***I wrote this prior to my program, but I am now finally posting it since I've uploaded some packing pictures...so the date does not match the words lol***
My countdown is soo close to hitting the two week mark that I think it's time to post about packing up my life to move down to Florida! I have a sad obsession with lists, maybe some would consider it a gift (my roommates do!), so I figured I would share my planning process and some tips!
The Facts:
I'm flying down on Southwest Airlines on Sunday, January 25th.
I'll have 2 large suit cases, a carry on, and my purse.
I'm pre-ordering certain items from Walmart and picking them up from the store once I get down in Orlando (the one on Turkey Lake Rd. is the Walmart that the DCP buses take you to).
Including myself, 4 out of the 6 of us are flying down (Me, Audrey, Deanna, and Rachel), while the other two are driving from Georgia and West Virginia (Hayley and Anna, respectively).
Writing Up Your Lists:
I started by keeping a running tab of things that I noticed that I used everyday.
Then I initally jotted down EVERYTHING that I thought of and read about...whether or not I actually wanted to bring or buy it.
Once I had a mess of items and ideas written down, I sat down to organize them and add anything else I may have not thought of at the beginning.
My lists:
Bathroom
Bedroom
Cleaning
Clothing & Accessories
Electronics
School Stuff
Common Rooms
Food
Kitchen
Must Haves
Misc.
After I created my headings, I created subheadings that go under each heading so I can keep track of what I have, need, etc.
Packed It
Own It
Buy It In PA
Buy It In FL
Mail It
Notes
After I listed everything (I included things I need right away, as well as stuff like food that doesn't necessarily need to be packed immediately), I went back through and checked off when I need to buy each thing and where I can purchase it.
I formatted my lists in tables and then printed them out. I also keep my lists with me at all times so I can write down things I forgot and also mark off anything that I buy while I'm out.
My roommates and I also have a running GoogleDoc so that we can keep track of who is bringing what.
What's on our GoogleDoc??
Our social media handles
Our housing preferences
Our basic info like birthdays, phone numbers, hometowns, and DCP roles.
Shared items (including colums for notes about them and who's bring one)
A finances table to keep track of who's bought what and who owes who what money
E.g.: Dinner reservations, router, etc.
Comments and questions section
Semi-Blank Version of our GoogleDoc
Packing Tips:
Read and watch other people's blogs and vlogs to see what other people used.
Check out apartment tours and pictures to see what fits in the different apartment.
Discuss who's getting what with your roommates before you go ahead and just buy everything and you end up with 6 DVD players, or something along those lines.
Figure out what are the things you WANT versus what are the things you NEED. The programs are somewhere between 4-8 months, so try not to go overboard. Even though you want the apartment to be decorated, keep in mind this is just a temporary housing arrangement and you'll have to pack this all back up later on.
Don't be afraid to bring up expenses to your roommates. If there's something that is a bit more expensive that everyone will use, before you buy it, see how your roommates feel about splitting the expense.
Use spacesaver bags.
Roll your clothes instead of folding them to help keep out wrinkles and better use the space you have.
Keep the weight of your suitcase a little under the weight limit because you will undoubtedly have souvenirs to bring home.
Explore other avenues of getting things to your apartment.
Parents shipping items from home once you have an address in FL.
Buy items online and have them shipped to the store in FL.
Make sure you know how many days the store will hold order before they cancel your order!
Walmart holds the order for 14 days, while Target holds with for 2 days!
DCP Official Sites:
"Amenities"
http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/housing/amenities/
"Housing Overview"
http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/housing/overview/
"Housing Photos"
http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/housing/photos/
"Items to Bring"
http://cp.disneycareers.com/en/onboarding/fl/pre-arrival-information/items-to-bring/
If you want me to send you the blank version of my extremely complete packing list, just email me at alexsadventuress@gmail.com! I have a copy without all my checks and then also the one with my checks so you can see what I was thinking about buying at home versus in Florida, and also what I was thinking about shipping!
Happy Packing!