Packing?

[diannaneglia]

Ok..I was wondering..I have about three and a half weeks till I leave for our road trip to Disney..my question is..

When should I start putting everything in the suitcases? I have already started putting things aside..like clothes and so forth..also I have two small boxes started with food and so on. So..when does everyone start their 'actual' packing?

Thanks for your 2 cents!...hee hee!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Honestly i don't have everything packed until the night before. I have a major packing list that I use and I have some clothes in mind for what I'm taking and will lay them out ahead of time in the spare bedroom, but most packing occurs the night before.

 

[lisamomof3]

Where will you be staying and when will you be checking in? Sounds like our trips are about the same time. We leave Iowa on June 1 (driving) and will check in at POR on June 3. Anyway, I've been picking up things (ponchos, toiletries, etc and have been putting them into a suitcase so that I know I won't forget them. As far as clothes, I probably realistically won't have everything packed until the night before we leave after I pull them out of the dryer. One thing going for us is it hasn't gotten past 75 degrees lately, so we can start packing tank tops, swimsuits, shorts, etc and not miss them yet. Have fun packing and getting ready for your trip. One thing I learned from last trip is that I had overpacked and brought things I didn't even need. This time I won't stress over it so much and if I forgot anything, then I'll just get it when we get there. This time with having a van, we can drive to a Wal-Mart or Target and pick it up.

 

[Goofy4Disney]

Ha! I sooooooooo know the feeling! We started packing at 3 weeks prior to the trip as well!

Anxious?! Moi?!?!?!?!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

DW usually starts a couple of days before getting things into the suitcase. I will usually wait until she is pretty much finished before I start getting everything together. That way I can stay out of the way until she is done.

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

For me, packing is very exciting and really makes the trip seem close at hand. I like to start 1 month before we leave. We have always gone in the winter. Being from Wisconsin that means digging out the summer clothes and swimsuits. I like to start early so if I need to pick up travel size items I can do that with my normal shopping. Then I don't have to do a lot of last minute searching and packing. Have fun!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

I never start packing until two days before and I finish up the night before we leave. We drive so we don't have to be on a set schedule. I will say, I am always behind in my time estimations however because I am still packing.

Maybe I should start earlier!

 

[laura001]

I am the same as you and start very early. I get piles going, and about 2 weeks before, if we are not going to use it, it gets packed. Then I make a list of what I have packed and what still needs to go in, that way I don't miss anything.

Happy packing!!

 

[diannaneglia]

Where will you be staying and when will you be checking in? Sounds like our trips are about the same time. We leave Iowa on June 1 (driving) and will check in at POR on June 3. Anyway, I've been picking up things (ponchos, toiletries, etc and have been putting them into a suitcase so that I know I won't forget them. As far as clothes, I probably realistically won't have everything packed until the night before we leave after I pull them out of the dryer. One thing going for us is it hasn't gotten past 75 degrees lately, so we can start packing tank tops, swimsuits, shorts, etc and not miss them yet. Have fun packing and getting ready for your trip. One thing I learned from last trip is that I had overpacked and brought things I didn't even need. This time I won't stress over it so much and if I forgot anything, then I'll just get it when we get there. This time with having a van, we can drive to a Wal-Mart or Target and pick it up.

Yes it does seem like we will be there at the same time...I am leaving KY on the 30th of May and will arrive at Pop on May 31st. I will be stay until June 11th! I see you are a mom of three...what are their ages? My daughter is 15 annd son 11.

Ok...now about the packing...I have two drawers in my sons room I have designated as the travel drawer. Unfortunately since my son has decided to take a huge plunge in the growth department, I had to go out and buy him all new clothes...socks...shoes...EVERYTHING! So, I put all his new stuff in one drawer. I will have to wash them and replace them though. (Putting that off till a day I don't have laundry...oops maybe that won't work...I always have laundry!)

I also had to purchase some items for both my daughter and me...she didn't have many shorts...and I out grew some of my things too... don't laugh...we all do that you know?? I tried desperately to loose about 20 pounds before the trip but unfortunately only made it to loosing 10...and I doubt I can loose 10 more in three weeks...maybe 5?? Sorry...got off track!

I thought the price of Disney was only in the package and spending money but I guess buying other items to wear and so on need to be added in too...it is really becoming an expense...I hope worth it though.

I also have two small boxes in my dining room. I put items like, our ponchos, a hot pot, snacks for the parks, first aid kit I made up myself, quarters & pennies for the penny press machine, cups, bowls...you know all the stuff you want in your room for convience. I am just so afraid of forgetting something but I guess if I do I can drive out and get it at a local Wal-Mart or something.

I need more people telling what they do...come onnnnn! It is always nice to see what others do to help you make sure you are doing it right, and so you don't forget anything.

Ok I am done...just thought I would share!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I usually get the suitcases down about a week or so before the trip. Packing for five takes lots of time (and yes I pack for my husband because I want him to match). I will start by putting the nonessientials in. I have a major packing list that I check off each item when it goes in. I am always packed at least two days before the trip for clothes. I have a bag I will keep in the bathroom for medicines and toiletries when will need until we leave. Then I say "lets the games begin" and we're off.

 

[Goofy Rulz]

We're leaving in 6 weeks and my sister & I were just discussing yesterday about getting the luggage out to start throwing some things in there. Our kids got Disney outfits and such for Christmas & birthdays that I've been setting aside in a certain drawer for the trip and figured if I'm doing that then I should just start packing. It will help the time go by even faster. We're so excited. We've also started buying all our supplies (camera batteries, camcorder tapes, sunscreen). Every weekend we try to do something that gets us a little more excited.

 

[Ilovestitch]

We leave next Thursday the 18th, so I'm planning to pack this weekend- at least finalize what I'm taking and see what else I need to get. Then I want to have everything in the suitcases Tuesday night before the trip. I hate leaving it til the night before b/c I end up staying up til 3am and leave the airport at 5am and be grouchy and have a headache. I vow to get a full nights sleep this time!

 

[mytwotinks]

I get our suitcases out several weeks before and start putting anything in them that we won't need before our trip. I make lists of each person's outfits to take and all of our toiletries that we will need. I start buying a few snacks and breakfast items to put in a suitcase. I also start getting things together for my daughter's carry ons. I probably start that way early though! I pick up little stuff whenever I see it on sale.

I like to know WAY WAY WAY in advance what we are taking. I always have stuff I need to get. If I didn't pack till the night before we would have to leave really early and stop at the 24 hour Wal-mart on our way to the airport!

 

[diannaneglia]

I am not sure whether anyone who has teenage daughters will read this and have them going on their trip with them but...

Mine expects to pack her items on her own. Thing is, I am not sure all of what she wants to bring is appropriate for the weather and so on. Should I try and sneak some of what I think she should bring in with what she is bringing?

If you have teenagers, you know that they have their own ideas and they aren't always exactly practical ones. Like mine thinks she will be able to wear jeans and camis and flip flops in June?? For one, JEANS?? Now the camis I can see but FLIP FLOPS?? How comfortable is that. She says they are very comfy and even I like them but for walking ALL DAY?? But you know you can't argue with them....they know what they are doing...so do I just let her pack on her own and bring some items I know she will end up with eventually when she finds out what she brought doesn't work?

In fact she hasn't even indicated what she is bringing yet. I easily know and have planned for my son and me. You know the usual...shorts, shirts, hoodies, tennis shoes, bathing suit...and I have it all planned out in my head of what both he and I have so if we need any additional items, I can just go out and pick them up. But I have no idea if my daughter even has enough or the right things to bring.

She has so many clothes but who knows what she will wear or not wear...they are so changeable at this age. She might wear a certain thing one week but wouldn't be caught dead in it the following week. Again, if you have a teenage daughter you know exactly what I am talking about.

She is also lazy, so when I try to ask her to lay out what she might want to bring (so I can see), she keeps putting it off...she says she doesn't know and won't know till she packs...uuuuggghhhh!!

So help me out here...how do I plan for her...I don't want to be running out at the last minute buying things either...not to mention I have spent a small fortune already on summer clothes AND the trip.

Am I the only one on here going for broke...BEFORE the trip?? LOL...but I am sure once again...it will be well worth it...RIGHT??!!

Thanks guys for listening to me freaking out...and I still got 21 days to go...ohhhhh nooo!

 

[MomWith2Cinderellas]

We are leaving in 10 days....My daughter's room is filled with a ton of things that need to go in to suitcases....I probably will pack most of the things this weekend(I may go to Target and get a couple more suitcases)....There is always one suitcase that is left open and filled the day we leave...
Packing is so exciting... ...It is UNpacking that is so depressing.. ..

 

[joyeric]

I am not sure whether anyone who has teenage daughters will read this and have them going on their trip with them but...

Mine expects to pack her items on her own. Thing is, I am not sure all of what she wants to bring is appropriate for the weather and so on. Should I try and sneak some of what I think she should bring in with what she is bringing?

If you have teenagers, you know that they have their own ideas and they aren't always exactly practical ones. Like mine thinks she will be able to wear jeans and camis and flip flops in June?? For one, JEANS?? Now the camis I can see but FLIP FLOPS?? How comfortable is that. She says they are very comfy and even I like them but for walking ALL DAY?? But you know you can't argue with them....they know what they are doing...so do I just let her pack on her own and bring some items I know she will end up with eventually when she finds out what she brought doesn't work?

In fact she hasn't even indicated what she is bringing yet. I easily know and have planned for my son and me. You know the usual...shorts, shirts, hoodies, tennis shoes, bathing suit...and I have it all planned out in my head of what both he and I have so if we need any additional items, I can just go out and pick them up. But I have no idea if my daughter even has enough or the right things to bring.

She has so many clothes but who knows what she will wear or not wear...they are so changeable at this age. She might wear a certain thing one week but wouldn't be caught dead in it the following week. Again, if you have a teenage daughter you know exactly what I am talking about.

She is also lazy, so when I try to ask her to lay out what she might want to bring (so I can see), she keeps putting it off...she says she doesn't know and won't know till she packs...uuuuggghhhh!!

So help me out here...how do I plan for her...I don't want to be running out at the last minute buying things either...not to mention I have spent a small fortune already on summer clothes AND the trip.

Am I the only one on here going for broke...BEFORE the trip?? LOL...but I am sure once again...it will be well worth it...RIGHT??!!

Thanks guys for listening to me freaking out...and I still got 21 days to go...ohhhhh nooo!

We are leaving in 27 days, taking DD20, DS17, DS16. I told them that this vacation they are on their own for packing, I made them a list of what they should bring. If they don't, they all work and are bringing their own money so they will have to buy what they forget. I bought them each shoes, some new clothes, and toiletries. I am planning to pick up whatever else we need next week, so they have a week to figure out what else they may need. I work full time and take care of my MIL, so i don't have the time or desire to pack for them, they are old enough to know what they will need, and what is acceptable. This is the first time I have taken this stand and have my fingers crossed that I'm not sorry.....besides they never like what I pick out for them anyway

 

[diannaneglia]

hey that is actually a pretty good idea...leaving a list for her of what to bring...like for example...6 tank tops 6 shorts 6 short sleeves 12 underpants so on and so forth...it is just that I don't want to be stuck having to shop for her when we get there cause she didn't bring the right stuff. Like I said earlier...I have spent enough already and unfortunately she doesn't have her own job yet...or own money to buy anything. We gave each kid a set amount of spending money and their grandma gave them some too and I am sure she wouldn't want to spend it on things she could have brought with her.

Thanks for the idea!

 

[joyeric]

Make her a list, and don't worry about it again. If she doesn't have enough she will have to make do with what she has. Relax and have a great vacation, sounds like you will be there about the same time that we are. We are going June 5 to June 12 8 days at POR Lets pray for good weather if not, then at least small crowds.

 

[lisamomof3]

Hi! I am having the same conversation with my 10 yr old!! I like the idea of a list so I gave her one, told her to pack herself, and I get to see her suitcase before we leave. So am I in trouble if we are having this issue at 10? Honestly, I love her, but she is just like me in so many ways except our tastes in clothes.

As far as spending money before the trip, last night we went to Target b/c they had a bunch of swimsuits on clearance, well we left with a lot more than swimsuits. My dh was draggin us out of there and has said he will take my checkbook and credit cards before we leave. I am lucky in that my mother-in-law finds great deals in clothes and has given the girls each a box of summer stuff, considering my dd's don't fit into their summer clothes from last year.

Sounds like a lot of us will be at WDW around the same time! joyeric, we will be at POR also! June 3-10

Now if I spent more time at my job and PACKING than I do on these boards, I'd actually get something accomplished.

 

[bush]

I am not sure whether anyone who has teenage daughters will read this and have them going on their trip with them but...

Mine expects to pack her items on her own. Thing is, I am not sure all of what she wants to bring is appropriate for the weather and so on. Should I try and sneak some of what I think she should bring in with what she is bringing?

If you have teenagers, you know that they have their own ideas and they aren't always exactly practical ones. Like mine thinks she will be able to wear jeans and camis and <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=31&k=flip%20flops" onmouseover="window.status='flip flops'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">flip flops</a> in June?? For one, JEANS?? Now the camis I can see but FLIP FLOPS?? How comfortable is that. She says they are very comfy and even I like them but for walking ALL DAY?? But you know you can't argue with them....they know what they are doing...so do I just let her pack on her own and bring some items I know she will end up with eventually when she finds out what she brought doesn't work?

In fact she hasn't even indicated what she is bringing yet. I easily know and have planned for my son and me. You know the usual...shorts, shirts, hoodies, <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=31&k=tennis%20shoes" onmouseover="window.status='tennis shoes'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">tennis shoes</a>, <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=31&k=bathing%20suit" onmouseover="window.status='bathing suit'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">bathing suit</a>...and I have it all planned out in my head of what both he and I have so if we need any additional items, I can just go out and pick them up. But I have no idea if my daughter even has enough or the right things to bring.

She has so many clothes but who knows what she will wear or not wear...they are so changeable at this age. She might wear a certain thing one week but wouldn't be caught dead in it the following week. Again, if you have a teenage daughter you know exactly what I am talking about.

She is also lazy, so when I try to ask her to lay out what she might want to bring (so I can see), she keeps putting it off...she says she doesn't know and won't know till she packs...uuuuggghhhh!!

So help me out here...how do I plan for her...I don't want to be running out at the last minute buying things either...not to mention I have spent a small fortune already on <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=31&k=summer%20clothes" onmouseover="window.status='summer clothes'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">summer clothes</a> AND the trip.

Am I the only one on here going for broke...BEFORE the trip?? LOL...but I am sure once again...it will be well worth it...RIGHT??!!

Thanks guys for listening to me freaking out...and I still got 21 days to go...ohhhhh nooo!

Thank you for the laugh! My 15 yr old DD came in to see what I was laughing at. She looked at the jeans, camis and flip flops and saw nothing wrong with that so I know exactly how you feel! She did say that she was going to save the jeans for the evenings when we have all our table service ADRs.

I also know the feeling of going broke before even leaving town. This prep work is draining! I have the PasPorter Book and have copied the packing list for each of my kids. They have until Friday to tell me what they still need or they will be wearing dirty clothes until I can wash clothes.

Good luck!! I feel for you!!