I'm itching to start packing!!!!

[DisneyMomx7]

Yesterday I finally went through the DIsney bags in the back of my closet and sorted all the things I've been accumulating for the past four months - disney clothes, disney store mis. accessories, disney stuffed animals, dollars store surprises, etc. This is a surprise trip for the kids. Of course DH walked in and said, "where are you going to pack all these things?". They really can spoil the moment. The thing is now I can't wait to start packing. We don't leave for 23 more days, but I'm just itching to start packing so it will feel like it's closer. Oh well, another 2 1/2 weeks, but I'm going to start cheating my packing toiletries, clorox wipes, kids wipes, hand sanitizer etc. just so I feel like I'm doing something. Does anyone else every get over anxious to get the ball rolling? ALso does anyone else's DH put a damper on these kinds of things? DH's favorite expression is always "How much is this costing me". He also rolls his eyes if I talk about the DIS boards too much. That being said once we get there he has a fabulous time and is a very magical DH. It's just all my planning that makes him nuts!!!

 

[chop456]

I don't leave until August 9, and have the same feelings you do! I want to go thru my bags of "stuff" and start getting ready. It is a surprise trip for my DD, too, so I cannot share my excitement with anyone but DH (who is not going along and does not quite get the whole Disney thing..........YET!)

I would start packing the little stuff and organizing the fun stuff you bought. It will make the time go by faster!

***late news flash***
I was JUST talking to my DH and explained to him that a Disney Fairy will be visiting our room each night to leave behind little goodies (like the toothfairy). Beach towels for the day we go the TL, a Tinkerbell shirt (DD favorite), etc. The first words our of his "how much is this costing me" !!

 

[frannn]

I have already started packing, and usually do this early for every trip. I am packing for 3 people-DD11, DD1, and me. DH usually packs for himself. I buy all new stuff, and then try to consolidate and organize. I usually have to repack everything a lot, because I tend to buy a lot, and then have to eliminate some things. I also like to coordinate everyone's outfits (to match, and based on our PS and which parks we are visiting). We have always gone off season, so I have been able to pack my summer clothes without needing to wear them at home for a while. I work FT and have 3 kids and a house to take care of, so I don't find the time to do all of my packing at once-a little at a time on weekends works for me. If you don't normally wear your WDW stuff except on vacation, you won't miss it if you pack early. Sometimes, instead of physically packing the stuff, I just make a written list, which I add to whenever I think of something. You would be surprised all the extra stuff I have to pack for DD1, so there are no surprises or unnecessary expenses once we arrive at WDW. If you are the type who can just throw a bunch of shorts, tshirts, etc into a suitcase quickly & be packed, I am jealous! I also try to use space bags and ziplocs to make maximum use out of each suitcase.

 

[gopherit]

We leave Aug 6th and I have been the sole planner for this trip -- which includes my dh and me and our 3 kids PLUS my BIL and his fam of 4 and my sister and her fam of four. We are staying for almost 2 weeks, so you can imagine the many plans I've made. With 5 small kids on this trip I've also been busy buying little items here and there for treats (each child decorates a bag with Disney stickers, etc then puts it out each night -- we don't call it the Disney fairy but the premise is very much the same! Items like t-shirts, light toys, playing cards, novelty Disney candy -- just stuff I've picked up at sales at Disney Store and other places throughout the year!)

SO... needless to say I have a LOT TO PACK and I talk Disney 24/7! DH just doesn't "get it". He doesn't see my input equaling the trip output. When I talk about WDW, his eyes kinda glaze over. When it comes to big decisions (like whereto stay, how long, etc) I have to sit him down to get a response from him. I lay out his choices, etc -- but he doesn't see that in order for me to do that, to be able to lay out all these options, I had to do all the legwork.

Last trip I had everything all coordinated -- our daily agenda, meals, everything. And even days off inbetween, strategically planted so as to avoid that whole "gotta be here gotta go there" commando feeling that I despise. (He poked fun at these and called them "Deliberately Scheduled Days of Spontanaiety") As a result, we absolutely flowed through the parks and got to see all we wanted fairly early, always had a place to eat, even some in-room dining in our DVC villa, all thanks to my advance planning. But he doesn't see all that as being due to my planning. All the itinerary, meals, etc -- I guess he thinks that without me planning it, it would all be just fine nonetheless.

DH has learned to quietly accept, but I don't think he likes it... the cost thing is an issue, I can tell. Once he's on the trip, he enjoys the fruits of my labor and has a great time, but I just don't think he appreciates what kind of work that takes. That, and he not so secretly wishes I spent as much time on HIM as I do on planning our Disney trips! I tell him, "Grow big black ears and a tail <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_8_7.gif' alt='Star 16' border=0></a> and take me to your castle <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_3_5.gif' alt='Castle' border=0></a> and show me the fireworks, baby, and maybe I would!" haha!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_7_14.gif' alt='Fireworks Kiss' border=0></a>
(Well, ok, MAYBE not the ears and tail... but DEFINITELY the castle and fireworks....)

 

[disneyatl]

I'm in the same boat!!! We leave in 20 days but I've had my suitcase out in my bedroom floor for 2 weeks. I can't stand it. My husband told my daughter that her mom is weird!!! But I've also rubbed off on my daughter. She pulled her suitcase out and has already started putting some clothes in there. She wasn't wearing them at first and was running out of clean clothes to wear. I had to remind her that I will do laundry before we leave.

 

[chop456]

I tell him, "Grow big black ears and a tail and take me to your castle and show me the fireworks, baby, and maybe I would!"

So funny!
You had me laughing out loud! I need to remember that one!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Are DH's all alike? LOL at other husbands whose favorite line is "what is this costing me". GLad to know there are others in the same boat. It's funny how that Disney fairy gets around. I also have the bags with DIsney stickers on them for the kids to put out each night. THis trip has even more since we're celebrating DDs birthday. I'll bet the bags even have the same things in them - disney fans, bubbles, anything with a princess, disney markers and crayons, and all the little things from the DIsney store and of course the glow necklaces/bracelets etc. I guess great minds really do think alike.

 

[my3princes]

My kids know about the trip and know that I have been picking stuff up for months now (they don't know what I've bought though). I plan to make a big bag for each and give it to them on the day we arrive at FW. That way they can use the stuff as they wish rather than getting one item per day. The flashlights and glow sticks they will want on several days. We leave in 24 days and I plan to start pulling outfits out that they don't need between now and then. I have 3 boys and a neice going on this trip and want to dress them the same or as similar as possible ( easier for me to keep track of them). White T-shirts that I don't want ruined between now and then I can start to pack as well as toiletries and new socks and underwear etc. Just talking about it makes me want to get going now!!

 

[anditoo72]

I don't leave unitl August 5th and I have already started weeding the kids clothes that I want them to bring out of thier drawers and folded them and put them in thier closet. My kids are young and I don't want them to stain them accidentely. Since my four year old daughter changes five times daily it is a sure bet she would do just that.

 

[teachprek2]

Disneymomx7.
Your DH sounds just like mine!! The last time we were at Disney (2002) he told me he just wanted to relax and not be on a schedule. It did help that I was a little familiar with the parks etc. We will only be there 4 days this time and we only have CRT and HDDR planned. I'm trying to get everything done this week to pack next week and I can already hear DH say, "How much is this costing us and where are you packing all this stuff!??"

 

[gopherit]

If you're looking to create a little extra sapce, I have to confess that those Space Bags (like you see on infomercials) are GREAT. My DH bought a pack at WalMart out of curiousity and then had me order more off the internet. I looked at him at first and said, "Why?" He said, "They looked cool..." and then as if inspiration hit him, he added, "We could use them for that Disney trip you're always talking about!" I stared back and did my best alpha male impersonation, saying "Hmmmm...Disney trip, huh? And just how much is THIS gonna cost me?"


But all kidding aside -- they really do compress the daylights out of clothes and such. I am suitably impressed. Might even try putting DH in one... he's 6'2 and takes up WAY too much space in the van! THink of all the Disney stuff I could fit if he were more compact! <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_102.gif' alt='I&#039;ve Got It' border=0></a>

 

[maximom]

Originally posted by DisneyMomx7
DH's favorite expression is always "How much is this costing me".

Just wanted to give my input here as this seems to be the consensus of all DH's everywhere. I found a way around it. DH and I decided several years ago that since we both work we should keep our money seperate. We have seperate checking and savings however we do have each listed on the account as a beneficiary in case something were to happen to one of us(It works for us so please no flaming). He makes more than I do and therefore pays more of the big bills. I buy groceries, pay for daycare, cable, phone bill etc. He pays the mortgage and utilities. We NEVER argue over money.

However, he isn't much on spending money for "fun stuff". So when I got my last raise I started putting money into Disney fund. I announced that we were going and I'm paying for it. Even though I have everything budgeted for, I know he will probably pay for meals when we get there but he doesn't have to. That's the beauty of it. He doesn't have to pay for it, I don't mind paying for it because I'm the one that REALLY wants to go. It's a WIN-WIN situation.

He doesn't help much in the planning though, I must admit that.

 

[my3princes]

I am at a loss for words. My dh is the one that works outside the home (I care for 2 kids plus my 3). I do all the vacation/summer camping trip/shopping/everything planning in our household. I do the budget and pay the bills. He brings in the money and is happy in just knowing that all of our bills are paid and we still get vacations. He is a Disney Nut just like me, but he doesn't want to think about finances on vacation and knows that with all the preplanning that I do we will have a wonderful vacation and one that we can afford. He will give input in the early planning stages and I will incorporate them into our plans. This year he requested the Garden Grill character meal (we're doing the rehitching ceremony for our 12th anniversary) and the HDDR. We will also do dinner at Whispering Canyon. Other than that I have free reign. I have kept him abreast of all my planning and he loves to talk Disney. I have bought lots of stuff for the kids goody bags and he has seen it all. He thinks that it is a great idea to spend a few bucks each week at home to save a lot of $$ for souveniers in the parks. I must say that my husband has never said "How much is this going to cost me?"

 

[HenDuck]

maximom! I just did the same thing for our trip to DL in April. I was squirreling away money for months. (We both work, but I used my savings to pay for the bulk of the trip). My mom and I held several garage sales to make money for the rental car, car service, character meals, etc. My DH knew about the trip and knew that I was going to come up with the money for it.

But my DH would never complain about how much is it costing me/us/you. He knows that we are going on vacation when I set my mind to it. He knows that it will be great and every detail will be thought out. He knows that he will just have to pack his clothes, get on the plane and enjoy himself.

PLUS he knows that I am a penny-pinching Disney addict and that he cannot stand in the way of me seeing the Mouse!

Sorry, how did this packing thread end up being a thread about our DHs?

As for packing, I start a month in advance and consider it all a part of the vacation! I enjoy seeing the suitcases open in our home office. I makes me feel like my vacation has begun!

Aloha!

 

[NotUrsula]

re: Advance packing. The best way to do it is NOT to use your luggage. Use laundry baskets or storage bins, something that lets you see what's underneath.

The reasoning on this is that if you are packing gradually over time, you may forget what you have already packed and pack it again. If you have it all neatly folded/rolled and ready, yet wait to transfer the stuff into the luggage at the last day, you are likely to catch any duplication and prevent overpacking.

I went to this system after DH' famous dental floss debacle. We now put all our stuff into laundry baskets in the spare room, and only one of us then puts it all into the luggage. The incident that tore it was when DH kept forgetting that I had already packed dental floss, and added it again several times because what he put in got buried under something else. When I unpacked at our destination, I found 11 pkgs. of floss, for a 5 day trip! (The floss wasn't the only thing, just the funniest. We had WAY too much stuff because of all the duplication he did. DS, then 7 months old, had 23 outfits in the luggage.)

 

[etwinchester]

My husband works full-time plus works on side jobs while I stay home with DD. He never asks what anything cost. He doesn't care what I spend.

One time I purchased a seville candle holder from Partylite for $129. He came home, noticed it in the living room and LOVED it.

I finally broke down and told him the cost and he said "I don't care what you spend, I can always make more".

My response "glad you feel that way honey, cause I bought one for the bedroom too"

Guess he didn't really care because he went to his moms and apparently told her about my awesome candle holders and she called to ask me about them since she never saw him so excited over candle holders before...

He knows I'm into Longaberger and stuff like that so he know's what to expect money wise. He does make fun off new rugs that I get and I tell him not to mess them up. He tells me to put them on the wall then (funny guy)

I already warned him about our next trip. I just give him the dates to take off work, and that's it...

Guess I found a keeper...

 

[mbb]

and ummmmm...

wellll......
I've started packing....

I can't help it!!! But we *only* take carry-ons,
so I've really got to start early...
so I don't overpack...

I know I have a problem, but you understand, right??

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I didn't mean to portray DH as an ogre. He loves Disney, just doesn't love the planning and the little things. We went last year to GF for a week, this year we're going to HRH/POR for 11 days, and next year back to WDW for 12 days, so it isn't that he minds spending money on vacations! This time of year doesn't help since we have three in college and the tuition bills are coming due! When we're home he things I overplan and overpack but when he gets there he always thanks me for planning so well!! BTW he's not the only one who thinks I'm obsessed with Disney, most of my family doesn't "get it" why we keep going back to the same place for vacation, and why I'm calling at 7:00 in the morning for breakfast reservations.

That all being said, I can't wait to start packing !!!!!!!!

 

[kelscross]

I have not started packing yet...although I wish I were. However, I have edited my packing list a million times. I have to stop buying things because my girls have the cutest outfits I want to take them all!!

They have real cute pooh hawaii type outfits at walmart. I also bought myself a scrub top with mickey and gang in hula gear! I am gonna wear it for work but I might even wear it to the Poly since it's with the theme!!.

As far as husbands go. I am divorced but my ex is crapping his pants on me and the girls going two years in a row! He never saw why you would want to take a vacation..."it's a waste of time and money" in his words. However, he could spend 4 or 5 grand on a computer or more on a plasma television

 

[bytheblood]

Oh my goodness. This is so my thread. We are not going until next June and I am ready to pack right now. I have a pile of stuff in the bottom of my closet just ready to be placed in a suitcase. I have already bought all of our disposable toiletries as well as clothes for our trip.

I feel all of your excitement. I hope you all have a most womderful time.

Have a most Blessed day!