Don't want to overpack again!

[mommyrosa2]

Not sure if anyone else has this issue, but everytime we travel, I tend to WAY OVERPACK (and it doesn't help that I have two teenage girls who want to bring their entire wardrobe). Last year, we packed so much & didn't leave room for "extras" and ended up having to buy an extra duffle bag so we could lug everything back. I swear each year that I'm packing light and each year, I overdo it . This year, we'll be at the world the last full week in October and I'm already dreading the thought of packing. I would love to hear just how much clothes do folks pack for a week-long vacation (we're going this year for 8 days).

 

[RobynBirdMom]

I am also an over-packer - of our last 6 vacations, we've had to purchase an extra bag/suitcase of some sort on all but one. On our most recent trip, I checked the weather every day and again the morning of our flight - I packed only what I thought was absolutely necessary, and we did *mostly* OK. We would have been totally OK, but somehow my son managed to leave his hoodie in the car and we had to purchase a new one when we got to our resort (that was in March, and it got down to 37 in Orlando!).

Here are the things that help me with packing: I pack only a few pairs of shorts/capris/pants for the whole trip and 1 top per day for myself and have persuaded 13yo dd to do the same. I pack even less for dh and ds's - I'm not opposed to doing laundry while on vacation - every WDW resort we've stayed at has a laundry area close to a pool, so I can throw the laundry in to wash then sit at the pool with the kiddos. I always pack a small ziploc bag with some washing powder, a couple fabric softener sheets, and a fair amount of quarters.

I wear (and make dh and kids wear) our heaviest clothes and shoes on the day we travel. This is generally not a problem since our climate is *usually* much cooler than Florida, or anywhere else we like to travel. (I say *usually* because it was 108 here on Tuesday when it was only 90-something in FL!)

I also use one suitcase almost entirely for non-perishable snacks - I pack flavored coffee creamers, protein bars, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, etc. By the end of our trip this suitcased has been emptied of snacks and we use it for souvenirs on the trip home.

HTH!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What I find very helpful to avoid over packing, is to pack only enough clothes to get me half way through our vacation and do laundry mid way through. I know no one wants to do laundry on vacation but most of the laundry rooms are by the pool so it not an issue to combine laundry with pool time. This past May we were able to do 3 loads of laundry all at once because SSR has multiple machines. It only took 1 hour and 15 minutes to wash and dry 3 loads of laundry.
The other thing to think about if you only pack for half a trip, you come home with smaller loads of dirty laundry. Unless you are like me at do laundry again before you come home. It was well worth the 1 hour and 15 minutes the night before we left to come home with all clean clothes. And again we did laundry while relaxing at the pool.
I use the Purex 3 in 1 sheets so I don't have to worry about buying soap and softner.

Then you will have room for extra stuff to bring home. Cuts down on the amt of baggages fees paid. And I really love not coming home to mounds of laundry that have to be done one load at a time verses using 3 washers all at once at Disney. Unless there is someone else who needs to do laundry at Disney need I don't occupy as many machines. But I have never run into an issue doing multiple loads at once at Disney,.

 

[disneychic2]

We pack for the week. A fresh top & shorts for each day. We wear something a little "nicer" on the plane so when we go to Cirque or dine somewhere nice, we wear those clothes. We pack one change of clothes in our carry on. I also take an extra folded duffle bag for souvenirs for the trip home (as a carry on). Works pretty well. Of course, teen-age girls are another animal altogether, so I wish you good luck! (They DO grow out of it and actually my girls are better at packing than I am!)

 

[njmom47]

I did laundry the last trip to WDW (and sat by the quiet pool in CBR). I also brought some cotton/poly blend shirts and rinsed them in the sink and hung them to dry. And I second all the above suggestions! (And yes, I traveled with 2 dds who were 16 and 14 at the time).

 

[mommyrosa2]

I don't mind doing laundry while I'm there & have done so on all but 1 trip (my first one b/c I didn't know better). I've never tried the 3 in 1 sheets so I'll definitely have to get some. I also like the idea of packing for 1/2 the trip but getting the girls to not sneak extra stuff in the suitcase will be the challenge. Last year, I told them both: 1 pair of sneakers, 1 pair of flip flops and 1 pair of sandals...as I was packing my and DH's bag, my oldest comes over with her sandals and flip flops and a few other items b/c she said she had no room. I go check her bag & she had already packed 2 other pairs of flip flops, another pair of sandals and enough clothes to travel for a month ! I was like, "are you kidding me?"

 

[minnie mum]

I am a huge believer in "The List". I have a packing list that the family has used for years. Really cuts down on unnecessary items. And avoids duplication. For example: all of the toiletries except deodorant (DH doesn't want to use my Secret for some reason) are shared. Ditto with the hair dryer. Each person knows they have a limit (checked and carry on) and has to stick to it.

By the way, once everyone has figured out what they're taking, we then mix up what goes in each bag in case one bag ends up going on a separate vacation. DH and I will each put a couple of days outfits in the other person's bag. Same thing with the girls. It really paid off one year, but that's another story.

Since we drive now, our 1 week stay at WDW requires almost 2 weeks worth of clothes. But we only take a weeks worth and do laundry once or twice. Lovely to take a book and a beverage out to the pool while the clothes are being washed.

 

[ZoZo]

My best strategy is to plan to do laundry mid-trip. Then you can take half the amount of clothes you would usually need. This works like a charm! And it can provide a nice break from the parks - the laundry room where we stay @ POR is right by one of the "quiet" pools, so I put in two loads at once, hang out by the pool, throw both loads into dryers, and I'm done.

It only takes about an hour and a half, and it's so worth it. Many people say "I'd never do laundry on vacation" but to me, it's essential.

 

[YukiPhnx]

This site might take it to extremes, but it's got some GREAT tips.

www.onebag.com

To help with space, I roll up all my clothes. Of course, I don't mind wrinkles on what I wear to the parks.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Definitely do laundry halfway through your trip. Also, when packing, remember you are going to buy t-shirts, etc. so that is technically extra clothes right there. Last September we had to buy a bag at WDW. Our luggage was over weight, and a second bag was much cheaper than an over weight bag.

I like to try to bring food/snacks in luggage. Then when that is done you have an empty piece of luggage to bring home goodies.

Good luck, I'm an overpacker also!!

 

[Azrael]

I used to be an over-packer, but that was because I didn't want to do wash while I was on vacation. I've wised up over the years, and now I always find down time at night to throw in a load or two of wash.

 

[bookgirl]

Give them a mid sized or small suitcase. Tell them that's all they get besides a carry on. They are responsible for packing, lugging, weighing and repacking along with thier souvineers on the way back. Then stick to it.


It's amazing what a kid will learn the hard way that they wouldn't just listen to thier mom about.

 

[StitchSpawn]

I have never planned my outfits for WDW, but I did for the first time today and I hope it works out. I have been enough times I think to know what I will need and won't need. I always have those things I want to bring, but I never use, so I am leaving those things behind this time. We'll see how it goes. And I always do laundry. I have never found a load or two such a hassle.

In the summer time: cute gym clothes made out of breathable lightweight fabric and cute lightweight tees

In the winter: blue jeans and cute tee with sweater and earmuffs

 

[luvdisney00]

I am trying to get the kids to pack in a carry on this year for the 1st time. So they get a 21" rolling suitcase and what else can they carry? I know the airline site says a "personal item", but what does that mean? Can they do their suitcase and a totebag (like a large purse?) I am regretting buying these Continental tickets, I prefer Jet Blue where you can "pack freely" LOL.
Thanks for any help, we are ALL overpackers in my house and this is hard.

 

[bookgirl]

Personal item would be a purse, laptop case/briefcase, pillow (hey I've seen it done).

A carry on would be a small bag that will fit in the airlines requirements (tote bag, backpack or those small rolling suitcases)

I've done backpack/pilot suitcase, large tote/purse and rolling duffle bag, duffle bag/backpack, laptop case/totebag.

Every airline has a different size but I think they all fall around the small suitcase size. Basically if it can fit in the area your feet go in under the seat then you're personal item/bag is good to go.

 

[luvdisney00]

Personal item would be a purse, laptop case/briefcase, pillow (hey I've seen it done).

A carry on would be a small bag that will fit in the airlines requirements (tote bag, backpack or those small rolling suitcases)

I've done backpack/pilot suitcase, large tote/purse and rolling duffle bag, duffle bag/backpack, laptop case/totebag.

Every airline has a different size but I think they all fall around the small suitcase size. Basically if it can fit in the area your feet go in under the seat then you're personal item/bag is good to go.

Thank you.

 

[bookgirl]

oh and I have one trick


I carry a smallish purse so I pack my tote then put my purse in it so it only counts as one.

 

[Alexsmommie]

I tested this out recently and LOVE it!!!!!! (we took a day trip to a local theme park)

anyway take a large (gallon?) ziploc bag and pack one change of clothes in each bag. Not only does it save on time (searching through bags for changes of clothes) but it saves on space (everything from shirt to socks condensed in one bag)

the other BIG perk of this is if you change from wet clothes into dry ones you AUTOMATICALLY have a place to put the wet clothes without bringing an extra bag!!!!!

Hope this helps!!!

 

[corgi_monster]

As a former overpacker who honestly though she NEEDED three outfits a day, my best tip is Old Navy! They have super thin T-shirts for about $5 - $7.50 (when they're on sale). They aren't the most fashionable, but you can dress them up with small accessories like statement necklaces or scarves. I can fit about 12 of these shirts in a gallon size ziploc bag.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55405&vid=1&pid=634295&scid=634295202