How much do you pack?

[dez1978]

I am generally an overpacker. I can't help it lol. Drives my husband crazy. He can pack for a week trip using his carry on and personal item. That only lasts me the weekend lol. But what really brings me to this question is that I have my very 1st trip where I am not taking kids or husband (YAYYYY!!) and Im curious how many bags that takes most people. I'm going to be gone 6 days. To Disney/Universal studios. My thought was I'd pack my big suitcase (like the 28 inch one I think) and throw a duffle inside that I can use as a carry on on the way home for the crap I know I'll buy. The unpredictibleness of the weather is throwing me off. Every one says bring a bit of everything, so I have t shirts I've made for each day, 3 long sleeve shirts for underneath in case it's cold. Leggings and a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of pairs of shorts just in case. Then theres 2-3 pairs of shoes, bc rain, blisters etc. Hoodie, warmer coat, and toiletries. Is this too much? Should I try to go for a smaller bag? I'm flying SW so I get free bags and carry ons. I was just thinking I'd rather just have one big bag to deal with instead of a medium and a carry on. I would def throw my stuff for the 1st day in my back pack bc I know stuff gets lost.

I'm waaaaay over thinking this, but thats just what I do lol

 

[BrianL]

I pack pretty light - super light even. I'll go to WDW with just a backpack. Usually it's just a few days stay, and all I need are t-shirts and a couple pairs of shorts, one of which I am typically wearing.

 

[dez1978]

I pack pretty light - super light even. I'll go to WDW with just a backpack. Usually it's just a few days stay, and all I need are t-shirts and a couple pairs of shorts, one of which I am typically wearing.

Do you just do laundry a couple of times? I'm usually so hot and sweaty there's no way I could re wear anything without washing it first lol.

 

[BrianL]

Do you just do laundry a couple of times? I'm usually so hot and sweaty there's no way I could re wear anything without washing it first lol.

No laundry - I have a fresh t-shirt, socks, & underwear for every day, and I usually find I can get two days out of shorts since they don't get as funky. If it is a longer stay, I would have another pair, but still, that's one extra pair of shorts - roll them up and stuff them in the bottom of the backpack and it all fits just fine.

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

It really depends on the circumstances. If I'm driving to my destination I will usually use every bit of available car space whereas if I'm flying I try to pack as light as possible. I actually took a 2 week trip to Japan a few years ago where the tour guide kept thinking I didn't have all my bags because I had packed so light for the tour.

 

[dez1978]

No laundry - I have a fresh t-shirt, socks, & underwear for every day, and I usually find I can get two days out of shorts since they don't get as funky. If it is a longer stay, I would have another pair, but still, that's one extra pair of shorts - roll them up and stuff them in the bottom of the backpack and it all fits just fine.

See my husband can do that too. I just can't. But I also can't use the hotels soap/shampoo etc so I have to bring all that too. and undergarments with underwire that don't roll up or flatten well.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I pack just enough. Going away for 5 days? Bring 5 days of clothes, toiletries, phone charger. and meds. Maybe a change of clothes if there will be a nice dinner out somewhere.

 

[RUDisney]

I went to London for 10 days in 2019. I took a carry on and personal item. I didn't pack heavy things. I packed dresses since you get more bang for your packing buck. I didn't do laundry and my jacket only came out one day. My umbrella never saw the light of day since we had unusually clear weather.

I was able to pack all of my souvenirs in the leftover space from my arrival.

I haven't checked a bag since 2008. Even when the kids were younger, they both wheeled their own carry-ons behind them. My DS complained about it until he found that we could walk out of the airport to the rental car without having to go to baggage claim.

 

[dez1978]

I pack just enough. Going away for 5 days? Bring 5 days of clothes, toiletries, phone charger. and meds. Maybe a change of clothes if there will be a nice dinner out somewhere.

This is what I'm aiming for. it's just that I keep reading how unpredictible the weather is in Florida this time of year lol. Of course I'm also ok with underpacking and buying stuff there bc "I need it" lol

I went to London for 10 days in 2019. I took a carry on and personal item. I didn't pack heavy things. I packed dresses since you get more bang for your packing buck. I didn't do laundry and my jacket only came out one day. My umbrella never saw the light of day since we had unusually clear weather.

I was able to pack all of my souvenirs in the leftover space from my arrival.

I haven't checked a bag since 2008. Even when the kids were younger, they both wheeled their own carry-ons behind them. My DS complained about it until he found that we could walk out of the airport to the rental car without having to go to baggage claim.

My kids are 7&10. They do have small 20 in carry ons that they use. But they are about 3/4 full of stuff they need for bed. Like my youngest still occasionally wets the bed when he's really tired, like Disney tired, so we pack those disposable bed pads to protect the hotel beds just in case. and they both bring a small stuffed animal and whatever bc I'd rather wheel another bag than have kids that can't/won't sleep bc the hotel blanket is too scratchy or whatever. And the 7 yr old still needs a booster seat, so we have a bubble bum seat that goes in the carry on. Eventually we'll cut down on most of that stuff, we just aren't there yet.

Heck my husband was impressed that all 4 of us flew to Denver for 2 days and we just had carry ons. I mean we all had one, but still lol.

The shoes... The shoes, bras and toiletries seem to be my biggest space issue.

 

[HeatherC]

Pants/shorts you can wear twice. So if it is pants weather, wear one pair and bring two. Then maybe 8 shirts. Wear a sweatshirt and bring a light sweater. Socks and undies and you’re good to go.

 

[fivikse]

I try to pack carry on only no matter the trip length or destination.
My reasons - I worry about luggage getting sent to the wrong place (especially if I have a connection), but mostly just because I find it easier to deal with. If I'm navigating public transportation, I don't want to be dealing with huge suitcases. I want to only pack what I can easily carry by myself.

But those are my personal reasons. If you don't care about those things, then go ahead and pack as much as you want! If you have a direct flight and are getting private transportation, then you may not need to worry about how many pieces of luggage you have or how heavy they are. It's easy to get sucked into the one bag rabbit holes online, but it's okay if that just isn't how you travel!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am generally an overpacker. I can't help it lol. Drives my husband crazy. He can pack for a week trip using his carry on and personal item. That only lasts me the weekend lol. But what really brings me to this question is that I have my very 1st trip where I am not taking kids or husband (YAYYYY!!) and Im curious how many bags that takes most people. I'm going to be gone 6 days. To Disney/Universal studios. My thought was I'd pack my big suitcase (like the 28 inch one I think) and throw a duffle inside that I can use as a carry on on the way home for the crap I know I'll buy. The unpredictibleness of the weather is throwing me off. Every one says bring a bit of everything, so I have t shirts I've made for each day, 3 long sleeve shirts for underneath in case it's cold. Leggings and a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of pairs of shorts just in case. Then theres 2-3 pairs of shoes, bc rain, blisters etc. Hoodie, warmer coat, and toiletries. Is this too much? Should I try to go for a smaller bag? I'm flying SW so I get free bags and carry ons. I was just thinking I'd rather just have one big bag to deal with instead of a medium and a carry on. I would def throw my stuff for the 1st day in my back pack bc I know stuff gets lost.

I'm waaaaay over thinking this, but thats just what I do lol

Small carry on size suitcase and then a personal item that fits under the seat (right now my personal item resembles a small weekender type bag). If you want room for some souvenirs just pack that personal item lighter to allow more space.

I use packing cubes which help conserve space at least for me and for socks and underwear tend to pack just a few more than the number of days I'm there.

If it were me I would probably suffice on layers (like the hoodie) than a warmer coat unless that warmer coat is one that can more easily be packed down. Almost all the time even when traveling in winter if the weather isn't going to be 30s/40s and below consistently enough at some point where I'll be out and about where I'm traveling to I brave the cold of my home area for the airport experience and opt for less hassle of a bulky coat. If you bring a long sleeve or two you'll have that as part of your layers for the parks.

Jeans can take up space so if you are more comfortable in leggings I'd only pack 1 at the most of jeans. Personally for theme parks I try to stay away from constricting denim.

When it comes to checked bags it varies whether we bring them or not. At times we don't strictly because we don't want to have to worry about waiting around for the luggage, the length of trip and where we are going plays into that as well. My husband and I often share that checked bag and then opt for our own carry on and/or personal item for other stuff. If it were me by myself I wouldn't be bringing the large suitcase for checked luggage in part because I don't want to lug that around lol

 

[neverlandsky]

Minimalist here. Carry-on and only one bag. It's 15" with wheels or can be hand carried. Can be stored overhead or under a seat. It's awesome. My must have for where we are staying, on-site laundry just in case. Pants/shorts/dresses can be worn twice. Shirts I go a day or two less because I could buy another or do laundry. PJs is only 2 pair. Socks & Underwear, I tend to always go a day extra on these because that's what I like. HBA items I pick up at destination because a lot of times hotel has them if you just ask. So it's just toothbrush, comb, capstick, day & night time face lotions, & deodorant for me. Then charger, phone, & wallet. That's it. Sweater/Hoodie/Jacket is around my waist. I travel to and from in gym clothes because #1 it's comfortable and #2 it won't take up much space either.

 

[Moliphino]

Flying Southwest and staying in one place the whole time I really wouldn't stress about overpacking. I usually pack a 24" suitcase and bring an extra duffle for the way home.

I worry about it when:
-I need to pay for checked bags or am limited to 1 free
-I need to move luggage during the trip

I went to Spain for two weeks a little while ago and managed to stay within the one 24" suitcase (plus carryon backpack) because I only got one included checked bag and we were going to four different cities by train during the trip. I didn't want to have to lug a larger suitcase or multiple suitcases around that much.

 

[SueInBoston]

another minimalist here. Last long trip was 12 days in Hawaii with carryon suitcase and undersea backpack. I do bring a collapsible duffle incase I buy stuff and have to check a bag on return, but glad that I haven't had to use that duffle yet.

 

[Meriweather]

Over pack. I want all the things I might need or want with me.
WDW I pack a big suitcase for both of us. Take a tote for the electronics and meds. This is carried on along with my smaller bag.

Packing now for DLR/Legoland/zoo trip and trying to get DH and my things in one bag.....we'll see. It'll be tough.
4 people going and we're driving so trying to make sure everything fits.

 

[RUDisney]

The shoes... The shoes, bras and toiletries seem to be my biggest space issue.

I wear the heaviest/biggest pair of shoes that I'm taking. I pack an extra pair of sneakers and a pair of flip flops. Socks can be stuffed into the sneakers and bras can be stuffed around the edges of the packed clothes.

I take a minimum of toiletries. Unless I know that I hate the hotel's shampoo/conditioner, I don't take any of that. I don't wear a lot of makeup, so there is a minimal amount of that, too.

Don't take full size products, put any lotion, etc., into a smaller container to pack in the quart sized bag. I rarely have a full quart sized bag anymore, too.

We went to WDW once in December and we wore the same jeans for 3 days... the travel down and next 2 days. We also wore them home. After being cold for 2 days, we were swimming on the 3rd day when it was in the 80s again.

 

[tvguy]

OP. Your trip sounds like a carry on should be enough, LOL. But my mom went to Europe for 3 weeks with just a carry on. She took laundry soap and washed items in the hotel room as needed. Mix and match was her friend as far as clothing.
My wife and I and our two then adult sized children did our 7 day Disney cruise with two large suitcases, and only had two because of the formal wear we brought. A normal week long trip would have been one large suitcase. Everyone had a carry on for their toiletries and medications.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

When my husband and I go I pack 1 large checked bag and we take 1 carry on bag. I also throw a tote bag in if I need it for the trip home.

 

[VandVsmama]

I am generally an overpacker. I can't help it lol. Drives my husband crazy. He can pack for a week trip using his carry on and personal item. That only lasts me the weekend lol. But what really brings me to this question is that I have my very 1st trip where I am not taking kids or husband (YAYYYY!!) and Im curious how many bags that takes most people. I'm going to be gone 6 days. To Disney/Universal studios. My thought was I'd pack my big suitcase (like the 28 inch one I think) and throw a duffle inside that I can use as a carry on on the way home for the crap I know I'll buy. The unpredictibleness of the weather is throwing me off. Every one says bring a bit of everything, so I have t shirts I've made for each day, 3 long sleeve shirts for underneath in case it's cold. Leggings and a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of pairs of shorts just in case. Then theres 2-3 pairs of shoes, bc rain, blisters etc. Hoodie, warmer coat, and toiletries. Is this too much? Should I try to go for a smaller bag? I'm flying SW so I get free bags and carry ons. I was just thinking I'd rather just have one big bag to deal with instead of a medium and a carry on. I would def throw my stuff for the 1st day in my back pack bc I know stuff gets lost.

I'm waaaaay over thinking this, but thats just what I do lol

You're overpacking. Leave 1 of the long sleeved shirts at home. Stick to 2 pairs of shoes, not 3, and wear the heaviest pair on the plane. Try to pare down your toiletries if possible. For example, you don't need to bring a gigantic bottle...maybe a travel sized would do of whatever it is. Pack 1 pair of jeans and wear 1 pair on the plane. 2 pairs of shorts, not 3. 3 pairs of leggings, not 6. Pack 1 or 2 laundry detergent pods so you can wash clothes part way through the trip if you need to.

Then instead of putting a carry-on bag inside your 28" large suitcase, just use that carry-on bag as an actual carry-on bag on the plane. Put your purse inside that.

If you use a hair dryer, leave that at home and use the one in the hotel room.