Help me Save,with luggage

[QVCshopper]

You are WAY overpacking. You don't need that much, and you can do laundry. For one week in Oct., for my family of 4, I packed 1 big checked suitcase and 1 carry-on suitcase as well as two backpacks. That's it. I did laundry once. (Sometimes, I don't even need to do laundry; I pack at least 5 outfits and may repeat once if not worn much.) I also am known to bring old icky clothing and then leave them in the garbage in my room. These are things that were nearing their life anyway; think bathing suits, undergarments, ripped socks, etc. It helps on the way home. Oh, and fold your clothes on the way down and roll on the way back to save room.

For my 11 turned 12 night trip in January, I packed two big checked suitcases and two backpacks. I did laundry then, too, and ended up having to wash a few things in the bathtub, because we got unexpectedly delayed due to the NE weather. I'm a good packer; I try to only bring what we need and nothing more.

So, for three people, I'd say you'd be fine with 1 big checked suitcase and 1 carry-on suitcase as well as two backpacks, especially during summer.

Oh, and my best tip: bring two of those really cheap over the shoulder backpacks that everyone gives away. They are great for last minute stuff like mugs. You always have last minute stuff.

 

[crisi]

We will rinse out clothes in the sink and dry them over the line in the tub on vacation (not at Disney were we get a room with a washer dryer). It doesn't take long.

 

[disneychard]

Thank you everyone,

 

[heatherleigh]

I typically pack clothing to cover 80 percent of our vacation days. I do laundry more than once during our trips, so it works for us. On our last trip, we brought 3 checked suitcases and 4 hand carries. Two of those hand carries were backpacks. I would just cut everything down by half (one ensemble per day), and that will cut your luggage in half. You can do laundry during the trip.

 

[shaundalwin]

Family travel can be expensive and I agree the no. of bags pile in! Here's what I do to try and streamline and organize my packing as much as possible. I always check the airline baggage policy to try and stay within limit. Since each person can carry a carry on, we make sure we each have something that's light, portable, and has lots of pockets. For this reason, we have couple of Eagle Creek backpacks. These accommodate a bunch of essentials - snacks, changes, games, and DVDs as well

Thanks

 

[pigletto]

This summer will be the first trip where we are flying an airline that charges for the first bag. Luckily it's summer and we won't need as many items as we did for our february trip.
I am reading every reply carefully on this thread because I plan to bring 2 suitcases and carry-ons. None of this one suticase per person nonsense when it's going to be 30 per bag each way That will eat the savings I got on the flights.
It will be dd and I in one suitcase and maybe even dh and ds in the carry ons.

I plan to do laundry at least once in the 10 day trip so I am thinking we can get by with one pair of pj's, enough clothing for 4 full days, bathing suits and toiletries in the suitcase.

I appreciate the tips. As a chronic over packer this is going to be quite the lesson for me.

 

[sammielynn]

I hate paying for checked luggage. For the three of us, DS19, DS21 and myself(female over 50) we have one carryon each and one checked bag. Everyone takes 3 outfits, two extra shirts, everything must match, 3 undies, 3socks. Pj's, swim suit and towel. We stay in a condo so I so I wash every night and always bring home clean clothes! The only reason I check a bag is for shoes(sons feet are big) and liquids. I have to have my sunscreen and am allergic to all but one brand.

 

[realhousewife]

I used this the last time I flew on Spirit and it was great! I fit 5 days worth of clothes and toiletries with room to spare for souvenirs. http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/05/06/business/businessspecial/20100506-pack-ss.html

I can't wait to try this for our trip! Thank you!

 

[swilshire]

We pack less for every trip, even though we drive and could pack what we want. We always stay in condos with a washer and dryer, so we're down to about three of everything each ..... three t-shirts, three pairs of socks, three sets of undies, etc. We just don't need more when we can throw in a load of laundry every night while we relax around the resort.

On a practical note, check out the various Delta credit cards that are offered. I just cancelled mine because I didn't want to pay the annual fee (free the first year) but, if I remember correctly, it allowed two free checked bags for each member of my party.

If you're not flying Delta, see if the airline you are flying has a similar offering. It would be well worth the $65 annual fee to save all those bag fees.

Sheila

 

[tpinc]

We always make sure not to pack all of one person's clothes in one bag. We sit up our clothes on different bags. This way if one bag gets lost by the airline that one person is not missing all of his/her clothes.

For example, I put half of my clothes in my wife's bag and she puts half of her clothes in my bag. That way if one bag gets lost we each have half of our clothes.

 

[matdamom]

We are flying out April 29th and I am not checking any bags. We have one rolling suitcase that will fit in the overhead, for mine and DH's clothes. Each child has a backpack with clothes. And each of us will have a personal carry-on, DH & oldest DD will have their laptop bags, the other 2 kids will have their small activity bags, and I will have my purse. I can roll up their clothes and fit them easily in the backpacks with an extra pair of shoes. We are staying in a condo, so I can easily do a load of laundry each day.

In the past I have always overpacked, but with each trip, we get lighter and lighter.

 

[KandiB47]

We usually go to WDW for 7-10 days and we only pack 3 carry ons for three of us. I researched carry ons that hold a lot and ended up buying one that is a backpack style without the wheels because the wheel and handle compartment take up most of the room. They fit a lot of stuff and then you can sit on them and cinch down the side with the side straps. I bought an ebags brand like this: http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/weekender-etech-convertible/15026?productid=56585

I do laundry during our time there but we can pack for cold or warm weather with these bags.


I do have an Owner's Locker though so I just pack clothes, not toiletries.

 

[Stan Solo]

At $50 a case each way $100 total to check our bags. The ebags are only $65 each it would be like getting paid to use carry on! The only liquids we would need is sunscreen and I know WDW prices are high but I'm sure not that high. The link you provided won't ship to Canada but I'm sure if I look around I'd be able to find a deal in the Great White North. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Stan Solo]

My wife and I once went on a trip together while we were dating and each packed our own suitcases well long stoy short I forgot mine at home. Well let me tell you that was one of my favorite trips because I was able to do a bunch of shopping the whole week and not feel guilty. If I only bring a next to empty carryon it would be like getting $100 worth of free shopping! I'm guessing that downtown Disney sells Micky boxers in a men's large eh?