Packing for 4 & SPecifics!

[poohluvrs]

HELP! The countdown is on & Im packing for my family of 4! My ques are:

From experience, do you take 1 or 2 suitcases to check?

Do you roll or fold your clothes?

Do I need bugspray (for mosquitos, not the love bugs)?

 

[barkley]

i've never managed to get our family of 4 anywhere with only 2 suitcases! but when we go it's for at least a week so i have to bring quite a load of stuff.

i think even if you don't have enough stuff to fill 2 suitcases it's better to go ahead and break the stuff into 2 so you have something to transport the sovineers and such home in. while you might be able to fit them into the one existing suitcase you run the risk of going over the luggage weight and getting hit with a $25 or $50 charge.

i went (solo) on a trip recently and no way needed 2 suitcases but i knew i'de be hauling some stuff back for dh and the kids-so i pulled out the luggage that stores one in side of the other and left one suitcase inside the other and packed. that way on the outbound trip i only had to check one bag-but i had the extra suitcase for the return trip.

i fold my clothes-rolling may work for some people but i've had nothing but problems with wrinkles (and a rolled up pair of men's dockers takes up more room than folded flat).

bug spray? we've never noticed a big problem with them at wdw-so while i've taken some i don't think we've ever used it.

 

[I Love Tigger]

It depends on how long you will be away, we recently went for two weeks and for a family of four took five cases plus an extra holdall for coming home

While we were there we went to visit friends for the weekend and filled one case

I always fold our clothes, plus we spread everyones through out all the cases in case one or more goes missing!

We never needed bug spray, but if you do you can always buy some there.

 

[Lora]

Family of 4 here. Here's what we do:

check: 1 large suitcase at least 2 "carry on" suitcases - usually expanded - at least on the way home
carry-on: one case and one personal item for each person (the "cases" are usually our camera bags, back packs with activities, dh's computer)

Each person packs about 6-7 outfits (we stay longer, but do laundry at our villa). I also will pack jackets and all of the regular WDW gear (ponchos, our very useful chamois packs, fanny packs or day packs for the parks, water bottle insulated bags, water shoes for the water parks, etc.)

The kids arrange their outfits with socks and underwear and we put each outfit in a zip lock gallon bag. I even number the bags and then there's no fussing early in the morning over what to wear. I just toss the bag to them when they wake up.

Dh and I don't use bags! We just fold and stack our clothes by outfit (ok - I put the socks and underwear inside and fold the shorts over to make little "packs"). That way, dh and I can get ready without fussing also! That also helps me to know what day I need to do laundry. I stuff or roll the small stuff in the open spaces (pj's etc.).

I've taken bug spray but I'm not sure I've ever used it. I think the only time I did (or needed it) was at the FW campfire.

If we're staying one night in a different location before our main stay (as we are next week), I pack an over-night case (or 2) so we don't have to get into the big one.

I also like to pack a few bags within the suitcases. Our swim stuff is usually together in a beach bag. I usually put a collapsible net laundry bag in as well.

 

[TAKitty]

We are a family of 4 and take two carry on rolling bags only! My Dh hates to check luggage. I also pack lightly.

I fold our stuff. I have one kid in my bag and Dh has the other.

We have never needed bug spray.

 

[poohluvrs]

Wow, great posts, thanks ! I have been wanting to squeeze it all in 1 case but guess DH was right that we should bring 2 cases! Plus I will have a carry on & our 2 umbrella strollers! It just seemed like it'd be easier w/ only 1 but the surcharge for overweight luggage & the not being able to fit our purchases in on the way home seems like brining the 2 is the best bet!
I will fold, & leave the bug spray at home! THanks! We're leaving next week & I want to pack now!!!!!

 

[Tiffer]

For a family of 4, I would need 3-4 carry-ons. We too don't like checking bags. Although with the restrictions, even though they are now wllowing travel sizes, we may check one or we may go to the local grocery when we arrive, and buy a bigger shampoo. etc.

Assuming we do the latter, we each pack , neatly and tightly, our clothes and light up toys, etc in a carry on bag.

Be sure to check what you can fit in your rental car!

 

[mommy*RN]

This family of 4 is traveling with two large suitcases and two smaller suitcases. We are going for 11 days. I pack all of DD's and DS's stuff in clear plastic ziploc baggies for easy outfit selection in the AM. So DS's bags have shirt, shorts, socks, and underwear. DD's have outfit and socks. I label the bags with their names and when we get to WDW I throw the bags in a drawer (unless something needs to be hung!). I roll DH and my shirts to avoid the folding wrinkles. I figure with all our luggage (plus a stroller, a car seat AND a booster seat and two carry-ons) it leaves room for souveiners since I won't be lugging home the snacks, diapers and wipes I packed.

I'm sure this doesn't help much, but I thought I would throw my 2 cents in! Have a great trip OP! When do you leave? Just over 2 weeks for us!

 

[sharibrat]

We're leaving next week & I want to pack now!!!!!

We're not leaving for a month and a half and I want to pack now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[poohluvrs]

We leave in 4 days

 

[barkley]

thought of another way i save space on packing-i mail a box ahead of time with all the bulky stuff (water shoes, floaties, shoes not on my feet at the airport), i also include bubble wrap to cushion souvineers we are bringing back with us.

i tend to actualy have less clothing when we return from wdw-i make it a practice to pack the clothes the kids are either just about outgrown of or will not fit them next season. instead of bringing them home i launder them and leave them in a bag with 'free for the taking' which i leave either in the laundry room or in our dvc room.

 

[mommyesq]

We're not leaving for a month and a half and I want to pack now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We dont leave for exactly a month but i do have one small suitcase on my floor to throw things in as I rememember and or find them.....