I need a vacation and a Dole Whip - PTR - Updated 5/29

[Bamfield]

Well as you can tell by the title, I need a vacation and a Dole Whip.

We are the Amadio Family and have been to WDW many times. I am a big Disney fan and it all started when my grandparents move to FL in the 70's and took me here the first year it opened. I have "influenced" my DSs to be fans but not my DH so much.

Our last trip here (and my last vacation) was in Oct. 2014 for a Disney Wedding. It was a wonderful experience. Ceremony in Germany and reception at the California Grill, plus dinner in Italy with the view of Illuminations. Here is a picture of the family during that trip.

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I have lurked here for years especially before our trips. Enjoyed many PTR and TR and thought I would try my hand at my own. How this trip came about it a bit funny or at least to me. Now that the DSs are now in HS we can't come and go as we please as we did when they were little. We like it cool and less crowded, like most everyone else.

I had booked a DC back in June of 2015. We have been on 4 but I didn't look forward to going back to the Caribbean in the summer, it seemed redundant especially living in the Midwest. So, I cancelled it. No vacation for 2015. Then the New Year rolled around and we were talking about what to do for 2016. I kept looking at airfare for MCO and hoping the cruise prices would go down. Well, Southwest kept sending me sale e-mails and I looked at one on a Friday night and they had a flight with one-way for $89 to MCO. How can you beat that? So, I booked the flights for the family.

Woops, now where do we go? Everyone picked cruise to the Caribbean again. So, I booked the cruise for those dates, then had that sick feeling in my stomach and couldn't sleep. Woke up the next morning, told my DH I didn't think we wouldn't have as much fun because the boys were older and cancelled and booked our WDW vacation. Woo Hoo! This trip is a longer one, 9 days/8 nights. The goal is NOT to be park commandos but to be more like pool commandos. We are staying at the BC. We love the pool and the walk to Epcot.

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And couple more pictures from our last trip:




Next up ~ What did I just do? And where do we eat?

 

[mickeyschickie]

your title spoke to met...lol...I want a dole whip so bad...we had a beautiful pre-spring day here on the east coast yesterday and I was so tempted to go to Dairy Queen for a strawberry sundae, but I remained strong, the promise of a dole whip float in a week helped motivate me! looking forward to reading your report!

 

[Bamfield]

your title spoke to met...lol...I want a dole whip so bad...we had a beautiful pre-spring day here on the east coast yesterday and I was so tempted to go to Dairy Queen for a strawberry sundae, but I remained strong, the promise of a dole whip float in a week helped motivate me! looking forward to reading your report!

Thank you for joining along. I am actually on the East coast enjoying your sunshine and warm weather. I left the rest of my family to deal with the snow. Sounds like you have a trip planned soon, so I hope you have nice weather and low crowds.

Lisa

 

[Bamfield]

What did I just do?

Well, as the first phase of my OCD planning kicked in I was figuring out what I have to do when? This is typically, one of my favorite things to do, not my DH's. He cringes when I say "Disney." He is fine when he gets there but doesn't want long consultations. Guess in some ways I am lucky but I always want everyone to enjoy themselves.

So, I start looking at my calendar. Then I almost went into full panic mode. What did I just do?

What I knew before I booked our flight that I was rolling the dice with the weather. Technically, if we get a snow day for school it could creep into our vacation and I would need to do some fancy begging for the boys Finals. I was hoping El Niño was on our side there. The other thing I didn't realize is that I am traveling for business two weeks straight before our trip. Was I crazy? When am I going to get my pedicure so I can relax by the pool?

I wasn't even thinking of the laundry and the packing for three big boys. (I should let them defend themselves but they aren't here. It mostly consists of loud prompting on my part, the rearrangement of packing to meet airline weight limits and room for thank you gifts to take back for watching the house.) I was only thinking of my toes.

Well one of my DSs also thinks this should be a priority (I think he thinks it gets him mom points, it does but I won't tell him that. He loose them soon anyway as he is a teenage boy.) I will get that pedicure worked into the schedule somehow and its on my "list" but now the more important OCD task dining reservations. How many times do you think I changed my mind. I will let you know in my next post but a hint is my DH doesn't want to hear about it any more.

Here are some pictures of fun times from a Disney cruise when the boys were younger:

 

[Bamfield]

Dining Reservations...How many times are you allowed to change your mind? Well, I hope no one is counting!

My typical game plan when planning dining at Disney is go where we have liked it in the past and then try a couple of new places. We typically get a dining plan but I hadn't embraced that yet because from everything I have read on the boards and on other websites is that they aren't as a good a deal is what they once were unless you get it as part of package. Everyone has a different philosophy on park touring but ours is we have to have a good breakfast. No reason to start out grumpy in a park full of people.

I try to start out trying to figure out when we will be where. I use a crowd calendar from Josh at EasyWDW as my guide. I know I booked past the 180 day window so some of the pickings could be slim on the popular spots. We are also celebrating Dan's birthday while we are here so want to do something special for him. So, I decided to book the Hoop Dee Do for that night. What you think, a good choice? I am the only one that has been and it has been more than 20 years. I am hoping everyone has fun.

Then we have all been fan's of Iron Chef, so I thought a lunch at Morimoto's, so booked that for our last day on the trip. I might of had an ulterior motive to get to visit WOD for some shopping. Then the other thing I thought I would try would be a Fantasmic Dinner. I wanted to get Mama Melrose because we didn't want a character dinner and we have been to the Brown Derby the last two times. Well, we got one but for 3:55pm on Sunday, but really wanted something later but nothing is else was available at better times the whole week and the dining reservations get harder to get as the week gets later. I thought I would keep trolling for other times. I then filled in the blanks with a dinner at Japan, Via Napoli, then quit for the night.

So, now starts the drama of the dinner changes. We are staying at CL when we are there so know we will have breakfast at the resort. But if we are doing all these dinners should we get the dining plan? I, of course, consult my DH, he says it makes it easier, so I add the dining plan. Meanwhile, I have been trolling the dining reservations to get a better time for a Fantasmic Dinner. I am not sure how anyone else does this but I just keep checking each day. I typically do this in the evening and thought I might have better luck closer to the mandatory package payment date or the FastPass scheduling. Any suggestions?

Well, as I am looking through the options, does it really say Cinderella's Castle Breakfast? Can't be, those things are never available. I am reading it right Cinderella's Castle. I don't care I am with all boys and that they are "old" you should never turn down an opportunity to meet the Fairy Godmother AND Cinderella. So, I grab it 10:30 (yes, I am going to sell it as brunch) and start figuring out when is the best time to break the news to DH. The dilemma on this one is now I have booked a 10:30 breakfast and a 3:55 Fantasmic dinner on the same day. This just isn't gonna work. So, I just let this percolate for a day. Meanwhile, I am off to my mom duty of going to the band booster meeting. At the meeting I talk to one of my other Disney OCD friends and we decide that lunch at the Castle is better, is it possible lighting strikes twice and I can switch to lunch?

Well, guess what, I get a lunch reservation later in the week. Then I look a the menu. They have "improved" it since I was last there 10 years ago. Nobody is gonna like choices, can I get my old reservation back? Well, long story short is yes, I got an earlier time, 10:00 am (still selling as brunch) back on Saturday with the Fantasmic Dinner again. Now, I have to move that or give up on it all together. I go researching to determine if the seats are worth it. We haven't been in a long time (that is why on list for this year) and they weren't the best. But looking at the most recent seating maps, it looks like it. Anybody have any experience that would want to share? Ended up that moved it to later in the week for a 3:40 pm, again not a good time. Wonder if I could of sold that as brunch? I ended up on another night snagging another at 3:55 pm but it was supposed to be a non-HS recommended day. I still have the two and need to cancel one. I choose the later one just to keep the group happy. Some people fret about their outfits, I most fret about keeping everyone happy about dinner reservations.

By this time I have also ditched the lunch at Morimoto's as it will most likely conflict with the MME, we decided against expense of a rental car, and made a Raglan Road reservation. By this time I think I have cancelled all my ADRs except the Hoop Dee Do at least once.

So, if you are keeping score we have the following:

Friday - Made a Beaches and Cream but then decided arrival time might be iffy then cancelled. Instead added another day of tickets and think we will go to Epcot for Yorkshire chips and Illuminations.
Sat. - Cinderella's Castle (Breakfast) Brunch
Sun. - Mama Melrose's Fantasmic
Monday - Open, guys might got to Diagon Alley
Tue - Hoop Dee Do
Wed. Raglan Road
Thurs - Via Napoli
Fri. - Japan

I am not sure I am done moving ADRs yet, but that is where we are today. Next up, higher math with the Dining Plan.

 

[Bamfield]

Today's PTR Theme - Do I have enough time to get all the things that need to get done before vacation done?

I am currently in the initial stages of recovery from the plague or more realistic the flu my oldest DS shared with me. As all families, we burn the candle at both ends. I typically work long hours during the week and travel for business on an average of twice a month, hence why I need a vacation and a dole whip. Both DSs are honor students, participate in sports and other after school activities and my DH who also works full time keeps us all on track. We are one of those if it isn't on the "family" calendar it doesn't happen.

As I was in my fever induced dreams, I was realizing the number of things that have to be done as one of my DS stood in front of me and wanted to go short shopping (yes, it is above 32 degrees here in the Midwest.) I have been very stingy about buying the boys clothes over the past year or two as nothing ever fits as they have been growing so much. We didn't vacation last year because we couldn't agree on a trip and we had so much going on for sports. Therefore, nobody got many new clothes because I was sure with the sheer amount of clothes that covered the floors in my house that none were needed. My consistent yelling and phone privilege revoking are the only reason I think the boys use the washing machine.

Let's for fun count what needs to be done:

1. Pedicure
2. Pick our DB colors
3. Fast+ Passes
4. Weather Watch
5. Order DB covers - Done!!!
6. Vacation clothes review
7. New tennis shoes for crew
8. Evaluation of current swimwear
9. Sun Screen Evaluation
10. Change ADRs (at least one more time)
11. Finalize tentative schedule
12. Final Payment
13. Toiletry Review for crew
14. Add CB to DB
15. Ensure everything clean before in bags
16. Stage days in travel bags (space bags)
17. Pack/Weigh Bag
18. Pack Carry Ons
19. Remember SW Drink Tickets (will need it by then)
20. Get to Disney to have fun and a Dole Whip Float!

Have forgotten something important?

Now, I have 9 weeks to get this done. I will try to get back to higher math for the dining plan for the next update.

 

[Bamfield]

Well my Fast Pass+ decision dates are looming and I feel really far behind. Being sick last week and traveling all week for work this week, I haven't been able to get my Disney research done.

I would really like to get a 7DMT because we didn't get to ride last time and of course like everyone else was hoping the end of May would be summer enough that Soarin would be open. Then it looks like it is going to be hot hot hot. I was unrealistically hoping the forecast for a cooler than average May was going to come into effect.

So, I guess I need to put my spoon full of sugar attitude to work and just think positive Disney thoughts and get my OCD planning spreadsheet to work. Maybe I will do some online shopping to get some items off my list?

Lisa

 

[Bamfield]

Dining Drama - I did promise an update on our dining drama.

The first year Disney offered Free Dining, we tried it and liked it. That was back in the day when an appetizer and tips were included in the regular (only) plan. Well, since it has evolved we have gone along with the plan. We have done both the regular and deluxe plans. As an OCD planner, I typically read everything about whether it is worth it or not and typically we feel we get our money's worth. We always have a hard time using the snacks and the resort mugs. Everything I read this year was it wasn't worth it especially if you were doing 2 meal plan dinners which I had scheduled two.

Another thing we did for the first time last year was stay at CL. I had heard so much about it and so we tried it. My DH loved it. He wanted to do that again. So, when staying at CL you really don't need a resort mug and there are snacks and such, so do we really need the dining snacks? We typically use them for water in the Parks and only get one or two and share. Who wants to carry it or have warm water? So, I asked my DH as he said get the dining it makes it easier. So, I signed up for it. Then started having guilt. We were at CL were we really going to save any money? I then did another OCD thing. I looked at all the menus where we may eat and added up how much it would cost including adding appetizers and things we wouldn't get on the dining plan. It was a little less than the plan. So, I killed the dining plan off of the reservation. I do plan on keeping track to see if we saved anything.

Our current plans look like this:

Sat - Cinderella's Castle Breakfast/Japan Dinner
Sun - Diagon Alley
Mon - Italy
Tue - Hoop Dee Doo
Wed - France ~ was at Raglan Rd. but Paul thought this would be better
Thurs - Mama Melrose/Fantasmic
Fri - Morimoto

These should be good until tomorrow when I need to make our Fast Passes.

Thought I would do some past pictures related to dining:

First thing the boys ever had:



Dan's birthday cake:



Fun at Sci Fi


Dinner at Brown Derby


Cupcakes at Hollywood Studios at Halloween:



Snacks at the CL:


Well wish me luck on our Fast Passes!

Lisa

 

[Bamfield]

Fast Pass+ Success!

I think one of the hardest things these days is picking what you want to do way before you go including determining if it is going to rain or be too hot. I liked the days where you picked the park and then could change your mind depending on your whim of the day. I always had a general plan but we could change on a dime. Getting the Fast Passes so far in advance really reduces your spontaneity. But going with the times, I tried to come up with a touring plan.

One goal of this vacation since we have a week, is time to relax and play by the pool. I also would love to do a miniature golf course this time but we will see if it fits in. We are NOT a park commando type family. If the Parks are crowded we go to the pool, if it is too hot we might nap and if it rains we will tough it for a while but then head back to the hotel. The last long trip we were there we had a tropical storm where it rained 5 days straight flooding the walkways. I did get a gold star that trip for getting everyone Keens, and yes, we will be taking them this trip (preemptive strike.) I was wondering how tough it would be to get the things we are looking to do. I had great luck AND I love the changes to the App as it is much easier to change the times now. So, here are the tentative plans:

Sat - Busy day @ MK - Cinderella's Castle Breakfast, JC, 7DMT, SM ~ Fantasty Parade - @ EP Japan Dinner
Sun - Diagon Alley
Mon - Morning at @ TL -Break - @EP -Italy- off to @MK HM, BL, SM - MEP/Wishes - This has a tight timeframe to make it to MK but Paul didn't want to eat dinner earlier
Tue - Slow morning -@AK -EE, KS, FLK - then off to Hoop Dee Doo
Wed - @EP- TT, SE, NF - Break ~France
Thurs - Slow morning (@MK?) - Break - @HS -TTT, TSM, ST -Mama Melrose/Fantasmic
Fri - @BB - Break - @DS ~Morimoto
Sat - @HS - TSM, TTT, ST - then home

Whatcha think, did we do OK?

Lisa

 

[ariane37]

Hello there! I'm glad you managed to get all the FP's you wanted. We've had 6 trips with FP+ and I still miss paper FP

All your dining choices look good too! For Japan are you doing Teppen Edo or Tokyo Dining? DH and I did an adults only trip in January and tried Tokyo Dining for the first time and LOVED it. Great view of Illuminations from their deck!

As for mini golf I hope you guys fit it in. We've done WinterSummerland twice and just did Fantasia Gardens last November. Our boys now 10 and 13 have loved them both.

 

[Bamfield]

For Japan are you doing Teppen Edo or Tokyo Dining? DH and I did an adults only trip in January and tried Tokyo Dining for the first time and LOVED it.
We've done WinterSummerland twice and just did Fantasia Gardens last November. Our boys now 10 and 13 have loved them both.

Thanks for the reply We are actually booked for Teppen Edo, never have tried Tokyo Dining. The boys like to watch the chef. I will have to look at the menu to check it out. For the golf, I was looking at the Winter Summerland but understand you do one side or the other. Do you have a preference? It looks like the theme for both is great. Did you enjoy the adult only trip? Next year the boys will be going with the band during Spring Break and it will be just my DH and myself. I figured it might be a bit more peaceful.

 

[Bamfield]

Progress on our things to do!

My DH and DSs are home on spring break and I am "off to work we go"! They have gotten a couple of things off of the list. The came down and took me to lunch one day and then they were off to the Mall. I hate to shop, so this really worked out in my favor.

They got shoes! and I even liked them. Now, just to convince them not to trash them before our trip. So my list looks like this now:

1. Pedicure
2. Pick our MB colors - In Progess
3. Fast+ Passes - Done!
4. Weather Watch
5. Order MB covers - Done!!!
6. Vacation clothes review
7. New tennis shoes for crew - Done!!
8. Evaluation of current swimwear - In Progress
9. Sun Screen Evaluation
10. Change ADRs (at least one more time)
11. Finalize tentative schedule
12. Final Payment
13. Toiletry Review for crew
14. Add CB to DB
15. Ensure everything clean before in bags
16. Stage days in travel bags (space bags)
17. Pack/Weigh Bag
18. Pack Carry Ons
19. Remember SW Drink Tickets (will need it by then)
20. Get to Disney to have fun and a Dole Whip Float!

I actually have a couple of things in progress. We are narrowing down our Magic Band Colors. I got some great MB cover band styles to pick from; I ordered way more than we needed but I like options. Here is what we had in 2014:



This year we are thinking the following:

DH - Orange - Tigger
DS - Purple (yes, somebody had to snag the new color) - Cheshire Cat

DS - Blue or Green - Star Wars
Me - Pink - I just can't decide if I should be Anna, Anna/Elsa or Aurora.

I also took swim suit inventory. I would like a new one w/a cover up too. My DH says he is fine. Then comes the boys. I am ashamed to say their rooms are pits. So, I spent most of Sunday helping my older DS "clean" his room. We had one bag of donations and one bag of garbage (mostly paper.) However, we found his swim suit, sun shirt and Keens. Woo Hoo! This weekend is the other one. I think I bought him a new suit last year for band camp that should still fit. Wish me luck!

Lisa

 

[ariane37]

Thanks for the reply We are actually booked for Teppen Edo, never have tried Tokyo Dining. The boys like to watch the chef. I will have to look at the menu to check it out. For the golf, I was looking at the Winter Summerland but understand you do one side or the other. Do you have a preference? It looks like the theme for both is great. Did you enjoy the adult only trip? Next year the boys will be going with the band during Spring Break and it will be just my DH and myself. I figured it might be a bit more peaceful.

We actually never got to so the "summer" side of WinterSummerland. We did "winter" the first time and wanted to do "summer" the second, but they were painting and sprucing stuff up so we had to do "winter" again. What we could see looked just as cute and fun as "summer" though!

OMG BOTH of our adults-only trips have been awesome definitely more peaceful and relaxing, as much as I love our trips with the boys. No arguing......yes, I'm admitting our buys argue on vacation lol! Plus you can do different things. On our first trip we did the KTTK tour in MK, did a couple signatures, Jellyrolls, stayed later in the parks, more time in WS. This time we did Club Villain, more time in WS, and 4 parks in one day. Not that the boys can't do 4 parks/one day but they'd definitely complain about so much traveling. I'm sure you and DH will love the time alone next year!

 

[valerie160]

Looks like we're heading to the world around the same time! We recently moved to the midwest around Christmas-time and when I found out school here ends in May I immediately planned our summer vacation for what I assumed was the last day. I didn't realize there are no snow days built into the school year here so I guess I lucked out as we just got the official email that the last day of school will be May 20th. We are from the east coast and we had 3 weeks built in (maybe more?), so the last day never changed. We're surprising the kids this year, so as soon school ends we'll be driving down to the airport for our vacation .

I can totally relate with your list - I've got one that feels like it's a mile long. I need to dig out our packing list from our last vacation so I can use that as a cheat sheet as well.

I love your magic bands from your last trip - is there is place you can buy those stickers?

 

[Bamfield]

OMG BOTH of our adults-only trips have been awesome definitely more peaceful and relaxing, as much as I love our trips with the boys. No arguing......yes, I'm admitting our buys argue on vacation lol! I'm sure you and DH will love the time alone next year!

Thanks for the tips on the miniature golf. I laughed when I read about your boys. It seems it must be universal regarding the back and forth with them.

Looks like we're heading to the world around the same time! I didn't realize there are no snow days built into the school year here so I guess I lucked out as we just got the official email that the last day of school will be May 20th.
I can totally relate with your list - I've got one that feels like it's a mile long. I need to dig out our packing list from our last vacation so I can use that as a cheat sheet as well.
I love your magic bands from your last trip - is there is place you can buy those stickers?

Thanks for the reply I have had my fingers crossed about snow since I booked the trip. So, I am with you about the luck. It snowed here today but they are on Spring Break right now. So, the boys end on the Thursday and then we go on Friday. The boys being in HS I was worried about finals since they spread them out over that last week.

That is a great idea about using a past list. I am more worried about the laundry partly because I am traveling on business the week before and the week we leave. I come back from DC on Thursday night and then we leave Friday mid-day. At least we don't leave first thing in the morning. I am not in those all nighters before leaving on vacation.

As for the stickers, if you want PM me and I will share the information where I ordered them.

Lisa

 

[Skip3key]

Well hello family of ours!!! Love your pre-trip report and can't wait for more! Absolutely love having other Disney-crazy people in the family and can't wait to meet up with you guys in the kingdom some day! The wedding was fun, but trying to organize so many people, many of which had no idea any thing about Disney, was akin to herding cats and though it was a great time, we spent so little actual time with family that wedding trip and that is by far our biggest regret! Love your plans so far, and I must say, the Hoop Dee Doo is a must do for us on at least every other trip... We just love it! We actually did it on the wedding trip and treated my immediate peeps and our Uncle Pete who DJed the wedding as a "thank-you", and I think they loved it too! We will be following along!!

Ps... OMG the pictures of the boys when they were little are so precious!!!

 

[Bamfield]

Absolutely love having other Disney-crazy people in the family and can't wait to meet up with you guys in the kingdom some day!

Thanks for reading! I know I can count on the two of you for good Disney advice. Paul typically keeps me up to date about your FB, since I don't do FB, just the DIS Boards.

I have always enjoyed reading other folks reports and have been really wanting to do this for awhile, so we will continue to see how it goes.

Lisa

 

[Bamfield]

What do you do now?

Went out with my DH yesterday and ended up in Target. So, since I knew we were on a limited time frame, I asked do you need anything for your trip? His reply was it's 2 months away, I don't know. Well, now that gives you an indication as to why we work well together. I am the OCD planner (Disneyholic) and he is the last minute let's just throw this together type. I remember when we got married and were on our way to leave for the honeymoon, he wasn't even packed. We came home from the reception to leave for the airport (my aunt's had gifted us with a room at the airport Hilton because we had an early flight) and he had to pack his clothes.

I am so insane that I stage (yes, I make the boys help) everyone's clothes for the vacation. That way you pull a travel space bag out of your suitcase, put your clothes in your drawer and put your dirty clothes into that bag. Then 3 days later you get your next bag. I hate a mess in a hotel room, not enough room to be cluttered.

So, back on topic. We are now at the stage for "now what"? I have no reservations to make, the Fast Passes are all booked, it is too close to obsess about the weather and too early to pack. So my only choice is to reminiscence so here are some of my favorite pictures from our last trip:

Hollywood Studios:



All of us on Rock N'Roll Rollercoaster - Yes, I only ride once.


Magic Kingdom - Plus other when we went to the MNSSHP for the first time - Would definitely recommend it!






And one from BOG ~ is there anyway to go in just to get cupcakes? The boys want the grey stuff!


Everyone have a wonderful Easter!
Lisa

 

[ariane37]

Happy Easter!

That way you pull a travel space bag out of your suitcase, put your clothes in your drawer and put your dirty clothes into that bag. Then 3 days later you get your next bag. I hate a mess in a hotel room, not enough room to be cluttered.

Wait, what is this? Elaborate, please I am a horrific packer. I try to have everyone's outfits picked out but then when we get there, it just all falls apart. I can't remember what went with what, even when I make a list. I try packing it all together but inevitably it gets mixed up. Then once I do laundry the first time, it all goes out the window!

We are now at the stage for "now what"?

I hate that stage

 

[Bamfield]

Wait, what is this? Elaborate, please I am a horrific packer. I try to have everyone's outfits picked out but then when we get there, it just all falls apart. I can't remember what went with what, even when I make a list. I try packing it all together but inevitably it gets mixed up.

I can definitely relate to picking out the outfits and then everything falling apart, that is how we went to the staged packing plus with the airline bag fees (we didn't always have access to SW) everyone only gets one bag. To give proper credit I have to acknowledge my best teacher in the world, my mom. When she comes to visit she only typically brings a carry on for two weeks. She found these in Target:



You put your clothes in them, press the seal closed, then roll the air out, no vacuum needed. So, in the large bags typically you can get three summer outfits. So, in the first bag you put PJs, shirt/shorts/underwear/socks for at least two days. Then you put that in the drawer take your own clothes off and place the dirty ones in the bag. Then repeat, trying to get 3 days in a bag. We typically have three bags for 10 days. I do put everyone's swimsuits in a separate bag and throw it in my DH bag (he has the most extra room.) Also, when you do this you have room for things you pick up along your vacation, check in/out materials, resort mugs, gifts for house watchers/mail pick up folks. We typically keep our soft sided bags in the closet and so you just rotate the bags in and out of your luggage.

It helps with my OCD about having a messy hotel room AND saves on packing when we are getting ready to leave it is pretty much done. Minimal yelling on my part to pick your stuff up to pack. It is funny as the boys have gotten older there are less video games and more phone chargers conversations.

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Lisa