How many suitcases?

[Donald is #1]

OK, so I am now facing a dilemna since the airlines started enforcing the weight limits on checked luggage. In the past, I have always crammed everything into 1 large suitcase because it is easier to carry 1 suitcase by yourself than 2. However, with the airlines enforcing weight limits now, I am finding the my suitcase, especially on the return trip, is awlays very close if not over the limit. So I am trying to decide whether I should start bringing 2 so that I can distribute the weight better. What do you do?

For background info, I am single without kids so I only have my own suitcase to caryy everything. Also, between being pooh sized and not being able to pack light (though I am getting better at packing - I always roll everything), the suitcase is always very full.

 

[cbrfan]

I usually take one large suitcase and then nest a smaller suitcase inside. Then I pack in and around the smaller one. That way if I have extra stuff on the way back I can split it into two bags. And if not, it's not that much extra weight. Also makes the problem easier to remedy if the airlines scales are weighing heavier than your own.

 

[bavaria]

For vacation trips and work trips under a week I take a 21 inch which is a 'legal' carryon on America. It has an expandable section if needed, and I also pack a Totes duffle for overflow if required.

For work trips which are usually 10 days - 6 weeks I take a 25 inch suitcase.

I was in Europe working and vacationing (and Christmas shopping) with a 25 inch suitcase for five week - can't imagine anyone needing more than that.

 

[aynt79]

We usually pack 2 suitcases, to make sure we don't go over weight and so we have some extra room if we buy stuff. Our suitcases come with removable straps so that you can hook the two suitcases together and roll them as "one". Once they get moving they aren't any heavier to roll than one suitcase by itself.

We bought our luggage set a Sears a few years ago. For example, this set is one that comes with the add-a-bag straps: http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Luggage&pid=014TL004000&vertical=HSWR&subcat=Luggage+Sets&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[WillCAD]

I have found myself seriously overpacking the last few trips and I'm planning to try paring it down a bit for my next few trips.

In the past I have often gone down to WDW with one bag and come home with two - the second being bought while there to accomodate the giant bunch of stuff I bought in the parks and outlets.

But my last few trips have been much more budget-concious, so I have been able to cram everything back into the single suitcase for the return flight.

It's still a bit on the heavy side, but fortunately I have not yet exceeded the 50lb limit, though I think I've come mighty close a few times.

I really need to leave the extra crap home...

 

[bavaria]

I really need to leave the extra crap home...

A good way is to evaulate when you return home and unpack - what did you not need? what was a waste of space? biggest leisure travel space wasters are shoes, jeans, and larger size toiletries. also sweatshirts or jackets if one packs them. (Plus that super hero utility belt weighs a lot, I hear....)

 

[dreamcometrue]

I usually take one large suitcase and then nest a smaller suitcase inside. Then I pack in and around the smaller one. That way if I have extra stuff on the way back I can split it into two bags. And if not, it's not that much extra weight. Also makes the problem easier to remedy if the airlines scales are weighing heavier than your own.

that's exactly what we do!

 

[goofy4tink]

There are three of us in our family....we each have a carryon bag. But, I am able to get by with a checked bag for each one of us. Sometimes, especially if traveling during the colder months, I pack 4 bags. But never two for each of us. And I never come close to the 50 lb limit. More like 35 lbs, no more than 40.

 

[DVC-Don]

We use one bag for two people plus one carry on each.

 

[CarolA]

Everything fits in one suitcase.

If your one suitcase for ONE person weighs more the 50 lbs open it up and start taking things OUT. You aren't moving to Orlando just visiting for a few days.


Pooh size is not the issue, QUANTITY is. I have "pooh sized" friends who travel for long periods of time with the 22" rolling suitcase.

 

[cbrfan]

Everything fits in one suitcase.

If your one suitcase for ONE person weighs more the 50 lbs open it up and start taking things OUT. You aren't moving to Orlando just visiting for a few days.


Pooh size is not the issue, QUANTITY is. I have "pooh sized" friends who travel for long periods of time with the 22" rolling suitcase.

I must respectfully disagree. Speaking as a former size 0 who is now Pooh-size, it takes a lot more room to pack the same amount of clothing. Granted, I could probably get by with just a carryon as long as I didn't mind doing laundry every day or two. I just prefer to spend my vacation time somewhere other than the laundry room.

 

[bavaria]

I must respectfully disagree. Speaking as a former size 0 who is now Pooh-size, it takes a lot more room to pack the same amount of clothing. Granted, I could probably get by with just a carryon as long as I didn't mind doing laundry every day or two. I just prefer to spend my vacation time somewhere other than the laundry room.

how many times a day do people change clothes? I have travelled to WDW during the warm/hot season and do change shirt etc a few times a day if needed, but I don't do laundry every '1 or 2 days'

As an example, last summer I travelled around Germany during a heat wave - 36-40 degrees celcius every day, with no air conditioning even in hotel rooms. And no laundry room.

I was away for 2 weeks, took one 21 inch carryon. I had a few skirts, knit tops, and linen shirts. Anything which needed to be washed was washed out in the sink at night.

As for the 'pooh size people needing more space' comments - I travel for work and need to take a number of suits plus business casual items. I can do that in a 21 inch carryon.

 

[WillCAD]

A good way is to evaulate when you return home and unpack - what did you not need? what was a waste of space? biggest leisure travel space wasters are shoes, jeans, and larger size toiletries. also sweatshirts or jackets if one packs them. (Plus that super hero utility belt weighs a lot, I hear....)

The utility belt is actually quite comfy, except when the water bottle is full - no way to make a 20-oz bottle of water light!

But I will certainly be re-evaluating the stuff I take this year based on what I have needed the last few years and leaving some stuff home.

I have never taken spare shoes, I have usually stuck to travel-size toiletries, and I rarely don't wear jeans, so those things are not problems for me. Last year I did take 2 sweatshirts and wound up only needing one, so this year I will have learned my lesson.

 

[bavaria]

The utility belt is actually quite comfy, except when the water bottle is full - no way to make a 20-oz bottle of water light!

I'm sure that a super hero utility belt is made of some super light weight material.......

 

[WillCAD]

I'm sure that a super hero utility belt is made of some super light weight material.......

Duranium fibercoil composite.

 

[Donald is #1]

Thanks for the opinions everyone! I think that one of my biggest packing problems isn't shorts/slacks. Normally, for Disney I take 2-3 pairs of shorts & 1 pair of slacks. As for jeans, I normally wear them on the plane so that I don't have to pack them. I then change into shorts when I get there. But I think that my shirts are what kill me. I like to wear polo shirts and they tend to take up a lot of room. Maybe I need to take some short sleeve blouses instead since they are probably a bit more compact. When I am traveling for a week, I normally don't do laundry. But if the vacation is for 2 weeks, I only take clothes for a week and then do laundry 1/2 way through.

Bavaria, I defintely have to learn how to pack like you. I have never been that efficient in my packing. Well, maybe some day, I will learn.

I have definitely gotten better, but I am still carrying too much in my suitcase. Of course, maybe the best solution, is to buy less. Since I never have a problem on the way down, just on the way back.

By the way, my carry-on is always my camera equipment. I normally use a camera bag back pack so that it is considered my carry on. On my last trip to Europe, I decided not to use the back pack so that I could take a carry-on in addition to a camera bag. I definitely learned my lesson. I will always be using the backpack for the camera gear. 3 weeks in Italy carrying my gear on my shoulder was not my smartest move!

 

[bavaria]

Here's a great site for you overpackers

http://www.rabidstoat.com/travel/Asia_2007_Packing_List

I'm not quite that good, but I was tempted to take a photo of my suitcase earlier today while packing for tomorrow's flight to show you the teeny pile of clothes (and I am not very teeny... )