How many suitcases..

[Dostert9]

My youngest is 5 and I thought about it but will either rent one if necessary or he will get piggy backs from the other adults in our group I thought I was going to have to bring our booster seats for my 5 and 7 year old but the limo we are renting to take from the airport to the house is providing them
I'm pretty sure you can bring car seats and strollers to be checked if you are flying.

 

[pinktink83]

We usually do one bag for toiletries, etc. One suitcase for the kids clothes. 1-2 suitcases for the adults clothes (depending how many items I need- dress clothes/swim/etc).

If I were going for two weeks I'd only take 1 weeks worth of clothes. 3-4 pairs of jeans/shorts, 7 tops, 7 underwears, 7 socks and then wash them.

 

[LucasandMickey]

We are driving down. Well, the kids and I are driving, DH is flying. I am hoping that I can cram all of the kids' stuff into one large suitcase and most of DH and I's stuff into another large suitcase and have him check that one with him. Then just have a medium sized duffle in the car for stuff I need for the drive down. Buuuut....I am an over packer especially when it comes to the kids. (Kids are messy!) So I don't know if that will work or not but it's the plan. And we'll be gone about two weeks.

 

[LucasandMickey]

I just flew with my 21 month old. Airlines don't charge you to check carseats and it doesn't count as one of your checked bags if your ticket comes with them. And you can take your stroller right up to to the airplane door and then check in for you right there free of charge.

 

[miry]

we usually fly southwest to florida or take the amtak train to california so limiting luggage is not an issue. It's just two of us, my son and I. For a one week trip we take two large checked bags, one with clothes and the other with breakfast foods, pb&j supplies, snacks and bottled water. None of the food makes it home with us so we have a lot of space for souvenirs. We usually only bring one carryon with our laptop, cameras, electronics and breakables. For me vacation is not a time for anythin but fun. We tried packing super light once and doing laundry, but taking a couple of hours away from the parks doesn't work well for us.

 

[wvnative]

We drive as well but mostly because it's cheaper for us and it takes about the same amount of time.

As for packing, it's me and my DD (now 20). She over packs. I pack light. She used to take a large suitcase (big enough for two people) but now she's learned to pack more efficiently and can use a smaller bag. Considering we take water, a cooler, our pillows, etc I limit how much she can take.

My next trip will be easy. One suitcase for FDH and me plus the cooler, water and non perishable food. The trip after that will be a pain. We have to pack for two destinations and a wedding.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

So glad I just read this thread!! We haven't flown since 03 and didn't know they charge to check now! Guess we will be downsizing. That should be fun! Anyone traveling with car seats and strollers??

What airline are you on? Some you get the first bag free (Southwest and Jetblue), some cost $25, and some cost $30 per bag. When I buy plane tickets now I automatically add the cost of at least one checked bag into the price before choosing. Like if airline A's ticket is $250 but they charge $30 for a checked bag, I consider than a $280 ticket, but if airline B's ticket is $270 with the first bag free, airline B is cheaper. I love Southwest and Jetblue and try to fly them whenever humanly possible.

We almost never check more than one bag for the 3 of us.

Also, be aware that American Airlines changed their stroller policy and all jogging strollers and any stroller over 20 lbs or non-collapsable have to be checked at the ticket counter before security. We always use our City Mini (a small jogging-style stroller) and wheel DS right up to the gate, so we were really surprised when they gave us a massive hard time at Reagan National airport and almost made us check it until I collapsed it and insisted they weigh it (18 lbs). However, we flew out of LAX and didn't hear a thing about this new rule, so I think it varies by airport or even by person. The new rule is on their website though.

 

[Nonsuch]

...And our car is packed. A case of water, pillows, snacks, (our own coffee maker ) I've been wondering how I'm going to bring so little when we fly to WDW in a few years.

Our car is also packed, and there are only 2 of us
The last few trips to the VGC we left 10 bags with the bellman
The villas have a 12 cup coffee maker, or we would also bring our own

 

[PeytonNAddiesMom]

We are flying American, I didn't even think to check fees I just assumed you could still check bags free. . Oh well. There are four of us so we shall take four carry ons, gotta save that 25 bucks a bag for Disney!

 

[Nintfamily]

We are flying American, I didn't even think to check fees I just assumed you could still check bags free. . Oh well. There are four of us so we shall take four carry ons, gotta save that 25 bucks a bag for Disney!

With Alaska (what we are flying) it is $40 per bag, each way!

 

[PrncesKMW]

For myself, I will pack two pair of shorts and one pair of capris (I wear capris on the flight.) I will take one top per day, and a couple of extra ones, but I roll them up tight so they take little room. All the toiletries I need are toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen and hand lotion. I will take a fat paperback also. I will also wear a hoodie onto the plane so I can use it as a pillow.

I took the rolling tip to heart this past time (they had a whole slide show about it on the New York Times website) and we were amazed at the difference it made. Packed for an 8 day WDW trip in a carryon - and I am usually the person with TWO bags!

That being said, my toiletries were all travel size, love that aisle at Target. Also, this trip I will be doing the carryon but will also be stuffing a soft sided duffel bag in there. That way I have the option of doing a carryon bag for souvenirs and a checked bag for the clothes on the way home.

I had put Mickey Christmas balls in my (overstuffed) carryon on the way home last time and some of the ears popped off. While still in the airport I exclaimed "the ears popped off the balls!". DB got a chuckle out of that

 

[Dostert9]

We are flying Alaska and it's $20 per bag each way for us.

 

[NewOrleansBelle]

Our baggage fee is $25 per checked bag. It stinks but even adding in luggage costs these particular air tickets were the best deal for the times we wanted to fly. I would like to try to get as little in there as possible to avoid any additional fees for being over 50#.

Is there anywhere near the Disney Land hotels that can be walked to or that deliver where I could purchase items like baby wipes/pull ups training pants/kids snacks? We will not be renting a car but will be there for 8 days.

We typically drive to Disney World so I can go crazy with the amounts of luggage.