Packing for 4 in 1 suitcase?

[rysmomma242]

So my hubby doesn't like to take alot of luggage when we go to Disney. I am okay with doing laundry while they do the pool, but I need some input from you all on "must takes". I have bought ponchos, sunscreen, tylenyol.. I hate to pay for those things there. I ordered diapers to be delivered to our room. But this is the first time we will be doing ME so I need thoughts about my carry on, only have the Xanax in there now, LOL!
20 days I am getting anxious.

 

[Robo]

So my hubby doesn't like to take alot of luggage when we go to Disney. I am okay with doing laundry while they do the pool, but I need some input from you all on "must takes". I have bought ponchos, sunscreen, tylenyol.. I hate to pay for those things there. I ordered diapers to be delivered to our room. But this is the first time we will be doing ME so I need thoughts about my carry on, only have the Xanax in there now, LOL!
20 days I am getting anxious.

My recommendation-

Pack more suitcases.

You'll regret not having more choices if you encounter unexpected weather conditions.

There are at least two adults flying, so at least take two checked bags.
You'll save over buying more things at WDW.

 

[rysmomma242]

Opps forgot to give family info... Myself, DH, DS (5), DD(21 months)..... I might be able to get him to take 2, but he has to handle them by himself as I push the stroller in the airport. Although he may prefer 2 lighter bags as compared to the super heavy one I packed last year.

 

[dragonye]

the space bags are very helpful... last year we each only took a carry on and it worked (my dh hates to wait for luggage too) I packed an outfit for each day for me and the kids and threw in a couple of extra shirts and a sweatshirt - wore our sneakers and crammed in the sandals..I went in september so I knew it was going to be hot but still had the long pants (wear down there) and light coat. What helped was actually planning what outfit for what day depending on which park and restaurant we were going too. My kids are getting older now and that means the clothes are bigger too otherwise it would have been all in one with their clothes, but they are old enough to wheel their own carryons.

 

[cmcinc]

We are a family of four and only take two suitcases. It has never been a prob.

 

[dzorn]

We usually have two checked bags for the 4 of us. Like to spread the risk if luggage comes up missing.

Denise in MI

 

[mydisneykids]

We usually have two checked bags for the 4 of us. Like to spread the risk if luggage comes up missing.

Denise in MI

We don't check bags anymore for Disney as we usually stay DVC and have a washer and dryer and utilize owner's locker for all of our liquids, but when we do for other travels we ALWAYS mix everyones clothes around the different suitcases so nobody is left without anything at all if a suitcase is lost. Better to be safe than sorry.
Good luck!!

 

[richmo]

My recommendation-

Pack more suitcases.

I have to agree. Its always good to have a little extra space in case you buy some stuff down there.

Also, if you're flying and that one suitcase goes over 50 pounds, they're not going to care that there's only one checked bag for the four of you -- you'll get hit with an extra charge.

 

[nurse.darcy]

You don't state how long you are staying or what month. I think that a couple smaller checked luggage and no "luggage style" carryons (a small backpack for the older child with entertainment items, diaper bag for baby and lightweight carryons for each of you (such as a small duffel bag, tote bag, etc) should be enough. The real key is planning. Plan outfits. A friend of mine taught me this trick and I was able to pack for a long weekend in a carryon (I was never able to do this). I had to pack for cold weather where I was going so sweaters and long sleeves. I packed 2 extra outfits and had separate day and night outfits. I used the military roll pack style instead of my space bags (the bags do take up a bit of space) and fit everything in, including 2 pairs of boots.

Extras that you will probably need at the World:

Emergency ponchos
Sunscreen
antibiotic ointment and bandages
Tylenol and/or excedrin

Don't overpack. If you don't use it at home or haven't used it in your last 3 trips to the world, you will not need it this time. Do a search for packing tips. You can find ways to trim down your packing for a family vacation. Remember, you want to go on vacation and you don't want it to be stressful, but relaxing. Make lists - pack your outfit lists in your suitcase so that you remember what you brought to go with what. Don't change your mind and don't pack anything uncomfortable that you would not normally wear on any weekend. Plan Plan Plan. . .You can do it.

 

[goofygal531]

On an average family vacation, my family of four uses two 26" expandable suitcases. However, Disney is not an average vacation

We find we NEED an extra piece for all our Disney stuff (WDW Mist Fans, Mickey spinning Fans, autograph books, pin lanyards, sun hats, etc... ). I take a 30" rolling duffel that never leaves home full but returns bursting! It starts off with the Disney must have stuff listed above plus our shoes and toiletries. On the return it's stuffed with refillable mugs, cups from restaurants, slushie cups from Goofy's Candy Co, and too many must have souvenirs.

I would make sure you have PLENTY of available space to bring home items from your trip. You don't want to pay expensive shipping fees ($60 to ship a train set home one year!) or overweight luggage fees trying to stuff everything in to your suitcase.

I also don't mind doing laundry while the family is at the pool either. But honestly it's not our clothing taking up the luggage space!

In my carry on (which is a disney totebag from the resort) I just keep the necessities we'll need for the flight (snacks, coloring books, shorts to change into once we land. I also pack Clorox wipes (have to wipe down the remote control, door knobs and stuff in the room), plenty of hand wipes, etc... For our documents and my stuff I use a small crossbody bag.

Have a wonderful trip!

I have got to finish packing!

 

[Jenn4615]

most of the newer suitcases... and I mean in the last 15 years... so not that new ... can attach to one another with a strap it comes with... so he can attach the one to the other...and then he is able to pull both while u have the stroller..
I agree the more space you have the better... I always pack my diapers because I know I will have that extra space for stuff we bring back...and I always end up buying one of those BIG disney travel bags that zip up... I am getting smart though...Now I pack it instead of buying a new one each time!

 

[Dawgdad]

This is how we roll...

 

[FlightlessDuck]

When my kids were really small, we were able to pack all of our closes in one suitcase, and had another bag for diapers, meds, toiletries, etc. Now that my kids are older, we use three bags (one for each kid, and one for DW and me).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This is how we roll...

 

[rndmr2]

This is how we roll...

To the OP, if you are doing ME, your DH won't have to manage the suitcases too long -just until you check them, and you can do that at the curb most of the time. ME will go to baggage claim when you get to Orlando and the luggage will just eventually show up in your room..

 

[monkeybug]

This is how we roll...

Holy cow that's awesome!!! I inherited my mothers over packing syndrome, and there's been a few vacations where we looked about the same as in your picture.
Now that we are always on the go, I've learned to streamline when needed, but if I had the space that's how I'd roll too!! (and some of your bags are really cute by the way)
We (I) am really going to try to fit everything in one suitcase and an overnight bag. We are driving, and I bought a mondo stroller at a garage sale, so I need to downsize. If I end up having too much stuff we have to take the truck, and that means more gas money, and more gas money means less shopping!
I'm going to try the spacebags, and bring along some of those all in one sheets for laundry.

 

[arielmomma]

When my family flew last September, Me, DH, DS5 at the time, & DD 2 at the time, only used one large carry on plus 1 day back pack for all of us. I even had DD's diapers in the bag and didn't have any problems.

I packed enough for 6 days (out of a 10 day trip) and did laundry once. I used space saver bags (the roll up travel ones). The kids and I each used 2 small travel ones and DH got 2 slightly bigger ones. I brought all the usuals plus glow sticks, crowns, water fans, etc plus extra shoes and snacks for the plane and had no trouble fitting everything. The key is the space saver bags. They make a huge difference! Plus, once the diapers are gone there was rooms for the things we picked up while we were at WDW!

 

[Dawgdad]

It just takes a big bus and alot of stuff for our family...

 

[cathyny]

We leave next week & are a family of 4 (DH, myself, DS (7), DS (4). We have to pay $25 for each checked bag so my DH wants me to keep it down to 2 bags. I know we can do laundry but I am also struggling with getting it down to 2 bags with all the "Extra" stuff that we have to bring. Maybe I have been reading these boards too much though as everytimne I read something new I am running to the store to buy something else

 

[angierae]

There are three of us flying.

2 large suitcases (checked) that hold all of our toiletries (except meds), clothes for 5 days for the three of us(going to do laundry), beach towels (I like having bigger towels at the pool), a box of 3-1 laundry detergent, and the net pocket in one of the suitcases is filled with things like extra travel tissues/antibac wipes, feminine protection, non-prescription meds, etc.

One carry-on sized suitcase with things we will want right away, but don't need to access on the plane (our water bottles, our pins/lanyards, swimsuits in case we want to hit the pool before our luggage shows up, my Passporter book. (And there's still room left in that case)

My DD15 will have a backpack with her DS, some books, etc, with room in it for any souvineers she buys.

I have our "park bag" that holds everything we're going to need at the park except the couple of liquids that are in the quart-sized bag in the carryon suitcase. (Small thing of sunscreen, hand sanitizer)

My DH is bringing his laptop so he can offload pictures every night from his camera.

So technically we could bring two more carryon bags, so I'll probably throw a small duffel into one of the checked bags in case we need more space on the way home. But we're flying three people with way under the amount of luggage we're "allotted" - we could have another checked bag (and still only pay $15 per bag per person, because we'd each only have one) and two more carryon suitcases.

And I still think I'm overpacking.