Need tips for packing under airline limit (50lb per pag) for family of 4.

[yxe dad]

Take older clothes and leave them behind after you bought all those new ones at the outlets and theme parks.

 

[myladyisatramp]

Iagree if you can't pack 4 suitcases for 4 people you need to rethink your packing, each take a backpack or other carry bag and put maybe a pair of shoes change of clothes whatever in it.

 

[Brian Noble]

This is another reason why I love staying in places with an in-unit washer/dryer. We only need to bring "some" clothes, and can really pack light.

Naturally, that just means we have more space for all the junk we buy while we are there.

 

[rewok]

I just can't see what you're putting in your luggage to go over... Last month, we each had a 24" suitcase that was in no way filled up, and I had brought probably our whole summer wardrobe! (Granted, we don't have that many clothes, but at least 10-12 tops and 4-5 bottoms for each of us, pants & shirts for him, 3-4 dresses for me) I also had of 4 pairs of shoes/sandals (2 each... well 3 for me, 1 for him ), quite a few toiletries & drugs, and each suitcase totalled under 25lbs. On the way back, we added some books, a few T-Shirts, a pair of workboots, 3 pairs of shoes, and still came around 30lbs. There must some places you can cut to get there.

 

[Candy Apple]

quite a few toiletries & drugs.... There must some places you can cut to get there.

I would suggest cutting back on the drugs. Less likely for the dogs to sniff you out.

 

[shocker]

I would have to vote for:
1) doing laundry half way thru the trip (cheaper than paying fees)
2) use smaller bags (harder to reach the weight limit)
3) ship a box down to yourself (also cheaper than bag fees)
4) make sure heavier items are in your carryon (not weighed)
5) if it comes down to it, everthing you pack MUST be used twice or have two functions or it just won't make the cut.

I had this same issue when I had 3 suitcases to get ALL the gear down to Ft. Wilderness for camping. I spent about 1 hour shifting, shoving, and repacking to get all 3 bags at around 45 lbs (I was weighing with my home bathroom scales and didn't want to be surprised by their highly accurate weighing machines) the heavier items had to go in the smaller case.

 

[helenk]

If I travel in the summer I never have any problems with the weight of my suitcase, but travelling in the chiller weather can pose some problems.
I wear a pair of jeans and pack a second pair in my carry on, I also pack a pair of shorts in my carry on because I've gotten to WDW in Dec and its been very warm. I wear my sneakers and put a second pair in my carry on. This way 2 of the heavier items are in my carry on. I pack my flip flops in my checked in bag.
I will do laundry if need be while in WDW. Most of the resorts have the laundry near the pools so you can sit by the pool and read or relax while doing your laundry.
Generally I have found that when travelling with a larger group its easier to keep the luggage lighter. Pack some of your items in your childrens luggage this way things get spread around a bit.

 

[bumbershoot]

Interesting point, disdanny. Hubby doesn't have many clothes (refuses to buy a whole wardrobe in his size that he hopes to "undergrow" soon) but they do take up some room!

On the other hand, my 4 year old's clothes take up a ton of room too, b/c when you fold a small pair of jeans they are very bulky (can't get them folded flat). And with a kid you pack lots of extra clothes in case of spills and whatnot.



OP, if you get a soft-sided suitcase, you will KNOW when you're getting up there in weight. Hubby, son and I took public transit to and from the airport on our last trip, so we had to haul our stuff. We had some soft-sided carry-ons and 2 soft-sided suitcases (that were actually of a size that *could* be used as carry-on but we were checking them as luggage). We were SURE they were at least 40 lbs. SO heavy! And we are strong people.

When we got to the airport we sat down to organize ourselves for checking in, and there was a luggage scale in the waiting area. Got curious. Our bags were 17 lbs each! Nowhere near 50 lbs.

If you're *carrying* the bags, you'll know. The problem comes in when you're wheeling things, I suppose.

 

[princess&her4princes]

It's tough...we're a family of 5 and since the baby will be a lap baby, I think that means we only get 4 pcs. of luggage, right? It's so hard with diapers, wipes, stroller.....how do you do it? And this is our first trip to DW in the Winter, everyone says layer......how do you do this and NOT go over the wt. limit?!

 

[bavaria]

Honestly? I think that people here have too much 'stuff'.

I don't buy the arguement that large people, children, families should be allowed more weight. What about those carrying work supplies, or medical supplies, or or or or... Everyone could come up with a reason why they are special. Remember, everyone is special! (which means that really nobody is special, to include a Disney reference)

I can't provide more tips than I have already done in past. I don't understand how a family of four (or four plus infant) cannot manage on 200 lbs of stuff, and I'm not trying to be rude. There is a difference between 'want' and 'need' and I think that some people misunderstand 'need'.

I've travelled easily on a 20kg/44lb restriction for months at a time, carrying quite a bit of heavy work supplies.

Get used to making do with less. Remove 1/2 the clothes you think you will need. Wash things out in the sink. Limit everyone to two pairs of shoes; wear the heavier pair. Don't bring full size toiletries if you won't need all of it. Share items. Ship ahead if you need to, or spend money in the hotel shop - still less than paying for overweight.

It is perfectly manageable if you are willing to give up something or make some effort as listed above. If you DON'T want to restrict some items, and DON'T want to wash out items, and DON'T want to ship ahead, then it may be more difficult.

 

[Colinsmom]

It's tough...we're a family of 5 and since the baby will be a lap baby, I think that means we only get 4 pcs. of luggage, right? It's so hard with diapers, wipes, stroller.....how do you do it? And this is our first trip to DW in the Winter, everyone says layer......how do you do this and NOT go over the wt. limit?!

Buy your dipes and wipes in Orlando, or ship them down ahead of time. Gate-check the stroller and it doesn't count against your 4 items. Yes, layer in the winter, but only bring 2 pairs of pants and 1-2 sweatshirts for the week - either reuse them or do laundry during the week.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Honestly? I think that people here have too much 'stuff'.

I don't buy the arguement that large people, children, families should be allowed more weight. What about those carrying work supplies, or medical supplies, or or or or... Everyone could come up with a reason why they are special. Remember, everyone is special! (which means that really nobody is special, to include a Disney reference)

I can't provide more tips than I have already done in past. I don't understand how a family of four (or four plus infant) cannot manage on 200 lbs of stuff, and I'm not trying to be rude. There is a difference between 'want' and 'need' and I think that some people misunderstand 'need'.

I've travelled easily on a 20kg/44lb restriction for months at a time, carrying quite a bit of heavy work supplies.

Get used to making do with less. Remove 1/2 the clothes you think you will need. Wash things out in the sink. Limit everyone to two pairs of shoes; wear the heavier pair. Don't bring full size toiletries if you won't need all of it. Share items. Ship ahead if you need to, or spend money in the hotel shop - still less than paying for overweight.

It is perfectly manageable if you are willing to give up something or make some effort as listed above. If you DON'T want to restrict some items, and DON'T want to wash out items, and DON'T want to ship ahead, then it may be more difficult.

Thanks for tips evidentally you do not have any children and don't realize that diapers and wipes and multiple outfits for children ARE a necessity!!!!!!!! Forgive me, thought this board was for helping each other not bashing each other......guess I was wrong.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Buy your dipes and wipes in Orlando, or ship them down ahead of time. Gate-check the stroller and it doesn't count against your 4 items. Yes, layer in the winter, but only bring 2 pairs of pants and 1-2 sweatshirts for the week - either reuse them or do laundry during the week.

Thanks for the idea of shipping diapers and wipes...we don't have a car to go and get them but this may be an option. The whole laundrey idea is great but we did that last year in September and it cost about $30 to do it and took about 3 hours at ASMo because their dryers stink.....

 

[bavaria]

Thanks for tips evidentally you do not have any children and don't realize that diapers and wipes and multiple outfits for children ARE a necessity!!!!!!!! Forgive me, thought this board was for helping each other not bashing each other......guess I was wrong.

I'm not bashing but providing constructive advice. Millions of families travelled for years with children and didn't need more than 50lbs each, my family included.

If you can't take constructive advice on cutting back, then be prepared to pay. You don't want to change your habits by doing laundry or taking fewer items, and you didn't like my advice about shipping (yet you took it from someone else) You can't have it all.

 

[CarolA]

Well today I saw a SINGLE man with THREE HUGE SUITCASES, one of which was overweight and the other two were borderline. (He got away with overweight. I will give him points for "creative") He also had a 20" rollerboard and a backpack. Was he using Delta to move? (I didn't have the guts to ask)

He was an elite flyer so he still gets three bags, but even the gate agent was amazed!

(And in an example of WHY you need to give yourself a little time at the airport, the Kiosk LOST me. I had to wait on a live human LOL! )

 

[rewok]

Thanks for tips evidentally you do not have any children and don't realize that diapers and wipes and multiple outfits for children ARE a necessity!!!!!!!! Forgive me, thought this board was for helping each other not bashing each other......guess I was wrong.

Since I'm very tired of that "You don't have have kids so whatever you think can't be good", I'd like to add that real life story:

When checking in for my flight back at RAC, which took quite a while, I observed a small family having problem. It was Mom, Dad, and 2 little kids. They were trying to check-in a 26-27" bag, pretty full with all expansion zips open I must say, and a smaller 21-22". As one could expect, the large bag was overweight, and they were discussing the fee with the agent, and were surprised by how much it was. As a result, they decided to go buy a duffel, transfer some stuff, and check-it for free, since they were allowed 4 pieces total! I bet if they had had 2 large suitcases, none of those would have been overweight, and they could have travelled with only 2 bags. Quite a feat, no? And since it was at the RAC desk, they were on a domestic flights, hence Americans, not strange foreigners from Europe. This is just to show that some paring down can be done.

 

[bavaria]

And since it was at the RAC desk, they were on a domestic flights, hence Americans, not strange foreigners from Europe. This is just to show that some paring down can be done.

Er, excuse me, my preferred term here is 'dirty foreigner' as opposed to 'strange foreigner'... Horrors, we wear clothing more than once, and wash items in the sink. Crazy, I know!

 

[crashbb]

Er, excuse me, my preferred term here is 'dirty foreigner' as opposed to 'strange foreigner'... Horrors, we wear clothing more than once, and wash items in the sink. Crazy, I know!

Just to point out that strange/dirty foreigners are not banned from domestic flights.

Although given that luggage restricts for European carriers are far more stringent than those of American carriers, the assumption that they were not from Europe (whether they were strange or not) is probably correct.

To remain somewhat on topic, a packing tip I thought everyone knew (but discovered at a conference last week that they don't) - stick stuff in your shoes! It saves space and can provide protection (especially if you pack running shoes) for small bottles, etc.

 

[shocker]

Interesting point, disdanny. Hubby doesn't have many clothes (refuses to buy a whole wardrobe in his size that he hopes to "undergrow" soon) but they do take up some room!

On the other hand, my 4 year old's clothes take up a ton of room too, b/c when you fold a small pair of jeans they are very bulky (can't get them folded flat). And with a kid you pack lots of extra clothes in case of spills and whatnot.



OP, if you get a soft-sided suitcase, you will KNOW when you're getting up there in weight. Hubby, son and I took public transit to and from the airport on our last trip, so we had to haul our stuff. We had some soft-sided carry-ons and 2 soft-sided suitcases (that were actually of a size that *could* be used as carry-on but we were checking them as luggage). We were SURE they were at least 40 lbs. SO heavy! And we are strong people.

When we got to the airport we sat down to organize ourselves for checking in, and there was a luggage scale in the waiting area. Got curious. Our bags were 17 lbs each! Nowhere near 50 lbs.

If you're *carrying* the bags, you'll know. The problem comes in when you're wheeling things, I suppose.

One more thought about soft sided vs. hard sided luggage....the hard sided will weigh more before you've even started filling it....something to keep in mind.

 

[Sharron379]

It's tough...we're a family of 5 and since the baby will be a lap baby, I think that means we only get 4 pcs. of luggage, right? It's so hard with diapers, wipes, stroller.....how do you do it? And this is our first trip to DW in the Winter, everyone says layer......how do you do this and NOT go over the wt. limit?!

I always order all my baby stuff through garden grocers www.gardengrocers.com! We order all diapers, wipes, snacks, water, juice boxes, and snacks, and also breakfast stuff so that we can eat quick in our room or on route to the parks in the morning.The last trip we took my ds was still eating alot of the gerber greaduate foods and some stage 3 foods and I ordered everything from there and it saved us big time. WE also washed alot of our clothes half way through. Especially the kids stuff my youngest has a bad reflux!

Hope This helps,
Sharron