Packing List for 5 days/4 nights, will have a Washing Machine!

[vhoffman]

Our next trip is right around the corner -- we have 18 days to go

This will be our fourth trip, so we do have the hang of it. However, it seems like we always take way too much stuff. However, with 4 people in a hotel room and no rent car (as our previous trips) you really do need to think of contigencies.

This trip we will have a 2 bdr, 2 bath condo with full kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit. We are staying at Sheraton Vistana Villages. We really don't need that many clothes because we can wash stuff out. However, I've been to Orlando in April before and do know that the weather is variable. I always pack "something for everything" weather-wise, and have always ended up using everything I brought. So, here's my list so far:

Both kids (DS9 and DD8)

3 pair shorts

one pair long pants (actually, ds has those cargo pants that the legs zip off to make shorts, perfect!

3 ss tops

3 tank tops

6 pair each underpants and socks

light weight windbreaker jacket and sweatshirt

ME:

3 pair shorts

3 ss tops

3 sleeveless tops

one long pants

6 each underwear and socks

lightweight, windbreaker type jacket and sweatshirt (it can get chilly at night)

Misc:

2 sets of bathroom toiletries, since we have 2 bathrooms!

toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap ( 2 cakes), deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel and spray, all travel size!)

"first aid" kit--a ziploc bag with bandaids, antiobiotic cream, peroxide wipes, q-tips

OTC medicines--Tylenol, Motrin, Inmodium, Pepcid all in blister packs

Prescription meds, which are a pain because we use a mail-order pharmacy and get giant bottles of meds, what I did last trip and it worked out quite well--get empty perscription bottles from a local pharmacy, them put a day's worth of pills in each bottle. We also print out labels with names and name of pills. That saves digging around the suitcase for this or that bottle. Just have your "bottle a day" Yes, I know, many advise keeping them in their original, labeled containers, however, we're not going through customs (we do have the right to "bear pills"), and none of our meds are controlled substances (excpt one, which will keep in its original bottle, not a large bottle).

Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses for everyone!

Some sort of laundry soap -- or do they supply that at the condo? Maybe I should call and ask?

Of course, kids "lovies" (my kids are NOT too old for their favorite stuffed animal, they can keep them forever as far as I'm concerned!)

Small sewing kit, Tide stain remover stick, hand wipes, digital camera, rain ponchos (Dollar Store wonders--use 'em and lose 'em!) game boys for the plane, a good book for me to read myself to sleep

Oh, no extra shoes, just the ones we wear on the plane.

Let's see, have I forgotten anything? Oh, yes, stuff for dh! Well, he packs his own stuff, I have enough to do packing for me and the kids!

On previous visits we always took more clothes in case of spills, tears, etc. However, that washer/dryer will lighten our load considerably! Also, having a rent car we can always go out to buy any item we forgot without too much hassle, unlike a hotel room and no rent car.

So, any suggestions? Or does it still look like too much stuff? I've never had the luxury of a washer/dryer in the unit while traveling! My dd says I'm looking forward to that w/d more than the trip! Well, when you've spent many a trip washing out clothes in a hotel sink and hanging them all over the room, it really does seem like a luxury item!

 

[Kimmumum]

Well, I always wash clothes on vacation. I hate coming home and having to do laundry. I do it on the last day and wash everything.

As for packing...I have this thing about wearing different shirts every day. I don't want to have a whole bunch of pictures (from different days) and we are wearing the same clothes in them.....just my little quirk. I'd say you packed just about right. Have a great time....we go to the World next Friday (and my boys don't know yet )

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Looks a lot like my list. We do, however, take at least two pairs of shoes per person in case one pair gets wet (rain) or causes a blister. We've found that even shoes we've worn for months will suddenly cause a blister at Disney since we're walking differently there than around home.

47 days, 5 hours and 57 minutes til we're back at Fort Wilderness and Star Wars Weekend.

 

[Cinderella2006]

List looks great to me; although i would agree with FloridaTeacher and take two pairs of shoes instead of just the one pair. You never know what could happen, best to be prepared!
Have a lovely time.

 

[vhoffman]

Yes, I did think later that 2 pair of shoes each would be wise. However, DD9 is NOT taking flip flops! She's at the age where flip flops are "cool" and has at least a dozen pair. I tell her she'll get blisters if she walks a lot in them,to which she replies "I don't care". Well, my little angel has never actually had a blister and doesn't know what she's talking about! I'm not having the whole group side lined due to something preventable.

Also, I was forgetting swim suits!!! At least 2 per person, who wants to put on a wet suit? Forget beach towels, the hotel supplies them (at least I think so, should call and check, this is a condo, somewhat different from a hotel).

Insofar as food items, we used www.wegoshop.com last trip (stayed at WL) and were quite satisfied with the service. Its was something like $10 for deliveries of $100 or less, well worth it. Who wants to go from the airport to the grocery store?!! We will have a fully-equipped kitchen, so no more lugging paper plates, cups, plastic ware, etc. I plan to order just convenience type foods, such as frozen dinners (kids love Stouffers), toaster pasteries, water, milk, something fresh like apples, carrots, I'm sure not actually "cooking". Our condo does not include maid service, we can get it for an extra $30 per day. We might have maid service once halfway through to freshen up, otherwise, its really not necessary. Just make our own beds, straighten up, etc. I was thinking of having a few cleaning products delivered with wegoshop, like those disposable toilet bowl brushes, all-in-one glass counter cleaning wipes, maybe one bottle of Windex and some paper towels. Also have some laundry detergent delivered, and perhaps some dryer sheets (or just take some from home). There I go about my washer/dryer again! Such a luxury--not having to pack so many clothes, food items, etc. I've gotten pretty good at making meals in a hotel room with a hot pot and ice chest, washing out clothes in the sink, etc. No wonder hotel rooms smell funny! Oh, another item to add to the list--air freshener.

Actually, this is how I'm packing. Each person gets one medium sized suitcase, that's it. Whatever fits, without going over the weight limit. Carry ons are--each kid gets a backpack (Easter Bunny will bring!) they can carry their "plane stuff". One carry-on for dh and me, but we still need the laptop and dh's cpac machine (I refuse to travel without that--keeps him from snoring). Guess try as I might I just can't travel light! At least don't take as much as I used to!

Oh, yes, portable CD players for each kid, Easter Bunny brings. They can play their favorite music, also helps get to sleep in an unfamilar setting. Forget nightlights--we just leave the bathroom light on and close the door or leave it slightly ajar. It lights the way to where you need to go in the middle of the night. It really is necessary to know where you're going in the middle of the night. Once when ds was about 4 he woke up in an unfamiliar hotel, wandered into the closet, and, ....well, thought it was a toilet! We fessed up to the management, they didn't charge us anything for cleaning, just thanked us for the notice. They said that happens more than you'd think, then people complain that their hotel room smells like, ...you know...