PACKING TIPS-- Post yours here!

[kc10family]

I and my DH are in the military and let me tell you we have packed for short and long trips many times. We have found the best way to pack is not only using a ziplock type bags but to “roll” our clothing as well. You would be surprised how much stuff/ junk/ things you can fit in a small bag or military bag (for long military trips) if you roll clothes. Just roll them up about the length of a paper towel roll for adult cloths and half that for kids. This works great for kids clothes because they are so small, after you roll them they fit in a ziplock bag perfect. (I don’t put adult rolled clothes in a ziplock). The next thing you know your bag weights a ton. When we get to our destination, we hang the clothes (before we do anything else) so they get the wrinkles out by the time we are ready to wear them.

I also start to lay things out in an extra room two weeks before we go. This way I am sure to have everything on our checklist. I also bring extra clothes, Tylenol / motrin, and an extra bag for souvenirs.

Best wishes for great trips/ vacations to all of you.

 

[rosiejo]

Hello everyone! I decided to start this thread for everyone to post their own (or search for) packing tips for Disney (or any other trip, for that matter). I'll start:
I make a list of all of the outfits I am taking with me. An example would be...
(1) Black Express princess crown tank top, Dollhouse jeans skirt, black flip- flops
(2) Pink "He Gives Me Butterflies" tank top, Lilu shorts, pink Old Navy flip- flops
(3) Brown Wet Seal baby tee, One Tuff Babe shorts with brown belt, Brown AE flip-flops.......

I make the list and number each outfit. About 1 week before my trip I make sure each outfit is clean and ready to go. Rather than pack it immediately, I stack all my outfits on a shelf in my room. I put the list with it so that when I pack (all at one time) I can make sure I have everything I need to take. Also, I number each outfit on the list and then I pack each outfit in it's own Ziplock baggie and I number the baggie to correspond with the number on the list. This prevents me from digging through my suitcase. I also roll up and pair of socks, undies and a bra to match the outfit. Those go in the baggie as well. On my list, I also include whether or not I care if the outfit gets wet. Some of my outfits are fine to get wet, but I would prefer if others didn't. This makes it easier when knowing what to wear for which park(s) I plan to go to that day.

I hope all of that made sense. Now, it's YOUR turn. Post any helpful hints for packing!

Wow! that's organised packing! I've been buying clothes for my trip but have noticed I have lots of tops and bottoms that don't match! Perhaps I should do this instead :0)

I tend to overpack too and take clothes that i then don't wear... hmm I like this, might give it a go...

 

[rosiejo]

I like this idea of ziplock bags - but have a question - if I roll my outfits together into xiplocks and then put them in my case - when they get checked won't they have to empty all the ziplocks and unroll my clothes? Surely it's easier to hide "bad" things in your case if you roll your clothes around them??

 

[dyna]

I haven't seen this tip in the above posts but it works best for those who drive.

I pack 1 tote bag for DH, DD and myself for each night we will be stopping along the way the bag contains our clothing for the next day and tolietries we have to have for a 1 night stay. If we plan to stop a total of 4 nights I pack 4 tote bags YES we have that many toothbrushes (tip inside of tip) when you go to dentist and get new toothbrushes save the old ones for traveling might run thru dishwasher before storing tho.
This means when we arrive at the hotel we will be staying at the 1 night we only have to grab one bag. It does take a little planning if when returning home you will be going back home to cold ya need cold weather stuff in the bag on way home.
We usually stay outside of disney the 1st night and need to have whatever we plan to wear in the park that 1st day in that bag. Sunscreen and camera too if needed. We get up early go to our hotel and check in of course our room is not usually ready at that time but we are checked in and about 3 or 4 we call make sure room is ready and then go back to hotel and unload the van and unpack before heading back to the parks.

 

[kc10family]

Rosiejo,
I understand your question about the scanners and the rolled clothes when you check your bags. Scanners machines are like x-ray machines, they can see through cloths. The scanners would pick up anything that people should not bring on planes or into the park. If a scanner picked up something, then I guess that person would need to unroll things if asked. We have never had anyone ask us to unroll or open a zip-loc bag. Again, I say I usually roll and stuff kid clothes in zip-locs. I do roll adult clothes, but I don’t put them in the zip-locs, because they don’t always fit. I hope this helps you understand a little better. Have a great day.

 

[dandee00]

I haven't seen this tip in the above posts but it works best for those who drive.

I pack 1 tote bag for DH, DD and myself for each night we will be stopping along the way the bag contains our clothing for the next day and tolietries we have to have for a 1 night stay. If we plan to stop a total of 4 nights I pack 4 tote bags YES we have that many toothbrushes (tip inside of tip) when you go to dentist and get new toothbrushes save the old ones for traveling might run thru dishwasher before storing tho.
This means when we arrive at the hotel we will be staying at the 1 night we only have to grab one bag. It does take a little planning if when returning home you will be going back home to cold ya need cold weather stuff in the bag on way home.
We usually stay outside of disney the 1st night and need to have whatever we plan to wear in the park that 1st day in that bag. Sunscreen and camera too if needed. We get up early go to our hotel and check in of course our room is not usually ready at that time but we are checked in and about 3 or 4 we call make sure room is ready and then go back to hotel and unload the van and unpack before heading back to the parks.

Dyna:
DH and I are also driving. A 3 to 4 day trip. So, I have one duffle bag and one toiletry bag for the trip there. The clothes we are wearing on the way down are "old" clothes and will be tossed out. Old clothes meaning clothes I am tired of, or are almost ready to be "hand me downs". No laundry!!!! We will re-use these bags on the way home, packed with new clothes. I also have a duffle bag for the first day or two we arrive. Then we are on our way to POP!!!! We will be there for 3 weeks and I am thankful we are driving. We have 2 medium size suitcases and 2 large knapsacks, as well as a knapsack for "extra" clothing. For example, rain pouches I purchased for a dollar. I will be doing some shopping for "new" clothes once we arrive. I have a cooler as well as a storage tote for food.
This is a great thread. I have picked up a lot of tips.

 

[caimakale]

I want to offer my advice for all of those who use zip-lock. I know that clothes can still wrinkle (not always but sometimes).

Every family has at least one person that has to take the 180 degree shower that drains the hot water I have a wife and 3 daughters that do this, you know the kind that when you open the door, steam bellows out of the bathroom like crazy!!!

Take your clothes out of the ziplock, and lay them on the counter, or accross the towel bar, on hangers, or some other surface in the bathroom while these people take a shower and the steam will help straighten "mildly" wrinkled clothes. Once they are done, run in and grab your clothes and give the clothes a slight tug in a few directions to help pull out the wrinkles and you should be good to go for the day! Depending on the length of the shower, they can be damp, but they dry extremely quick, usually before you even leave the hotel room.

 

[SusanD]

I am gradually learning what works best for me. I now know that packing a carryon with a change of clothes and some toiletries is critical (a bathing suit is a good idea as well). Sometimes the luggage doesn't arrive when you do and this will allow you to be more comfortable or take a swim while you wait for the rest of your stuff.

This is also a good idea for the trip home. I was bumped on my last trip. My luggage was on the plane and went home without me. It is challenging staying over night with nothing but your purse and the clothes on your back.

One more word of advise: Many of the excellent packing suggestion allow you to pack more. The down side is that it weighs more too. Many airlines only allow you 50lbs. If you go over it can be an additional $75 per bag. You may want to check them before you head to the airport.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

wrinkle solution = Downy wrinkle release spray!
I put some in a smaller "travel" spray bottle from Walmart. Used it all the time.
Use this with the steam trick just mentioned and wrinkles don't stand a chance!

 

[Torontogal]

I never thought of using ziplock bags before. Can someone tell me where to buy the 2 gallon bags in Canada? Are they even sold here since i do not remember seeing them.
I would love to know where in Ontario? You can PM me.
Thanks!

 

[etwinchester]

Downy Wrinkle Releaser is a MUST pack item. I use it at home all the time and it's a lifesaver !!!

 

[Lanie]

Bumping for my September Trip

 

[klwdisney]

In order to save money on snacks and stuff we line our suitcases w/pop cans and tubes of pringles, plus as we use them up we have room for anything we buy.

But doesn't the soda explode in the checked luggage?

 

[klwdisney]

Do We really need to bring bug spray? We are going in 12 days-
Are the bugs THAT bad?
Thanks for all the tips!!

I picked up a few 3/packs of Off Wipes to bring with us. I figure they're small enough to throw in my purse without taking up any room - just in case it gets buggy. They were around $1/pkg.

 

[ladyluv347]

I am also a Zip Lock user (except I use Glad) and we haven't flown in so long I didn't even think about it being useful against dirty TSA fingers.

Just a note to reply to the comment made about TSA. My hubby is "TSA" TSA is a group of hardworking people out there trying to protect all of us. I know most of us are annoyed by the delays at airports and and by searchs but unfortunately they have become a needed part of life. By the way TSA uses surgical gloves- they are not dirty.

 

[alyssa810]

I think I saw that someone made pre-addressed labels for postcards on the boards a while back. I've been doing that for a couple years now, and it's part of my packing routine!
We also bring a lot of pins to trade, so we have to carefully spread them out over our luggage so as not to weigh down one bag!!

 

[patchchild]

An idea for all those people using Ziplocks for kids cloths. Before you pack each one into the bag, take a polaroid of the outfit laying on the bed (or floor). Then slide the picture into the bag so it shows. That way, the kids can look at the picture to grab the outfit they want for that day, still without hunting through all the drawers. A friend of mine actually had her daughter put on all the outfits and took the pictures that way. It was a great way for her daughter to get a little more excited before the trip. They called it their fashion show.

 

[OKW Lover]

I leave in 2 weeks. Is it too soon to start packing?

We pack several days ahead. This give us time to go through and take stuff out.

 

[OKW Lover]

A couple of other tips:

Mix-up your clothing in different suitcases. The temptation is to pack all of hers in one and all of his stuff in another. But if you split things up, a lost/delayed suitcase isn't such a problem.

Pack all your medications, toiletries and a change of clothes in a carryon. Again, incase of lost/delayed luggage.

If you're like us, you'll also learn to pack one less polo than you need for the number of days there. We're always buying at least one Mickey shirt!

Consider getting one more wearing out of some of those old items (including socks and underwear). Bring them with you for the trip and just dispose of them after use. This leaves you more room in our luggage for all that stuff you buy at WDW.

 

[bengalbelle]

An idea for all those people using Ziplocks for kids cloths. Before you pack each one into the bag, take a polaroid of the outfit laying on the bed (or floor). Then slide the picture into the bag so it shows. That way, the kids can look at the picture to grab the outfit they want for that day, still without hunting through all the drawers. A friend of mine actually had her daughter put on all the outfits and took the pictures that way. It was a great way for her daughter to get a little more excited before the trip. They called it their fashion show.

Great idea! To expand on that you could take photos of the child(ren) in the clothes right before you leave, use it in the Ziploc, and then take that picture to the parks in case (God forbid) the child(ren) became separated or lost.