Unpacking on vacation...?

[DSNY4ever]

Okay, now have to ask- How many of you actually unpack in your hotel room? Do you take everything out of your bag? Do you actually use the closet or the dresser?

This is our usual routine- DH and I open up our suitcase and when we need to take things out things get set on the open lid and then we usually close the bag before leaving the room (or at least we flip the lip over the open bag). And each of our toiletry bags are set by the sink. That's about it.

I know it is easy because we don't have kids, and we usually do a split stay (we love to experience different resorts, it's half the fun of a WDW vacation!). But we only do that if we have a long trip of 10 days or more.

Heck, in Europe we usually move hotels/cities every 2-3 days! And yes, that is a pain, but you sort of have to do it if you want to see stuff over there.

 

[FireDancer]

I usually leave everything in the suitcase. If I am traveling for something like a wedding or anything I will dress up for I take that clothing out and make sure it is ironed but it is rare I travel for anything like that.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We unpack almost everything. I usually have a few things in my Owner's Locker that stay there and alot of the bathroom items are left in the toiletry kits but we do use the closet and dresser drawers.

 

[jeanigor]

When staying at a hotel, I rarely unpack. There is no benefit for me to unpack.
On the cruise, I found it helpful as I could ditch the suitcases under the bed. I suppose I could have left the clothes in the bags there too though.
When staying at a vacation home, I usually do. But I spend more time there than I would in a hotel room, so I want it to feel more like a lived in space.

 

[bigmoonmullen]

We live out of our suitcases. May hang a shirt or two up... but then I'm always worried that I will forget them.

 

[LMO429]

I unpack..I have one of those suitcases where you hang your clothes up in the luggage. its easy I just grab them by the hangers put them in the closet and Im done.

 

[Becx N Gav]

We unpack everything - unless it's one night - but we tend to stay for a few nights at WDW.
For a cruise we unpack too, makes it easier to find stuff. For the PCC we'll probably just open one suitcase and leave one under the bed with bits we won't need.

 

[corky441]

I unpack everything.

When I pack though, I pack for the unpacking. Everything is put in the suitcases in piles. When I have to unpack, I can just grab the individual piles and put them in the dresser drawers - left side for me - right side for DH

 

[auroralark]

We tend to live out of our suitcases too. I think on our honeymoon I unpacked (we were there for 11 days) but other than that...I don't really see the point.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

I unpack and use the empty suit case as the hamper, so we kind of repack as we go.

 

[LoriABil]

I unpack myself and the kiddo. DH lives out of his suitcase, except hanging his shirts (except Ts). It just makes it easier when DS can get his own stuff without emptying his suitcase!

 

[aggielawyer]

I didn't used to unpack, but now I do if I'm going to be there for several days (probably more than three). I don't like having to dig through my suitcase to find stuff.

 

[dalt01]

we dont unpack much.........have a plastic bag in the corner for dirty clothes......we do laundry twice during an 8 nite stay..........when we get in at nite i iron my stuff for the next day and wife does hers and daughters, then we hang that stuff up and we lay out all the socks and such for the next day. all meds go in the safe..........i travel with vicodin and wife travels with darvocet and i feel very strongly that it would be a great temptation to the cleaning staff.

 

[mainegal]

For just a couple nights, everything stay in the suitcase.

Longer than than that, I put thing in the drawers provided.

I once stayed at a place that had a kitchen, whirlpool tub, king sized bed, a closet, a great view of the Bay of Fundy -but no dresser or any sort of drawes for storing cothing!

 

[Thumper_Man]

It all depends on how long we're staying. If we're staying 1-3 nights, we'll just live out of the suitcase. More than this, we'll use the dresser drawers/closets if available. Once we're done wearing what we're going to wear each day, we'll repack them back into our suitcase right away. This way, when it's time to pack up and go home, we don't have so much packing to do; and for forgetful people like me, helps me keep track of what is still clean and what is dirty.

On a business trip, I will usually unpack as well. I usually have to dress-up for meetings and what not; and will take a change of clothes for afterwards. Something I'm more comfortable in. So for me, it means taking more clothes. I really can't stand being in a suit and tie all day.

 

[mdvlprof]

Hang up dressy stuff that wrinkles. Pull out bathrom stuff. The rest stays in suitcase.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I used to leave everything in the suitcase, but it got to be confusing. With all the clothes in there, it was hard to find other essential things.
I often do a split stay of one night here, and 7 nights there.
I don't unpack anything much for that single night. When I get to my 7 night place, I unpack ALL the clothes. I use the drawers, too. This leaves my suitcase for all the other non-clothing items, which stay there. It is amazing, that just with the non-clothing items in my suitcase, it seems FULL.
I now keep a lot of the toiletries in a long, flexible shoe storage pouch that hangs from a door. That helps a lot!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

For me, it really depends on the length and type of trip. If I am there on a regular vacation of at least six days, I'll unpack. If it's any shorter than that (like my DAP trip or a quick Food & Wine trip), I will pretty much live out of a suitcase like the OP described.

Earlier in the summer I read a post on the DIS about e-bag packing cubes which would eliminate ever having to unpack. I bought them and am very eager to use them!

 

[kaligal]

I unpack. It's just easier for me...a place for everything and everything in its place.

I also clean. The rooms are generally cleaner when I leave than when I arrive.

 

[miprender]

We always unpack. But the draws are really cramped since there are 5 of us in the room and I always seem to pack too much.