Packing Hints

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

On a recent thread someone (I'd give you credit but can't remember where I read this) said she hated packing for WDW and was thinking about starting a thread about hints for packing. I looked for the thread today, couldn't find it, and so thought I'd start one myself. We travel a lot, so I have a couple of things that really work for me, but I could always use some more hints. I really hate to pack!

So, anyway, I'll start:

1. When I unpack from the last WDW trip, I put all the stuff that only gets taken to Disney in a bag in a closet. That way I don't have to hunt all over the house for Disney sweatshirts, brita water bottles, ponchos, etc the next time I need to pack. (If I wanted to wear a Disney sweatshirt at home, when I washed it I would just put it back in the bag instead of in my dresser drawer.) While it's still on my mind when I first get back from one trip, I re-supply the bag with things like paper plates and plastic cups for the next time around.

2. This hint comes from my sister-in-law. She taught me to pack into laundry baskets instead of suitcases when packing for a road trip. They travel well, and when you get to where you're going, they can provide extra drawer space or be used as laundry baskets usually are for sorting and washing clothes while on vacation. So, if we drove to Disney instead of flying, in addition to packing my clothes into laundry baskets, I'd probably keep all my Disney stuff in a basket and load it into the car, as is, on my next trip. (I wouldn't do this for a business trip, but, hey, Disney is for vacations! I'm sure even the GF bellmen have seen it all.)

3. Also a general packing aggravation-saver, I have bitten the bullet and gone out and bought duplicates of the toiletries and drug store items I use. I keep them packed and ready to go, replenishing as soon as I get back home for the next trip. I always found that the most irritating part of packing was to remember to pack all those tiny little things you need to use until the last minute at home. Obviously this wouldn't work if you only take a trip once every 2 years, but even if you go out of town 3 times a year it can be worth the extra expense to avoid the agrravation of toiletry packing, especially if you cycle the travel items into your regular supply to avoid wasting money by hitting up against expiration dates.

So, anyone else with ideas that work for you????

 

[missypie]

1. Buy and bring all sizes of zip lock bags. They come in handy for so many things.

2. A few weeks before your vacation, when it is "too early" to start packing your clothes, but you want to do something trip related, make sure you have (and pack) your over the counter medicines and first aid supplies. I usually discover that I'm out of something, so it's nice to assemble that stuff early.

3. Save a packing list on your computer; print it out for each trip. If you added something to the list, before the next trip revise the computer list. This sure saves a lot of list making time.

4. If you are packing for a family and each child wants his or her "own bag", if you are checking bags, put at least one complete outfit for everyone in someone else's bag in case someone's luggage is delayed.

 

[jwfla422]

donaldbuzz&minnie - can't agree more about keeping that extra "Disney" bag tucked away somewhere-mine sits behind a door in our extra bedroom. Has all of the travel trinkets--extension cords, clothespins, wipes, flashlights, etc.

Then we also have our "disney only" backpack which is the backpack we take to the parks. That usually has the autograph book and pen, more wipes, the little personal mini-fans (funny, I just swapped out gloves for our fans for this trip from only 4 mths ago), dd's change of clothes! I always keep our poncho and stroller cover in a jumbo ziploc on the bottom of dd's stroller. Since she's getting older I only used a stroller for Disney so they're perfect to store there.

We basically use all the same luggage for each trip so I designate certain pieces for certain things. The food items all go in the same bag. I also keep all of our meds in one BIG ziplock, everything from Aspirin to vitamins to prescription meds we might need. And you can never have enough Xtra ziplocks, snack size, sandwich size and regular size! Plasticware and paper goods also come in handy but if you stay somewhere that has a food court, counter service restaurant you can always borrow theirs.

I don't know what I'd do without that packing list! As missypie mentioned save one on your computer since I know I change mine almost every trip (by adding and taking things off).

I actually keep a folder on my computer called: Disney Stuff, which also contains a spreadsheet of our priority seatings. I like to do a game plan of our trip (it's not always exact and doesn't have to be), but we've had days where we're like, what do we do now especially if we didn't make PS! I print those out and keep them all in a folder and that goes in my front seat!

 

[HunnyPots]

I second the idea of duplicate toiletries. Especially handy for when we leave at 4:00 am to make a 6:30 flight. We can have the van packed up the night before so all we have to do is shower, dress, and lock up the house. No more running around making sure everybody got their toothbrush and deodorant!

Great tips. Keep 'em coming!

 

[decker96]

1. If flying, we put a change of clothes for everyone in our carry-ons. I went to Europe in college and had a bunch of flight changes due to weather (it's a LONG story). Anyway, I ended up flying on 3 different airlines and sure enough my luggage was delayed by a whole day and a half. After traveling for over 24 hours all I wanted to do was shower and put on clean clothes but I had no clean clothes! (I did have toiletries in my carry on thank godness!) Since then we've ALWAYS carried extra clothes in the carry-on, even on non-stop flights. You never know what will happen. We're from Minnesota so if we're going somewhere warm during the winter, we make sure the extra clothes are shorts and t-shirts and change in the airport when we get there. It's better than freezing before we leave or sweltering once we get there before we get to our hotel!

2. I also keep duplicates of most toiletries in my bag (razor, toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, lotion, Q-tips). DH keeps the shampoos and lotions from hotels in his toilet case. I also take an extra pair of contacts with me. Since having kids we've also started taking a first aid/medicine kit with us that I pack a few days in advance of our trip so I'm not feeling so rushed and I won't forget something.

3. Everyone has a plastic grocery bag in their suitcase for dirty/wet clothes. There have been many times we've gone swimming before leaving somewhere and our towels and suits have not been dry yet.

4. I also pack outfits together for my kids. Then they can get themselves dressed without tearing through the whole suitcase to find something that matches.

 

[kellycole]

This is soooo great!

Thanks for all the great ideas and keep them coming! My counter is finally under 30 days!! YEA!

 

[goodferry]

-adding on to what Decker96 said, I put my kids clothes in ziploc bags, one outfit per bag, including underwear, socks and hair ties. That way they can grab a bag and get ready.

-One thing I have learned is to leave a corkscrew in every suitcase we own. I have bought about 20 while on vacation, since that's the thing we usually forget.

-Another thing to do 5 days out, is check your supply of prescription meds to make sure you have enough for your entire trip, nothing like getting a prescrition transferred in a strange town.

-Print out your address book so you can send postcards, we always want to and forget our addresses.

-Mail a box ahead to your resort with all the stuff you need there but not ahead of time, like autograph books, sunblock, sweatshirts etc. Especially if you are flying with young kids, you need all the hands you can get!

 

[pmcpmc]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464820&highlight=+packing++list

 

[Tess]

1. Upon arrival at your destination, unpack all of your belongings into the dresser/closet. When you have dirty clothes refold them and pack them sorted by laundry type. When you get home you open the suitcase at the washer and begin to wash your already sorted laundry. Everything that is clean can be repacked in one of the small suitcases along with your newly purchased goodies.

2. Pack individual carry-ons for each family member. Include your swimsuit, flip-flops, book, essential items, and a clean change of clothing. My husband carries the essential toiletries/medications/video camera in his duffel bag. I carry his swimsuit, etc in my carry-on (small flowery overnight-type bag). We have had lost luggage in the past (on a non-stop no less) and having these items made our first day totally great instead of a wash.

3. I agree with all of those that recommend a toiletries/medication bag--ours is always packed and ready to go whenever we are for a vacation or long weekend.

4. Do not wait until the last minute to pack--do it a week ahead if you have the clothes to do so. My essentials bag has already been checked to be sure its full and ready. I've purchased film over the past couple of months and it's ready to go. I will begin my clothes packing next week!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by goodferry
-Print out your address book so you can send postcards, we always want to and forget our addresses.

-Mail a box ahead to your resort with all the stuff you need there but not ahead of time, like autograph books, sunblock, sweatshirts etc. Especially if you are flying with young kids, you need all the hands you can get!

I print out labels so I can just slap them on the postcard and if the label is missing then I know that I've sent the postcard.

I 2nd the idea about mailing a box to the resort. I send a few clothes (I can always do laundry if the box gets lost) and coloring books, toys ....for the plane trip home. I also send a few Disney toys as surprises in the room. I buy the stuff on sale at home and it helps stop the kids from asking for stuff in all the stores. Of course my kids are still young so maybe when they get older they'll be savy enough to know my sale stuff isn't the same as things at the WDW stores.

I also LOVE Eagle Creek pack it folders (they are on sale now at sierratradingpost.com). They help keep the clothes from getting too wrinkled and you wouldn't believe how much space they save.

I also have a "Disney bag". I keep it in my suitcase. Is there anyplace other than Disney to vacation to?

I'm sure I've got other ideas as I don't mind packing but I can't think of any now.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I always pack for 1/2 the trip plus one extra day and pencil time into the trip to do laundry. Most of the laundry services are close to the pool, so you can swim while you wait. I am leaving for WDW June 7th, and plan to take one suitcase for a 10 day trip. Hopefully it will all fit in a carry on

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse