Is packing light possible???

[SpectroMouse]

Okay people-

I have made several trips to Disney the last few years and have even shipped diapers and that kind of thing ahead of time. This year I would really like to minimize luggage as much as possible, without having to leave all the "might need" items home. I know the second I don't pack 'em, I will need 'em!

Does anyone have any suggestions for packing/traveling light? It will be me, my DH, and DS 3.

Suggest away...............

 

[squirrel]

I packed my niece's clothes in ziplock bags. One complete outfit in each bag (socks, underwear and hair ties). It was so fast in the morning. I could also grab an extra bag to throw in the backpack incase of accident or if she got wet.

 

[bzzybee13]

We did Garden Grocer for groceries and all our items like diapers, wipes, paper towels, tissues, etc. They will deliver to your resort. www.gardengrocer.com

 

[HGD24]

Pack 1/2 the number of outfits you'll need and do laundry one afternoon while swimming or while the little one naps.

 

[bzzybee13]

We also use baby gear rental service for things like strollers, cribs, etc. For a 3 yo you may not need that, but if you do it's really convenient, they also deliver to your resort.

A Baby's Best Friend www.abbf.com

 

[pweyl36]

I packed my niece's clothes in ziplock bags. One complete outfit in each bag (socks, underwear and hair ties). It was so fast in the morning. I could also grab an extra bag to throw in the backpack incase of accident or if she got wet.

Good idea

 

[emmababy]

I know there are some people who are insane at packing light. I can't ever seem to get it done. Maybe once our kids are older and don't need as much, but since we are in baby stage, that isn't likely to happen soon.

So, I am a on a space saver approach. I bought the space bags and was able to pack everything we needed for a family of 4 for a week into 2 suitcases. Still packed everything I normally would, but those bags really worked.

 

[EthansMom]

I agree with the poster who said, "Pack half as many clothes and do laundry part way through."

For my part, I take an umbrella stroller instead of something bigger. I pack (tightly, I grant you) 2 full size suitcases for our family of 4 for 1 week at WDW. We'll usually do laundry 1-2 times.

Laundry facilities on-property are very convenient. It's pretty easy for one parent to do laundry while the other adult stays with a napping child or takes the child to the pool to cool off.

 

[natashag76]

It can be done if you are willing to do laundry. We're a family of 5 with one still in diapers, and we're only taking one large suitcase for the whole family. You can get travel sized everything (including laundry detergent). One sippy cup per kid, etc. I also picked up 2 vacuum seal-type bags (but don't require a vacuum cleaner to use) so that our clothes will take as little room as possible. Every "big person" gets a backpack to deal with their own in-flight entertainment and snacks.
Have a great trip!

 

[wishtdream]

we pack for three days we stay nine we do laundry 2x. 1 suitcase and a duffel for 4 of us.

 

[mrstomrice]

We're going to do laundry. I am going to try to Purex 3 in 1 sheets. Here is the info: What is Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets?
Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets are a load’s worth of detergent, softener and anti-static all in one powerful sheet.
Sounds easy to pack and use!
We also use the ziploc idea. I go as far as to write the park that the outfit is for so DH can help. It seemed to save room b/c we can let the air out as well.

 

[PrincessMom4]

We're going to do laundry. I am going to try to Purex 3 in 1 sheets. Here is the info: What is Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets?
Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets are a load’s worth of detergent, softener and anti-static all in one powerful sheet.
Sounds easy to pack and use!
We also use the ziploc idea. I go as far as to write the park that the outfit is for so DH can help. It seemed to save room b/c we can let the air out as well.

We are a family of six and we drive to Disney. We try to minimize our smaller space. Our very first trip we had a brown storage bin which had all of our clothes for when we were in Florida. We had one backpack with our overnight stuff and an extra small diaper bag for the baby. We also had a umberella double stroller and a playpen.

 

[beccasmom]

I was never a light packer, but the fees on the airlines have "cured" me! Luckily, the DVC resorts have washers/dryers in every unit, so it is much easier to pack for three/four days and then wash as needed. We also order from Garden Grocer to make things a bit easier. I really try to mentally picture each day and what we will wear and pack accordingly without bringing too much extra. It remains an ongoing challenge for me. Toiletries can be a pain, but I am getting much better at paring down what I "need". We purchase travel-size items and re-pack them when we return so we can reuse what is remaining.

 

[SpectroMouse]

For those that use space bags, how do they work without a vaccuum? What kind do you use and where to you buy them?

 

[puffkin]

We do laundry, it really isn't that bad! I am excited to try out the Purex 3in1 sheets on our next trip! I just bought some this weekend at CVS on sale.

We take 1 large suitcase and 1 medium for our family of 3. We could probably get away with just the large one, but we take a blow up bed and air pump for DS so that takes up most of the medium suitcase. We use Garden Grocer as well and only take along a few snacks for the plane. Every trip we take less and less and it is so nice!

 

[TinkerBrie]

This last trip, I sent a box with everything that was not coming home with me(toiletries, diapers, wipes, $ store goodies, snacks, sunscreen, etc.) It was a really good idea...Even though I had to pay $10.00 to get my box from the front desk!! I have decided for our next trip that I will be packing lighter. The truth is you can pretty much buy anything that you might find out that you need once you get there. I also order from Garden Grocer too...

 

[tadamom]

I also suggest using the the ziplock bags or the space bags....you can buy a bag similar to space bags that doesn't use a vacuum (you just push the air out).

We stay at a DVC with our whole family (11 of us going this time) and we do laundry since we have a washer & dryer.

I have heard before on here that some families will pack their old undergarments & socks that are still usable (and comfortable) and then when the trip is over they throw it all away before repacking and buy new before or after the trip when they get home. Just a thought.

 

[mjantz]

Pack clothes based around a color for each kid. When we went on vacation a few months back my DDs color was purple & DSs color was black. Each kid had a lightweight sweater jacket in their color & all their shirts had that color in them somewhere. The bottoms were neutral colors & could be mixed & matched. I packed them 3 shirts & 2 pairs of bottoms. It took us 2 days to get there & when we got there I did laundry & then once more before we left. The jackets meant less clothing because it was easy to pop a layer on if needed.

We're planning a trip to Europe next year & we'll pack in a very similar way to save space.

 

[koima]

We're packing carry-on only with a 4 yo and 1 yo. We're crazy, I know, but DH cannot be convinced to pay for checked luggage and give up the traveling light. We'll be taking 2-3 carry-ons and 3 backpacks (one preschooler-sized, full of flight entertainment and snacks!) We're taking a double stroller with the infant car seat stuck in it (DD1 is still small enough for it!) and renting a second carseat for DS4. DS can walk in the airport or ride, and we can shove at least one suitcase in the stroller.

We're renting a car, so we'll stop at a local store to get diapers, wipes, and snacks. I'm packing outfits in ziptop bags and packing really lightweight clothes - shorts and t-shirts. I'll be doing laundry once while we're there. Bulkier stuff, including one pair of pants, a sweater, and sneakers, we'll wear on the flight. I bought small empty bottles to fill with the products we actually use, and we don't use a lot of products so that helps.

We're not planning on buying much while we're there, just Mr.Potato Head parts and possible other little toys, so I might just ship those back.

 

[SassyCat]

I also suggest using the the ziplock bags or the space bags....you can buy a bag similar to space bags that doesn't use a vacuum (you just push the air out).

.

I love the space bags you just push the air out of!!! DH used them on our last trip, and they were wonderful! He is 6'4'', so his clothes take up a lot of room (esp. for an 8 day trip). He used one space bag per outfit, and I could not believe how narrow they got. I def recommend these. I used ziplocs on the last trip for my clothes (it is what I had), but will def use space bags for our quick trip in July.

We are flying for the first time together (neither of us have flown in about 10 years), and we want to avoid as much hassle as possible (no checking in or liquids). We are each just taking bookbags (only going july 2-5 so we aren't bringing a lot of clothes, plus summer clothes take up such less room than winter clothes - our last trips were in January). We are going to use the space saver bags, and we are going to buy any liquid toiletries (sp?) there.