What's your special trick for an Organized family vacation?

[butterfly71076]

My biggest thing is we always unpack everything from our suitcases. That way as soon as you take off dirty clothes, they get folded back into the suitcase. No more rushing to pack on your last night. All your clothes are already packed.

 

[rentayenta]

This is by no means a trick but it seems to work in decreasing any chaos. Everybody knows they'll get to do their favorites and they also know it won't be in any particular order. When DS was about 5, I stopped asking for opinions and decided to do all of the planning with regard to touring the parks. It alleviates bickering and stress.

 

[DisneyLindsay]

I love the tips, keep em coming!!

I have some more. I buy locker shelves from the dollar store, if you buy the more expensive ones you can use them over and over. I put them over the faucet section of the vanity or in between the 2 sinks. This works great for optimizing space, but also makes a great drying rack for sippy cups, or refillable mugs. IT makes the space issue soo much better!

I also pack a make-up bag ( usually bought at a dollar store too) with mini forks and spoons for the trip. I find the restaurant ones way to big for the toddlers in our family. This way they can feed themselves without hurting themselves and I put them back in a zip lock baggie and wash them in the evening.

As Far as the sippy cups go, I LOVE the Thermos Funtainers. I make sure each child has 2 for the trip. I fill one every morning with Ice and water, for each child...in the middle of the afternoon, the ice is still going strong! That makes my LIfe soo much easier without whining and milk/juice going off on a long hot day in the parks!

We also use mini plastic baskets to put on top of the Dresser. THis way keys, change and other small items go right there instead of all over the place!


Also if you want wine in your room...DO NOT forget the cork screw!! LOL VERY IMPORTANT!!!

 

[acebatonfan]

I admit, I have also found a few of my own travel tips over my vacation lifetime.

Having a semi-permanent travel toiletries bag is pretty important to me. I ended up getting mine pretty cheap at Target, and it has three large pouches for all my necessities. I just throw in some new deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, etc, and leave it in there until it runs out. Before I leave, I then throw in the makeup I want to use, and just throw the whole thing into my suitcase. When I come home, I take the empty stuff and my makeup out, replace the empty stuff with new stuff, and just hang the bag back into my closet. No longer have to worry about forgetting those tiny travel-sized toothpastes or anything else, and it's easy to hang it in the bathroom and minimizes space used.

Buy clothing smartly. Especially during the summer, I wear a lot of tank tops and camis with built in bras. And when it comes to Disney, I just throw those in, and they easily serve as something cool enough to wear to the parks, something I can wear to bed that night, and undergarments for the day. I also re-use a lot of my shirts while at Disney, so I may only have to pack four or five shirts for an eight day trip. Of course, if something should happen, I can always go out and get myself a Disney t-shirt that I like.

When I know what I will be doing during the trip, I immediately create a small spreadsheet for it with the park opening/closing times, EMH, and any ressies for that day. I then laminate it and stick it in my purse for quick access. I have also found it useful to set an alarm on my phone for important things, like when I needed to call my chaperone at a certain time during the day or when I needed to start leaving to catch the bus for competitions.

 

[Carina]

aaahhhh my favorite things in liferganization, lists,and tips!! Really... I live for this stuff!!

I have some of the same tips as mentioned earlier-hanging shoe bag for whatever will fit in it, power strip (don't know how I vacationed without it!!), pop-up hamper.

I try to keep track between our trips of when products are running low.For example, if a shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, anything like that is almost empty except for maybe a few more uses, it goes in a travel rubbermaid, or a large ziplock/hefty bag. I try to have enough to last us all for the week we are there--usually by the end of the trip we have used it all up and if it's not empty, there usually isn't enough in there to mess with!! so, in the trash it goes and I don't have to pack it back up!!!



I started shipping things when the kids were small--diapers, wipes, pull-ups, I would pack and ship. I still do a box or two...we don't usually eat a big breakfast so I pack brkfst bars or muffins or something small, even a small box of Cheerios. Also, I pack a package of apple juices or something for in the morning. I take all that, our toiletries,power strip, med kit (aspirin, band-aids,etc) anything that'll fit in the box and ship it to the resort.Last trip it cost me $35 at the UPS store. The only thing out of that box I brought home was the power strip and some meds...everything else got eaten or used up!!!




Ok, this tip I got from a mom of the pass porter threads,...we have done this for several years now and my kids LOVE this. It's more of a tradition now than a need since they are older. It's snack baggies. Yep..snack baggies. I love even saying that--it's sooo Disney trip around my house. If I mention Disney, they ask if I am doing snack baggies--if I say Snack Baggies-they say DISNEY!!!!

So, here's the skinny on that. I pack a ziplock bag for each of us, for each day of our trip. So, 5 per day for us. On the front I sharpie each of our names and the day of the week i.e., Mom-Monday , Mom-Tuesday and so on. So, for our crew if we do a 7 day trip we have 35 baggies= I do one for travel day and departure day as well. I just allot how many small snacks each of us get per day...it was really great when the kids were little and the times between meals seemed so long for them.

You just use whatever size baggies and however much snack stuff your family likes. Usually in a bag I put a small box of raisins, or a small pack of trail mix; one or two bags of individually wrapped candies like M&Ms or something, some Starburst, or smarties...whatever your bunch fancies, and about 2-4 stix of gum. This is great because I am not digging for gum at the bottom of my bag all day, and it limits how much they get. Often they want one after lunch and dinner and don't even get to the other piece or two left in their bag.

I can not tell y'all what a lifesaver this has been. And when it's empty it's over--no begging, whining, or 'He got more than me today',...it's even, it's equal and it's just enough. Now, they can trade between them, like a starburst for a smartie but when they are finished no more. We don't eat lots of candy, or even have candy on hand at home a lot, but when they see so much at a vacation place and ice cream, and fudge, and snacks everywhere, it's not such a big deal if they have their own little stash! They love it. And you can do the same stuff every day, or make each day have diff candy/snacks in them.



OH!! Something else I ship is detergent and dryer sheets...we are sensitive to a lot of detergent and I can't use the Tide and stuff available there, so I pack some and ship that in my box also--& it's something else I use up while there.



Clothespins: for hanging wet stuff and clamping the curtains in the room if you need it pitch dark to sleep. I do!! Of course, it's super hard getting up in the morning when it's dark as a tomb, but we like it!


I do a print out from the WDW website with each of my daily ADRs on it...I write anything I need pertaining to that day on there and just bring it in my bag. Mainly just to have that Conf # in case the need arises. Then at the end of the day I throw that away too. (Gosh, I throw a lot away don't I)



I always have the kids pack a backpack for the plane with their stuff in it--a book, a game, DS,whatever, a snack baggie, and a bathing suit. That way if they want to hit the pool when we get to the resort, they aren't waiting on luggage--we use the ME. And I don't have to carry all of it,..the older they get, the more efficient they have become and are great little packers.



I also use the packing cubes and envelopes. It really revolutionizes how you pack!! I try to bring a few of the hangers that you get at the dry cleaners. Mainly for our light jackets/cardigans, sundresses or a couple pair of jeans. These hangers I leave for the next mom to use!!! What they allow is never enough for a family of 5!!



This year we are bringing a WDW gift card that will be used exclusively for tips at the restaurants. Also, for extras like the soups that aren't included but we always long for!! And if we have any left over on the card, it'll go toward purchases on our last day.



A great thing for our family has been to allot the kids a $ amount and a shopping time.We usually go to DTD toward the end of the trip for souvenirs. They keep their eyes open all week to things they might want, then decide at the end. I think this year I will give them a WDW gift card of their own for this--before we just paid for it all at once, but I know they would like this better.



A disposable camera for the kids...they can take pics of whatever they like, and when they use it up it's done!! then we take it to get developed when we get back and they are thrilled with the pictures they have taken!

Sorry had to break it down to read it, it was many useful tips all smooshed into one big blue block of text ... thought it may help others too

 

[Snow Shoe]

When it's more then the two of us going, that usually means 12+ family members are with us so being organized is a must. We are usually staying in a GV or two, two bdrm villas at BWV's our home DVC resort. We take a dry erase board and marker to write on about the next days plans, events and what table service we're all eating at that night and time. We also use it to leave mesages for others in the group.

We also bring extra plastic hangers and clothesline clips for washing in the villa(s).

 

[DisneyLindsay]

Anyone else have some good tips?

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We drive down and are huge fans of the pop up laundry container.

Also DD is old enough (12) so she likes to 'pick out' her clothes each day. I put all of her (and my) underwear in large zip lock bags so it's easily located. She's a quick decision maker so that's not an issue.

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We drive down and are huge fans of the pop up laundry container.

Also DD is old enough (12) so she likes to 'pick out' her clothes each day. I put all of her (and my) underwear in large zip lock bags so it's easily located. She's a quick decision maker so that's not an issue.

I do that too,..I put each of our undies in ziplock bags in each persons suitcase--especially if they are going thru baggage check--would rather them pick up the bag than our undies if they searched our bags. I do socks too just to keep them all together....

We need more tips!!!!

 

[goteamwood]

Bring some coke lids from a fast food restaurant and use them to keep ice cream from dripping down the hands of the little ones. Just put the ice cream stick through the place the straw would normal go and it catches all the messy ice cream.

This is BRILLIANT. Totally doing this.

 

[hgeisler]

Concerning the diapers...I always packed enough in a carry on to our destination. Then bought them when we got there. Diapers take up a lot of suitcase space. That way,when you go home,you'll have enough diapers for the trip home,and you won't have to take up suitcase space

 

[ARAITHEL]

Great thread

 

[DisneyLindsay]

The storage at POR seems to be rather limited, (Even with a full Dresser at CBR, our family was limited) We buy the closet hanging shelf organizers...they fit over the closet pole, and give a crazy amount of space, plus they fold flat for easy packing.

Each night I lay out the clothes for the following day in one of the shelves for each person.

I never forget the over the door hooks for added hanging storage...great for hanging life jackets.

Another tip we have found with Driving, is to leave our stroller in the trunk part of the Van, rather than in the room each night...takes up way too much room! so easy to just pop it in the van when we are done at the bus!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I have my big 3-ring planning binder with all of our park plans, ADR's, etc., but this stays either at the rental house or in the car. I write down each day's touring plans and ADR confirmation numbers on index cards, and laminate them. I then hole punch them and put them on a key ring. This goes in my park bag.

 

[DisneyLindsay]

I have my big 3-ring planning binder with all of our park plans, ADR's, etc., but this stays either at the rental house or in the car. I write down each day's touring plans and ADR confirmation numbers on index cards, and laminate them. I then hole punch them and put them on a key ring. This goes in my park bag.

That is a great Idea, I have been making our itinerary up on Excel, and planned on laminatng it. I will definitely use your ring idea! I love it!

 

[luvmylatte]

Love the over the door shoe organizer for toiletries. Makes the vanity area soo much cleaner.

I bring my Tassimo so I eliminate the coffee run on the busy mornings. Much better Coffee also...can't stand most of the Disney coffee....

I bring the Purex all in one laundry sheets..makes doing laundry soo much easier.

I also bring a pop up laundry hamper one for laundry and another to keep shoes in the room.

I've got many more...What are yours? I'm sure I could really use a few new ideas!!

Wow....I love the shoe hanger idea. Staying at PoP is great but for two females counter space is at a minimum. I am definitely bringing this with me and not telling my mom till we get there. I will look so smart.....but I will definitely five the boards the credit.

 

[luvmylatte]

Might not be an organization tip, but it is a good one. Do not pack your medications in your luggage. Put them in your purse or your carry on. Once the luggage is checked it is gone till you get to your destination. If your flight is delayed for some reason you will be without medications you may need during the hours you thought you would be at your destination. Also if that bag is lost.....YIKES.

Second tip I found was that a diaper bag makes a terrific carry on. I have a Lands End bag with lots of pockets and it opens WIDE so I can see what I need. Lots of room, sturdy and it looks like luggage not a diaper bag.

 

[Disney Doll]

Bring a power squid to plug in all the things that need charging, and keep them all in one place.

Unpack your suitcase completely when you first arrive (it really only takes about 5 minutes) and then put the dirty clothes into it every night. When it's time to leave, you're pretty much all packed. If you need to do laundry mid-trip, just roll the suitcase to the laundry area. Then you don't have to carry extra pop-up hampers etc.

I have these little hooks that are like clip clothespins but they have a top that is curved like a clotheshanger, so they can loop over a shower rod. I always bring those to hang a little something that may need to drip dry. I got them at the local dollar store.

I always bring Ziplocs bags. They are good for a multitude of uses.

We don't have kids, so we travel light to the parks. I just have a small purse that goes across my body. I carry glasses, money, necessary cards, and sunscreen.

 

[cancersucks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disney Mommy 3

aaahhhh my favorite things in liferganization, lists,and tips!! Really... I live for this stuff!!

I have some of the same tips as mentioned earlier-hanging shoe bag for whatever will fit in it, power strip (don't know how I vacationed without it!!), pop-up hamper.

I try to keep track between our trips of when products are running low.For example, if a shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, anything like that is almost empty except for maybe a few more uses, it goes in a travel rubbermaid, or a large ziplock/hefty bag. I try to have enough to last us all for the week we are there--usually by the end of the trip we have used it all up and if it's not empty, there usually isn't enough in there to mess with!! so, in the trash it goes and I don't have to pack it back up!!!



I started shipping things when the kids were small--diapers, wipes, pull-ups, I would pack and ship. I still do a box or two...we don't usually eat a big breakfast so I pack brkfst bars or muffins or something small, even a small box of Cheerios. Also, I pack a package of apple juices or something for in the morning. I take all that, our toiletries,power strip, med kit (aspirin, band-aids,etc) anything that'll fit in the box and ship it to the resort.Last trip it cost me $35 at the UPS store. The only thing out of that box I brought home was the power strip and some meds...everything else got eaten or used up!!!




Ok, this tip I got from a mom of the pass porter threads,...we have done this for several years now and my kids LOVE this. It's more of a tradition now than a need since they are older. It's snack baggies. Yep..snack baggies. I love even saying that--it's sooo Disney trip around my house. If I mention Disney, they ask if I am doing snack baggies--if I say Snack Baggies-they say DISNEY!!!!

So, here's the skinny on that. I pack a ziplock bag for each of us, for each day of our trip. So, 5 per day for us. On the front I sharpie each of our names and the day of the week i.e., Mom-Monday , Mom-Tuesday and so on. So, for our crew if we do a 7 day trip we have 35 baggies= I do one for travel day and departure day as well. I just allot how many small snacks each of us get per day...it was really great when the kids were little and the times between meals seemed so long for them.

You just use whatever size baggies and however much snack stuff your family likes. Usually in a bag I put a small box of raisins, or a small pack of trail mix; one or two bags of individually wrapped candies like M&Ms or something, some Starburst, or smarties...whatever your bunch fancies, and about 2-4 stix of gum. This is great because I am not digging for gum at the bottom of my bag all day, and it limits how much they get. Often they want one after lunch and dinner and don't even get to the other piece or two left in their bag.

I can not tell y'all what a lifesaver this has been. And when it's empty it's over--no begging, whining, or 'He got more than me today',...it's even, it's equal and it's just enough. Now, they can trade between them, like a starburst for a smartie but when they are finished no more. We don't eat lots of candy, or even have candy on hand at home a lot, but when they see so much at a vacation place and ice cream, and fudge, and snacks everywhere, it's not such a big deal if they have their own little stash! They love it. And you can do the same stuff every day, or make each day have diff candy/snacks in them.



OH!! Something else I ship is detergent and dryer sheets...we are sensitive to a lot of detergent and I can't use the Tide and stuff available there, so I pack some and ship that in my box also--& it's something else I use up while there.



Clothespins: for hanging wet stuff and clamping the curtains in the room if you need it pitch dark to sleep. I do!! Of course, it's super hard getting up in the morning when it's dark as a tomb, but we like it!


I do a print out from the WDW website with each of my daily ADRs on it...I write anything I need pertaining to that day on there and just bring it in my bag. Mainly just to have that Conf # in case the need arises. Then at the end of the day I throw that away too. (Gosh, I throw a lot away don't I)



I always have the kids pack a backpack for the plane with their stuff in it--a book, a game, DS,whatever, a snack baggie, and a bathing suit. That way if they want to hit the pool when we get to the resort, they aren't waiting on luggage--we use the ME. And I don't have to carry all of it,..the older they get, the more efficient they have become and are great little packers.



I also use the packing cubes and envelopes. It really revolutionizes how you pack!! I try to bring a few of the hangers that you get at the dry cleaners. Mainly for our light jackets/cardigans, sundresses or a couple pair of jeans. These hangers I leave for the next mom to use!!! What they allow is never enough for a family of 5!!



This year we are bringing a WDW gift card that will be used exclusively for tips at the restaurants. Also, for extras like the soups that aren't included but we always long for!! And if we have any left over on the card, it'll go toward purchases on our last day.



A great thing for our family has been to allot the kids a $ amount and a shopping time.We usually go to DTD toward the end of the trip for souvenirs. They keep their eyes open all week to things they might want, then decide at the end. I think this year I will give them a WDW gift card of their own for this--before we just paid for it all at once, but I know they would like this better.



A disposable camera for the kids...they can take pics of whatever they like, and when they use it up it's done!! then we take it to get developed when we get back and they are thrilled with the pictures they have taken!

Sorry had to break it down to read it, it was many useful tips all smooshed into one big blue block of text ... thought it may help others too

Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[andrea1978]

The thing that helped me the most was packing everything I needed the night before.
So, I kept separate ziploc bags in my backpack and refilled them- the snack bag, the kleenex and bandages and medicine bag, the cosmetic and chapstick and hairbrush bag,maps, ADR# spreadsheet, etc.
All I had to do in the mornings was grab our drinks and we were off.

I made really simple collages on construction paper for everyday that we were at Disney- so for example,Tuesday's collage had pics of MK, cinderella lunch, wishes, etc.
The kids loved them becuase it was a visual that let them know what to expect everyday and it eliminated arguments about "what are we doing tomorrow?" I know this approach will not work with everyone's children but it really worked for mine ( especially my anxious prone 4 year old).

I unpack and organize the minute we get in our room. I know where everything is and it makes getting ready a lot faster.

Pop up hampers and over the door shoe hangers are great (got that tip from Disboard, too) for organizing.

Having a rough plan of what we're doing in each park really helped with logistics. We took our time but knowing where I was going, what rides my kids would like, knowing which rides to avoid (b/c of height restrictions, scariness,etc.) , what restaurants would appeal to my family, etc. truly helped to make a fun, relaxing trip.

Kristina