Help!! I need packing help!

[pyrxtc]

I'm almost done packing but I ran out of room. I have a duffel for carry-on and I want to put all the camera's and film and my toiletries. I also have adult and children's tylenol and benadryl for the fight just in case. I have no room. The suitcase barely closes and it is so heavy. Also the backpack I've been wanting to use doesn't hold nearly as much as I thought it would. Ugh!!

What to do?? Should I grab another bag and have my DD8 use it for a carry-on with all the meds and toiletries. I don't want to wrry about brushing our teeth if our luggage gets lost. I thought I'd be able to get it all in two bags but doesn't look like it.

I didn't take much considering there are 7 of us but each kid has one bag to check. I reall didn't want to give them all carry-on's.

 

[mtdevine615]

You're probably not going to like my suggestion but here goes. When this happens to us we take everything out and go through the stuff again eleminating stuff that we think we might use. If we're not 100% sure we are going to use it it stays home. The other thing is be careful about the weight of the bags, most airlines have cut back on the max. weight of each bag to 50 pounds. Weigh on the bathroom scale before you leave. Maine

 

[snowbunny]

If we're not 100% sure we are going to use it it stays home.

I agree, I learned this shlepping bags through years of business travel. Bring nothing that you are not certain to use.
For example, the odds that you are going to need Tylenol or Benadryl during a 2-hour flight are slim. Plus you are upping the chances for liquids to "explode" during pressurization and leak onto other items. If you really need medicine while you are in WDW, you can buy it there. Yes it might cost you $1 more but it's worth it not to haul extraneous stuff down (and back).
That's just one example. Go through your bags and be ruthless about eliminating "nice to have" as opposed to absolutely necessary items.

 

[princess aurora]

My suggetion too would be to eliminate some items. I am able to get both kids clothes in one small suitcase. We're talking shorts and t-shirts weather still in Florida.

Beside you will more than likely be brining home items and will have even more trouble packing forthe way home if you can barely close your suitcases now.
Relax, take a deep breath and know it's "just" a vacation. You can wear some clothes two days in a row or buy it down there if you find you REALLY need it.

 

[canwegosoon]

I usually give one of my kids a backpack as a carryon, and I have a large shoulder bag(weekender) as my carryon. I would bring the benedryl...my kids are constantly having allergic reactions, and I don't need a trip to a medical clinic.

 

[Laurajean1014]

What hotel are you staying at? How long is your trip?

If your hotel or room has washer/dryer - bring less clothes and do laundry. I do this every/everyother night. This way for a 10 day trip, you only need 3 shirts and 3 shorts for each person. Bring 2 pairs of shoes for each person (l like to alternate shoes so I don't get blisters). Have everyone use the same shampoo/conditioner, sprays, etc. Use the smaller type, you will not run out.

I would also have DD8 bring on a roller carry-on. I'm a big believer in bringing an empty or near empty bag to carry souvies back in (or ship them to yourself, if an extra bag is inapplicable).

Are you carrying food? Maybe forego the food and run to PUblix for the essentials.

Let us know how things go!

 

[disneyandme]

I wouldn't do without the med for the flight- especially when traveling with kids. Go through the suitcase and take out half of the extra "just in case" clothes that are packed.

 

[milmore104]

I agree w/ the previous posters. Eliminate some things and if need be purchase a rolling duffle bag and check it. They are on sale right now at Walmart for $13.95. I am saying this from experience. I was a compulsive OVER packer. I packed everything except for the kitchen sink!!! I took every kind of lotion and toiletrie for "just incase". I brought the iron and huge bottles of shaving cream and things like that. Until one very embarissing moment. I was checking our bags in and they were 10 lbs. over the limit 80 lb. limit. I had to right there in front of everyone try and rearange our stuff to try and get it all to even out. I had to stuff our dirty underwear in my carryon. So from now on I go and buy the little travel size toiletries and no more "just incase" things. Most likely if I haven't used it at home in the past 6 months I'm not going to use it in the next 12 days. And if I do I can just buy it. Enough rambling you get the point. Less is sometimes more specially when it comes to over packing. I used to travel w/ 4 lg. suitcases and 4 carry-ons for 3 people. I have go it down to 1lg, 1med., and 2 carry-ons. You can do it just don't over think it. And remember your on vacation!!! It's not going to get ruined because you had to buy a bottle of $5 asprin! Have a great trip.

 

[pyrxtc]

I need the meds cuz my DS1 has severe allergies to black fly bites and who knows what else. I am bringing travel size everything and it's all in their own Ziploc. I do have access to a washer but we have costumes in my kids suitcases and my DD11 refuses to wear the same thing more tha once while we are there. My checked luggage should be ok but my carry-on is mostly camera's and film. I have my SLR, and my digital. I also have both my DD's camera's and film for them plus my DS's Throw re-usable so he can take his own pics. I can try to put some of my clothes in my DS's bag. we are buying a lot down there and am only bringing enough diapers for 2 1/2 days. And we have no food but the lunchables to eat on the plane.

 

[pyrxtc]

Also all of our luggage is carry-on sized. we don't own any large luggage so they should top out at about 30 lbs. Maybe we should get bigger luggage??

 

[goofy4tink]

When we travel, everyone has a carry-on bag!!! If dh is with us, he gets the 'electronics bag'...that has all camera stuff, cell phones, walkmen etc. It is all in a huge plastic zip-loc bag that he just puts in the plastic bin at the airport security line. I have my carry-on with a book, water, ibu, travel documents, clean undies and a bathing suit. Dd has her Corduroy bear (has more frequent flyer miles than a lot of humans!!), a book, her suit and clean undies. She has had her own carry-on since she started flying at 4 1/2!!! Every man for himself, so to speak. These carry-on bags are usually totebags or backpacks...not full-sized wheeled carry-ons. I have done only carry-on before, rather than check any bags, but that is a hassle. We usually have two bags to check...a pullman size that's one size up from the wheeled carry-on and a duffle bag.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I would DEFINATLY think about purchasing bigger luggage. If you go to Target or even Walmart you should be able to buy something of a bigger size without breaking the bank.

 

[Nevergrow'nup]

Can you check a duffel bag, like those big sports bags? Should you lock these or not worry. I haven't flown in years and am not sure if the duffel will get all ripped up.

 

[nigel-bigel]

You have gotten some good advice here. Doing laundry once there is very helpful, as is realizing that you can buy whatever you need once ypu get there.

Whenever we travel, everyone has one carry-on (a backpack or tote bag). I don't even carry my purse separately - it has to fit in the carry-on. DH and I each have an expandable 22" rolling suitcase, and both DDs have rolling kid-sized suitcases.

Everyone over the age of 5 is responsible for carrying/rolling thier own bags. If your 11 yo insists on bringing a large wardrobe, let her. Just let her know she will be the one lugging it everywhere.

Buying new luggage might be a good idea. The expandable kind is great for making room for souveniers!

 

[snowbunny]

I wouldn't do without the med for the flight- especially when traveling with kids.

Ok educate me here. I have two kids and they do have seasonal allergies. That chewable benadryl is a wonderful thing.

But how are you going to decide to administer it - or Tylenol - on a flight? Are you going to take a thermometer and take their temps for a fever (because that is the only way I give Tylenol unless there is some serious sore throat pain)? What will let you know that one of them is having a 'reaction' on the flight that requires Benadryl?