-shirts and bring several long-sleeved zip-front sweatshirts with hood to add at night (and sometimes first thing in the morning). I wear crocs and add socks when it is cold (although I seem to have warm feet or something because it isn't usually a problem). I also bring a couple pairs of those stretchy knit gloves just in case (only wore them one night last year). And ponchos - don't forget the rain ponchos! We had two days of more or less non-stop rain last year.

Teresa

 

[bjscheel]

Just checked the 15 day again...kinda wish we were there this next week with highs of 82! At least they took out the rain for Dec 7- that's a MK day and our last day in the parks. So far no rain in our forecast.

 

[Traveliz]

Dec 1-10 for us...I share the packing problems...I am struggling...thanks for the ideas!!!! I am not a capri girl...hoping I will be ok in jeans...any thoughts?

My husband is doing all jeans for the trip.

Liz

 

[AJKMOM]

I have several pairs of jeans and I packed the one that was lightest in color and weight. Also packed a pair of khaki pants that are lightweight. We just got back, and stayed offsite this trip , so it was tough to return to the hotel to change; we stayed in long pants even though it was in the 70's during the day.

 

[HollyJoy]

Hey C.Ann! Thanks for posting this thread. We're going the same time as you, and I'm facing the same dilemma in the whole packing thing. I normally pack way too much, and I fear that this trip will be no exception.. mainly due to having to pack for two completely different temperature ranges!

 

[C.Ann]

Alrighty then.. Looks like I'm going to "encourage" everyone to go with pants - and a couple of shorts, just in case.. Tee shirts - long sleeve shirts - couple of sweatshirts - rain ponchos - the light thermals - gloves, hat, scarves.. Sneakers - no flip flops..

Sound like a plan? Even at 70 degrees, I don't think that would be "hot" unless it happens to be very humid..

 

[wecroozin]

Subscribing for tips for our Dec 9 to 16 packing tips.

 

[dbarker]

We have similar temps as WDW. We are packing jeans, t-shirts, a couple of long sleeve t-shirts, a sweat shirt, silky long johns for cold nights, and a swim suit for the hot tub. I will also be wearing a skirt w/ leggings.

Where do you find the temp forecast? I haven't decided which jackets to pack...I haven't seen temp forecasts yet.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Traveliz]

I would take flip flops if I was planning to use the pool just because I think that is the easiest footwear for going to the pool.

Liz

 

[HollyJoy]

I will probably bring flip flops for walking around in the hotel room (don't like going barefoot in hotels), and for the pool.. yes, I'm sure that my girls will still want to go swimming (hey, the pool's heated, right?) I will also be bringing capris with my gloves and hat! LOL This ought to be interesting! Maybe we'll get lucky and the forecast will change ... bring on the heat! lol

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We're leaving on the 15th. I'll be packing jeans and pants for everyone. That way we're warm enough in the mornings and evenings but not too hot during the days. Even if it's in the 70 during the warmest part of the day, it won't be too hot for pants and a t-shirt. Also, remember that the days are getting shorter. December 21 is the winter solstice and, therefore, the shortest day of the year. Less sunlight means the cool nights come on faster.

 

[mmmcq]

All the suggestions thus far are right in line with what our experience was this week. We did not use most of the short sleeved shirts that we packed and I'd say we were short on long sleeved T's.

I did have a pair of capris and I'm not a big capri person, but they were left over from this summer. Mostly I was in jeans and a pair of cords. We weren't hot (we only had two 65+ days) and if we were there late in the day even the jeans weren't enough to keep us warm after the sun went down. It was "cold" each day by 5pm.

I don't normally suggest this.....but if you have the ability to bring an extra suitcase - you might want to bring a couple of larger towels or robes. It's really hard racing back from the pool with the small resort towels which don't cover much territory - especially with the cold we had this week. I didn't bring them this trip and I was sorry that I hadn't. If you're in a standard room it'll be hard to get them dry each day, but in a DVC room you can pop them in the dryer. Although I have to say that in a standard room at the BC our suits and coverups dried fairly well on the line over the tub.

Despite the cooler temps....don't forget the sunscreen. I have had lots of skin cancer removed from my face and am usually all over the sun screen. But yesterday my DD7 took off on the pirate cruise and I forgot to lather her up. It was clear by noon that she was pink. It was our first day of sun all week and I blew it.

 

[pxlbarrel]

We've gone in December for the past few years...and we've done the first week, second and third week of December. I've never brought shorts with us in December. I don't think it's ever been hot enough for us to wear shorts.

It helps that we've had our winter coats with us...it's helped on occasion when it's gotten darn cold (at one point, I swear it was warmer at home.)

I bring what I call my "hotel slippers". They're nice comfy slippers that I only wear in hotels (never at home!). I bought a pair in San Franscisco's Chinatown in 93 and it lasted me 12 years!! I had to buy a new pair last year.

I always make sure I have 2 longsleeve shirts with me that I wear on the plane going and coming back. T-shirts the rest of the time. Sometimes I wear a T-shirt and one of the longsleeve shirts on top instead of a sweater or a sweatshirt...and then I can still wear the longsleeve shirt by itself later.

We've stayed at a timeshare the past couple times so we do laundry in the middle of the week. We don't have to overpack then (but we still do!)

My essential list (leaving out the toiletries and electronics)
- 2 longsleeve shirts
- 1 sweatshirt
- slippers
- enough underwear to last the week (cause even though I know I can wash 'em....I don't want to risk not having fresh ones!!!)
- 1 pair of pants/jeans (I'm wearing the other pair already)
- t-shirts to last the week (1/2 a week if I have access to a washing machine)
- comfy pjs (usually my pjs consist of a t-shirt and pj pants...the t-shirt can easily be converted to daytime use if there's an urgent need.)
- extra pair of shoes (nothing can ruin a vacation more than soggy shoes)
- 1 light jacket
- 1 winter jacket or a not so light jacket (this is what we wear to the airport in Toronto...we get to the airport and stuff it into our checked bags....it's there if we need it)
- lots of socks (don't be stingy on packing anything to do with your feet)
- bandaids
- cheapo umbrella (Dollar store umbrella works and if you lose it, it doesn't matter!)
- extra ziplock bags of differing sizes and small cable ties

These days, I pack my clothes in either ziplock bags or the Spacesaver bags. I find that I can pack more into the suitcase, avoid having airport security touch my clothes with gloves that's touched everybody else's things, and keep my clothes smelling as fresh as they were when I took them out of the laundry. Also lets me put my clothes into the drawers without worrying what was in the drawers before I got there. (gee...am I paranoid or what???)

And always leave room for souvenirs for the trip back. I've started pin collecting...it's easier to pack pins into the void spaces of your luggage than t-shirts.

 

[bleeps]

Thanks everyone! Here's another DIS family going down 12/1 through 9 -- we did the same week last year.

For those concerned about not having shorts (just jeans) and not being capri people (neither am I) -- I know this isn't everyone's taste, but I have a pair of sandals (made by Keen) that really can be worn with or without socks (I would describe this company's sandals as being a cross between sneakers and sandlas). Anyway, I mention it because MY secret weapon for going down just with jeans and no shorts (and in case it gets warmer down there) is to be able to go with or without socks with the sandals -- if it turns out to be a day on the hotter side, I can start the day without socks and have a pair with me to throw on later -- having my feet stay cool during the day helps me not feel overheated in jeans.

Microfiber polar fleece people -- the secret ingredient! (Basically you can pack a microfleece pull-over in the same space it takes to pack a long-sleeve tee, but have the benefit of a sweatshirt's worth of warmth -- without the bulk.) LL Bean and lands' end are great sources for this.

To those with the over-packing bug, remember this: if you can free yourself of the extras and go down with suitcases that have a little room in them, then it's easier to be able to shop for things you would like (or wish you had -- be it shorts OR a sweatshirt) and you have plenty of room to bring them home!