Getting a little nervous

[la79al]

about packing DD and I in 2 suitcases for a 5 day December trip. She's taking 5 pairs of shoes so maybe that is what is scaring me, but her shoes are so little, I guess it won't matter. I'm just hoping that her clothes squish up pretty small. We've already filled a small suitcase with 'extra stuff' and diapers. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't feel obligated to bring an entire summer set for 5 days, an entire winter set for 5 days and enough extras of each (cause my kid is messy) plus sweatshirts, hats, etc...

[Heidijs]

Originally Posted by la79al

about packing DD and I in 2 suitcases for a 5 day December trip. She's taking 5 pairs of shoes so maybe that is what is scaring me, but her shoes are so little, I guess it won't matter. I'm just hoping that her clothes squish up pretty small. We've already filled a small suitcase with 'extra stuff' and diapers. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't feel obligated to bring an entire summer set for 5 days, an entire winter set for 5 days and enough extras of each (cause my kid is messy) plus sweatshirts, hats, etc...

I just posted something similar. Can you just take an extra suitcase? Why limit it to two? You'll need room to bring stuff home too...souvineers...

[Keri]

I agree about another suitcase -- you can curbside check your bags and take 4 bags total on the plane, so I'd take another rolling small suitcase on the plane, plus a few "diaper bag" size bags?

And, well, I'd say no to all the shoes. I do one "fancy" pair & then keds for my daughter ... because she'd want to bring every pair of shoes she owned if I let her!!

[la79al]

We get the first 2 bags free and it's $50 after that. I think I am going to feel really ridiculous if I can't get us into 2 large suitcases. And on the way back, we won't have as many diapers or snacks so that will give us a lot of extra space. We have over 5 weeks left but I am feeling the need to do some trial packing so I can feel less stressed about this....

[la79al]

I'm one of those horrible moms that is not getting DD her own seat, so she gets no luggage allowance. And her shoes are really non-negotiable. She will need her sneakers and water shoes and then the others because she is very picky about shoes but at the same time is drawn to puddles .

[Keri]

Originally Posted by la79al

I'm one of those horrible moms that is not getting DD her own seat, so she gets no luggage allowance. And her shoes are really non-negotiable. She will need her sneakers and water shoes and then the others because she is very picky about shoes but at the same time is drawn to puddles .

No judging on the seat here, I didn't get one for my DD this year either

Ziplock bags help a lot, I think -- condense things. If that isn't enough, do space bags -- you won't need the real vacuum seal on the way home since like you said you'll be down a bunch of diapers & stuff.

You get 2 bags free? Wow. I'm jealous! We're paying for every one of ours. AND we had to pay to pick our seats, which was necessary since we have 3 young kids and couldn't have us scattered all over the plane.

[Heidijs]

Originally Posted by Keri

No judging on the seat here, I didn't get one for my DD this year either

Ziplock bags help a lot, I think -- condense things. If that isn't enough, do space bags -- you won't need the real vacuum seal on the way home since like you said you'll be down a bunch of diapers & stuff.

You get 2 bags free? Wow. I'm jealous! We're paying for every one of ours. AND we had to pay to pick our seats, which was necessary since we have 3 young kids and couldn't have us scattered all over the plane.

I have to pay for ours too, $15 a bag. What airline are you flying that you had to pay to pick your seats???

[Keri]

Airtran. We were flying United, but they cancelled our flight home & we would have had to leave 3 hours earlier that day to stay booked with them ... meaning leaving the parks at like 11! Why pay for the extra day for that, you know? So we were able to get these other tickets for approx. the same departure times on each end, and the actual tickets were about the same price, but we ended up paying $60 to pick our seats!! ($3/person/flight!) Ugh. Annoying. But I definitely didn't want to chance us scattered all over.

[Heidijs]

Originally Posted by Keri

Airtran. We were flying United, but they cancelled our flight home & we would have had to leave 3 hours earlier that day to stay booked with them ... meaning leaving the parks at like 11! Why pay for the extra day for that, you know? So we were able to get these other tickets for approx. the same departure times on each end, and the actual tickets were about the same price, but we ended up paying $60 to pick our seats!! ($3/person/flight!) Ugh. Annoying. But I definitely didn't want to chance us scattered all over.

Thanks for the reminder. I was able to log on and pick our seats for our return flight home since it's 90 days today. Don't want to risk getting separated. DD would freak! I would even more.

[Hannathy]

I would draw the line on the shoes! 5 pairs for 5 days? and she is only 5 WOW. Tell her shoes or souvenirs there won't be room for both. My DD went to Italy for almost 3 weeks with 2 pairs and a pair of flip flops. Start teaching her to pack carefully and lightly now so when she is a teen she will be used to it.

You don't need completely different winter/summer outfits. pack 1 shirt that goes with either pants or shorts then you bring a lot less. Also bring dark pants then they can wear them twice. shorts are smaller so take up less room but pants take up more so bring less. Another thing is bring a sweatshirt jacket that can go over the T's then you can get away with 1 heavier top over several days worth of T's. if it gets cold.

[Tinkmom75]

I believe her DD is under two. There are washing machines at the resort if you need them. I too would combine outfits. Only bring a couple winter outfits or match the shirts to the pants and shorts. Good Luck. Your DD's clothes should still be quite small. I can't imagine you not having enough space in two suitcases.

[Red_Rider]

One thing that you can do is ship down the diapers and the snacks in a seperate box with UPS of FedEx. I did a quick quote on the FedEx Ground site and a box that is 24x24x12 with 30lbs of stuff in it was $21.99 to ship. Since you will eat your snacks and use most of the diapers while there you won't have much to bring back on the way home. We've done this before and it has worked out great considering how much airlines charge for checked bags.

[dkbnyc]

i wouldnt take 5 pair of shoes for DD, thats excessive, IMO

I'm not buying a seat for my youngest either and i always buy my kids seats.
She'll be 23mo when we go- i figured its my last shot at a freebie. I might as well take it

[barnaby1]

Originally Posted by la79al

I'm one of those horrible moms that is not getting DD her own seat, so she gets no luggage allowance. And her shoes are really non-negotiable. She will need her sneakers and water shoes and then the others because she is very picky about shoes but at the same time is drawn to puddles .

Nothing horrible about it!
However - 5 pairs of shoes for a child, please remember that you are the parent, you decide how much she takes.

I am a fairly light traveller and I don't understand why you need 2 suitcases. Go for jeans (they can be worn for 2 days if she keeps them clean) / leggings and t-shirts. 2 jumpers or fleeces will do for 5 days (she can wear one on top of the other if it is really cold). A pair of trainers and flip flops and you are done!

We visitors from across the pond get very good at packing light when we come to Florida so we can fill our suitcases up with all that lovely shopping we do.

[Heidijs]

5 pairs is a lot. My DD loves shoes too but she's getting her sneakers and a pair of flip flops and that's it...