Pack It or Buy It Out There!

[maureen4200040]

Hi,

I would agree with everyone else its down to personal choice. On previous trips to Orlando I have taken everything but the kitchen sink. Its not fun trying to pull heavy suitcases around. We take nearly all our new clothes in the wardrobe, toiletries, shoes etc and we hardly use half the contents in the suitcase in Orlando.

On my up and coming trip in September I'm taking my 12 year old niece , 1 large suitcase with another little case tuck inside it, plus two flight bags. We are taking enough clothes for 5 days, by using the hotel laundry we will always have clean clothes when we need them. Any extra clothes will be brought in Orlando. This year I'm determine to travel light.

 

[KK Cat]

Got the teabags today I tend to bring toiletries etc, but what I do is bring half bottles etc, enough to last us for the 2 weeks (in sandwich bags, inside ziplock bags, just in case) then we just toss any leftovers when the holiday ends. they help fill up the suitcase a bit to leave room for the way home.

I do intend to get some clothes in Orlando, so won't be bringing too much in the clothes line with us. The washing tablets are a great idea, I will be borrowing this thanks, as I too was nervous to bring any powder, but unopened packets of tablets should be fine.

 

[ErikaM]

Nail polish remover ALWAYS leaks during the flight so I always wait and buy that whan I arrive. One thing I always pack though is eye make-up remover. I've never found an American one I like.

 

[dawnpisces]

I agree with previous posters - the teabags over there are just not the same!
For our trips in the past I have always used Ariel wash tablets as my DD can be allergic to changes in washing powder If you take the ones with quick wash action they seem to work better as the US wash programmes are way shorter than ours My DS in L has discovered comfort tablets too for softeners so we will try them this time too - no danger of spillages there! Apologies if I am not supposed to say brand names but I am not promoting them just voicing MY personal preference

 

[juliebro]

Just packed this morning! We have taken some advice from this thread and have just packed the minimum toiletries that we will need for the first day or two and then will buy new when we get there. Have also packed a large holdall into an otherwise empty suitcase to bring back all the stuff we buy over there.

Thanks for the tips. Roll on Wednesday!

Julie

 

[edinburghlass]

Has anyone bought prescription glasses when in Orlando?

I am really needing new ones and I wondered if they would be much cheaper in USA. My current ones are varifocal, rimless and cost around £330 and I would idealy like prescription sunglasses too.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Edinburghlass - I had to buy new glasses whilst over there a few years ago when mine broke. I had no prescription with me, walked into a Lenscrafter store in the nearest shopping mall (on the recommendation of the Virgin Rep) and an hour later walked out with a very nice pair of Timberland glasses for the best part of £90

Excellent service, excellent value for money. Now why does it take Boots TWO WEEKS to have mine made over here.

I shall have to take my prescription over this year and get them done over there again

 

[KK Cat]

Totally off topic here, but apparently Cyprus is the place to go for prescription glasses at good value. (well it's an excuse for another holidays isn't it and Cyprus is beautiful). I was there 2 years ago and there are opticians everywhere, this was mentioned in all the guide books as "the thing" to buy cheaper. Although I wear prescription glasses myself after the intial excitement (sad I know) it dawned on me that I get the money back from Hospital Saturday fund anyway so I'm not out of pocket. (we are both members), just as well my new pair just before christmas cost me nearly 600 euro (dreadful eyesight, would be like ends of milk bottles if I didn't get high index lenses)

 

[MARTINIUS]

I usually go wearing only the clothes I stand up in and a spare pair of underpants! A small day type rucksack is used for kids drinks, camera, video camera etc. We do a shop at Walmart as soon as we arrive in the States as its usually too late/everyone is tired by the time we get there on the first day. We are usually in a large party anyway so while the kids have a swim in the pool and the women unpack, the men go and do the shopping – priority 1 is beer – especially the American Brands we can’t get over here. Everything else I buy in the States and I do my yearly clothes shopping in the States as everything is cheaper and most of the stuff I buy can’t be bought over here anyway so I end up with loads of clothes that no-one else has got. I buy a cheap holdall from Walmart to bring everything home.

 

[juliebro]

Wow - that's travelling light! Not sure I would have the confidence to do that!

Julie

 

[tiggerlady]

If staying in a villa I always take a few dishwashing tablets for the dishwasher as I can only find large boxes out there and dont want to waste dollars on a large box I find taking about 7 tablets is suffucient also take a sponge/scrubber and a j cloth enough for 2 weeks cleaning.I know people who take some a packet of those wipes for cleaning and general wiping in the bathroom, ( not there to clean but you need to freshen up the toilet and bathroon areas) I also take a few sheets of bounce for the tumble dryer!!