Family of 4...how many suitcases?

[marcyinPA]

I've started packing for our trip...I'm afraid I am overpacking. I have a 26" and a 28" suitcase, plus 2 smaller ones (overnighters), and we'll each have a carry on. I am packing food, plus we are bringing a twin aerobed. My boys are almost 5 and almost 9, so they are sharing the 26" case. I feel like we are going to look ridiculous going through the airport dragging all of this luggage!!

So, how many suitcases do you bring??

 

[NotUrsula]

You didn't say how many days you would be gone, but it sounds like you are going WAY overboard!

For a family of 4, you should be able to pack summer-weight clothing/accessories for all 4 of you for 5-6 days in one 28-in suitcase plus two overnighter-size carryons. Personally, I never pack for more than half the trip if it is over 5 days; I just do laundry once. Disney is one trip where you don't need to pack lots of toys, etc. for the kids; they will be excited on the way down, and will probably have new stuff to mess with on the way home. Just a few choice small items should be enough.

Do you have a hard ice chest you can check? You could probably put the food and/or the airmattress in that, and then you would have the chest to use in your room. (When checking a cooler, do not tape it, the airline MUST manually inspect it to make sure there are no perishables or ice in it. You can use a luggage strap or bungy to hold it shut.)

 

[HollyJoy]

Can't really tell you if you've overpacked since I don't know how long you're going for. I know that when we go (we also have 4), my husband and I will each have our own suitcase, as will both my girls. Just will be easier. However, we're driving, so we don't have to worry too much about bringing more than we need! We're going in December, so we will no doubt have to bring some bulkier items like sweatshirts and jeans, maybe even a lightweight jacket, but still plan on setting a limit to one bag per person!

 

[marcyinPA]

Our trip is for 8 days. I don't plan on doing laundry, so I have an outfit a day each, plus an extra. It's funny, I don't feel like I'm going overboard when I'm packing...it seems like we'll need everything that's going into the suitcases. But then I think this is way too many things to check in/worry about!

 

[DNSDisney]

There are 3 of us and I pack one rolling type carryon bag for each of us . + usually have a oversized hand bag for other stuff i can't seem to get into suit cases and my daughter takes one as well with her cds, headset, and gameboy in.
We usually drive down.
It doesn't sound like you are overpacking to me. JMHO

 

[jsjohnso]

Hey! Overpacked or not, we're GOING (leaving the house in a few hours to go to the airport) with 3 26" suitcases, a stroller, a carryon size suitcase(to be checked), backpack for DS and I, and a briefcase type carrier for DH (and my fannypack purse, and a small softsided cooler)...and as you've noticed, there's only 3 of us!!! LOL
I packed using a packing list recommended by this forum...and I took things off the list!! I think the list must of been for someone who drove. (Oh, and I forgot we're bring the carseat too!) And I'm normally a garment bag with carryon type of traveller. but that was Before DS was born. I figured we would have to use those luggage carts...

If anyone tells you you've overpacked....point to us! Have a good trip!

 

[safetymom]

Just be sure to check the weight allowed for your suitcases with the airlines. Quite a few of them have 50 pound limits before you have to pay extra.

I also recommend curbside check in. Then you don't have to worry about lugging them through the airport. Don't forget to tip the skycaps.

 

[cindysteve]

I have trudged through the airport with 5 suitcases, one medical device, one carryon, one toiletries bag, a bag of snorkeling gear, and one kids backpack (for a 12 day trip). I know I seem to overpack, but I'd rather have too much than not enough. We were a family of four (foster DS now makes 5). Don't worry about what other people think. Remember, if you do forget something, you can always run out to Goodings or Walmart. Also, I never pack food, other than snacks for the trip down, because I can buy it down there if I need it.

 

[zakatak]

For our trip coming up in November, we are trying to do the impossible. Only carry on with 3 kids and 2 adults. Plan? Well.... we just bought three new 20" suitcases, one for each kid (4, 6 & 8), I have a 24" and my dh will pack in a duffle. I will also bring the backpack for activities on the way down (direct flight 2.5 hours) and for "stuff" on the way home. We will pack a smaller duffle for the stuff the kids collect that won't fit in their suitcases on the return trip.

The kids will be wearing jeans/fleeces down, so their luggage will hold 5 days worth of shirts/shorts/another pair of jeans, etc...

I don't know if this will work or not, but it saves us 25 minutes in the BUF airport (print boarding passes out online the night before) and at least 30-45 minutes checking luggage at MCO. Oh, and we just call Fl. Tours when we land and head right out to A35 and immediately into the car instead of waiting for luggage and the car to drive around.

Somehow I think we won't have enough room on the return flight for all their "things" the kids buy! Maybe this isn't the brightest idea out there! Hmmmm... I've got some time to think about it...

Oh, one more thing... as we take more trips to WDW, we have found things that can stay home and great ways to pack things. I never leave home without cough medicine for the kids ($7.99 for a small bottle in AKL gift store ). But I will spend $12.00 on laundry so I don't have to check luggage!

 

[Castillo Mom]

Let's see, we're a family of 5 which includes myself, DH and 3 DS ages 9, 12 and 15. Each of the boys will have one 26" bag a piece, plus they'll each have a carry on. DH and I will each have one 29" bag each, plus one carry on each. Oh, almost forgot, the boys will also each have a small backpack and I'll have a small messenger-type bag and so will DH; these will hold CDs, magazines, Gameboys, snacks for the plane and will also be used for the parks. So that's a total of 5 large bags, 5 carry ons and 5 small bags. Phew! Our trip is 2 1/2 weeks though, so we need that much luggage.

 

[BrerMama]

I refuse to do laundry on my vacation, my personal rule. So we're taking 2 huge suitcases, in fact I need to go check the dimensions because we may be pushing it. I'll also take at least one medium suitcase, maybe 2. We're taking breakfast food and snacks with us, as well as clothing for 5 for 9 days. I've tried very hard to keep my list to the bare minimum, but when you're travelling with kids and without a rental car, a lot of things become essential. Each of the kids will have a backpack for carry-on, dh will have a backpack and I'll have a sling bag. Hey, if you need it, bring it. As long as you're within the baggage limits, it shouldn't matter how much you've brought.

 

[daystar]

Hi,
My family went for their first trip to WDW at Christmas 2003....We are a family of four, my boys are ages 12 and 5.....We took two very large suit cases for us adults and the boys both had their own but smaller.....On top of that i had everyone carry on a bag of their own, that's where the food went.....I also packed a couple of extra duffle bags for souvenirs....So on the way back we had all together ten pieces of luggage....The sad part was i over packed on clothing half the stuff i packed i never used....We were there only for six days but i had more than enough clothes for a month.....So i really over packed.....So next time we plan on going i'm really only going to pack what i need....Don't forget to leave room or take a extra bag for your souvenirs...If i was going again i would only bring a luggage per person and one carry on per person....Then some how make room in one of those bags for souvenirs......The less you pack the easier it is for you and your back.....LOL

 

[Amirah95]

I have a family of three and we are taking one duffle bag each this time. Whatever we can't fit in one bag ain't going with us! LOL. I overpacked everyone last year and I have learned my lesson (I had a suit case with just shoes in it). Oh yeah...and that one carry on with all our hygiene stuff...four bags.

 

[beattyfamily]

We are a family of 4.

We usually have 2 large suitcases and one, sometimes two, small suitcases (the carry-on size). Then we usually also have the booster seat bag that fits our 2 booster seats in it that we check, we have a stroller that we check.

Then we carry on my backpack with all the snacks, crayons and important papers, camera etc...my DH brings the camcorder and his laptop. Sometimes we bring a duffle bag as a carry on but I was able to eliminate that last year!

So that comes to 5 to 6 items being checked and 3 or 4 items on the plane. I always try to eliminate a bag each year but that will only get more difficult as my DDs turn into teenagers!

We do laundry so we can pack lighter...great thing about DVC is washer and dryer in our room; bad thing is the kitchen as it makes me want to pack all kinds of food and stuff for it!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

In Jan I went with DH, DD(4), DS(3), & DD(1) and I had 3 car seats-one in a bag and one on a board with backpack straps(wish I could a link to this thing it was great I bought it at a Samsonite store). I able to fit the small booster seat and small cooler on the backpack style carrier. We checked 1 large rolling bag(28"?) and a small duffle bag and we carried on a daypack and carry-on. We also had a double stroller. I had mailed a package to the resort with diapers and stuff for the flight home and I also did laundry once. I then mailed home a bunch of dirty summer clothes.

When we go in November I plan on using a limo instead of renting a minivan and will take just a single stroller and 1 car seat. I plan to mail a package down again (have to send the princess dresses this year!) and pack a bit lighter-no more bottles or baby food and just 1 in diapers.

 

[canwegosoon]

On our last trip I wheeled the two bigger ones with clothes for me and DH (away on meetings and meeting us at Disney) and shoes for everyone, I also carried a large shoulder bag with snacks, information and medications. My 2 children who each were 5 were rolling an overnight bag each (1 for their clothes and one for food) and then they each had a disney backpack of activities/toys and snacks for the flights. They were such a help. We checked the 4 cases and only carried on 1 bag each. We brought a large selection of clothes, and glad we did, because we needed all of it...and I did laundry once during the week.

I think the most important thing is if you are renting a car, or taking a car service to make sure that you can fit all of your luggage in the car's trunk. Most places list the number of cases the trunk will fit.

Have a great time!

 

[LuAnimal]

Originally posted by zakatak
But I will spend $12.00 on laundry so I don't have to check luggage!

I promise that you will spend a lot more time doing that $12.00 worth of laundry than you will save time at the airport. The dryers are s-l-o-w and the laundry rooms are cramped.

Lu

 

[lovesdumbo]

Originally posted by LuAnimal
I promise that you will spend a lot more time doing that $12.00 worth of laundry than you will save time at the airport. The dryers are s-l-o-w and the laundry rooms are cramped.

Lu

Carry on is not an option for us but I'd rather spend the time in the resort laundry than the airport when you're rushing to get going on your vacation. I did laundry at night while the kids slept and DH relaxed with them in the room. I relaxed at the laundry watching TV. I didn't have to wait for a washer or dryer but I did go in January-I would think the laundry would be crazier in the summer. I do plan on doing laundry again this November.

 

[HappyLawyer]

well if you can ship your food box it up and do ups or fed ex for about 15 bucks, also we are going for 2 1/2 weeks and doing cruise i am only taking so many outfits and i will do laundry instead of packing a lot of clothes, so like 7 outfits then i will wash them all the hotels or most of them have laundry facilities

 

[daystar]

Originally posted by lovesdumbo
Carry on is not an option for us but I'd rather spend the time in the resort laundry than the airport when you're rushing to get going on your vacation. I did laundry at night while the kids slept and DH relaxed with them in the room. I relaxed at the laundry watching TV. I didn't have to wait for a washer or dryer but I did go in January-I would think the laundry would be crazier in the summer. I do plan on doing laundry again this November.

I truely have to agree with you, our trip we brought eight pieces of luggage, then two duffle bags for souvenirs....After carrying around all that luggage on our first trip i would rather do the laundry and which i did still....We stayed at the All Stars Sports, so the laundry facullity was across from the pool....While i did the laundry my dh and boys went swimming....Then in between waiting for loads i would go back and forth and check out what they were doing.... This time can be your rest time we made it ours, at night or whenever you go back to your hotel just to chill....We all learn from our mistakes, atleast next time i will know better....My back for a few days afterwards was killing me and i don't have any back problems so that tells you how much stuff we brought and brought back....