Packing Tips

[¡WDW!girlrox(:]

Hi!

Just wondering if anyone here has any cool packing tips?
And when do you start packing? And how many bags do you take?
Thanks

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I am the type of person that likes to pack clothes for every possible situation from sitting by the pool to attending an impromptu wedding (one really never knows) still though, with help of friends and a lot of therapy, I limit myself to one huge suitcase, and a backpack. (I am also fairly local, so I never have to consider airline specs or anything) I find it's easier to deal with one big bag than 2 or 3 small ones. (I also keep a big tote bag in the suitcase for the return trip, almost always need it)

I start a packing list about a week or two in advance and then pack the night before leaving (if I pack too early, I'll end up needing something I had in the suitcase and forgetting to put it back)

 

[hsembrick]

Hello

I usually start packing a month before hand if not earlier. I start rounding up stuff from wal-mart and target that I might need and throw it into our disney box. At this time I also check the disney box for anything I might still need (nex batteries for misters things like that).

Two weeks before I start making a list of things I need to pack and as I see certain items come through the wash I will usually go ahead and through them in the box as well, it saves me from having to wash or hunt through the house for that minnie tshirt I bought a few weeks ago.

One of the things I do with my kids clothes is pack and outfit in a ziplock gallon bag. I include everthing they will need in the morning to get dressed, shirt, shorts, socks- this makes our mornings runner smooth, they just grab a bag and get dressed. Usually put undies and jammies in the same bag so bathtime is easier. I also will through an outfit bag in my backpack for my 4 yr old for messy melting popsicles or any other disasters that may happen. I also will sometimes pack more shirts and less shorts because I know that in the middle of my week we will spend an afternoon or evening at the pool and I can through a load of laundry in while we swim.

As far as bags go, my two girls will share a small/med suitcase, I will have a large rolling suitcase and my DH and DS will share a large bag/suitcase. For a family of 5 this gives of plenty of room for the extras that we will bring home. HAPPY PACKING!!

 

[The Hendies]

I am a light packer, I think. DH and I will be going 6 days/5 nights and will share one suitcase (checked luggage) and he will carry a backpack on the plane. I will have a Vera backsack. That's it! One outfit each day, and one extra. The shoes are my biggest item... 1 pr sandals, 1pr sneakers, and croc flip-flops for the room.

 

[pjennings]

I packed each days clothes in a ziploc bag and labled it by day & park. I was able to put dirty clothes in back in the bags when I changed the girls clothes. I had one bag for pj's and one for swim suits. I had a packing list of everything I wanted to take and started a few months out buying what we needed/wanted to take with us.

 

[traveljunkie2]

We are 6 months away from our trip, and I just wrote my packing list today! I started our Disney box probably a month ago. I know, I need help

My husband keeps reminding me that we will still be in the US! Whatever I forget, we can pick up at WalMart.

Last trip we packed way too much. This trip we will pack clothes for 4 days (we will have a washer & dryer) and I'm hoping to get it all in one big suitcase, plus one rolling carry on bag for a spare change of clothes for everyone. We will also have two backpacks with snacks and entertainment for our kids on the plane. On our flight home last time, a kid in front of us threw up all over the place, including on the man across the aisle. I will now always have spare clothes for us in a carry-on, just in case. I thought I was out of that phase once my kids stopped puking, now I have to worry about other people's kids puking on me!

Before kids, my DH and I regularly traveled in Europe for up to 2 weeks with only a rolling carry-on bag each. With kids, it's a whole different story! The tip about packing outfits into bags is great. You can get 2 gallon size bags for adult clothes, and you can really squeeze alot of air out and make more space.

 

[kjs1976]

We are 6 months away from our trip, and I just wrote my packing list today! I started our Disney box probably a month ago. I know, I need help

Oh no help for you, you got the right idea! Packing lists are part of the trip planning fun, right? And you probably make a better list that far out than the week before anyway! Good for you!

I have a class the two days before we leave so this week (3 weeks out?) I will begin laying everything out in the guest room and finalizing my list. This way only last minute stuff will get packed...well, the AM before we are off!

I'm trying packing cubes this time...will report how they go when I use them!

 

[RyanFernandez]

I am a heavy packer. I keep digging all my clothes and try to pack as much as possible. But my friend suggested me some tricks to pack light. While searching on google for some packing tips I came across - http://boardingarea.com/blogs/roadwarriorette/ 2010/06/03/packing-tips-from-briggs-riley/ and found it very useful.

 

[At World's End]

I found some bags at Dollar Tree that I am using this trip. I think they are called "Store It." They are heavy duty resealable bags with handles. I'm using them like space saver bags. I have all of my kids' t shirts in one, then all of my t shirts in one.

We went last winter, and it was really cold. High temp. of 34 the day we arrived. If you are going in winter, I would recommend bringing more cold-weather clothes than you expect to need. In Florida, you can always buy shorts and T shirts. Try finding gloves and winter hats during a cold snap and you may be out of luck. My younger son lost his gloves the first day. He wore socks on his hands because there were no gloves to be found in Orlando!

 

[northcoast_momma]

This is an age old question - how much to pack. One thing you have to ask yourself is whether or not you think you'll be washing clothes (at least once for week's vacation). If so, you can get away with less clothes. If you don't plan on doing laundry - you need at least one outfit per day. It also depends on time of year......as some have said - there are nights in Florida that get cold (sweatshirt).

We've learned you won't need as many shoes as you think - that saves a lot of room. We usually have one suitcase per person, a large duffle with wheels for shoes, backpacks for each kid for the plane and then a bag for cosmetics. That said - make sure to leave room for what you'll be bringing home with you

We're staying in a villa this fall and plan on doing laundry at least every other day. Our issue is food. We typically drive so that's not a big deal - but we're flying so we'll likely UPS a box with the staple items and then order frrom gardengrocer for milk, eggs, etc.

And - btw - I started my list already (3 months out) and I have my Disney box started (with items from the last visit) ready to be added to as I go. I find that adding to it little by little helps avoid a big price tag later on (ponchos, t-shirts, glow sticks, etc). But that's just me. I start the packing piles about 2 weeks in advance.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I roll all the clothes. I found a website that showed us how. It's really easy. Just roll everything including underwear and socks.

We took a trip to MN and got 5 days of clothes into 2 bags for 4 people. That included 4 hoodie jackets, 2 pair of shoes for 3 of us (DH didn't want to bring a spare set) and 4 water shoes. Plus 3 beach towels which I laid on the bottom of the 2 suitcases.

We brought travel size bathroom stuff, 1 travel size blow dryer which went into my carryon case along with an extra set of clothes per person.

We even had space to spare. Good thing too since DH got some stuff from his Dad that he didn't want to mail home.

 

[happycamps]

I also pack all of my kids clothes in ziplock bags, it is sooooo much easier. I always pack a collapsible hamper as well - we got ours on disney's online shopping - it is a sorter as well - love it...

 

[skiingfast]

I pack anything I will need after the last time I use if before a trip.


At WDW I take some afternoon snacks in a tupperware to protect crackers and the like that could get crushed.

 

[Adlergray]

I am the type of person that likes to pack clothes for every possible situation from sitting by the pool to attending an impromptu wedding (one really never knows) still though, with help of friends and a lot of therapy, I limit myself to one huge suitcase, and a backpack. (I am also fairly local, so I never have to consider airline specs or anything) I find it's easier to deal with one big bag than 2 or 3 small ones. (I also keep a big tote bag in the suitcase for the return trip, almost always need it)

I start a packing list about a week or two in advance and then pack the night before leaving (if I pack too early, I'll end up needing something I had in the suitcase and forgetting to put it back)

We must have learned to pack at the same school!!!

 

[rbdiaz]

Some basics -
(1) Assume your bags will get lost, so have a carry on with stuff to keep you busy for first day.
(2) Use magical express, makes bag transport much easier -- especially on way home
(3) Use ziploc bags (gallon or quart size) to compress air out of clothes while packing. Helps keep things wrinkle free and takes less space in bags
(4) Buy an inexpensive luggage scale. Allows you to weigh your bags at home to make sure you don't get hit with extra $$ fees at airport for exceeding 50 pounds. Also bring the scale with you to hotel so you perform same check on way home

 

[cuches]

I like the travel space saver bags that you fill then zip lock it then roll out the air...helps make room in your bag.

Last year I decided to go light and pack only a few days of clothes then I was going to do laundry while DD played in pool with daddy...exactly what I want to do on vacation...LAUNDRY! But to save the weight of the luggage I was willing to do this. Well the dryers at CSR SUCKED and took HOURS and a butt load of quarters to dry everything...I gave up and air dryed most of it!

But the most important thing for us is the weight of the bag, I am so crazy that after I pack I put the bag on a scale ( have a big postal scale ) If the bag is even 1 OUNCE heavier then 50lbs. I will shift stuff to the other bag or take out a shirt....WILL NEVER PAY THOSE RIDICULOUS 'HEAVY BAG' FEE'S AGAIN!!!!!! My bag on American Airlines was a lousy 3lbs over (53lbs) and we were charged $75 EXTRA..NEVER AGAIN!

 

[somethingblue]

I would recommend bringing a few extra pairs of undies and shirts. Last trip we frequently headed back to the resort in the afternoon to rest before dinner. It feels gross taking a shower and putting back on the same clothes!

 

[kchughes]

Not that i enjoy doing laundry on vacation, but I have found that if you go for more than 4 days and don't do laundry (we go for 9 days/10 nights) your room will begin to smell. I pack 1/2 as much and do laundry mid week. We pack 1 large and 1 small rolling duffel and a cosmetics bag. THis is for a family of 3. we also tend to change twice per day and rarely can rewear anything before it is wahed.

 

[dyna]

I never totally unpack got socks shoes an undies a fews shirts etc that I only use at disney that live in my duffle bag. Refill shampoo bottles etc when we return so they always ready too.

Traveling on a harley to disney broke me of over packing

Start packing maybe 2 days before we leave

 

[doclegler]

Traveling on a harley to disney broke me of over packing

Wow! What a great way to get to WDW...too bad I'm so far away and have 3 boys that would have to squeeze into a sidecar!!
Sounds like a blast!