How much luggage?

[squeegee]

This December, My family is taking an 11-day trip to WDW, flying on Southwest. There are three of us, DH, DD (will be 4), and Me.

Normally, DH and I travel very light. For our last trip, 10 days, we packed together in a 29" wheeled suitcase and each had a small carryon - duffel bag size. We did laundry once or twice, and the only souvenirs we got were some pins and pressed pennies. We drove, so could have technically fit a lot more stuff, but that's just not how we roll.

We've never traveled long-duration with DD.

Currently, I have a three-piece set (29", 24", and 22" wheeled), and can borrow my parent's similar set. Would it be a good idea to have one more set, or should that be enough luggage for DD's costumes (10 of them!) and room to bring back souvenirs? DH and I will probably still pack pretty conservatively, but I know that there will be lots more "stuff" coming back with us this time.

Thanks!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

When we took our kids last year we looked like we were moving in, lol. I swore I thought we packed way too much but when we got to our hotel the CMs assured me that they have seen worse. I am OCD about over packing though. I'd rather have to much stuff than not enough. Of course though I was packing for myself, DH, DS1 and DS7, so we had like everything the baby would need so it was A LOT! We are going this year and hes older now so I don't think we are going to need as much stuff

 

[kcpinwdw]

im a notorious underpacker and always need to do laundry or buy more clothes on vacation.... ha ha ha. So I think three suitcases sounds good! We have four in our family and packed in two medium sized suitcases and one carry-on size. That being said, my DD only had two princess dresses Doing laundry at Disney is easy. Save room for goodies! IT's probably cheaper to check a half-packed bag than have to mail stuff home.

 

[msmama]

I can do a 10 day trip for my son and I in one suitcase. Especially to FL when it's usually tee shirts and shorts.

Included in that is a duffle bag I use for bringing things home (clothes go in the duffel, other stuff in hard sided suitcase).

That said I am often VERY close to 50 lbs so when I am traveling to disney and don't have to deal with my luggage I will take 2 suitcases.

 

[squeegee]

So, I'm thinking maybe the three of us can get by with the six bags, then? It will be nice to not buy another set, and not worry about where to store it afterwards. .

Thank you!

 

[luvmy2babies]

We went for 10 days once. It was my daughter (then 9), my son (then 2) and me. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do laundry so I packed like I wouldn’t be able to . I took two 28 inch uprights and one 22 inch upright. The 22 inch had my daughter’s stuff for her BBB makeover. In a trip that long we had some down time and doing laundry was really easy so I told my daughter we’d never be taking that much luggage again. One of the large uprights lost a wheel during transport and was almost impossible to pull when we got home.

Our last two trips were 9 and 8 days. I have found I can get over a week’s worth of clothes for my children into a 22 inch upright. And that includes extra clothes for my son in case he needs them. So on our last trip (ages 11 and 4) they each had one. I put my clothes along with the extras (BBB supplies, Pirate’s League supplies, extra shoes, swimwear, costumes) in the large upright and we went with 3 bags for a 9 day trip.

In your case, I might try to get it down to 4, 1 for each person’s clothes then an additional one for your daughter’s costumes. I generally have a shirt for each day; but usually have a couple of pairs of shorts/pants I can wear with different shirts so I don't need as many. And maybe consider the use a strap to connect a small upright to a large one to make it easier.

 

[MandiC]

10 costumes! I think those need a bag all on their own lol
We stayed 7 nights and my girls each had a rolling bag (carry on size, though we checked them) and a small duffel (we got them each a cute set on amazon of a carry on and a bag). The duffel we packed as their carry on with things for them to do on the plane as well as a change of clothes and anything we thought they may need the first day just in case we had luggage problems.

 

[MandiC]

Oh and my husband and I packed all of our stuff in one big piece of luggage and then I had a backpack and my knitting bag. On the way home I was glad I threw an extra duffel in our bag because we ended up needing to use it as a carry on for my husband due to souvenirs

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I would certainly not take 11 days of clothes. I'd take 5 or 6 and do laundry.

 

[chris31997]

Ziplock bag or some type of other compression bags for the customes. You probably can get away with 3 bags. Anymore than that you are gonna have a hard time in the airport.

We do ALOT of traveling. This summer we will be going home for a month. We will pack for about 10-14 days in 3 suitcases for 4 people. Plus each person will have a carry on. Yes, I know that I will have the ability to do laundry and counting on it. We use compression makes alot. We also plan out if any special outfits will be needed, ie church, pics.

 

[squeegee]

Ziplock bag or some type of other compression bags for the customes. You probably can get away with 3 bags. Anymore than that you are gonna have a hard time in the airport.

I hadn't thought much about using compression bags - do things come out of them all wrinkly? What's a good place to find them inexpensively?

I always take a couple of ziplocks of several sizes with me, never know when they'll come in handy. I have seen several folks on here say they put their kids outfits for each day in them, but DD isn't about to let me choose her outfits in advance LOL.

 

[swimmingly]

We went for 8 days last year and took one 29" suitcase, 2 carry-on size suitcases, plus one regular size backpack, one kids backpack, the stroller and my purse. Our kids were 6 and 3. We didn't do laundry. We had plenty of room. I didn't pack costumes though, and we are fairly minimal with souvenirs.

When we travel for more than a week we typically just pack 6-8 days worth of clothes and plan to do laundry. We end up fitting it in 3-4 suitcases no matter how long we are going.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I cannot imagine why a family of three would need to take 2 29" bags, 2 24" bags, and 2 22" bags plus personal items on an 11 day trip. Then again, I have traveled all over the world on trips just as long or longer with my 21" carry-on!

 

[Minnesota!]

No way in hell would I want to have to haul all that! The four of us travel pretty light...a bigger suitcase, a smaller one (b/c my husband has massive feet and his extra pair of shoes takes up a good amouut of room), and then I have a backsack and a carry on. That is for the typical 11 days or so. We split our clothes between all 3 so that in case things are lost...

 

[Jax1023]

That's a lot of luggage. My husband, then 13 month son and I spent 10 days in Europe with 2 22" carryons, my husbands computer bag and a diaper bag.

I'd think you could get by with the 2 large suitcases and 1 smaller one. A big one for the costumes, packed in space bags ( buy at bed bath adm beyond with a coupon), a big one for you and your daughters normal clothes and the smaller one for your dh's clothes. Then carryons for toys, etc.

 

[kmb584]

I think 6 pieces of luggage is too much. I pack myself and daughter into one 29" suitcase and a duffle bag. Use compression bags for the dresses and roll your clothes to make them more compact. My daughter winds up with a slew of new things when we're in Disney and only once did I need to buy another bag (small tote, to fit a Duffy and a couple of dolls) so we could get everything home. I pack staples and favorites that I know we'll wear (and maybe more than once) and do laundry while we're there (the thought of putting dirty clothes in our suitcases just grosses me out). I can't fathom bringing that much luggage with us.

 

[DaniMoon]

We did a 10 day trip in October '13. A family of four. We had one suitcase and 3 wheeled carry-ons. Both my kids had backpacks. I did laundry one day while we relaxed at the pool. I had some food and drinks in the suitcase, so that left extra room to bring home goodies. I also had one folded suitcase inside, in case I needed extra, but didn't.

Next trip, my lil guy should be able to handle a carry-on, so maybe we can do without a suitcase,

 

[Lupeix]

I would pack 2 large suitcases and a big carry on, but include a large empty duffel bag that you can use in case you come back with more stuff (which you will, or at least we do, stuffed animals take a lot of space LOL!). You get one checked bag for free per person with southwest, so you don't want to risk having to pay for extra luggage on the way back. I am a fan of packing a decent size carry on with at least one change of clothes for everyone, and anything you think you may need in the first two days, just in case your luggage gets lost.

 

[chris31997]

I hadn't thought much about using compression bags - do things come out of them all wrinkly? What's a good place to find them inexpensively?

I always take a couple of ziplocks of several sizes with me, never know when they'll come in handy. I have seen several folks on here say they put their kids outfits for each day in them, but DD isn't about to let me choose her outfits in advance LOL.

Depends on how you pack it. Throw it in there and it will be all wrinkly. We typically will roll shirts and pants. It is fine for me but for hubby he has to put his OCD aside sometimes(likes his creases). He does ALL the ironing But a good steam shower or wrinkle releaser works wonders for anything too bad.

As for where to get them, walmart, target, bed bath and beyond. Not sure where you can get them now and the price. We have had our for years. Gotten alot of use out of them. I usually buy a multi-pack.

As for DD, have her pick her outfits and pack them in the ziplock bags. She can pick which day she wears what.

 

[l4dyj8]

Compression bags are great. I think you can get them at bed, bath and beyond and the container store. No need to get the pricey kinds either. I also have packing cubes.
With the exception of the 10 costumes, a 4 year old's clothes are tiny. It can easily fit into the other luggage. I am generally an overpacked (hence the compression bags). But for a 2 week to europe, we have 2 bags plus a carry-on. I always mix our clothes to pack and carry a few items in our carry on in case of delayed/lost luggage. I don't buy souvenirs. But worst comes to worst, you can ship it or make room in your carryon. You can always add one other bag, but that's it. Shoes tend to be the culprit of taking up space