Packing for your Disney trip

I'll speak for both myself and DW! (VERY excited that your trip is about to begin. It's been fun to watch you plan!)

1. We start packing about 12 hours before the plane is scheduled to take off. I do not endorse nor do I recommend this choice.

2. DW usually over packs on dressy clothes and shoes. She thinks she needs to wear something different for every dressy restaurant, but then ends up wearing the same thing over and over again.

3. I always underpack on socks. To avoid blisters, I like to change socks a few times each day.

4. We always bring deodorant, swimming stuff, flip flops, and work-out clothes. AND ziplock bags. We never have enough ziplock bags (to put valuables in for the water rides, pack wet clothes in suitcases on the last day -- we always like to swim on the last day, pack toiletries for the plane, etc.)

5. Don't need an alarm clock, hair dryer, or shampoo/conditioner/soap unless you're staying at a value resort where they have a combined shampoo/conditioner and pretty bad bar soap.

DW says: Bring a tide pen and a clorox bleach pen, buy sunscreen at home where it's cheaper, bring a body poof (whatever that is) for the shower, and cash to buy balloons in the park.

Comfortable shoes.

I'm going to add on to Tony's answer and say bring at least 2 pair of comfortable shoes. You're going to WDW during Hurricane season, so if you get caught in a rainstorm sometimes it's nice to be able to let those shoes dry out and wear another pair for the rest of the day.

Also, we always bring some cash for tipping -- comes in handy in case you use a taxi or a sky cap or something.

I also sometimes bring along a hat/sunglasses to shade my eyes from the sun. I usually bring sunglasses that I can lose, because I often do!

I start packing about 30 days prior to leaving..then I unpack, and repack and unpack and repack...wash, rinse, repeat.

I over pack shoes and shirts...I try to keep it to a minimum now. 2 pairs of shoes..but I still bring 47 shirts.

Underpack...what is this foriegn word?

I need to bring my own pillow...no matter what.

Well I thought I needed my children...but I could have left them at home

So, here's something wacky that I'm going to mention because you guys are like family.

I'm going to start bringing sheets.

Seriously, every Disney bed I EVER sleep in has those stupid flat sheets for bottom sheets and they NEVER stay tucked in. I'm a virgo and need my sheets to stay tucked in.

I think I'm going to wal-mart and buying a fitted queen sheet (or a fitted king sheet) and bringing it in my suitcase. It will take up a LOT of room, but at least I'll be able to sleep without having to re-make the bed every night!

I know. Crazy.

Now, I've thought of this, but it would take up SO much space in the suitcase. Maybe go to a walmart in Orlando and get a fitted sheet... These are the kinds of things people have owner's locker for I guess.

I heart Disney, like times one million, but I am horrible at packing and usually wait til the night before. Which means I ALWAYS forget something.

One thing I ALWAYS overpack are nice clothes. I always wind up re-using what I wore to all the nice restaurants anyway.

Every once in a while it's useful to overpack. Just make sure you use most of the things you bring at least once. Even if you have to wear high heels to the park one day.

We have that problem too! For some reason Dave brings ten pairs of dress pants "just in case". But then he never brings dress shoes.

The problem is -- I always worry I'll spill something on my pants (far from unlikely) and then I won't have anything to wear to dinner. A lot of my overpacking comes from contingency planning I think.

Exactly. My park clothes are pretty much interchangeable and they're going to get sweaty and get nasty chlorinated splash mountain water on them anyway, but if you only have a few things to wear to Cali Grill and you get them dirty, what will you wear to Citricos. Mmm...this sounds like a fun fictional trip I'm planning.

Before I was married I would always pack the night before, when I should be sleeping. While I did wait until the last minute, I never forgot anything major and was able to pack for a good ten days or more in one bag (and a backpack). Now, DW does the packing. She does it in advance and is better at packing in general but isn't as efficient. That said, it's nice to have everything I need on a vacation now where when I did my own packing it was bare minimum. It's also nice to be able to sleep the night before we leave.

I've already started planning my packing....

But I think I may have to pick up a few more items... I think I may want to visit the pool but have no swimware and all the local stores have started stocking fall/winter clothing. I don't think I would want to pay the disney price for my swimware & shorts where do you guys look to buy your off season items at home?

Also I just bought a VirginMobile MiFi for the trip That had to be on the top of my packing list. I hope the Sprint network around Disney is fairly snappy.

Our MiFi has been great! We use it all the time in airports

Also, now is probably a good time to shop online for swimwear -- it'll be super discounted because the season's over, but you should still be able to get some.

put your swimwear in your carry-on esp if you are using ME (that way you can swim while you wait for your luggage).

The most important thing I have found for Disney is Body Glide, it preventions and makes you forget about blisters. Most amazing stuff I have ever found in my life.

Good idea... about the swimwear however my plane doesn't land till after 10pm I don't think I'll head to the pool after check in Hmmm... Would Disney deliver the luggage in the AM or that same night?!?

My husband does this too..and I am going to insert my eyeroll here.
I am not as good at packing as your wife because I wait til the night before..so I always forget something..and then he always gets mad at me.