Stressed out about packing

[MayzDisney4]

We leave in 15 days for a 9 day trip. Normally I am packed well in advance, but with the holidays that was a little harder to do. I thought waiting until now would make the time go faster. Now I am stressed out.

We normally go in the warmer weather. We have gone in Nov/Dec before, packing short sleeve shirts and pants.. But this trip I am so worried about what to pack. The recent cold snap that Orlando is getting is making me want to pack more for the cold.

we will already have jackets, cause we are in a cold winter in PA right now. So to get into the airport we will need jackets.

So I am thinking for the kids - packing pants and 2 shirts (long and short sleeves, they can layer each day)... Then they will have their jackets also.

Does that sound like enough?

 

[mom2clr]

I have no advice for you, but wanted to let you know I feel your agony. It seems the best thing to do is take clothes that make it easy to layer.

I hate waiting until the last minute to pack, but looks like I may have to wait til at least next week before cracking out the suitcase.

I'm from NJ, so I'll take Orlando's "cold" over ours!

 

[design_mom]

I'm having trouble figuring out what to pack, too. We leave in 10 days. I was planning capris, t-shirts and a sweater for DDs (layers, as you said)... but now I'm not sure that will be enough!

I'm also beginning to feel a little panicked about packing. Like you, I waited till the holidays were over, now I've come down with a nasty cold. I keep telling myself "better to be sick now, than in 10 days" but I don't feel like doing any packing.

Sorry I wasn't any help, but I wanted you to know you're not alone. Weird weather throws a wrench into things. (In good news, the 10 day forecast on weather.com looks like the weather is expected to return to more "normal" temperatures. Let's hope!)

 

[TinkerBelle920]

Same situation here I guess I am going to wait until a week out to pack clothes because of the weather situation right now. I did already pack all of our Disney "essentuals" such as autograph book, stitch backpack, pins, hand sanitizer, ect.

 

[Heidijs]

Same here, we leave in a few weeks and I guess I'm basically going to bring my regular Minnesota clothes with...a few t-shirts/tanks, a pair of Capris and maybe a couple pairs of shorts but the rest will be jeans and long sleeve shirts. I'll toss in our flip flops too but honestly, if it actually hit the 80s while we're there, I could still handle wearing my jeans as it'll cool off in the late afternoon anyway. I'm not forseeing HOT days in January down there and if they are, then I have a couple pairs of shorts for it. I figure we could always hit the laundromat at the resort if we have to...or buy more clothes!

 

[mom2d&b]

Layers as others have already mentioned. We live 3 hours south of the mouse and are heading to the castle tomorrow for the weekend. My kids normally live in shorts no matter how cold it is and this week they are digging for pants to wear to school. For this weekends trip they did pack some short sleeve shirts but also long sleeves to wear underneath and sweatshirts and jackets. They did not pack any shorts at all. I did throw in a pair of pants for them that unzip to become shorts. This way they will have an extra pair of bottoms that can be shorts or pants.

My parents live 1 hour south of the parks and they had frost on their car windows when they woke up today.

Remember, in Orlando, typically it is much colder early in the am and when the sun goes down. During the day it does warm up ( as long as there is not too much wind). Right now I am listening to the weather and they just indicated we are about 20 degrees below normal .

Have a great trip, and remember, worst case hit the outlets for more clothes.

 

[mommy2princesses0309]

We leave on Saturday and this morning I questioned whether I should take out the bathing suits, the flip flops, and the one pair of shorts I packed for DH and DD each. I decided to keep them in but in my heart I know we won't use them This morning I put hats and gloves in the suitcase just in case and DD said "I have to wear gloves in Florida?! Do I have to wear my coat too?" Poor kid

I checked the weather this morning and it's supposed to be mid-60s by Tuesday or Wednesday so it's not going to be THAT bad, it's going to be 29 here!!!

And one way to look on the bright side ... cooler weather means a new Disney sweatshirt when I *forget* mine at home

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

I know the feeling!! We leave in 16 days, and I'm usually done with packing by this time. My husband keeps asking me if I'm sick because I haven't packed anything yet I just don't know what to pack for us, and our DD. I'm definitely planning on layers, but I want to wait until we get closer and I can see the 10 day forecast for our entire trip. In any case, I'm just looking forward to what is sure to be warmer than the 15 degree "real feel" temps that we have right now

Hang in there guys! It sounds like we're almost there!!

 

[kohlby]

We leave in 16 days for a 1.5 week long trip ourselves! I'm in SC/GA so I'm used to our confused winters. No matter what the 10 day forcast says, pack at least one pair of shorts and one hat/gloves. That way you're covered for both extremes. FL is warmer than us. But we can have a 73 day followed by a below freezing day in January. It's quite normal for us. This long cold snap is not! It looks like it's supposed to return to more normal in a week -but it's still possible to have those super cold days mixed with hot days.

 

[MayzDisney4]

I am so glad I am not alone in how I feel. A few made a good point, no matter what, its warmer than home (today we are supposed to get up to 32, but Saturday our high will be 26, brrr)! And our last trip was June last year and we had 104+ heat index everyday we were there. Despite my kids drinking tons of water, the heat still got to them and they both got sick. So the chilly is better than hot..


My other concern is it being chilly in the restaurants.

And I am thinking of throwing a blanket under the stroller in case my 3 year old falls asleep while in the stroller. (my kids have a tendency to sleep through fireworks)

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

I am so glad I am not alone in how I feel. A few made a good point, no matter what, its warmer than home (today we are supposed to get up to 32, but Saturday our high will be 26, brrr)! And our last trip was June last year and we had 104+ heat index everyday we were there. Despite my kids drinking tons of water, the heat still got to them and they both got sick. So the chilly is better than hot..

My other concern is it being chilly in the restaurants.
And I am thinking of throwing a blanket under the stroller in case my 3 year old falls asleep while in the stroller. (my kids have a tendency to sleep through fireworks)

Same thing with our daughter--we definitely plan on bringing one of those fleece throws, even if she's awake. We do have one of those toddler-aged "bundle me's" that fit over the stroller, and are like little fleece cocoons, but she wasn't a fan of it last winter, so I don't know how much she'll like it this time around. Plus, and I know this is weird of me, but her feet are completely inside the fleece cocoon, which is great for warmth, but if she's been walking around, and it's muddy/snowy/wet, then the inside gets all gross. I probably think too much into these things, since that's what they're for, but ah well

 

[Heidijs]

I'm more stressed about how many carry on bags to take. I still can't decide! At least two for DH and me but not sure about DD4. I could do on carry on for her with all her stuff in but I want room for stuff we buy on the way back too. Maybe I'll buy a couple Disney bags down there or a carry on Disney bag

 

[MayzDisney4]

And I think it doesn't help that I technically can't pack until right before. Since we actually need to wear our pants. So I am trying to wash everything today so I can make the list.

 

[MayzDisney4]

Plus, and I know this is weird of me, but her feet are completely inside the fleece cocoon, which is great for warmth, but if she's been walking around, and it's muddy/snowy/wet, then the inside gets all gross. I probably think too much into these things, since that's what they're for, but ah well

I am the same way.
My daughter (7) wants to bring her snuggie, lol. Thinking maybe not a bad idea while waiting for the fireworks and stuff. Or even on the plane!

 

[MayzDisney4]

I'm more stressed about how many carry on bags to take. I still can't decide! At least two for DH and me but not sure about DD4. I could do on carry on for her with all her stuff in but I want room for stuff we buy on the way back too. Maybe I'll buy a couple Disney bags down there or a carry on Disney bag

We each have a large suitcase, which was enough for a 2 week disney trip, so I am thinking they should be big enough for this 9 day trip. We usually fly southwest, so bags are free. but we are flying air tran this time, I dislike having to pay for bags, but no choice in the matter. It actually still ends up being cheaper than Southwest was.

It never hurts to buy a few disney bags while down there : ) I am trying to think of something to forget so I can buy it when we get there,

 

[stinkerbellsmommy]

We're flying Airtran this time around too, so we're trying to cram everything into one checked bag, and the carry-ons. At least that's the theory, we'll see how it actually works out once I start packing. I did tell DH to get the luggage out, and I'd start throwing stuff in there so we can see how it goes. We bought a rolling duffel the last time we were there, that folds pretty compactly, so he wants to cram it in the bag for the way there, in case we buy extra things on the way back. Can't blame him for being prepared for purchases Don't know how successful we'll be with 2 adults & one toddler cramming into one checked back for a 8 day/7 night trip, but I guess we'll see

 

[rubato]

We will be there at the same time you are (leaving in 13 days) and I finally started getting down to real packing yesterday.

I only have 1 child, but with in park items, snacks, metal water bottles, things to keep him entertained in the room, electronics, etc..... I really started stressing as well. We're up to 4 checked bags for 3 people! That's insane. Of course, we have 1 suitcase just with stuffed animals (what can I say, I'm a sucker). He bought them at DW over his lifetime and thinks they all need to visit their home. Cute, so I fell for it!

For clothing, I'm packing:
2 pr pants each (3 for me cause I'm special)
2 or 3 pr shorts each (I'm being optimistic)
light jackets that we'll wear from home
5 or 6 short sleeved shirts
2 or 3 long sleeved shirts (can be layered under or over short ones)
1 sweater each
Keens, flip flops and tennies for each (and Uggs for me)
gloves and hats just in case (and they don't take up any room)
bathing suits because we'll swim no matter what
cover ups and towels

I keep looking at the weather and hoping. We've been 2 other times in the winter and were fortunate enough to wear shorts every day.

Good luck getting it together!

 

[Heidijs]

We're flying Airtran this time around too, so we're trying to cram everything into one checked bag, and the carry-ons. At least that's the theory, we'll see how it actually works out once I start packing. I did tell DH to get the luggage out, and I'd start throwing stuff in there so we can see how it goes. We bought a rolling duffel the last time we were there, that folds pretty compactly, so he wants to cram it in the bag for the way there, in case we buy extra things on the way back. Can't blame him for being prepared for purchases Don't know how successful we'll be with 2 adults & one toddler cramming into one checked back for a 8 day/7 night trip, but I guess we'll see

Don't forget the 50 lb weight limit! We have HUGE hard sided bags we check and both DH and I went to Vegas last year and we both needed our own plus we drug carry ons back with goodies. Not sure where my DD's stuff is going to go! Nice thing about a 4 year old, their clothing takes up hardly any room. I plan on getting those space saver bags and see how that helps. I'm going to try some trial runs with packing before we go too. That way I'll know if we need a 3rd checked bag or not...we don't really want to lug a 3rd bag through the airport though either...

 

[MayzDisney4]

looking back at our trip in June, I think we should be ok with our 4 suitcases. We are not renting a car this time, so don't need a booster for DD. We are taking our swim suits too, We can try to swim during the day while the sun is out at least once!

Here are our suitcases before we left for 2 weeks in Disney.
http://a-mayzingus.blogspot.com/2009/06/suitcases-are-packed.html


Now thinking about the airport and packing the suitcases and not being over the weight limit are stressing me out. I gotta stop, lol...

I am bringing flip flops for myself, I don't care how cold, I love my flip flops.
For kids I am bring sneakers and a pair of crocs each, I think. My mom is having a fit because my DD will be wearing sneakers with her dresses. But she needs comfy shoes to walk in and has braces in her shoes that she really should wear when she does a lot of walking. (wait until my mom sees some of the funky outfits my DD has picked out, lol shoes with dresses will be the least of her worries)

I just feel so unprepared for this trip. I usually make some tie dyed shirts, autograph books, etc.. I have nothing made. I did order pins for my DD and DS to trade..

 

[TinkerBelle920]

looking back at our trip in June, I think we should be ok with our 4 suitcases. We are not renting a car this time, so don't need a booster for DD. We are taking our swim suits too, We can try to swim during the day while the sun is out at least once!

Here are our suitcases before we left for 2 weeks in Disney.
http://a-mayzingus.blogspot.com/2009/06/suitcases-are-packed.html


Now thinking about the airport and packing the suitcases and not being over the weight limit are stressing me out. I gotta stop, lol...

I am bringing flip flops for myself, I don't care how cold, I love my flip flops.
For kids I am bring sneakers and a pair of crocs each, I think. My mom is having a fit because my DD will be wearing sneakers with her dresses. But she needs comfy shoes to walk in and has braces in her shoes that she really should wear when she does a lot of walking. (wait until my mom sees some of the funky outfits my DD has picked out, lol shoes with dresses will be the least of her worries)

I just feel so unprepared for this trip. I usually make some tie dyed shirts, autograph books, etc.. I have nothing made. I did order pins for my DD and DS to trade..

I went crazy this week with the cold front and decided we all needed the fur lined crocs for the trip in addition to our regular crocs so I went online and bought 5 pairs. Watch in 2 weeks it will be in the 70's again and I will not even need them!