Packing? Are you an over packer?

[edk35]

I am determined to NOT OVER PACK. WE leave Wed. night and are flying and I really don't want to over pack this time. I think we did pretty good in Jan. but I still think there is room for improvement. I have read some people take few clothes and wash while there. I take about 7/8 outfits or so and wash but at this time of year I feel we need warm clothes and clothes if it gets hot. Just curious.

Denise

 

[addicted2disney]

We are the biggest over packers EVER!! I always start out good.. and then I start throwing in "just in case" clothes. Im going to really try and pack light this trip.

 

[alwayspooh]

I definitely over pack. I can't help it!! (obsession also) I feel I am on vacation and I try not to do laundry. I take outfits for each day we are there plus a really nice when and an extra for each of us. Granted, there was only 3 of us and then the new one came in June so it might be a little different now that there is 4. Also we usually try to go when it is warmer so the clothes pack tighter.

Have a great trip!!

 

[gigi1313]

i used to be a ridiculous over-packer but have really gotten better... actually almost ran out of clothes last trip (not really!) i've tried to narrow it down to a few fave outfits and do a load of laundry... which worked for our 11 day trip... but for a five nighter, arriving late at night, four park days and flying out right after breakfast, there's not a lot of room for laundry-doing, so i might be overpacking again... drat

 

[MrsTink04]

I under pack!! I refuse to do laundry while on vacation and I never seem to pack enough clothes, so I end up re-wearing a pair of shorts or a shirt. ( I ALWAYS pack extra undies and socks) I forgot my belt last time and I was miserable!

 

[worm761]

yep. i am an overpacker. this last trip i packed my suitcase, then unpacked about half. and i still had stuff packed that i never touched.

 

[edk35]

For those that DONT' WASH.....do you just repack the dirty stuff into the suitcases or do you have a special one you use? We are a family of 5 and I think that dirty clothes take up more room that clean, folded ones. LOL Does that make sense?

 

[MrsTink04]

I pack my dirty clothes in a separate bag. We drive to WDW, so this is not really an issue.

 

[JABEAR]

sometimes

 

[k_k_100]

Traveling in early Dec. I find I almost HAVE to overpack! I've been there times when I was in shorts the entire time & Hot Then the next year I'll be in Jeans a sweatshirt & light coat at night and freezing

mmmm... maybe I should pack only rain gear - guaranteeing a warm, sunny vacation!

 

[xmelissax]

I am a huge overpacker! I tend to pack almost all the clothes I own,haha. Not really but I get dressed in the morning based on how I feel so I need lots of different options. I guess it's just a good thing I'm not big on buying souvenirs or I wouldn't have room for them,haha.

 

[Leota]

I am a Recovered Overpacker. My first trip to WDW I packed 11 suitcases for 3 people

Then I started traveling for work once a month or so & learned how to pack business & casual clothes for 4-5 days, along with a travel coffee-maker and toiletries in a small carry-on that I was willing to drag around the Metro.

Now I can pack for a variety of Temperatures, Dress Code conditions & all the gadgetry modern technology requires for a 10 day trip in a single checked bag with meds & a book in a tote bag per person. I refuse to do laundry on vacation, I have never run out of clothes & usually have less than 5 untouched items of clothing.

I credit business travel with my recovery. Once you have to do that, you learn really quickly how to co-ordinate & condense.

 

[mhingher]

I have always overpacked, but I have been better lately. I usually start packing a few weeks in advance (I'm so anal...), and as the days/weeks go by I gradually take things out of the suitcase. One thing I have learned-- especially when going to WDW-- always "pack" an extra bag somehow. Cramming in those purchases has always been an issue. One year my parents had to buy another piece of luggage to fit their souvenirs!

 

[bytheblood]

I would not say I am an overpacker, but a "just-in-case" packer I am. Never know when a tribulation may come upon you during your vacation - I would always rather try to be as prepared for the unexpected as possible.

 

[MyTalula]

I so over pack also. UGH I do the throw it in last minute just in case. We're going in December also. So it's going to be warm clothes, and warm weather clothes, and clothes for the return flight to NE incase I don't have a chance to do laundry. My biggest thing is shoes, I need 2 comfy pair for parks, flip flops for pool, 2 pair dress shoes for going out at night (depending on wearing pants, skirt or shorts) if I could narrow down my shoes it would help considerably!! LOL (Usually 2 pair of golf shoes in there too, but no golf this trip)

I'm actually going to ship a box of stuff down this trip, so we don't have to lug so much. AND I bring this huge duffel bag, that I usually just fill w/dirty laundry for the return flight! OFcourse it always gets searched
Oh well, I'll learn the right amount some day.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

One thing I have learned-- especially when going to WDW-- always "pack" an extra bag somehow. Cramming in those purchases has always been an issue. One year my parents had to buy another piece of luggage to fit their souvenirs!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I've found the BEST take along suitcase at WallyWorld (WalMart). It's a red duffle bag that zips up flat until needed. It's good sized when unzipped.
I throw it in one of my front pockets of my luggage and it's there if I need it.
Nothing worse than paying that $25 or $50 the airlines charge you for being 'overweight'

 

[tanmar]

I found out recently that my flight (booked by AAA) is a charter, reducing my allowance from 140 lbs to 40 lbs. We are 3 plus an infant with no allowance - so I'm allowed 132 lbs for 4 people (which includes a minimum weight of 30 lbs for the luggage itself - empty!)

I have to pay $7 / kg over the baggage allowance!!! That's $3.20 per pound over!! I cannot make any mistakes. If I had not double checked (agent had told me I was entitled to 420 lbs total and not 132 lbs....) I could have been stuck with my mouth hanging open at the airport at 5:00 a.m. with the check in agent telling me "That'll be $950 please".....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm generally an overpacker - totally a "just in case" last minute thrower-inner

But now, I don't know what I'm going to do! This'll be my training for moving on to a recovering overpacker?!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Yes, yes, yes! Disney, chocolate, and over packing...those are my issues! I was so much better on my last trip, but this one isn't looking so good. I'm not done, and the suitcases are already full. I've got to start doing some weeding out.

 

[Laura_Lewis]

My husband is more of an overpacker than I am. I too travel for business and don't like the hassle of lugging tons of luggage through the airport. This year though we are driving down in our motorhome - (9 days and counting! and so we can bring whatever we like. If the motorhome fills up, we have our Honda Element tow vehicle to fill with souveniers

 

[PamNC]

and I can't help myself. How do I know what I'll be in the mood to wear? I overpack enough in the summer, but when we go in late fall/winter like we will be in 10 days, I really overpack because I don't know whether I'll need warm or cool weather clothes. Honestly, I'll probably need both. I don't think there is a cure for chronic overpacking. It drives my husband crazy. The good news is we usually drive to Disney so I don't have to worry about my luggage weighing too much.

PamNC