When do you pack for your trip? and is there anything special you do?

[justplaingoofy]

Was wondering how many obsessive compulsives there are out there other than me???

1. I usually start a week before my trip putting everything in to make sure I can fit it all in the suitcase.
2. Then I take it all out and wash it.
3. I put each outfit into its own zip lock bag.
4. I usually bring a (21" carryon and med suitcase, checked baggage) and pack 1/2 of my stuff in each suitcase, and 1/2 of my hubbys stuff in each. Of course things that we can't afford to loose like meds, toiletries, camera goes in the carry on.
5. I "officially" pack the day before and put the suitcase right into the trunk (we usually have to leave our house at 4am)

I remember the first time I vacationed with my husband(then boyfriend) I opened my suitcase and he yelled "ohhh nerd alert" like on Austin Powers!! too funny

 

[juligrl]

Okay, I'll admit, I make a list of what needs to be in each bag. Over the top? Probably, but I always know where what I need is!

 

[Karenj2]

wow - I usually write a list of what I need to pack, but I'm not that compulsive... and my husband is even less compulsive than me - he usually packs the night before or the morning of our trips! (Drives me nuts - and the only reason he can do that is because I've washed all the clothes that I think he might want/need.)

 

[PigletFairy]

I tend to make a list about a month before. I plan an outfit per day then add extras. I then make a list of toiletries and medicine. Then a list for the dog-sitter with numbers and time schedule of walks. We drive, so the night before i pack a cooler with drinks and snacks. I like to make sandwiches or burritos (aka wraps). On the contrast, my DH's idea of packing is to throw everything into a laundry basket! Drives me crazy!! This year I think i will do the zip bags for outfits. I usually do zip bags for toiletries and medicines but i like the idea of just grabbing a bag. Just call me OCD!

 

[eeyoreland]

I'm big with lists. We're going in December and I've already started jotting things down I don't want to forget. Since we live in a cold weather state, as I put away our summer clothes in the fall, I'll actually do some deciding then about what we need to take so I don't pack that stuff away for the winter. So I guess that means I start packing about 2 1/2 months in advance

 

[Amyg]

I've had my list since I made our reservations in January. I just purchased and packed our medications, clean wipes, bandages, etc. in baggies (of course) but won't start packing clothes till the day before we leave.

Just another 7 days and we're off on our first WDW trip! WooHoo!

 

[disneychickforever]

I'm always the one who wants to pack first, if it was up to me, we'd be packed 1 month ahead. I usually make lists and stuff, and have all my clothes as close to disney stuff as possible :rofl: I really get into Disney....

 

[Angela&Kayla]

Although eventually my habit of being a habitual procrastinator will bite me in the butt, until then, I generally pack right before leaving to the airport. As I pack, I make a list of what I do pack. After a quick shower, I look over the list to see if I forgot anything, and then off I go!

I figure...if I forget something when going to a place that is industrialized, what's the big deal? You can always buy it there (and Disney sure is industrialized, so no worries in August).

 

[Princess89]

I always try to do my packing the week I am leaving. However, there are always last minute things that we have to do and it never gets done. I leave in August, and so far, I have a timeline so this way the things that need to get done will been done X day etc. I am spending a week before Disney in our timeshare and plan on doing some cooking while there, I listed menus and a grocery list will go shopping on Thursday night freeze everything to place in a cooler on Friday night the day we leave. As for actually packing we drive and don't leave until that night. I took a half a day to get all the packing and left over laundry done. I will pack within 4 hours of our schedule departure time. But everything is laid out already thanks to the handy lists I will eventually make.

 

[mousiemom]

I've had lists made up for about a month now for our Jan. trip! I keep it in my computer so I always remember what to bring. I start packing my suitcases about a week before the trip. I have things put back now. We do a lot of the vacumn packed bags. Love them! When we go we have a lot of big sweatshirts and jackets so the bags come in handy for the bulky things. We also have to throw in our thirty something plush disney pals for our hotel window. Have fun packing!

 

[praisehim5]

I start packing as soon as the ressies are made. We leave in Sept and our plans started 1 year ago. I made a list then of what i needed, like toiletries and clothes. i started gathering things from around the house. Everytime i go to the store I pick up one or two of the items on the list and through it into the suitcase. I bought close out sweat pants in the spring and will buy end of the season summer clothing in Aug. I know I am over planning but hey this is our dream vacation 25th anniversary/honeymoon we never took/without the kids. I have been planning making lists and checking it twice. I cant wait until I can really pack and pull out the drive on our way to WDW.

 

[Prairiemom]

Question about the vacumm packs. What do you use to vacumm them when coming home? Will the hairdryers in the hotel rooms work? I have thought about getting some of them for the bigger items like the sweaters as they do take up alot of room in the suitcases.

I've had lists made up for about a month now for our Jan. trip! I keep it in my computer so I always remember what to bring. I start packing my suitcases about a week before the trip. I have things put back now. We do a lot of the vacumn packed bags. Love them! When we go we have a lot of big sweatshirts and jackets so the bags come in handy for the bulky things. We also have to throw in our thirty something plush disney pals for our hotel window. Have fun packing!

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I remember the first time I vacationed with my husband(then boyfriend) I opened my suitcase and he yelled "ohhh nerd alert" like on Austin Powers!! too funny

This made me laugh SOOOO hard! I read it aloud to my husband and he laughed too... God, I love the phrase "nerd alert"!!

You all are SO organized compared to me -- I make a list of things about a week in advance, and then spend an hour or two, right before we leave for the airport, packing!! But I was a flight attendant, I'm used to packing quickly.

This trip, I think I'll be a little more organized, as not to forget anything (on occasion I'll forget something little, like phone chargers.. or a bathing suit the time I got a last minute trip/layover in HAWAII... DUH!!! ) and I really like the ziplock bags idea. Not only does it keep everything organized, it'll keep dirty stuff separate from clean stuff! Smart cookies here at the DIS...

 

[Mousema]

I'm making lists for our Sep trip already. Today I had extra time at Wal-Mart and picked up the travel sizes of a bunch of things and have them ready. It's been too long since my last trip.

I will start packing in earnest about 2 days before, using the lists.

 

[Hef4545]

I make a list, buy what I need ahead of time, make sure everything is charged and then pack the night before.

DS who is 14 is (supposedly) old enough to pack for himself. I let him do it once and he had enough underwear for a day.

I get lectured by DH who says "Don't Overpack!" as he spills over with his things into everyone elses bags. I ignore him and pack what I want
It is all a tradition I look forward to.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I noticed alot of people on this thread use lists... (me too)

You already know I am a nerd or maybe with just too much time on my hands ..however.. I have found it easy and less time consuming to make a packing list on my computer. (I used the excel program)Then, when we travel I can print it out.

I have two lists on there. A disney list because there are things like mini misting fans & ponchos. And the second is a packing list for the caribbean which is our vacation during the winter.
I find it helpful because I am always worried I will forget....things like phone charger, camera battery charger, etc.

Also, before we leave I use an index card for each day and write each parks hours and if they have EMH. Along with our ADR #'s. that way when you take off for the day you only need to bring one index card.

 

[justplaingoofy]

Question about the vacumm packs. What do you use to vacumm them when coming home? Will the hairdryers in the hotel rooms work? I have thought about getting some of them for the bigger items like the sweaters as they do take up alot of room in the suitcases.

I am not the poster of the vacuum bags... however I am guessing this:

They make those bags that you need a vacuum to close and they also make travel ones that you do not need a vacuum for. I know alot of companies sell them. We got some from LLBean. They do work well.

I still have them, but the larger size ziplock baggies(not the kind with the zipper, they leak air) and put an outfit in each one.

 

[taekwondo mom]

We are going in Dec..
I've already made my list .

Started packig stuff that I'm going to use to decorate the room with ..So far Mickey string lights, Mickey garland, mini ornaments for the tree, and yes the tree..

I can't wait..

 

[suzimar57]

we're going in september, and i have items already in the luggage we'll be bringing - pretty much the same things we bring to disney year after year, we just store them in the suitcase, so they don't get misplaced

 

[Va-bear]

I can out do you all! I've made no less than 4 lists for my trip in Aug/Sept. Why 4 you ask? Because I keep misplacing them!!

I need to make a list of where my different lists are!

I guess what I really need to do is move to a computer list like some of you smart people! Thanks for the great ideas!

Va.