How far ahead do you pack

[vicnmickey]

I was going thru some stuff today and figuring out what we still need. I thought to myself "Your losing it, you still have 2 1/2 months to go." But I also don't like waiting till the last minute

How soon do you usually pack your bags to go? Am I the only crazy person

 

[ducklite]

I usually start packing a tote bag with those things I do'nt want to forget (like binoculars, bubble bath, etc.) a month or two in advance. I'm actually leaving for WDW in five days and havint packed anything, just can't get motivated.

Anne

 

[jeanelain]

that's funny, i was just trying on dresses and trying to decide what i'm taking and what we'll need and i'm not leaving until May 10!! of course, I am snowed in and going cuckoo.... going to get some spacebags at Target tommorrow and some trial size toiletries. call me crazy...

 

[disney3144]

I guess I'm really off my rocker. Because I already have a tote bag packed with some some things that I have picked up (soap,shampoo, hair spray, etc.) Can you tell I'm Excited?? I still have 51/2 months to go!!! I have already bought my 3 DS'S all new clothes, so I have them put away where they can't wear them until we go! So don't feel bad.
Jennifer

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm doing it too! I have a pile of stuff in my closet just for the trip. If it wasn't such a hassel, I'd have my suitcase sitting out already too!

And I have a little over a month to go!

Of course I should add that I bought my boys suits and DH's tux about 4 months ago! Bought my formal dress in November....only problem now is that the cute little halter dress I bought to wear for the semi-formal night is now WAY to big - I've come down 4 sizes since I bought it last summer!

 

[tecdavidt]

About 3 months out I start gathering up things. I also have my daughter try on all her clothes so that I have time to replace what doesn't fit. I want plenty of time, when I pack in a rush is when I forget items that I really needed on the cruise. Kathy

 

[WDWLVR]

We usually pack the weekend before we leave as the nights before can be hectic. That doesn't mean I don't start doing it all on paper early. I was jotting down some notes today when I had some quiet time at work. The notes will get more formalized as we get closer to the cruise date. We also have a large Castaway Cay box that came loaded with goodies on our cruise last May. I keep that in the closet and keep things in it that I know we'll only use on the cruise (like our surf savers). I put our swim suits in there as well as I don't think we'll be swiming between now and May 10th

 

[bigtime]

Jeanelain
What is a spacebag and what do you use it for

My 1st cruise and I can use all the help I can get!!!

 

[Verandah Man]

My DW makes up a list a few weeks ahead of time, but we usually pack the bage about 3 days before our trips.

 

[GMS]

Since there are 7 of us....I start going thru each kids clothes about a month-2 months ahead of time, that way if something doesn't fit anymore or or they need something new I have time to shop for it and it's not a last minute purchase (expensive!). Since we don't use our summer clothes in the winter anyway it's no prob to lay out stuff ahead of time so each kid has a little stack of vacation clothes somewhere in their room. The most important thing I do though is put a list of 'things to pack' and 'things to get' on the table and every time I think of something I write it down. Then as the date gets closer and I buy it, I put it my packing pile and cross it off the list. The last day I check the list and make sure everything is crossed off the 'things to pack' list, that way I know it's in the suitcase. With a large family it takes a while to get organized. I've still forgoten swim suit for my youngest and had to buy one when we got there ($$). Last year- get this- I forgot my whole SUITCASE- for a 7day cruise- got everyone elses in the car and got to the airport (an hour away) and realized it. Luckily we were early and my mom-in-law was available to drive it to us. Can you imagine-cruise with NO CLOTHES? Now I count suitcases too! Talk about having nightmares about traveling! -Gail

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

Ok, I don't feel quite as nuts as I thought I was....but I do have 16 months to go! I already have a small box that some things have already gone into....DD got temp. tattooos of Dis Princesses for her shoulder with her dress for dinner on clearance at Disney Store. I have also begun a small gift bag for each of the four other moms going on our trip. I have picked up "Tired Leg and Feet" lotions and am considering tiny bottles of Jack Daniels!! HaHa (don't take that seriously!) I would like to start another thread to get suggestions for adding to it, but that's another thread....

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Last year I started packing for our Nov 30th cruise right after Labor Day.

When we returned from our non-cruise I took the medicine bag and put it away filled under 1 of our bathroom sinks - just took out the expiring meds. The Disney t-shirts are all put away together in a few drawers.

So I guess I can say I started packing 15mos ahead! lol

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

BigTime - Spacebags are plastic bags that have a ziploc type fastern at one in and are constructed so you can either use a vacuum to suck all the air out or can roll them up and squeeze air out. It makes the bags shrink down in size so you can get more in your suitcase.

I have some - but the one time I used them they had to be sent through the xray machine at the airport. (they were doing random searches of checked luggage by hand). They get shrunk down into a hard lump and it's hard for the airport screeners to tell what was in them. At least they didn't open them I'm going to try using 2 gallon ziplock bags this time. They won't shrink down as small but I can get things organized better...I hope

 

[vicnmickey]

I too have had a suitcase sitting in the closet for over a year. Every time I would find stuff on sale or just had to have it, I would toss it in the suitcase. I have now taken the suitcase out of the closet and started organizing things.
I think we have everything we need, I hope. And maybe a little we don't need So now if I can just get the whole family healthy and turn the clock ahead I would feel better.

 

[Peachy]

Great idea to start packing a tote bag. I get great ideas from the board, but not sure if I would remember them when the time came... THANKS!


DEB
MAGIC 3/22/03

 

[DisneyNutMary]

We leave in 6 months and I have started making my list already. It's just a list of things I will need to purchase for the trip, and as I buy them they go into the Disney box.

This way I don't have to buy everything all at once and feel like I spent a ton of money.

I usually start packing a week or two ahead of time, that way I am sure not to forget anything! Although last year, I packed 2 weeks ahead, and still forgot my prescription meds What a nightmare that was!!!

 

[bigtime]

BriarfoxinWA

Thanks for the 411 on the spacebags with 5 of us going that sure seems like a great idea to save space That really would be a if they searched your bags !! Something to keep in mind

WE are 1st time cruisers so please keep the tips coming !

 

[plutojudy]

Some of my things are always packed and ready to go. Then I add things as I buy them. I pack things I don't need such as my sandals, don't wear my sandals much in Chicago in February and March, bathing suits, beach gear, suntan lotions, books etc. I start stacking things in our sitting room and then they are ready when we get our bags down from the attic.

 

[Incharge]

GMS,
I almost had a heart attack I would have died on the spot if I saw that a suitcase was left at home! Thank God for your aunt. Not having anything, what could be worse except one of those "Home Alone" senarios where you would leave one of your kids. When did you discover it was missing?