luggage and carryon question re: kids

[JJ&JSMOM]

I'm trying to figure out how many pieces of luggage we'll need ( I have to buy some) for our trip to disney. There's five of us going - theres DH, me, DS7, DD4, DD2 (at time of travel). I'm figuring 4 suitcases - thinking the DDs could share or could do 5 I guess and save room for souvenirs. Just wondering what others do - 1 piece of luggage per person?

Also carry ons - do you have each child have their own backpack? I was trying to have DS7 & DD4 share but not sure if this would be easier or more difficult. If they sit together it would be ok but I'm not sure of the seating arrangements yet. I'm just trying to cut down on the amount of stuff we bring. I'm planning on at least 2 kids' backpacks, a carryon to go overhead that we don't really need to be getting into on the flight - just change of clothes/bathing suits, etc., of course a bag for DD2 stuff/diapers toys, etc. Of course we'll be lugging a carseat and stroller. Ugghhhhh!

Thanks for any advice - boy this trip is really turning into a big deal!!!!!!

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

I would try to get it all into 2 suitcases. Less is more. See if you can get an empty tote bag in there for anything you want to bring back. Get the kids each a small kid sized backpack. If you have an ACMoore store they had small backpacks for $10 yesterday. They were a perfect size for a child.

 

[Hannathy]

I do one suitcase per person- if your checking them you are not handling them anyway- it is just easier when you get there to have everyones stuff all ready sorted and easy to get at. It also allows for room to bring stuff home and the fact that it never repacks the same way. I would give each child their own backpack with their own stuff. 2 lighter backpacks are easier to carry than 1 heavy one. This way you can also use the same rule I do ... don't put anything in your backpack YOU aren't willing to carry ie very heavy Harry Potter book- she decided to bring a paperback! You actually have a lot of hands. older kids carry their own backpacks, you take 2yr old in stroller with diaper bag and purse. DH takes carry-on and car seat. Have fun.

 

[SueRS]

Luggage: I am not sure. Up until our coming WDW trip we have always only backed two bags. Either the two kids and then my DH and I or by boys and girls. I may need to go to the each suitcase thing for the big trip.

Carry ons: We did a trip to Ohio from California when my kids were DS6 and DD3. We took a rolling backpack for each kid. It worked great in the beginning, At the airport (at the start) it was exciting and neat to have their own things in their bags. For the plane transfer it got old because they were tired and didn't want to deal with their own bags any more. It caused more to carry. But for the big trip and with the kids being DS9 and DD6, with such different interests, I will probably try the rolling backpacks again. Telling them that they need to take care of them.

Sorry so long.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

 

[VolleyballQt07]

We took a large suitcase for my mom and dad, a medium one for me and one for my brother and sister to share. We packed one empty duffle 9although it was too small, next time we need to take a bigger one) for souvenirs. My m om took one carryon for her and the little ones and my dad took a big backpcak for mine and his stuff plus odds and ends. So with checked bags and carryon we had 6 total for 5 people for 7 days. My mom packs light and does laundry halfway thru to avoid taking so much.

 

[Hope73]

I am going next week myself and two kids 6?7. All of us have a backpack which we just have plane stuff on. We have one large suitcase oand one small one we are checking. I try to bing als little as poss but this year we have costumes.

 

[monorailsilver]

Last summer we were a family of 4 1/2 (ie on still cooking). We went for 8 days & we took one large suitcase (that ended up being 51 lb's so dh took out his shoes, phew) & a med sized one.

We did laundry every other day & we basically wore the same outfits as soon as they were clean again.

My advice is if you are going to do laundry, don't over pack.

As far as carry-on's take as few as you can. DH & I each had a back pack/bag. Then my 2 kids had one (they were 4 & 22 mo) plus we had 2 strollers & 1 car seat which all came on the plane with us (the strollers went under).

I can tell you unless my kids plan on taking responsibility for their back pack, I will not bring one for them again & what fits in my bag or dh's bag is all that is coming.

I felt like I was all thumbs with all that crap.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

This is a good question for us too. We've never flown before and are going to for our Dec trip.
We are planning on bringing:
1lg suitcase for DH and myself
1lg suitcase for both DSs and DD
1lg bag w/ 2 booster seats and life jackets
checking stroller and infant
1 extra suitcase for souvies and exta stuff

carry on
backpack w/ computer, camera, ect
backpack for each DS
backpack for DD w/ diapes and wipes, and food

 

[alloyd1170]

I managed to get my clothes, my 2 kids clothes (all in ziplocs), my tolietry bag and theirs, plus diapers, wipes, and electronics, all in one large suitcase. We are driving, so we have the room, but its nice to have it all in one bag. If flying, you need to take into consideration weight of each bag. Also, you might consider splitting up your clothes in everyones bag just in case one or two dont make it there. That way youre not stuck without stuff.

alison

 

[NotUrsula]

Have the oldest child carry a school-sized backpack if he is responsible enough to take charge of it alone; otherwise no go. The younger child's entertainment can go into the diaper bag.

Two 26-27 in. suitcases ought to be enough in terms of checked baggage, with a cloth duffle thrown in on top in case of souvenir excesses or extra weight.

 

[princesstigerlilly]

I'm planning on checking one large case and one small carry on size case (if needed) for our family of 4 (Me, DH, DD5 and DS3), I'm sure I'll do a load or two of laundry and that's fine with me. I will carry on one bag and my Dh will carry a backpack. We'll gate check two lightweight strollers.

We took all 3 of our kids to Ireland last spring. On top of our checked luggage (3 big bags), each person had a carry on (backpack) and a coat and we had one stroller to gate check. It was AWFUL to get through security...slip all the shoes off, all the coats and bags into the bins, stroller through security, parents and kids through security, gather up all the stuff, slip shoes back on, coats on, backpacks on....all while keeping on eye on two little ones--it sucked, lol.

It wasn't really a 'problem', just time consuming, a little stressful and it really seemed unecessary. I really thought I had it down before we went! I liked the idea of each child having their own special bag of tricks, but really on DS11 'needed' his own. I took way too many things for the little ones to do on the flight. This trip to FL we'll have the DVD player w/headphones, a small stuffed animal, crayons to share and a color book each. If you can have your two older kids share, that would help, and remember not to bring too much baby stuff on the plane--it's so easy to over pack for a little one, lol.

One more thing, I usually carry on a change of clothes for almost everyone, along with swimsuits, etc that I may need upon arrival. I'm going to try to avoid this by shipping a box to POFQ with spare clothes, swimsuits, etc. I will be able to track it and make sure it arrives before I leave, and if it doesn't, then I'll have time to pack another carry on.

 

[bnf2]

We leave this Saturday and here's how I pack for my family of 4:

-2 (actually 3) large suitcases with outfits packed in zip bags. (I always put clothes for each of us in both suitecases in case one is lost) We take our 2nd largest suitcase and nest it inside the largest one- that way we have an extra one in case we buy lots of souvies or our dirty clothes just won't fit back in- and then the next size down. So, we check 2 on the way down, but may have 3 to check on the way back.

-Carry on for DH/Myself and one for twins that will have a change of clothes, swimsuits and whatever toiletries that are allowed.

-each child will also have a "personal" bag- their back pack- that will have a cd player, snax (that are allowed on the plane), coloring books and their homework for the week. They are nearly and really enjoy carrying their backpacks and their own 'stuff'... so that's ok by me!

-I'll have my 'personal' bag too- my park back pack loaded and ready to hit the parks as soon as week check in!

Best of luck packing... that's what I'm headed off to do right now!

 

[flortlebap]

We have 4 suitcases, a pushchair, a travel cot, and 3 pieces of hand luggage for 3 of us (me, DH, DD1).

My SIL is taking 3 cases for the 4 of them, plus 2 pushchairs, and 3 items of hand luggage.

Usually I take 2 suitcases just for me - one half packed so that there is plenty of room for us to bring back souvenirs

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

OMG what great advice! You guys are great! We'll be staying a VWL w/a washer and dryer so there is no need for me to overpack (now if I just remember that I'll be ok ). Probably 2-3 large suitcases to make room for souvenirs (and a mixture of everyones clothes in each suitcase - great idea! I would have never thought to do that!)

I'm thinking about sending a pkg ahead of time but my only concern is getting there and waiting an hour or more for them to find it. Meanwhile kiddos are waiting to go to the pool! We could go & investigate - never been to WL/VWL. Could put swimsuits in their backpacks. The ideas are flowing now I just needed help getting started!

DS7 is a huge help to me and he could carry a packback for him & DD4. We'll see how it goes they each love their backpack. 1 diaper backpack, carryon (maybe) w/extra clothes, stroller and carseat.

Thanks again to all and I hope everyone has a great trip to WDW!

 

[monorailsilver]

I ship a package ahead of time & I just let them know when I check in (put your reservation name & # on the package) & as soon as I get in my room, the package arrives.

I do ship it UPS (dh does thru work so it is a work discount & nice & cheap) & we have it arrive a day before we do this way we can track it at home.

 

[sharibrat]

One word of caution, if you are trying to cut down on the number of pieces of luggage you take..........we used to try to cram everything into one and would pack it sooooooo tight, that once we got nailed for being over the weight limit! Bam, $50 over budget before we even left the airport! So now I either take 2 suitcases or pack the extra duffel inside that can be checked as an extra bag if we are over the weight limit!

 

[hopesmommy]

OMG what great advice! You guys are great! We'll be staying a VWL w/a washer and dryer so there is no need for me to overpack (now if I just remember that I'll be ok ). Probably 2-3 large suitcases to make room for souvenirs (and a mixture of everyones clothes in each suitcase - great idea! I would have never thought to do that!)

I'm thinking about sending a pkg ahead of time but my only concern is getting there and waiting an hour or more for them to find it. Meanwhile kiddos are waiting to go to the pool! We could go & investigate - never been to WL/VWL. Could put swimsuits in their backpacks. The ideas are flowing now I just needed help getting started!

DS7 is a huge help to me and he could carry a packback for him & DD4. We'll see how it goes they each love their backpack. 1 diaper backpack, carryon (maybe) w/extra clothes, stroller and carseat.

Thanks again to all and I hope everyone has a great trip to WDW!

As for shipping just remember you have to ship it back if it does not fit or is over weight.

Also, being a glass-half-EMPTY type of person...My DD got violently sick for about 12 hours, so I was very glad I packed enough for each day because I HAD to do laundry.


Not so Dumbo - 1lg bag w/ 2 booster seats and life jackets and checking stroller and infant ..... Are you renting a car? You cannot use the boosters or the infant car seat on any of the WDW transportation. However, since your child is still in an infant car seat, use it one the plane, but you cannot use the boosters unless they are FAA approved. Also WDW has life jackets you can borrow.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

As for shipping just remember you have to ship it back if it does not fit or is over weight.

Also, being a glass-half-EMPTY type of person...My DD got violently sick for about 12 hours, so I was very glad I packed enough for each day because I HAD to do laundry.

Yes I would bring extra set of clothes for the kids in a carryone just in case. I wouldn't say your a "glass-half-EMPTY" person - I'd say you have kids and you know anything can happen. Thanks for the reminder.

I would only ship down what I would be willing to possibly lose or leave there if we didn't have room on the way back. We may end up shipping some souvenirs home anyway. Thanks as always!

 

[kimmikayb]

I feel like I'm missing something....because I'm taking two suitcases per person to check and my kids will each have a backpack, one will carry my camera bag (very small) and I'll be taking my purse and a small carry on with change of clothes and swimsuits in it. I also have the ability to check another bag and have the kids carry on a small bag I'm checking. I'm going to have stuff to bring home!!

 

[mrsbug]

I plan to pack one suitcase for each of us (me, dh, dd, and ds), then another smaller one with some snacks and cereal. We'll eat the food down there then have extra room on the way home for souveniers! I do like the idea of putting outfits for everyone in each suitcase just in case one gets lost though. Might have to try that!