Overpackers Anonymous

[Dole Whip Happy Hour]

I am an overpacker for any and all family trips. It doesn't matter if it's a day trip, or a big two week Disney World vacation. So as I am wondering the best way to pack the kitchen sink into my suitcase, I thought I would ask..
Is there something you packed for Disney and found out it wasn't worth packing?

 

[HwdStudio]

I am normally an over packer and always fascinated when members, @Weather_Lady , talking about only packing what can be taken in a carry on. I tried it. It’s liberating. If I have to do a load of laundry so be it but now I think packing as light as possible is the way to go.

 

[eliza61nyc]

I am normally an over packer and always fascinated when members, @Weather_Lady , talking about only packing what can be taken in a carry on. I tried it. It’s liberating. If I have to do a load of laundry so be it but now I think packing as light as possible is the way to go.

see for me its stressful. I tried the going to paris with one pair of serviceable shoes and you know what happened?? lol, Iended up buying 2 pair there.

I do have a question for folks who were the same top over and over, Im assuming you have to wash it nightly?

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I’m an overpacker but most of my stuff is non clothes. Have some medical issues so I pack extra of things that I need and are not sold on property since now we don’t rent a car. I can come back to the resort for mid afternoon break swim and after clean everything except shorts. Have gotten to the point where I don’t over pack shirts or sweatshirt because I can buy them if I need them.

 

[Weather_Lady]

see for me its stressful. I tried the going to paris with one pair of serviceable shoes and you know what happened?? lol, Iended up buying 2 pair there.

I do have a question for folks who were the same top over and over, Im assuming you have to wash it nightly?

Yes, although I try to pack so I never need to wash or rewear anything more than once during the trip, as I like to visit a proper laundry room if possible, mid-trip, although sink-washing works in a pinch. (We're not generally traveling more than 10 days, and 5 days worth - including an extra pair of shoes! - plus nightwear, swimwear, toiletries and sundries - fits in an 18-21" carryon.)

 

[LAKid53]

They have a self help group for us? Cool.

 

[LAKid53]

I am an overpacker for any and all family trips. It doesn't matter if it's a day trip, or a big two week Disney World vacation. So as I am wondering the best way to pack the kitchen sink into my suitcase, I thought I would ask..
Is there something you packed for Disney and found out it wasn't worth packing?

Funny you should mention kitchen sink.....

I drive and stay in a one bedroom DVC villa. I bring (1) a big purple bin packed with a filtered water picture, cooking utensils, a cutting board, knife set, salt, pepper, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, tea, measuring cup, clothes pins; (2) a rolling file box that holds my Keurig, two frying pans and my large tea cup with a strainer; (3) two large reusable grocery bags packed with toilet paper, napkins, plastic bags, bottle of spray cleaner, sponges, box of individual hand sanitizers, zip lock bag of suction cups, dish cloth, aluminum foil; (4) another grocery bag with some food; (5) a cooler with food, mainly for breakfast as I'll go grocery shopping the next day; and (6) my luggage. Oh, and a folding rolling platform cart to help bring stuff from the car to my room. Yes, I literally move into my room for a week. I cook breakfast and most of my meals in my room.

 

[Think Tink]

This is me. My last trip I packed so much a ripped my suitcase shutting it. I'm getting a hard shell suitcase for my next trip.... and maybe not brining 4 pairs of shoes next time. lol

 

[LAKid53]

Are you going to have a car or rely solely on resort transportation? If you have a car, you can probably leave some disposable/cheap things behind and just purchase them when you get down there (like the swiffer, lysol, sunscreen etc) and I say "cheap" too b/c then you can just pitch them (or try to leave them for someone else) and not worry about having just spent alot of money on something just to use a week. I feel like there's been a sprout in Dollar Trees along the 192 area lately. A couple years ago I remember I had to drive a ways down to get to one, but now it feels like there's one every couple of blocks; this could be good for a cheap rug, the swiffer (although a generic version) sprays, cleaning wipes and things... and there's plenty of walmarts/targets around and in my experience, they're not overpriced for the area (they at least match what I generally see in MD)

There's a brand new Wal-Mart on 429 near the West Gate entrance on Western Way. And a new Publix grocery store next to it.

 

[LAKid53]

Thanks, that is kinda my rule too. But we are going in summer with the kids for the first time, and even though I plan on doing laundry at the resort, I was going to up those numbers a little since we might be changing clothes twice a day with the heat. I have kids to pack for, and there is always something you think you need for them. We are staying at POP this trip and there are new refurbished rooms with hard floors instead of carpets. So I was thinking about packing a rug for wet shoes to be by the door, (I heard it rains just a bit in June). And a swiffer because some people on the forums have said the floors can get dirty, and maybe to wipe up rain water that gets in the room from the umbrellas and ponchos that I will be packing.... and so it goes on and on...

so to rephrase my original question, was what did you pack and realized you didn't need....

Instead of a rug, get a bathtub mat. Much easier to pack and clean than a rug. But get a colored one so that housekeeping doesn't think you're using the one from the resort bathroom and takes it with the other dirty towels

 

[LAKid53]

For those of you who travel to WDW and are tired of packing or purchasing things like sunscreen, swifters, cleaning supplies, etc., there's a company called Owners Locker in Orlando. You rent a large storage tub that you can fill with those items you're tired of packing in your suitcase, like toilet paper They store your tub in a climate controlled warehouse. I think after the initial fee, it's around $100 a year, which includes one delivery/pickup at your resort. The tubs are very spacious and include an organiser tray for small items People pack filtered water pitchers, sunscreen, cleaning supplies, crockpots, bathing suits, alcohol, etc., in their bin. Check it out.

 

[Dole Whip Happy Hour]

Funny you should mention kitchen sink.....

I drive and stay in a one bedroom DVC villa. I bring (1) a big purple bin packed with a filtered water picture, cooking utensils, a cutting board, knife set, salt, pepper, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, tea, measuring cup, clothes pins; (2) a rolling file box that holds my Keurig, two frying pans and my large tea cup with a strainer; (3) two large reusable grocery bags packed with toilet paper, napkins, plastic bags, bottle of spray cleaner, sponges, box of individual hand sanitizers, zip lock bag of suction cups, dish cloth, aluminum foil; (4) another grocery bag with some food; (5) a cooler with food, mainly for breakfast as I'll go grocery shopping the next day; and (6) my luggage. Oh, and a folding rolling platform cart to help bring stuff from the car to my room. Yes, I literally move into my room for a week. I cook breakfast and most of my meals in my room.

You have my vote for the fictional Overpackers award for today!

but an honorable mention goes to 21stamps with

I brought 6 pairs of high heels on our 2016 trip... I wore one of them.

I also nominate 21stamps for the purely fictional Merida Brave Award. For her bravery by wearing high heels inside of any of the Disney World parks. Her devotion to looking great combined with arches of steel is highly commendable. I salute you!

They have a self help group for us? Cool.

hmmmmmm (grabs pencil and paper, scribble scribble)
LAKid53, did you want to share with the group today? just kidding

 

[Mickey5150]

My biggest overpacking mistake was with my camera. Hauling around a camera and lenses became a camera with one lense around the neck which became a pocketable camera which finally became my phone and photopass. My other overpacking idea is skipping rain gear. I wait until I really need it and then buy a poncho. Most days I can ride out the rain on a ride and never get more than a few drops on me.