OVERPACKING! Am I the only one?

[mercydisney]

I have less then 2 wks for my 8 day disney trip. So far I have packed 2 outfits a day for DD9 and 3 a day for DD5, since she is my cloth horse and is never sure what she wants to wear (I believe I have influenced her ),and if their is just a drop or a spill on her shirt she must take it off. " What will Minnie think if I have a dirty shirt on?" For myself I have not started, but I have done this before and know I will bring at least 2 outfits plus. I have also packed at least 3 prs of shoes for each (it is recommended that if you will be on your feet all day you should never wear the same shoes twice (thats my excuse to DH). Oh. I almost forgot all the hair accs. needed plus moose, gel, hairspray, soap, etc..

Am I the only one who does this. Am I insane?

Would love to hear some feedback. Since DH does think I need therapy.

 

[KristiKelly]

I usually do overpack but we usually drive. This year we are flying so I'll have to hold back. We are staying at Boardwalk Villas, so we will have a washer & dryer so I won't need to pack nearly as much. There will be 5 of us this year, one being a 3 month old. I'm trying not to take as much for DH, DS8, DD5 & myself because I know I'll need all the suitcase space I can get to take all of the baby stuff.

I have found in the past, I would take 2 outfits a day for my kids andwe always went home with 1/2 the clothes untouched.

 

[Lora]

I have less then 2 wks for my 8 day disney trip. So far I have packed 2 outfits a day for DD9 and 3 a day for DD5, since she is my cloth horse and is never sure what she wants to wear ...

I wouldn't have enough clothes for my kids to pack that much.

We usually pack 5 outfits and wear a 6th. That usually is enough for us for 11 -14 day trips because I do laundry while we're there. Do you have that option?

Seriously, can you cut it down? What about 1 outfit per day plus 2 extra outfits and a couple shirts to replace stained ones?? As for your dd5 not being sure of what to wear... that's easy. Pack in zip-lock bags with one outfit per day (including the socks and underwear). Let her choose which outfit goes in "day 1", etc. while you're packing if you want. Then on that day, toss the bag to her and say, "Get dressed so we can go to the parks to see Mickey (or whoever)." I still do this for my dd9 and dd7 (almost 10 and 8).

 

[DisneyMomx7]

You are talking to the queen of overpackers! At least two outfits a day for 2 dds and ds. But that's not the worse of it - I think each year the DH is ready for a heart attack when he opens the suitcase that just contain shoes! ds is okay usually two or three pairs of sneakers and a pair of flip flops but the girls - last summer they each brought 12 pairs of shoes! I have to make sure they wear them all or DH's head is ready to spin off. Luckily we fly and they allow two to three suitcases per person plus a carry on for each of us.

 

[soccerchick]

I tend to overpack too, but I'm getting better. One outfit per day plus maybe two extra ones. A few extra pairs of underwear. I keep one extra outfit in DS's diaper bag at all times.

I try to coordinate my clothes so I can just take one set of accessories (i.e. clothes that go with either black OR brown belts, shoes, earrings, etc. not both). I take my good sneakers that I wear most of the time and one pair of sandals for the pool or to change into for a short jaunt to a resort for dinner, etc. I do the same for the kids. One pair of sneakers and one pair of sandals.

If we get THAT dirty, I guess we'll have to shop for another Disney shirt

I don't do laundry on these types of vacations. To the lake house and beach, yes. To Disney, or any other place where I am in a hotel, no. Not worth the time to me IMHO.

 

[frannn]

I start with one outfit per day for the kids. The I add an additional t shirt per day to match the shorts they are already wearing. I add a few extra outfits just in case, a sweatjacket, and a few rain ponchos and hats. I bring one pair of sandals per person, and everyone wears their sneakers on the plane. I only pack a few pjs (they wear each pair 2X), and a few pairs of socks (they wear sandals most of time). The thing I am guilty of waaaayyy overpacking is snacks (like 4 boxes of gummys, 6 packs of gum, 2 boxes of granola bars, cookies/chips/or cereal, all for an 11 day trip), and costumes for DD2. This trip, we will bring Minnie (with shoes, bag, ears) for CM, Cinderella (for CRT), Sleeping Beauty (for MNSSHP), Ariel (just to meet her in the Grotto), and Tink (we'll find somewhere to wear this), and Minnie cheerleading costume (probably wear to the parks, as it's just a little skirted bodysuit with sequins). We have more matching outfits than you can shake a stick at, and more "stuff" that will fill up the luggage faster than clothes (Misty Mate, hair stuff, light spinners, water bottles, My Disney Girl (should have her own suitcase), Pal Mickey, etc etc etc.

 

[littleprissboutique]

I usually do overpack but we usually drive. This year we are flying so I'll have to hold back. We are staying at Boardwalk Villas, so we will have a washer & dryer so I won't need to pack nearly as much. There will be 5 of us this year, one being a 3 month old. I'm trying not to take as much for DH, DS8, DD5 & myself because I know I'll need all the suitcase space I can get to take all of the baby stuff.

I have found in the past, I would take 2 outfits a day for my kids andwe always went home with 1/2 the clothes untouched.

You may want to try shipping your little one's items. We we took my dd for the first time when she was 11 mo old. I did not know you could ship then. Boy, would it have helped. I had a carry on suit case just for her formula ( a weeks worth) that one carry on was 1 lb from being to heavy for a carry on.... WHEW.... I would suggest getting a big box, lining it with foam, and putting you diapers, formula, baby food, or other baby needs in it. You can ship it to your hotel before you leave. Make sure to call your hotel to get their instructions for sending packages. Each one has different requests. But make sure to write BABY ITEMS on it. This way they do not charge you the rate per pound to hold it.

We did this last year with Kaylee's diapers and all her baby stuff. We were so excited not to have to lug it around at the airport. (Diapers take up most of a suitcase anyway) When we got to our hotel Bell Services brought it to our room. Big Help! We will never pack all of this again. We even ship our breakfast food, laundry supplies, and other misc items. It is so nice to have that box in the room too. This way we can send some of our stuff and things we have bought back via UPS!!!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I ship the costumes, light spinners, fans etc. I found it easier to do this than pack it. It worked out really well for us.

 

[weluvmnsshp]

Our first Disney trip two years ago, the babies were 1 and needed alot more, bibs, toys, baby food, lots of stuff. It seemed like the more we took, the harder it was to get to in the bottom of the stroller. Last year we did better and this year we will do the same. We also pack clothes in grocery or zip loc bags for the day, with pants, shirt, undies, socks. We bring a couple extra just in case. We put one extra one for the little ones in our backpack for the park. It really helps pre-picking your outfits. In the morning you just have them grab a bag. We let our son help pick out the outfits before packing. As for the shoes, it is a good idea for adults to pack a couple pairs of shoes, but kids are going to be in the stroller alot, they get tired quicker than us so I don't bring them extra shoes. (they are not going to be walking 5-15 miles daily like us!!!) We have tried really hard to minimize, but if you have children, and you are going to be out for 10-16 hours a day, there is going to be a lot of stuff! Just try to keep organized, it really helps.

 

[Jesuslover]

We have less than a week to go and I am planning on taking one outfit per kid per day plus a couple of extra for each one. We are each taking tennis shoes, flip flops and sandals. We also need to pack food, souveniers(sp?), and toiletries. I feel like I am forgetting something. We are staying in a condo with a washer and dryer in it, so I can wash.
The problem I have is that we are wearing and using the stuff I need to pack until Saturday and we leave on Sunday. Any suggestions??

 

[Nank]

We are leaving two weeks from today. I am trying not to be an overpacker. We'll see how that goes. Have fun!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

It took several trips but I have learned not to over pack!! it is so much easier not to have to deal with so much stuff. We always go winter so jeans can be worn two days. We also know we will buy a sweat shirt and a few t-shirts so I count those toward what we need. Also I have no problem washing out a shirt or pair of underwear at night and letting them dry. Our first trip DS was pretty young and we went in January. I packed SOOO much stuff. DS got a really cool shirt that first night and did not want to wear anything else the whole trip. It washed in the sink and dried over the shower and he put it back on. He did wear several pairs of jeans! We can now pack in two suitcases for 8 days! We drive so I do put extra jackets and shoes in the trunk just in case but they most often just remain there for the trip duration.

GOOD LUCK.
Jordan's mom

 

[mercydisney]

It's not that I don't try not to overpack. It just happens. We've go to Disney several times a year and never once have I come home w/clothes that we didn't wear. I'm a clothesholic an top of disneyholic, I really need therapy help. Oh and the budget boards don't help much! I just thought their were more Overpackers like myself out here.

I do like to pack 2 outfits each because we tend to go back to rm in the afternoon and change (another excuse). What does stop me from overpacking is the fact that when we get home I have to do laundry and put all outfits away.

 

[Honeybehr1]

OH my that is alot of clothes. Dh says I overpack but not that much. I usually pack one outfit perday per child and then I will throw in 2 pairs of pants and 2 extra shirts that are neutral and go with each outfit. I am one not for luggin around extra clothes for everyone. The 2 yr old gets 2 pairs of shorts and a shirt in his diaper bag while in the park.

 

[KristiKelly]

You may want to try shipping your little one's items. We we took my dd for the first time when she was 11 mo old. I did not know you could ship then. Boy, would it have helped. I had a carry on suit case just for her formula ( a weeks worth) that one carry on was 1 lb from being to heavy for a carry on.... WHEW.... I would suggest getting a big box, lining it with foam, and putting you diapers, formula, baby food, or other baby needs in it. You can ship it to your hotel before you leave. Make sure to call your hotel to get their instructions for sending packages. Each one has different requests. But make sure to write BABY ITEMS on it. This way they do not charge you the rate per pound to hold it.

We did this last year with Kaylee's diapers and all her baby stuff. We were so excited not to have to lug it around at the airport. (Diapers take up most of a suitcase anyway) When we got to our hotel Bell Services brought it to our room. Big Help! We will never pack all of this again. We even ship our breakfast food, laundry supplies, and other misc items. It is so nice to have that box in the room too. This way we can send some of our stuff and things we have bought back via UPS!!!!!

I'm not taking but just a few diapers & a pack of wipes. We will be using www.wegoshop.com and they will buy diapers, wipes and food for us and deliver to BWV. The things I'm taking will be her tub & bath stuff, stroller, still debating on the bouncy seat. I would love to take her swing because it's her favorite thing and guaranteed sleep but I'm afraid it would get broken. We've thought about shipping it but we need it at home until the last minute. I am b'feeding so I won't need formula and she's not eating baby food yet. I might take my pump and a few bottles but that would have to be a carry-on, the pump is too expensive to be tossed in the pit of a plane. I'll just need an extra suitcase for all of those "just in case" baby items. I'm glad my other kids are old enough that they won't need much, just there blanket and puppy that they still sleep with.

 

[PatricenPete]

I ALWAYS overpack - ALWAYS. I usually leave with a suitcase more than half full with clean clothers....

This trip we will be staying at OKW, so we will have free washer and dryer service, so I am going to try to not overpack, knowing that I will have a washer and dryer should I run out of clothes.

 

[disgram]

Well, actually for two myself but there are four that have never been to WDW and so they are driving me crazy with what to bring!! I have a list that we use every trip and so have handed it over to them. We will be in the World for 8 days in August. Am figuring 8 prs of shorts and 12 shirts. 8 pairs of soxs, we only wear sneakers in the parks, 9 underthings and 3 pr of pjs. Also, two swimsuits. This might change but for the most part this is it!! Then I add the usual, earrings, hairbands etc. All this fits into a medium suitcase. This year however, things may change as I now have a TEENAGER to pack for!!! We may have to each use a suitcase!!

 

[JudimouseNC]

For myself and hubby, I generally do not overpack. For a 7 day stay I will pack 5 days worth of clothes and do laundry. This trip (31 days away), we are taking our grandchildren (DGS, 3 and DGD, 17 months) and I am basically taking all the summer clothes they own. My grandson isn't so picky, but, believe it or not at 17 months, my DGD is picky. If a shirt gets wet or something, she wants it changed. I will pack their outfits and bring an extra outfit with us each day.

I saw somewhere that some folks pack kids outfits in zip lock baggies...I might try that.

We haven't gone with little ones in 20 years, so this is going to be interesting! Hubby cannot believe how stressed I am over whether to take the double stroller or a single one for the DGD and rent one for the DGS.....

 

[mercydisney]

I beleive my proble is I've ben shopping for this Disney trip for a while now. Some of the outfits are about 6months old w/tags. I wouldn't let my DD's wear them in case they get stained ( I no I'm nuts). Labor Day weekend their were so many sales that I bought more outfits! Well that said, I feel all these outfits shoud be worn soon and where best to wear them, but DISNEY! Seriously, folks I have cloth issues.

 

[Nancyg56]

I ship the costumes, light spinners, fans etc. I found it easier to do this than pack it. It worked out really well for us.

What a great idea! I am the Nana, and think my beautiful little Princess NEEDS costumes and gadgets for every encounter with her favorite characters. Do you know if DHL can get into AKL? Maybe a silly question, but my DD friend workd there,and will help with the shipping.

Yes I know that I enable her Disney fixation.....