2 Adults 2 Kids taking only carryons! What am I missing?

[Allison]

Just make sure your carryons are an allowable size for your airline.

 

[JamesMom]

I am also a Queen of lite packing. I traveled for business/vacation to Europe for 6 weeks and all I had was carry-on and satchel!
For our upcoming Disney trip for me and DS6 I plan on 1 carry-on and a backpack for me and a back-pack for him. That should be plenty for a 6 night stay with 1 big disney shopping bag full of souvies on the way back.
Figure: 4 T-shirts each/ 1 pr shorts/2 bathing suits/4 undergarment-sock changes/sandals/2 Pjs. Wear on plane: pants/shirt/jacket/sneakers. Plan on buying toiletries when we get there with Garden Grocerer order. Also plan on buying souvie Ts and Sweatshirts so why bring more stuff from home? His backpack will have v-smile, dvd player, movies & games. My backpack will have camera/laptop/books. BTW our villa has a washer/dryer so I plan on doing laundry at least every other day - for towels if nothing else

 

[ChristusG]

Wow, you pack super light! I could never pack like that. It's a good thing we drive there cause I could never pack a suitcase to go on an airline.

What about under clothes? PJ's? Kids toys? Misting fan for the August heat? Things to decorate your room window? Camera? Video camera? Toiletries such as toothbrush/toothpaste, razor, shave gel, medications, deodorant, etc? Are your kids out of diapers? Baby wipes....we use these all the time, even with my 4 year old. Sunscreen? Cell phone chargers? Surge protector to plug all your chargers in (cause the rooms never seem to have enough outlets)? Backpack or bag to bring into the parks? Stroller?

I'm one of those "what if I need this while we are there and I should pack for every scenario" type of person.

 

[CharmedLife]

Don't forget that you can't carry liquids or gels or lotions through security at the airport, unless they are 3oz or less, and you can fit them all into a 1-quart ziplock bag (1 per person). I only bring this up because you mentioned "toiletries" and if that includes hairspray, shampoo, sunscreen, etc., you may have to dump it all out at security. We like to travel light and carry-on bags (easier now with DD8 and DS5 than a few years ago), but we have to check at least one bag so that we can bring this kind of stuff along, and fit DD8's snowglobes on the way back (learned that lesson the hard way, snowglobes WILL be confiscated by TSA).

 

[love2disney]

Ok I understand some of the stuff. Thanksfully with 2 boys tiaras are not on my list. I dont know why we need extra toothbrushes? I mean what is going to happen with the ones we will have? Not video stuff. We will only be doing photopass so no cameras either. All other stuff we got travel size and each of us have our needs in a bag. I have the approved baggage and am within weight limits. We are all wearing crocs so I dont know about second shoes now.I have stuff basic painkillers, motion sickeness, pepto and allergy. My 5 year old will have an activity book to do on the plane. We are taking only once cell for emergency calls only. So just one charger.

I am not trying to make a point here as someone told me in a PM. I genuinely am asking for suggestions. I just want to take everything we need, not things we may need if a certain combination of unlikely even happen thats all. I have nothing against checking in bags and will do it if needed even if it is so that we have a bag handy in case we go overboard with souvenirs.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We will only be doing photopass so no cameras either

Can I ask why you are doing that? Cameras don't take up very much room and you will miss all kind of great photo ops at the hotel, on the plane, at meals. I would definately suggest bringing a camera. Photopass is great for family photos but doesn't work so well for those snap shot moments

Also, someone mentioned washing clothes and hanging them if need be. This will not work in Disney in August....you could hang them outside for DAYS and they won't dry because of the humidity. If you plan to wash things...bring quarters to at least dry them.

Personally, we pack at least two outfits a day per person due to the heat. I do not do laundry on vacation though

 

[Schmeck]

Um, you didn't mention packing underwear, at least I didn't see it in your original post?

 

[jtopp]

The only thing you are missing is the annoying baggage fee that the airline would charge you. Enjoy!

 

[zoemurr]

bring a camera. Even if it is only a disposable one. We went to every photopass photographer we saw and we had less than 20 photos on it. Also, I think the kids would pose/smile better for you than them. They are not really there at character breakfasts, and won't get a pic of your kids riding on Dumbo. We have great pix of them in the hotel room too. We also have a lot of other things we need to bring: pins, mouse ears, light chasers, pressed penny book, autograph books, fanny packs, snacks, chargers for cameras/phones/games, over the counter meds, powder, ponchos, mister fans, extra batteries, bandaids, Unofficial Guide, and a stuffed animal for each. (oh yes.. and the tiara)

Have fun.. we're leaving in 8 days and I need to pack!

 

[imthatgirl]

i couldnt imagine going to disney without a camera, infact i will be bringing 2. but, my mother was like that, not a picture person. said she had all her memories burned in her head. not me, i need the reminders.

for me, even with crocs i think you need 2 pairs of shoes. its alot of walking and feet tire. a change in foot wear is great for your feet and helps with the support you need.

i guess it just how different we all are. i like to be prepared and i hate having to work on a vacation. if i had to think about washing clothes everyday or what needed to be washed out so i can wear it 2 days from now....well that wouldnt be a vacation to me. i much prefer to be able to get up every morning and go to bed every night knowing i already have what i need.

i guess i just dont see the glory in only taking a carry on

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

OP- you are taking 2 kids, at least one is a baby,right? And you have 3 carry-ons? That is a lot to keep track of and schlep thru a crowded airport.

 

[Missin'Disney]

Wow....we take 3 carry on's plus 2 huge suitcases! I could not even imagine not having a check-in suitcase. i also have a garment bag for costumes and dinner clothes...not to mention my trusty 2000 watt blow-dryer, toiletries, meds, 3 pairs of shoes for everyone (except the baby!) Cases of organic milk (horizon septic pkg.s room temp. stable) for kiddos, case of Double-shot starbucks drinks to get me going in the morning (cause I don't trust a potentially moldy hotel coffeemaker and I can't wait 3 hrs. for something caffeinated), power strip for laptop and cell phone chargers and camera-battery charger, 4 pin lanyards: with pins (those suckers are heavy!), some Disney beach towels (cause the scratchy hotel towels just don't cut it), My own PILLOW! Hello? Gotta have that. Gosh, I must be looking high maintenance to you guys, but, it is what it is! And I just know I'm forgetting a bazillion other things that go into my suitcase, so there it is, the reason I could never go "all carry-on"

 

[madmom1030]

I mentioned extra toothbrushes because it didn't sound like your toiletries were going with you but that you were shipping them.

I would go with extra shoes. My dds and I wear our crocs all the time and wore them alot at Disney in October last year. For some reason this summer one day at Dollywood and all three of us has at least one blister on are feet. We all three had to wear tennis shoes the next two days on vacation. I think because it was hot our feet were sweating more, and our feet slid around more in them. We all had blisters on different parts of our feet.

It also seems like a lot to carry in the airport with two small childrens. If you are taking a stroller you will have to gate check that. Also I would bring more than one thing for your 5 year old to do the plane. When we took dd5 last year she did about 10 different things on the plane.

Have good trip

 

[PEANUT1]

now I know I can do it!!

Hubby and I are taking a solo trip for 5 days in Oct and he asked me if I can do it with a carry on only...I wasn't sure but if you can do it with 2 kids, I certainly can. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Colinsmom]

Yes, you definitely need to reconsider the camera. For example, when we were there in December, there was no photopass person by the Lightning McQueen and Mater meet-and-greet. Had we not had our cameras, we would have missed some cute pics with our boys and their favorites. We did get a lot of photopass photos, but would have missed a ton without our camera.

I also think that you need to reconsider an extra pair of shoes for everyone. Disney is a ton of walking and a few blisters could really throw off your trip. Crocs aren't very supportive and can chafe in the heat - ouch.

 

[Wendybird55]

First of all - there are people who can pack conciselyy for a trip. We went to Italy for 17 days (10 land plus 7-day cruise). You should have seen the size of the suite case my cousin brought - it looked like she was going for one week down the block instead of to another country for over 2 weeks! But boy did she have ALOT in that suitcase and carry on - everything she needed. She likes to sew and she said if you know your material and how to fold and pack it's amazing how much you can fit into a small space - she even had an evening dress for the formal cruise night! So it can be done.

Though I'm not that successful. I tend to bring more because I'd rather have then not have and I know you can buy things at WDW, buyt why send triple the price for aspirin or lotion ot something you can easilly bring.

I like to have 1 out fit for every day we're there plus some extra tops and an extra bottom. Always bring at leat one extra pair undies and socks. For DS (who will almost be 2 when we go) I'm bringin 2 outfits for each day. He's an active boy and most days at homes he spills something or gets dirty and goes thru more than 1 outfit.
I always bring an extra pair of shoes also just in case - don't want sore feet at Disney. Where I may go overboard is toilletries and "incidentals" (first aide, batteries for camera, wipes for hands, etc.) This is stuff that is very handy when you need it and expensive if you have to buy it.

Also, we're leaving Aug. 31 and there's good chances of rain that time of year so I'm bringing rian ponchos.

I'm thinking I will fit everything for me, DH & DS into to large suitcases (I'll breing an extra tooe bag for souveniers). For the plane, I have a diaper bag for DS with enough supplies for the plane and time at Disney (we get in early and with ME it could be 3 hours before we get luggage and room may not be ready so I want to be prepared with what I have on the plane to go to the park). I'm also bringing a backpack with Portable DVD player and other things to keep DS occupied on the plane. I carry this small backpack that I love to Disney instead of a purse.

I also ordered groceries to come to the hotel (Mostly water fbecause it will be hot and some snacks for DS -I'm packing diapers and wipes).

There have been trips when I overpacked and others I went light and still had enough. It all depends on your family and how you travel. The one thing you can be confident of, is if you forget to bring something, chances are you can buy it a WDW.

 

[HGD24]

Everyone packs in their own way - some people aren't comfortable unless they bring the entire house and plan for every "what if" that could possibly come up while others can do with a just a few outfits. Like I said before, DH and I pack for a couple of days and usually do laundry while hanging out at the pool or at night in our villa.

We went to England/Ireland for 2 weeks in late Spring. The weather at that time of year is very unpredictable so we needed sweaters, jackets, shorts, t-shirts, jeans, etc. We managed to take one large suitcase and 2 backpacks. We planned to take couple of hours one night and do laundry while in England. It was nice to meet the locals, chat with them and get a feel for the real town, not just the touristy spots.

Packing light can be done!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneymarie]

Undies??? Jammies? Socks, shoes? Beyond that I think you have it covered.

That is where I need it too, the PJ's I like a fresh one each night w/o doing wash. I take loungers to do double duty. They are the Fruit off the loom shorts and SPRIT bottoms and tops from SAMs Club. I can war to the pool, after shower to sit outside with the kids. Early AM trip to the Value cafateria to toast Bagels toast (If I didn;t pack a toaster )

That too, water hot pot, toaster, carry lunch tote with water and kids sips to park. I also took a Coffee pot and left in the fridge swap I was part of.
So that ment paper plates, cups, bowls for cereal, We had a car so did a run for food.

I needed an extra pair of shoes, to go with the sandles, plus my sneakers.
A jacket, THe one thing I found is you can never predict the weather. Two years ago in Oct 06 we had 99* for several days, the day before we left it was 48* and I froze without a Jacket or long pants.

Another trip about Jan 99 it was sleet storm when we left PA and got there and record 88* heat down there, I planned on cooler days there and used up all the shorts.

At the park there are water areas of play for the kids, means a back pack and plastic bags for wet things. Oh and wet play shoes to get wet,

I decorate my window, lime green Dis lights, potatoe heads, mini characters, which meant an extention cord and suction cups to hang lights.

Have a grand trip,
di

 

[holly7347]

Do you have any sort of activities for the plane?
Cell phones and chargers?
Camera and extra batteries?

 

[happymommy]

Wow....we take 3 carry on's plus 2 huge suitcases! I could not even imagine not having a check-in suitcase. i also have a garment bag for costumes and dinner clothes...not to mention my trusty 2000 watt blow-dryer, toiletries, meds, 3 pairs of shoes for everyone (except the baby!) Cases of organic milk (horizon septic pkg.s room temp. stable) for kiddos, case of Double-shot starbucks drinks to get me going in the morning (cause I don't trust a potentially moldy hotel coffeemaker and I can't wait 3 hrs. for something caffeinated), power strip for laptop and cell phone chargers and camera-battery charger, 4 pin lanyards: with pins (those suckers are heavy!), some Disney beach towels (cause the scratchy hotel towels just don't cut it), My own PILLOW! Hello? Gotta have that. Gosh, I must be looking high maintenance to you guys, but, it is what it is! And I just know I'm forgetting a bazillion other things that go into my suitcase, so there it is, the reason I could never go "all carry-on"

Wow - I am the opposite of you! Never done costumes, and we wear one pair of shoes and MAYBE bring one other. Soy milk, etc, I wouldn't pack for air travel. Never brought towels anywhere. Ditto for pillow except for road trip.

I always only bring carry-ons. Regret not doing that on our Disney Cruise. DD didn't come to dinner on "formal night" and honestly it was a pain. My dress folded up into nothing. Snorkels were of no use due to the waves. Every hotel I've ever stayed in has a hair dryer, and at Disneyworld it is so humid I don't bother!

My kids can shower at night then put on clean shorts and tees, so pj's are not needed (learned this in Hawaii a few years ago, and yes we do only carry ons for two weeks there as well).