How early do you start prepping for your trip?

[KelleyGirl]

I'm a compulsive planner. I would almost say planning is as much fun as the trip itself.

As you can see from my ticker, our trip is 3 months, 1 week, and 6 days away. I recently asked my husband to get the suitcases out of the attic so I could start packing, to which he said "Umm, no!" So I grabbed one of those 10/20 gallon buckets that you can use as coolers, you know the ones with the two rope handles? And started to put all things for Disney in there. Its getting pretty full. Not sure why I need to buy some of the new things I buy and put them aside like that! but it sure is fun!

Its the basics, but I've added: new packs of elastics for me and the girls, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer, new packing cubes, ziploc bags, surprises for the little kids to use on the plane (little notebooks/activity books), neck cooling scarves, pool toys and floats (we're getting a house this time so we need to stock the pool!), toiletries, probably more that I can't think of. I really enjoy this part! How about you?

 

[t-beri]

You have to store that stuff somewhere, might as well be in one place so you aren't hunting for it when you need to pack.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I start planning as soon as I even think I'm going to book any trip.

When we are going to the world I bring a pop up hamper. I open up the hamper in my closet and start putting things in it. I think last year the hamper was there for at least 5 months. I make a ton of lists for packing and planning but as I think of something or buy something I will throw it in the hamper. The last two years we drove down and the trips were 10 and 14 days so I brought a lot of stuff. This year we are flying and it's only a week so I will only be bringing my clothes and toiletries. Very few extras.

Most likely I'll still start filling my hamper anyway

 

[Skwinkles]

Haha! I wish I could be that organized that early out. Life's just too hectic these days with a toddler for me to be anywhere near packing at 3 months out!!

We're two weeks out and I started yesterday picking up the little things at Target like sunscreen and swim diapers, etc. I'm hoping to finish my shopping by this coming Saturday and have the majority of things packed by the end of the weekend. Having everything set a week ahead would be a record for me. I've been known to pack the night before

 

[dancin Disney style]

I have lists for everything....toiletries, clothing, snacks, things to do before I leave, etc. I keep the lists and reuse them trip after trip. It makes it very easy. Plus, there are always a few things that need to be purchased so when I see them on sale I grab them and then throw into my hamper. I really don't plan to do this early, it just happens.

 

[KelleyGirl]

I just become obsessed -whenever I'm out shopping, I have Disney on my mind... "How will that look in Disney?" - "I could use that at Disney" - "I need that for Disney!" - so then I need somewhere to put all that stuff.

I usually don't actually pack things into the suitcase until a week or less before, and have had many sleepless nights the night before, trying to get everything together! Which probably explains why I pack so early now.

My cousins pack early and ship their suitcases via FedEx to the hotel. I could never be organized enought to have it ready to go for shipping, and I'm sure I would find a suitcase full of stuff I need to bring after the suitcases were gone!

 

[Maybelle]

As soon as it's booked I start planning....sometimes before!

 

[brockash]

I'm a compulsive planner. I would almost say planning is as much fun as the trip itself.

As you can see from my ticker, our trip is 3 months, 1 week, and 6 days away. I recently asked my husband to get the suitcases out of the attic so i could stop packing, to which he said "Umm, no!" So I grabbed one of those 10/20 gallon buckets that you can use as coolers, you know the ones with the two rope handles? And started to put all things for Disney in there. Its getting pretty full. Not sure why I need to buy some of the new things I buy and put them aside like that! but it sure is fun!

Its the basics, but I've added: new packs of elastics for me and the girls, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer, new packing cubes, ziploc bags, surprises for the little kids to use on the plane (little notebooks/activity books), neck cooling scarves, pool toys and floats (we're getting a house this time so we need to stock the pool!), toiletries, probably more that I can't think of. I really enjoy this part! How about you?

Yep, I'm the same way. I've been putting things away for our upcoming trip for about the last month and a half. Last year, I was basically fully packed a month ahead of time, and no, none of our clothes wrinkled- I started worrying about that as an after thought

 

[nikkipowell1]

I am going to start packing on Sunday, even though we don't leave till May 27. I'm just gonna put the suitcases in the basement and throw stuff in them as I go along. The weather in MI is iffy. 85 today 58 tomorrow, so I think I can start packing a few clothes, toys, ect.

 

[disneymomofmyca]

I start to do the same as all of you...I book a year in advance and then I start to buy thing here and there which I throw in my large suitcase in the closet. I think it is so much fun until about now...I have 6 days left and I can't wait to just be done with all this planning and actually enjoy the reason for all of this organizing and work!

 

[daisy2jae]

I agree planning is almost as much fun as the trip. 3 months before I have a small okay medium suitcase out. I start slowly buying my little things for the trip. Soaps, shampoo, shoe hanger for the bathroom door, etc...this way I can use and leave them behind in the hotel. Then I have room for my items I buy on the trip. By buying this stuff slowly it keeps my bill low right before a trip.

I'm a compulsive planner. I would almost say planning is as much fun as the trip itself.

As you can see from my ticker, our trip is 3 months, 1 week, and 6 days away. I recently asked my husband to get the suitcases out of the attic so i could stop packing, to which he said "Umm, no!" So I grabbed one of those 10/20 gallon buckets that you can use as coolers, you know the ones with the two rope handles? And started to put all things for Disney in there. Its getting pretty full. Not sure why I need to buy some of the new things I buy and put them aside like that! but it sure is fun!

Its the basics, but I've added: new packs of elastics for me and the girls, sunscreen, aloe vera gel, hand sanitizer, new packing cubes, ziploc bags, surprises for the little kids to use on the plane (little notebooks/activity books), neck cooling scarves, pool toys and floats (we're getting a house this time so we need to stock the pool!), toiletries, probably more that I can't think of. I really enjoy this part! How about you?

 

[livie1205]

I start about 30 days out...little things here and there.I am going to start in 2 days!!!The only thing I am freaking out about is that I have to buy a new SWIMSUIT!!!I only do this every few years and I HATE it!I do not even want to do it and if we were not going to spend a lot of time swimming this trip I wouldnt bother.....I am not a large person but after 3 kids I HATE HATE HATE to put on a swimsuit lol

 

[twins2xs]

I start to do the same as all of you...I book a year in advance and then I start to buy thing here and there which I throw in my large suitcase in the closet. I think it is so much fun until about now...I have 6 days left and I can't wait to just be done with all this planning and actually enjoy the reason for all of this organizing and work!

I couldn't agree with you more! We are leaving in four days. I just can't wait to be done with all this packing! I did prep quite a bit, but somehow I still am not fully prepared . I too just want to get there and have fun!

 

[suzydisney971]

Ok, maybe I have OCD and don't know it but I've started putting stuff away for Disney and I'm not even going until next year . All the freebies that I've gotten (toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent) have been going into a diaper bag. We just booked a short trip to Sesame Place in June so I guess that early planning paid off . I'm ready to pack now but I have to get through planning my DS' first birthday party first and then I can do some serious packing for June. I've typed up the packing list already. It's our first time with a baby so I'm nervous. We are driving down so if I forget anything, I can just pick it up.

 

[tinkerlisa]

I started the day after we decided to go again...BEFORE I booked

I have a list of things to buy still but have thrown stuff for my kids in an empty drawer like stickers, bubbles, glow sticks and mini etch a sketch's along with mini color wonder things

I also bought blue ribbon and pins yesterday to make Huntington's Disease awareness ribbons.
We are finally(after 8 years) getting married at WDW and the ribbons are for our guests and us to wear.

Oh and in the past week I have bought three things of sunblock! but they aren't all for our trip!

 

[XYSRUS]

I leave tomorrow at 5 am. Today I have to change the car's headlight, do laundry, sell raffle tickets at a booth, go to preschool chapel, have 2 baseball games, spring music concert, everyone has to get fed and do schoolwork...and about 10pm I'll finally get around to packing for tomorrow's trip for the 6 of us. So, no I don't start to pack early for my trips. Hope everyone has a great time on their vacations!

 

[KelleyGirl]

I leave tomorrow at 5 am. Today I have to change the car's headlight, do laundry, sell raffle tickets at a booth, go to preschool chapel, have 2 baseball games, spring music concert, everyone has to get fed and do schoolwork...and about 10pm I'll finally get around to packing for tomorrow's trip for the 6 of us. So, no I don't start to pack early for my trips. Hope everyone has a great time on their vacations!

XYSRUS - I am about faint on behalf of all you have to do!! Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[PixiePlanner]

We go for our first trip in June and I have been buying and planning for a few months. I have lists: planning what both kids will wear, daily "surprises," items for carryons etc. No list is completed yet but getting there. I have a back pack that I bought specifically for the trip that is full of the wipes, sunblock, etc that I have purchased. I have some of the clothes put aside. I don't dare put them in the dressers or they will be destroyed pre-trip! I can honestly say I have only planned like this three other times... wedding and 2 children. Is it crazy to plan like this for a family vacation?

 

[disneynuts777]

As soon as it's booked I start planning....sometimes before!

Same here.....which means I will have been planning this trip for 369 days!!!!
It is even busier this time because family members have jumped on board during this time and have left the planning to me.....which is fine with me it is just a little added pressure

 

[disneynuts777]

I leave tomorrow at 5 am. Today I have to change the car's headlight, do laundry, sell raffle tickets at a booth, go to preschool chapel, have 2 baseball games, spring music concert, everyone has to get fed and do schoolwork...and about 10pm I'll finally get around to packing for tomorrow's trip for the 6 of us. So, no I don't start to pack early for my trips. Hope everyone has a great time on their vacations!

Holy cow.....may the sleepless night that you are about to have be rewarded with many memories!! I do not envy you