how much luggage does your 4 person family take?

[emmababy]

This will be our first WDW trip as a family of 4. I am starting to lay out what we need to take and I am overwhelmed with how much stuff it is going to take. I have checked my list over and over trying to find things that I don't really need.

So far I have 1 large suitcase and 2 medium size suitcases to check. A small carryon suitcase, diaper bag, and backpack. Does that seem about right? Oh, and a double stroller!!

Thank goodness for magical express!!

 

[scottish mum]

It seems about right. I only pack for half the holiday and do laundry while there. I always make sure that the cases aren't full on the way there so that there is plenty of room for souvenirs

 

[EthansMom]

It seems about right. I only pack for half the holiday and do laundry while there. I always make sure that the cases aren't full on the way there so that there is plenty of room for souvenirs

We do laundry halfway through the trip also. Usually, one of us will stay with our youngest child while she takes a nap and the other will do laundry on one day.

 

[AmyMama2AvaNtheo]

We will have more than that I am sure, LOL

I am planning 1 for my DH, 1 for myself, 1 for the kids (ages 2 and 4) and 1 for my sons toddler ready bed and all of our extra stuff and toiletries.

We will also have 1adult backpack, 2kids backpacks, plus a rolling suitcase for our first days stuff while the ME is delivering our other suitcases.

I am hoping to ditch one of the suitcases (checked) but we shall see .. I have prepared myself that we are taking a huge load, LOL

 

[Jenniferb]

We are a family of four and we fly. We take four large suitcases. Three with our stuff and one with our snacks. I also pack a lot of our clothing in the travel Space Bags. They are great for compacting clothing and adding more stuff. They simply roll up so there is no need for vaccuming like the regular space bags.

 

[emmababy]

We are a family of four and we fly. We take four large suitcases. Three with our stuff and one with our snacks. I also pack a lot of our clothing in the travel Space Bags. They are great for compacting clothing and adding more stuff. They simply roll up so there is no need for vaccuming like the regular space bags.

Where is a good place to buy those? Do your clothes end up wrinkled?

If it was just clothes, I could get it all in 1 suitcase. It is all the extras that are getting me. Beach bag, swim toys and gear, ponchos, stroller cover, toiletries, baby gear, etc....That and my hubby has a cpap which takes up a lot of space.

We used to use 2 really big suitcases, but with the new restrictions, one is oversized... I hate having all these bags. Thankfully we bought our tickets when 1 bag/passenger was free, I would hate to have to pay the extra money!

 

[emmababy]

Oh, we do laundry too. But I have all these cute outfits for my dd, and I like to have a variety of clothing options

How do those who travel with little ones handle all your carryons? I am really trying to have it with one rolling suitcase and 2 diaper bags. I don't want to look like the clampett's does disney!

 

[Jenniferb]

I get the space bags at Wal Mart next to the suitcases. We do not take toys. I do take a nebulizer though. We also take smaller toiletries to take up less space. Most of our clothes are t-shirt/shorts so they are not too wrinkled. By the time we have been in the park for a little while, all hot and sweaty, it doesn't really matter if we have a few wrinkles. I am a very light packer. for ponchos, I buy several of the really cheap ones, 2 for $1.00 at the dollar tree. They fold up very small, smaller than a deck of cards. If I use them, I toss them because I have more in my suitcase.

 

[michael's mom]

Oh, we do laundry too. But I have all these cute outfits for my dd, and I like to have a variety of clothing options

How do those who travel with little ones handle all your carryons? I am really trying to have it with one rolling suitcase and 2 diaper bags. I don't want to look like the clampett's does disney!

When we took DS last year, I packed my backpack (which I used as a diaper bag all week) with the carry-on stuff that I needed on the plane. My DH had our camera bag and his laptop (to watch movies), and we gate-checked DS's carseat (rental car) and stroller. I felt very overwhelmed, but in reality, we didn't have too many things.

If you are doing ME, I would suggest having a small suitcase that will fit in the overhead bins that you can put one days worth of stuff in, because I have heard that ME takes a while to get your things to you sometimes. Then, pack a backpack that will have a few diapering//baby necessities in it along with anything you would need while on the plane.

Don't worry about looking like the Clampetts, remember, you'll be on a plane heading to Disney...most people will look like you! The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and don't let the stress of the airport get the best of you.

 

[emmababy]

I get the space bags at Wal Mart next to the suitcases. We do not take toys. I do take a nebulizer though. We also take smaller toiletries to take up less space. Most of our clothes are t-shirt/shorts so they are not too wrinkled. By the time we have been in the park for a little while, all hot and sweaty, it doesn't really matter if we have a few wrinkles. I am a very light packer. for ponchos, I buy several of the really cheap ones, 2 for $1.00 at the dollar tree. They fold up very small, smaller than a deck of cards. If I use them, I toss them because I have more in my suitcase.

I am going to look into the space bags, the reviews of them weren't very good, so I am glad to find someone who likes them! We had the dollar tree ponchos, but ended up having to buy the mickey ones. The are so much nicer, but take up a lot of room.

We don't take toys, but need swimmies, floaties, beach bag stuff, blankies, teddy bear, and it seems like every possible medication for any possible emergency! I also pack several shoes for all of us to avoid blisters.
I used a packing list from a fellow diser. I have simplified it as much as I know possible and it is still a lot of stuff!! Hopefully the space savers will help with the misc stuff that takes up a lot of space!!

 

[Mandychelle79]

We drive so numbers really arent a big deal to me.

We pack- an overnight bag with jammies and clothes for the next day, swim suits ( this time I will actually pack 2 over night bags)

2 suitcases total for dh and I

1 suit case each for my kids- they have their own disney luggage

A bag of toiletries, medicines, sunblock

Bag or two of goodies for the drive down.

book bag with homework

 

[R&J]

For myself, DH, DD8 and DS5, we check 2 large suitcases. We also each have a carryon, usually a small backpack or bag for each of us: mine & DH's contain our documents & snacks/water bottles, while the kids carry their "activities" i.e. books, pens, DS or Gameboy, etc.

We do laundry partway through our trip, so that helps cut back on the amount of clothes we need to bring. I put a backless booster seat into each of the large suitcases, too. If it weren't for these, we'd have plenty of space in our luggage

 

[Sillyminny40]

We always take far too much. I am tired of it.

 

[lawone]

DH and I take one each. Girls clothes goes into one. All three of those get checked.

Both girls have carry-on with toys, etc. and I have carry on with meds, changes of clothes. I also ship snacks, rain ponchos, paper plates, etc. via UPS to the hotel!

 

[srwarden1928]

There are only two of us. Last year for our Disney trip we took four suitcases, three backpacks, and a laptop computer. In addition to the bags, we took snacks and canned drinks. Of course we always drive.

 

[daleswife]

WE drive down so Its not a big deal how much luggage we take, but that being said....I take One suitcase for each of us. Usually 2 lg ones for me and hubby, then 2 small ones for the kiddos. I like to have everyones clothes and accessories in their own bag so I dont have to dig around for it. I cant stand it when DH goes through the whole suitcase looking for one shirt and messes up the whole bag....and just leaves it there!!!

 

[DebRMN]

My dh & I share a large suitcase
My 3 kids share the other.

so, 2 checked bags

I bring 2 carryons (this time will be a small suitcase carry-on & my large backpack)

plus a double stroller & an umbrella stroller (gate checked)

 

[mom2meiko]

last year we brought 2 large suitcases and i think a fairly good size duffle bag for dh, myself and our then 6.5 mo old dd. it was literally our first time traveling with dd so i was sure to bring everything i could possibly imagine she might need/want. i was looking at pictures recently and laughing at myself for all of the things that we brought and really didn't need.

we also brought a large diaper bag, a laptop bag and a backpack on the plane so i wouldn't worry about how you look. as long as you can carry it and you feel that you might need it, take it.

next year we will have 2 kids so our packing will increase. unfortunately, our suitcases are oversized so we will be getting new average size suitcases as well. i like the idea of a rolling carryon suitcase that we can have an emergency outfit or two - not only for the plane trip but also in case our luggage arrives late, etc. we may try that this time - if i can convince dh.

 

[KelnRon]

We just got back & took one carry-on for each of us. We did have a washer/dryer in the room so that seriously helped!!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We just got back & took one carry-on for each of us. We did have a washer/dryer in the room so that seriously helped!!

Same here. I must admit when my kids were very little we took so much more stuff, I think a whole suitcase was diapers and wipes once!
Another bag of snacks and box juice; a car seat when staying offsite. So much stuff! This was back in 2000 & 2001 so there were no baggage fees.

Now that they're 12 and almost 9, we each get our own carryon and I pack around 3 outfits, 1 pr swim trunks, goggles, and their PSP for the plane ride.
Everyone can easily pull their own bag and our condo has a washer/dryer so it's easy and gives the kids some downtime to relax.

Cruising is another story...
We end up with at least 2 garment bags for formal/dinner clothes and still 2-3 large bags. I try to bring less each time but it's still a lot of stuff!