Hints & Tips For Packing & Travel

[revral]

I thought it would be nice to if we shared those general packing & traveling hints & tips that we've learned over the years. It will help the unseasoned travelers among us & those of us that are well seasoned may pick up a new trick or two.

[revral]

Here are some of the things I've learned over many trips.

1) Ziploc bags are your friend. I put ANYTHING that can leak, spill, spray, or ooze in a Ziploc bag. Recently though I've started using the zipper bags that FoodSaver has come out with since they're designed to maintain a vacuum they're thicker & sturdier than your typical Ziploc.

2) All clothing is mix & match or EVERY top goes with EVERY bottom.

3) A small stash of basic office supplies can be a very handy thing to have. I have either mini or small versions of the basics (scissors, stapler, tape, hole punch) plus 2 black Sharpies (fine & ultra fine tip), small post - it notes, & a couple of highlighters. I keep these things in a smallish zippered cosmetics pouch & it lives in my must be checked suitcase.

I'll be back with more later.

[3Caballeros]

I thought it would be nice to if we shared those general packing & traveling hints & tips that we've learned over the years. It will help the unseasoned travelers among us & those of us that are well seasoned may pick up a new trick or two.

My favorite tip I read years ago is to purchase a hanging sweater and/ or shoe organizer to put in your closet at the resort. Do you know the kind I mean? They create little cubbies with shelves-they're made out of a heavy canvas-type material. Those have been lifesavers! As a family of 5, we have SO much stuff! They fold neatly away but open them up and you have TONS more storage for all your toiletries (shoe organizer) and for the clothes that won't fit in the drawer (sweater organizer). I bought the very sturdy velcro kind at a home improvement store in their closet organizer section. They can really hold a LOT of stuff. Not cheap but we've used them for 9 Disney trips and other vacation destinations. We store them in the suitcases when not traveling so they're always ready to go when we are.

[revral]

A kit for everything & everything in a kit. Toiletries are the obvious kit but I've put together a laundry kit (Purex 3 in 1 sheets, Shout color catcher sheets, small sewing kit, pop up hamper) and a swimming kit (swimsuit, cover up, goggles, watershoes). I also have a room kit (comfort/convenience items for the room) and an electronics kit. I use packing cubes in various sizes for most of my kits. The great thing about kits is that they keep things together that get used together & they eliminate thinking & rounding stuff up if they're kept assembled and ready to pack.

If you're buying new luggage spend the extra money for the kind with four spinning wheels especially if you have to deal with more one suitcase. Those four wheels make moving the suitcase so much easier.

Do NOT pack anything you're not willing to have lost or stolen in you checked bag(s).

Medications, electronics (laptop, camera, ipod etc.), travel documents etc. belong in your carry on or personal bag that you will be carrying with you on the plane.

Pack your sneakers in your carry on & wear shoes that are easy on easy off to the airport. Security will make you take your shoes & send them through the xray machine this is much simpler if you can simply step out of or kick off your shoes. I wear Crocs to the airport but flip flops, or clogs would work well too.

[revral]

My favorite tip I read years ago is to purchase a hanging sweater and/ or shoe organizer to put in your closet at the resort. Do you know the kind I mean? They create little cubbies with shelves-they're made out of a heavy canvas-type material. Those have been lifesavers! As a family of 5, we have SO much stuff! They fold neatly away but open them up and you have TONS more storage for all your toiletries (shoe organizer) and for the clothes that won't fit in the drawer (sweater organizer). I bought the very sturdy velcro kind at a home improvement store in their closet organizer section. They can really hold a LOT of stuff. Not cheap but we've used them for 9 Disney trips and other vacation destinations. We store them in the suitcases when not traveling so they're always ready to go when we are.

That's a great idea. I don't bring one but I do bring a few collapsible fabric drawer dividers for coraling & organizing the smaller stuff & a small always lives on the table or dresser to catch things like receipts, coke bottle caps (I do coke rewards), etc. They make a huge difference in keeping thing contained and organized.

[Rhonda]

That's a great idea. I don't bring one but I do bring a few collapsible fabric drawer dividers for coraling & organizing the smaller stuff & a small always lives on the table or dresser to catch things like receipts, coke bottle caps (I do coke rewards), etc. They make a huge difference in keeping thing contained and organized.

Oh I like that!!

If traveling with children by air: I always pack the power cord to the electronic of choice in case of a delayed layover. I also always gate check car/booster seats. Once we landed in San Francisco EARLY and couldn't leave the airport because they lost the carseat!!!

The tip about making sure clothes can be washed together is GREAT! DD loves pink which cant be washed with anything!

[revral]

Oh I like that!!

If traveling with children by air: I always pack the power cord to the electronic of choice in case of a delayed layover. I also always gate check car/booster seats. Once we landed in San Francisco EARLY and couldn't leave the airport because they lost the carseat!!!

The tip about making sure clothes can be washed together is GREAT! DD loves pink which cant be washed with anything!

Good suggestion to gate check the booster seat(s). I would also gate the stroller(s) so that I could use them all the to the gate. I too pack all chargers in my carry on since my phone, kindle, etc. isn't going to do me any good if battery is dead.

[annethomas]

Are the outlets very hard to reach, will I need a side order of extension cord with my power cord


anne

[Janine]

Collapsable/pop-up laundry basket. The mesh kind, with the hard plastic trim, that folds into itself and makes a tiny flat disk. Or any kind of collapsable laundry basket, I guess.

[Rhonda]

Are the outlets very hard to reach, will I need a side order of extension cord with my power cord


anne

Funny- and funnier that I cant answer because I have never needed to use them!! I see that as assurance. If I dont have it, I will need it, so I just bring it Actually, I have eyed some areas just in case and if we were in that situation, I think I would find a gate area that was not being used and I think there were just normal wall outlets around.

[Rhonda]

Collapsable/pop-up laundry basket. The mesh kind, with the hard plastic trim, that folds into itself and makes a tiny flat disk. Or any kind of collapsable laundry basket, I guess.

.......now goes on EVERY vacation!

[George]

My only rule: if it won't fit into one carry-on for a week-long trip, it doesn't get to go with me. I always bring less than I think I'll need, and I still end up with stuff I didn't use.

And I always bring my dime-store shower head (minus the water saver) and the less-than-six-inches adjustable wrench. I can't abide low shower pressure. I'd rather stay home.

[jilly7896]

I pack the kids clothes in large ziplock bags. One for each day. It will contain shirt, shorts, underwear, socks. Each one is labeled with a day. It makes getting ready in the morning a breeze! I also pack the over the door shoe holder and the pop-up laundry baskets. I love the idea of packing the little collapsible drawers! Our tv stand in the room is always covered in room keys, reciepts, change, etc. I'm definitely doing that! I love threads like these!

[charcharg]

My favorite tip I read years ago is to purchase a hanging sweater and/ or shoe organizer to put in your closet at the resort. Do you know the kind I mean? They create little cubbies with shelves-they're made out of a heavy canvas-type material. Those have been lifesavers! As a family of 5, we have SO much stuff! They fold neatly away but open them up and you have TONS more storage for all your toiletries (shoe organizer) and for the clothes that won't fit in the drawer (sweater organizer). I bought the very sturdy velcro kind at a home improvement store in their closet organizer section. They can really hold a LOT of stuff. Not cheap but we've used them for 9 Disney trips and other vacation destinations. We store them in the suitcases when not traveling so they're always ready to go when we are.

I just saw these in the $1 section at our local Target!! Must get those when I am there today.

[MaddiesMom]

I pack the kids clothes in large ziplock bags. One for each day. It will contain shirt, shorts, underwear, socks. Each one is labeled with a day. It makes the getting ready in the morning a breeze!

Here's your "second" on that tip. I can't tell you how EASY this makes travel!

Here are my other tips:

1 - find a park bag that works for you. I carry a Baggalini Messenger, but YMMV.

2 - Get one or two of these. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Red-Cross-...-1-ct/10801432 They are AWESOME for carrying around small first aid items.

3 - Blister band-aids. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Band-Aid-A...-6-ct/10316209 If you get a hot-spot, put it on your foot immediately. If you already have a blister, this is one of the few things that will make walking in the parks bearable.

[jilly7896]

Here's your "second" on that tip. I can't tell you how EASY this makes travel!

3 - Blister band-aids. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Band-Aid-A...-6-ct/10316209 If you get a hot-spot, put it on your foot immediately. If you already have a blister, this is one of the few things that will make walking in the parks bearable.

I love these things! I keep them in my purse at all times and double up for Disney!

[revral]

Keep all of your travel gear together in one place. I have a cabinet that I got years ago at WalMart that I use as travel central it holds all my travel gear. Being able to open that cabinet up pull out whatever items I need for trip except for paperwork/tickets, clothing & suitcase(s)/bags has been a huge time & sanity saver.

[revral]

Here's your "second" on that tip. I can't tell you how EASY this makes travel!

Here are my other tips:

1 - find a park bag that works for you. I carry a Baggalini Messenger, but YMMV.

I agree a good bag that works for you is critical when traveling. My personal bag when traveling is actually a diaper bag from Kmart. It's a plain dark gray & black bag with a lot of pockets & nothing about it says diaper bag. I say this because I don't have kids & if I hadn't thought outside of the box I wouldn't have found a great bag.

[3Caballeros]

3 - Blister band-aids. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Band-Aid-A...-6-ct/10316209 If you get a hot-spot, put it on your foot immediately. If you already have a blister, this is one of the few things that will make walking in the parks bearable.

Preventing the blisters calls for the most wonderful product called "Body Glide" - it's sold online at places like drugstore.com or you can also get it at cycle shops or Dick's sporting goods. It looks like a deodorant solid but is scent-free. You put it on your feet (works best when wearing socks and shoes vs. crocs) or other areas of your body that may chafe (you know the ones!) and you'll be so glad you did!

[marlaine]

For those of you that pack each outfit in a Ziplock--don't they get all wrinkly? I'm an ironing fanatic--iron everything before I pack and then a quick re-iron in the morning before we leave for the parks. I realize I don't have to do this, but I just love the way clothes look when they're crisp and pressed!

[3Caballeros]

Martha Stewart says to roll your clothes up when you pack them to prevent wrinkling. Like a cylinder. So, when we packed our clothes in the zip locks, I rolled them as much as I could and, although I admit that I rarely touch an iron, the clothes looked fine and not wrinkly, IMO.

[Janine]

Ironing? What's that?

[loribell]

Ironing? What's that?

You got me!

[marlaine]

I know, I know! Not many people iron anymore--I'm a sick-o. I've done it for so many years, that I just can't break the habit.

[Brandie]

find a park bag that works for you. I carry a Baggalini Messenger, but YMMV.

I've got two of these. Love 'em! But, they cause pilling. After a day at the park I've got pills in the outline of a sash across the front and back of my shirt.

Hilary, do you have this problem, too?