Family of 4, 1 week how much luggage?

[holly7347]

HI all,
I'm trying to decide if we need to buy or borrow more suitcases. We have 2 of the small carry on sized suitcases and one big/full size suitcase. Originally I thought it would be nice to carry it all on and not have to fool with baggage claim or lost luggage. But I've since decided that isn't practical as DD#1 and DD#2 couldn't carry their own luggage and DH and I would have to carry everything while watching out for them. So now I've decided we should each carry on a backpack with swim suit and change of clothes as well as snacks, 1 portable DVD player, camera, ipod etc. But I'm wondering if our 2 small and 1 large suitcases are big enough for a family of 4 for a week.

 

[cinjam]

We are also a family of 4: me, dh, DS (age 7) and DS (age 4). We usually bring one large suitcase, one medium suitcase and one large duffel bag (it has wheels & a pull handle). I also pack one small nylon duffel bag that I use on the way home (because we always go home with more than we go down with).

Now, we usually go in February, so I have sweat shirts & jeans (bulkier clothes) in case the weather turns cold in addition to swim trunks & shorts. If I was going in the warmer months I would say I would be able to leave the medium suitcase home.

I also am the type to pack my entire medicine cabinet (from asprin to zicam - I have one of everything we might need...that's just me!)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[holly7347]

Cool it sounds like our 1 large and 2 small might work. We are going in early October which looks like it is still rather warm. So hopefully with us each using a backpack for things we will want on the plane and the first day we can get by. I can always do a load or two of laundry if I have too.

 

[shoppgirl]

I have started stressing about the amount of stuff and luggage we will need to bring! We are only going for 5 nights with 2 dds, 4 and 6. I have figured that I will be bringing one large one with clothes, a medium sized one with more clothing and shoes, and another med sized one for snacks/food/drinks to be consumed and then emptied for all our souvenirs to bring home. I will most likely be doing laundry while I'm there, so I don't have to make sure I have a different outfit for each day.

Plus the girls will have their own rolling Heys Princess egg suitcase for their toys that go on the airplane in addition to our own carryons/backpacks. We will also have 2 umbrella strollers to lug around! I figure with the Magical Express to take care of everything and the resort check in option for our return trip, the only time I will have to deal with all our luggage is at our home airport.

For yourself, my question would be how old are your kids? I would think the older the kids, the more stuff they have (even bulkier because their clothes and shoes are bigger!). Those small carry on bags are really small too. My husband and I brought a carry on suitcase and a medium sized bag to Vegas for 3 nights, and it wasn't enough! We had to buy another bag for our return trip because of all the stuff we bought at the outlet malls!

We also returned from a ONE night trip recently, and we had the one med bag with the 2 kids' suitcases and it was full!! You may want to try and borrow some extra bags just case you need it while packing and you find you want to bring more than you thought you would! Don't forget about all the new things you purchase while on vacation that need to come back!

 

[xxWDWfreak]

Well your DH's, your's, and your littlest DD's can all fit in the big suitcase. (roll up your clothes... don't fold them regularly) and your other DD's can go in another suitcase or dufflebag/carry on

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[dougsmom98]

When my kids were small, my DH and I use to share a suitcase with them, but you really need to be careful that you are not over the weight limit. You would be surprised at how heavy they can be. I personally would buy each of your DD a small suitcase. It is a small investment and they will be used for years to come. Sometimes Target will have a five piece set on sale for $20 or $30. Two Christmases ago, my DSs each got a good sized rolling back pack. They are great because the kids are in charge of their own luggage. These work well for us, but we stay in a villa with a washer and dryer so we don't need to over pack.

 

[scootch]

I take one suitcase with nothing but drinks and snacks... this way when we come home, we have room for all the souveniers, plus nothing ever fits back in the way it went down. This way the kids have juice boxes to drink, ect.. I usually use a box like juiceboxes come in and even put muffins/donuts and such in.

 

[DVCsince02]

With our family of 4 we check 3 suitcases. 1 large (fits both kids) and two mediums (one for DH and one for me). We also bring 2 smallish carry ons. One full of toys and stuff for the plane, and one with the rest of the stuff needed for the day. Plus a stroller (that gets gate checked) and car seat for DS who is 2yo with his own seat.

 

[monorailsilver]

Our trip this summer we will be a family of 5 & hopefully diaper free by then!

My goal is to get it all in 2 suitcases. If I have to, I will do 3. But withi 3 kids (they will be 7, almost 5 & 2 1/2) the less luggage the better.

I will have the sit & stand stroller & worst comes to worse my 7 yo will push it in the airport.

My older 2 will have their back packs with stuff for the plane but I don't think they will need it because we are on Jet Blue. My dh & I will have a back pack or a bag of some sort & I am sure my youngest will insist on one but I do have a small one she can use with wheels.

As for luggage, why so little for so many of us. My goal is to bring a maximum of 6-8 outfits per person. I hate picking since there tends to be many cute outfits for my kids. We wear 2 outfits per day (go in the summer & shower between am & pm park times during our mid-day break).

So what am I going to do for 9 days? Do lots of laundry that is for sure. My goal is to do a load every day during our break but if I have to I will do it every other day.

This reminds me that I need another suitcase for my trip as my old suitcases are too big.