How to pack for a family trip?

[waspnest]

We leave for Disney in 8 days, and I'm starting to panic about how to pack. We've never taken a vacation with the kids where we've stayed in a hotel for the whole week - do most people pack *tons* of clothes, or do you try to do laundry at some point?

Also, it'll probably end up being warm in the day and cool at night, so that doubles the amount of packing. We're driving, so I *could* take everything we own, but I'd rather not. Plus, the rest of our family is flying and meeting us there - they can't possibly pack that much.

I have a 4 1/2 y.o. ds and an almost-2 dd.

Any packing tips? Also, how much stuff do we need to lug around in the parks with us? Diaper bag stuff for dd, but also how much water and snacks? There will be 10 of us total (6 adults, 4 kids ages 5, 4, 3 and almost 2). We're also trying to figure out the whole stroller thing. Take our double? Just a single for dd? So much to think about!

Thanks for any help!

 

[disneydenisel]

We leave in 9 days, and we're flying ! Similar packing dilemma and stress. We went to Maui recently and it seemed like we overpacked. But my 6 year-old DD wanted some toys, stuffed animals, books, etc. My 3 year-old DS didn't care too much about that stuff, but we brought a few of his favorite books for bedtime. We put our clothes in one soft-sided suitcase, books and toys in another, diapers, wipes, miscellaneous food products and beach toys in another. Then we had the two car seats to check, a large carryon with food since United doesn't serve full meals anymore, and another large carryon with "entertainment" for the long plane ride. You are SO lucky to be driving !

We will bring our two really inexpensive umbrella strollers. My DD still gets tired with a lot of walking and it's faster just to wheel her from place to place.

Good luck! We can't wait to go!

 

[AllyBri]

Start writing out a list of everything you want to take. You would be amazed at the small things that you can forget to bring and will really need.

 

[staci]

Buy some ziplock baggies. Put an entire child's outfit in each one (bottoms, top, socks, undies). Then you can easily find what you need each morning. Its easier than finding that matching sock or the tiny clean underwear.

I would plan on doing at least 1 load. I brought enough clothes that we didnt need to, but ds spilled enough on his clothes that I didnt want to pack them dirty, so I did laundry once.

your 4.5 yr old will get tired. will you be with the other children all the time? maybe you could bring a comfy stroller for dd and then share the cost to rent a double for your older child and the 3 year old? if you dont want them to nap in the stroller, just rent a double for all the kids and they could all share. I would bring at least an umbrella for the little one at the resort and dtd. it makes trips to the pool and the food court much more efficient

I would probably take a pair of lightweight pants and a short sleeve shirt for each day,and makesure to bring some hooded jackets/sweatshirts for the evenings.

 

[lil.disney.princess]

i dont know if the rules are different in the Us but from the UK the airline will count the car seats as part of the baggage allowance if you are carrying strollers as well........so we have decided to take the car seat and buy a cheap stroller from wal-mart when we get there!!

i am DREADING packing for our holiday-i have 7 of us to pack for......me and dh and 5kids ages-14/12/7/6/3...........i am already making packing lists and we have 7months to go yet!!lol

 

[WAHMto5]

Buy some ziplock baggies. Put an entire child's outfit in each one (bottoms, top, socks, undies). Then you can easily find what you need each morning. Its easier than finding that matching sock or the tiny clean underwear.
I would plan on doing at least 1 load. I brought enough clothes that we didnt need to, but ds spilled enough on his clothes that I didnt want to pack them dirty, so I did laundry once.

We do this also, especially for the little ones, it helps soo much especially in the mornings getting ready for the parks/day ect.. I also end up doing a load of laundry (sometimes 2) while there.
We are bringing our double stroller this time. I think it depends on what type of stroller you have and how easy it is to lug around. We havve a Peg Perego double and it folds up very compact and not very heavy at all.
Have FUN!!

 

[czycropper]

I overpacked when I took my DDs back in May 2004, for our Thanksgiving week trip this year - what I'm going to do is pick an outfit for everyday, a couple of bathing suits, sweaters for the evening, rain jackets, one of pair of sneakers, one pair of dressy shoes & one dress each. Staci is right in putting each outfit in a plastic baggie it works for me for any of our trips. During the 2004 trips my girls never really got much dirty and wanted to wear the same clothes they had worn after a swim.

My youngest DD was 4 and I would recommend to definitely take breaks after lunch. Oh, I didn't bring strollers but we did buy a couple of umbrella strollers at Wal-mart (we had rented a car for the first couple of days), used them and then gave them to the Poly Concierge (that's where we were starying) - they absolutely loved it since they get asked about strollers everyday.

We leave in 11 days

 

[Manon]

We leave for Disney in 8 days, and I'm starting to panic about how to pack. We've never taken a vacation with the kids where we've stayed in a hotel for the whole week - do most people pack *tons* of clothes, or do you try to do laundry at some point?

Also, it'll probably end up being warm in the day and cool at night, so that doubles the amount of packing. We're driving, so I *could* take everything we own, but I'd rather not. Plus, the rest of our family is flying and meeting us there - they can't possibly pack that much.

I have a 4 1/2 y.o. ds and an almost-2 dd.

Any packing tips? Also, how much stuff do we need to lug around in the parks with us? Diaper bag stuff for dd, but also how much water and snacks? There will be 10 of us total (6 adults, 4 kids ages 5, 4, 3 and almost 2). We're also trying to figure out the whole stroller thing. Take our double? Just a single for dd? So much to think about!

Thanks for any help!

First of all I say take your own stroller (even if its a double) your kids will be more comfortable in it, plus we do such long days at Disney, that they will be able to nap in it!

Don't over pack! I'm sure that even if you bring to much clothes you'll do a load of laundry!!! That's what we did in june anyway! I brought way to much clothes to end up making laudry to have DD & DS favorite outfit!! You know making a load of laundry gives you a chance to spend some time at the pool and relax!!

You can bring water and snacks on the diaper bag, but also in underneath your stroller!!

The last thing: HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!! :thewave: :thewave:

 

[SandrainNC]

I tend to overpack just because I refuse to do laundry at the laundry mat unless absolutely necessary. If I was staying in a suite with a washer and dryer, then that would be different. We drive also, so I am able to pack a lot of stuff. Also, kids mess up their clothes so quickly so I took more clothes for my son then for us. For this time of year, you shouldn't need a lot of different types of clothing. We went the week after Thanksgiving last year and I took a few pairs of jeans, a few light weight long sleeves shirts and then some light weight jackets. We all wore shorts during the day and at night the adults would just put on jackets and I would change my son into jeans and a jacket and he was fine. We are going in January next time so I will be packing tons of both types of clothing I guess. Plus winter jackets and gloves just in case.

I did use the "roll up the clothes method" for the first time and I do think I was able to fit more clothes in the suitcase doing it that way.

I also brought our stroller. I was so glad I did when we walked by the lines to rent strollers. Very long lines.

We took a zip lock bag of snacks to the parks last time and sometimes would eat lance crackers and little debbies instead of buying lunch (the adults anyway - we usually bought my son real food). We also threw some bottled water and canned drinks in the bottom of the stroller. Not a ton of them, just a few. My son loves yogurt so we packed some in ice for him for his morning snack. We are planning on taking on of those soft lunchboxes this time for his yogurt.

Have a great trip!! Sandra

 

[blessedby3]

I pack what will get us through 1/2 of our vacation and then add another outfit to that. I will do laundry 1/2 way through. Its no big deal because I will do it when the kids are at the pool. I dont want to pack so much because that means MORE luggage!! I also dont pack many toys for the kids. Just a couple of things to have on the airplane because they will definately be buying something so there is no need to haul bunch of stuff from home. My kids are older though, almost 7, 10 and 15. The oldest just takes her CD player. Good luck with all the packing. This is what I am in the middle of also.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

I'd say bring your double stroller for sure...4 1/2 is too young to walk the world all day.

This is the first time we are going with a young one of our own too. I think I'm going to write out a list. I really don't want to over pack, but I don't want to spend precious vacation time doing laundry either!

We went with my nieces 2 and 3years old- 2 years ago. I'd say the esentails for the parks is...

1. Sunblock
2. Sun Hat
3. We went in December so...Jeans and a T-shirt w/ a sweatshirt for the mornings and nights
4. Extra socks
5. Bottled Water- don't pack, buy at Wal-Mart once you get there

Be careful about sandalls- Tenis shoes and socks are more feet friendly..

I'll include my packing list if this thread is still up and going when I get to that point!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[vhoffman]

Ok, I have some advice that goes "against the grain".

First, nix the idea of a complete outfit per ziploc bag. It just doesn't work. What if you have to change one item of clothing during the day--say a soiled tee-shirt? Then you find yourself digging through all the other outfits, then they're not complete, so you dig through other bags again, etc. Instead, here's what works for me--

Pack all like items per ziploc bag and label. For example, ds socks. DD' underpants, etc. Also, pack another, same-size ziploc inside that bag labeled ds dirty socks, etc. We used to stuff dirty clothes in the laundry bag provided by most hotels, then found out when we went to pack that we had one huge dirty clothes bag that simply wouldn't stuff back into the suitcase. This way, as one bag gets smaller, the other gets bigger, so at the end of the trip you have the same "bulk" as you started. Plus, yoiu know at a glance where to look for socks, shirts, etc. I like to take a few minutes the night before and set out my kids (and mine) clothes for the next day, but you can't always predict the weather, circumstances, etc. so you don't know what would be an appropriate outfit until that day.

Also, I always wince when I read "don't overpack". Yes, you don't want to be burdened down with everything you own, but don't short yourself, either. Always pack one more of everything, such as one more shirt, underwear, pants, etc. It doesn't take up that much room and you never know what might happen. Clothes get torn, stained, etc. And do plan for just about any type of weather. I've seen more vacations ruined by not having "contigency" items. Last trip to WDW, one night, the night of MVMCP, it was hot and muggy and I wore shorts and a sleeveless blouse. The very next night, for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, it was cold enough for jackets, sweatshirts, hats and gloves (which we had!). However, that same afternoon, we went swimming at our hotel pool (packed bathing suits). How you pack kind of depends on how you travel. If you're on the road every day, a different hotel every night, well, you really want to keep the luggage to a bare minimum. However, if you're staying in one place several days, you're not lugging stuff every day and can take a little more.

Also, I always pack my "pharmacy". It goes without saying you pack your prescription drugs, however, pack anything over-the-counter you think you might need, such as Tylenol, Inmodium, etc., along with first aid stuff such as band aids, antiobiotic cream, etc. Yes, I know, there's always WalMart wherever you go, but do you really want to spend precious vacation time hunting down a WalMart for something you could have easily packed?

The trick is to take a little of everything--clothes for just about all temperatures, clothes that "mix and match", contigency items, etc.

Also, instead of lugging baby stuff such as diapers, wipes, etc. formula, bottled water, etc. have you considered having them delivered to your room when you get there? Its really not so expensive as you might think. Last trip we used a delivery service www.wegoshop.com. You just fax or email them your list, you can even specify what store, call them when you get to your hotel, and they deliver right away. I think in our case we waited 20 minutes. The delivery fee at the time (might have gone up) was $10 for orders up to $100, then more over that. We ordered bottled water, milk, fruit, breakfast bars, sandwich fixings (we had a fridge in the room), along with soap, shampoo, etc. Beats lugging it!

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Ok, I have some advice that goes "against the grain".

First, nix the idea of a complete outfit per ziploc bag. It just doesn't work. What if you have to change one item of clothing during the day--say a soiled tee-shirt? Then you find yourself digging through all the other outfits, then they're not complete, so you dig through other bags again, etc. Instead, here's what works for me--

Good idea! I always thought the ziplock bag per outfit would be a lot of baggies too. This way, you only have 4-5 for all the basics. I like your idea much better.

 

[njcarita]

Buy some ziplock baggies. Put an entire child's outfit in each one (bottoms, top, socks, undies). Then you can easily find what you need each morning. Its easier than finding that matching sock or the tiny clean underwear.

.

I started packing for my 3 kids myself and my husband for 12 days today== and boy do i feel over whelmed!!!!

i'm running out today and looking for bags tonight--- how big do they come-- can i fit my 10 year old clothes in them?????

thanks

 

[staci]

I started packing for my 3 kids myself and my husband for 12 days today== and boy do i feel over whelmed!!!!

i'm running out today and looking for bags tonight--- how big do they come-- can i fit my 10 year old clothes in them?????

thanks

Im sorry, I hope someone else see's this and can comment specifically on packing for that age child, my ds is only 2 so we used the gallon ziplock bags. I know I have seen on other threads that ziplock now makes really big bags but that some people have trouble finding them? If you cant find ones that work for you, maybe plastic grocery sacks could work better for a bigger child? Wont be quite as neat but it would keep things separated and organized. I know this is probably extreme, but I did label each bag as well, "ds outfit 1, ds outfit 2, ds swim gear, etc. Then when I was doing the last minute checksof the luggage I didnt have to really look closely at each bag.

On thing to pay attention to, try to pack things that will match others. someone mentioned about needing extra shirts or whatever if something was spilled, I just took 2-3 extra shirts that were neutral colors that stayed in the diaper bag so that I could change him if necessary. that way I didnt have to interfere with any outfits.

 

[michvin]

You have got to make a list...have to, have to.
And believe me I am not the most organized person on the day to day but when it comes to traveling with kids I'm pretty good ( I have to say myself). We just went in October with me, DH, DS6, DD 4 and DD 20mos. I only checked ONE BAG and the stroller. You can do this too. We had 2 of the mid sized luggage bags (I think the 28 inch..someone correct me on this...the ones you can carry on that are full sized). Do not get the big huge bags...it is too easy to over pack them and not only can you not carry it on, you can be charged a fee for it being to heavy! (My inlaws were charged $60 by USAir for their humongus bag). We had two 28 inch bags (the expandable good one my husband uses for work was checked because too thick), a small soft sided bag, probably 26 inch, backpack, small soft cooler, husbands laptop bag, and two fun bags for kids on plane and the stroller. I was great only having to wait for one bag after the plane.

I always take a pair of undies and socks for each day for everybody, even if you are doing wash. Since it is going to be a little bit cooler, I would take a mix of shorts - maybe 3 pairs, solids, pair of jeans (wear these down) and 2 pairs of capris or cargo pants. 4 short sleeved shirts that match at least 2 bottoms each (wear one down). 2 long sleeved shirts, that again match at least two of the bottoms, and some type of sweatshirt or warm sweater. Wear a light jacket on the plane or the sweatshirt. You need at least two pairs of shoes, wear one, pack one but don't pack all the shoes in the same suitcase...too heavy. We had two pairs of pj's, and we all had 2 pairs of shoes and sandals. Plus I packed the surprise tink gifts and my daughters dress for the tea party in a wrapped box in the suitcase.

I mailed a box with diapers, wipe container filled with wipes, box of life cereal, bag of cereal, small peanut butter, glow sticks, sunblock, meds, bandaids, trial shampoo, deoderant, ponchos, etc. It weighed 21 pounds ( I think) and I shipped it ups for $13. My thought was to mail all the stuff we were not going to bring back.

We did have room for some souviners, but we didn't really buy that many and the tink gifts were really the souviners.

I believe the key to packing is to look at it in groups of things. Split the clothes between the luggage in case the checked one or ones get lost.
Put socks in shoes..anything that will fit in the shoes should go in there. Put them on the bottom. Fill in alllllll spaces with socks, undies, bathing suits, mash it in. Then you start layering. You want to have the entire base of the suitcase covered before you add another "layer". Roll t-shirts to get in the sides. Stagger pants and shorts so not all bulcky (sp?). And use the straps in the suitcase to really mash it down.

Good luck...hope this isn't too crazy for you!

 

[vhoffman]

If you're having trouble finding large ziploc-type bags, try Costco or Sams. I've seen the 2.5 gallon bags there, and I do think they sell some 5 gallon bags, as well. Also, try asking a dry cleaner for some plastic bags. They don't close at the top, but you can use them for larger items.

 

[Diz-Mommy]

Plus I packed the surprise tink gifts and my daughters dress for the tea party in a wrapped box in the suitcase.

Just a word of warning about gift wrap...its not allowed and if the "luggage police" find it should they search your bag, they will unwrap your gifts or call you over to do so. We went on a trip to see my family in Ft. Lauderdale (we went right before Christmas) I was on the ball for a change and had all my gifts purchased and wrapped. Well, I was one of the lucky folks that got randomly searched (yes even checked luggage) and the snippy little man unwrapped all of my beautiful packages and scolded me for doing something so stupid after 9-11 and all. Whoops!

I know for everyones safety there has to be rules, but they put the bags through x-ray machines that you would think could see through thin wrapping paper! Sheesh!