when to pack?

[lillygator]

I'm wild! I start packing as soon as we get home....example, we went in Jan and then are going in May - I started packing when we got home....certain things like custom outfits and costumes that won't be worn until then...trouble is we are going tonight and now I have to unpack repack into a smaller weekend bag!

 

[SnwflkCts]

I start gathering things to pack really really early (months!). Then I start gathering the clothing I plan to wear and put all this stuff on the futon in the spare room. About a week before (any trip) I bring out the suitcases and then put all my stuff in them. My DH packs the night before. I could NEVER wait until the night before -- it would make me crazy.

 

[BraveMom3]

I keep a packing list on my computer, and revise it as needed each year. I also have one suitcase that stays packed with things like mister fans, hanging laundry bag, ponchos, over-the-door hooks, zip-loc bags, etc... I start looking over the list about 4-6 weeks ahead of time for things I might need to purchase. With three children, we are constantly cleaning out clothes and having to replenish. I find packing way too time-consuming to wait until the day before - I would be completely wiped out! I start putting things into suitcases about 1 week before we leave and still find myself totally stressing the last day!

 

[scoolover]

My ex will start packing about a week out and I will laugh at her. I will start a list about a week out and start packing about two days out. Dont forget an extra bag to bring home your purchases.
Take care

 

[mickeyluv]

I can't remember where I saw this, but I know that someone posted a basic packing list on one of the threads. Does anyone know where this might be or does anyone have a basic packing list they would like to share? I'm not being lazy, but I thought that someone might have things listed that I never even thought about packing!

 

[eeyoregirl]

This year I have been preparing for our upcoming May trip since mid-March. I have ziplocs labeled and mostly ready, and all of the clothes except underthings are stacked and ready to go, too. All I'll need to get ready is socks, underwear, and pjs.

Historically, I have been a stay-up-until-3-am type packer, but not this year. I have been methodically crossing off my master list and it is working out well.

I cannot wait until May 19th!

 

[vhoffman]

How can you pack clothes weeks in advance? Do you have two wardrobes???

I always buy new packs of underwear and socks for the kids, easier to pack that way, don't worry about matching socks! Also, I buy travel sized toiletries way in advance. I don't actually "pack" them in a suitcase, I have a large plastic box I toss things in as I buy them, then about a week or so before the trip I sort them out and stash in ziploc baggies. Clothes are usually packed the night before, because I'm using them until then!

 

[Quinn222]

I start mentally packing about a month ahead. That gives me time to pick up things I need and to make sure things are washed etc. I take the day before we go off from work so I'll do the actual packing then. Since I live in FL the things I would wear at WDW are the same things I wear every day so I can't pack too far in advance. It helps that I'll be driving so I can toss things in the trunk of the car that I would never carry with me if I was flying (extra books, shoes, bottles of water etc.)

 

[patrizella]

I am one of those compulsive planner/orgainzer people. I have a master packing list (from our first trip in 2000) and I modify it with each trip. It probably started out 5 pages long. This list include things I already have here at home to things I will need to buy and in some cases where to buy it. A huge part of the excitement is the planning. Packing for me is a part of that.

I've already begun my Disney shopping. My DH and I have a goal to wear matching shirts (including DD 9) every day. I think I am up to 7 matching shirts now. Our local Disney store has them 2 for $20. Some of the adult prints come in kid sizes-but some I've had to get a small or x-small adult for my daughter. We even have matching hats for some of the outfits. We always did the matching thing for day 1 and the in-front of the castle photo. I also have been buying Disney Dollars and some small gifts for my DD. I like to give her mini-surprises in the car or on the plane.

I probably actually begin loading the suitcase 4-5 days ahead-but the purchasing and organizing starts months in advance.

Sick I know

 

[Jeanne B]

How can you pack clothes weeks in advance? Do you have two wardrobes???

I'm only packing 2 weeks in advance but for us it's not warm enough here yet to be wearing our summer clothes so that makes it easy to pack ahead of time.

 

[gems_smiling]

I get way to over excited and go Disney mad as soon as we have booked our next trip (we booked our next trip a week ago for September). I have already started to make a packing list and made a list of things i need to buy. I plan to buy something for our trip every week. If my dad would get the suitcases out then i would start packing some of my stuff tomorrow! Its all part of the Disney build up for me. Usually we get the suitcases out 3 weeks before our trip and start packing them 2 weeks (well sometimes 3) before. I usually stay up till the early hours of the morning every night for about a week checking and rechecking i have got everything i need. I have already started a "Disney box" which i will put toiletries and Disney items in as i get them. I would also love to see some of your packing lists if possible? I love the sound of your 5 page packing list Patrizelle, its sounds like my kind of planning.

 

[disneyfan61]

We leave on Thursday 4/20 & I packed this weekend. My DS (17) said he will
pack on Wed. night (drives me nuts). As we live in NH all my summer clothes
were not needed so they are all packed & ready to go.

 

[Ghost]

depending on the flight either 1 day before we go or on the same day.... ... No way am I packing before...