Help me pack 6 days in 4 suitcases!

[jjsmom]

Oh and I was tired last night and forgot to mention: Don't waste suitcase space on stuff that does not fit! For me, I might put up with squeezing into a certain piece of clothing at home if it looks really cute. I am not willing to do that in WDW because my body is wore out I just don't feel like it. Pack only your most comfortable/ best fitting shoes/clothes. Break in new shoes before you trek the parks.

 

[ChloeLily]

I agree with everyone else. I just went for 6 days with DH and myself and our 2 DDs. We had 2 suitcases and 2 diaper bags as carry-ons. One suitcase for DH and myself and one for the girls. I shipped diapers and babyfood to the resort, but everything else we needed was packed. I planned 2 outfits per day for the girls ( I planned a spaecial coordinating outfit for the 2 of them for each park and had them together in a ziplock for the day ready to go) and 1.5 per day for DH and myself. We still didn't go through everything we had with us.

 

[momH2the4th]

We are going to wdw in Aug, my husband, son which is 13 and myself. I always pack 6 bags, 3 carryons. But, with the prices of traveling with luggage is getting so expensive, I need some tips to downsize.

Even packing for a family of 6 for 9 days, we didn't need that much luggage per person. I was able to pack 4 carry-on suitcase per kid and check-in 1 suitcase for my DH and myself. I could have made it less than that, but I always allow for all of the "extras" that come home with us. You definitely need to re-evaluate what you are packing and whether you "really need" it or are packing it as a "just in case". As moms, we want to be prepared for everything possible, but in reality, that can drive us nuts. Make a spreadsheet that lists the days that you'll be there and then what outfit you're going to pack for each person for that day. Then add in all the other things: unders, socks, swim suit, etc. As you're packing use the list to keep you on track. Only pack one person at a time. Starting with your DS might be easiest so that you can get his suitcase done and put away. Let him be in charge of what he wants to bring on the plane and put into his backpack. Take care of your husband's suitcase next and then yours. Just remember to keep to the list. Remember WDW has anything that you'll need if you forget something or decide not to take something and then end up needing it. I can understand if you still feel the need to check-in 1 bag, but I really believe you can cut your luggage to half of what you've taken in the past. Good luck!

 

[ZoZo]

Wow, I think you can pare down a lot! Two checked bags plus one carry-on per person is a lot. I do one medium checked bag, plus one carry-on, and I think I overpack!

My best advice is to cut down on your clothes -- I always do laundry mid-trip, so I can pack half of the clothes that I would normally need to take. If you tend to pack a lot of shoes (I know some women have to have a different pair with every outfit!), cut back to three pairs per person.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

My DD and I travel with one backpack that we carry on (not each, just one backpack), a small handbag each and we check one suitcase (again, not each, just one suitcase) with a smaller "nesting" suitcase inside. We are usually away for 12 nights. We use the nesting bag to bring home our souvenirs.


I used to pack the kitchen sink too but more and more I realized we didn't use at least half of the items we brought. We have it down to a fine art now.

 

[jillgunter]

Wow I am a overpacker, but not that much Our Disney trip last December my DH and I shared a large suitcase. I packed all my DDs clothes in a carry on. So we only had to check on bag. I would really look at what you are packing and think if you used those items on previous trips. I have really started to scale down! Also get travel size bottles for shampoo etc. That really cuts down on luggage space and weight. We shoved our winter coats in another carry on. We had plenty of room for buying stuff to, as we had almost two extra carry ons.

 

[Daytona99]

Wow, that's a lot of bags. For our trip for 6 days, for 3 of us, we packed ONE 26" rolling piece of luggage. I even brought home clothes I never wore! And it was summer.

 

[aubriee]

Wow! reading everyone posts I think I am an over packer. I am going to take everyones ideals and see if I can slim down. I would love to have 4 suitcases and one carry-on this trip.

4 checked bags and one carry on for three people is still alot of luggage for a six day trip. I've packed for a 9 day trip in just a carryon, did not do laundry, and still had one outfit I didn't wear. I used an 18" packing folder and a few packing cubes. I also had a personal item that fit under the seat that had odds and ends in it..

 

[Jedana]

I am an overpacker. (Should we start a support group or something?)

I usually take one outfit per day plus 2 extras, 1 "nice" outfit, minimum 2 pair of shoes per person plus flipflops, swimsuits, pjs (reusable, only 1 pair per 3 nights), rain jackets, plus toiletries (in another bag). Mind you, that's what I take..not what I pack. I pack, then I unpack and remove about half of what I planned to take.

I can fit 4 days clothes for 4 people into 2 suitcases (medium) plus one reusable bag of shoes for everyone. I pack the shoes separately, because my family has very stinky feet, and it would just permeate the luggage and clothes if I packed them together!


**I now use these packing things I got at Target and Amazon, and I take 2 bags of those with me--with everything I've listed above**

 

[mommycrawford]

Has anyone mailed sunscreen to themselves at Disney?

We drove and took 4 suitcases- 2 of which were carryon size. We took clothes for me, DH (whose cargo shorts take up a bunch of room), DD10 and DS5. The four suitcases held all of our clothes with room to spare. We were gone 11 nights and did laundry once.

YES! When the airline liquid thing went into effect, I started shipping a box to my resort so I would have sunscreen there when I arrived....Ship it to your resort, clearly labeled with "HOLD FOR GUEST: ___________(your name/ressie name) arriving _________ (date)"

My boxes hae always been in the package room or at luggage services, and you can, upon check in, ask them to look for your packages and deliver them to your room.

The convention hotels do charge fees, but I hae never had one at my resort.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I am a single mom with 2 DD's and we take 3 carry ons and 1 suitcase. We usually go for 10days. We have plenty of room. Shorts, tank tops, underwear and bathing suits do not take up much room. I pack 1 outfit a day, 1 extra outfit and several extra pairs of underwear. Since we take an afternoon swim break if i need to wash clothes I will, but after the past 8 years going, I have never had to.
The majority of our clothing will go into carry ons. We bring flip flops and sandals. I transfer shampoo, conditoner, lotion and aloe into smaller bottles that I end up throwing out at the end of our trip. I use travel size toothpaste and I will bring 2 containers of sunscreen. If I need more I will buy them at the hotel.