Help!! My Kids Don't Have Many Clothes!!

[Julia M]

This may sound SO stupid, but we are going to WDW in 13 days (actually 12, since we're spending the night at the airport before we leave). We need clothes for 12/16-12/27.

Now that I'm trying to pack, I am realizing how few clothes my kids have, especially my boys.

They attend a uniform school, so we need few clothes. They have more shorts, etc, for summer, but very few winter type clothes.

Youngest ds has three pairs of jeans (luckily, a friend just gave me a pair) and 2 pairs of sweats.

Oldest ds has 1 pair of jeans, and 1 pair of sweats (in my defense, he wears alot of shorts, and has grown 5 inches in the last 8 months, so it is hard to keep up with him....we're just now in long pants weather in CA)

Luckily for me, dd (11) just had a friend give us jeans, sweats, shirts, etc. They're a little big, but dd doesn't mind, because they were Erins!

So, my question is, for a December trip, how many clothes do we need, and how much of each?

I was thinking, three pairs of shorts, and 4 pairs of pants/sweats. Then 6-7 shirts and 2 sweatshirts each. One bathing suit and 1 pair of pajamas. One heavier, jeans jacket like jacket, and a warm hat and gloves. Is that enough? I don't want to overpack, but yet, I don't want to be doing laundry every 5 minutes, either.

I am working full time until our trip and our weekends are packed, so shopping time is limited. So I don't want to run around shopping........I want to do as little as I need.

Thanks

Julia

 

[3littleHalls]

I haven't been in Dec so I don't know how to pack for the weather. But, I would pack 2 pair of pjs per kid. We always plan on doing laundry while we are there, but I would have a spare pair just in case I can't get to the laundry that day. BTW, with holiday shopping hours stores are open longer and earlier if you need to shop...plus you can get some good deals! Have a magical trip!!

 

[seashoreCM]

2 pairs of long pants, 2 pairs of shorts, 4 shirts at most, one sweatshirt, one jacket per person for winter at Disney.

More than that and once you add in the underwear, pajamas, toiletries, etc. you'll have a hell of a time schlepping baggage.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[tlbwriter]

My DD won't wear jeans, and I refuse to do laundry on vacation, so I ended up taking an outfit for each day, plus a spare. If she wore jeans I'd let her wear each pair twice (with a fresh top), but the knit pants she wears just don't seem as "fresh" between washings.

 

[ahappydisneymommy]

I honestly would skip the shorts. Even if it warms up there I am sure that they can wear pants for the trip. I would take 5 pairs of jeans/pants, 8 shirts, 2 sweatshirts, 2 pj's, 1 coat, hat and gloves, 1 swimsuit and 2 pairs of shoes.

 

[robinb]

I was thinking, three pairs of shorts, and 4 pairs of pants/sweats. Then 6-7 shirts and 2 sweatshirts each. One bathing suit and 1 pair of pajamas. One heavier, jeans jacket like jacket, and a warm hat and gloves. Is that enough? I don't want to overpack, but yet, I don't want to be doing laundry every 5 minutes, either.

This is such a hard time of the year to pack for. It can be really warm, or really chilly. I would say that you are pretty much right on. Except, I would add another swimsuit (if you have one and you swim a lot) and another pair of PJs. I would also recommend that you look into bringing stretchy "magic gloves". It doesn't (usually) get below freezing and the magic gloves are cheap, lightweight and can fit easily in your pockets.

 

[Kahana-ri]

Just got back from the Disney store and all the clothes are on sale. Adult Tees are $5 and the kids have a similar great deal going on as well. It may be worth it to grab a few for the trip and of course to be in Disney style!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I honestly would skip the shorts. Even if it warms up there I am sure that they can wear pants for the trip. I would take 5 pairs of jeans/pants, 8 shirts, 2 sweatshirts, 2 pj's, 1 coat, hat and gloves, 1 swimsuit and 2 pairs of shoes.

I disagree on no shorts---even one pair of shorts would be a good idea if you have them.

What may be cool to us Floridians can be a bit warm for someone not accustomed to the weather (though it won't be hot like in July/August ).


My girls are warm kids--so if the weather doesn't require long sleeves...they like to be in shorts if possible.

 

[tlbwriter]

Watch the weather. When we went in December last year, shorts probably would have been appropriate for the weeks before and after our trip. But we happened to have a coooold week. Don't assume anything when it comes to the weather!

 

[agnes!]

If you're looking for some deals on clothes that the kids don't have to get a lot of use out of but that they will really need for this trip, have you checked out any of your local consignment shops? I've been able to pick up some great stuff at some of our local ones. (My favorite these days is a barely-worn London Fog microfiber "3-Season" coat with a wool zip-out lining that I got for around $20!!)

The length of time that you're going to stay...I would plan on having a laundry morning/afternoon, otherwise you'll have a lot of heavy luggage.

You've gotten lots of good advice from other posters.
2 pairs of shorts per person should do the trick.
And that Disney Store sale---oooooo! Try to stop there for some new/vacation/Disney!/*on-sale!!!* T-shirts(Large ones can double for sleepshirt pjs *and* for swimsuit coverups).
Also think layering...short-sleeve Ts can be worn under long-sleeve rugby shirts which can be worn under hoodie sweatshirts which can be worn under a heavy jacket. I've been in the winter and sometimes it is cold in the morning but the sun can really heat things up by the time afternoon rolls around. You can always rent a park locker if you're walking around and feeling too warm and the family wants to shed some layers.

The same holds true if you're heading out in the evening. Sometimes folks forget how cold the air can feel when the sun goes down. Take a hoodie sweatshirt(maybe even a zip-up jacket type). They're invaluable for cooler temps without having a lot of bulk.

And when you're packing...get some type of Space Saver bags. I get the kind that you just press the excess air out of and I never travel without them anymore.

Have a great time! We went one year at Christmas...it was (sigh) *wonderful*.
agnes!

 

[pixiepower1971]

Don't forget to pack something the kids can wear back from the pool if they are planning to swim at night. The little towels, especially wet, do not keep them warm enough on a chilly night on the run back to the room.

 

[KeepSwimming]

You've gotten some really good advice on what to take.

My only suggestion would be to go to the bank before you leave and get a couple of rolls of quarters. You can always take an evening out and do some laundry. That way you cna pack a minimal amount and not worry about it.

Hope you have a blast!!!

 

[Julia M]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

I think what I have decided on is:
4-5 pairs of pants
2-3 pairs of shorts
8 t-shirts (long and short sleeved)
1 pair of pajamas
2 swim suits
gloves and beanie
1 heavy coat (heavy for us, being from CA....that means a flannel lined jeans jacket or flannel lined windbreaker)
2 sweathsirts
6-9 pairs of undies
6-9 pairs of socks

Being from CA, my kids are used to wearing shorts. The average temps aren't too far off where we live, and my kids are still wearing shorts! But, I know nights and early mornings are chillier, and in general, they aren't outside all day like they will be at Disneyworld, so pants are probably a better choice.

Now I have to pack!!

Julia