Introduction and Self-incriminating Admissions
It’s me. I’m the Type A, control freak, can’t sleep until it’s done, overplanning, overpacking mom. I know there are more like me, and if you’ve clicked on this article, you’re in good company. I know you likely already have a packing system in place, so you’re just here to tell yourself that your neurotic tendencies aren’t quite so bad and maybe hoping to remind yourself that there are indeed others like you.
I have a system in place when we’re prepping for any trip, a cruise, a Disney parks vacation, or even just a weekend getaway. I’m not one to plan spontaneous vacations because it would completely void this system, and having to pack without days (or weeks) to prepare might spin me around faster than the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
I’ll lay it out for you, and I’d love to hear how this compares to or contrasts with your system! And stay to the end to grab my must-have packing list for the Disney Parks.
One month before travel
We’ve booked a trip for months at this point, but once we’ve hit a reasonable ‘countdown,’ I’m in full-fledged outfit planning mode. I’m scoping out the weather in our destination and attempting to predict what the weather could possibly look like 4 weeks from now so we know exactly what we’re bringing. I’ve started going through my kids’ wardrobes in my mind to determine if they have adequate amounts of swimwear, dresses, shorts, and jackets for our desired trip. I’ve also likely decided by now if we’ll be “matchy-matchy” and have already loaded our Amazon cart with those outfits.
This is also when our staging areas start to appear, aka empty corners of our bedroom, where laundry baskets and shopping bags start to accumulate in preparation for the next stage of the packing process.
Two weeks before travel
This is when it’s gotten down to the wire for me, and panic purchasing has begun. I’ve taken inventory of the kids’ clothes and discovered that NONE of their bathing suits from the previous season fit, and we’ll be heading out on a shopping spree, much to the kids’ disappointment. Surprisingly, my own shopping addictions haven’t genetically coded themselves into my kids’ genome, so I get lots of pushback here. Nonetheless, after four or five stops, we’ve generally been able to complete the missing puzzle pieces of all of their wardrobes.
The mountains in the bedroom have continued to grow.
One week before travel
Clothing is stacked up everywhere. Laundry is being done at rapid speed, and suitcases are being brought down from the attic. Everything is a blur, and I’m really wondering why I do this to myself! Travel documents start to get organized and safely secured in their assigned places for travel. Chargers and electronics inventory has started. Confirmation emails are making their way to the top of my inbox and are marked accordingly.
A couple of days before travel
The app has been warning me that the time is drawing near, and final preparations have begun. This is, of course, the time to clean out the refrigerator. That makes sense, right? As does pulling out pieces of furniture that haven’t moved for 10 years and vacuuming behind them. Total chaos has ensued! There’s something about departing with a clean home that makes the end of the vacation much more bearable. I cannot possibly be the only one.
This is also when packing staging happens – final decisions are made on which suitcases are being brought, which are being checked, and who is carrying which luggage. However, no one should be included in this process until the absolute last minute. This will ensure that the children who have taken on your Type-A personality do not try to interject their own packing strategies. There’s only room for one Type A packer in this scenario. I’ve made mental notes of everyone’s responsibilities and what they’ll carry.
Day before travel
All of your suitcases are properly packed and ready to go! All that’s left now is to ensure the mail has been stopped and the trash cans have been taken to the street for pick up! This is your coasting day; enjoy the fruits of your labor! All the hard work has been done for days now, so today is a day to catch up on business and ensure everything is set to autopilot for my departure.
Morning of Travel
All the hard work is complete, and all lanes are clear for departure! I’ve got my last-minute check-off list ready to go by the back door, and the coffee pot is turned off. My family is ecstatic that I’ve managed to get them out the door in one piece, and everyone is genuinely ready for vacation mode- happy travels!
Whether I’m packing for a cruise, a Disney vacation, or any type of weekend getaway, I’m always running similar scenarios in my mind; it’s just ingrained in who I am! But I’ll tell you, it helps with my clients’ vacation planning too!
Be honest- can you relate to the packing craziness? Do you have a timeline and an overly complicated way to prepare for your vacations? Connect with me over at Smart Moms Travel with Jennifer Nash and tell me all about it!
Get your must-have packing list for the Disney parks here!
I have been a Smart Moms agent since 2020, but a compulsive, Type-A packing connoisseur my whole life. If you’d like to work with me to help get all the details right on your next vacation, get started here: Let’s get your next vacation quote started!
