PACKING TIPS-- Post yours here!

[1blackcat]

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

I don't think so I leave in 9 weeks and I'm packed and ready to go

 

[rosiejo]

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.

Thanks! I may have to give it a try now... less than three months to go - but way too soon to be packing :0)

 

[quiltymom]

If you will be eating in your room, here is something that you may want to use for your next trip. They are made by Flatworld Orikaso, and you can get them online from REI:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...45&parent_category_rn=5760728&vcat=REI_SEARCH
They highlighted them in the Washington Post a few weeks ago, so I thought that I'd pass along the info to everyone. They look great, and it looks like they will take up virtually no room!

 

[Amyg]

We are going for 16 days in July. We are a family of four so there is a lot of packing to do. I REFUSE to do laundry on vacation! My DH came up with a great idea (or a least I hope it's great) to use space bags. We got a great deal on QVC 12 bags for about $35. I called Disney to see if they would have a vacuum for use to suck out the air at check out and it was no problem. I have already packed one to see how much room it would save us, it shrunk down to about 1/3 of the original size. Has anyone else used these? If so I would love to hear how they worked for you.

I use space bags too but the ones you roll so you don't need a vacuum, I bought it at my neighborhood drugstore. I've used them on all of my trips and can pack so much more stuff! Most of the airlines weight limit is 70 lbs. so I've never had a problem with overweight baggage.

My friend always take her own pillow, I think I will be doing that as well, I'd rather not use the ones people might have drooled on from the airplane (if they even have them anymore), plus they are too small to do any good.

Make sure all your liquids are tight, although I always pack mine in ziplocks, the last trip I didn't realize one of the bottle tops was a bit loose and some of the stuff leaked, ick, what a mess in the bag!

I also pack an extra set of clothes in my carry on just in case.

 

[Amyg]

Dyna:
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.

Hey this is a great idea! Then I can buy new stuff at WDW!

 

[dandee00]

Hey this is a great idea! Then I can buy new stuff at WDW!

Exactly! I'm looking forward to shopping. It's part of the trip.

 

[katedrew94]

We keep a packing list in the computer and just print it out each time we go. It has a box next to each item so we can check it off. We also keep all of our Disney trip stuff in a closet in the guest room.

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

Hey all, I found a site that has a great printable packing list, thought you might be interested!! Printable Packing List

I leave for DL in 25 days, WOOHOO, and this is very helpful!

Jules

 

[LoveWDW]

Wow! That is very nice. Thank you!

 

[CdnDisneyFan]

You are very welcome, glad I could help out somewhat!

Jules

 

[TENIA66]

great tips!!

 

[luv2go2disney]

We are driving down from IN and have an SUV. We plan on using one of those pop up hampers for our dirty things. That way if we return with some clean clothes then 1. we will know what is clean is in the suitcase and 2. it won't stink up all of the clothes in the suitcase and then have to wash everything. I think that it will work well for us. I also plan on using the ziploc bag thing for packing the kids clothes, it seems like it works for a lot of other people.

 

[jodistar]

have to read this full thread later

Me too! - Great thread

 

[disgram]

I have often thought this was a good idea but never tried it. Two weeks ago I went to my son's and was horrified to watch the security guy pull all my clothes out of my suitcase and run his hands through my underthings and then throw them on the counter!!! I couldn't wait to get them all washed when I got to my son's!!! The ziploc has got to be a better way to go!! Thanks so much for all the other tips I have picked up here!!! Great thread!

 

[LoveWDW]

I have often thought this was a good idea but never tried it. Two weeks ago I went to my son's and was horrified to watch the security guy pull all my clothes out of my suitcase and run his hands through my underthings and then throw them on the counter!!! I couldn't wait to get them all washed when I got to my son's!!! The ziploc has got to be a better way to go!! Thanks so much for all the other tips I have picked up here!!! Great thread!

I never thought of this! Good grief! How embarrassing! I am planning to do the wear old undies and toss after wearing thing. But now I am thinking that I don't want somebody going through any other of my clothing dirty or clean. If you put them in ziplocks do they ever open the bags or do they always just leave them sealed?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

One of our large suitcases, on wheels, is our Disney Dedicated suitcase. It is easy to spot cause it has lime green ribbons on it. I keep my mugs (ducking for cover) and other things that we only use at DW in there.

I also have a packing/to do list that I keep so that I can check things off as I do them. Seems the hardest part of any trip is making a list and since I have a master list I can skip that step.

I have one of those over the door bathroom products bags that I refill after each trip. Ever notice that is the hardest thing to pack? You can just grab a few o utfits from your closet and add the appropriate amount of undies and head off.

I leave the clothes on their hangers and fold them in half to go in the suitcase. No wrinkles and when I get there I just take them out and hang them up. No muss, no fuss.

Would be a shame to miss out on a trip cause you do not have time to do everything.

Slightly Goofy, who is always packed and ready to go

 

[MiniSocks]

No offense Miranda, sounds like ALOT of work for packing. My DD's are now old enough (13 and 10) to pack alot of their own stuff. I just go thru their suitcase after they have finished. DH also does his own packing and I take care of mine and the toiletry bag. Older DD is very organized with her outfits, no need for baggies and younger DD just wears whatever I put out for her for that day. One suggestion that I got from someone else, and may try this year is a separate suitcase just for shoes. I always wondered where to pack ALL of those darn shoes.......

 

[dyna]

Those Dove cloths with the soap already on them travel really well I grab a handful put them in a baggie. NO worry about liquid body soap leaking on the way and no messy bars of soap in the shower.

I do usually need 2 of those cloths for a shower tho.

Believe it or not my laundry bags for disney and most other times when I travel is left over laundry bags from when DH was in the service in the early 60's. They fit in our duffle bags on the way. On the way home we throw them in the back of the van NO stinky luggage.

Also since we drive once we unpacked we take the duffle bags back out to the van till we need them for packin to come back home.

Mid week when the 1st laundry bag gets full we take it out to the van as we go out to get more drinks that we left in van till we needed them.

Our afternoon break the day before we leave to come back home is spent packing and loading the van back up except for the essentials we need the next day. That way we can either get up and go to the parks the last day or hit the road for home which ever the case is that visit.

 

[dandee00]

Also since we drive once we unpacked we take the duffle bags back out to the van till we need them for packin to come back home.

Mid week when the 1st laundry bag gets full we take it out to the van as we go out to get more drinks that we left in van till we needed them.

Our afternoon break the day before we leave to come back home is spent packing and loading the van back up except for the essentials we need the next day. That way we can either get up and go to the parks the last day or hit the road for home which ever the case is that visit.

Dyna
Having your own vehicle at Disney seems to come in handy for a lot of uses. It's a great storage place for all those things that can clutter a room.
I never would have thought of packing and loading the day before. Makes good sense.

 

[dandee00]

I don't think so I leave in 9 weeks and I'm packed and ready to go

I'm almost embarassed to admit I'm already to go, except for a few items. And we're not going for another 4 months.
A few days before we leave, I'll have to unpack and wash everything and repack. But this way I know how much luggage I'm taking and I'll make sure I'm not forgetting anything.