packing overwhelming!!!!

[krismom]

I am in the packing phase of our trip- I am totally overwhelmed with "stuff"! I have been collecting things for a while and now have it all in piles- stuff for parks, stuff for plane, toiletries and meds, stroller stuff, carryon, food and drygoods boxes, etc. I can't believe 5 people can create such needs!
My questions are:

~ does the magical express transport strollers "with" the bus, or do we need to ship them?

~ do you guys who also bring an extra duffel or box of drygoods open all the packages to conserve space? or leave intact so it doesn't squish?

~ we are arriving at 1:00 and are bringing bathing suits in our carryon so we can swim when we get to the Poly. Are towels available before we check in?, or should I pack them too?

~ Any other tips for packing more lightly? I am planning on doing wash 2x, but it seems like clothing is the least of all the stuff!

Thanks!!!!!!

 

[MommyBoo!]

You will get resort ids when you check in even if your room isn't ready yet. You can show the ids to get towels at the pool.

 

[EthansMom]

~ does the magical express transport strollers "with" the bus, or do we need to ship them?

I have no experience personally, but if you check the stroller at the gate and then get it from the gate upon arrival, you should be able to take the stroller onto the bus with you. If you check the stroller with an ME tag, then it should go with your other luggage.

~ do you guys who also bring an extra duffel or box of drygoods open all the packages to conserve space? or leave intact so it doesn't squish?

I've read of people here who open them all up, repack items in ziploc bags and pack them into sturdy suitcases. Others ship a box of drygoods to their resort.

~ we are arriving at 1:00 and are bringing bathing suits in our carryon so we can swim when we get to the Poly. Are towels available before we check in?, or should I pack them too?

There are towels out by the pool for your use. There is also a towel disposal spot, but the towels are different from your room towels and we never had a problem taking the pool towels back to our room and letting Mousekeeping take them.

~ Any other tips for packing more lightly? I am planning on doing wash 2x, but it seems like clothing is the least of all the stuff!

The old addage, "You use 20% of your stuff 80% of the time," is true. On our last trip, I didn't regret packing any medications. But most of the food items (except lollipops) didn't get touched by the kids. Also, bought the glo-necklaces and stickers ahead of time and the kids just didn't want them and the necklaces were a pain to transport without bending.

On our next trip, I'll pack a stroller for my DS who will be 4 at the time. I will not pack any food or souvenirs from home.

Don't forget there are severe weight limits on checked baggage. Take an extra empty duffel to the airport in case you have to remove stuff from one of your bags!

Also, there are times when less is definitely more!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[DisneycrazedX6]

I'm right there with you with packing confusion!!!! My living room also has many piles. So far: I have 6 outfits packed in zippie bags for 6 people. I have our suits in our park bag along with ponchos,mister,glo-sticks,sunscreen and small first aid kit. Everyone has a fanny pack with pens,tissues,lanyard,autograph book or camera and lime green Purell's. My carry on has all our personal items and flip flops. I still have a long way to gooooooooo........................starting to panic a little but I have until the 27th to get it all done!!!! Good Luck!!!!

 

[LauraAnn630]

We are leaving Saturday! I sent a 50# box down to ASM and we are taking 8 suitcases. There are 4 of us. We all have a carry on plus a stroller!


We have a TON of stuff! I know how you feel. I used everything I took last year!! Including the coffee pot and blender for frozen drinks.


New things Im bringing this year that I didnt bring last year:

Over the door shoe hanger ...For shoes and toiletries.
A cooler instead of renting a fridge
lysol wipes
pump hand soap
raincover for the stroller
watershoes! The cement tore our feet up!



This year we are staying longer so I packed more clothes and still plan
to do laundry. Its was so hot we wore 2 outfits a day.

We are very excited! Even more so this year because we know how much fun we are going to have.

Have a magical time!

 

[jenr812]

Thank you for posting this OP and thanks for the tips so far. I am overwhelmed but anxious to start packing. I can't really do anything yet though, since the kids don't know we are going and we are borrowing luggage from our neighbors soon. I have a couple Target bags in my closet though - filled with meds, sunscreen, swim diapers, glow sticks, dollar store ponchos, plastic spoons and forks, 2.5 gallon ziplocs, etc. I can't really pack any clothes til right before we leave though. I keep looking at the stuff and my list and wishing I could though

 

[Olallamom]

I am starting to get overwhelmed too. My walk in closet isn't one right now. I made the decision last week to pack some dry goods that I found cheaply at Target. The 2 extra suitcases will be able to hold any purchases we make for the trip home. The nice thing about going now is that the weather is hot and humid so no need to pack anything but shorts and light weight tops. I feel for you that have kids that are still in diapers or needing a stroller. I remember the days of carrying all that stuff. I used to tell my friends that it was like Beverly Hill Billies when we checked in at the airlines with stroller, 2 car seats and who knows how many pieces of luggage LOL My kids are 7, 9 and 16 now, so things are little more manageable.

 

[vhoffman]

Have you considered having the dry goods delivered to you when you get there, rather than packing and toting them? That's what we did the last trip. We used a delivery service www.wegoshop.com. They're quite reasonable and efficient. They charge something like $15 for the the first $100 worth of items ordered. You email or fax them your list a day before your arrival. They shop at discount places like WalMart, regular grocery stores, etc. You don't get convenience store prices. I also believe you can use coupons. You call when you arrive and get your room number, and they come over right away with the order. I believe we waited about 20 minutes. We ordered perishable and non-perishable items. We ordered water, milk, cereal, snack items, lunch meat, pull ups, various toiletries, plastic forks and spoons, paper plates, ziploc bags, laundry soap, etc. In short, anything you can get from a grocery store or WalMart they can deliver. It sure beats lugging it with you and the stress of packing it.

 

[luv2nascar]

for Disney I pack a little less clothes than I think we will need because we will be buying souviners there. I will buy each of kids sweatshirts there (not packing any for 6/16 -6/25). I figure everyone will get at least 2 t shirts and probably wear them there. I can always wash if we run out of clean clothes or buy more.

 

[powellrj]

all I can say is WOW, thats a lot of stuff!!!! We leave on Monday and we are each taking a carryon, and a small bag so that we don't have to check our luggage. We use to take more with us, but found that we didn't use most of what we packed so this trip we are just taking 7 changes of clothes each packed in ziplocs, 2 swimsuits each, HBC items that we uses, a couple of cd players and a portable dvd player and a few books cd's and dvd's. I keep our paperwork in a large envelope and we are ready to go!

I think with each trip we take less and less with us. When we first started going everyone got a large and a small suitcase and a carryon. Not anymore, I got tried of having to deal with all that stuff!!!

 

[ceecee]

We go for 10 days and we take a suitcase, carry on and 2 backpacks. I started taking snacks which we threw out....so I don't do that anymore. I also start collecting "disney surprises" and had four years worth of stuff!! I cut the clothes down in half. Midweek, I do laundry while we swim and it works out great. No hassling with loads of bags. There are only three of us, but I can't imagine taking 8 bags. We only took two suitcases to Europe and we stayed three weeks!

 

[monorailsilver]

I would not want ME to take your stroller, I would take it with you on the bus. What if you don't get your luggage til 8 or 9 that night & then you'd be stuck carrying your child & the other thing is that when you check in, will be much easier if your child is buckled down in the stroller vs in your arms or running around.

I plan on my stroller coming with me.

I told myself a maximum of 6-8 outfits for dh & I & probably 8 each for both kids.

We always bring way too many clothes & end up wearing the same outfits since we do laundry at least twice (we are going for 8 days) on the trip.

We are only bringing 2 small suitcases (like 29" inch ones (I think)). 1 car seat for ds, 2 strollers (an umbrella & a mid-size one), dd, 4, will have her back pack as her carry on, we will have a cooler so I can have ds's food in there (he has food allergies). Another carry-on with bathing suits, camera, contact stuff for me & tooth brushes & probably another carry-on with activites for the kids.

We are also shipping a box of food/diapers down-stuff that is not coming home with us.

I have learned to pack the bare minimum these days it just makes life easier.

 

[frannn]

We also used to do 1 big & 1 small suitcase each, but it became too much when we started to take the stroller and carseat. We use spacebags & ziplocs, but it still ends up being a ton of stuff. I only take enough diapers for two days, because we stop at the grocery store or Walmart for drinks and fruit, muffins, applesauce, etc. I usually pack some snacks as well (travel friendly stuff) in a plastic wipes container. All of the baby gear (diaper bag, stroller cover, etc, meds, spray bottles, and incidentals take up a ton of room in the luggage. I always say I'm going to take less clothing, but don't do wash, so we have to have enough for 11 days plus extra for changing, food spills, etc. We have a child who will be dressing up for character meals, so we have even more stuff to bring. This is exactly the reason why I start packing over a month in advance- I pack for three of us, and DH packs for himself (plus we go in the fall, so the summer stuff is not needed anymore anyway). Don't forget to pack an empty extra duffel in your luggage, to bring all your souveniers home.

 

[welovedis]

Wish I was packing now!

We have a master list of things we take with us on any trip, then other items on another list that we take to WDW in hot weather (mister fans, etc..)

I have found on most of our trips that we don't use everything we take. Start looking at your list and see if there is anything you are really thinking you *may* not use. For us it was things like Purell, as we drink alot of water & use the bathrooms constantly, we just wash our hands with soap and water. Or extra camera batteries--DH just replaces them before we go and we don't worry about it. We've always taken more food than we end of eating and the remainder gets left behind for housekeeping and the trash.

Obviously everyone's needs are different but think about what items you need if you are out to the beach or an amusement park for the day, then add in your toiletry and clothing items. We also do laundry frequently (easier in a 1 bedroom villa with our own washer/dryer) and pack a lot less that way.

GL with your packing, it really does seem to get out of hand, doesn't it? But at least packing means you are going soon!

 

[la79al]

When we booked our flights I was a little upset with boyfriend because he didn't do it when I told him and as a result we went with an airline with a two bag limit. I thought this was going to be a huge problem especially since we are spending 5 days at WDW, three at the beach and a day of other attractions. But then I started to actually pack. For each of the kids I got 10 complete outfits, pjs, long pants, jacket and mini fan into one small suitcase for each. In a duffel type bag, I have 4 beach towels, flipflops, bathing suits, and toiletries for 4 people. Before we leave I am going to stick the overpacked first aid kit in there too. Allowing one suitcase each for boyfriend and I this still only puts us at 5 of our 8 bag limit. I am going to use another bag for small snacks I got, mainly because the little one has a habit of not eating meals and then being hungry an hour later. This bag is also going to have anything else i happen to grab last minute. At the rate I am going, we are going to be able to take the booster seat along, because car rental agencies can not guarantee one with your car. I just have to figure out how to pack it or how damaged it will get if I don't put it in anything. AND HOW DO I GET THESE LITTLE SMILIES TO WORK????????

 

[stahshee]

last year i went with my dad and my 2 little babys 3 and 1 at the time and i had them change there clothers 2x a day. they make messes ect. i know that this year all 6 of us are going and we will have 6 suit cases ( one per person ) 6 carry on bags. and an add suit case for food. i am also bringing my double stroller and my reg stoller( last time all the walking i broke the wheel off the stoller mind you this was my 3rd d stroller it must be the weight of the 2 kids although my 4 year old is slim and so is my 2 year old) I plan to bring a cooler with drinks and snacks for all of us into the park so im thinking im going to need a dourable stoller.

i always bring 3 swim suits per person because I hate getting into a wet suit. Double the undies because after a swim i need fresh. i always bring extra clothes. i am thinking about doing laundry because my little ones stain there clothes and i do not want to wait 10 days to clean them. so maybe i will pack 5 days clothes and wash clothes. that will save def on vpacking space!

 

[KCMiller]

I used to pack boatloads of stuff, but I just can't stand the clutter and mess in the hotel rooms. I get my kids a pair of navy blue and a pair of black swim trunks, the kind that look like shorts, and they wear them every day. I only get dark shorts for myself and my DD and DH, too - one less thing to pack, unless I'm unusually slobby. 3 or 4 shirts apiece. Everyone brings a hat. We bring one bathing suit each (and that includes the boys trunks) - 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. Underwear for the week. One set of PJ's, which is usually a sweatsuit and can serve double duty if it gets cool. We travel in a nice shirt and skirt/pants or a dress, so we have a good outfit with us. I don't pack ANY food any more. Everyone gets one small wheeled carryon, and once it's full, it's full. Everyone carries a backpack onto the plane with personal toiletries and 'entertainment stuff', like books, cards, Gameboys - whatever they want to pack. And that's it.

WAY less stress. With WalMart and Target around every corner, I stopped feeling the need to pack up my dresser (which I totally used to do - a 10 day trip meant 15 or 20 different outfits!). I don't care if people I've never met before see me in the same shirt twice in one trip! And the much lower stress level on the mama makes for a much more pleasant trip.

Oh, this is for a 4-5 day trip. For longer trips, I add in a trip to the laundry room in the evening of the 5th day.


KC

 

[luv2nascar]

I haven't started to pack yet but I am taking much less than I think I need. In this heat who needs pants. One pair of capris for each of my daughters, no sweatshirts will buy them each one there. Only taking windbreakers for rain etc one huge umbrella. 4 of us - two suitcases DH & I share large one & kids will share medium one. Only taking three beach towels. I take backpack for parks & one duffel type bag for all shoes and toiletries. We are driving but I dont want all the junk. We will have almost 2 yr olds stroller and portable dvd player. Small bag with surprises in the car for kids, books, gameboy, movies, and snacks. Less is more.

 

[eaturpasta1]

You would think it would be me...but its my DH who is having trouble with the "you only get one suitcase for 8 days" rule! He likes to have multiple outfits for each day..and likes choices...etc.

so I gave him a container of Gain to pack....LOL...That way he can pack for 4 days...and then wash and have all his choices all over again!

Ziplocs? What are you doing with the ziplocs? Im not getting that...

We are utilizing the ME too, so we will have one carry on that will house all our swimsuits and toiletries...Ive heard that luggage delivery is still very very slow...What else should I be sure to carry on to have at the hotel till our luggage arrives? We arrive at 12 noon. June 28-july 6. DD9, DD4

 

[lovesdumbo]

Ziplocs? What are you doing with the ziplocs? Im not getting that...

I use gallon size ziplocs for the kids clothes. I pack 1 complete outfit-short, T, undies, socks in a bag. Its works great-takes all the air out for packing. There's no struggling to decide what goes together in the morning and no mismatched outfits in the end and even DH can dress the kids.