Can you fit your whole family in one suitcase?

[mom2val]

This past trip was our first where our bags were not free so we had to try to cut back as much as possible. We checked one large suitcase. We had 1 carry on suitcase and 2 dufflebags plus my purse. I am thinking this next trip we will check 2 large bags and carry on 1 dufflebag and my purse.

We never plan on doing laundry. Unless we have an illness or accident that made us have to wash the clothes. We also tend to shop quite a bit and need room for lots of extras coming back home with us.

 

[hcmommy]

Last time we came it was in Dec. so I don't know why it didn't dawn on me until just now after reading some of these replies that I would need to pack an assortment of clothes, from shorts, to jeans, etc.when we go next November. Pics from our last trip we are in shorts one day and hoodies the next! Guess because it's so far away I just didn't think of the logistics! We drove last time so I packed a ton. May have to bring a large suitcase, and a medium one and a kid one. Blech! Not worried about luggage fees as we will likely fly Southwest, just worried about hauling it all thru the airport with two small kids.

 

[thebeesknees]

We did our last trip for a week with carry-ons only to avoid the checked baggage fees, but next time, I am just going to check one large bag and use our backpacks for the rest. I packed the kids' outfits in ziplock bags. This helped me to know that I had enough socks, etc. for every day, since we didn't do laundry, and it kept everything together for those rushed mornings. DH and I used packing cubes for our stuff before putting it in our rolling carry-on bags. You can fit a ton into those cubes! I wear my jeans more than once, so I wore one pair and packed 3 more. We did short-sleeve shirts, but wore our fleece jackets onto the plane so we'd have them for the evenings (it was still cold here in CO in February, so we needed them to and from the airport, as well). The kids are great about reading, so they each had a good-sized book for the plane; no need to mess with a bag full of trinkets for the big two, the baby basically napped and snacked. It can be done if you are careful about what you pack. I think the general rule of thumb I've read is to lay out everything you want to take, and then only pack half. We brought Purex laundry sheets with us in case we had to do emergency laundry, but we didn't need them.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

DH couldn't do it if his life depended on it. DSs not a problem. Me doable. DD15 are you kidding. She needs to look perfect. God forbid some teenage guy sees her and she doesn't look just right. So we will not even attempt it. Each of us will have a carryon containing a bathing suit and a change of clothes incase airline looses luggage. Have had this happen to many times so I wont chance it anymore. I will have toiletries and medications in mine. DH will have camera and probably laptop. DS21 will also have the crockpot in his carryon. DD will put the hairstuff in hers. Can't loose that talk about a major crisis. Suitcases DH will have the biggest one. DD will have one. I will take one and also have all the overflow in mine. DSs will share one. This unfortunatly is the best I can do.

 

[kaetra]

Today is my official packing day and I will be using -

• A single 28"W x 20"H x 10" Deep hard case suitcase to check in
• 3 average size duffle bags to carry on (1 for each person)
• 6-can soft sided cooler as my personal item/purse carry on
• Hubby's small backpack to carry on as personal item
• DD's small backpack to carry on as personal item

Everything fit with room to spare! The big suitcase has clothes and 1 extra pair of shoes for each person, our costumes for MNSSHP, toiletries, room snacks and other necessities that we won't need our first day at the park.

My duffle is filled with Welcome decorations/gift basket for a surprise for DD, DD's duffle is filled with clothes and any not-safe-to-check items, DH's duffle is actually completely empty right now, but I will manage to fill it with something!

We will wear our hats. DD's backpack has all our snacks, plane busies for her, empty fan/water bottle, rain stuff and a few other things we'll need for the parks. We're getting there early, well before I anticipate our checked bag will arrive. DH's backpack will have all the photo/video gear.

The one good idea I just came up with on the fly was I chose to take my 6-can soft side cooler as my "purse". I'll be using my small leather square waist pack for daywear. So, that means I can carry on our small soft sided 6-can cooler as my purse/personal item.

The cooler was taking up way to much room in the suitcase no matter how much I squished it down into a freezer bag. I am amazed at what I could fit in it when transfering the must-haves from my purse, all of which I can easily store in our room when we arrive and transfer smaller amounts to smaller containers that will fit in the waist pack.

 

[crl]

Oh gosh- I don't even try! That is part of why we drive- I can stuff the car full! LOL

Us too! Poor DH thinks he'll get out of driving someday. But I really love driving instead of flying. His only reason for agreeing is that he can make a side trip to the coast if the weather looks nice on either end of our vacation.

There is just no way that I could get everything we need as a family of 4 into one suitcase since my kids go through 2 outfits a day. On for the cool mornings and evenings and one for the hot mid-day weather of January.

 

[sweetdana]

I have done a pack it all in carry ons and a 2 suit case and carry on for us 3. I prefer doing laundry even every 3 days. I have the delta card so bags are free.. I just like not having that much stuff in the room.

Lat trip 1 checked 1 bag, had 1 backpack carry on, 1 lap top back pack, and a purse. I think this is what I will do again exactly. (10 days.)
4 outfits plus bathing suit and jammies for grown ups and an extra out fit and costume for DD5.

 

[northcoast_momma]

Ok - you guys are all making me really feel excessive! We have one rolling suitcase per person (probably can get away with the boys sharing maybe?). I better start getting serious b/c we leave in less than 2 months - and I know me - I'll pack shorts, capris, AND jeans - b/c I'm a former girlscout - I must be prepared for ANYTHING!! My husband could get away with a backpack and be happy. The good thing this time is we have a washer/drier.....

So you are all making me really think about being more conservative.

The killer is I travel a lot for my job - so I'm the queen of travelling light for work. BUT THIS IS DISNEY - IT'S DIFFERENT HA HA HA

 

[luvmy2babies]

I am going to try to come close, but doubt it and it is just me my dd age 7 and my ds (10 months at the time of travel). But I don't do laundry on vacations unless some unusual occurrence necessitates it. Now I do know I will need to do better than this:

This is all our stuff packed for the vacation we took in June. I drove us to Virginia beach for 6 days. Driving will give you so much lee-way. Ds was only 5 months old, so I took everything but the kitchen sink. What you don't see is his rocker I took so he wouldn't have to lay flat on his back all the time in the hotel room. He also sat on the balcony in it. Had the boppy pillow for him to lay on in bed and for nursing. That dark bag up front is the backpack I used when we went out during the day.

That white plastic bag had 2 of ds's thick blankets in it for tummy time. When dd saw those, she brought me her Disney Princess snugli and said, "Please pack this too." She fell asleep under it the first night.

That big green mesh bag with the black strap is the beach bag. It had towels, dd's beach toys, our beach blanket and our pool floats (still packaged). The big burgundy upright suitcase is mine. I had very few shorts, but given ds was still so young, I had a lot of shirts, a lightweight jacket, some hats and 2 swim suits. I also had 8 days worth of diapers in my suitcase, plus his swim diapers. The small red upright suitcase is dd's and had her clothes and swimsuits, a lightweight jacket, some flip flops and a pair of sandals. The red duffle bag has ds's clothes, swim clothes, bibs, hats and 2 lightweight jackets. Another bag had all our toiletries. I put drinks in the red cooler-the bag with the gray strap. The round thing pretty much hidden is our tent for the beach. Love that thing.

What you don't see are the snacks I had already put in the car. I had to take one of the 3rd row seats out of our van to get all that and ds's Graco stroller in.

I learned a lot from that trip though and I know I took way too many clothes. We didn't wear half the stuff and ds did amazingly well not needing extra clothes. He only had one blow-out diaper all week.

Now of course I won't need half the stuff I take for a beach trip to go to Disney. I plan to pack outfits in zip-lock bags, and only take about half the clothes for dd and me. I think I packed enough for dd to change 3 times a day. Maybe I thought ds might puke on her too...who knows. In reality I think I just packed everything I had bought her for summer instead of just deciding exactly what she would wear. Same with ds.

This time I'm doing Garden grocer so I won't need to pack snacks, diapers, wipes, formula or baby food beyond what we travel with. Even after removing them from the pack, it's amazing how much room 50 diapers takes up in a suitcase. It will be a bit tricky packing for warm and cool weather (we are going in November), plus I have to pack 2 nice dresses for dd (Akershus and 1900 Park Fare), but I'm going to get some jeans I can just repeat and do the same with dd, but we will still have extra shirts.

We're doing matching t-shirts, that I am making from designs I got on here, so that will cut down on all the shirts I tend to pack. I'm packing shorts for ds, cuz he'll be in the carrier a lot and if it's 80 I want him comfortable, but for dd I'm packing lightweight pants and if it's 80, she'll just have to deal because at sundown she'll be like "I'm cold". Going to have her cover her lap at every meal to cut down on messes. That girl's clothes attract ketchup (or any other sauce) like a magnet.

My goal is one large suitcase and one small one with room to spare. As to carry-ons, I used to be bad about this when dd was younger. So nervous about keeping her entertained on the plane I'd end up with two huge backpacks (1 for each of us). This time she will have her own small one. I will have one large one (has to fit my Ergo carrier after I remove ds from it for security). I expect dd to be in a trance the entire plane ride looking at her custom activity/memory book I'm putting in there. Ds is entertained by paper, so as long as he had some to crinkle, a teething ring to chew on and enough milk he's good.

I wish you the best packing for 2 adults and 2 preschoolers with one bag. I imagine given you are doing laundry midweek it is doable. I also imagine those space savers would be an option.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

As long as my kids (10 and 12) aren't packing stuff themselves, I could (and have) definitely fit my stuff and theirs in one bag. My hubby is another story, though. He's a bit more particular about everything and needs things for medical issues, so that all takes up more space.

I just got tired of overpacking and bringing things home that were never used/worn, so I started minimizing. Still have a ton of fun on vacation, but haul less stuff!

 

[burnurcomputer]

We are a family of 6, so a single case is just not enough for us based on numbers We now have to pay for carry ons AND the first checked bag (Air Tran). My 12 year old is going to be packed with my baby because the 12 year old has adult sized clothes and the baby...not so much! My 2 year old and my 10 year old will be packed together as my 10 year old is amll and so is my 2 year old. I *might be able to pack my stuff with my Dh but he refuses to pack untill right before we leave and I have the clothes for the rest of us layed out on a our small couch. I am planning on purchasing the bonus Disney suitcase for my 2 year old (everyone has there own luggage execp the smallest 2) to carry home anything that we purchase. We have to check our double stroller at the gate, and carry on our diaper bag.

We take 3 shorts and 3 shirts in solids for the kids. 4 undies and socks, and take 1 extra pair of shoes. We take 1 swim suit and 1 pair of pj's. They will wear jeans and a hoodie for the plane ride so we have them if they are cold. Plus, its chilly in Pa in October and not as much in Flordia!

I take 3 pairs of cotton capris and 3 shirts that can go with them mix and match style. I brign one long casual skirt in case iof going otu to eat

 

[robinb]

I don't mean your ACTUAL family...but your families stuff

I would really like to cut down on the amt. of stuff we travel with, not just for Disney but in all of our travels. We usually travel by car, but still...

If you can fit all (or most) of your families clothing, shoes, etc. in one bag which on do you use? How big is it? It is me, DH and two preschoolers and I think we could do it if we do laundry mid week, but not with our current suitcase. Do you use a huge duffel, massive suitcase, what?! Is it airline complaint? I want to travel with one big suitcase for clothing and one little one for toiletries, flat iron, etc and a stroller and that is it! It's hard enough dragging kids thru the airport w/o all the junk!

Nope. I couldn't.

My biggest bag is a 24" bag because I know that I can fill it and NEVER have to worry about being overweight. I think it averages about 35-40 lbs filled. When my DD was a toddler she would share that 24" bag with me while my DH carried his usual 20" carry-on. We would put the stroller in it's own bag and fill the empty space with kid things like wipes, diapers and pool noodles. We now travel with 3 carry-on size bags, even if we end up checking bags. I prefer the size of the smaller bags to bigger bags.

ETA: It also really depends on when you go. I thought that winter was the worst because you have to pack for every eventuality. My last August trip was much, much worse. We would go through 2 changes of clothes PER DAY because of the heat. So, even if you plan to do laundry (and I always do) you may end up doing more laundry than you anticipated.

 

[monorailsilver]

We are a family of 5 & I bet I could easily do it.

The last trip we took, I did use 2 suitcases though. One medium sized one & one small one. I like 2 just in case one gets lost.

I do laundry every day (yes crazy) during our mid day break. BUt we all have favorite/comfortable outfits that we like to wear alot.

We go in the summer so I don't have to worry about coats, pants, sweaters/bulky clothes. It is mainly tank tops & shorts with one or two short sleeve shirts which we never use.

DH & I bring a maximum of 4 shorts (just in case I don't do laundry one day) & 4-5 shirts. We wear 2 outfits per day.

My kids, I have brought more then I needed but our next trip which is eons away they will be 11, almost 9 & 6. So I always brought an extra outfit as a just in case (don't know why as there is laundry).

I know I can do it but I will probably continue with the 2 suitcases & each kid can have a back pack with their stuff for the plane.

OT but I just thought of a happy thought on my next trip...no car seat & no diapers...woooo...hoooo!!!!

Oh & I do ship down a box of stuff for breakfast & some snacks. It also had diapers in it but I won't need those in my next box.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I couldn't do it.

I was happy I got all the clothes for all 4 of us into 2 suitcases and 1 carryon for our MN trip this summer and I even did laundry twice while we were there.

Then my husband decided he just HAD to bring some stuff home from his Dad's house which totally messed us up.

So I wouldn't try to squeeze all of your stuff into just 1 suitcase. it would most likely end up overweight and you'd have alot more hassle with it than just using 2.

 

[I*heart*MickeyMouse]

I don't mean your ACTUAL family...but your families stuff

I would really like to cut down on the amt. of stuff we travel with, not just for Disney but in all of our travels. We usually travel by car, but still...

If you can fit all (or most) of your families clothing, shoes, etc. in one bag which on do you use? How big is it? It is me, DH and two preschoolers and I think we could do it if we do laundry mid week, but not with our current suitcase. Do you use a huge duffel, massive suitcase, what?! Is it airline complaint? I want to travel with one big suitcase for clothing and one little one for toiletries, flat iron, etc and a stroller and that is it! It's hard enough dragging kids thru the airport w/o all the junk!

this past trip I packed half as many outfits that we would need and did laundry half way thru (except dd, her stuff is tiny lol) we fit in one large sized suitcase and when we weighed at airport we were at 52 lbs... I took out our flip flops, beach towels and dh's extra sneakers and put those in the other medium sized suitcase. That case had toiletries, snacks, glow necklaces and other entertainment things, and shoe organizer for the room.

 

[burnurcomputer]

We are a family of 6, so a single case is just not enough for us based on numbers We now have to pay for carry ons AND the first checked bag (Air Tran). My 12 year old is going to be packed with my baby because the 12 year old has adult sized clothes and the baby...not so much! My 2 year old and my 10 year old will be packed together as my 10 year old is amll and so is my 2 year old. I *might be able to pack my stuff with my Dh but he refuses to pack untill right before we leave and I have the clothes for the rest of us layed out on a our small couch. I am planning on purchasing the bonus Disney suitcase for my 2 year old (everyone has there own luggage execp the smallest 2) to carry home anything that we purchase. We have to check our double stroller at the gate, and carry on our diaper bag.

We take 3 shorts and 3 shirts in solids for the kids. 4 undies and socks, and take 1 extra pair of shoes. We take 1 swim suit and 1 pair of pj's. They will wear jeans and a hoodie for the plane ride so we have them if they are cold. Plus, its chilly in Pa in October and not as much in Flordia!

I take 3 pairs of cotton capris and 3 shirts that can go with them mix and match style. I brign one long casual skirt in case iof going otu to eat

Eating my own words.....I can check a bag for $15. I managed to get Aidan, Michael, Zander, Quinn and I all in one big case. I might change it back if I need to so my kids can carry, but I'm thinking that will be to big of a hassle!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

I'm in awe of some of you awesome packers!

I'm a chronic overpacker. We drove last time but are flying AirTran this next time so I've started thinking about how to best minimize our stuff/suitcases and pay minimal baggage fees. At best I was hoping to get DH and I's into one suitcase and the kids into another but more realistically, I'm thinking DH and I will have our own and the kids will share one. Honestly, I'd rather pay an extra baggage fee than do laundry on vacation - it stinks enough doing it at home.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

There is NO way we could fit into one suitcase! I am happy if we make it into two plus carryons.

I really prefer to not do laundry on vacation and will pay the extra baggage fee so that I can avoid it! I ended up doing laundry in June but hopefully that will be it!

 

[princessage]

Hmm, you are asking someone who once brought an entire suitcase full of shoes for myself for a Vegas trip! It would have to be quite a humongous bag!!
But, if I had to pay to check in bags for my trip to WDW, I would pack a large suitcase and check it in and bring 2 carry ons for the rest of the stuff and my hubby and I would carry those.

 

[squirrel]

I still check 2 bags for my niece and I for a 14 night trip. She has more clothes than me.

I do roll all the clothes. My niece's are put into ziplock bags with socks and underware and then the air is squeezed out of them.