Over-the-Door Shoe Holder for Toiletries?

[Worfiedoodles]

We've never done this, but I'm intrigued, and I bought one to use on our upcoming trip. 10 nights in hotels, I thought we'd get tired of trying to fish our stuff out of bags.

So, my question for those of you that have used them -- Do you pre-pack the shoe cases with your toiletries, or pack them in bags and put them in once you get there? Are there hidden perils to pre-packing? I was just thinking it might make it even easier if all I have to do is take it out and hang it up... I bought one that has 24 sections.

Sorry if this is a silly question, the closer I get to my trip the more anal I become

Thanks for any and all replies, suggestions are also greatly appreciated!
Maria

 

[Princess Tink]

I could have sworn the first time I used it, 4 years ago, that's how we did it 'pre-packed'. However the last time we tried the pre-pack thing, didn't work so great.....as we must of had too many heavy things in ours, it was too heavy to hang. Not to mention the pain of packing it in the bag once it was filled up: bulkiness, stuff falling out, pinch here, squeeze there. A couple weeks ago, I decided it would be easier just to throw the stuff in the suitcase and then fill 'er up when we got there...it only took a couple minutes.

Good luck!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I've never prepacked ours, but only because I'm afraid something will explode and then I'll have toothpaste or shampoo or something all over the place. I put all our toiletries in one bag and unpack it into our shoe bag once we arrive. I guess you could prepack it though and then put it in a garbage bag before putting it in the suitcase too. Either way, I'd think if something spills open, there will be a mess no matter what way you do it.

 

[dyna]

Load the shoe bag once I'm there

BTW I got mine at EVERYTHING a DOLLAR STORE many years ago it's still going strong. 1 of the best items I ever bought for a buck.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Another person who fills it once we got there -- in this case we used it on the cruise. It worked wonderfully.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Because of the suggestions on here I bought one when we went last year (land/Sea vacation) and for me and my sixteen year old DS it was a waste of money. Simply because we each carry our own toiletry bag and it made the bag unnecessary. However, it did use it for 1st aid stuff and itinerary items.

 

[mama4]

I did not prepack ours. I always pack toiletries in large ziplocks in case something leaks.
Also want to add that while this is a great idea to keep bathroom things organized (dh REALLY liked this idea) -I would not recommend using a $ store one. Mine did not hold up well at all- it fell and started tearing after day 3. I was so dissapointed since it had been SO nice while it was still intact. Might be worth it to pay $10-$15 for a canvas one.

 

[pigeonmom]

I love the over the door organizer while traveling. I put the tolietries in double ziplocks in the suitcase to avoid "leakage".

I have found the clear plastic ones easier to use with kids. Less pulling and digging on the pockets to find what they need.

Pop over to the budget board and check out the freebie thread. When the samples come pop them into your suitcase and your good to go. Don't forget to get some laundry detergent sample sized. Soo handy.

Our Disney traveling companions have a child with complex medical needs and they have to bring quite a bit of equiptment with. They take a clear shoe organizer to put his things in. Works FANTASTIC, and they use whenever they travel now.

Our families at Disney!!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks to everyone for the great replies! I bought a clear one at Target, so hopefully it will last slightly longer than the $ store version, but they were probably made in the same factory, so you never know

I am going to wait until we get there to load it up. It seems like that is the best method. We are switching hotels halfway through our vacation, so I'll have to decide whether to unload for the car ride -- I probably will just to make it easier to pack without losing anything.

Since dh expects to use half of my toiletries anyway, this will make it easier because I won't have to keep digging them out for him...

Thanks so much for all the replies!
Maria

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Thanks to everyone for the great replies! I bought a clear one at Target, so hopefully it will last slightly longer than the $ store version, but they were probably made in the same factory, so you never know

I am going to wait until we get there to load it up. It seems like that is the best method. We are switching hotels halfway through our vacation, so I'll have to decide whether to unload for the car ride -- I probably will just to make it easier to pack without losing anything.

Since dh expects to use half of my toiletries anyway, this will make it easier because I won't have to keep digging them out for him...

Thanks so much for all the replies!
Maria

I have not done this myself but from what I have read on here I think when you are already on property and move to another resort they will move you, check it out to be sure.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I have not done this myself but from what I have read on here I think when you are already on property and move to another resort they will move you, check it out to be sure.

Thanks! We are actually moving from POFQ to Universal's RPR, so I don't think we can take advantage of the service...

I am aware I have to pack up and unpack again, so I'm trying to make this as easy as possible. Thanks for the suggestion!

Maria

 

[all4fun]

We always use an over the door shoe holder w/the clear plastic pockets and it works great except for the fact that the door brackets aren't wide enough to fit over the bathroom door (at least that was the problem we have at the Boardwalk) so I just hung it in the closet from the wire shelf which is right next the sink area anyway. One thing you could do instead though is bring a couple of hooks w/the 3M Command Strips and hang it from the hooks. I've used those at home w/no problem removing them and damaging the wall, so they do work.

We also always just pack the shoe holder and load it up once when we unpack.