When do you start packing?

[IvyWinter]

I'm 7 days out; few days ago i made a google doc packing list. I'll actually start packing 2 nights out, mostly because im going to work with luggage and then leaving early to fly out, so i sort of lose that day to do any last min packing. I pack all clothes etc 2 nights out, 1 ngiht out i add electronics i dont need at the moment plus park specific items, morning of all the daily toiletry stuff, after i use it that morning to get ready for my day. the end!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I have our standing packing list, which I'll start updating now that we're about 30 days out, but I won't actually start packing until the weekend before our trip, and that's even a little early for me, except this time we're leaving on a Thursday evening and our weeks are pretty hectic so there won't be much time to pack the night before.

 

[busymommy2pink]

We are at 52 days!!!

We live in Canada, so I am starting to pack away summer stuff. I am putting some of that in suitcases, our space is limited as it is, so this frees up some of it!! Just washed all the bathing suits, so those will be tossed in later today!

I already have things like pins, magic band decals, travel accessories and toiletries, things specifically bought for the trip (custom shirt, earphones for the plane etc) all tossed into one of our carry ons and stowed away in my closet.

I'm OCD, so I make packing lists. Being we are going in November, and weather could be ANYWHERE on the map, I will be choosing to pack most of our items a couple of days before leaving since I need to check the weather.

 

[chicagogrl]

I started about a week ago. I have to start early then take away things. I always take too much.

 

[Disney Sheri]

I start by making piles as soon as I book our trips! It is for the stuff I don't need on a daily basis but don't want to forget. I make my two girls and myself a Disney Diary with questions about our trip. That takes up some of my time while I am wanting to pack! About 6 weeks before, I get the suit cases out and cleaned off. I work on making a list. About a month before hand, I get our carry on stuff in order. Then slowly start packing. By two days before, I check my list to make sure I don't need to run to the store for anything. Packing and planning is a big part of the fun for me. I don't think it's ever to early to start packing for you next magical Walt Disney vacation!

I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[helenm29]

O.M.G! we have just over 3 WEEKS! we've been getting little piles together in the closet and several dresser drawers a little bit at a time for about SIX MONTHS!we are getting down our suit cases this weekend and I'm getting a tummy ache just thinking about it! does anyone else out there just put aside all of their clothes that they are going to wear while at DW? I have a space in my closet just for that! we are going over our packing list this weekend too.We are stopping at WMT to pick up small items and sundries before we go to the resort that way we don't have to mess with the air line security!...So, NO it's never too early to get it ready to go! YAY DISNEY!hope to see some of you there!

 

[J'Adore Disney]

I'm glad I'm not the only crazy one! I have a spot in an extra closet that I put stuff in months prior to the trip the I have a "staging area" in the living room (it's an extra room that is gated off so no one goes in) about a month before we leave. Suitcases come out about 10 days prior. I would get them out sooner but the dog starts going crazy as soon as they come out so I feel badly and try to hold off
Planning and packing is half the fun!

Hahaha @ "staging area." It's never too early to start packing for a Disney trip!!! I came back from WDW August 9, 2015, going back November 1, 2015... so I just left my luggage out.

Do NOT forget your PONCHOS and SUNSCREEN!!! I use my ponchos to sit on Main Street and parade watch, the sidewalk tends to get very hot.

As for any extra items, my motto is, "if you think you will need, bring it!"
My family laughs at how much stuff I bring, but I reply "I like to have options!"

 

[ErinsMommy]

night before. lol

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I'm having planning withdrawals. All reservations are made (FP+, package, ADRs, special events). I've done online check-in. I have 54 days to go. Is it too soon to start packing?

We visited Sept 5-9...I packed the morning of the 5th. I guess I'm unusual.

 

[dixiegirl]

All of you prepared guys have me worried now.... We leave in 2 days and I haven't started doing anything yet.

No worries - everyone is different in their method of packing. I have to start way early but DH packs the night before.

 

[KeroKero]

We are 31 days out (Universal) & 34 days out (WDW) and last night I started making a pile of clothes I want to bring with me. The clothes are of no use to me now as its getting cold here already, I will be bringing warm clothes with me as well (it was super cold a couple days we were there last year this time). I like to start at least a month in advance so that if I need to hit the stores before the trip, I'll have more than enough time and not feel rushed.

 

[LoKiHB]

I'm having planning withdrawals. All reservations are made (FP+, package, ADRs, special events). I've done online check-in. I have 54 days to go. Is it too soon to start packing?

We try to start maybe a week before. It takes at least two days for me to actually bring the suitcases up from the basement . For some reason though, we always seem to end up leaving the Monday after the weekend my wife lectures and is away for two days. This means that we're usually up at midnight before our 6:30 am flight packing EVERYTHING!!!!

 

[Disnsyncey]

I leave on Friday, I put a few things on my guest bed as I think of them....took my batteries out of my camera because I need to charge them!

 

[Lori74]

i'm in same boat, we're 55 days out, everything is done but packing. i've found in the past when i pack early, i obsess and worry and recheck everything so often, the packing early did nothing but stress me out! i have a disney box that i accumulate things like mickey mail, magic bands, gift cards, etc...and i literally just pack at the last minute, usually day before, then once i'm done my husband takes the bags away, so i can't keep double checking everything! this year will be really interesting since we're surprising our kids with this trip and my teenage daughter will literally have only 2 hours to pack before we go! have a great time!!

 

[sharadoc]

We have suitcases that are only for Disney, and they contain our Disney only stuff constantly - t-shirts, hats, swim clothes, Mickey Crocs, socks, etc. We also have a tub for the non-clothing. We have a Britta water bottle filter, condiments, chargers, toiletries, etc. So we're always half-packed.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm usually partially packed for a Disney trip within 2 weeks after the last one. LOL I always have a travel bathroom bag ready to go including the body glide and any other extras. When I get back from a trip, I refill everything and put it back into the suitcase.

I have a plastic rubbermaid bin with my ears, ponchos, the Little Golden Books that I like to have characters to sign, and anything else that is specifically Disney related so when I do get to the actual final packing I can just pull things out of the bin.
I usually do that 2 weeks before the trip.

Clothes I've been packing a week before because then I'll know the weather more. One trip I packed all the clothes a month before and then the weather forecast completely changed and I had to redo my packing. That was frustrating so I don't pack clothes so early anymore.

 

[nkereina]

I start maybe 2-3 weeks before, so I have enough time to purchase things I'll need. I need to get everything organized so I lay it all out on the bed in our spare bedroom so I can make a list of what's needed. I do have a box in a closet that I've been throwing things in for months, but don't even know what's in there now!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It depends a bit on the season. In summer, I get some stuff in advance, but mostly about 24-48hours before we leave.

If it is a transition season, I probably ash summer clothes about a week before we go.

There are also some items that are good to buy in warm months. Many places sell rain ponchos in the camping section, but they go away in winter. Now might also be a good time to find clearance sunscreen, clearance ponchos, and maybe back packs. If you like travel size toiletries, you probably want to get those a little in advance. From now until Nov2 is best time to buy costumes, if you plan to bring them.

You'll want your park tickets early enough to make FP+ picks. If you plan to do something like convert cc points to a giftcard, allow plenty of time.

I also do a fair amount of last two days prep: watering plants, pedicure, maybe mail stop, empty trash and coffeemaker, unplug a few appliances, take care of pet needs, pay bills, clear out the fridge, etc.

I never go to WDW without quality walking shoes. Those need to be broken in a bit if you need new ones. Never skimp on footwear! Big bonus for a pair of waterproof shoes!

Shopping a little for new stuff is also fun before some trips. If you have kids, and it is winter- you might NEED to buy new swim suits or summer clothes, socks, undies, shoes. One famous trip, a nephew had grown two sizes over just the fall months! Nothing fit.

If you'll have a car, there is a good outlet mall just off WDW property. But that could put a good dent in your plans if you have to spend half a day shopping.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Great tidbit- I mentioned transition months. In cooler months we always pack extra layers. I DO look at weather reports, and adjust the packing accordingly- BUT - weather reports can be wildly OFF. So last minute packing adjustments can be helpful.


Orlando is hot and low 90's most of the hot months, but in spring/fall/winter, weather is much more variable. DO NOT trust the weather report will be accurate for a full week. WDW can be chilly in cooler months, esp in early am and PM. Layers are smart, esp on windy days.

 

[bookgirl]

I've now seen a couple of people mention "cleaning the luggage".

I've never noticed it getting dirty. If it gets some dirt on it at the airport or something I might wipe it off but that's rare. Mine lives in a closet, it doesn't even get dusty. I do have to put down a sheet and then have a sheet to cover it because of the cats, who are not mine, but seem to love the spare bedroom, so I do check it for hair before I go anywhere (but there is rarely any because of the sheets), but that's as close to 'cleaning' it that I get.

Do you mean clean out the pockets in case you forgot to before putting it up or something like me, where you just wipe it down if it's dusty or there is pet hair? Or do you do something more substantial?