Ack!!! (or How do I carry all this stuff?)

[lighttech]

OK, we leave on Sunday. I thought I had this under control, but I have no idea how we will carry all this stuff!!

Its me, DH and DS 2.5

We'll have a suitcase for each of us, a carryon for each of us, diaper bag, carseat, stroller, plus probably one more bag (we're bringing a sleeping bag and pop-up tent for DS since we'll all be in one room at a value... its no bigger than a small backpack, but still another bag.)

I got a laundry bag to put the stroller in, and another one w/ a shoulder strap to carry the carseat, but I need HELP!!! Any tips.

 

[NotUrsula]

Did I see from your other post that the trip is 6 days total? What size are the suitcases? We'll need that info before we can give you meaningful ideas for how to manage.

 

[Addicted2TheMouse]

I think you're bringing way too much. I've travelled alone with my DS3 a few times and my rule of thumb is to check as much as possible. I can't imagine why a family of three would need 3 carry ons plus a diaper bag. I'd put everything you need for all 3 of you in one bag. How much could you and your DH possibly need while in flight anyway?

 

[Colinsmom]

When traveling with kids, I'd rather check luggage than haul it on the plane - too much other stuff to keep track of. Can you consolidate down to 2 carryon bags (including diaper bag) plus stroller and car seat?

 

[0hmyheck]

Are you using ME? If so check as much as possible and only bring what you absolutely need on the aircraft. Check the stroller at ramp gate and get it when you disembark. Baggage check the carseat and all that you can. Good luck!

 

[lighttech]

Thanks everbody.

I don't really think we need 3 carry-ons. To be honest, I never even thought about it... In my head I just thought..."3 paid seats, 3 carryons."

I'll definitely eliminate some of that. (DS will have his own b/c he is just as excited about his elmo rolling backpack as he is about going on a plane and going to WDW! ) But, DS's can probably hold the diapers that we need, and DH and I can share one that has tix, snacks, change of clothes, etc.

To answer other questions:
Yes we are using ME, but only on the way there... we'll be transferring to a non-disney hotel for my work for the end of the trip.

Luggage wise, we have 2 nice rolling uprights- A 19" and a 28" which will hold everything for DS and me (and hopefully some extra diapers and stuff which won't need to come back so it'll hold souveniers on the way home... we won't be buying much.) And, DH has a rolling duffel.

Thanks again.

 

[lighttech]

Are you using ME? If so check as much as possible and only bring what you absolutely need on the aircraft. Check the stroller at ramp gate and get it when you disembark. Baggage check the carseat and all that you can. Good luck!

We do plan on checking the stroller at the gate, but we'll be using the carseat on the plane, so we've got to lug that.

 

[Elmo888]

If it helps, you could mail disposables to your resort (diapers, wipes - anything that you don't need to take with you). I used UPS Ground, and it was inexpensive and their web site gives you the exact day that it will be at your resort. (Don't use USPS - it goes to a central location and then sorted to be sent to the resort.)

Also, we pack a large lightweight tote bag for souvenirs and carry that onto the plane on the way home. I would think that you could find one at Target or something. Just make sure that it has a zipper so stuff doesn't fall out (learn from my mistake!).

 

[Princess Roo]

That's *really* a lot! How long is the trip? Should you do laundry in the middle? One thought is that when you have as many bags as you are talking about, rolling bags start to be more of a problem than a help, because you either need two hands to push the stroller, leaving only DH's two hands for max of 2 rolling bags or you need one hand to hold DS' hand but then need to carry the stroller, too. Do you have a larger suitcase you could use in place of two of the three checked pieces? Or a duffle that can be looped over the handle of one of the rolling bags?

For us, for our various plane trips, usually to get from the parking lot of the airport to the checkin, I wear the carseat on my back and push the stroller with our one or two carry-on bags in the basket/over the handles (we try to just do one backpack that doubles as a diaper bag). DH handles the luggage to be checked (usually one or two bags). Could DS hold his rolling one in his lap or is it too heavy? Then, after the bags are checked, I give DH the carseat back to carry.

 

[lighttech]

These are all great tips. I do think that the extra suitcase for DS is going to be more trouble than its worth. I was just trying to organize, but I think most of his stuff will fit in mine or DH's suitcase, and if we need a little extra room, I have a small duffel that can be checked that will loop over the top of my suitcase. I've got a little more of a space issue than usual, b/c the end of this trip is a business trip for me, so I have to have several dressy outfits as well as business level convention wear. (Plus nice shoes... ugh.)

Princess Roo - Could DS hold his rolling one in his lap or is it too heavy?
Yes, he can. His will, for the most part just have some toys and snacks to entertain him at the airport and on the plane. We may use it for the couple of diapers we might need during travel time too, but its essentially a small bookbag.

Elmo888- Also, we pack a large lightweight tote bag for souvenirs
We did find a great small zipper duffel at an outlet. It will fit flat on the bottom of my suitcase on the way down and hold the souveniers on the way home. Thanks for the tip about the zipper.

I have to learn how to do multiple quotes in a post...

 

[wrighter]

Just another suggestion that I haven't seen covered: Make your carryon (the one for you and DH) be a big backpack. It will leave your hands free in the airport to push the stroller while your DH lugs the car seat. It is also nice to have a "hands free" bag when you're boarding.

We put our tickets, ID's, wallets and important papers in an outside pocket of the backpack. When we need them I just spin around so my husband can grab them out of the backpack. If you wanted to, you could also use this backpack as your "park" bag during your visit.

Good luck!

 

[DISNEYFOS]

So we typically have all our carry-ons as backpacks..DH has one, I have a Vera Bradley backpack as a diaperbag. We also tie the straps on the car seat so it can swing over our shoulder. DD (4) has a minnie suitcase for all her snacks and toys on the plane but be careful about this..he may decide he wants you to carry it after a while.

I think the values have two queens and you might be able to get bedrails (I think I read it somewhere that you can request it)...Then maybe the tent and sleeping bag aren't necessary?

If you have your stroller, we just really use it as a pack mule thru the airport...I think what you have is manageable.

 

[PlutoPony]

Watch the weight of your 28" bag to make sure you're under the airline's limit. Try to put lighter things in there maybe. It's very easy for bags 26" and up to hit 50 lbs. if you're not careful...!

 

[lighttech]

Watch the weight of your 28" bag to make sure you're under the airline's limit. Try to put lighter things in there maybe. It's very easy for bags 26" and up to hit 50 lbs. if you're not careful...!

Gosh! Didn't even think to check. A lot of what I have in there is pretty light, but I'll jump on the bathroom scale w/ it and see how much it weighs before we leave. (Of course, that means I'll have to weigh myself too... although I suppose that'll be alright since its BEFORE Disney and all those restaurants!)

The limit is 50lbs, correct?

 

[Elmo888]

Gosh! Didn't even think to check. A lot of what I have in there is pretty light, but I'll jump on the bathroom scale w/ it and see how much it weighs before we leave. (Of course, that means I'll have to weigh myself too... although I suppose that'll be alright since its BEFORE Disney and all those restaurants!)

The limit is 50lbs, correct?

50 lbs is the limit. We went over with a 29 inch bag. Way over. (I had borrowed it, so that was my first experience. After that, I would never buy a bag that a big!) I would put only clothes in the larger bag (no shoes, no toiletries, etc.) Put the heavy stuff in the small bag. And use the scale (if only we had one...)