Space saving packing tips ~ Let's list 'em

[SandraC]

With only three weeks to go and way too much stuff to bring, I thought I'd ask your advise of ways to pack with limited space (we are flying). These are some things I did last year ~ please add you ideas!

Didn't pack towels, too bulky and there were plenty of towels available at the resort.

Packed lots of food, but took just about everything out of the box, placed them flat in baggies ~ like granola bars, I lined a giant baggy with a couple dozen granola bars and packed them flat in my suit case.

Calculate the # of diapers I would need for ds (keeping swimming in mind, so more diapers used than at home) we did great, at the end of the trip, we had 3 diapers left over! Excellent space saver.

Didn't take my big purse. I transfered only essential info from my purse/wallet to a small wallet that fit in a fanny pack. My library card didn't need to visit WDW.

Took the smallest version of everything ~ small brush, small socks etc.,.

Didn't take too many shoes ~ I usually end up packing 6 pairs of shoes! Had to cut that down.

Gave dd a small bag and said, "You can take ANYTHING that will fit into this bag!"

What else? Sandra

[Gillian]

This isn't space saving, but it's still a good tip (imho)!

If you have to bring any nicer shirts or dresses that tend to wrinkle, leave them on the hanger & in a drycleaner bag. fold up the whole thing (in 1/2 or thirds) & pack it on the top of your suitcase. It should look great when you get there!

[SandraC]

That's a great packing tip. I pack myself and two kids clothes in one big suit case. Last year I managed to get more clothes in the suitcase than we needed.

At first I rolled the clothes, but I repacked because I found laying them flat worked better. S

[Sammy]

I like packing the kids clothes in the ziploc bags....one complete outfit in each. I can then "squash" out most of the air and they pack tighter in the suitcase.

[Spinning]

SPACE BAGS! Love them! I have the travel ones and the vacuum cleaner kind. The travel ones are similar to very large zip lock bags. Just fill them with clothes and then roll the air out! Since you are taking food and diapers the vacuum bags would work nice, since you would have more space coming home. You just fill them up and then use your vacuum to suck the air out!
Also Sandra you sould look into swim diapers if you haven't tried them. They are so much better in the water and seem to pack better, smaller. I also use to use the diapers as filler put them in at the end our of the package and then shove them here or there!
Rolling works for some things especially if they wrinkle easily. Also I usually split the clothes up some of each persons in each suit case just in case!

[CarrieAP]

Hey-thought I was the only nut who swears by ziplock bags! I buy the one zip type and keep them with my travel supplies and re-use as long as they hold up. As Sammy said great for packing outfits in. Also good for the small items like socks and undies as you can keep each family member's together. I just toss the bags into the dresser and it saves time when getting ready each day. In addition to saving space I think squeezing the air out also prevents wrinkles.

[Hamther]

Since we travel a long way (from Scotland) we have to be particularly careful wuth what we pack and here are some of my suggestions:

anything that has a cavity - fill it with other things (shoes, cups, bags).

pack shoes towards the bottom of the case (so when you lift the case they don't squash other things as they move)

Don't roll socks - leaving them flat takes up less room

anything longer than the case - put it near the bottom of the case, in flat, don't fold until other things are in then fold the bits that stick out over the top - this reduces creasing too

pack half of what you actually lay out to pack - I bet it's still too much!

Get plastic travel bottles and fill them with your shampoo etc. Buy the smaller sizes or sample sizes of toothpaste etc (you don't need a huge amount for a week or so's holiday).

Don't take your cosmetics if you dare! :eek:

And probably the most useful tip that we live by - leave the bagpipes and sporran - it's too hot for the sporran and after all that walking there's never any puff left for blowing the pipes!


Happy packing :D

Jackie

[SandraC]

Okay Jackie, spill it ~ what you the fella's wear under their kilts? I heard a dirty answer ~ I'll PM you with it if you like? LOL! Sandra

[Spinning]

SANDRA! TEEHEEE! I think I know that story to...Oh Laddy I don't know where you been...is that part of it?!?!
Blue Ribbon?!?!?

[Hamther]

Unfortunately Sandra, what you have heard is absolutely true. Most of the time all they wear is their modesty - and in a strong wind, not even that :o

And their are many wedding photos in Scottish homes to prove it! ;)


I would post one but this is the family section :D


Jackie

[Hamther]

Unfortunately Sandra, what you have heard is absolutely true. Most of the time all they wear is their modesty - and in a strong wind, not even that :o

And their are many wedding photos in Scottish homes to prove it! ;)


I would post one but this is the family section :D


Jackie

[crzy4dsny]

The one thing I learned is not to pack all of one persons clothes in one suitcase. On last years trip two of our bags were lost for two days. All of our three kids brand new clothes were in one of the suitcases. So the only thing they had to wear were the clothes on their backs.In the future we will spread everyones clothes through out all of the suitcases. This way if one or two of the bags get lost you will still have something to wear. Knowing our luck next time ALL of the bags will be lost:)

[Jordan's MOM]

The best thing I have found to help with packing problems is Downey Wrinkle Release. You just can pack clothes without worry as to how they might wrinkle. The night before you wear an outfit, spray, tug and smooth out. Ready to go!!!

Jordan's mom

[Lowe6]

Ok I am definately the most crazy here. Dec. 2000 9 YES THAT"S 9 people in a minivan bound for WDW. We got a leather carry top for the top of the van about $50.- Everyone got 1 Space bag to fit all there stuff in & with a quick vac. we were all happily driving to WDW for our lovely 21 hour drive. But we will never forget the fun :)

[SandraC]

Well, just did another PREpacking and I can get everything in one suitcase provided I don't bring any clothes! YIKES! Sandra

[Spinning]

Ho in the world will you fit 9 people in a mini van? Mine will only hold 7 has only 7 seat belts. Even if we had another bench seat at max 8. You must have a big van!
You will have fun but I hope lots of breaks to stretch those legs....
Sandy you should get some of the new Wisk laundry detergent that is tablets...so you can do a load of laudry Think less is more HAHAHA I hate to pack...usually always bring too much stuff.

[SandraC]

I think I have just about resigned myself that I need more suitcases. I'll try again today! New plan: dh packs his own suitcase, I pack dd,ds,my clothes in our LARGE suitcase. Diapers, the gifts from Mickey Mouse and some food (granola bars, dried fruit) in a mid-sized tote bag, stroller, car seat will be checked. Carry-ons will be dh with cameras, dd with her back pack of toys and crafts, ds will allot his carry-on with food I rather not be tossed around like ds's baby type stuff and my carry-on will be itinerary, wallet, snacks, essentials.

SO:

CHECKED:
Large Suit Case
Mid-sized suit case
Tote bag
Stroller
Car seat

4 carry-on's

I bought one of those folding carts to pull the luggage, I guess I have to check that too? I keep reminding dh and myself that we only need to lug this stuff to and from airports, once we have it in WDW it'll be worth it! THANKS ALL! Sandra

[wdisneyaholic]

Spinning,

Where do you find the space bags? I saw them on tv once but never got the number. Can you buy them in stores? I just thought they were such a great idea. Thanks for your help!!

[Spinning]

I got the original vacuum bags from Boscov Department store. I think you can find them at Walmarts too. The travel size ones I ordered from QVC.

[Lowe6]

Walgreens sells space bags or you can order online @ spacebags.com

[robinb]

Sandra:

Do you really need to take food and diapers? I always bring one day's worth of snacks and diapers and then buy more once I'm there. If you rent a car, it's really easy. Also most of the limos will include a grocery stop if you want one.

I also take a small collapsible bag packed inside my suitcase. It's only about 5 inches square when folded and duffle size when expanded. I used it for laundry when we travel and then as an extra bag on the way back.

Also ... is your DS going to be a lap child? If you bought him a seat, he'll be happier in his car seat. Even if you didn't, many times a flight will have an extra seat for you if you bring your car seat to the gate. You can ask at check-in. I bungie our car seat to a collapsible luggage cart and drag it behind me. I would also suggest that you "gate check" the stroller so you can have it with you all the time. Plus, imagine all the carry-ons you can hang off of it :).

Good luck! I try and try to pack light myself but somehow always end up feeling like a sherpa.

[landog]

What the heck is a space bag?

spacebags.com was no help... it is a dirty picture site, unless they got hacked...

[phins_jazy]

Try this site instead..... http://www.spacebag.com/

It's a bag that you put all of your clothes into and then vacuum the air out of. Takes up virtually NO space at all. I used these on our recent trip back home to ND. We took 2 vacuum bags with us. I believe they were the large size. We fit 3 adult size down jackets in one and a 3 foot teddy bear and 3 smaller bears in the other bag. Those poor teddies got squished but bounced right back after we took them out of the bag at home. :) We now use them to store camping sleeping bags and extra blankets. They fit under the bed nicely.

[cruisnfamily]

I just looked at the website and these travel space bags look really cool and they're not too pricey either. One question for people who have used them:

If I pack capris, blouses, DH's dress shirts, and slacks in one of these space bags and roll it to get the air out, won't the clothes be incredibly wrinkled?

I'm thinking they would be a real space saver but I sure don't want to iron on vacation. Should they only be used for socks, tshirts, underwear, jeans and shorts? Or can you pack the nicer stuff without worrying about wrinkles?

Thanks!

[karenward]

When we went to Disney in Sept. 2001 I packed our family of four's clothes in one suitcase by rolling the clothes. Every year I take my girlscout troop camping and that is how I was taught. Believe me, it works like a charm and nothing gets wrinkled. As for anyone being afraid that the suitcase would get lost by the airline, we take a backpack on the plane that has a change of clothes for each of us, our toothbrushes, my contact lens solution, anything we would need if our suitcase was lost. My suitcase has a large pocket on the top and in that I put socks, my daughters' hair scrunchies, anything that can be "crushed together" and won't be damaged. I also took snacks and food to Disney, and I took it on the plane in my carry on. It worked out great, and we still had room for souvenirs on the way home! My friend, who went the week after we got home, was so impressed that she asked me to come over her house and pack for her!

[amsyw]

Ok if you use the spacebags to pack, then how do you get everything home? Seems you would have bags that are too full without the vacuum. Especially with souvenirs. Do you take and extra (empty) bag with you? Just wondering!!??

:confused:
Thanks!

[cruisnfamily]

Amsyw....I think you are correct about being unable to come home (unless you had a vacuum cleaner with you) if you used the regular bags. The travel bags say that you just roll them to get the air out of the special valve though.

My question regarding these bags is wrinkling. Can I pack capris, dress shirts/slacks, blouses and stuff in these or will they be horribly wrinkled. Should they be saved for shorts/tshirts/underwear and stuff. Can anyone comment? I am wanting to use them to pack for a cruise.

Thanks!

[dwbakerjr]

Because we often drive from Houston (about 20 hrs), we ususally break the driving into one evening and one long drive day. That said, we usually have each person roll up a change of travel clothes (undies, socks, shorts, shirt), and put said roll-ups in a grocery bag with razors, toothbrushes, shampoo, etc. Then, we dont have to drag the main luggage out of the trunk when we stop for the night. I'm sure there are downsides (like stuff you forgot, or somebody having a bedtime headache) that occasinaly mean you have to hit the bags, but usually it saves us a bit of hassle and gains a few more minutes on the road instead of loading the trunk in some motel parking lot.

later..

[Spinning]

Regarding the space bags that need the vacuum, you will need one again come! If you are some who has to bring a ton of diapers and baby stuff that gets used up you may not have a problem. The travel bags do not use the vacuum you seal the bag almost closed and then roll the bags and use your weight to sqweeze the air out.
As for wrinkles, I really don't remember anything being super wrinkled. But I usually don't pack all cotton stuff. I would probably put the stuff that would wrinkle easy in the middle layer in the bag.
Oh we have been on cruises before and usually they have a place to do a quick ironing or your room stewart will do it for you.

[DVC-LEROY]

I just discovered those travel space bags - a larger version of a ziploc with a valve to release the air!

I also use mesh lingerie bags (from the dollar store). They save space because you can obviously get the air out and they keep our clothes organized.

We also make sure to have a change of clothes, bathing suit & sunscreen in a small backpack so we can change at the hotel and hit the pool while we're waiting for our room.

We're sure to have laundry detergent so we can wash clothes and bring less.

And - I got a great little backpack that folds into itself along with a similar folding tote at an Eddie Bauer outlet for $10 each. We bring them in case we need the extra luggage on the return trip and I use the backpack to carry our things to the waterparks.

[Ityldu]

SandraC - you sound like me on our last trip. I was buried under stuff and was miserable carrying it all. We had the stoller, diapers, bottles, food, presents from Mickey (for plane, at resort upon arrival, and again at their bed every night), gifts for the plane, a snack bag for each on the plane, small camera, large camera, video camera, both kids had backpacks full of stuff (since they were 2 & 6, guess who carried them), etc. I also had games and things to keep them entertained incase of a rainy day or long line waits, etc. OH yeah, it was also DS's b-day, so we had his presents. I had the huggest fanny bag that weighed a ton. Then of course we carried huge bottles of water around the parks also. It was an nightmare.

I am so looking forward to this trip. We don't need diapers or bottles any more, but I would definitely do as others suggested and just take a few for the trip and buy the rest there. We're also not bringing the video camera and we're doing away with all the Mickey gifts and most of the food. We'll be there for 9 days and only bring 5 days worth of clothes (doing laundry there). The ziplock bags worked wonders for saving space and allowing the kids to feel older by picking out their own clothes every morning. Each bag had a complete outfit, so they even matched and got dressed quickly.

[jldriscoll]

If you're really going to check both your stroller and car seat, I found a stroller bag and car seat bag. Seems overkill I know to pack either of these things in a bag but...1. they were both new and stayed in good shape even after being in the hands of the airline, and 2. I was amazed at how much stuff I could pack in the bag along with the seat and stroller. The first days clothes for the family fit perfectly in the seat and packed in the ever popular ziplocks, easy to slide out of the way to use the seat in the towncar. BTY my vote for the "used" ziplocks...after the snack has been eaten or the clothes worn...trash! that zipper does wonders on the smell of banana in the car until you reach the next stop :)

[Nutsy]

This is a good thread. We are heading over to DL in September & I have been told to roll our clothes & put the shoes & heavy items at the bottom.

The travel space bags sound like a really neat idea. I have the normal vacuum kind of ones, but not the travel ones. Will have to look into getting some of them before we go, they would no doubt be a great space saving device, especially when you are buying souvenirs that add to your baggage.

Thanks for the tip guys!:) :wave:

[B3LM]

I use the plastic ziploc bags for the kids outfits, too. They work great and I'm amazed at how much I can fit into one suitcase! I just leave them in the bags and then pull the outfits the night before. I sometimes use that Downey wrinkle releaser at night if necessary. It surprises me how well it actually works.

Beth