When should the packing begin? How early is too early?

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I know I won't be the only one who'll think this is just silly. I remember the same thing happening last year, too...

Our Magical Express luggage tags arrived on Friday. By dinner time, yesterday, my roommate already has the first bag packed! This included shopping for new things to go in the bag. Our trip isn't until the end of July! He insists, though, that since the luggage tags are here, it must be time to start packing.

Perhaps it's because he's a school teacher who just finished school June 14th. I think he's bored already.

 

[SaratogaShan]

It is never too soon to start packing! I'm already packing for my Dec. 2009 cruise! No.....seriously!

Shan

 

[OKW Lover]

We pack about a week before the vacation. In the day's that lead-up to our departure date, we only take things out of the suitcase. If you put it in there because you think you might need it, you don't.

 

[WOW]

I used to start packing ahead of time like you guys do!!! Was always so anxious to get ready to go..................BUT I drove myself crazy..taking things out, couldn't remember what I put in the suitcase, took things in and out etc etc etc.....Now I pack the night before or in the morning (I know in my head what I am taking--or at least I think I do)....much easier for me....I make sure I have the essentials -- boarding pass, ID, personal items.....I figure if there is really something I really missed, I could always go shopping!!!!!

 

[edk35]

I used to start packing ahead of time like you guys do!!! Was always so anxious to get ready to go..................BUT I drove myself crazy..taking things out, couldn't remember what I put in the suitcase, took things in and out etc etc etc.....Now I pack the night before or in the morning (I know in my head what I am taking--or at least I think I do)....much easier for me....I make sure I have the essentials -- boarding pass, ID, personal items.....I figure if there is really something I really missed, I could always go shopping!!!!!

I have always been a late packer. I do like to have most stuff in at least a full day ahead except for last minute toss ins. But I have another CRAZY THING I DO BEFORE TRIPS TO DISNEY. I must make sure all my laundry is caught up, my house is clean. I love coming home to a clean house....because usually I am TIRED from my trips to WDW but I always seem to do this regardless where we go on trips. It is just ME.

 

[Starr W.]

I have always been a late packer. I do like to have most stuff in at least a full day ahead except for last minute toss ins. But I have another CRAZY THING I DO BEFORE TRIPS TO DISNEY. I must make sure all my laundry is caught up, my house is clean. I love coming home to a clean house....because usually I am TIRED from my trips to WDW but I always seem to do this regardless where we go on trips. It is just ME.

I have the "list" started about a week out, with what I'm taking. I usually do the laundry before hand(someone's favorite shirt is always dirty). It all gets put into the bag the night before we leave.

I don't want to look at suitcases more than I need to, we get to WDW and I unpack and they get stuffed into the closets.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Counting the days until you leave for a WDW vacation, does seem to get everyone is a good mood huh?!

 

[Markeymouses]

IT SURE DOES!!!! We stared last week too! Our vaca is July 25th...but I will admit I think it' because my hubby is a teacher and I'm a teacher's aide. ...could be we're just excited schools over

 

[wildernessDad]

I would start packing what you can about 2 weeks ahead of time. That way you can find out what you need and buy it about a week ahead of time.

 

[tink6137130]

I would start packing what you can about 2 weeks ahead of time. That way you can find out what you need and buy it about a week ahead of time.

This is what we usually do...

 

[dgaston]

I'm meeting my Owner's Locker for the first time in July, and I've been putting things in a bin for some time now. I'm thinking about beginning to move the ponchos, Pal Mickey and his clothes, and assorted fans, Brita pitcher and filters into a suitcase this weekend. I really am having trouble waiting until our flight on the 25th!

 

[Disneypirate85]

DW starts us pretty early month out or so! Little shopping for a new outfit or two for both us and which ever child is coming with us. And just some little simple stuff shampoo, laundry soap and all our usual Disney gear we take fanny packs mist bottles, and then checks it off her "Master" list. Helps kee our "Disney disease" in check the last few weeks,

BTW....we leave Saturday Morning, THIS SATURDAY.....7 days at BWV

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Doesn't everyone have certain things that just 'stay packed' from the last vacation....Maybe this isn't as much anymore with Owner's Locker available.

I usually pack 'in my head' two weeks before...decide which luggage...what basics...then three days before or so start to put the clothes aside. Despite being pretty organized ( I have lists for everything) we usually are still finishing the packing and weighing around midnight the night before the early flight !!

I always get nervous about weather, flight, room, etc etc. so activity the night before helps to keep me from bothering everyone else.

 

[slp87]

I start packing about a month out, but mostly because I'm busy working in the week and concentrate on the packing during the weekends. I get the suitcases out the first weekend and throw all that stuff in there that we always take. Then, I'll go to Target/WalMart and get that stuff, then we start planning what clothes to take. The great thing is that we go during spring break when we're still wearing winter clothes here and we can pack all of our shorts and tees without waiting for the last minute.

 

[jenelope]

I used to do something I called "practice packing." I'd make a list of everything I needed to pack, then put the items or a reasonable stand-in in my suitcase to make sure everything fit in my 19" roller bag and small backpack. It helped me identify where I needed to replace clothes or refill supplies and kept my packing list concise. Now, however, I've gone often enough and I have a comprehensive planning document and packing list that carries over from trip to trip. Instead of actually doing a trial run and packing everything, I just compare supplies against the list and try on my clothes to make sure they fit and are in good shape.

My actual packing didn't happen until about two days before, though.