Organizational Tips for the Room???

[Experiment113]

We stay at the All-Stars and I take a plastic sweater organizer thing. It has 2 hooks that I can hang from the clothes rod and then has 6 big shelves (pockets) each about 1 foot square. I hang this right beside the sink. One shelf for toothbrushes & paste, 1 shelf for hair comb, brush, ponies & hairspray, another shelf for makeup & sunscreen, etc. It collapses down small and easily fits in my suitcase. I think I spent $5 on it at Big Lots. I have also seen fabric ones at Walmart in their closet organizer section.

Also, we drive down and we take a little cooler along too (it can hold 6 cans of pop). We put this under the sink and my DS4 uses this as his stool so he can brush his teeth.

 

[quiltymom]

I tried packing some yesterday. Put my clothes in 2 1/2 gallon Hefty ziplocs and DD's in gallon size(generic brand). Once I squeezed all the air out, they look freeze-dried which was great b/c they took up less room. But within an hour, they all had expanded again. I guess it isn't just a box of defectives b/c both kinds did it. I may not be able to use them because now they seem to take up more room than without using them.

Yes, they will do this. Don't try use them like those space-bags (where you suction all of the air from them) since it won't work. I always leave mine open about 2-3 inches. That way the air can get squeezed out of them when you pack and push down. It may seem like they take up more room, but they actually don't. Trust me - I always pack this way for travel and it is so wonderful.

The benefit of packing this way is:

• You have all of your outfits organized by day - no more trying to figure out outfits the day before!
• You can re-pack your dirty clothes in them at the end of the day and place them back into your suitcase when done (as suggested above)
• If your suitcase needs to be inspected at the airport, they can look through everything quickly, and things stay together.
• You can label every bag just in case something does fall out if inspected.
• They make unpacking a breeze! Just move those bags into the drawers and off you go to the parks!
• You can more easily pack outfits for each family member in everyone's suitcases, just in case a suitcase gets lost. That way every person will have some clothes until the suitcase is found.

My big beef about travel was that I was the one that "got" to pack up the bags to go home, and I'd miss out on all of the pool fun (or whatever) that everyone else is while I stayed behind to pack. Now, packing with zip-locks makes packing a breeze AND everyone is now responsible for their own stuff. (It made me feel smart once I thought of that one!!!)

We didn't find the over-the-door shoe bag to be helpful. It was just something else to pack and somewhat of a nusiance. If everything is put away after being used, then stuff isn't in the way.

There was already some great tips posted, but here are some other tips on top of what was already said that has helped us a lot:

• I am a scrapbooker and collect tons of stuff each day. Lots & lots of paper. To keep the mess in check, I bring a large divided expanding folder to place stuff in. Each day gets it's own space, as well as one slot for the resort, for travel, "Around the World" (outside of the parks), travel/touring plans, and the like. (I bring a tyvek envelope with a manila folder inside to the parks every day to hold the paper stuff we collect every day. I just remove it from the envelope & stick it in it's slot when we return for the evening.) I bring a small one to put in tickets and other small stuff that could get lost.
• All of our "important" stuff that we cannot leave behind for the parks (cell phones, cameras, room keys, etc.) is placed in the drawer of the nightstand.
• We also have a separate suitcase for souviners. Once they are in, they don't come out until we're home. Otherwise they end up all over the place!
• Toothpaste & toothbrushes are kept in glasses in the bathroom - one per person.
• All other bathroom supplies are put back into the travel bags after use, except for shower stuff, toothbrushes.
• Each person gets their own dresser drawer. If there's an extra drawer, we use it for miscellaneous stuff.

I hope that this helps some of you. It works for us!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I love making my hotel feel clean and luxurious.

1. It's been mentioned, but luggage under the bed is a big one. If it won't fit, put it in the closet open and keep your laundry bag there.

2. Keep like with like - all toiletries that are used in the bathroom go in the bathroom. If you're going to do hair and makeup at the other sink, leave those things there. If people will put sunscreen on in the main part of the room, leave it there (next to the TV is where we keep it).

3. Don't pack tons you don't need. It just gets in the way.

4. Line up shoes, hang up clothes, etc.

5. Eagle Creek Pack Its. I use them faithfully. They keep everything organized and neat and I can get a pair of pants without messing up other folded clothes. I keep the ones with bras and undies and pj's in the bathroom so I can put them on after a shower. The others I keep in drawers.

6. We make sure the table is for papers only. I keep the folder of important papers and envelope of "stuff to save" (scrapbook, even though it's taken me 8 years to make 10 pages!) in a plastic folder that zips around three sides.

7. The really important items go on the nightstand as well. Anything we want to be sure and bring to the parks gets placed there.

I look forward to reading more ideas!

 

[2mickeys1minnie]

Wow all of these tips are so helpful!! Ok I love the suitcase under the bed thing BUT am I the only one that is slightly skeeved out by that idea? I'm just not sure what is under the bed...I know the cases will be closed but still.....do they clean under there? Help me get over my phobia lol!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Wow all of these tips are so helpful!! Ok I love the suitcase under the bed thing BUT am I the only one that is slightly skeeved out by that idea? I'm just not sure what is under the bed...I know the cases will be closed but still.....do they clean under there? Help me get over my phobia lol!!

1. They do vacuum under there and you can always check before you put them under.

2. At the airport, your suitcase probably gets tossed around, touching hundreds of surfaces of god knows what before it comes to your hotel anyway.

Okay, maybe that will increase your phobia!

 

[2mickeys1minnie]

trying not to think about it...trying not to think about it...LOL..You are so right. It certainly would free up alot of room. We stayed at POFQ last year and I'm assuming the set up is the same. Our luggage did take up alot of space. I am going to try the luggage trick, the pop up hamper, the dollar tree shoe organizer and the ziploc bags. Thank you!!!

 

[kileybeth]

Oh I am loving all this neat nic info!

Eagle Creek Pack Its? haven't googled it yet but huh?

anyone have any ideas for 2 strollers? Will they fit in closet at Poly?

always line our shoes up, makes getting out in morning so much easier.

been doing mesh hamper for several years now, such an improvment for us over suitcase.
loved that plastic store pant/skirt hanger, never enough hangers in room

power strip, Ingenious!

wish I had some good tips to offer

we do designate an area for each kiddos personal stuff like backpacks or whatever

keep 'em coming, we may get to go to the pool on our last day after all!

 

[DisneyArk]

We didn't find the over-the-door shoe bag to be helpful. It was just something else to pack and somewhat of a nusiance. If everything is put away after being used, then stuff isn't in the way.

Great tips about why to pack in ziplock bags. I agree they make the mornings go much more smoothly!
I noticed you said you didn't use the over-the-door shoe bag. It might be because you were at the Wilderness Lodge. We really use the shoe bag when we stay at the Value Resorts. The counter around the sink is only 1 inch or so wide. There is no room to even store toothpaste without it falling off. The clothes rack is right beside the sink, so we hang the shoe bag on that and it keeps the bathroom stuff close at hand. I just wanted to point that out because each resort is different.

Thanks to everyone for sharing such wonderful tips!

 

[quiltymom]

Great tips about why to pack in ziplock bags. I agree they make the mornings go much more smoothly!
I noticed you said you didn't use the over-the-door shoe bag. It might be because you were at the Wilderness Lodge. We really use the shoe bag when we stay at the Value Resorts. The counter around the sink is only 1 inch or so wide. There is no room to even store toothpaste without it falling off. The clothes rack is right beside the sink, so we hang the shoe bag on that and it keeps the bathroom stuff close at hand. I just wanted to point that out because each resort is different.

Thanks to everyone for sharing such wonderful tips!

Okay, that makes more sense. It does change the picture when you don't have counter space!

 

[kimbac3]

I'm loving all these tips!! This is our first Disney stay in a hotel room. We usually rent a house. We do stay one night at a hotel on our way home but one night is nothing like staying 8 nights...with 5 people!!

By the way that power strip idea......AWESOME!!

Kimba

 

[neonurse]

I have a file folder (Compact approx 9"x4") that I got from the dollar store. I label each file: air, car, hotel , directions (printed off mapquest),coupons, timetable (customs papers go in there too). I put all of my confirmation papers in there folded into thirds with writing on the upper edge to tell me what it is. It makes it easy to find everything and for only $1. I know this doesn't have to do with hotels but I thought you might find it useful.

I heard alot of people talking about throwing alot of stuff away when they're done with it like all the ziplock bags, shoe organizer and small containers etc. The only thing that worries me is people not recycling. I don't know if there are places to recycle plastic in WDW. It seems like we keep getting hounded into recycle, reuse, renew and it makes me think that with ALL the MILLIONS of people that go to WDW; how much plastic is thrown away? We have to think about the land we are leaving to our kids, and grandchildren. Anyone have any ideas???

 

[scammermom]

I do two pop up hampers - one for darks and for lights. We always have to do laundry since we're usually there awhile and I can easily keep them separate. They fit right under the sink usually.

Don't always count on being able to put your luggage under the bed. Alot of hotels have wood barriers under the bed so it's not so easy for stuff to slide under and get lost and then for housekeeping won't have to vacuum under.

I love the plastic skirt hangers for putting the wet swimsuits on to help dry faster.

 

[vamom]

Great ideas! We will be using them for our trip in November. Thanks

 

[oldmouser]

We're also taking extra hangers so I can hang as much as possible.[/QUOTE]

Does anyone know about how many hangers they have in the value resorts? I hate folded shirts

 

[ParkPrincess]

We're also taking extra hangers so I can hang as much as possible.

Does anyone know about how many hangers they have in the value resorts? I hate folded shirts[/QUOTE]

They never give enough hangers. I think the most we've ever had was about 6 or 7.

 

[tracipierce]

Yes, they will do this. Don't try use them like those space-bags (where you suction all of the air from them) since it won't work. I always leave mine open about 2-3 inches. That way the air can get squeezed out of them when you pack and push down. It may seem like they take up more room, but they actually don't. Trust me - I always pack this way for travel and it is so wonderful.

The benefit of packing this way is:

• You have all of your outfits organized by day - no more trying to figure out outfits the day before!
• You can re-pack your dirty clothes in them at the end of the day and place them back into your suitcase when done (as suggested above)
• If your suitcase needs to be inspected at the airport, they can look through everything quickly, and things stay together.
• You can label every bag just in case something does fall out if inspected.
• They make unpacking a breeze! Just move those bags into the drawers and off you go to the parks!
• You can more easily pack outfits for each family member in everyone's suitcases, just in case a suitcase gets lost. That way every person will have some clothes until the suitcase is found.

My big beef about travel was that I was the one that "got" to pack up the bags to go home, and I'd miss out on all of the pool fun (or whatever) that everyone else is while I stayed behind to pack. Now, packing with zip-locks makes packing a breeze AND everyone is now responsible for their own stuff. (It made me feel smart once I thought of that one!!!)

We didn't find the over-the-door shoe bag to be helpful. It was just something else to pack and somewhat of a nusiance. If everything is put away after being used, then stuff isn't in the way.

There was already some great tips posted, but here are some other tips on top of what was already said that has helped us a lot:

• I am a scrapbooker and collect tons of stuff each day. Lots & lots of paper. To keep the mess in check, I bring a large divided expanding folder to place stuff in. Each day gets it's own space, as well as one slot for the resort, for travel, "Around the World" (outside of the parks), travel/touring plans, and the like. (I bring a tyvek envelope with a manila folder inside to the parks every day to hold the paper stuff we collect every day. I just remove it from the envelope & stick it in it's slot when we return for the evening.) I bring a small one to put in tickets and other small stuff that could get lost.
• All of our "important" stuff that we cannot leave behind for the parks (cell phones, cameras, room keys, etc.) is placed in the drawer of the nightstand.
• We also have a separate suitcase for souviners. Once they are in, they don't come out until we're home. Otherwise they end up all over the place!
• Toothpaste & toothbrushes are kept in glasses in the bathroom - one per person.
• All other bathroom supplies are put back into the travel bags after use, except for shower stuff, toothbrushes.
• Each person gets their own dresser drawer. If there's an extra drawer, we use it for miscellaneous stuff.

I hope that this helps some of you. It works for us!

I really like the idea of using the ziplock bags, but they don't sell the large kind here in the UK, just the ones large enough for sandwiches!!! Do you know of anywhere that I could buy the large bags online?
I'd be really grateful if anyone could help

 

[kimbac3]

I really like the idea of using the ziplock bags, but they don't sell the large kind here in the UK, just the ones large enough for sandwiches!!! Do you know of anywhere that I could buy the large bags online?
I'd be really grateful if anyone could help

Amazon sells them. Do a google search and you may come up with more options. Hope this helps!!
Kimba
http://www.amazon.com/Ziploc-Extra-Large-Sandwich-Bags/dp/B000NXJBHC

 

[tracipierce]

Thanks for the info,, I have just been searching on google as amazon.com won't let me order ( anyway I have found a UK based website that sells all different sizes of ziploc type bags and lets you place small orders, I just managed to order 25 15"x20" for £7, so I'm over the moon,,, looks like my packing is about to get organised for once,, I'm looking forward to enjoying my last day too now

Anyone else from the Uk who would like to order some zip bags the link is here
http://www.captainbags.com/y-big-bag/cat_15.html

 

[tracipierce]

WOO HOO!! I'm really on a roll now, just bought my pop up hamper and shoe storage from ebay!!!
Thanks so much for all the tips

 

[kimbac3]

Thanks for the info,, I have just been searching on google as amazon.com won't let me order ( anyway I have found a UK based website that sells all different sizes of ziploc type bags and lets you place small orders, I just managed to order 25 15"x20" for £7, so I'm over the moon,,, looks like my packing is about to get organised for once,, I'm looking forward to enjoying my last day too now

Anyone else from the Uk who would like to order some zip bags the link is here
http://www.captainbags.com/y-big-bag/cat_15.html

Glad you found a way to get them!! Happy Packing!!

Kimba