How early is TOO early?

[vacanut]

I leave on February 11 for AKL, how early is too early to start packing. If I start now will the next few weeks go by SLOW? How soon do you start packing?

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

I am packed already and we leave February 13th. I always pack 2-3 even 4 weeks in advance and it partially out of excitement and partly out of neccessity. You see, I know myself, and if i pack a few days before I will bring 2-3 times the clothes I need because I feel urgent and rushed. My packing normally goes through 3 stages (and yes I do fear I may have a touch of OCD ).
I first pack just off the top of my head.....I usually end up with a very large suitcase which has not a prayer of closing.
After a week or so I go through the suitcase and pick out clothes that I in my heart of hearts know I wont wear to Disney because it is either an unflattering color to my winter-paled skin or it is impractical to wear to tour parks all day.
Finally, about a week ahead of time I get serious, lay all of the remaining clothes on the bed, consult the weather report for Orlando and take out a couple of the (seriously) 4-5 sweatshirts if its going to be 80s or a couple of the 4-5 tank tops if its going to be a little nippy for the duration of my stay.

You may be scared by now, most are when they here my processes for doing things. What can I say? Im insane.... :jumping4: :jumping4: :jumping4:

 

[Sandyincanada]

Don't your clothes get very wrinkled sitting in a suitcase all that time?? lol

I start around now, thinking about what to bring, trying to keep colors alike for ease. I'll wash all our summer clothes this weekend and iron, if necessary and find a safe spot to lay them out so they don't get wrinkled. I start getting odds and ends together like rain ponchos, sunglasses, anything I don't need now. I've made out my packing and check lists already - thats the hardest part for me. The weekend before we go is when I get serious. Since weather is always changing in Feb, I'll check for forecasts and a get an idea of what to expect and go to it, lol.

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

I shouldve mentioned that there is actually a 4th (yes, a fourth) phase either the night prior or the night before when I either iron or air fluff the clothes that have made the cut
Im really just a clotheshorse and I think I need to be put out of my misery lol. What makes it worse is im a nurse so I spend alot of time in scrubs so when I do get an extended time period (ala vacation!) where I get to dress like a normal person I want to make the most of it.

 

[RC Fan]

I don't think you are packing too early either. I do not like to be rushed when packing otherwise I fear I may forget something. I do like to go over what I have packed a couple of times. I have even had nightmares that it is the morning of our departure, and everyone is waiting impatiently for me, yet I have not packed a thing! ISN'T THAT SAD!

 

[jenndisney]

I usually start about 3 weeks out. I take one of the smaller suitcases and put it in the livingroom. As I think of something, (not clothes) I put it in while I am thinking of it. I also have the larger clothes cases set up in my room and put things in. I usually try to work on one person a night. That makes it easier for us.

My trip this year isn't until June, but I have a small carryon that I have started to put things in that I buy on sale that I will need for the trip (moleskin, shampoo, sunscreen, etc...) That is a secret I haven't told my husband because he already thinks I am obsessed.

 

[Drizzo67]

We are headed down on the 11th as well and as I was trapped in the house under 2 feet of snow this weekend, the kids and I laid all of our summer clothes out to try one, check for stains, iron etc. We made a game out of it to fight some of the "stuck-in-the-house-because-of-a-blizzard" blues. I guess it was healthier than eating everything in the house, LOL. Lists have been made, toiletries purchased etc. I just have to put everything in to the luggages and go. I AM TOO EXCITED......NEED TO GET AWAY FROM THE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[vacanut]

I was beginning to think I was crazy, but I guess I'm not as crazy as you guys!! I am just TOO excited to go, I'm afraid if I start packing now the next 2 weeks will go by just too slow!! I guess I'll put a shopping list together and start picking up shampoo, etc. I've already done my clothes shopping for new shirts, capris, etc so this weekend I think I'll start trying things on and get things together! We are from CT and we got about 1 1/2 feet of snow so I'm ready!!

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

*reads the posts of other compulsive planner/packer people* Im not as crazy as I thought!!!!

 

[Sandyincanada]

*reads the posts of other compulsive planner/packer people* Im not as crazy as I thought!!!!

LOL...would love to see some of those people pack for somewhere like Cuba where if you forget something, your SOL.

ummm, I do have to admit that I have a check list and a packing list that stays on the puter and when we travel, I just pull it up and revamp it abit for where we are going. Guess that makes me a compulsive organizer lol

Guess I never worry too much when we go the States or stay in Canada, theres always a store on every corner if we forget something

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

You guys are going to think I am crazy, but we leave tomorow and I still have the suitcase in the basement!!!! We leave tommorow night at 7:00-that is if the plane isnt frozen solid Wish me luck on getting out of Logan(boston)!!! I need to see SUN, please.

 

[rigsby25]

I think packing and planning are part of the excitement. We're going Feb. 17th for a long weekend. When we came home in November from a long weekend, I left some stuff in the suitcases, like rain ponchos, our light umbrellas, nose plugs, etc. I'm going to add coffee filters now. I also left my shorts folded in the suitcase.

 

[angel*lady]

You guys are going to think I am crazy, but we leave tomorow and I still have the suitcase in the basement!!!! We leave tommorow night at 7:00-that is if the plane isnt frozen solid Wish me luck on getting out of Logan(boston)!!! I need to see SUN, please.

BettyDisney - I hope you don't have any problems getting out tomorrow! It's really nice and in the 70's right now here in FL. I get the shivers just looking at all that snow on tv!

 

[MazdaUK]

I've got a big box covered with Disney wrapping paper (tragic that I had to buy some new boots to get a big box, but there you go ) and I've already put in things like the kids disposable cameras, insulated bottles, my brand new DIS watersafe (fantastic service and quick delivery, all cheaper than buying here in UK!!!), bumbags, travel adaptor etc. so they don't get forgotten. I also have a huge carrier full of suncream etc. (they're on special offer in Boots at the moment) and today I started trying on my shorts etc. to see if they fit or I need to lose some lbs (not too bad...just better watch those cakes!!).

Six weeks to go....so the cases are still in the loft and I haven't recharged the camera and camcorder yet.

I can't wait!!!!!! :thewave:

 

[BonSchwe]

DH and I will be leaving Feb. 10 for POFQ w/out the kids. Just last night I started making up our list and it's much easier than when we went down with the whole family. The worst part is prepping for my sister to come and stay with three kids. I'm so paranoid that I'll forget some detail with all the dance lessons, basketball. afterschool activities, school and sleep schedules, and so on and so and so on. But I'm more than happy to do it and will bend over and kiss the ground she walks on because she is willing to do it so DH and I can spend our week alone. LOVE YA SIS!!

 

[jtdl]

We are leaving on the 3rd and I started packing long ago. I have 3 plastic tote boxes on the go. One large one for clothes, which I washed and put in the box this week (the summer ones) our clothes that we're still wearing will go in Tuesday night when I transfer it all into the suitcase. I have a small tote which I have been putting all of our "health & beauty aids" (moleskin, polysporin, sunscreen, etc.) into as I purchase it. The 3rd tote is full of odds & ends I've picked up such as film, batteries for the kids games, etc. I also have a check list for each box that I've printed up and keep in each box and I check things off as they go in so I don't forget what I've already "loaded".

 

[ginagbaby1]

JTDL- Just wanted to say that I thought your idea about the totes was a great one. We are going in 3 weeks and I have my checklists ready but haven't actually packed anything yet. I like the way each tote has a checklist and each item is crossed off as you put it in. Thanks for sharing.

Gina

 

[isla bonita]

Well I guess I am the queen nut. We came back from Disney and a short trip to Miami for my brothers wedding and I started packing as soon as I got back from our trip. So I have been packing for 7 months and 14 days to be exact. We bought a pool home and closed on it in June.
I have approx. 12 peices of luggage to get down there to fill our home so it is a fun place to be. I had a single peice of luggage just for pool toys. When people rent my home they are gonna have fun. I think of what would my kids do if it was a rainey day or just a down day and buy stuff that would keep the little ones happy. When I show up at the airport it will cost me a small fortune to check my bags. If you think of anything that would be an asset to our home please PM me with the ideas. IslaB