We Packed the Disney Santa Hats

Packing began yesterday for our trip that is weeks away.  Actually, the packing list was made a while ago, but the suitcases came out yesterday.

The husband and the boy decided to browse at the local Target—the boy got gift cards for his birthday and wants to check all his options before purchasing.  And, they stopped at Dollar Tree before heading home and bumped into the Disney Santa hats, shown above.

I was in our extra bedroom ironing for the trip when they arrived back home and the boy told me to close my eyes as they had a surprise for me.  Then, they both entered the room wearing the hats with one to spare.  The husband said we could wear them on our way to the ship and throughout our vacation.  Only a Disney husband would even see these hats at Dollar Tree, buy them, and have a plan as to when they could be worn!  And, yes, they are now in the suitcase.

How is the packing going?  Faster than I had anticipated.  The list helps. . . a lot.  Since we keep our matching sets of Disney shirts in the suitcases, already ironed, all I had to do was set aside the ones we weren’t taking with us.  Again, the list made this easy. 

The tricky part, for me, when packing for a Disney cruise is the dinner attire. . . cruise casual to semi-formal.  All of us have nice clothes to pack but my need for coordination for photo opportunities adds complexity to the process.  We’ve learned that 4 pairs of nice pants for the boy and 3 pairs for the husband suffice on a 5 night cruise, as the pants can be worn again sometime in the cruise.  My evening wardrobe consists of a brown, black, and navy set of “slinky” knit material outfits.  Great for packing and easy to wear.  I am considering packing a nice dress for the trip—holiday red, maybe. 

Rather than packing swim cover-ups for me this trip, we will wear matching Disney t-shirts with shorts (over swimsuits) for me and with swim trunks for the guys.  I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before, but it will actually save packing space.

The packing list also has directions as to items that need to go in certain bags.  For example, one of the carry-on bags will have swim suits and pajamas for our overnight at the Hyatt prior to our cruise.  This makes getting to the swim suits fast and eliminates the need to open all of the checked luggage.  Then another carry-on that goes with us on the ship will have swimsuits, sunscreen, hair brush, dinner attire for our first night onboard including shoes, and pajamas, just in case our bags arrive to our stateroom later in the evening.  This attention to detail and organization prior to our trip helps the rest of our trip go smoothly.

We have yet to reserve a “park ‘n fly” stay prior to our flight.  This will depend on weather predictions when our trip gets closer.  Should we make the decision, another bag will be packed that will contain our needed items just for that overnight stay.  Again, making the process easier without opening all of our larger bags.  The bag used just for that stay would contain our dirty clothes in the morning and be left in the car for the duration of our vacation.

The packing will continue, right up until the morning we leave, as toiletries will be the last to go in the bag.    

I know some people find this task daunting, and it certainly can be.  Especially when packing for others, a wide range of weather possibilities, and multiple destinations (both a cruise and Disney World in this instance).  This is why a packing list helps so much.  When I told the husband that I was going to start packing on Sunday his reply was “Do you mean WE are going to start packing?”  Packing is something he doesn’t like to do.  And, yes, he may be asked to gather socks, undies, pajamas, shoes, etc.  Maybe this is why he took the boy to Target and left the house!

When Do You Start Packing?

When do you start packing?  When I told the husband the idea for this post, he chuckled and said, “when do you start packing or when does everyone else?”  Okay, I get his point.  I would say that responses to this question would fall into 3 categories.

Category 1, which I will refer to as the last minute packers.  They might procrastinate, feel overwhelmed by the task, or be so busy that they can’t get it done.  These folks might say that what they forget to pack they will purchase.  The husband would fall into this category and would most likely still be throwing stuff into the car when it drove off, if it weren’t for his lovely wife, that’s me.

Category 2, which I will refer to as the planned packers.  Planned packers make a list either in writing or in their head, lay items out 1-3 weeks ahead, and then place in suitcases, adding toiletries, before their trip.  They know if they need to purchase anything ahead of time, and may make one large purchase for needed items before their trip.

Category 3, which I will refer to as the perpetually packed.  Perpetually packed folks have the suitcases ready at all times and could whisk off at a moments notice with almost everything they needed.  They look for items that might be needed or benefit a future vacation whenever they shop, which alleviates a more expensive one-time purchase.  In addition to suitcases being at the ready, perpetually packed folks may have a plastic tub or drawer dedicated to vacation items and may take advantage of services such as Owner’s Locker which provides storage and access to vacation items.  I fall into this category. 

For example, our suitcases got unpacked, Disney shirts washed, ironed, and put back in the suitcases for the next trip.  We have a drawer just for Disney vacation items.  When I announced to the husband the other day that I was going to finally unpack all the suitcases, he told me it was because I wanted to pack for our next trip.  Right he was!

I have an on-going list of potentially needed items for an upcoming trip and will look to get them at a sale price.  For example, since our next Disney vacation is a cruise on the Disney Dream, I know the boy is going to need dress slacks.  Most likely, this type of pant will go on sale after Easter and religious confirmation events are over.  I’m hopeful to snag some in the next size up and save them for our trip.  If I were in need of a special occasion dress for the cruise, I would look after prom and summer wedding season for a discounted price—before the holiday dresses become available.  Planning a trip so far in advance helps, too, as, I will look for sandals and swimsuits at the end of summer when items go on sale.  Another example is how I shop for our customized shirt sets.  On Zazzle.com, I can design a shirt at anytime and save it in my account.  Then, when a special comes up via e-mail, I can snag the great price.

So, which category of packer do you fit into?  When do you start packing?