When do you start shopping for WDW?

[calliecat]

I don't have a Disney box, so much as a "vacation bag". It's a beach bag I have filled with swimsuits and cover-ups because I rarely, if ever, use these at home. When I know I'm going on a trip, I pull out that bag and start adding to it. We have had our Disney trip planned for 7 months and we now leave in 5 weeks and I'm sure I'm still forgetting things! I started collecting things little by little and putting them in the bag. I'd rather spend $5 here and there for things I need than run around a store like a mad woman finding stuff I need the night before LOL. I also pack my luggage little by little over the course of a week and just add in the last couple items the night before and morning of.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I start collecting things as soon as the trip is booked! I have a big bin in my closet that has our Disney stuff in it. Sometimes I have lots of items left over from the last trip. This time its ponchos because it basically never rained our entire two weeks last trip. I also keep our lanyards in there, certain caps dh only wears at WDW, plastic toothbrush holders we only use on vacation, etc. Then as it gets closer, I start buying all the toiletries we need.

I am weird I guess but I buy all new stuff or our trip as far as toiletries. We go for 10-14 nights so most of it is used up or mostly used up. I pack thingsi n zip lock bags so it won't leak if it comes open and its time consuming so its good for me to get the things bought, then packed up well before the trip. If I used stuff I am using now, I'd have to wait too long to pack that up!

If I see something on sale I go ahead and get it. Like awhile back, Soft Soap was on sale at Kroger for 88 cents and I had coupons which made them 8 cents each. I got two, one for each sink at CBR (we all hate using bar soap for our hands). Last weekend I did a big run at Wal Mart for more toiletries. It makes the trip feel real when I have something to focus on like packing!

 

[rascooby]

We're hopefully going in early December. I haven't started shopping yet, but I'm about to start my list. I have a Disney box, so I need to get it down and sort out what I have. I plan to buy the girls new shirts with Disney characters, some of those beautiful disney nightgowns and princess costumes for the BBB. It's all stuff they'll use anyway, but it's fun to have new stuff for Disney. I also need to buy pins, make autograph books and bags to hold them. I need to start watching for sales on those things and toilitries and whatever else. We have 3 November birthdays in our family and then Disney and then Christmas. If I don't spread it out I'll make myself crazy, and we'll be really broke.

 

[jennyf2]

ALL YEAR I have a packing list & cross stuff off as soon as I put it in the Disney box! My boys think I'm crazy

 

[connie1042]

All my granddaughters clothes. (a lot of customs), hair bows to match, ( i made these) flip flops to match dresses,( I made these), tip envelopes and mousekeeping envelopes, all made and filled. We are on the dinning plan, so can calculate pretty good. Gift cards bought. Gift basket for my granddaughters birthday. Will send this down ahead of time. This has Disney toys, and clothes, all bought on clearance. Birthday decorations for the room. Stroller tags made. Custom t-shirts for everyone. ( I made these, with help from the many talented people on the boards. Bowls for our cereal in the morning. I have my order from Garden Grocer saved on their website. If we left tomorrow, I would really be ready, but I am sure I will find more things that I have to have!LOL
\

 

[kerplop]

We do most of our shopping online, so we have to leave lots of time in case of returns. I'd say we like to be about "done" a month out.

 

[auprincess]

I shop pretty early too. Usually for Disney shirts for the girls, or the fabrics for the dresses I'll make them. I also look out for good deals for little gifts to give along the way. Got them each a pair of new sunglasses from Claire's for $1, and a princess necklace for $1, too. Just little stuff. I also got some refillable water bottles several months ago b/c they were a good sale. Hmmm...what else? Ponchos, glow sticks, just little things that would add up in cost of I bought them all at once. I also got them each a new nightgown, and the autograph books ~ jsut have to decorate those

 

[tinkermommyof3]

We go every Summer so I need shorts, swimsuits, rash guards, waters shoes, etc. With three growing boys, I can't shop too early or they will out grow before I pack. I usually have them try on clothes about 2 to 3 months before vacation. Then I place my order with Lands End. The other stuff (toiletries, sunscreen, etc.) I start to get together about a month to a few days before I leave.

 

[psac]

Dr. Sholes Molefoam for your feet. Must buy.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I don't have a Disney box, so much as a "vacation bag". It's a beach bag I have filled with swimsuits and cover-ups because I rarely, if ever, use these at home. When I know I'm going on a trip, I pull out that bag and start adding to it. We have had our Disney trip planned for 7 months and we now leave in 5 weeks and I'm sure I'm still forgetting things! I started collecting things little by little and putting them in the bag. I'd rather spend $5 here and there for things I need than run around a store like a mad woman finding stuff I need the night before LOL. I also pack my luggage little by little over the course of a week and just add in the last couple items the night before and morning of.

Ditto to the "vacation bag." We're going in September and we also have a large beach bag that's full of swimsuits, t-shirts I bought from disney store right after Christmas, and rain ponchos.

 

[kmb584]

If I see something I know I'll need and it's on sale, I purchase it. I get the bulk of what we need the week or so before we go, that way as soon as I get home I can put in one of the suitcases.

Clothes are a different story. Back in December, in 15 degree weather, I was out buying sleeveless tops and tees from The Limited. By the time we go, I'll have enough new clothes to last a month despite the fact that we'll only be there for 7 days. The sad part is, I wear scrubs 5 days a week so most of my new items stay new for a long time to come. I just forget to get them out of storage prior to a trip!