Essential Packing Tips

[loveslupins]

Rolling is a MUST.

I moved once and was able to fit my whole wardrobe in two suitcases due to rolling. NO wrinkles!

I can't stress this enough.

HOWEVER now with airline charges on baggage I am thinking about doing the vaccume compressed bags for our WDW in 10 days. I'm packing for 4 of us.

Any thoughts?

One thing you have to remember when cramming a suitcase to the max is to stay under the weight limit ( don't ask me how i know ) which i think is 50 lbs.

 

[essom71]

I am going to have to look for these packing cubes; thanks for the ideas!

We too travel lots and I used to use ziploc bags but now swear by target packing cubes. I love, love ,love them! We travel with only carry on and I bring 3 outfits each and a bathing suit and towel. We go in august so we really only need shorts.

I also like the ziploc bags you get in the pharmacy by the travel size toilettries for our liquids. I think they are 5 for $1. I usually get them at target too. They just seem stronger.

I buy sunscreen when we get there as it is cheaper than checking a bag.

I take 5 disposible rainponchos each. In august we use them!

Make sure whatever shoes you take will dry quick or take an extra pair. I take croc flip flops.

We always get the regular meal plan and I find if we are strategic with our snack credits we don't need extra food.

Have a great time!

 

['OhanaMama]

I refuse to do laundry on vacation, but I do pack by the day like you. I love my packing folders and can't imagine packing without them. I put complete outfits on hangers, arrange them in the opposite order I plan to wear them and then fold them compactly into the packing folder, with an extra outfit on bottom, the eighth day's outfit next, seventh day's outfit next, and so on, with the first day's outfit winding up on top. If all I'm packing is shorts and tshirts, I can usually squish 9 days worth of clothes into one 18" packing folder. They're folded neatly, but squished flat and secured with the velcro flaps. Those flaps just seem to keep stretching and the packing folders can hold a ton of clothes. As long as the velcro flaps will close, they'll hold. I then roll my underwear, socks, and bras and place them in two small packing cubes. If the weather is going to be cool, I have to use two packing folders, but still pack my clothes in the opposite order I plan on wearing them. For hoodies or fleeces, I roll them and use zip lock bags, squishing all the air out of them, to make them as flat as possible.

Packing folders? Hmm....I've never heard of these. Googled them. Very interesting, I may have to try them out! Thanks!!!!

 

[katytrott]

Love the idea of the packing folders (hope they ship to the UK!). My only question to the "travel light" families on this thread -

How do you get the souvenirs you buy home?

I can only asssume you don't buy that much. In which case, this probably wont be practical for my lot. With two boys (2 and 6), there are a lot of pirate, lego, buzz etc toys to bring home, particularly our next trip when we will be there for my older son's b'day.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

1) Packing cubes from target. I used to use ziploc bags but I LOVE THESE!!!
What are packing cubes? What section do you get them in?

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

Nevermind! I found them on Walmart.com. Don't think it would be a good value for my family of 7. We would spend way too much on them!

 

[all4fun]

I found these packing cubes at Target.com. by Packmate. Are these the ones you're all talking about? We use ebags.com packing cubes...I'm wondering how different the target ones are to those.

 

[vincentotto]

I like to roll my clothes instead of folding it. It requires less space and it not get wrinkled.

 

[GaRain]

I like this rolling idea and will use it on my next trip.
Now, I always have the liquids problem and always end up having to check my bag. I wear contacts, so I have to have the cleaner and saline solution. Add to that the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and all the facial stuff and I just can't make it all fit in 1 quart ziploc bag! UGH!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We travel alot and I have a few favorite things. We travel with 4 of us ( my husband and I and 2 teen boys) and only take hand luggage. We generally go for 8-10 days. We have been to disney so much I think I have it down to a science.

My favorite things:

1) Packing cubes from target. I used to use ziploc bags but I LOVE THESE!!!
2) all in one purex laundry sheets. We only take 4 outfits each and do laundry.

3) travel ziploc baggies from the travel size section of the drug departments. While not esential they just make things easier. I think they are 5 for $1>

4) disposible rain capes rather than a rain jacket as they can lay flat in the case.

What are these?

 

[m2zjj]

Purex all in one laundry sheets are a dry sheet that you put in the washer with your clothes It takes the place of your laundry soap in the washer and then when you transfer the clothes to the dryer it acts as a fabric softener sheet.
I don't use them at home but I do buy them when I'm going to travel so that I can do laundry without taking a bottle of soap with me or buying it when I get there.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I like this rolling idea and will use it on my next trip.
Now, I always have the liquids problem and always end up having to check my bag. I wear contacts, so I have to have the cleaner and saline solution. Add to that the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and all the facial stuff and I just can't make it all fit in 1 quart ziploc bag! UGH!

If you're careful, you can kinda trick the system with the liquids. I hope that doesn't sound bad, but you can have one carryon suitcase and another personal bag like a backpack or purse. We did the ziploc bag in our carryon suitcase, and then in our purses or backpacks we put our travel size sunscreen, and any kind of normal items you might find in that kind of bag. Maybe a small contact solution? It worked for us and my parents have been doing it for a while.

 

[Froggy2007]

This is going to sound totally silly, but is there a specific way to roll up the items? Does folding something one particular way work better than another, before the rolling? Hehe, is there anyplace online that will illustrate it for you? I've tried rolling before, and not been very, um, impressed with the results.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

If you're careful, you can kinda trick the system with the liquids. I hope that doesn't sound bad, but you can have one carryon suitcase and another personal bag like a backpack or purse. We did the ziploc bag in our carryon suitcase, and then in our purses or backpacks we put our travel size sunscreen, and any kind of normal items you might find in that kind of bag. Maybe a small contact solution? It worked for us and my parents have been doing it for a while.

Every airport that I have been through actually makes you take out ALL liquids in your carry-on bag. I've seen them confiscate things from passengers because they weren't in their separate zip-top quart-sized bag. Just be prepared to lose some of your stuff if you don't pull it all out of your bags and put it into a zip-top baggie.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

This is going to sound totally silly, but is there a specific way to roll up the items? Does folding something one particular way work better than another, before the rolling? Hehe, is there anyplace online that will illustrate it for you? I've tried rolling before, and not been very, um, impressed with the results.

I just fold my shirts in half, fold the sleeves in, fold it in half horizontally, place it on top of my shorts, which are folded in half vertically then horizontally. I lay them as flat as possible and roll. In a ziploc bag, you can lay the outfit in the bag, zip it almost all the way shut, start rolling from the bottom of the bag first, while pushing all the air out, then finish zipping once you get it all the way to that point and all the air is out. Then you can either keep it rolled or lay it flat, as all the air being out of the clothes should make them lay nice and flat. One whole outfit can go in the bag, and you just pull out a bag at a time as you need them.

 

[humalexis]

I love doing WDW laundry, too. I save quarters prior to the trip, and put them in a large M&M's minis tube. They fit perfectly and I store them with my travel laundry detergent. You can also go to the Dis Creative DISigns board and make cute little covers for the M&M tubes. I have one that has Chip&Dale on it that says "Laundry Money".

That is such a cool idea!!! We will be driving and we pass through some tolls so that will be great to have in the van. No digging around quarters this year!

 

[Froggy2007]

Thanks! I'll give it a whirl on our next trip...hoping for a little Disney magic with the wrinkles

 

[rachdd]

I usually need more than just thie travel size when it comes to things like shampoo, conditioner, etc depending on how long we are gone for especially when it comes to things like body wash for my husband and 2 older boys so I have just been taking the larger items and sticking them in ziploc bags in the checked luggage and I have yet to have one leak out of the container much less the ziploc. Just be strategic with where you place it in the suitcase... don't just throw it on top!!