Lets talk Luggage...and packing.

[5ofus]

Matching suitcases? I wish! Although the boys are getting matching hard case Mickey carryons for Christmas, so they will match. The rest, well we just take whatever is on hand. I'd love a matching set for us all. Mostly suitcases, but my sister has this awesome rolling duffel bag that we borrow and it's great for stuffing stuffiness in!

I tend to pack light. Only a few changes of clothes for each of us. We all have our favorite clothes so we just end up washing and wearing them again.

I'm another one who takes enough medicine to stock a small pharmacy. DS1 has some allergies so what he can take is restricted and there is always the threat of an allergic reaction.

Our carryons usually consist of backpacks but next year, as I mentioned, the big boys will have their rolling bags as well.

 

[Aust]

We are all mismatched - husband has a big blue suitcase, mine is black with purple spots (chosen for easy luggage carousel spotting, but backfired after one trip where someone else thought their black with purple spot suitcase was so unique they didn't need to check the ID tag - they took mine and it almost had a side trip to Perth from Sydney), and the kids have smaller suitcases in blue, red and black. All with 2 wheels and pull out handles.

Carry on I think we'll have a mixture -I like a backpack with the laptop inside in a soft padded bag, the 2 girls have a small rolling suitcase each, husband will probably have a backpack, and hoping we can get away with the 3 year old not having his own. Or else I will end up carrying it.

I always end up taking too much, both carry on and in the suitcases. My goal this trip is to keep it simple! I plan on washing every few days so will (try to) keep clothes to a minimum.

I always pack too much medical stuff for the kids, but would rather have the panadol/itchy bite cream/thermometer etc handy (in the plane too) than have to stress about fidning them while away.

My packing list is already huge though..need to trim it down already. And remember space for the shopping.

 

[Luisa]

Matching suitcase nerd alert!

I recently decidedly trusty old suitcase needed retirement - the cats have been using it as a scratcher for years and I've been worried for a while that someone in customs will get suspicious its been attacked by a sniffer dog..... So have just got a bright red matching set, the big one (can't remember the actual sizes, just big, not quite as big and carry on)has 4 wheels and the others just 2.

In the past I've always used a backpack for a carry on, but it gets so heavy and doesn't pack as neatly so this year I've got a proper grown up bag I can stuff with crap and I'm looking at buying a Lowepro passport sling as a handbag/camera bag.

I've always packed really light with one bag inside the other and will do that again, just in the past it's been a WDW duffle bag instead of a suitcase. I also use the packing cubes and spacebags. I do pack really neatly before I leave but as soon as I get to where I'm going that's all over!

 

[Andona]

I just ordered 2 Samsonite B Lite suitcases one 77cm size and the other 64cm. The shipping is FREE!! You can pay for express post which is $29.95.

That's excellent! I'm tempted to go back to the site and see if there's anything else I need...

We do also pack another suitcase inside each suitcase as we really do that much shopping.

I'm really impressed at you people that accomplish so much shopping over there. I'm hopeless! We've visited so many outlet centres and walked away with one pair of jeans...or one pair of sunglasses. I just can't seem to get into shopping mode with DH and DS trailing along behnd me

Matching suitcases? I wish! Although the boys are getting matching hard case Mickey carryons for Christmas, so they will match. The rest, well we just take whatever is on hand. I'd love a matching set for us all. Mostly suitcases, but my sister has this awesome rolling duffel bag that we borrow and it's great for stuffing stuffiness in!

The rolling duffels are fantastic aren't they! so adaptable.

We are all mismatched - husband has a big blue suitcase, mine is black with purple spots (chosen for easy luggage carousel spotting, but backfired after one trip where someone else thought their black with purple spot suitcase was so unique they didn't need to check the ID tag

Oh no! I've sometimes been tempted by one of those really out-there bags just beacuse I thought they'd be so easy to see on the carousel. So much for that idea!

I always pack too much medical stuff for the kids, but would rather have the panadol/itchy bite cream/thermometer etc handy (in the plane too) than have to stress about fidning them while away.

My packing list is already huge though..need to trim it down already. And remember space for the shopping.

I remember a truly horrible afternoon in England when DS accidentally grabbed a handful of nettles - after that trip we always had itching cream in the bag too!

Matching suitcase nerd alert!

I recently decidedly trusty old suitcase needed retirement - the cats have been using it as a scratcher for years and I've been worried for a while that someone in customs will get suspicious its been attacked by a sniffer dog..... So have just got a bright red matching set, the big one (can't remember the actual sizes, just big, not quite as big and carry on)has 4 wheels and the others just 2.

Luisa I am GREEN with envy! One day I'm going to ditch the lot and buy a set...

Andona

 

[battymum]

I would love a nice set of suitcases, however it's something you don't think about until you are planning a trip and then you don't want to spend any money .
Although I have decided that I will get each of my children "good" luggage for their 18th birthday - as I hope to encourage them to travel ( or move out, maybe I should get packing boxes)

 

[alicia1506]

We bought a matching set for carlo last year and my sister bought the same set in the same colour. We used coloured luggage tags luggage locks and ribbons on the handles to identify whichh bag belonged to which person.

I had a mismatched set of a large bag with 2 wheels and a carry on suitcase on wheels. Carlo and trina's bags had 4 wheels and were sooo much easier to manage..

We packed heavy for our last trip and barely went through a quarter of our clothes. Next trip we are packing light. Like .. Only 5 changes of clothes and that includes rewearing jeans/pants etc.

I love space saver bags. I also took large ziploc bags for dirty clothes and smaller ziplic bagsfor receipts or papers we picked up along the way. We also took too many toiletries .. We have discovered we are pretty slack while travelling and have no problem wearing the same jeans rwice with the same shoes, hair brushed and no makeup and just running out the door. We has so much stuff we took last time that we didnt need that we will bepacking
light next trip.

Oh and one of the suitcases got ripped and one of the duffle handles broke so our matching set is no more

 

[hjd0411]

Aaaah - luggage and packing!! I have been travelling on and off for ages (for work and pleasure!) and I still have not got this packing thing down pat!!
But, I try very hard to pack neatly - and for the most part it does work! And I try to pack light, too, but mostly I take too much!! For me my triggers seem to be shoes and toiletries. I have to alternate my shoes when I go to the parks - different shoes on alternate days! So I have to have at least 2 pairs of runners which take up so much space!!
I'm looking into getting one of those 4 wheel cabin bags - much easier to roll around a crowded airport, I think!
Oh - and you can never assume that no-one will have the same suitcase as you on the carousel!! Seen it happen too many times! I always check the name labels - and I have very distinctive ones, plus ribbons etc!! Oh yes - and no black bags!!! They are toooo popular!

 

[robynrainer]

I keep thinking minimalist is the way to go. I tend to pack the clothes that are my faves that have seen better days and ditch as I go in the US. I've been known to get off a plane and head straight to an outlet to replace the stinky runners I never want to see again. Mall rubbish bin material!!!

Honeymoon was two backpacks with a total of 11 kg btw DH and myself on the way out. Trip to cairns with three kids was done with everybody using country road bags as carry on for the entire trip luggage allocation.

Summer is too easy. 2 shorts 2 tshirts a dress, a pair of leggings and a pair of togs. Thongs and a pair of runners. Anything else u can pick up along the way. 4 undies bc everybody knows mum would be horrified and couple of pairs of sports socks. Done. All up it gives u 5 days to find something new to wear the rest of the trip.

 

[JessNewbs]

Can't say I have a "style" yet for packing as this upcoming one is our first trip!

The kids and DH have gone out and brought matching luggage so looks like I am going to look like some mismatched stalker! I already have a bright purple MASSIVE suitcase and they have smaller black sets with the rolling carry ons. I brought myself a Guess carry on bag as I just couldn't resist!!

One question I have for all of you is: When you go to catch a shuttle car or taxi how many suitcases do you actually fit in? I am wondering what kind of transportation to organise in relation to how many bags we have.

How embarrasing would it be if we organised a car to pick us up and our 4 suitcases and 4 roller carry ons didn't fit!!

 

[shushh]

We too love our samsonite B-lites and eagle creek packing cubes. We own 6 of the samsonites. The small/carry one which fit into the medium which fit into the large! The 4 wheels are just heavenly, especially when you're trying to juggle three kids, and a stroller. I buy different coloured packing cubes in varying sizes for each of the children. They now where to look for their own things which is very handy!

We pack very light, especially if going to the states! Need space for all that shopping!

 

[queenie82]

Here's what amazes me....

We USED to travel with 2x32kg bags that DIDN'T have wheels.
But now....by the time it reaches that magical 23kg/50lbs point I'm so happy to have my b-lite samsonite!!!

And I'm serious. Our 2003 trip we came home with 5 or 6 32kg suitcases!!!! The rest were boxes the size of suitcases. We have a gorgeous 2 wheel suitcase we bought just before that trip but it weighs 5 or 6kg (we didn't think of such things back then....just strong and protecting our stuff!!!)

So what do I go with?
Checked - I always fly with one 2 wheel silver jag and one 4 wheel b-lite.
Carry on - When I'm on United I use a lovely black wheel on carry on because they don't weigh the life out of everything. But on all the other nasty airlines I'll have an over the shoulder UBER LIGHTWEIGHT black wolf duffel bag that I got at Anaconda.
I do have a matching silver carry on wheel on jag but after QANTAS decided to check it it stays looked after at home to be all pretty and shiny

 

[shushh]

The good thing about having 3 kids is that you get to come home from the states with 10 x 23kg suitcases!

I forgot about our carry-ons. I carry my camera bag which is a Lowepro Flipside 400AW. I don't carry handbags when I travel, I pack the smaller lowepro AW170 which I use as a handbag/camera bag in the day time. DH carries his pacsafe back pack which also has a special laptop sleeve and a portable safe within it. The 2 older children take the b-lite carry ons, and the little one carries his own small backpack with his stuff.

 

[battymum]

We have a problem with our Japan trip - we will be coming from Kyoto straight to the airport on the Shinkansen (bullet train)not only is luggage space limited to overhead bins, but getting 5 people and their luggage through a crowded Japanese train station and onto a train where they dont have much flexibility in their departure times is going to be insane!

No one in our family likes to share their luggage space - so everyone must have their own!

I do have my eye on the samsonite b-lites. I was in strandbags the other day and the lady was showing me a cute little roll on cabin bag that fits and secures on top of the medium samsonite suitcase
http://www.strandbags.com.au/luggage/cabrelli-gio-18in-wheel-bag/3098093

Its only $40 so may not be the best quality - but gee it looked cute on top of the spinner - I think I will treat myself.

 

[battymum]

I have another question for you...

What do you do with your luggage at home?

We have ours stored in the garage inside garbage bags cause its pretty dusty in there - but if I spend $$ on new stuff - where am I gonna put it at home.

 

[Andona]

I have another question for you...

What do you do with your luggage at home?

We have ours stored in the garage inside garbage bags cause its pretty dusty in there - but if I spend $$ on new stuff - where am I gonna put it at home.

We have the suitcases tucked away under the stairs. Carryons, backpacks and duffels go in a massive wall cupboard in DSs bedroom. Our old suitcase ( the one I've just replaced ) is up in the attic space under the roof ( we have one of those attic ladders) it gets really dusty up there to so its the storage space of last resort....

Andona

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[BobbyRach]

We have a problem with our Japan trip - we will be coming from Kyoto straight to the airport on the Shinkansen (bullet train)not only is luggage space limited to overhead bins, but getting 5 people and their luggage through a crowded Japanese train station and onto a train where they dont have much flexibility in their departure times is going to be insane!

No one in our family likes to share their luggage space - so everyone must have their own!

I do have my eye on the samsonite b-lites. I was in strandbags the other day and the lady was showing me a cute little roll on cabin bag that fits and secures on top of the medium samsonite suitcase
http://www.strandbags.com.au/luggage/cabrelli-gio-18in-wheel-bag/3098093

Its only $40 so may not be the best quality - but gee it looked cute on top of the spinner - I think I will treat myself.

I just ordered Samsonite b-lites from The Luggage Professionals website. It is so much cheaper than the shops and FREE delivery. The 77cm spinner was only $239.40!

 

[Minniemum]

A little off topic,, more of a packing for the waterparks tip but hopefully still helpful.

On our first visit to WDW we brought our beach bag and towels all the way from Oz. We soon discovered that towels are provided free at the resort pools and are about $3 each to hire at the waterparks, even though they are the same towel. Last visit we were a bit smarter. We still pack our beach bag but pick up clean towels at the resort and then leave them at the waterparks when we've finished. This saves trying to stuff them into the beach bag and lugging them around a park. The waterparks usually close at 5pm and after a days swimming the kids are usually pretty hungry. After a quick shower at the waterpark, we'll head straight on to our ADR with our much lighter beach bag of just wet togs, sunscreen and a brush.

My most treasured Disney item is a fantastic waterproof lanyard we bought at TL. It is able to fit all our cards and some cash. We took it on all the waterpark rides and not a drop of water got on it.

 

[australiankaren]

A little off topic,, more of a packing for the waterparks tip but hopefully still helpful.

On our first visit to WDW we brought our beach bag and towels all the way from Oz. We soon discovered that towels are provided free at the resort pools and are about $3 each to hire at the waterparks, even though they are the same towel. Last visit we were a bit smarter. We still pack our beach bag but pick up clean towels at the resort and then leave them at the waterparks when we've finished. This saves trying to stuff them into the beach bag and lugging them around a park. The waterparks usually close at 5pm and after a days swimming the kids are usually pretty hungry. After a quick shower at the waterpark, we'll head straight on to our ADR with our much lighter beach bag of just wet togs, sunscreen and a brush.

My most treasured Disney item is a fantastic waterproof lanyard we bought at TL. It is able to fit all our cards and some cash. We took it on all the waterpark rides and not a drop of water got on it.

OMG minniemum..I had NEVER thought of doing the water parks then hopping straight to one of the parks at night.......great, now i have to rejig my already rejigged touring plans

DH will be happy, as i told him we dont have time to do a waterpark....

so what days are the quietest???

 

[zanzibar138]

I'm only going to comment on what I personally use as I pretty much leave DH's cases up to him. I will say thought that we do not match! His is a boring black one.

Checked Luggage
I have a medium size olive green soft-sided case with 2 wheels. I'd be interested to try out the 4 wheeled ones, but I find the 2 wheels perfectly acceptable. I wouldn't buy one without wheels and not sure what people used to do back in the day When I bought it I also bought a packet of cute purple locks. I don't trust those locks as far as I could throw them, but they make it pretty easy to recognise my case

Carry On
I really don't pack much on carry on these days. I tend to rely on the in-seat entertainment (but will take something to do for flights to Perth). I might take one of the small soft cover puzzle books and a couple of pens, but that doesn't take up much room. Other than that it's just my travel documents, money etc, camera(s) and laptop. And usually a packet of lollies for the landing. I usually just use a backpack. I intend to buy a Disney one on my next trip.

DH and I used the matching carry on for his suitcase on our honeymoon (it came as a set) and we said we'd never do it again! It was such a hassle having 3 bits of luggage to wheel around - I find a backpack much easier!

Packing Style
I am definitely a light packer. I pack the least amount I possibly can get away with depending on the weather. Mainly 2 pairs of jeans, 2 t-shirts and a 'nice' top to wear out to dinner, one jacket, and a raincoat. I pack at least a week's worth of socks and undies. I wear my awesome comfy stylish hiking boots that I wear pretty much everywhere when we get there, and pack one pair of flats in case I need 'nicer' footwear. If it's going to be hot of course I'll pack bathers and thongs as well (but let's face it, they don't take up much room!). I pack a basic toilet bag with all the essentials and usually just take basic make up in case we go somewhere 'nice', but I haven't used it yet while I'm away. I don't bother with hair dryers/straighteners or anything like that. I struggle to find time to use them at home lol! Then just extras like chargers and power adapters etc. Basically when I'm done my medium sized suitcase is only 1/2 or 3/4 full. On the return trip I usually just unzip the extender part and usually don't have a problem fitting everything in.

I like to pack neatly, but I mostly just fold things nicely rather than try to roll them up etc, and fit undies and socks in all the gaps. I've only recently learnt of the packing cubes, and I intend to try them out for my next trip!

Luggage Storage
Our house isn't much good for storage but we pack all our cases inside each other and store them on the top shelf of our walk-in-robe.

 

[alicia1506]

i have recently fallen in love with the vera bradley 17" roll along tote. i don't have it, and probably won't afford it, but i love the compactness and the sections... I have yet to find a comparable suitcase, so am finding that my search for a functional new carry on is pretty fruitless so far.

it looks like i'll have to shell out the $220 for the vera bradley or else make do with something completely different