When to start packing

[MsDisney23]

How far ahead of your trip do you start to pack? My trip is coming up fast, Should I start to pack soon? I have been picking things up at Wal-Mart. I guess I am just getting excited!

 

[Big V]

I always get out a tote box and start putting things in there I know I'll need. How did you win your trip? Sounds pretty !!!

 

[dzneelvr]

We usually start making a list 3 weeks before (so I can shop) and throwing things in the general vicinity of our suitcase a week before. Each family member is responsible--that means no whining to Mom if they forgot something!!

I do what you are now doing, picking up film, rain ponchos, sunscreen, etc. so that we don't forget those little things and have to pay a premium for them on park.
Also, don't forget your over the counter meds that you may need; carry a copy of your eyewear prescriptions (in case you lose your contacts/glasses), if you need to do laundry--powder soap and dryer sheets-- stamps for postcards and the address labels of who you will be sending postcards to. Don't overpack--you can always rinse out clothing and have it dry by next day. I like to save our suitcase space for what we buy at WDW !!

......Fun times ahead!!

WDW on June 24

 

[Nutsy]

Whenever we go away, I usually start putting things aside as I need them. Depening on the climate of where we are headed, I also put clothes out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have my personal bag (razor, meds, deodorant, sunscreen, etc) always ready go. I pick up the Walmart incidentals the week before, pack the day I leave usually (I most often head to Milwaukee late evening for following AM flight out). Enjoy.

 

[shortbun]

I start mentally packing the day I make hotel reservations!
he he
I keep a suitcase open and just throw things in it so when
I'm really packing, I have lots of things ready to put in
our three bags.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a storage tote with all my WDW stuff in it. Then, as I get closer to departure day, I add to it. Now, I'm not going for 4 months, but I've started adding already!!

 

[Tina]

I'm starting today (although I started a small pile of "Don't forgets" in the bedroom about a week ago. We're leaving next Saturday morning and I just don't have time through the week to do much.

 

[Disney Doll]

I start a list 2 or 3 weeks before, and toss small things(sunscreen etc) as I think of them into a basket that I keep in the spare room.

I have kind of developed a generic packing list over the years, which works for travelling in the winter and summer, so I keep a copy of it on the computer and just go by that.

Since we are DVCers, I am able to pack a little less because we usually have a washer/dryer in our unit.

 

[lindajo]

If I start too early, I just keep packing until I have too much. If I start too late, I stress out the day I am packing. I pack for myself, DS4&6, DH packs himself. I ALWAYS pack too much, regardless of when, while DH tosses a couple of t-shirts, a pair of shorts, and his swimsuit in a little tiney suitcase, and is never at need of anything. Somehow, I am always forgetting something. How come this happens???? (Although, one time he did forget his swimsuit, and was totally bummed out about that....)

 

[AZKathy]

I start right around a month out; I just keep the suitcases out in the master bedroom and put things in them that I won't be using to have things ready. It also makes me feel better that the trip is right around the corner!!!!!

 

[Poohbear123]

For me, and I am ALREADY packed....got packed in Feb. after my last trip. My next-- next trip, will be in Nov and I will be packed for that by Sept.

 

[Micca]

While I love to plan our trip, I just don't need to pack early. There is only DW and I, and we have learned to travel light. I will probably start gathering whatever we need the weekend prior to the trip(in case I need to purchase something). Other than that, we don't start with the luggage until approximately 48 hours in advance. If I packed as far in advance as some of you, I wouldn't have anything to wear before I left

 

[Kermit]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I never pack until the night before we leave. If we leave when DH gets home from work, I pack in the morning. I do shop for things that we'll need, like sunscreen, ahead of time, but I just put those things where we normally keep them. And of course I start washing laundry a few days before we go. Having a suitcase lying around would drive me crazy.