Overpackers Anonomous

[poopie]

Hi I'm Poopie and I'm an overpacker.
On my first cruise I packed WAY too much know. Do you know how I know this , aside from the fact that I couldn't lift my suitecase and nearly collapsed from exhaustion luggung it around?
When I got home from that 10 day trip I only took the dirty clothes out of the suitcase and left the rest in the suitcase in the garage. I was once again headed for 6 days at WDW in April to meet my dad and I got stuck late at work and didn't have time to pack. I just took the suitcase AS IS. and I had enough clothes for the 6 day trip. When I got home again and took the dirty clothes out I still has enough clothes left for another trip. Unfortunately the airline destroyed the bag so the contents had to be removed, or they would still be there for this next trip.

I was packing for my 3 day wonder 3 day WDW trip and getting back into the same habit , as I tried to jam all of those clothes into the suitcase I have visions of ligging that thing around again, so I put more that 1/2 of what I planned to pack back. Then I even took out some more and put it back. I think this will be the lightest suitcase I have ever travled with.

I'm trying to cut back becasue I'm planning a trip to Africa in April and I'm hoping to get away with a backpack and duffel bag. Who wants to drag a big suitcase on Safari? Even if it is Leopard print. THis thme I saved the receipt so when the airline jacks it up I can have them pay. THey seem to ruin one suit case every 2-3 trips.

 

[rae519]

Are you related to my Mother? We are sailing on 9/28 and she still can't reduce her things to two suitcases (two large ones!). I don't think she will change at 73 - but I can always hope!

I like the idea about the receipts - haven't lost a suitcase yet but have had them delayed. Last cruise our luggage didn't arrive until nearly 8PM and we already were reading the insurance papers for replacement items.

Several years ago, we went to Europe on a 14 day tour - several people had missing luggage and again, we were fortunate!!

Hope our luck holds!

Rae

 

[disneydudette1]

I am a certified member of overpacker's annonymous. 7 Day Magic next month and I've already started. I can't seem to get away from that "just in case..." syndrome. I will never change. I inherited it from my mother.
I have 2 gowns, one that would sufice as a semiformal and may throw in another very packable gown just in case I would prefer to wear that one!
Also I tend to be a bit of a piglet, always spilling something so I need the extra again, just in case...

 

[taswira]

Originally posted by poopie
I'm trying to cut back becasue I'm planning a trip to Africa in April and I'm hoping to get away with a backpack and duffel bag. Who wants to drag a big suitcase on Safari?

LOL! I lead <B><a href="http://www.africansafari.org">photo safaris</A></B> a couple of times per year, and have seen many people with packing problems! Just remember that if you have any in-country flights in Africa, you are limited to 33 lbs.!!

 

[Cruise]

I have decided no more overpacking. I'll be going to London in November for a week and only taking a carry-on.

If you do a search on the web for "packing light" you'll literally turn up thousands of hits. Some advice is a bit much for me (uhm, no... I don't think I will be turning my underwear inside out to get an extra wearing out of them), but a lot of the advice is pretty good. A good site to start at is http://www.oratory.com/travel/

While taking a carry-on only trip as a cruise might not be possible due to the day to night clothing attire change, you'll still be able to cut way down.

good luck!
Julie

 

[plutospup]

The plane pulled a trailer carrying our luggage. It was embarrassing.

 

[my3kids]

How bad is this??? I even pack my own 3 pillows. Yep, you read that right...3 pillows. They go everywhere I go. I figure I'll put them in a separate suitcase. Maybe put some soda cans in with them....Heaven forbid the soda explode and ruin my pillows though.

And yes...the clothes. I pack for any eventuality. I go away for the weekend with 6 pairs of shoes. You just never know.....

 

[wovenwonder]

A 'Packing Problem' Not ME..........

http://www.wovenwonder.com/packing.html

 

[Samsma]

To keep from indulging my packing problem, I plan to pack color catchers and throw everything into one wash load. They seem to work.

 

[cruisnfamily]

What are color catchers??

 

[4cruisin]

Plutospup,

OMG, that was absolutely hysterical. My DH is "threatening" me about taking too much luggage again this time. He swears if I can't carry it by myself, then I can't take it with me.

In December, we spent 5 days at WDW and 3 days on the Wonder. I could have outfitted a family of 6 for 3 months with the clothes and extras I brought. But, anytime anyone in our traveling party needed some obscure object, they came to me and I had it.

It was so bad that little kids in the airport were pointing at us carrying our luggage and laughing. I had 5 suitcases for 2 people.

I vow to pack lighter this time around, but it's nice to know that I am not alone as an "overpacker"

 

[wovenwonder]

The best leading stain remover at removing tough stains the first time now helps keep your clothes looking vibrant. Just toss a SHOUT® Color Catcher™ dye trapping sheet in the washer and launder as usual.

http://www.shoutitout.com/

 

[imgoingtodisney]

Finally, after a week long WDW vaca last Oct and a week long cruise vaca last Dec, bought the family one of those 27" rolling suitcases with the handle. Figure this year DS10.5 can help with the larger suitcases when we leave for the Magic Nov 28th. We also have 1 with a handle. And DH can take a suitcase without handle. Maybe before our WDW vaca Oct 2003 we'll have another rolling suitcase w/handle. Hey I know, I can buy 1 for DH for Christmas? Oh ya Id want to use it this year -lol

 

[disneyholic family]

funny....
me too.....an overpacker...
no matter where we're going...and we travel all over the world all the time but it doesn't help...every time i say, 'next time i'll pack lighter', but then i never do....
i have to pack for our trip next week down to our local coral reef (with a stunning coral reserve and lots and lots of dolphins)...
we're only going for 5 days but i'm sure i'll have our minivan loaded to the roof and beyond.....
and when you consider that it's 105 degrees there so at most we'll be in shorts when we're not in bathing suits, you really have to wonder what will be in all those suitcases.....
don't worry....i'll manage to take way way way too much.....
yup.....overpacker doesn't begin to describe it....