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

[Vailbaby]

 

[mrsclark]

We always drive and there are only two of us so I am always guilty of overpacking!

 

[WantToGoNow]

We are taking enough clothes for half of our trip and laundry detergent. We are taking basic toiletries, any medications we need and our ponchos. We are each packed into a standard duffle bag. The kids will each have their school bookbags with their homework. We are driving and we have a small car and we want room to bring extra stuff back.

 

[Eoywin]

I'm a huge overpacker! But we drive so we have room. I'm not a fan of doing laundry on vacation and I'd rather overpack than underpack.

 

[Taylor'sMom]

I agree... if you drive (which we have a couple times) it greatly increases what you can pack! If you are flying, and are limited because of bag fees and/or weight limits, it worth the extra effort to plan... or possibly expect to do laundry.

 

[Dean1972]

We have a dilemma : DW & I are leaving in 6 weeks. We will be away on vacation for 33 days.
We both don't want to pack too much, but we are travelling from Australia to Spain ( in their winter ) & will arrived in WDW after a 14 night transatlantic cruise in mid December for 11 days.
Given the different climates / length of time away, we are going to need a fair amount of clothes/ luggage.
We will have formal nights on board the ship & need touring gear etc...
We are looking for a medium suitcase each, but also want to leave some room for outlet shopping whilst in Orlando (scared
Last holiday to Asia was almost an excess luggage bill on Qantas, & hoping to not repeat this experience. Rofl....

 

[Minnie7]

Wow... that really is a problem. Well, you could always bring enough clothes for 1 or 2 weeks, and do laundry multiple times . Otherwise, there is no way you'll be able to fit 33 days worth of clothes in a medium suitcase! Have fun and good luck

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

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!

Me too, but be very careful with the weight, or they'll gouge you!! We bought one of those little hook scales so we can make sure we don't go over weight BEFORE we get to the airport. It's a pain re-arranging your stuff at the airport to distribute the weight so you don't go over.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

We have a dilemma : DW & I are leaving in 6 weeks. We will be away on vacation for 33 days.
We both don't want to pack too much, but we are travelling from Australia to Spain ( in their winter ) & will arrived in WDW after a 14 night transatlantic cruise in mid December for 11 days.
Given the different climates / length of time away, we are going to need a fair amount of clothes/ luggage.
We will have formal nights on board the ship & need touring gear etc...
We are looking for a medium suitcase each, but also want to leave some room for outlet shopping whilst in Orlando (scared
Last holiday to Asia was almost an excess luggage bill on Qantas, & hoping to not repeat this experience. Rofl....

WOW, 1 medium suitcase for multiple seasonal wear? I need that just for different shoes for 33 days!! Seriously though, I wish you luck, that just seems impossible without more luggage.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

It's kinda funny though...no matter how long I'm staying somewhere, I bring the same amount of clothes hahaha

 

[bookgirl]

I don't pack anything with limited purpose. Anything that can work double duty. Everything can mix and match. Something's can be worn more than once. Trips over 5 days I try to plan laundry or at least hand wash a few key pieces.

Use one color palate. My shorts/pants are neutral, my tops go with any bottom, shoes are minimal and also wearable with different combinations of bottom/tops. Dress clothes always in black.

Underwear/socks for everyday plus 1-2 extra.

Outfit per day, plus at least 1-2 extra shirts

One pair sleep shorts, one sleep shirt, one Capri length yoga pants.

At least one pair of sneakers two if heavy walking planned. One pair of flip flops. If I am dressing up one pair of black dress flats.

Minimal cosmetics all broke down to small travel sizes.

I use an iPad which holds movies, books, and music.

As far as winter. Take thin thermals they make clothes warmer without adding bulk to luggage. . I pack one jacket/sweatshirt it can be worn over and over.

Layers are key.

I just got back from Alaska. I had only short sleeves. On the coldest day (glacier day). I wore a set of thermals, tshirt, jeans, hoodie, and hat/gloves. Plenty warm. I also had an unlined waterproof jacket that kept me completely dry and with a zip up hoodie under it I was warm enough. I was wearing about 4 layers but since they were thin I didn't feel bulky but I had tons of options.

I'm going to WDW in jan. I'll probably plan on jeans tshirt and do the hoodie layer if it chilly. With gloves hat and thermals as a backup if there is a cold snap like two years ago. With lots of thin options that can be stacked I'm prepared for 70 degrees to 40 degrees.

 

[mm1971]

We always overpack. We found a solution though. Laundry half way through solves the overpacking. We did laundry on our last trip. A couple of hours and $10 means we only need to pack half as much. We always have a pool day and the machines are right at the pool.