When do you start packing?

[Nissi]

We leave in five days and everytime a friend or coworker asks me about my trip, they always say, "Are you all packed?"

I find it hard to think I could be packed by now since we need so much of the packable stuff right up til the last day. We did pack DS's short sleeve shirts since it's too cold here for them now, and his shorts. We packed things like moleskin, ponchos and light sticks. But we have a long way to go...When are you all packed and ready to go? The morning of your departure, or a few days before?

 

[Ash&Wes07]

I make spreadsheets and lists about 2-3 weeks in advance so I have time to purchase anything we may need.

I will put things like ponchos, travel toiletries, etc in the suitcase 1-2 weeks before, but clothes aren't packed until the day before.

 

[enyaj40]

I'm already putting some stuff aside.

 

[stargazertechie]

I have spreadsheets made months in advance.

The stuff usually doesn't hit the suitcase until 45 minutes before we're supposed to leave for the airport as I frantically shout at my FI to get off his bum and help!

 

[dthogue]

We leave on Friday as well - toiletries are all packed as well as the misc other things that I am taking (i.e. ponchos, food, glow sticks, pool stuff, etc.) I will do the final laundry on Thursday afternoon and clothing will be packed Thursday night.

Have a great trip!

Tammy

 

[francie57]

I usually make out a list of things needed a week or so before our trip. The actual packing doesn't start until the night before. Since our dog gets very nervous when he sees the luggage I don't get it out until he has gone to the puppy hotel. We pack everything that night, except for the last minute stuff in the early a.m. We have always done it this way, whether we are headed for Disney or some island in the caribbean.

 

[SaraJayne]

We typically pack the day or two before.

 

[DisneyShannon]

I have a bag of stuff I start to pack Ponchos, band aids, small things then I start packing 1-2 days before my trip.

 

[mommy2mrb]

List is made about 2 weeks before, start packing 2-3 days before, final the morning of the trip.

 

[Withacy]

I think people just ask if you're packed because they want to show interest in your trip (it's only polite), but don't know what else to say. It's straight from the Book of Common Cliches - I doubt they care if you're packed, or could remember 10 minutes after you told them.

When people pull out the Book - especially when they're the 9th or 10th person to do it - I'm always tempted to say something outragous, just to see if they're actually listening. Like "No, I'll just take someone else's from the airport" or "TSA has banned me from taking luggage after that "incident" last year". You know, anything to be different.

What can I say - I'm a troublemaker.

 

[Elliesmommy]

We pack the day before and finish the morning we leave simply because many of the items that we need will still be in use the morning of departure.

I know that many people pack for WDW as if they are going on a 10 day nature trek and they must be prepared for every life or death situation and that would take time.

I am a minimalist when it comes to packing and usually can pack for a seven day trip in 15 minutes or less.

 

[angiwright]

We leave this coming saturday and friday night I did get 99% of my daughters clothes packed. But this is the first time I have EVER packed anything that early. Usually I start about 2 days in advance. Because like you most things are needed throughout the week right before.

Both DS's will wear most of their shirts for school this week so they won't be packed until right before. But somehow DD has acquired more clothes in her first 3 years than either DS has ever had. So she could easily have plenty to wear even with 7 days of vacation clothes packed!

I do start making list of random things that I want to take that I think I might forget. I hang it on the fridge and just add to it as things pop into my mind.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[lmbcdb]

When we went last January, we were packed 3 days before. BUT we were on Christmas break from work and school. So, we wore holey shirts and old sweatpants for a few days.

I remember going to Wal Mart at one point for a few last minute things and running in to a student of mine. I had on paint-covered sweats, grass stained tennis shoes and a t-shirt with an innappropriate message on it.

 

[northcoast_momma]

Funny......we're so "packing as you go" this time. We'll be ready!! (and honestly - no one's asking me if we're "packed yet").

 

[The Hendies]

We leave Thursday, and I have had some things packed for weeks. Capri's, specific Disney shirts, toiletries, room decorations, etc. Today I did a final check of all medications, First Aid, toiletries, and packed everything. I will probably open the suitcase one last time the night before we leave to assess one last time.

 

[disneychic2]

I do a list 2 or 3 weeks ahead. Then, usually I begin laying things out on one of the spare beds. However, this year, we're having all four of our children and their families for Thanksgiving, so I'll have to wait until a day or two before the trip to begin. Since it's been snowing already and 38 temps for a high, we don't need our shorts or short sleeve tops, that's for sure! But they'll have to stay tucked away until I have a free bed to use. It's a great problem to have since my kids live all over the place and I'm so happy to have them all in together!

Don't sweat not having anything packed yet...whatever works for you is best. Have a magical trip!

 

[Heidi Loves Disney]

We are leaving on Friday.
I have everything ready to go. I have all the outfits ready, but I will pack the clothes in the suitcases Thursday evening and put the suitcases in the car after we take our cat to stay with my parents. We leave for the airport at 4:30am.

Our beloved 14 year old dog just passed away. I'm hoping this trip will bring a little happiness back into our household.

I've enjoyed this whole planning and packing. I told DH I'm looking forward to doing this again (and again...)

 

[BobbidieBoo]

Today, 4 Days to go !!

 

[Jazcat]

we leave in 19 days and packed our first suitcase yesterday. I did it so I know what else I need to buy this week it was just shoes and toiletries, meds, laundry soap, books. We are leaving Thanksgiving weekend but will go out of town for Thanksgiving and leave from there so I have to pack for 2 trips.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

We leave in five days and everytime a friend or coworker asks me about my trip, they always say, "Are you all packed?"

I find it hard to think I could be packed by now since we need so much of the packable stuff right up til the last day. We did pack DS's short sleeve shirts since it's too cold here for them now, and his shorts. We packed things like moleskin, ponchos and light sticks. But we have a long way to go...When are you all packed and ready to go? The morning of your departure, or a few days before?

This all depends on what you define as "packing". DW and I from the get go make a list of things we need for our trip. And most thing's are gotten over time. We buy new clothes and leave in packages til it's time to "pack". If we go in the winter (so much nicer in FL then in KY) we leave out the shorts and pick out our shirts.

We made a list once we booked our current trip and as time passed by we bought what we needed for our trip. We find coupons and deals in the newspaper. Try to spread the cost over time instead of all at once. (never know if an item you need is sold out)

We are 30 days out from our trip and we have everything we need for the current trip in one place in the house. Where it will sit til I wash all of the new clothes and our jackets for our trip. And since we drive down, we like to make a list of items we can either have delivered to the resort or pick up at a local store on our way in.

Like I said, define packing.