Not Ready!!!!

[tillytinkerbell]

This time, ten days from now, we will be on our way for an 11 day stay! Problem is, we have done zero packing! Normally, DH has his things in a suitcase at least 3 weeks in advance. But, because this is our first summer trip, and we have had other things on the go (just got back from a week of camping, DH has Board meetings in another province this week for 3 days), I am feeling extremely disorganized.

Any tips for getting organized quickly and for what to take for the extreme heat of Florida in August?

Thanks!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We ar leaving in about 10 days too and I haven't done a thing. Probably will pack next Thursday. We've been the past two Augusts and it's hot hot hot, so just shorts and T's for us. You won't even need a sweater!

See you there!

 

[perfectparanoia]

Start by making a list of what you think you will need (we are leaving in 11 days so I can send you mine if you PM me your email address).

Then check the house for the stuff you don't have and go out and find it!

Pack all the non essentials right away and note that you have packed them (as in, in the correct suitcase/bag though you will probably have to shuffle some once all the clothes are in).

For beating the heat, my biggest tip is to get thee to some air conditioning and drink lots of water. No packing required for that (though we will make a trip to the grocery store on the way to the hotel to pick up some water bottles to freeze in the room).

Breathe.

Who are you going with? Kids?

 

[tillytinkerbell]

We are going with kids, but not young ones. My kids will be (DS)15 and (DD)12 in September. They are mostly okay to get their own stuff ready. I just make sure I check it. I guess I am just freaking out a little because it's usually DH who does most of the organizing and the onus is a little more on me this time as he is away this week on business. Not to mention that we had to buy our school supplies early as we get home on Monday and school starts on Friday, so I've been doing that this week.

We all usually fill our own suitcases, and then we make sure their is at least ONE outfit for each person, in each suitcase. This way, if luggage gets lost, no one is naked!

Thanks for the offer of the check list. I do have one myself, but I'm not sure if it needs to change. We usually go in the springtime, not August heat. We're planning on mostly dri-fit type clothing. My son refuses to wear sandals, so that is an issue. Hope his feet don't sweat off...or stink us out!

One question I do have is: Do we really need NO type of long sleeved clothing or pants? Are the evenings ANY cooler? And is there a need for bug spray?

...sorry, that's more than one question! Thanks for any responses though. Starting to get EXCITED! Single digit dance!!!

 

[LoriABil]

I would do a packing list per person, then you don't have to worry! Designate a spot that us nit used often as packing central. Mine is on top if our dryer, but a corner in a bedroom works as well. Start looking at your list so you aren't having to run to the store last minute!

We've gone at the end of October and have never needed sleeves! And we've never noticed mosqitos, although we always brought spray. I don't think we will this time.

 

[perfectparanoia]

I am bringing a jacket for myself and a sweater for the kids for the plane and that's it (we all get chilled pretty easily) as for the bug spray, I am a mosquito magnet and I have never had a problem at Disney World.

 

[CJ]

I am bringing a jacket for myself and a sweater for the kids for the plane and that's it (we all get chilled pretty easily) as for the bug spray, I am a mosquito magnet and I have never had a problem at Disney World.

Completely agree about the bug spray.... always bring it, never needed it! And unless you are prone to getting chilly in air conditioned planes or restaurants, you will not need ANY long pants or sweaters at all! What I do recommend is to bring one very lightweight long sleeve shirt in case you get really sunburned, but that's unlikely at WDW as well (more of a beach tip! )

Poncho, lots of changes of clothes and underwear, extra shoes, hat, sunscreen, moleskin, sunglasses, chapstick, water bottle, fanny pack (backpacks are soooo hot to carry in the summer!), camera..... those are my summer staples!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

:

One question I do have is: Do we really need NO type of long sleeved clothing or pants? Are the evenings ANY cooler? And is there a need for bug spray?

Take it from a fellow Canadian who is always cold....no, you won't need any long sleeves or pants, unless you want to - and with the heat during the day, I couldn't imagine wearing pants!

The only time I maybe wanted a light sweater was at a restaurant where the A/C was too cold. But I just went outside for a minute and no worries!

We went last August as well and it's very warm at night.

 

[tillytinkerbell]

Thanks for the responses everyone. The kids are determined to wear longer stuff down for the flight. We have an early morning (6:30 a.m.) flight and we are an hour and fifteen minutes from the airport. It will be cool on the drive, but I think they should just use a blanket in the car. I'll fight that battle next week. I am just glad that this is the first summer DS is actually putting on shorts rather than jeans!

Still haven't done any Disney stuff. Too much life getting in the way. I am a notorious over-packer. Perhaps my procrastination will lighten my load, so to speak. Hopefully I will be done this time next week!

The excitement is building.....hoping to have the bulk of the packing done on the weekend, so I can buy anything else we need. Need to get off the Boards and get to work....naw, not enough fun!

 

[candielips]

I am in the same boat as you. We leave in a week and while I have some piles made next to our bags, nothing is actually packed. I really don't think I'll have our bags packed until Monday and we leave Thursday.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Tilly - are you packed yet??

I haven't even thought much about it. We leave a week Saturday

I'm a last minute, throw it in the case and do a load of laundry while relaxing at the pool type person, so I'm not worried.

I'll probably bring a sweater for the plane too. But it won't come out of the case once we are in Florida!

 

[tillytinkerbell]

Tilly - are you packed yet??

Nope, haven't started yet! Yikes! DH got home last night and we are planning a weekend of packing and making lists...that is in between running kids places and celebrating our anniversary (19 years on the 17th of Aug....2 days before we leave!)

The excitement level has gone up exponentially since we are less than a week out...maybe this will kick start the packing??!!

 

[snickerboo]

Oh my-my type A personality has me packng a whole month before! LOL

I'd recommend a jacket that can double as a rain jacket or if you get a chilly evening.

I use the (I think its Mousesavers?) Ultimate Packing List. I don't pack everything on the list but it's a good guideline.

Happy packing & have a magical trip "home".

 

[mom22belles]

11 days for us two !

Haven't started packing yet !

as for the pants/ long sleeve issue... this will be our 4 trip in Aug. have never needed them down in Flordia but we always wear them for the plane ride. Can't stand the thought of bare skin touching the airplane seats

 

[papertraveller]

Happy anniversary!

We are also getting close to departure... there's one bag open in the livingroom with only a few scattered things around it. This year I'm really going to be paring down the items -- more room for purchases! I figure if we need anything, the outlet mall beckons!

Everyone is one order to select their clothes by Sunday night, we'll do a big laundry blitz, and pack by Wednesday.

See you all on Space Mountain!

 

[tillytinkerbell]

Okay....here we go. Finally found the last missing batch of Disney stuff we couldn't find (water bottle strap, luggage tags, etc.). The push is on today. We'll see what happens....

 

[tillytinkerbell]

Laundry is done. DH and I did most of our clothes packing today. Kids tomorrow. I can tell, we will be moving stuff around until we leave VERY early a.m. on Thursday!

 

[Reese]

I pack the night before so I guess I'm not much help. The one thing I would suggest packing is any type of medication you could need. I had to hike from DTD to a Hess station to try and find children's tylenol since the resort and every store I encountered was sold out. Other than that you can find pretty much anything that you forget.
Only five days left you must be excitied!!!

 

[tillytinkerbell]

Not only do I over pack my clothes, I usually over pack my toiletries/meds too. I take everything from tylenol and advil to cold meds and allergy meds. Bandaids and polysporin. You name it...I usually pack it. I spent a lot of yesterday doing this.

I honestly can't get over how laid back we seem to be about packing this time! We'll see. Can't put it off for much longer. Need to finalize stuff in the next day or so, as we fly out Thursday, 6:30 a.m. ( and we are a good hour from the airport, so we leave through the night!)

Thanks for all the replies. Sometimes it helps to have someone else "listen" to you. If I complain about everything I have yet to do to most of my friends, I get "Don't complain...you are going to Disney...AGAIN." I tend to keep my mouth shut now!