Strategic Packing- Lists and Tips from a Neurotic Mom! Now organzing the thread!

[lizzyshakuntala]

Subscribing!!

 

[nansan]

Great info from all thanks

 

[kt3119]

Autumn ~ You mentioned that you and the kiddos wear Keens. Do you and the kiddos wear sandals? Are the comfortable enough to wear in the parks all day? I'm guessing they are. Can they double as water shoes? I am just so excited about your thread and I started composing my packing lists today. I can't wait to start implementing your system!

Thank you sooo much for the great tips!!

Kelly

 

[stackyallred]

I just want to THANK YOU for making me feel much better about how I plan and pack for Disney! I do so many of the same things! I had DH read your first post and he asked if you were my long lost sister! I am extremely organized (sometimes to a fault) and I love reading others' tips and experiences. I actually really enjoy this part of planning our trips and I always enjoy it more knowing that I have prepared us as much as possible. This trip will be our first in 8 years to have a car (and a almost-two-year-old who was just 10 months last trip) so I am definitely going to be using some of your ideas. Thanks for putting your thoughts here to help us all get ready!

 

[Wiloughby1]

7 days away, how exciting!!

We have ADR's at Chef Mickey's, Hollywood and Vine, Crystal Palace, T Rex Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, Coral Reef, and a few other places. We have the dining plan, we will have to see how this works for us. The boys also have appointments at the Pirates League!! My husband and I have been before the kiddos...this trip is going to be amazing now that we have our family!!

I can't wait to get started on my packing after reading your tips!!

Great choices! We have quite a few of the same. I picked Garden Grill to meet Mickey on our first day since I wanted to get right to Epcot. Pirate League sounds like so much fun! DS fights sunscreen, so I didn't think he'd do too well with facepaint this year. Maybe next year! After you go, you'll have to give me a report!

Subscribing!!

Welcome! I haven't been updating as much since we are leaving on FRIDAY!!! But I will definitely give feedback on my successes and failures when we return!

Great info from all thanks

You're welcome! Glad to help!!

Autumn ~ You mentioned that you and the kiddos wear Keens. Do you and the kiddos wear sandals? Are the comfortable enough to wear in the parks all day? I'm guessing they are. Can they double as water shoes? I am just so excited about your thread and I started composing my packing lists today. I can't wait to start implementing your system!

Thank you sooo much for the great tips!!

Kelly

We all wear Keens, other than DH. He refuses to wear "Mandals" I used to wear Tevas, but I wanted the kids to have toe protection, then I wanted it myself! I've been wearing them to take long neighborhood walks and trips to the zoo to break them in, but they required no break-in period! Comfy from day-one, and I get blisters from thinking about new shoes My kids will wear them as their primary summer shoes and they do great with water, though I wouldn't swim with them- just stream hiking, etc. They can go in the washing machine, too. They clean so well,in fact, that I only buy neutral colors for DS so that DD can inherit them. She has red and chocolate lined up, after she outgrows her lilac pair.

I hope the system works for you! I have everything packed and lined up across my bedroom! Anything that still needs an item has a bright orange list taped to it. I'll get into that in the next post!

I just want to THANK YOU for making me feel much better about how I plan and pack for Disney! I do so many of the same things! I had DH read your first post and he asked if you were my long lost sister! I am extremely organized (sometimes to a fault) and I love reading others' tips and experiences. I actually really enjoy this part of planning our trips and I always enjoy it more knowing that I have prepared us as much as possible. This trip will be our first in 8 years to have a car (and a almost-two-year-old who was just 10 months last trip) so I am definitely going to be using some of your ideas. Thanks for putting your thoughts here to help us all get ready!

I'm not the only crazy one? DH was sure I was the only one on the planet! I agree that the prep can be almost as enjoyable as the trip. The day we return, I get to work on a 14 day international trip for my job- the bigger planning is the fact that I'm going without DH or the kids! I have to plan everything that happens when I am away! Please share your notes too! We're doing October 2012, so I'd love to hear fall plans!

 

[ryem's mom]

It's almost a year to my trip, March 31-April 5, 2012...I have so many lists that I keep adding to. I am only taking my DH and two teenagers, but these lists have really helped. I also have a Disney box that I have started collecting things (i.e. ponchos, etc) so I don't have to buy everything just before we leave.

Keep the lists coming!!!
http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/dclvcowt78sf4bra.png

 

[Wiloughby1]

It's almost a year to my trip, March 31-April 5, 2012...I have so many lists that I keep adding to. I am only taking my DH and two teenagers, but these lists have really helped. I also have a Disney box that I have started collecting things (i.e. ponchos, etc) so I don't have to buy everything just before we leave.

Keep the lists coming!!!
http://distickers.com/ticker/tickers/dclvcowt78sf4bra.png

I started planning exactly 11 months out, so you're in good company! Love the box. I have a Disney box and a general vacation box year round. It helps me manage my chaos!

 

[Wiloughby1]

Long time no-post, right? It's been a LONG holiday break for me and I haven't had a lot of time to sit at the computer and get my thoughts digitized. But I have been organizing...

Our bags are pretty much packed.They're lined up across a wall in my bedroom in two groups:

Things staying in the car:
2 adult suitcase
2 kid suitcases
Pool Bag
2 big totes (the really big 31 Gifts totes, 1 w/park kits, 1 w/consumable supplies like diapers, milk boxes, etc)
1 double stroller
2 single strollers

Things going in the train cabin:
2 kid backpacks
2 supplies tote bags
1 backpack with electronics
1 healthy back bag
1 soft sided cooler (actually prestored in my fridge with soda and snacks, waiting to add milk and fruit)

Most of the bags are fully packed. Those that aren’t, have Tip #13 written all over them (I’m up to 13, right? Organized stuff, not organized mind!)

Tip #13: Don’t wait until you have every last item to start packing. Pack the bag, and tape a “Missing Item” list on top of the bag.

For example, DH decided he wants to use a new fancy razor. I’m not ready to commit to buying a spare for the travel kit until I know he’s really committed. We’re going to take “the one” and he needs to pack it the morning we leave, after he uses it. So his bag has a bright yellow paper stuck to the side: Jack’s Razor.
The cooler says “Nalgenes of Milk, Ice Packs, Fruit”. Kids’ bags say “Keens”. The electronics bag has the longest list, with the cameras, laptop, and phone chargers we use daily waiting for inclusion. My Healthy Back Bag, that serves as diaper bag, purse, etc when not in the parks (with Baggalini as Wallet) has details like Sunglasses, ID, Credit Cards, etc. The tote with consumables is complete except for Splenda! DD’s backpack says Lovey and Blanket.

No bag goes into the car with a note still attached.

With my last (gasp) 2 days ahead of me, the family calendar has been inundated with notes as well. I use Google calendars for myself in general, but we do have a centrally located family calendar that we can access at any time. On it, I use Tip #14.

Tip #14: Schedule your pre-trip To Do tasks. Put them into lists on your calendar with post-its so you can take the list with you!

Here’s how I do it- This week I had the kids with me Monday and Tuesday, am Working Wednesday, DH and I are both off Thursday, and we leave Friday. My calendar had appts and events written on it, then a small self-stick note on top where I wrote tasks that best correlated with the schedule. See my insanity below:

Monday
(On Calendar) Zoo with friends
(On note) Bank, Pet Store, Home Depot, gather pet supplies, fix vent

Tuesday
(On Calendar) DS eye exam, lunch w/DH (DH is an optometrist, so it was a family day!)
(On note) Library, Call gutter company

Wednesday
(On Calendar) Work, gutters being replaced
(On note) Take tadpoles to school,

Thursday
(On Calendar) DD Dr. appt, Playdate at our house, house sitter meeting
(On note) mow lawn, finish laundry, wash dog, pack cooler, practice loading car*, vacuum car, make a decision about photopass preorder!

Friday
(On Calendar) Royal Wedding, Departure!
(On List) Bank for Cash, Gas for car (no matter how full tank is. Gas is cheaper here!!!)

*I have a fear that everything won’t fit. i always have this fear. I have never had to leave anything behind. It’s just anxiety.

Tip #15: the Get Out the Door Checklist/Schedule

Then we use a Get-Out-The-Door Checklist. There are lots of these around, but I make a new one each time with a full schedule, written backwards. Since we don’t have to leave the house until 11am, we aren’t packing the car the night before.


1:30pm

Arrival Goal at train station. Last Call at 3:00pm

11:00am
Depart from home- Stop for kids’ lunch, gas, bank

10:45am
Load people and perishables into car
Last bags to load:Healthy Back Bag, Cooler

10:30am
Last Call for potty trips and diaper changes
Put dog in crate, lock back door
Put away toys

10:00am
Check Thermostat
Take out trash
Empty dehumidifier tank
Fold and put away laundry

9:00am
Pack car. Account for every bag
4 suitcases
2 large open totes
3 strollers
pool bag
2 train totes
3 backpacks

8:00am
Put laundry in dryer.
Unload dishwasher.
Check each bag’s notes and make sure they are all complete

7:00am
Kids start waking up. Play Royal Wedding on DVR.
Get kids dressed in preselected outfits
Put lovey items in kids’ back packs
Eat breakfast
Pack cooler, then stick back in fridge
DH and I take turns showering
Change sheets for house sitter
Start final load of laundry (with sheets) and run dishwasher

Still adding to these lists of course. There will be lots more on the Tip #14 notes, I’m sure!

Sorry I haven’t gotten around to the kids’ clothes. Maybe I’ll be good enough to post a picture from each day after we get back?

Until I write again....
-Autumn

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

love your tips! and smiled when I saw that the Royal Wedding made it on the calendar!

 

[Wiloughby1]

love your tips! and smiled when I saw that the Royal Wedding made it on the calendar!

Thanks! Can't miss the wedding of the century! I've grown up with a crush on William, and think Kate is truly a fashion icon. I need a reason to wear more feathered hats!

 

[ryem's mom]

Tip #13: Don’t wait until you have every last item to start packing. Pack the bag, and tape a “Missing Item” list on top of the bag.

For example, DH decided he wants to use a new fancy razor. I’m not ready to commit to buying a spare for the travel kit until I know he’s really committed. We’re going to take “the one” and he needs to pack it the morning we leave, after he uses it. So his bag has a bright yellow paper stuck to the side: Jack’s Razor.
The cooler says “Nalgenes of Milk, Ice Packs, Fruit”. Kids’ bags say “Keens”. The electronics bag has the longest list, with the cameras, laptop, and phone chargers we use daily waiting for inclusion. My Healthy Back Bag, that serves as diaper bag, purse, etc when not in the parks (with Baggalini as Wallet) has details like Sunglasses, ID, Credit Cards, etc. The tote with consumables is complete except for Splenda! DD’s backpack says Lovey and Blanket.

No bag goes into the car with a note still attached.

With my last (gasp) 2 days ahead of me, the family calendar has been inundated with notes as well. I use Google calendars for myself in general, but we do have a centrally located family calendar that we can access at any time. On it, I use Tip #14.

Tip #14: Schedule your pre-trip To Do tasks. Put them into lists on your calendar with post-its so you can take the list with you!

Here’s how I do it- This week I had the kids with me Monday and Tuesday, am Working Wednesday, DH and I are both off Thursday, and we leave Friday. My calendar had appts and events written on it, then a small self-stick note on top where I wrote tasks that best correlated with the schedule. See my insanity below:

Monday
(On Calendar) Zoo with friends
(On note) Bank, Pet Store, Home Depot, gather pet supplies, fix vent

Tuesday
(On Calendar) DS eye exam, lunch w/DH (DH is an optometrist, so it was a family day!)
(On note) Library, Call gutter company

Wednesday
(On Calendar) Work, gutters being replaced
(On note) Take tadpoles to school,

Thursday
(On Calendar) DD Dr. appt, Playdate at our house, house sitter meeting
(On note) mow lawn, finish laundry, wash dog, pack cooler, practice loading car*, vacuum car, make a decision about photopass preorder!

Friday
(On Calendar) Royal Wedding, Departure!
(On List) Bank for Cash, Gas for car (no matter how full tank is. Gas is cheaper here!!!)

*I have a fear that everything won’t fit. i always have this fear. I have never had to leave anything behind. It’s just anxiety.

Tip #15: the Get Out the Door Checklist/Schedule

Then we use a Get-Out-The-Door Checklist. There are lots of these around, but I make a new one each time with a full schedule, written backwards. Since we don’t have to leave the house until 11am, we aren’t packing the car the night before.


1:30pm

Arrival Goal at train station. Last Call at 3:00pm

11:00am
Depart from home- Stop for kids’ lunch, gas, bank

10:45am
Load people and perishables into car
Last bags to load:Healthy Back Bag, Cooler

10:30am
Last Call for potty trips and diaper changes
Put dog in crate, lock back door
Put away toys

10:00am
Check Thermostat
Take out trash
Empty dehumidifier tank
Fold and put away laundry

9:00am
Pack car. Account for every bag
4 suitcases
2 large open totes
3 strollers
pool bag
2 train totes
3 backpacks

8:00am
Put laundry in dryer.
Unload dishwasher.
Check each bag’s notes and make sure they are all complete

7:00am
Kids start waking up. Play Royal Wedding on DVR.
Get kids dressed in preselected outfits
Put lovey items in kids’ back packs
Eat breakfast
Pack cooler, then stick back in fridge
DH and I take turns showering
Change sheets for house sitter
Start final load of laundry (with sheets) and run dishwasher

Still adding to these lists of course. There will be lots more on the Tip #14 notes, I’m sure!

Sorry I haven’t gotten around to the kids’ clothes. Maybe I’ll be good enough to post a picture from each day after we get back?

Until I write again....
-Autumn

Autumn, I love tips 13-15...love the idea of the sticky notes on the bags. And writing everything that needs to be done the last few days before you leave.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

 

[marlyjuice]

I love to read about your trips! Very interesting and informative!

 

[mickeymaniac77]

Wow, you rock mama!
Your lists are really helpful! I'm leaving in 6 days and am so not ready. My sole goal this whole week is to get ready. thanks!

 

[CAROLINE4]

Cant wait for your other tips this is a fab bit of info!!!
im really nervous for this trip cause its our first family holiday to wdw at xmas without the rest of our family (sisters, brother, parents etc) i will be following all your tips seeing as though i dont have the others to rely on if i forget somethin! x

 

[kt3119]

Just wanted to check in and see how the vacation went!!! I hope all went well, but I can't imagine anything did with all of your amazing planning!

 

[Betty Breed]

This post is great! I learned some cool tips. Thanks

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Bump!! I thought we should pull this thread out again, since it was so helpful last year. I see a lot of packing threads, and we pretty much broke down the best packing tips last year, so...here they are! Where did Willoughby1 go???

 

[Wiloughby1]

Work got busy this year- right after our Disney trip I was sent to Israel for two weeks, but I'm around. Our next family trip is just 5 months away. And I'm doing DLR solo at the end of a business trip in June!

I'll start revising, hopefully this week. I also have a neglected thread on the Disign board because I am doing adventure packs for my kids each morning before the parks.

Plans to cover:
1. A mom's trip away
2. Our first DIAPER free trip- BY CAR!!!

Keep reminding me! I need to learn how to make chapters on the first page for easy viewing.

 

[Rachandgarry]

Hiya

What a wonderful thread this is - and such brilliant tips. I do things in a very similar way, and love the feeling of being organised - and finding new tips is like winning the lottery lol!

A couple of things I do that are similar but slightly different:

(Just for info, we are 2 adults and a 6 year old boy who has autism so isn't reliable with toileting or mess-free eating lol. We have a special needs stroller with us in the park.)

In the park with us, we have 4 bags in total:

Bag a: flat, waterproof plastic (usually like one of the bags you buy toys in). This has our light cardigans in, in case it gets chilly in the a/c restaurants, plus a change of clothes for DS. If it looks like a wet day or we are going somewhere with a splash zone or water ride, we also have an additional wet pack here. It goes under the buggy, along with the sunshade and raincover.

Bag b: messenger style bag, contains all stuff like waterproofs, sunglasses, hats, first aid kit, medicines etc, drinks, snacks. This hangs on the stroller back.

Bag c: small handbag style, but that has great compartments and will have camera, video camera, wallet, keycards, tickets, phones etc.

Bag d: this is a small waterproof rucksack which has DS' home-made autograph book in, his travel journal and any toys, glowsticks etc for the day (he is allowed access to that at set points, when we need distractions lol)

The reason we do it this way, is so that on rides, we don't have to take everything with us. Obviously, I don't want anything taken, but we'd never fit it all on the rides, so we leave bags a and b with the stroller, just taking bags c and d on to the rides.

Doing it this way each day also means everyone knows where to find stuff, easily and without any fuss.

I've just ordered some packing cubes, so I'll let you know how well they work!

Rachel x

 

[dromio42]

Oh thank goodness.....I thought I was the only one....
Thanks for posting this! We do the auto train too and I use the XXL ziplocks to carry on pillows! I also tape my 'out the door check off list' to the back door so I wont forget.