When do you start packing?

[lillygator]

I pulled out one bag last night and thought I may go ahead and get the toiletries and stuff in there.......(too far ahead of the game I know)....


when do you all start packing?

 

[BoardwalkBabe]

I am going to start packing some items today. I have a heavy work schedule between now and the trip, so I have to make the most of my days off and finish the final errands, find that SafeSea stuff and look for a dress to wear on formal night!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

DH likes to be organized, so he starts trying to pack 3 days early. My only problem w/that (especially in warm weather) is most of the shorts and tops I wear on the cruise, I'm still wearing up until the day before I leave. I will pack the dinner clothes early though.

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I started packing as soon as we booked ( Feb)the DCL Western for 7 days Sept 24,2004. I would buy something for the trip each week like shampoo or the over the door shoe organizer,etc and put away in the suitcase. Then when summer clothes go on sale in July I will get our clothes,sandles,swim stuff.

 

[plutojudy]

We started a few weeks ago. As we buy cruise items we put them in our luggage and then repack when it is cruise time. When we return home I have a storage container where I put cruise items away so they are ready to cruise again. Such as lanyards, bottle straps, extension cord, night lights, sea bands, etc.

 

[jrabbit]

At about 1 month before leaving, DW has all clothes accounted for. At the two week mark, no more wearing the clothes that will be going on the trip. Two days before leaving all clothes into the suitcases and as much of the toiletries as possible. It's a bit insane, but if we vary that schedule to much, she goes nuts and can't sleep, relax and drives the rest of the family crazy until everything is packed. So we know to just go with the flow.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

I start packing the day I make my reservations, usually a year and 1/2 out!!

I drive my family NUTS!!!!

When our girls were little, I would buy "vacation" clothes for their b-days, easter baskets and Christmas and as soon as they looked at them, I would say, "Give those here. They are going in the suitcases."

Through out the year I pick up the things we need alittle at a time and pack them as I buy them. Then I'm not forced to use "vacation" $$ for shampoo, razors, socks, etc.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We leave in 8 days. Haven't started yet! I will probably actually pack about 2 days before, though I have started my "vacation pile" in the spare bedroom. I think I've got everything I need in the way of toiletries and such, and I have purchased new shorts and t-shirts, but still need a couple of things. So, to answer your question, about 2-3 days prior.

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[LindaBabe]

and Sunday for 4 day cruise.

I started "staging" potential outfits on the shower rod in the spare bathroom about a month ago which enabled me to see the gaps. Then I went shopping.

Sunday, I sat down with my planning spreadsheet and penciled in an outfit/shoes for each activity (or non-activity) - found I needed fewer garments than I had out, so I removed - oh almost HALF! I couldn't believe it - and then packed.

Tomorrow morning, I'll throw in the last of the toiletries, and out the door! CAN'T WAIT!

 

[dcbrown]

On "snow days"! and we have had alot of them!!! Being surrounded by the annoying "white stuff"...all you want to see is the sun and ask "where's the rum!!"

DCBrown

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

About two weeks out. Especially toiletries and accessories. Start the 'important papers' folder and get the cameras ready. Decide what clothes I want to take, decide what to take for DD and get an idea from DW. Anything we won't use goes into the luggage and everything else gets written down somewhere. Final stages usually 2 nights before, and the night before and the morning of, always seem to find something else that needs to go in a case somewhere.

And a quick packing tip, especially for 1st timers: if you do start packing early, remember that if you buy anything new to take with you, unpack something you've already packed. Overpacking is the worst. You never have enough room for souvenirs.

 

[jel0511]

Usually the day before, and no earlier. I'm a pretty efficient packer and can pack our entire family of four in about an hour. I just go tothe appropriate drawers in everyone's room and pull out what is needed and drop it into the suitcase. Formal wear has been picked/bought before, so that's just grabbing out of the closet. I don't bring a lot of shoes, just a nice pair for dinner and sandals during the day. I wear my sneakers on the plane, as does everyone else. Toiletries are packed either right before going to bed, but usually the morning of. I just grab everything I need out of the shower, or if I bought new, that was thrown in the night before.

 

[TexasTrudy]

As soon as the cruise was paid in full!

 

[jrabbit]

DW started packing a couple of months ago. We leave in October!

 

[ldb1030]

I pack EARLY! Keep putting things in and take WAY too much!

 

[herrbeeb]

i'm glad someone else uses the word "staging". i use our library as a staging area about 2 weeks before we leave. the library has a door so the dog can't interfere. dinner clothes and shoes go first, then casual attire and last toiletries. this year we are leaving on friday night so i am packing a separate carry-on for sat travel to the ship.

i have warned my family several times that we will be taking a lot less because, in part, we didin't wear all the clothes we brought last year and, in part, because we are spending 2 days at disney post-cruise. i am not doing laundry.

 

[CAMICKEY]

I'm going to start packing one week out. That will still allow me time to buy other things if needed. - Mike

 

[traycie2201]

Hmm, me thinks i pack too early , like other posters i started the day i booked, just the little things you know but it's part of the excitement for me.

 

[mshuck]

We went on a cruise shopping spree 2 weeks ago and I have folded and put away all of our clothes for packing. My DH is so tired of hearing about the cruise and WDW! I guess one of us has to be held down to reality
Thanks to all of you who are so gracious with your repeated info to us first timers. YOU ARE GREAT!

 

[staylor]

We pack the night before we leave. I know it sounds nuts but we've been on 5 cruises now (not all DCL) and I am in the travel industry. Therefore, packing is no big deal.