How much luggage do you end up bringing for a week?

[Minnie824]

DH, DD4, and DD1.5 and myself driving down to Fl next month. I pack alot...bad habit. But will try to cut it back. Anyway, DH & I are debating on getting one of those luggage carriers to go on top of the SUV. we're bringing a small cooler to go on the floor of the backseat, double stroller, maybe playpen for DD1.5 to sleep in, and I'm thinking 2 big suitcases, maybe 2-3 small ones. AAHH! see, it already sounds like too much! How much do you actually bring? Do you think it would be worth it for us to get the luggage carrier?

 

[staci]

We just drove to chicago in a Jeep Cherokee to get to our flight to WDW. We did not have a luggage carrier and we were fine - FULL but fine. Here is what we had.

4 Adults
1 23.5 month old
1 stroller (smaller but not an umbrella)
1 HUGE suitcase (48 lbs at the airport)
3 'normal' suitcases (maybe 2' x 3')
1 small suitcase (1' x 2')
5 carryons of varying sizes

It was pretty full but you could still see out the back. I would probably NOT bring a luggage carrier, it would just give you reason to bring more stuff that you probably wouldnt need! Maybe you could consider leaving the packnplay at home?

Oh, and I found that packing my ds's outfits in ziplock bags was helpful in organizing the luggage.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We are going next week for 8 days . I have just started to pack (its too cold here for shorts anyway). It is DH, DS2 and myself and we are flying.

I am trying to keep it to 2- 29" suitcases, 1 25" suitcase, 1 diaper bag, 1 large carryon and the camcorder case. I will, however bring an empty duffel to put the dirty clothes in just in case we go souvenier crazy and need the room!

 

[PatricenPete]

We are leaving on Saturday for a week (Saturday - Saturday) and I managed to pack 1 large suitcase, a large duffel bag and 2 carry ons.

Of course, I also used wegoshop for things like diapers and wipes and some of the bulkier items.

 

[jtopp]

If staying on site, you can request a pack-n-play to sleep in, or a crib, and eliminate one item. When we drive, we usually pack 2 suitcases with 4-5 days worth in each for 5 people. We also pack a backpack for each person with sleepclothes, a clothing change, and personal items as we stop overnight on our drive, and we don't have to unload and unpack our suitcases. We also bring a cooler and a bag for dry snacks and fruit. You can get away with fewer bags if you pack conservatively and wash clothes halfway thru your trip. You probably would not need the luggage carrier, and if you stop for the night you would not have to unload and reload the carrier, just leave your vehicle locked.

 

[staci]

The above poster made a good point, it really is worth the $4 to do a load of laundry on your trip. I ended up doing one, and it was nice to not come home with suitcases of dirty clothes. DS had managed to spill something on every outfit down there, so I wanted to get them clean right away.

 

[rchristiansen]

Hmmmm.....I'm usually all for conserving on packing. But if you are driving, then who cares how much you pack. I think you should look into one of those soft car top carriers - not the pricey hard top ones. We had one and it wasn't much more than $30. If it means you don't have to be Houdini to pack your suitcases and coolers - Go for it!

For example here's one: http://www.shop.com/op/aprod-p13284353?sourceid=3

 

[HenDuck]

For me , DH , and DS (5) , we'll be taking

2 26-ish" suitcases
3 carry-on backpacks
packing one packable duffel

I'm really going to cut back on the clothes we'll be bringing this time. I'm not brave enough to cut back by 1/2, so I'm shooting for 1/3 (or at least one less of everything except jackets and shoes).

We're flying and also checking DS's car seat.

Can't wait. Only 36 more days...

 

[seashoreCM]

For adult only trips:

On numerous one to 1-1/2 week Disney trips during all seasons I have managed to get by with one carry on suitcase and what I wear onto the plane.

Granted I'm a guy but I think gals can restrict their wardrobes the same. That is, if they want to just enjoy the scenery as opposed to being part of the scenery!

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[isla bonita]

To much!!!!!!!!

 

[2poohbears]

I saw a product in the sporting goods department at WalMart yesterday that I may try for our trip in FEB. It's a set of 3 watertight bags that you put the clothing in, then roll the bags up to push all the air out, then lay flat...It's called Coleman Space Savers. I've never used them before, so can't vouch for whether they work or not, but seems like a good idea to take up less space. If anyone here has used them, please let us know if they worked! This is the first trip we take with our 2 year old twins, so I have no idea how much we'll pack...I'm sure "too much" and most of it will be for the boys.

 

[staci]

I saw a product in the sporting goods department at WalMart yesterday that I may try for our trip in FEB. It's a set of 3 watertight bags that you put the clothing in, then roll the bags up to push all the air out, then lay flat...It's called Coleman Space Savers. I've never used them before, so can't vouch for whether they work or not, but seems like a good idea to take up less space. If anyone here has used them, please let us know if they worked! This is the first trip we take with our 2 year old twins, so I have no idea how much we'll pack...I'm sure "too much" and most of it will be for the boys.

2poohbears

i know this is posted elsewhere on the boards, but idk if you have seen it. a similar idea to that product is to use ziplock baggies. we used them with ds 24mo on our trip and found it to be so useful! it really helped with cramming the suitcase, and organizing.

as were were gone 7 days, i took about 10 entire outfits and laid them out. (shorts, shirt, socks). Then i put each one in a ziplock baggie, sat on it, and drained the air out before closing. I put all the swimwear in a different one, then the pjs, etc. When at the resort in the am, trying to rush to get to the parks, the outfits were already separated and matched, without digging through the suitcase full of tiny toddler clothes. The baggies worked great coming home for soaps, wet suits, etc.

the only thing i would caution you, whether you use actual space saver bags or ziplock, is to keep your eye on the weight of the luggage if you are flying. we have a big 30 inch suitcase, and that is what all the ziplock baggies were in. it weighted 481/2 lbs at the airport, and 50 is the max before you have to pay fees we got sooooooo lucky!

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

Well we are leaving on Nov.10 for WDW!!!! YEAH!!! Anyhoo, this is our situation

2 adults
4 children
1 large suitcase- for diapers, adult clothes and souveiners on the way back
4 pilot cases (carry-ons)-one for each child and all of their nessesities
1 back pack- that will hold my purse, the camera, makeup, toiletries, a few diapers and wipes, and activites for the kids on the plane.

Boy, I feel like that is alot.

 

[crazelion]

I would not worry about what pack if driving because. You will have enough room. Plus that give chance bring winter and summer clothes with you just in case it turns cold that week.