How many suitcases is too many?

[Chim Chiminy]

We are driving and splitting our stay between the Contemporary (for 4 nights) and a week at the Beach Club Villas.
I packed a suitcase full of swim items--beach towels, floats, suits, lotions.
I packed a suitcase for the villas that has some plasticware, plates, cups, plastic wine glasses. It also has six water misters, film, batteries, ponchos, and other miscellaneous items we might need. (Bringing all the extra stuff because we will be a family of ten at the villas.)
I am packing a suitcase for my husband and I.
A seperate suitcase for my two children.
A suitcase to hold all our toiletries and first aid items, etc.
I have groceries we are bringing down, my husband wants to store them in a rubbermaid type bin, I want to put them in another suitcase. Which one????
Also, should each kid have a backpack? Or is a fanny pack enough? They are 4 and 10.
I keep wanting to re-arrange all the stuff I have already packed.
It shouldn't be this stressful!

 

[mudd]

We always end up overpacking. when you can't fit any more in the car then that's enought.

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

I always overpack also...and still end up at the super walmart 4 times for the really "important" things i forgot. lol.
I agree, when the car scrapes the ground, unload a twelve pack of coke.

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

We used to camp for 3 or 4 weeks at a time when our kids were little. We always used the rubbermaid boxes in the back of the van to store food and stuff.

So easy to just lift off the top of the box and not have to dig around in suitcases.

Have fun,

herc.

 

[gillis95]

as far as the BeachClub Villas go..if you're in a 1 or 2 br they have all the plates/cutlery/glasses etc..not so in a studio. You did not specify which room type you have.

 

[mep319]

As long as they all fit in the car (or on the plane for us) and you have room for the purchases....then you haven't overpacked. Your just prepared!

...forget the fanny pack for the 4 yr old. Is she/he is like my DD (now 6) you'll end up carrying it anyway...or she will leave it lying somewhere!

 

[RickinNYC]

My partner and I each take along our own large suitcase and a carry on.