How many bags do you take?

[Indy's Girl]

I am packing for our trip and am feeling overwhelmed at the amount of stuff I am taking! I have weeded through about 5 times, removing things each time, and still it is a ton. At this point I have one LARGE suitcase (think close to airline limits for size) suitcase that is loosely filled with stuff (towels, shoes some clothes etc.) as I have to watch the weight of it so can't stuff it. I have a medium suitcase that is stuffed full, clothes all rolled etc. We also have 2 very full carryon bags and an empty duffel (in the large suitcase) for the return trip. I have quite a few miscellaneous items left to pack, and while I think I can get it to fit in these 2 cases, I feel like it would be all much more nicely packed, and easier to repack, if I take a 3rd small suitcase. All three would be wheeling cases.

It is just DFi and I, we are going for 2 weeks, this is our first trip to WDW and our honeymoon so I wanted to have everything and then some. I feel like it would be more of a burden to try and roll 3 suitcases and 2 carryons through the airport, and truth be told I would feel slightly embarrassed to have so much stuff (and I am a notorious overpacker!!) So, tell me how many bags you take and how many in your family to either ease my mind or motivate me to weed out my packing even more!

Sorry so long winded!

 

[jagafen]

IT's fine. I too am an over-packer, but you know what? We have never needed something that I hadn't packed already. There are 3 of us (hubby, myself, 4 year old), and we always take 6 bags, plus carryons. You're going to Disney for a loong trip, and I'm guessing you don't want to do on your honeymoon! Do not worry....just make sure that your bags don't go over the weight limits if you're flying... (I believe 50# per bag is the standard, I think its 40# for carry-ons....) So think of it this way....you can take up to 280# of stuff with you! I also value (and tip well) skycaps and baggage handlers. Trust me, they are LOOKING for the folks with lots of luggage to help out! Think of it this way, it's better to be over prepared than to pay high disney prices for over the counter meds....don't forget those too!!! Congrats, and good luck with your travels and packing!

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

We each take one checked piece on the way down and then I have those duffle bags that fold up that I put in each suitcase on the way down. Then on the way home we use those to put all our dirty clothes in so that we have room for everything I buy. I found on our trip in September I way overpacked. This time we are each only going to take two t-shirts a piece then buy all new Disney stuff to wear the rest of the trip. That will save us room. I buy the stuff anyway.

 

[Amyg]

Last summer DH, DS-9 and I went for 8 nights. Between the three of us we took 2 large suitcases and 1 carry-on per person. We only packed for 5 days with the intent of doing laundry (which we did one afternoon during a park break) although I do usually bring more tops than bottoms. We each brought two pair of walking shoes and all our clothing was on the lightweight side. I always leave lots of space in my bag for souvenirs and we bought a LOT of stuff!

 

[Piper]

Just curious--why are you taking towels? If you're staying at WDW resort, they furnish towels at the pool (and of course in the room.)

 

[goofiecrazy]

I also over pack as well.We usually go in the summer and I have a tank top for everyday plus a shirt for everyday if I need it.Plus a couple pairs of shoes and everything else i might need.2 bathing suits and a towel.Plus whatever my husband packs in his bag.But his bag is never full like mine.Our next trip it will the kids first time there and i know thats another 2 or 3 bags with their stuff. I have already started buying things from the store to take with us like glow sticks,little fans etc.Now before we go i will pack some snacks.I am looking at maybe 5or 6 bags plus a couple carry on bags..2 umbrella strollers.

 

[Indy's Girl]

Just curious--why are you taking towels? If you're staying at WDW resort, they furnish towels at the pool (and of course in the room.)

We are taking beach towels for pool and water park days. I like being able to wrap a towel all the way around me and my shoulders when I get out of a pool, something I have never been able to do with a hotel towel.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm also a compulsive over-packer (we should start a support group!)! Last trip, I realized that I had brought more than twice as many clothes as I needed. I had already planned to do laundry mid-trip - it doesn't take long, and gives you a chance to take a break from the parks (I did mine mid-afternoon, and was the only one in the laundry room!).

So next trip, I plan to take half as many clothes as I usually do, and to do laundry again. I only take one medium-size suitcase (checked) and one medium carry-on - that's it! You say you're going for two weeks, so it would be tempting to try to pack for the entire 14 days. Don't do it! You might need to do laundry more than once, but it's worth it not to stress about how you're going to handle so many bags.

Try this - lay out all the clothes you really want to take, then make yourself remove half of them. Try not to pack too many "just in case" things (long pants if you know the weather will be hot, etc.). You'd be surprised how little you'll really need.

 

[lisaj]

Okay so now I feel even worse about my eight suitcases and four carry on bags. We might as well use the maximum luggage allowance and hope to bring three cases empty and bring them back full of lovely Disney goodies! (Just don't tell my DH! HE DOESN'T KNOW HE'S PLANNING TO DO THIS YET)

 

[pepe of ohio]

Its just wife and I and we've been to WDW 38 times and packing is now a science to us. OUr motto, is you tote what you pack. That being said, we each have a rolling duffle bag and one carryon each, our stays are usually 10-12 nights and we never do laundry, its vacation. If you lay out what you think you'll need and then reduce it by 1/3 you should have no problems. Taking too much is everyones bane, figure your outfits per day, shuffle shorts and tops, we spend alot of time at our resort pool so that just a bathing suit. We never go in the dead of summer, always value season, late fall early winter. We share toiletries etc, and we have been using space travel bags the last few trips, really compacts the stuff but leaves the bag looking half full hence over packing and then its a weight issue.

 

[jennynoel]

Just remember the adage:

When packing for a trip, pile all the clothes you plan to take on the bed. Then put all the money you plan to spend next to it. Now pack half the clothes and twice the money.

But seriously. Whether you pack as much as the airline will let you get a way with or as little as you can, just commit to your plan and don't sweat it.

Personally, I try to pack light but there are certain things I won't skimp on. I always bring one more pair of shoes than I think I'll need, extra undies, my regular toiletries and my own pillow.

 

[sharonmickey]

Relax and don't worry about what anyone thinks! I went for four days in February and took a huge suitcase. This trip will be for eight days and I will take the huge suitcase plus a carry on. Maybe another little suitcase too. Yes, I know I definately over-pack. I've been to Disney when it rained everyday and we all went through at least two sets of clothing a day.

Yes, you can do laundry, however I chose not to unless absolutely necessary. Of course I always take a few ziploc bags with laundry detergent just in case I need them.

If you are flying and using Magical Express they will take care of your luggage for you. Just check it in at the airport and it magically appears in your hotel room. Take what you feel comfortable with and don't worry what others think. Have a great vacation!

 

[Wish2BinWDW]

It's just my DS and me going to WDW for 17 days this year (DH and DD are unable to get off from work). I am bringing 2 large suitcases and 1 small carry-on sized suitcase, plus my toiletries bag and my tote for the parks. I plan on doing laundry half-way through the vacation too.

 

[VLee]

If you are flying and using Magical Express they will take care of your luggage for you. Just check it in at the airport and it magically appears in your hotel room.

Hey, that is what I thought too. This last trip, I used Delta, one of the participating airlines, so overpacked but didn't worry about it because I knew I was all set with Magical Express to handle our luggage.

W - R - O - N G !!!

We go there okay, but when I was leaving (with a 4 and 7 year old) by myself, and tried to check in at the hotel and check my luggage, I was told by the hotel person that for some reason, the computer was not letting me check in. I asked if they could at least take my luggage -- 6 bags, plus we had 3 carry-ons. And no, they could not, so I ended up having to haul all of this mostly by myself since the kids are so small.

It turns out that Delta has all three of us coded for security walk-through and pat downs......so sometimes your plans to use Magical Express don't work out.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

two full sized bags plus one carry on for 4 people..and that got us through 17 days this past feb.