Must pack items for a TS vacation.

[pcgirl54]

dreamtraveler, no need to fret or bring so much stuff.

First of all there are supermarkets or Walmart most places you go. Having said that you can pack a few things in zip lock bags as well as a collapsible cooler that packs nicely in a suitcase. Everything else you can buy. You have a washer in or near your unit. Do not overpack. Bring 3-4 days worth of clothes, a jacket or sweatshirt to wear when its chilly.

Does the resort supply beach towels because this takes up a lot of room in the suitcase? Beach chairs or noodles you can buy at Walmart for a low cost and leave in the unit for the next person.

Bullfrog sunscreen-simply the best I have ever used.

Things I bring in baggies,that are easy to pack. I used to car it on in a canvas bag but now we have the 3oz gel issue.

1.Extra ziplock bags. folded aluminum foil or plastic wrap to broil with or cover food & put in a ziplock

2.powder laundry detergent(not the entire box but enough for 3-4 loads & a dryer sheet

3.coffee/filters/tea bags or one can buy coffee at the market but you may want to pack some for checkin day if the unit does not provide sample packs

4.salt/pepper buy the 1.00 ones at the market that you use for a cookout-or get some from restaurants you eat at.

5.Sugar packets-bring or buy at the market cost about 1.00-2.00

I also bring a sample size liquid dish detergent and wrap carefully. Most places suppy dishwasher detergent but not all supply the liquid.

All of the above takes very little room.

My boss travels extensively for years with his spouse who worked for the airlines. His advice is to put everything on the bed you think you need then throw half of that on the floor because you won't use it. Take the other half on the bed and only pack half of that. They each take a carryon.

 

[rkd]

Something I have taken for years (even to a hotel) is a flashlight. I had a friend in the Oakland/San Francisco earthquake and she said her flashlight was how she got out of hotel!

On a lighter note....I noted this week that in my "timeshare bag" I also keep paper plates and a small spray bottle of glass cleaner.

Regina

 

[Whirl]

You need PACKING CUBES...they rock!

Probably sounds crazy but I don't like putting clothes into the bureau drawers (bugs, smells etc.) so I sort the clothing in the opened suitcase. Our dentist friend tells me that he sprays the drawers with Lysol and then lines the drawers with aluminum foil. Pain, pain, pain for me.

.

Packing cubes rock. I discovered these a few years ago and they have made all aspects of packing better.

I have sets in different colors for every family member (I'm addicted...even my

10 week old twins already have their own sets).

These are sold in sets and are soft sided nylon and mesh square bags that I use to organize ( pants, shirts, outfits, undergarments, swim stuff, whatever) my packing. When you go through security, everything is in zipped see-through bags, so your personal items don't get spewed out everywhere as they are well contained. They usually don't even open them, just look in and feel around in them.
Additionally, I just throw them into the drawer and that's it for unpacking at the hotel. I don't like to put things in the drawers either and this keeps them organized. ...you can still spray some Lysol in the drawer and then just toss in your packing cubes. I stay organized the whole trip. I pack dirty clothes in cubes as I empty them, if not doing laundry. I return home as organized as when I left and unpacking is a breeze.

Packing actually amuses me....


You can check them out here http://www.ebags.com/ebags/packing_cubes_3pc_set/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13032

Happy packing...collect them all and don't forget the Susan G Komen PINK ones, too!

Cheryl (addicted to packing cubes).

 

[pcgirl54]

Denise,My boss who travels a lot and visits Oahu annually for more than 15yrs. Like you they take 2 carryons and 4 outfits and they do not even own a TS. There are washers in the hotel.

 

[schiff1997]

Hi all,
My husband and I recently purchased a trial RCI package and have booked a week in Orlando at the end of March with our 2 kids (12 and 14). I realized that we would have to buy groceries when we get there, but looking at the packing list on the "Advice" page and reading some of the postings in this thread has me terrified we've made the wrong decision. Do I really have to pack salt, pepper and sugar? Of course, I don't want to be stuck buying huge boxes of condiments when I get there, but I guess I thought timeshares were like motels with kitchenettes, where some of the basics are supplied? We are flying and trying to pack light (an impossibility for me even in the best of circumstances!) Somebody please tell me I don't have to pack all of this little stuff!!!

My husband always make sure that I pack regular white vinegar, he can never seem to find it in Orlando

 

[icydog]

I filled a refillable travel size bottle with Fabreze. It is one of the most valuable things I bring along. Often our timeshare will have smells I cannot abide. A little spray and they're gone. Also most ts do not have windows in their bathrooms and some do not have exhaust fans, nuff said.
I always carry a large supply of ziplock bags in all sizes. They are handy for so many things. I buy laundry tabs from Amway and I take a little liquid detergent for stains. If I am going on a plane I only take tabs or I buy detergent at the grocery store and leave the left overs for the maid.
If I am driving I take my pillow. No such luxury when flying. I've tried the space bags and find I can do better rolling my clothing and stacking them in two layers. Shoes on the bottom of course. I take my own shampoo and conditioner and small soap only for me. I don't share these items with my husband as he doesn't care what he uses and hotel supplied items are fine with him. One of my ts doesn't supply anything. They give you a starter package of dish detergent, laundry detergent, toilet paper (can you believe they don't replenish toilet paper?) and papertowels. It is your resposibilty to buy more when you run out. Even my Disney Vacation Club resorts doesn't supply extra detergent or any salt and pepper. Most Marriotts will but some will not replenish laundry detergent.

 

[rkd]

I can not believe I never thought of the Febreze! I always bring candles and air freshener so thanks for this tip!

Regina

 

[Jaybee]

I'm glad someone finally mentioned a flashlight. I keep a small one in my carryon bag. I also always take coffee in a zip-lock bag, and some filters. Often, I don't need them, but hate having to buy a whole box if I do. I also take a small amount of powdered laundry soap for handwashing...and a few clothespins. I take Wisk laundry tablets. They're easy to pack.

For drive-to places, I have a "timeshare box" with foil, plastic wrap, seasonings, a SHARP knife, zip-locks with packs of tea, chocolate, salt, pepper, & Stevia (sweetener). I've found that almost every place now provides salt & pepper.

Oh, I don't think anyone has mentioned a corkscrew, or nail clippers, but they are part of our travel supplies.

I love seeing all these suggestions. Thanks for taking the time to post them.
Jean

 

[ownsmany]

Packing cubes rock. I discovered these a few years ago and they have made all aspects of packing better.

I have sets in different colors for every family member (I'm addicted...even my

10 week old twins already have their own sets).

These are sold in sets and are soft sided nylon and mesh square bags that I use to organize ( pants, shirts, outfits, undergarments, swim stuff, whatever) my packing. When you go through security, everything is in zipped see-through bags, so your personal items don't get spewed out everywhere as they are well contained. They usually don't even open them, just look in and feel around in them.
Additionally, I just throw them into the drawer and that's it for unpacking at the hotel. I don't like to put things in the drawers either and this keeps them organized. ...you can still spray some Lysol in the drawer and then just toss in your packing cubes. I stay organized the whole trip. I pack dirty clothes in cubes as I empty them, if not doing laundry. I return home as organized as when I left and unpacking is a breeze.

Packing actually amuses me....


You can check them out here http://www.ebags.com/ebags/packing_cubes_3pc_set/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=13032

Happy packing...collect them all and don't forget the Susan G Komen PINK ones, too!

Cheryl (addicted to packing cubes).

wow - think I have to try them.

 

[ownsmany]

wow - think I have to try them.

how do they compare to the bags that Rick steves sells?

 

[Courts]

A "Leatherman" has all the "tools" you may need depending on the one you get, such as, bottle opener, needle nose pliers, knife, file, plus 8" ruler, and screwdriver-straight and philips in a 3/4"x4"x1-1/4" fold up with leather belt pouch.

 

[Strong1]

few more suggestions

We cook in the unit at least a few times a week, especially if we are travelling with the kids. Because I don't want to be "trapped" in the kitchen, I have created a soft covered binder with plastic page inserts that contains a bunch of my favourite fast, delicious, quick recipes with limited ingredients. I have collected a lot from Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals (eg. her "curry-in-a-hurry chicken salad" is to die for). I insert the recipes into the sleeves and take the thin binder with me.

Before I leave, I prepare "spice packs" for each recipe in a zip lock. If the spices all go into the recipe at once, I just measure them into the labelled ziplock. If there is more than one addition of spices, I measure the spices into a square of waxed paper, fold it closed and seal with masking tape (label the tape with which spice it is) and put all the required spice packets for one recipe into a labelled ziplock. This avoids having to buy spices on location, and makes the cooking job faster since you don't have to measure anything.

I also bought a normal sized spice container of pepper that has a pepper mill built right on top. I take this with me, as I love fresh ground pepper.

Colleen

 

[Hawaiibarb]

I'm glad someone mentioned spices, because I try to take the ones I know I'll use. Also, if you have a favorite recipe that calls for sugar or flour, I measure and take that in a ziplock bag; I sure don't want to buy a 5 pound bag (I always fly to TS's).

great suggestions!

 

[JanB]

When I pack for ANY trip, my motto is that everything I take has to match at least two other items, i.e., pants to 2 shirts; shirt to 2 pants; skirt to 2 tops that match 2 pants, etc. I get so many outfits in a carry-on size suitcase. I limit colors to 2 dark, single colored neutrals (black, brown, grey...) for bottoms and 2 colors (red, purple, green, burgandy....) for tops, all mix/match. I avoid light colors and whites unless they are part of a multi-color top.

My shoes are limited to a pair of comfortable walking shoes, sandals (for warmer climates including flip-flops for beach/pool/house shoes)....and, if I must, 1 pair dark dress shoes. I wear the heaviest shoes and pack the others (socks go inside shoes since that space is wasted otherwise...also, shoes get wrapped individually in plastic grocery bags as they not always fit best on the bottom of my suitcase).

I pack 1 bathing suit (Hawaii gets 2) and 1 cover-up that doubles as an after bath cover-up, and 1 pair light pjs. I, too, use ziplocks for underwear.

If I check my bag, I limit weight to <35 lbs. If I carry-on, I limit it to <30 lbs. I use a combination of folding and rolling depending on how things fit best.

This has worked well for travel to Hawaii, Europe and in the US. Now, I just have to learn packing techniques for CRUISE travel.

 

[acesgame]

I am not a boyscout but I do believe in being prepared. We tend to travel off season which means you never know about the weather so we include small or flat rain ponchos (esp. in Orlando) We also carry wire hangers in our suitcases because there are never enough. I carry salt and pepper and spices in those small split shaker refillable camping shakers. We also throw in a few bags of micro popcorn. Always carry bathing suits even off season incase we want to use a hot tub (after a long day of shopping )
Gotta have fannie packs and we have a small duffle bag that zips down on itself to a flat rectangle. I love to shop and usually come home with more than I left with so If I need more luggage this doubles as a nice carry on. I am also wierd about liking to bring home regional specialty foods and those are not things to check in your luggage. I have brought home fish that we caught in Ft. Myers, Apple cider from Pigeon Forge, Italian bread and cookies from NY, Cheese from VT etc.

 

[ownsmany]

We cook in the unit at least a few times a week, especially if we are travelling with the kids. Because I don't want to be "trapped" in the kitchen, I have created a soft covered binder with plastic page inserts that contains a bunch of my favourite fast, delicious, quick recipes with limited ingredients. I have collected a lot from Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals (eg. her "curry-in-a-hurry chicken salad" is to die for). I insert the recipes into the sleeves and take the thin binder with me.

Before I leave, I prepare "spice packs" for each recipe in a zip lock. If the spices all go into the recipe at once, I just measure them into the labelled ziplock. If there is more than one addition of spices, I measure the spices into a square of waxed paper, fold it closed and seal with masking tape (label the tape with which spice it is) and put all the required spice packets for one recipe into a labelled ziplock. This avoids having to buy spices on location, and makes the cooking job faster since you don't have to measure anything.

I also bought a normal sized spice container of pepper that has a pepper mill built right on top. I take this with me, as I love fresh ground pepper.

Colleen

wow - can you share you recipe pages with us. Sounds like a great idea. Always looking for quick recipes. Don't cook much at home as always working. Like to cook on vk.

 

[rubycat33]

Keep the Air Conditioning Going

Now this will be a test. What do you pack for this? I understand my T/S, Marriott Maui has installed motion detectors in the room so air conditioning turns off if there isn't movement in the room. I return to the room mid day to hide out form the heat. Anyone figured out something to keep movement in the room and thus "fool" the motion detector? If I need to bring something with me (besides electrical plyers) I will do it. Suggestions?

 

[philemer]

Our dentist friend tells me that he sprays the drawers with Lysol and then lines the drawers with aluminum foil. Pain, pain, pain for me.

That guy is SICK!

 

[Iwant2gonow]

Only when driving suggestions

After a long drive the last thing we want to do is spend an hour at supermarket. So we actually pack a cooler when we do not fly. We buy our meats ahead of time, marinate them and freeze them in a ziploc. Meats such as london broil, chicken, and pork chops are all great. We usually bring a batch of chili or homemade soup and this last trip we brought a homemade quiche to microwave for breakfast by servings. Using our TS word document we also pack frozen veggies, etc., and usually 3 grocery bags full of sodas, nachos, salsa, popcorn, salad dressing, peanut butter, premeasured by batch of pancake mix and all of the things already mentioned in other posts.
We also like to start with an empty case of wine and fill it with our favorite wines, wine glasses and opener, large coffee mugs since a lot of TS only have small ones. When we arrive we spend about 10 minutes in the grocery store for things like eggs, dips, and milk...etc :whoopie:

 

[rubycat33]

Careful!

Careful !!! My first thought was gee, someone thinks I'm sick for wanting air conditioning while in Hawaii. On a second read, guess your'e not referring to me.
But seriously, what is wrong with that dentist? Anyone knows you use Saran Wrap, not aluminum foil!

 

[acesgame]

rubycat

If you get one of those really small electric fans, you could attach a light plastic streamer and it would flutter around but you would have to situate it close the the motion detector I would imagine. It would also circulate alittle air. Or maybe if there is a ceiling fan you could attach streamers to the blades and keep it running. I don't know if it would work but it seems like it would.

 

[Courts]

Now this will be a test. What do you pack for this? I understand my T/S, Marriott Maui has installed motion detectors in the room so air conditioning turns off if there isn't movement in the room. I return to the room mid day to hide out form the heat. Anyone figured out something to keep movement in the room and thus "fool" the motion detector? If I need to bring something with me (besides electrical plyers) I will do it. Suggestions?

Motion detectors work on detecting heat.

You might try a light maybe 100 watt (a lamp without the shade) and put it on a timer in the center of the room so it goes on for awhile then off for awhile then on.

If by experiment you can find out how often it turns off without movement, then you can program the timer for that particular time frame.

Worth a try.

.

 

[marybudruth@webtv.net]

To fool a motion detector

Now this will be a test. What do you pack for this? I understand my T/S, Marriott Maui has installed motion detectors in the room so air conditioning turns off if there isn't movement in the room. I return to the room mid day to hide out form the heat. Anyone figured out something to keep movement in the room and thus "fool" the motion detector? If I need to bring something with me (besides electrical plyers) I will do it. Suggestions?

Try blowing up several balloons. Tie them to several chairs in the airstream of the air conditioner and the motion detector. Be sure the air conditioner is running before you go out. Good luck!

 

[ati2d]

We put individual Bounce Dryer sheets in our suitcases. Keeps everything smelling nice, but the added bonus is that it also keeps the mosquitos away! Good thing, especially in Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, etc.....
We put them in the dresser drawers when we get to the timeshare. Then, when we're ready to do laundry before coming home, we just put them in the dryer.
We also pack a small spray bottle of "Wrinkle Release". I think it's by Woolite. I hate to iron on vacation. It's either too hot or we don't have the time. But, wrinkless clothes make me feel better if we're going out somewhere nice.

 

[Hoc]

But seriously, what is wrong with that dentist? Anyone knows you use Saran Wrap, not aluminum foil!

Yeah, but the aluminum foil can also be fashioned into a nifty little cap that will keep the Martians from reading your mind.