Packing for a Villa Trip

[Mumof2]

Hi,

Now that I'm all booked up and raring to go, I thought I'd ask all you experts who have rented villas in the past - what's the most important thing that you would take with you?

Apart from your kids partner etc....

I'm hoping you guys will be able to help me put my packing list together.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

okay - for staying in a villa we always take:

Swing bin liners
Black refuse bags - collected twice a week
Gravy (sad but true)
Small sachets of salt (sad but true)
Washing Powder tablets
Character plate and dish for Joshua (Toy Story one's)
Swim hoop/armbands - again for Joshua
Some small toys, cars/books etc
US format Videos/DVDs - again for Josh useful when we are relaxing

All of the above take up little room, bin liners are useful as you will only have to buy them out there.

Toileteries, depends on room in the suitcase but generally try and take our own shampoo/deodorant etc although we sometimes wait till we get to Publix.

 

[TinkTatoo]

The only things I take are washing powder tablets (kids have sensitive skin) and
small packets of sugar for coffee (easier than having loose sugar in a bowl which would attract ants)

Everything else can be gotten there and most villa's have some supplies already (last year there were diswasher tablets, bin liners, washing up liquid etc.,) so we just see what they have before we go and buy extra.

 

[Mumof2]

Thanks Johnny and Tinktatoo.

 

[Shropshire Saint]

In addition to things already mentioned, we take tea bags, toilet rolls & robinsons squash for the kids. The 2 other non-essentials are a curry sauce jar & cadbury's chocolate. Dont ask, we cook a reasonable amount & you cant get a jar of jalfrezi anywhere...........

 

[Mumof2]

.....& robinsons squash for the kids. ...........

Excellent idea. Hadn't thought of that at all.

 

[JANNYANS]

Taking toilet rolls from the UK is nit recommended as generally they are too thick and are liable to clog the small bore plumbing there is in Florida which can result in a mess and a call out charge being made to you .Tea bags and coffee are musts as the US version are pants!

 

[snookhams]

we take quite a few of the already mentioned (it save time and holiday spending money) we also take

Branston pickle (in a squeezy jar)
Heinz salad cream (again a squeezy jar)
Ds favourite soya bolognaise mix - a very fussy eater I'm afraid!
I also took a box of dishwasher tablets last year (only because they were reduced to clear at ainsburys at 50p a box! didn't think that I would get them that cheap in US

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Excellent idea. Hadn't thought of that at all.

You can buy Robinson's orange (and Apple & Blackcurrant) from Publix however naturally it is more expensive.

 

[Dimplenose]

I'll second refuse sacks. Tumble dryer sheets would have been useful too.

Libby

 

[Mumof2]

Thanks, Guys. Lots of ideas here.

I'll start getting a few bits with my weekly shop and then I won't need to use any valuable spending money.

 

[thegirlyarwood]

Hi,

The main thing for us were tea bags. A good tip I will give you though is to have a look at google earth to get an idea of where you are staying and type in publix/walmart and find out where your nearest ones are. I found that publix had just about everything we get over here and the quality is just as good.

My children are ok using bio washing powder and the american powder was fine.

 

[ely3857]

The only thing I would say for def' is something you personally wouldnt want to go 2 weeks without.

I would take tea bags as the US tea bags are horrible, a prev posted mentioned thier ds was fussy eater so yook his fave spagbog sauce & another said curry sauce was impossible to come by.

Everything else can be purchased out there, it is after all the US! and I would much rather do that than waste suitcase room.



Jodie

 

[Shropshire Saint]

You can indeed buy squash, chocolate & even heinz baked beans in Publix, but i have to say, even on holiday I begrudge paying £1.50 for a tin of beans & almost £3.00 for squash.
We use the space left in the suitcase on the way home for stuff we have bought. Normally Peanut Butter M&M's & Folgers Coffee.

 

[Disney owl]

Tea bags
sachets of sugar
dishwasher tablets
persil tablets
tissues
Own beach towels - helps kids find your sunbeds at water parks

sandwich bags in which we froze water overnight, used the ice to keep drinks cool in the cheap cool box we bought over there. Kept this coool box in boot of car , great having a cold drink when we came out of the parks.

plastic beakers to go with drinks above.

I also bought some very cheap toys for the pool, from £1 shops & left them there.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We always take our own beach towels too, forgot to put them on my original list.

 

[Mumof2]

sandwich bags in which we froze water overnight, used the ice to keep drinks cool in the cheap cool box we bought over there. Kept this coool box in boot of car , great having a cold drink when we came out of the parks.

plastic beakers to go with drinks above.

Excellent idea. Thanks!!!!!

And Like the Beach Towels idea too. Thanks.

I have checked where the villa is and while its further out than some of you would recommend, I think it'll be ok for us. Its near Champions Gate and apparently there's a Publix and Walmart near by. I know I can gey motst things out there but I really hate the thought of having to buy "regular" shopping while I am away and wanted to take as much as I can with me.

Not too worried about suitcase space as I'll need the extra room for bringing back my shoe bargains

I've got loads of ideas from this thread, Thanks all its much appreciated.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Excellent idea. Thanks!!!!!

And Like the Beach Towels idea too. Thanks.

I have checked where the villa is and while its further out than some of you would recommend, I think it'll be ok for us. Its near Champions Gate and apparently there's a Publix and Walmart near by. I know I can gey motst things out there but I really hate the thought of having to buy "regular" shopping while I am away and wanted to take as much as I can with me.

Not too worried about suitcase space as I'll need the extra room for bringing back my shoe bargains

I've got loads of ideas from this thread, Thanks all its much appreciated.

Yes, Champion's Gate is quite south of the attractions, there is a good Publix , McDonalds etc close by

 

[Shropshire Saint]

I think you are in a great location! It can be a lot more peaceful down there than at communities a little closer. At Champions Gate itself there is a Publix & a few other shops like Walgreans & McDonalds. You can head left or right onto H27 & get to a Wal-Mart in about 5 minutes. If you go upto Disney via the 192 remember the short cut on Sherbeth Road.

 

[Mumof2]

I think you are in a great location! It can be a lot more peaceful down there than at communities a little closer. At Champions Gate itself there is a Publix & a few other shops like Walgreans & McDonalds. You can head left or right onto H27 & get to a Wal-Mart in about 5 minutes. If you go upto Disney via the 192 remember the short cut on Sherbeth Road.

Thanks for that. I'll look up the Sherbeth Road short cut now! At least I am assuming, I can using mapquest or the like?!