PACKING TIPS-- Post yours here!

[Nik's Mom]

O.k. I'm doing the packing dance. I packed my kids shorts and t-shirts for our trip, and have started setting aside other items! Thanks for the great tips!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

find out if your hotel will be offering free basic toiletries. For example: we will be staying at the holiday inn the night before we go to the royal pacific. The holiday offers free basic toiletries for no extra charge. Razor, shaving cream, combs, tooth brushes, extra soap, mouth wash. These are available for free. Don't be a pig about it. But you can take advantage of this and reduce the items you must take with you.

just a thought.

 

[mommyrom]

Packing, Packing, YES, We are packing!!! Kiddos are almost all packed (Soooo many ziplocs!!!). Next is all that extra stuff , DH and myself and then the box of snacks, etc. to go in the mail to our resort at the end of this week...Can't wait, Can't wait....14 days!!!!!!!

 

[Amirah95]

I'm a zip loc bag girl as well!

 

[amwhitaker]

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.

Have the cans of pop ever exploded all over your clothes?

 

[L107ANGEL]

Let's see, people may not like my packing style but it works for me.
Open drawer. Pull out all pairs of shorts I own (about 4 pair). Set on chair. Pull out all swim suits I own. Set those on chair. Pull out 8 or 9 shirts (depending on length of trip). Set those on chair. Close drawer. Move to next one. Open it. Pull out 10 pair of underwear (mom always taught me to pack extra and ten's a nice round number). Pull out about 10 pair of socks too. Also as many bras as I own. Next drawer. Pull out 4 or 5 pairs of pajamas. One pair for every two nights. Next drawer. Grab a big t-shirt for hiking to the pool. All this stuff gets stacked on the chair.
Now. Start rolling everything like beach towels like someone else suggested. I'm an ace suitcase stuffer. You'd be shocked at what I can put into a little suitcase if you give me enough time. Put all those rolled up things in the suitcase.
Next pull out the flip flops. For Disney I mostly wear sneakers so I only need one or 2 pair of flip flops. Those go in the outside pocket of the suitcase.
Toiletries: any shower stuff goes in plastic bags then gets thrown into the top of the suitcase. Toothbrush, razor blades, toothpaste, deoderant, etc gets put in my little toiletry bag than thrown into the suitcase.
Oh, I do generally place a change of clothes, a swim suit, and pair of pj's in my carryon. Also put the retainers and the meds in my carry on.
__________________
~Heather
Heather,
I think you and my husband may have been seperated at birth!!
I start packing once I know we are going back!
I have to agree with the post saying you don't use alot of stuff you take(suggestions on the boards). I have just minimized the quantity. Insted of 6 bottles of over the counter meds, I take maybe one, with a little of each (seperated and in the tiny little plastic bags my DD gets with the rubber bands for her braces.

 

[HenDuck]

A thought about using ziploc bags, they are good for some things, but if you have larger clothes or sweatshirts/sweaters, pillows, etc., go ahead and purchase the actual "space bag" type bags. they are much sturdier and get more air out of the contents.

I purchase a few new space bags for each trip or whenever they go on sale.

I had one huge one that I thought I'd never use, but it came with a set. Well it was perfect for DH's suede jacket. We were all amazed at how thin the jacket was after I had rolled it.

I do use regular one gallon and two gallon ziploc bags for my t-shirts, DS' clothes and toiletries.

kpk89, I do the same thing! We always spread out all of our clothes amongst all our suitcases, just in case...good tip!

We pack all toiletries except toothbrush/paste, prescription meds and ointments for DS' bottom. I think next trip I'll try those disposable toothbrush wipe thingies.

One more tip that may already have been mentioned is to pack a foldable duffle bag. Buy one that is expandable too. I'm sure you'll find something to put in it on the way back.

My best tip is to do laundry and pack for 3-4 days at the most.

Fun thread. Thanks!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I also use the zip lock bags so TSA can go through my stuff and it won't be touched or dirtied...or messed up...and I also roll my clothes in the bags so I can fit more in my carry on...I never check my bags anymore....and for the toiletries, I use a Caboodles and bring as many trial sizes I can so I can throw them away and make more room for Basin stuff !

 

[siouxi31]

There was some question about where to put toiletries. I always bring mine in my carry on for two reasons:
If my flight is delayed I have whatever I need (lotion, toothbrush, hairbrush). I've been stuck in airports for 6 hours and sometimes it's nice to freshen up.
The second reason is if the luggage is lost, at least I have my contact solution, toothbrush, aspirin, etc. That stuff is too hard to live without.
I roll my clothes too. Usually I'll bring 1 pair of shoes, especially when I'm going to WDW. I usually end up wearing my sneakers all of the time anyway.
One bag is packed full of bottled water which is gone when we return so we can use that space for souvenirs.

 

[mistyc]

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

 

[Jennyvelaz]

I place my good shampoo in a trial size (like the Johnson's shampoo) so that I can take my own. I also use the ziplocs. We go more than once a year and I just keep all my Disney toys, shirts, and sweatshirts together for the next trip. I found this list on Oprah's site packing list
I also roll my shirts and such onto the legs of my pants so there aren't any creases.
If anyone has anymore packing links please post! I know there are some professionals out there!

 

[NutsaboutDisney]

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.

Do you fly or drive? I wasn't sure if the air pressure would be a problem for the pop cans or other items. I am considering taking 2 litre cartons of milk as DD and DH are lactose intolerant, but I didn't know how they would travel. When we went to England last year, DD went 12 days without any milk/calcium and I don't want to repeat that.

Also, for any other Canadians who have been trying to find the 2 gallon ziploc bags - I finally found some. Zellers has their own 'truly' brand in jumbo size and they are only about $2.85 Cdn for a box of 12. They are not as thick as the Ziploc brand freezer bags, but they will certainly do the trick!

 

[ms.ojo]

Let's see, people may not like my packing style but it works for me.
Open drawer. Pull out all pairs of shorts I own (about 4 pair). Set on chair. Pull out all swim suits I own. Set those on chair. Pull out 8 or 9 shirts (depending on length of trip). Set those on chair. Close drawer. Move to next one. Open it. Pull out 10 pair of underwear (mom always taught me to pack extra and ten's a nice round number). Pull out about 10 pair of socks too. Also as many bras as I own. Next drawer. Pull out 4 or 5 pairs of pajamas. One pair for every two nights. Next drawer. Grab a big t-shirt for hiking to the pool. All this stuff gets stacked on the chair.
Now. Start rolling everything like beach towels like someone else suggested. I'm an ace suitcase stuffer. You'd be shocked at what I can put into a little suitcase if you give me enough time. Put all those rolled up things in the suitcase.
Next pull out the flip flops. For Disney I mostly wear sneakers so I only need one or 2 pair of flip flops. Those go in the outside pocket of the suitcase.
Toiletries: any shower stuff goes in plastic bags then gets thrown into the top of the suitcase. Toothbrush, razor blades, toothpaste, deoderant, etc gets put in my little toiletry bag than thrown into the suitcase.
Oh, I do generally place a change of clothes, a swim suit, and pair of pj's in my carryon. Also put the retainers and the meds in my carry on.

I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are leaving in 4 days and I'm into serious packing this weekend. (laundry tonight!) Can someone tell me a little more about this rolling of clothes? A pair of pants...fold in half then roll waist and all the way to cuffs....or start at cuffs and roll up to waist??? With a shirt....do you fold the arms into the middle, and then roll.....or do you fold it in half, then arms onto that and roll???? I guess I'm just such a folder...I can't visualize how best to roll. I tried it one trip...and discovered I could get more in the suitcase folded well...then rolled. So I guess I"m doing something wrong w/ the roll. Someone help!!!

 

[dani12]

As my shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, etc are running out I'm going to keep those bottles to bring with us. That way when they are empty, I can just toss them and have extra room for the trip home.

 

[Tissa]

I just open my suitcase and throw everything I own that isn't gym clothes in it and go. I like standing there staring at my clothes trying to decide what to wear.

 

[NotUrsula]

Do you fly or drive? I wasn't sure if the air pressure would be a problem for the pop cans or other items. I am considering taking 2 litre cartons of milk as DD and DH are lactose intolerant, but I didn't know how they would travel. When we went to England last year, DD went 12 days without any milk/calcium and I don't want to repeat that.

Unfortunately, as you're flying internationally, this might be an issue. Baby formula is usually the only sort of real milk that will make it past the USDA inspectors at the airport.

Lactose-free milk is readily available at US supermarkets. If you can't visit one yourself, you can use a service like www.wegoshop.com to deliver it to your resort on your arrival day. "Lactaid" is the most common brand in the US.

 

[lauran cameron]

pack everything in giant zip-locks and push all the air out.
it makes more room that is if you dont mind your clothes getting a lil' wrinkled

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I just open my suitcase and throw everything I own that isn't gym clothes in it and go. I like standing there staring at my clothes trying to decide what to wear.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Hijacking the thread to say Miranda, that is a GORGEOUS picture in your signature

 

[kimnscott]

thanks for all the tips.
I will have to try the ziplocks. I have started packing items such as film, trial size toiletries, and anything else I think I will need in August.
kim