Packing for hols!!!!

[lisagirlyUK]

Hi,

I just wondered how much people pack for a fortnight in Florida. I dont intend to buy loads of clothes in Florida and we will be in a villa with a washing machine. We are going with all my family and I have numerous converstaion with my mum trying to tell her that she wont need to take any fancy evening clothes but she wont listen!!

I can pretty much work out what I will need to take but would just like thoughts and opinions based on your experience of hols in Florida (as this is our first trip)

about 7 tops? (vests and T-shirts)
4 pairs of shorts
pair of linen trousers
couple of other tops (smarter, evening type tops)
thin pair of jeans
jumper and tracksuit bottoms (for travelling)
2 pairs of sandals
pair of trainers
2 swimsuits

is this enough or should I be taking more?

Thanks

 

[allie5]

That sounds fine. All I will say is, that due to the heat, you feel really hot and sweaty when you get back from the parks. We always change to go out in the evening (not dress up, just change into a different pair or shorts and T!!) so you may want to pack a couple more shorts and Ts so you arent constantly washing!! The US washing machines are huge and its a waste to only throw in a couple of items!!

Also, no matter how chilly it is when you leave the UK, I wouldnt advise travelling in a jumper. The aircraft can be uncomfortably warm and when you get to the other end, immigration is not air conditioned. We tend to leave our coats or jumpers in the car of the person who takes us (who then brings them back on our return). I know that wont work if you use a taxi!!

I would suggest travelling in a T shirt or light top and taking a very light outer layer than can be put in your hand luggage. Track suit zippy top or sweatshirt hoody thing is ideal.

Its always best to travel light as you can buy anything you need cheaply and easily!!

 

[lisagirlyUK]

Thanks for your response. I'll probably travel in a fleece zip up top and have a T-shirt on underneath.

I probably would take more than this but me, my mum and sis are all the same size in clothes (well my sis was slimmer but she'll be about 5 months pregnant!) so we will all be swopping and borrowing each other clothes too!!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

That sounds about right, I agree take some more shorts and t-shirts/vests.
And definately travel in something light and airy as once you get to the other end its sweltering, wether its raining or not.

I've just started packing and seem to have packed quite alot

So I am going through what I definately need and etc

I hate packing, I love shopping etc,but packing is hard work...LOL..

 

[sharon78]

So what do you guys travel in on the flight?
i know to wear a T-Shirt with a light jacket but what do you wear on your bottom half apart from underware!!!

The longest flight we've been on is 4hours
so T-Shirt and smart jeans are what we would normally wear.

Also got 2 DD's 9&7 what would be comfortable for them to wear on a long flight?

Thanks all

 

[expatscot]

Light jeans/trousers and a tshirt or vest and sweat cardi are ideal. Our kids at that age wore shorts and ~T or one of those little sports dresses (nike, addidas etc). Bear in mind that if the airline give out ice creams you might need a change in the hand luggage!

Have fun

 

[allie5]

I find stretchy things like track suit bottoms, leggings or stretch jeans the most comfy. I always dress the kids in loose bottoms that have elasticated tops...usually tracksuit style. I also keep a pair of shorts each in the hand luggage if we are flying into Sanford (as we have to wait outside whilst DH gets the car).

 

[sharon78]

Thanks Were flying out Oct 23rd so i think it'll be a little cool for little sports dresses, thanks for your input i think it'll be tracksuit type bottoms with a T- Shirt.


I do normally put a clean outfit in their hand luggage.No matter what they have to eat they always manage to spill it down them.

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Chelsea (DD 4) Is going to wear a Jogging Suit with a little vest/t-shirt underneath, she takes along her fave fleece blanket, cause you find the flight can get a little nippy, so she brings along her fave blankie (Virgin do have there own blankets, but that isnt good enough lol).
I wear a T-shirt, and jogging pants, along with a cardie if its nippy, and Dp wears Jogging pants and t-shirt, I do wear flip flops, or sandals, as I like to take them off, and get comfy, nothing worse than sweaty feet lol.

I think Jogging suit, or Tracksuit pants along with a t-shirt and a cardie if you feel you may get cold, waiting for the flight etc, is ideal

I've just finished my packing, I've not done too bad, Mine and Dp's is half full, we love to spend over there, and DD's is full LOL can't you tell who has the most clothes

 

[sharon78]

Well Done Beth

I dont know how you've managed it packing for FOUR weeks and you've done it 8 Days before you go Wow

Im one of these rushing around last minute types trying to do that last bit of ironing

Ive just noticed you said you like to shop so your not taking 30 or so pairs of undies with you then

Have a great trip Beth,i hope Chelsea has a wonderful time

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

LOL I keep thinking do we all have enough Underwear etc, But we can always buy whatever we need over there, but I think I might just buy a few more packs, LOL, its hard to pack for 4weeks, I keep looking in the cases thinking is that enough, do we need more? should I take this, it seems harder this time around.
You will laugh now but As I am packing upstairs for the holiday, DP is packing to move home, all before we get on hols

LOL 8days before we jet off, and we have to pack for hols, pack to move, and move in with M.I.L LOL! its a nightmare infact its more than that its just unbelievable

Ahhhh well, suppose we have our holiday to look forward to.

Thanx Sharon, I am sure Chelsea will have a wonderful time...she has non stop gone on about this and that...

 

[sharon78]

OOOO MY GOD!!!! LOL

You certainly deserve the best holiday ever


M.I.L mmmmmmmm

 

[chucklechops]

After staying in a villa for our last couple of visits I am finally getting better at not packing as much!!!
When you have kids it is ineviatable that you end up washing and it is so easy to come home in the evening bung on a wash and it's done, anything that can be tumbled goes in anything that can't get's hung up in the utility room and is generally dry by the following morning.
How sad do I sound !!!!!

Anyway I think what Im trying to say is, I know your on holiday but for the time it takes to put a few things in and out of a machine hung up quick whizz with an iron, it's not taking up to much time and saves packing a whole load of stuff, ( GIVES YOU MORE ROOM IN YOUR CASE TO BRING HOME NEW CLOTHS!!!)

Don't forget you also save loads of space as you don't need any towels.

YES I AM DEFINATELY LOSEING THE PLOT, THE MEN IN THEIR WHITE COATS WILL BE COMEING FOR ME SOON, LOL.

Happy packing
Chucklechops

 

[manderine]

I really enjoyed reading Lisagirly's clothes list( yes I'm sad like that!). I spend hours staring into my suitcase wondering if I have enough. I usually take a lot because I prefer the choice and I tend to find that the clothing in the malls are nice but not much of a bargain...Am I looking in the wrong place?

As for the airport I wear long sleeve t shirt and skirt because I find sitting in trousers for a long time really uncomfortable.

 

[Rain]

I always take far too much, I try to take something for every occasion, of course I do not usually wear everything.

Wear something loose and comfortable on the plane as the body does expand a little when flying long haul. For me that is a loose fitting dress or elasticated waist skirt or pants.

Depending on where you want to eat in the evening you may want to take something a little more dressy than resort wear just for that special occasion.

Agree you will need more shorts and perhaps a cardigan for the evening.

Don't forget the sun hats too!

Have a wonderful time

Lynda

 

[lisagirlyUK]

Im a bit of a saddo when it comes to this kind of thing too!!!

I havent listed what I'll be wearing on the plane as I will put on whatever is comfiest at the time!!!

I wanted to compare because my mum is bringing absolutley loads - so I m not taking much and my sis isn't taking much as she is pregnant and doesnt know how big she will be so we are going to nick all my mums clothes!!!lol!

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

Depending of the time of year - eg July - I will only take shorts and possibly one skirt. Definitely no trousers or jeans for me - it's much too hot for that, and vests or strappy tops for the top half. I find full t shirts too hot too.

I like using the washing machine in the villa too - but I tend to take enough for the fortnight anyway, and only wash if I want to wear something more than once. The washing liquid - like Tide - tends to be a bit harsh on the clothes - I think it bleaches them a bit - so I like to take my own non-bio!!

On the plane I like to wear comfortable trousers, short sleeved top and usually a cardi or zipper top that can easily be out into hand luggage. I always take the kids a change of clothes - shorts and T's - for arriving in Orlando ( and we always manage to spill something too!)

I'm a list person - and I list everything before it goes into the cases - I love packing - and writing the luggage labels, then putting them on - adds to the excitement!!

Cath

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

For travelling on the plane really just wear something that is comfortable that you will be able to deal with the heat over the other side when you get off the plane, especially Lisa for when you get out there it will be very humid.

I tend to wear a t-shirt and some loose, wide legged three quarter length trousers which are comfortable for the flight and can adapt to the temps out there.

Sharon - we've travelled the last two Octobers and this is fine also for then. It's the coming back you need to pack longer trousers or jeans for since it's a bit of a shock when you land in the UK

My DH wears those trousers where you can zip off the bottoms half on the way back especially, so when we near the UK he zips the bottom half on.

I wear flight socks so have to reasonable access to my legs, so if you are going to wear flight socks, don't wear something too tight else you'll do the "flight sox dance" Worse still was when we flew back from St Lucia where it had been roasting, I had a strappy t-shirt, shorts . . . . and a pair of lovely black flight sox on My it wasn't a pretty sight, my DH and DD disowned me for the duration of the flight!

 

[lisagirlyUK]

Annie,

I see below your signoff that you have been to Marco Island a couple of times. Is it good there? much to do? We are planning to go back again next year with 1 week in Orlando and 1 week elsewhere so any advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[sharon78]

Thanks Annie for your input
We land back in the U.K on the 7th Nov so yes it will be a shock