Originally Posted By mousegrl do you do it? I'm sitting here the night before I leave for my favorite place, and instead of packing all my stuff into 100 bags, I thought it would be interesting to see how much stuff do you bring? I always feel a little embarrassed when I pull up to the hotel and the bellman starts to load my stuff. AND, I always vow next time will be different. So, here's my list to pack tonight... (It's a 9 night trip total) -one suitcase for me -one suitcase for 11 year old son -one suitcase for my mom (She's packing her own stuff. LOL) -one bathroom (toiletry) bag for me -one for mom -Costco water case -duffel bag with food for hotel(minimal) -duffel with shoes (5) and purses so I can accessorise -duffel bag for mom for her shoes and jackets -small backpack for sons electronics(DVD player, psp, ds, ipod, ect.) OK, so that's obscene. No wonder I'm embarrassed. I mean, do I really need 5 pairs of shoes?! (So, I need at least two. It really feels like heaven when you switch into new shoes after a day or two of walking. And my most comfy ones are grey running shoes, and just don't match with everything! So my second most comfy ones are my black sketchers, but black does NOT go with a light blue shirt. So I have my white sketcher that are not as comfy but go with everything. Have to bring those! And of course my brown sketchers to go with my pink and brown shirts- those are third comfy in line before the white ones. And of COURSE, my black bootsy type shoes for Thanksgiving dinner. Don't ever get me started on my purses.........(They HAVE to be comfy, comfy, comfy (and cute) or I won't wear them!) So, to say it bluntly, help!!!! How can I downsize?! Tips anyone?!(And NO guys coming on to say nix the shoes! la la la laaaa...) OK, I'm off to pack. We leave at 10 in the morning and are headed to Santa Rosa for the night. YIPPEEEEE! I'll keep coming back here to check for advise, so please, respond! I'm in need! Walks away mumbling; get the dog and cats ready, clean bathroom, pack, vacuum, do dises. Crap..........(not literally! LOL)
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains bags are fine - but too many shoes and bags - 3 shoes max - 1 bag or backpack. It is easier to keep track on one bag everyday than to think which bag you have that day (plus you can choose the best one for the trip) - Shoes should only be your most comfy...
Originally Posted By mousegrl Are you a chick? LOL! J/K. So, when you say bags are fine, do you mean suitcases? So just one purse? (I either use travelon bags or really small over the shoulder bags. I do not like lugging stuff around all day.)
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains yes i am a "chick" but as I have aged (41) and go on many trips to DL - I have found I would rather carry something small and if not close to my room - rent a locker. I also make my kids (9,11,16,18) carry one of those pullstring backpacks to carry their own items (snacks or whatever), as I am not their maid. I find, especially this time of year(warm and quite chilly) the best thing is to rent a locker in the park and utilize it - this way I can get away with a small bag (wallet,brush,etc) to carry in the park.
Originally Posted By mousegrl Hope I didn't offend you. I was totally joking! I'm being a little silly tonight. Must be a trip I'm about to go on. We're staying at the Grand, so I'm really close to my room. I think I'm gonna just take two tiny shoulder bags, and one bigger Baggallini bag. I'm not sure if my 11 year old son will do autographs this year, but I like to have one bag big enough to fit the book just in case. Thanks for the advise!
Originally Posted By LuLu I love clothes and shoes, but I love to pack light even more! I took one carry-on size bag plus a tote bag on a 23-day vacation! Two pair of shoes plus 1 flip-flops. Everything just had to coordinate with the shoes. I used to switch handbags years ago, but have found it to be too much hassle - I found a small silver purse (goes w/everything in summer) just long enough to hold a map, and big enough for the essentials. I admit, I spent a lot of time planning my wardrobe for that trip (time you don't have!) but it was worth it!
Originally Posted By mousegrl I know, LuLu. Everytime I'm on vacation, I swear that I won't overpack next time. I do not like having to much stuff, and am actually much more relaxed packing light. So, I'm just bringing my white sketchers and my running shoes. I kinda need to bring flip flops for the pool, and a nice pair of shoes for Thanksgiving dinner, but I nixed 2 pairs. Yeah for me! Now I need to go get rid of some clothes. I'm mostly a jeans person, so I should be good with a few pair. I'm off again!
Originally Posted By ABBY All I can say is fanny pack, fanny pack, fanny pack I have a black leather that I love for trips. It is the perfect size - Not too big, but big enough to hold everything I need, including my small digital camera. I like the "hands free" feeling of a fanny pack, and black goes with everything, right ? I do tend to overpack a bit, but my husband is way worse than me!!
Originally Posted By kennedyjane I think I'm getting better at not overpacking now. I've realized that I'm not going to read a book on vacation or write in a journal or play with my ds. So last DL trip I left those things home. It made my carry on a little lighter. Things I know that are helpful are a few bandaids, neosporin, suntan lotion, aloe, extra hair ties. I only pack enough outfits to get me though my trip plus a pair of jeans. My swimsuit and flip flops. I only brought my Mickey Mouse crocs, their comfy and matched everything. I like to bring two purses, one backpack style and one cross body. I like to use the packmate bags. You can put your clothes inside and roll out the air to save even more space in your luggage. Happy traveling.
Originally Posted By BoyStory Well, you've probably already left mousegrl, but I am the Queen of "over-packing, LOL". I have 5 sons and I have to pack for every weather-type! My husband and I have one semi-large duffle bag each, each of my 5 sons have a 20" duffle bag, then we have one small toiletry duffle bag, a bag with diapers, wipes, etc, a snack bag, a bag with all DS13's asthma equipment (nebulizer), a bag to hold all the jackets (for the DL locker)...not to mention how packed up our van is with DVD's, hand-held games, etc for the trip down and back! I do agree with gottaluv, though about the shoes. I am very much a "chick" (as my hubby calls me LOL!) and try not to bring any more than two pairs of shoes tops! As for "purses" I have my one functional bag that is left in the stroller when we go one rides (with diapers, kid medications, etc. Then I carry one very, small, lightweight bag (this year I bought one that goes over my shoulder) for small items I keep on my person at all times, Have a GREAT time, Mousegrl!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Have a wonderful time mousegrl! Wave to me as you drive through Petaluma I am the Queen of over packers but I prefer to call it uber organized We had (still have but they are on their own now 4 kids and I was an obsessive packer. If the "kids" travel with us now, they know that I will still have whatever anyone needs at any moment For a typical 4-6 night stay at a DLR hotel for DH and I: 2 HUGE suitcases, packed with everything we can cram in there. Including about 5 pair of shoes for me and 3 for DH, jackets, hats, air purifier, etc. 1 overnight bag that fits on top of one of the rolling suitcases. It's always packed with EVERYTHING medicinal and cosmetic as it's also our "emergency" bag. 1 laptop bag that fits on the other suitcase. It also holds all our "stuff" including things like paper plates, shout wipes, scissors and all kinds of stuff like that. I duffel with a coffee maker and breakfast snacks. A Trader Joes bag with large bottles of water for the coffee and the room. A 10 pack of diet pepsi bottles and a 10 pack of water bottles. I LOVE to pack. It's a sickness, I know Yesterday I was looking for something in the always packed overnight case and I left it on our bed. DH saw it last night and said, "uh, don't tell me you are already packing"....LOL! our trip is in mid Dec Hmmmm, maybe I should start refreshing the bag with the paper plates and plastic forks Sound like fun!
Originally Posted By mousegrl I tried..... and yet I failed. lol I have the same amount of stuff I listed before. I just couldn't unpack the shoes. Sigh. But, darn, my feet will look super cute in my brown sketchers with my coral shirt. lol Thanks everyone! I was up until 1:00 and will be leaving in a few hours. In-N-Out, here I come! Talk to you all later in my trip report! amazedncal-I'll wave through Petaluma! BTW, hows the 101-580 interchange toward the San Raphael bridge? (Sucky part of divorce, I have to drive the WHOLE TRIP!)
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 My sister drives it a couple of times a week and says that she adds 1/2 hour to each trip for the delay. However we've driven it a couple of times lately with no delay. Odd, but I guess it depends on the time of day and whether the idiot driving in front of you needs to slam on the brakes to look at the construction. Saturday should be good XX fingers crossed for you. Have a safe trip
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains <O,crud! I forgot to pack my son's shoes!> Well if he's anything like my DS11 he could probably fit in your extra shoes...
Originally Posted By BoyStory But, darn, my feet will look super cute in my brown sketchers with my coral shirt. lol Hee hee, I have to admit, that does sound cute!
Originally Posted By Disney Joy always overpack...although I try not to. warm weather cooler heck what if it rains like Portland suckie shoes about 3 pair of walking ones you never know fancy pack heck yes...
Originally Posted By chickendumpling <<will be leaving in a few hours. In-N-Out, here I come!>> WAAAHH!! You're killin' me! I wannnnna gooooo to Diiiiiisneyland! And In-N-Out! LOL! I hope you are having a great time you over-packing but wildly stylish fool!!! << Talk to you all later in my trip report!>> Yay! I love trip reports! And you take the cutest pictures too. As for packing.... I think I'm more in the gottaluv school of packing. DH says I overpack but he doesn't know what he's talking about. LOL! But really, I'm serious. He doesn't know how good he's got it with me! I am soooo low maintenance. If he saw what other women packed, he would flip. OMG he would tease you so hard for taking more than one purse! LOL! As for what I think... aside from your fashion accessories, I don't think your packing list is all that unreasonable for a 9 day trip. And if being fashionable is necessary for you to have fun, then have at it! It's YOUR vacation, do what you want! This is us (as a general rule): family of four, week long trip to Disneyland including side trips to visit fam/friends and pay homage to the beaches of our youth = 1 suitcase, 1 garment bag, 2 very small backpacks and 1 oversized purse. If we're driving, add two coolers and about 150 cd's. Ain't NOTHING like a good road trip.
