How do you choose what to pack so you don't over pack?!

[Surfinpiratee]

Heres what always happens, I basically pull out all of the clothes I like and look at them on my bed and think, "this is way too much!" How do you choose what clothes to pack? My biggest problem is with tops

 

[msmama]

I plan out what to wear every day. Then I usually throw another outfit or two (maybe more depending on time I'll be away) for "just in case."

Plus, it's nice knowing that I'll never have to think about it once I'm on vacation! I just pick out an outfit and go!! I do the same thing for my son, too. Doing it at home (planning each day) I can also make sure that we won't clash for pictures.

I do this for all trips, not just disney. That way it works out that I don't end up with only sweats or things I don't really want to wear at the end of the trip.

 

[wendybeth75]

I am a HUGE over packer. Its a huge reason why we fly Southwest, that way we don't pay for luggage and I don't have guilt!

 

[GotLabradors]

I am a HUGE over packer. Its a huge reason why we fly Southwest, that way we don't pay for luggage and I don't have guilt!

Luggage guilt

 

[Taylor'sMom]

I select specific outfits for each day, often they coordinate with our plans (light blues for MK for nice castle photos, khakis at AK, aquas and blues for SeaWorld, hawaiian print dress for a breakfast at O'Hana, etc). I plan one outfit per day, and then throw in a few generic extras if a clothing change is ever required.
This pre-planning is for DD and myself. DH would never let me plan his clothing, but I will just ask nicely if he picks clothing that day that really clashes. None of this would ever be noticable to anyone else as we're not "matchy" but our family photos usually turn out nice.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I just had a miserable experience over packing. When I came home i realized all of the laundry, crocs, sandals, cosmetic/toiletries for 8 days fit in a 22" and my weekender that went under the plane seat.

The used laundry I came home with, all rolled up, or air squeezed out of zip lock......Three nighties, a shirt for everyday, shorts for everyday, socks, undies, bathing suit I used once, one normal cosmetic bag. Camera, IPad, chargers,
I wore home my capris, sweater, sneakers.

What I didn't use and came back home in the 47 lb case. Another pair of sneakers, jacket, two more nighties, extra bathing suit, two shorts, three thin strap tank tops, three Disney T-shirts, a pair of light slacks and jeans, one jersey dress, 3 bras, extra panties, spanx tank, ten pack of socks, my heavy Disney planner, heeled Crocs, bag of unused toiletries, the extra sunscreen. Aloe, shoe foam liners, two sets of window clings, larger collapsible cooler I never used.
Also,
Extra sun dress, bathing cover up, two Disney store Tinkerbell thermos cups, box of snacks, two boxes of flavor to add to ice water, collapsible hamper, folding hanging organizer. First aid bag, every med in sample size for ailments, costume for MNSSHP it was just too hot, static cling spray, foot powder and, three extra bags of wipes, extra Clorox clean ups, all my window decorations (stuffed Disney friends, next time 1 Mickey and Minnie small, and one set window clings or gels)

What I did need, few zip locks not the entire box, moleskin, blister bandaid, three extra plug outlet extender, Alieve, one can of sun screen, travel size for the park. I needed another SD card because of the video I took. A change of Croc sandals or flip flops for rain and sore feet. The small can of OFF for love bugs in my hair...

Cabellas rain trench for $44 folds into a pocket, a lot better then the ponchos, my Baggillini 9x12 in cross body bag, a microfiber towel for rain days, wet wipes for messy food.
Small cooler, purse size from SAMs.
Just carry my itinerary, not drag the planner,

 

[chris31997]

Number of days I'm going.

I pick clothes based on the number of days going. I usually go one or two less.

Shorts/Pants:about 2-3 less
Shirts:usually plus 1 day
undies: plus 1 day
One Nightie
One Bathing Suit(depnding on season)
One Sweatshirt, always cold on airline
One dressy outfit:depending
2 sets of shoes:depnding on dressy outfit, if no need for dressy then usually one

 

[Lilliputian]

I just have to make myself figure out what's reasonable and stick to it. There's always a temptation to throw extra stuff in "just in case" or just because I love that outfit, but I don't want to get swallowed up by stuff. It especially important to our family because we have 5 children. If I throw in just a few extra things for each person, it ends up being a lot of stuff.

We leave today, and I think that I've packed more wisely this time than I ever have before. This is how I did it: it's the end of summer, and some of my children are down to the bare necessities when it comes to clothes. During the summer, they've outgrown clothes, ripped clothes, stained clothes with paint, etc. I decided on 5 shorts each, and two of them only have 5 pairs of shorts decent enough to wear in a picture. I know that I'll have to wash laundry to make their 5 pairs of shorts last the entire 14 days we're gone, so I might as well limit everyone else to 5 pairs, too. I did throw in a few extra outfits for the baby. And for me, because I'm just special that way.

 

[maplevale]

My kids I pack 1 outfit for each day plus a few spares. 1 pair of PJs, 2 bathing suits (no matter how long of a trip - but we have no issues re-wearing things!)

Myself I pack about bottoms for half (plan to re-wear ever bottom twice) and tops for each day (plus a few spares). Sometimes I do pack a few extra outfits if we think we will do a nicer dinner or such. I always overpack undies and never plan to do laundry. At most I may rinse something if it gets really dirty or wash something in the room if we are short.

 

[foxxxy83]

I usually pack REALLY light but this time have got 6 pairs of shoes, 2 pairs of skinny jeans, 7 t-shirts (am going for 14 nights so will have to send some to hotel laundry if am sweating heavily during day - travel agent reckons I will be coz she just got back from Florida! ), socks and panties, fancy dress for MNSSHP, 1 Maxi Dress, 2 "going out" dresses, 3 swimsuits plus toiletry bag etc. Am DESPERATELY hoping it will all fit in my case! Have got 27 kilo luggage allowance though so shouldn't have prob with excess baggage! lol!

 

[fairestoneofall]

with trying to fit three peoples' clothing into one suitcase, i'm having to be super selective for our trip next week. i wrote out what we'll wear each day. and i'll still throw in some extras just in case the weather is different from what is forecasted. i tend to over-pack. but i'm forcing myself to be smart this trip!

 

[kiramay]

I pack planning to do laundry about 2/3 of the way through. One evening when the kids want to go to the pool, I'll throw everything in the wash.

So for a week, 4-5 shirts, 3-5 bottoms, swimsuit, pjs (1 for adults, 3 for kids), extra socks, undies, bras, double the pull-ups and wipes I think we'll need, an extra pair shoes, toiletries we need, medications, travel first aid kit, and a travel fan.

 

[foxxxy83]

Do families use 1 suitcase for ALL their clothes?? WOW! Me and my son have separate suitcases and a 27 kilo luggage allowance each (and we'll probably use the whole 27 kilo as well! Lol!)

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We go for a week and stay in a DVC 1 bedroom villa, so laundry is done during the week. I generally pack 5 short sleeved shirts, 1 long sleeved shirt, 4 pairs of shorts, 1 pair of pants/jeans, one swimsuit, one pair of PJs, 5 pairs of underwear, and a couple pairs of socks per person. We each wear jeans/pants and a hoodie on the plane. We'll wear sneakers on the plane, and I'll pack a pair of sandles and a pair of flipflops for each person, too. Oh, and MNSSHP costumes for the kids. If my husband didn't wear a size 13 shoe we'd be able to fit everything for our family of 4 into one checked bag, but we always end up checking two just because his shoes take up a lot of room. One of those checked bags is a smaller, carryon size but we don't like to lug carryons through the airport so we check it instead.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Thanks guys! The other hard part is, I'm going in January. I have no idea how the weather will be...my uncle who lives there says its in the 70s and beautiful...but who knows! It could get up to 80 or higher..it could be in the 40 s! Grrr...

 

[momof3littles]

We are planning for our first trip in Feb. and I have the same concerns, since that time of the year the weather is so unpredictable. I'm worried already about what we need to get through one full day in a park (morning layers when it is cool, hotter later in the day possibly, dinner attire?). If weather was more stable or predictable, packing lighter would be easier. I guess I can rewear jackets and warmer layers.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

It's so hard! Since we're staying off site, we'll be driving to the parks, so if I need to change clothes, ill bring some extras. I guess I'd rather over pack a little then be short, or wish I would've brought something

 

[kiramay]

Thanks guys! The other hard part is, I'm going in January. I have no idea how the weather will be...my uncle who lives there says its in the 70s and beautiful...but who knows! It could get up to 80 or higher..it could be in the 40 s! Grrr...

We went at the end of Dec to early January. Most days we started in pants, tshirts, and sweatshirts, sometimes topped in light fleece jackets. By midday we'd be down to tshirts and pants, and by evening we'd relayer. I thought it was great- no heat! Only one day was cooooold, and we needed gloves and hats that day.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Thanks guys! The other hard part is, I'm going in January. I have no idea how the weather will be...my uncle who lives there says its in the 70s and beautiful...but who knows! It could get up to 80 or higher..it could be in the 40 s! Grrr...

Yes winter packing is the hardest!

 

[brettcw23]

Heres what always happens, I basically pull out all of the clothes I like and look at them on my bed and think, "this is way too much!" How do you choose what clothes to pack? My biggest problem is with tops

Depends on if you have a washer\dryer...
I'm a guy, so I do a shirt\day +1 and 3-4 pairs of shorts.
Most people tend to over pack. I pack light for Disney b\c we fly and I make sure our bags are <50 lbs.

Pack an outfit per day +1 and then make sure you have a pair of jeans\hoody for cooler nights.

Alos, when at Disney...I wear ALL Disney shirts.