Packing...how soon is too soon?

[DaisyLynn]

We leave in just over a month, and I want to start packing now. Usually, I pack inside of 2 days before we leave...I'm just really excited to get it done this time around!

For those of you that have tried it both ways, which has worked best for you?

 

[DWGal210]

Hi Daisy ~

I know how that feels...you are so excited and want to do something to get ready for your trip!

You could start packing now, and not pack clothes or things like that, but other items you are going to use on your vacation and won't use at home. I mean things like extra batteries, kleenex, Band-Aids, things like that...you can start packing those items and then get in the mood!

 

[TinkerbellsFriend]

I leave November 6th and have put things away already!

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

I've packed a month in advance and then panicked at the last minute that I hadn't packed everything I needed.

So, my suggestion is to just pack a few days in advance and use a checklist. As the items go into the suitcase, check them off the list.

I ended up taking so much time packing and then unpacking to make sure I had everything and then packing again.

Next time (November 2008) I will just wait until the weekend before to pack. I can't do it a day or two before because we are actually leaving the Friday after Thanksgiving, so I really can't spend Thanksgiving packing!!!

 

[The Lion King]

We leave in 3 weeks and I am practically finished packing for me and 3 kids. DH hasn't started packing yet.We are in OH so I can go ahead and pack since we will be wearing spring/summer clothes while we are there. The only thing that isn't packed are toilietries, undergarments/socks,shoes and the kids' backpacks.

We are driving so I have been buying snacks,juice for the road trip each week shopping.

 

[tzolkin]

we're not going until may and i already have most of my packing done.

i bought all new toiletries and things that we will need (extra memory card for the camera, etc.), so those could be easily packed, since we won't be using them until then. we also live in central new york (it was -15 on friday morning), so we really won't be using our summer clothes and bathing suits. i packed a suitcase for each of the kids, but nothing for DH or I yet. we have a guest room that i've been stashing all our stuff in for the trip and i have packing lists that i've checked off the things that are already packed.

i don't normally pack in advance like this, but i do try to be organized since it's easy to forget something when travelling with babies or toddlers. this is our first disney trip, so i have an excuse.

 

[disneygal922]

I leave Thursday April 17 and am already gathering things and making purchases to get ready! It is my first trip with the DF and am so excited. I'm in Chicago so I don't think I'll be wearing any of the clothes i'm bringing anytime soon! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

We'll be doing a 4 night Disney cruise and 4 nights in WDW this summer. We made reservations 18 months out for the cruise. I've been putting stuff away since! New t-shirts, laundry detergent samples (from Target), baggies,.... stuff bought specifically for the trip that we won't be using until then. If you actually start packing now, I'd be sure you had a detailed list of what you have packed.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I'm glad to know that I'm not alone....

We go the end of June and booked it last November. Around Christmas I got out my pop-up hamper and started throwing things into it. If DH knew he'd think I had TOTALLY lost it.

 

[wezee]

We are not going till Sept.....but I already have items put back for our vacation. We set up a long table in the spare bedroom and layout our vacation clothes, etc, at least 1 month before. I will actually pack the luggage 2-3 days before lift-off. IMO, it's never to early to pack for Mickeyland!

 

[karters*mom]

We leave in just over a month, and I want to start packing now. Usually, I pack inside of 2 days before we leave...I'm just really excited to get it done this time around!

For those of you that have tried it both ways, which has worked best for you?

LOL! We are leaving just a bit after you and I want to pack now too...lol I figure I won't need any summer clothes before then ...but my husband thinks i'm crazy packing now...lol

 

[rosiejo]

It's never too soon to pack for Disney... in fact our suitcase actually has our Disney only stuff in it all year round! I tend to start stacking stuff up on the guest bed about 6-8 weeks out and then pack a couple of weekends before - that gives me time to remember I've forgotten to pack stuff!

 

[Jakesmom504]

Not going til Aug 30...is 6 months too soon???

 

[Terk-1]

I usually start packing about a month prior to my trip. I'll lay everything out on the couch in my computer room, check it off my list, then pack it. Of course I've been going in late November or early December my last several trips, so being in New England, I'm not wearing shorts or short sleeved shirts that time of year anyway. I take enough for a few days, then do a load of laundry half way through the trip. Saves room in my suitcase and keeps me from overpacking. I also make a checklist of everything before I start packing and check things off as I put them in my suitcase. This way I know what is in the case and what I need to add.

 

[meister08]

We leave 4/30 & I have been stashing stuff in a backpack since beginning of Feb. ----picking up little things like CVS has dispos. cameras BOGO ---so I picked some up for the kids ----so hopefully theres no last minute rush of trying to remember everything....

 

[BeckyScott]

I have a tote bag of stuff that is specific for the trip, that I've been adding to as I get things. It's mostly stuff I got off of the freebie board here, samples, and mister fans and rain ponchos and other stuff I've read to take along and I've been buying gradually.

What I do have is one heck of a packing list, itemized by suitcase, blah blah blah. Along with a breakdown of what needs to be in the fanny packs. That's what I'm doing to keep myself from packing, because DH will surely think I've lost my mind. More.

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I start making a list of what I'll need about a week before we go, and neither one of us packs until the night before or the day of the flight. I packed three weeks before a trip once, and ended up unpacking half of it because I still needed to use the stuff I'd packed. After that, no more early packing.

 

[JenSop]

I'm going in the middle of July and have been putting things in my "Disney Drawer" since December. Mostly toiletry samples and travel type things. I've been working on finding the perfect walking sandals since the beginning of January and have been compiling extra tips and made print-outs for my parents and grandmother (who are coming with us - they haven't been to WDW since the late 80's.)

I just love the whole planning and getting ready aspect to it all! Since we'll be going in July, I can't pack any clothes until we get closer to that time. July in PA is pretty much just as hot and humid as July in FL - so packing the clothes will have to wait until closer.

 

[turtlegirl1]

We're leaving 8/14 and I have already started "collecting" stuff in our spare bedroom closet.... rain ponchos, stroller cover, plane activities for the kids, etc. My philosophy is to spread everything out starting 180 days before the trip, then you don't get so overwhelmed AND the costs on all the stuff don't make you fall over!

 

[Native NYer]

I usually start packing the week before. But I've already started buying stuff for my August trip.