Packing? ? ?

[teachallday]

Okay I am now 3 weeks till everything has to be packed and in the car. So I guess it is time to start packing.

How do you do it? How do you pack for a week long stay at Disney three weeks before you leave, when you are using the stuff you need to pack.

I am usually a last minute packer, but for some foolish reason I have been planning this trip for the last 7 months and I am starting to panic that I have forgotten something.

DEEP BREATH . . . 1 2 3 . . .

Okay I am better now. But I seriously don't know how to pack this far ahead. Do I just start packing and have a list for each suitcase for the stuff I know needs to be in there but can't get packed yet?

 

[cheap traveler]

I have 5 weeks left (today) and I have already started "packing."

I pack up everything I will not need at home. I also make CRAZY lists, detailing every item that is getting packed. Right now I know exactly which of my clothes are going, and after the laundry is done tonight I will know eactly what the kids are wearing.

Then the week (or so) before the trip, I pack everything up, and we can wear other clothes in the mean time.

The only things we have to pack last minute are hair brushes, "lovies," and shoes. I pre-pack them so I know there is room, then take them back out to use. I leave a big note on the bags, listing the items I need to pack last minute. I hate to forget anything. We are on a REALLY tight budget, so having to replace things takes money away from extras

 

[daleswife]

only pack the things you know you wont need. Like the mister fans, a new bottle of sunscreen, and stuff like that. That way the things you need to use will still be available. thats how I do it.

 

[squirrel]

Keep a list of all the things to add last minute.

Any clothes that you can pack put in ziplock bags with socks and underware (makes it so easy in the mornings for the kids to get dressed).

Put sunscreen, bug spray, and anything else that might leak in large ziplock bag.

Glow necklaces/bracelets, fans, band aids, laundry bag, batteries can all be packed now.

 

[bellem04]

I was going to post a question about bug spray.
So, I will need to pack that. We are leaving last week in September.

 

[disneyatl]

Start setting aside items you won't need now that you'll be taking. I don't think there is any possible way to pack clothes now unless you absolutely know you won't be wearing them.

 

[3boymthr]

It was easy for us. I started packing about two weeks early. We were going in May which in FL=HOT and here in MA the weather is a little cold this year and we just had our 2nd or maybe 3rd day where the temp exceeded 80, seriously I'm not kidding - my kids were wearing long pants last week. So I got out the summer clothes and got started. I took my time and made sure I had everything. The only thing I had to wait to pack was the underwear and those last minute things like contacts and toothbrushes. No problem for us but since you're going at a time when you need to be wearing those clothes at home I'd start with the easy items. I bought new sunblock for the trip so I wouldn't run out while we were down there. Packed that as soon as I bought it. Packed a couple of books as soon as I bought them. Dentist gives out free samples of toothpaste - packed that. You get the idea. Anything you have extra's of. Pack your rainjackets and a pair of long pants and make do if you have do something that requires them, etc.

 

[mitsybella]

I usually pack the weekend before we go, we go in the winter so its not a problem with the clothes we are wearing, because we take summer clothes with a few sweaters and long pants (just in case there is a cold spell that sometimes happens) but I have already started making my list and we don't go till after thanksgiving

 

[Aliceacc]

We're leaving in 3 weeks too!!

I really can't start packing yet. We're bringing most of our decent summer clothes with us, and simply can't go without them for 3 weeks.

One of these days, probably this weekend, I'll hit Target or Walmart for lots of socks and underwear (vacation seems to be our annual excuse to buy new ones.) And I'll get the shampoo, deodorant, sunblock run at the same time.

Lots of stuff is already put aside: Ponchos, misters, and stuff like that.

But I'll pack within a week of our departure.

 

[disneydaycare]

We leave tomorrow! I started doing laundry Sunday and have stowed outfits away as soon as they're clean. I have given the family instructions NOT to wear those clothes. Other things like, diapers, wipes, snacks and such I have been stock piling since March. I have made lists of outfits that I want each person to have and I will check through them at midnight tonight.
Yes, I will probably forget something. But, I'll be at Disney and I won't care.

 

[whitneyNC]

I don't pack much at all. I do laundry every couple of days while there, and prefer this to packing a lot. I take new socks and underwear (I know some people think it's gross not to wash first), we wear them right out of the packs. I try and make sure all of my boys separates are mix and match and they usually take brand new tees. Solid shirts, khaki/plaid shorts is about it. I buy everyone a nice new white tee for pics it looks great with khakis, and no stains (yet)! The Target tees are cheap and wash pretty well. We'll get a couple and a seasonal color (orange for halloween or red for Christmas) and that's pretty much their uniform! We take a pair of shoes, and wear a pair, one bathing suit and a waterproof/breathable rain jacket... that's it. They sleep in just underwear or knit shorts, so that's easy! Have fun planning!

 

[TinaLala]

Usually I pack almost as soon as I have booked the trip I'm pulling down the suitcases! That could be a year+ in advance! This year we're surprising our kids with a trip and I can't start packing until August 1 in SECRET! Thank fully they are going to camp on the 14th and we leave a week after that so I'll be packing like a mad woman on that day. I've been secretly hiding things in a duffle bag I found for $1 at Ocean State Job Lot (hats, glow sticks, penny tubes and book, plane stuff, extra medicine and things like that.).

We're wearing the clothes we'd bring, but DD7 has so much clothes I've been able to pack her shorts/shirts/undies and she hasn't even noticed. Of course she'll be wearing an Ariel shirt everyday, but she won't care! I was going to make iron-on shirts, but I won't have the time now. DD10 needs every stitch of clothes she has because she keeps growing so I'll be doing laundry right up until for her.

I have a seperate DISNEY suitcase with stuff we've picked up through the years and I'll just grab that.