[robinmouse]

I still have over a month to go, but I want to pack so badly that I have already moved our suitcases from the far side of the basement over to the side closest to the stairs. Soon they will sneak up to the bedrooms (without any help from me, of course.) What are your favorite packing tricks that you have developed from your past trips to Disney?

[Peppertink]

I like to pack my lotions, hair products etc. in zip lock bags in case they open or burst in flight. This way, hopefully, it won't get all over the other stuff in my carry on. I also like to bring extra ones for wet bathing suits for the return trip. That way if our flight is later we can still swim that day and not worry about them being wet.

[jodilt]

I always pack a soft duffel bag in my suitcase so I can fill it with my dirty clothes on the trip home and pack my suitcase full of the souvenirs I buy! Also, if you do a lot of shopping remember that you can ship purchases home from any WDW store.

[robinmouse]

Hey, I like that dirty-clothes-in-the-duffel-bag idea.....

[DisneyTeacher]

I pack my DS's clothes in gallon ZipLock bags. I put shorts, shirt, socks, and underwear in each bag and then he can just grab a bag and have everything he needs w/o me having to stop what I/m doing to pick out his clothes or play 20 questions with my DH.

I also pack a bottle of Downy Wrinkle Releaser so I can spray my shirt and shorts and have the packing wrinkles fall right out.

I pack an extra suitcase with snacks so I have an extra suitcase for souvenirs.

[Dana]

packing tips? lol I love to pack and consider it an art form. First you have to have indiviual packing lists for everyone complete with a check off area. I do one for me and DD and then one for the other packables (beach towels etc) for things we both use and also one for carry-ons. The packing lists are made well in advance (I just made mine for my October trip) and things are checked off and put in as I buy or wash them. My DD is responsible for packing her carry-on and gathering up her stuff for me to pack. The list helps her decide what she needs. I also use one of those travel bags with plastic compartments and stick things that can leak in there. My new thing is the travel hamper for my dirty clothes. It's small and will be a nice way to keep the dirty seperate from the clean until we check out. I also bring a spare duffle or tote bag for things we buy.

When packing clothes I follow the rule of over packing and packing for any kind of weather. The last thing I need is a surprise and the need to buy an WDW wardrobe to go along with the surprise weather. I pack double socks and undergarments...you never know what can happen and it's nice to have extra. I hate to do laundry while on vacation, so I'd rather have the spare stuff. ALways take a light coat no matter what time of year you are going and always pack shorts no matter what time of year you are going. I could talk for hours about packing, so you better stop me now..lol

[tiptonsara]

I also put any bottles in ziploc bags. It has saved me on more that one occasion. I like to use those space saver bags that you roll to get the air out. They hold a good bit. Small ones are great for undergarements. I can get all of my DD's cloths in one (med. size). They are great for holding wet swimsuits.

By the way, a med. bag holds alot of diapers, which take up alot of space!

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

I pack my DS's clothes in gallon ZipLock bags. I put shorts, shirt, socks, and underwear in each bag and then he can just grab a bag and have everything he needs w/o me having to stop what I/m doing to pick out his clothes or play 20 questions with my DH.

You my dear....are brilliant!!! I will be doing this for both little kids on our trip to DL in August!

My favorite packing tip is to take a smallish soft sided ice chest as a carry on. I pack toiletries and swimsuits in it. I have one that is rectangular, maybe would hold 12 cans of soda or more, and one that is tote bag sized, and they both work great. I leave the toiletries on the vanity in the bathroom and have the cooler bag free to use. I carry on our swimsuits just on the off chance something happens to our bags and we have to wait for them to arrive--at least we can swim while we wait!

[BuzzLightyear]

My favorite packing tip was for when our DS was still in diapers.
We shipped a box of diapers, wipes etc. to our resort ahead of time and it was there for us when we arrived.

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

I am packing and seem to be running out of room fast. This time we will fly down so I wanted to keep it simple and not take any more than I need. Then I started packing. "I need one more outfit". "I better take this in case I want it"...to the point that now I am not packing simple or small any more. This really is driving me crazy. I wanted our bags to have extra space in them so than when we return I can put the things we buy at WDW in them with room to spare.
I am taking 2 extra outfits and a few extra soft shirts, etc in case someone ends up with a sunburn and can't wear just anything. (Yes I am taking sunblock). Any suggestions? I never know what mood I will be in so I try to take extra outfits for that.
Light and simple...yeah right!

[DisneyTeacher]

I can't help you there, I had the same plan--pack simple now I look like we are never coming home again. I'm even thinking about buying a new luggage.

[disneylover1019]

I didnt think that I packed that much the last time we went but we ended up having to buy another bag at our hotel in order to bring it all home! After packing all of our clothes and all the goodys that we bought at WDW we had no more room!!! I have to buy bigger suitcases for our next trip!!

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

We didn't think our old luggage set was big enough. It only had one big bag with it so we bought a new set with 3 larger bags and 2 carry ons. You would think this would be enough wouldn't you. I might put an extra duffel in one bag so that I won't have to buy one if I end up overloaded on the way home.
No...that would never happen.

[Allyson]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

I pack my DS's clothes in gallon ZipLock bags. I put shorts, shirt, socks, and underwear in each bag and then he can just grab a bag and have everything he needs w/o me having to stop what I/m doing to pick out his clothes or play 20 questions with my DH.

This is the BEST packing tip EVER!!!! We've done this for the past two trips to Disney (as well as other shorter trips to Grandma's)...it is GREAT! Still wishing I could find Ziplocks large enough to do this with DH's clothes!

[DisneyTeacher]

I know! I would love to pack my DH in ZipLock bags. For now I fold a shirt in a pair of his short so I know he has a shirt for every pair of shorts and he will wear the right shirt with the right shorts.