Packing light - what does that mean to you?

[OneMoreTry]

.... the tried and tested method of "one on, one off and one in the wash"

We have to add "two lost" for each child and "one lost" for each parent.

 

[Love Tigger]

When I read the title of the thread, the first thing that came to my mind was - leave the husband home!

Realistically, I think it depends on what size room you have and what time of the year you are going. DH & I usually stay for about a week in a studio so doing laundry every day is not an option. If we know it's basically going to be warm, I pack three or four pairs of shorts, a pair of jeans, and five to seven tops for each of us and do laundry midway through the week. If it's cold or weather is questionable, I take half as many shorts and add at least another pair of jeans and two sweatshirts or sweaters.

 

[LIFERBABE]

If we can see out of the mini van rear window or dont exceed the checked baggage limit, then we have packed light!

I dont like to "have" to shop on vacation, so I try to bring as much with me. It was harder in December because there were nights and days when we needed hats, gloves, scarves etc and then days we wore shorts.

We were in a studio and I did realize that in the summer months, we would pack less and use the laundry provided.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

As my 22 yo DD says "how do I know what I'm going to want to wear when I'm there?" In other words, pack everything!

 

[snuggie]

pack light?? What is that?? Boy i always am saying that we are going to, and never do!!! With kids that is kindof hard to do.

 

[Ksp]

We usually try to pack 4 changes of clothing and carry any sweatshirt/coats we bring.
What usually gets us is the toiletries and various medicines/vitamins - they are essential items, but can be bulky. Laundry essentials, too. (Love the detergant tabs)

Depending on the season - warm weather 2 pr. of shorts/1 pr. of pants. Ditto that for shirts - only one long sleeve shirt usually. 2 pr of comfortable walking shoes, sandals for pool are subject to extra room only!

(Last trip during warm weather, DD and I only took 3 bags - two of the small train case size, and one small fit-under the airplane seat size rolling suitcase....it was great!)

Winter weather - reverse the shorts with the pants, add in clothing to layer for each day - short sleeve, long sleeve shirt for over that, and the ubiquitous sweatshirt. Coat/hat/gloves come along, too.
We had to upsize to two regular size rolling suitcases, 2 train cases, and 2 other medium size bags.
Just can't pack as lightly during winter visits

When we pack for 4 days, stay 7 - we only do laundry once.
Any longer than that adds more time with the washer and dryer, and less in the parks, spa....lounging...reading...

Depending on how we travel, I may/may not pack food. Driving or taking the auto train - I bring most non-perishables with me. (My overpacking is worst here)
If we fly, I don't bring food with us anymore. Security scans think that my drink mix and peanut butter are questionable -

 

[Laurabearz]

I prefer to over pack.

I pack as much as I can fit in our van with the stroller. That way I know it will all fit on the other end.

We curbside check in at the airport and get a bellman once we land. Worth the extra money in tips, and since we dont carry any of the luggage, it doesnt matter how much we bring.

Durning the warmer months we may go thru 3 or 4 outfits each per day and frankly I dont want to do laundry EVERY day while I am on VACATION!

About half our suitcase come back with clean clothes....

 

[CRSNDSNY]

IMO, packing light is much easier when you have your own washer/dryer. These are the best trips! I don't mind doing a few loads here and there with these accomodations.

 

[rocketriter]

Your question reminds me of what we learned when we had a second child. For the first child, a diaper bag is a mobile hospital and cafeteria with supplies for every eventuality that weighs 99 pounds. For the second child, a diaper bag is a diaper in one pocket and a wipe in the other.

It seems like moving from the regular hotels into the villas triggers the same learning experience. Now you're stripping things down to the essentials and not burdening yourself. You're right: you won't need the beaded gown and the tuxedo after all.

One thing we do is pack for each person within a color scheme. If one person packs a pair of pants, shorts, sweats, t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt and a couple of accessories all in earth tones, for example, they can be recombined day after day for different looks.

Another thing we do is assume that we'll buy stuff in the parks. So we only pack a single t-shirt per person, knowing we'll buy half a dozen more on the run!

 

[lllovell]

Its not the clothes that do me in, its the pillows and the laptop (which doubles as a dvd player for the kids on the ride) and the double stroller and the backpack and the countless other things OUTSIDE the suitcase that makes it 20 trips to the car and back.

It IS getting better as my youngest is now almost 3 and ALMOST potty trained. Woohoo!!! (the 5 year old could exist at Disney with two full sets of clothes forever - he doesn't care...he is at Mickey's house!!!)

Extra shoes are a must. We got SOAKED while at the CP in Late Nov and our shoes were NOT to be worn for 2 days because they were do wet! Clothes can be washed, but I make sure to take things that do well sitting in the dryer because I am not going to sit and wait to fold them if there are more fun things to do

 

[DisFlan]

Biggest help! -- I've found I don't need the laptop if I take an extra memory card for the camera. That really cuts down on a lot of weight and wire-junk.

2nd big help -- not having young kids along. Right now, our son is an adult and we're in "pre-grandchild" status. My son and his wife travel with us to Disney, and they get to cart their OWN stuff (double grin!). So for the time being, not having kids along requires TONS less stuff. After years of packing everything except the Jacuzzi and the Big Wheel, we're enjoying this aspect of travel. A lot.

3rd biggie -- the washers and dryers at DVC! This might actually be the winning biggie. We've learned we can get buy with surprisingly few clothes. A load of laundry a day cuts out about two suitcases. We take an extra, folded-up gym-type bag to take home the goodies we buy.

Travelin' Light,
DisFlan

 

[igitur]

We're scheduled to leave Feb 9th for 10 days and it's so hard to determine what the weather will be like. So....I've bought some colorful lightweight sweatsuits for dd (6 1/2) and the zip-off cargo pants and basketball jersey outfits for ds (4 1/2). I had a field day at Target yesterday!

I'm trying to pack as lightly as I can, given the fact that the weather could be cold....hot or in between. I think it'll be a "sweatsuit" kind of vacation for all of us.

Deb

 

[Bexx]

Thank you for all your replies. You've given me some great ideas to consider - as well as a fascinating insight into the world of different packing strategies!! The one about leaving the spouse at home is interesting.........!

It would seem I'm not going too over the top, but I don't think I can travel as lightly as some of you. My excuse is that we will be there in Feb, so I've got to pack those layers!

Love the idea of packing very little and then buying when I get there. But in reality I have a real problem with that! I don't like shopping much, so wouldn't want to put myself in the situation where I HAVE to do it. I also not good at spending uneccessarily!! I've got everything I already want at home, so I may as well bring that with me and save some money!!

I've decided my biggest problem is actually going to be all the gagdets and "useful" items that I want to bring with me - the ones that will make life easier when we get there, but are a load of hassle when it comes to the packing!!! Of course, having two small children doesn't help at all - WHY did I ever think packing was difficult before we had them!!!!

Thanks again everyone.

 

[lllovell]

If you are staying for 12 nights, take the gadgets!!!! Things that will make it better for you are worth the extra lugging in and out once (for a trip that long). When we go to the beach for a week in the summer, we overpack on OTHER items, but we use them all and it is great to have them. (if we don't use it one year, we don't take it back - but other things seems to slip in and take the place of the discarded item lol).

Short trips, take as little as possible, but if you are driving, take what you think you will need to be comfy. 12 days is a long trip!

 

[mmjm]

KNWVIKING - I like your answer

Weve gone to OKW for 11 to 13 day stays and we usually bring approximatley 4 days worth of clothing. Try to bring stuff that can mix and match. It may sound like a lot, but on hot days you may change before going out to dinner, therby using two days worth of clothing, plus my wife does not want to be doing laundry every day during vaction.

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

Well first of all I love these type of discussions. I am always trying to pack lighter than the time before. I am fortunate not to have to pack for any kids or dh only me! So I believe I have an advantage right there.
Also-NO cotton NO jeans NO sweatshirts. These things add weight and take too long to dry if you are doing laundry in your room. Having said that-WDW is different because we will have the washers and dryers. So I MIGHT bring one pair of lightwt jeans.
I'm going in Dec for 10 days. But I would pack the same thing for 2 weeks to 1 year. Here is my list:
1 pair convertible pants
1 pair other pants
1 pair dressy pants (I have to go to V&A)
1 pair silk long underwear
1 pair pjs (or use above, haven't decided yet)
1 skort (maybe)
1 dress (highly unlikely but may need it for V&A)
1 short sleeved merino t-shirt
1 short sleeved technical t-shirt
1 long sleeved merino shirt
1 fleece
1 rain jacket
3 pairs of wool socks
2 bras
3 underwear (ex officio)
2 pairs of black shoes-one sandals and one pair clarks privos
I think thats it.
For toiletries-
Dr. Bronner's soap=laundry soap, shampoo, face and body soap
toothpaste toothbrush disposable razor.
minimal makeup (maybe)
I think when I just went in May my bag weighed 15lb and it's 3lb empty.
This time I'm aiming for 10lb max!
I'm getting the Deuter Futura 28 bag which is 1708 cubic inches and I will compress the clothing and also compartementalize everything.
Oh yes, small camera
Prescription medicine.
That's it.
I know what you all are thinking:
Maybe? but remember I have an unfair advantage of no kids and no spouse.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow, who resurected this Methusela thread???

We pack very light now that we have Owner's Locker. Depending on the season (more needed in the winter months), we tend to take 4 outfits per person and that includes one dressier one. The thing we have trouble with is the shoes. Both DH and I have big feet!

 

[dvcdisney]

Packing light? - not in my vocabulary!

For me, packing light for a 14 night stay at a studio involves 4 suitcases (2 large, 2 medium) for our family of 4 (2A, 2kids (11, 5). If we stay at a 1 bedroom, I can bring that down to 1 large and 2 medium.

However, you'd be surprised how much I can fit into those suitcases. I am now a master packer. Since I started bringing our own sheets/blankets/pillowcases (I know, I'm a little neurotic), I have had to be very diligent and creative with how I pack. By the way, in the past, I also had to fit in a little stool for my daughter to reach the sink.

So with all that, I consider it packing light when I'm able to bring everything in those suitcases especially when we stay at a studio and I don't want to do laundry. I end up packing 16 complete outfits for each of us, along with 4-5 sets of pjs each, sweaters, raincoats, 2-3 pairs of shoes, swim wear and goggles, hats, toiletries and of course the sheets/blankets/pillowcase ensembles. I know - (My husband laughs at me all the time!)

Anyways, the amount of clothes does lessen considerably when we stay at a 1 bedroom. But we still have at least 3 suitcases since we usually go for 14 nights.

 

[nickspace]

I pack one small duffle bag for myself and that's it.

 

[Raivyn]

To pack light, we try to bring NO cotton anything, and Ex Officio/Mountain Hardware/The North Face/REI everything. Those items are designed to be comfortable, stylish, and pack light for international travel.

At our last 10 day trip, we each had a carry on and a backpack, and we did just fine. We wear our heaviest items on the plane (i.e. tennis shoes and jackets) so they don't need to be in the luggage.

I'm amazed at folks who pack so many outfits per person...with laundry facilities on site, we can get by with 4 tops/2 bottoms per person on a 10 day trip (not even including what we wear on the plane). If you chose technical fabrics, they pack very small.