Packing Disaster

[Keilmeister]

Oh gosh ... I planned out this great family holiday, figured everything out, got all the important documents and thought I was organised before my husband suddenly points out that I haven't thought about packing anything !!!

I don't even know where to start or how much to take

We're flying from Edinburgh to Orlando via Gatwick after a four hour drive from our hometown and staying for 14 days in the Bay Lake Tower Hotel There will be my husband and myself, our six year old son, four year old daughter, two year old son and 3/4 months old daughter

Please help me ... I don't know what to take or what my kids will need

 

[foxymum]

wow you've got your hands full!! when are you going?
we have 3 children one being a 4 year old, for him we are taking plenty of things to do/eat for the journey & books, his DS, nappies! wipes, change of clothes for the plane (just in case) dummy, ( i know hes 4 but he likes it at night!) anything that i may think could come in handy i am taking for the journey.
as for the holiday i am planning on taking at least 7 changes of clothes each (we have washing machine & drier where we are staying) toys, books, things to take from home that comfort, mdeicines, calpol etc, beaker cups,
cant think of much more atm, you will need bottles & milk etc for the baby though wont you?

 

[zippy99]

We found on our last trip we packed way to much. Remember you can do laundry out there, we often would chill by the resort pool and do washing at the same time. This year we wil pack about 6 outfits each and no doubt still have clothes we don't wear!

I am not sure when your trip is as weather can have a big impact on what you may need

 

[Keilmeister]

We leave on the 8th October

 

[scottish mum]

i would pack for clothes for 5 days and then do a few loads of washing while you are there. Just take enough nappies etc with you to last a day or 2.

Have you thought about doing an order through gardengrocer.com and getting things delivered to your hotel. They will deliver food, drinks, toiletries, baby products. If you can get the stuff over there it will really cut down on your luggage.

For the plane take plenty of little toys/books to keep your kids occupied and plan on bringing some snacks for all the kids, a change of clothes couls also be handy for you on the plane, just in case theres any mishaps.

Relax and don't worry about it, if you forget anything you will be able to get it out there

Have a great time, we go one day before you xx

 

[kristieuk]

I have found that the best way to plan your packing is to work through a day for each person - so say me - shower, brush teeth, cleanse, tone, moisturise, dress. Kids - nappies, milk (for the little one if you are not bf) clothes for day, pj's. Take some warm weather clothing and then weather that would suit a cooler rainy summer day here, and you should be fine. It can feel daunting, but once you get started it is just what you are used to doing without every day without thinking.

For the plane, I love Crayola twistable crayons (don't snap, harder to lose!) colouring books, a little bag of treats and a couple of sticker books.

You will be fine, just make a little start and it will seem much less daunting

 

[fairytale]

Hiya, another Mum of 4 here.

We are Dh & I, DS8, DS7, DS5 & DD3.

As a rule we always travel to WDW this time of year. Having over packed to extreme levels the first year we all went I learnt a huge lesson and now have it down to a "T".

In one word, or two "UV Suits"

"Next" have some really fantastic ones for older boys & girls which even our DS7, whom thinks he is the coolest of the cool loves to wear. They are light, dry in seconds when playing in the water fountains, which also works well when washing them out as they literally dry in minutes. I think Next will deliver within 24 hours also

For the plane our eldest DS's are happy to watch whatever is on the inflight entertainment movies schedule, however for our youngest DS and DD I take on board with us portable DVD players including 2 spare fully charged batteries. I then normally rip some of there favourite programes on to DVD from our SKY boxes the week before we fly, like say HUMF and Ben & Holly for our little girl as she could literally sit and watch Princess Holly for hours on end Also a good set of childrens ear phones are also good for the young ones.

I'll have a further think and try and remeber anything useful from our last trip

 

[fairytale]

My minds ticking away thinking of so many other tips for you

Are you hiring a car?, if so I recommend taking your own car seats, not only will it save you lots of dollars but most airlines are fully equipped to deal with you taking your own. I also feel safer using my own seats as my past experience of Car Hire Baby Seats have not been to good Last year the day beforewe flew I popped into our local Baby Store and asked them if they had any spare Car Seat Bags, you know the ones that the actual seat is packaged in. They were more than happy to provide me with 2 spare bags which we literally popped the seats into the night before (we stayed in a airport hotel). I did see a number of people turn up without there seats in bags at check in and Virgin were more than happy to assist providing bags etc, just as a Mum of 4 the more organised you can be at check in the better in my experience.

http://www.singleusewristbands.com/index.html I also purchased a pack of these bands for use in the parks. Thank fully I have never lost any of ours, but you know how they run off and it just gave me peace of mind knowing that they had my mobile number on them to show to a CM if they did lose me. Upon arrival I introduced them to a CM and told them that if they did ever get lost they should go to someone wearing this kind of badge etc etc..

I second gardengrocer, check out there website www.gardengrocer.com. Admittedly they do charge a delivery charge and do work out slightly more expensive than say going to walmart but on the rare occasion I have done a weekly shop with our 4 children, even though they are exceptionally well behaved, kids seem to hate food shopping and I remember quite quickly why I pay the £5.00 delivery charge for Sainsburys to come every FRiday As you will see they have everything you may need and brands you will more than likely use in the UK for your baby, ie Pampers, Huggies etc.. If you have not checked in when your delivery arrives Bell Services will happily hold your items or even deliver them to your room, our last year at SSR was all unpacked with drinks in the fridge etc. Only at Disney ay

I 'll pop on with more ideas as they come to me, just about to have my chinese and watch X Factor

 

[Keilmeister]

We're not going to hire a car because I figured there is enough public transport around the parks to survive without making my poor husband drive in a foreign country Those bands look like a great idea thanks, I plan on having child regins and buggies but you can never be too sure.

 

[scottish mum]

as well as buggies, you might want to take a baby sling for your little one as some of the queues might be long, would just make it much easier on you, also, might be easier in some of the restaurants if you aren't able to take your buggy in.

What buggies are you taking( how many seats), you might find that all your kids, even the 6 yr old will be glad of a sit down. You can always hire a double for your older 2 in any of the parks

 

[Keilmeister]

We've got a double buggy which can be set out to fit our youngest up to our oldest girl You're probably right about the baby sling and hopefully if it's really needed my hip and my husband's shoulders will work for a travel aid with the youngest boy and even the oldest girl if she gets moody.

 

[todai]

Just a few thoughts of mine...

Definitely use gardengrocer.com or another delivery service--you'll need the diapers alone!! Make an order asap. I've ordered all the basics and some extra sun creme, aftersun, snacks, milk, etc.. You cannot possibly pack enough in your suitcases for the trip. Besides, you'll break your back carrying around 4+ suitcases. The public transport is ok for a quick trip with one child, but I would not want to take the bus with four little ones & have to lug back loads of shopping. Delivery is cheap compared to a taxi.

Otherwise, I would certainly use a sling. Works great in airport and walking around. Just make sure the little one is not overdressed due to the hot weather and body heat. Sounds like your double stroller should suffice at the moment. I wouldn't try to take another--too much hassle at airport. If you find you need another, then just rent for a day or so.

Your biggest issue will be just getting there...having four young children on a long flight will def be a challenge but should work out ok as long as you have loads for them to do and SNACKS!

At this point I would pack as little as necessary & use the washing machines. I ordered by washing stuff also to be delivered. Keep the shoes, warm outfits to a minimun--it'll be quite hot/warm at this time.

Don't panic, though, if you need anything you can always buy it there. Best to get there safe and sound, rather than worry too much about other stuff.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[j9000]

take basics, clothes and toiletries etc
you can always drop into a shop and buy anything you forget (like spare socks)