Packing tips for an overpacker?

[uncspin]

My parents (64 yo father; 56 yo mother) will be traveling with us to WDW at the end of August. We will be staying in a 1BR villa at BLT (with washing machine and dryer) for our 6 night/7 day trip. My mother is a BIG time overpacker. What would you suggest for the right amount of clothes for her to bring, considering we will have the washer/dryer and have only 1 signature meal? Thanks for any guidance you can offer!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm a compulsive over-packer. If you have access to a washer/dryer, you can bring about half of the clothes you'd normally bring. I generally find that I tend to wear the same things over and over (shorts, t-shirts) - I just wash them mid-trip, and wear them again!

 

[miksicnarf]

We always stay for at least 7 nights, and always have a washer/dryer. I tell the kids to pack 3-4 days' worth of clothes; I bring a little more but since I refuse to pay for checked bags it all fits in a carry-on.

 

[LoveKermit]

spacebags for undergarments. And yes, about half of what she might normally take.

DH is an overpacker. He's gotten better, but we did the "half" rule for our 4 day trip in Jan. We still had to take (and check) our big suitcase and I think he still came home with two unworn t-shirts (rewore the items I washed) and at least one pair of socks and one pair of underwear (though that doesn't take much room).

Everything DH learned about packing, he learned from his parents, though, they may be better. I've not taken them to the airport in a while and they had to travel light(er) for Africa. But I bet MIL still overpacked (and packed inefficiently).

 

[DisMc]

How about limiting the amount of space she has to put her stuff, by asking her to use a smaller suitcase?

I also like the "half" rule.

It's hard for people who overpack to cut down on the amount of stuff they bring on trips. Last November, I went to WDW with my older sister. We only brought carry-ons since we had a washer and dryer like yourself. It was hard for me to pack less than usual, but I did it!

Good luck!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I decide what Im going to way each day (depending on what we are doing that day) in advance. Then, I (TRY MY BEST) to just pack what is on my list.

I saw a tip recenlty that said you should pack things that ALL match many different things in your suitcase so if one thing is dirty or wrinkled, you can easily wear it w/ something else from your suitcase.

Wear you clunkiest and biggest pair of shoes ON YOUR FEET....and keep other shoes to a basic minimum.

Done pack thing like hair dryers b/c there is on in the resort.

Now, if I can just follow my own advice...

 

[mnmhouston]

I love packing for Disney...I make it super simple. Traveling with DH, DD7, DD2 in August.

Since it will be super hot and will not be dining at any "fine" establishments due to kiddies, I bring no make-up (it will melt off), no hair dryer (hair constantly getting wet in pools and fountains), the usual toiletrees and very limited clothing.

I bring 4 pairs of shorts (rotate), 7-8 tops, 2 pairs of crocs (and one on my feet to travel), 7 outfits for the kids each (they're small so packing is not an issue) 2 pairs of crocs, hubby brings 4 bathing suits and 7-8 t-shirts, 1 pair of crocs (and 2 on feet while traveling). I'm trying to make it with 1 big suitcase this time around using space bags.

Diapers/wipes, snacks, etc will be delivered to Pop by Garden Grocer!

 

[LoveKermit]

spacebags for undergarments. And yes, about half of what she might normally take.

DH is an overpacker. He's gotten better, but we did the "half" rule for our 4 day trip in Jan. We still had to take (and check) our big suitcase and I think he still came home with two unworn t-shirts (rewore the items I washed) and at least one pair of socks and one pair of underwear (though that doesn't take much room).

So, we went to St. Louis this weekend--I was the one who came home with a clean shirt and one clean underwear! That never happens! (And DH had an unworn pair of shorts)

But while I didn't mention that I want to do all carryons for WDW next August, I did remind him that we will take less clothes than this past weekend even though the trip should (hopefully) be one day longer because of the W/D.

 

[Alacrity]

The old adage is to take half the cloths and twice the money!

I've kinda made a hobby of travling lite and have lived a week in Costa Rica out of a carry on (minus scuba gear. It was a scuba trip, gear had it's own bag). I usually wear a reasonably nice shirt for the trip out and have one for the trip back and nicer reastaurants. If you do plan to wash, three pair of undies and a two or three pair of shorts and t-shirts can do. If you're not so hard-core, pehaps three or four! I wear sturdy shoes and sometimes add a pair of sandles to the bag (Keen or Teva). With a washer/dryer I think that can easily do for Disney unless you have Victoria and Alberts in mind!

If V&As is on the agenda...gentlemen can rent a tux and go in style! There are a few places in Orlando that will deliver and pick up. Used one for our wedding!

I also found a couple links about packing and travel that have been handy. I look at these links sometimes for inspiration...

http://www.onebag.com/
http://www.travelite.org/

 

[bolognehead]

just bring all your clothes lol jk

 

[Junebugwv]

We have been going to Disney for years and used to stay in a regular resort, so I packed a lot because I didn't want to do laundry more than once during the trip. The last few years we have stayed in villas with a w/d and I have learned how little clothing is needed. I do laundry every day because it is so nice to have clean clothes instead of a laundry bag full of yucky stuff. Each year I go over my packing list and mark off the stuff that was not needed.

My family expects me to have the "extras" that they did not expect to need, so I take a couple of small baggies with a small quantity of items that just might be needed. No need to take a box of band-aids or a box of kleenex when a travel size will suffice.

 

[Alacrity]

Speaking of travel size stuff...another site I make use of is minimus.biz. All kinds of travel size and single serving stuff. Very handy for camping and travel!

 

[DisGeebs]

One tip that I always use is trying to coordinate outfits. Make sure everything mixes and matches. Go with the basics.. white, black and kahki. Use white shirts since they go with black and kahki. I agree with wearing your "biggest" shoes (sneakers) and pack sandles, etc.
The next tip helps more for going home but will make room for souvies! Take clothes that are on their last legs. We all have older Tshirts, shorts, underwear and socks that are nearing the end of life. Take those and toss out at the end of vacation.
Try rolling clothes.. you can fit a lot more. I usually take a few supplies for just in case moments. If you really really need something the stores have stuff. Granted they may be more expensive than normal, but if you really need it I always feel who cares how much it is?
Have fun!

 

[Disney Dork in DFW]

I inherited the overpacking gene from my father. I have a tendency to just walk into the closet, look at all of my clothes and think to myself, "Hmmm, what should I bring with me?" Then, I say, "Screw it!" and usually wind up just packing the entire closet!

To stop myself from doing that, my wife and I now write down a packing checklist beforehand (including numbers of items to be brought), and then we do not pack anything that is not on that list. That helps keep my proclivity for overpacking to a bare minimum!