Packing light

[deelam]

I always overpack. We usualy go for 10 days and I make sure that I have 15 changes of clothes for everyone. In addition to all the clothes there are bathing suits, pajamas, sneakers, sandals, all new under garments, socks, it's allot.

This year I was thinking of packing very light. Maybe for 5 or 6 days and then doing wash. I really don't know if I can narrow what I want to bring down to 5 or 6 things outfits along with all the other stuff like bathing suits, etc...
I've always heard "pack light" as a tip.

I'm not sure what would be easier. Any suggestions?

 

[pezpam]

For 10 days, I find it's easier to pack about 6 outfits and do laundry. I don't know where you're staying - we stay at Values and the laundry is right by the pool, which is very handy. I bring laundry detergent tablets, but the laundry has one of those machines that will sell you a single-use box of detergent.

You can do it. Pretend you're packing for a 5-day trip with an extra change just in case. Think of the extra suitcase(s?) you won't have to lug through the airport!

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's why I love my DVC homes. I always have a washer and dryer handy, right in my villa, to wash clothes as often as I need. I always go home with clean clothing.

When we don't stay in DVC, I make my guys wear shorts more than one day. Underwear, well, you have to change that daily. But sometimes, my guys put on all clean clothing when they return from the pool. So I tell them when I'm doing laundry, and that they need to make it last.

 

[Webbie]

LOL I always pack "heavy". I usually have 2 sets of clothes per day. Maybe if I went to Disney in the winter months I could get away with 1 set! As for packing "light" and doing laundry??? Are you kidding? This is my VACATION no laundry duty for me. LOL.

 

[deelam]

This is my VACATION no laundry duty for me. LOL.

This is what I keep thinking. But it would be so nice not to have to pack/unpack all those cloths. Not to mention we rented a chevy Equinox, which has limited trunk space.

Are are staying at CSR and then at Royal Pacific at Universal.

 

[pooch]

I've told the crew (me, DH, DD (21) & DS (15) this is what they get to bring:

3 pr shorts
1 pr long pants (like khaki's)
4 shirts
1 light jacket or hoodie
5 changes of underwear & 1/2 dozen pr socks
1 bathing suit
PJ's
1 pr each sneakers, flip flops & DD & I get 1 pr nice sandals
bathroom stuff - everyone packs their own in a travel/makeup type bag. If you forget something, you'll have to buy it down there or go without!

We're going in late Aug & I will probably do laundry twice. I know it's vacation but the laundry facilities are all very convenient and I view it as enforced "sit by the pool w/ a drink & read a good book" time.

We will take 2 carry ons & one, maybe two, check in bags with an empty duffle inside for souveniers. I encourage shirts and hats for souveniers to wear so they'll have more!

I always over pack. NOT THIS TIME!!!!

 

[deelam]

3 pr shorts
1 pr long pants (like khaki's)
4 shirts
1 light jacket or hoodie
5 changes of underwear & 1/2 dozen pr socks
1 bathing suit

You are bringing long pants and light jacket for an August trip? Isn't like 95 everyday in August?

I wonder if I should pack jackets & long pants for my May trip? -

 

[pooch]

ok so the long pants will probably be capris (actually I NEVER wear shorts w/my ham hock thighs. thinking of living dangerously & trying a skort this time but really not sure!). But I always bring a light zippered hoodie when we're out at night. I've found many of the indoor areas are very air-conditioned especially at night. I'll tie it around my waist (just what I need, more "waist") and use it as needed inside.

Pooch

 

[richard_andmel]

I can't imagine anyone needing a jacket or long pants in August or May from a weather point of view. Sometime long pants is appropriate at dinner though. We always do laundry once during the trip.

After just coming back to the UK from my annual trip home to New England with four 60-70 pound rolling duffels I promsied my DH we would take just two of those bags in September for our 16 day trip, and they would have a bit of extra room in them as well. (Clothes are just so darn expensive here.)

Mel

 

[Desnik]

We'll be there in 9 days and I also always pack a pair of khakis! Sometimes it gets cool at night.
We usually drive so I've had the luxury of being able to pack whatever and just load the car up. This time we are flying and I refuse to over pack! We will be there for 9 days and we will have 2 carryons and 2 checked bags. We are a family of 4 (2 kids 8 & 3)
This is what I pack:
8 outfits for each of us
2 pairs of shoes(one we wear the other pack)
4 pairs of PJ's
8 pairs of underware
2 bathing suits
5 pairs of socks
1 light jacket each(we will wear them on the plane)
I pack the kids things in ziplock bags and roll mine and DH's clothing.
I also have our toiletries in ziplock bags and fit them in the carryon.

I plan on doing laundry and I always do. It's no big deal and I love to come home with clean clothes!!!

 

[rie'smom]

We pack fairly light.

DD's list: 10 days She's 12 so, of course, packs a bit heavier than we do.
5 pr. shorts
1 cute jean skirt-we usually do hard rock or planet hollywood 1 night
12 tops
1 pr comfortable sandals that matches everything usually metallic or brown leather
5 bathing suits
underwear/bras
pjs

My list
10 hippie skirts w/matching tanks
2 pr sandals 1 gold-1 brown
undies
pjs
bathing suit

Hubby
5-8 pr shorts w/matching shirts
1 pr sandals
underwear
pjs

DD and hubby pack 1 outfit per day in 2 gallon ziploc bags-works likes the more expensive roll and back bags. Outfits are matched and ready to go.
Our first 2 nights are @ RPR. Usually I do laundry there but this year we are renting a pool home w/laundry facilities. I always do laundry on our trips-usually when DH brings DD and her friend to the water parks.
The first thing I check is if a hotel has 24 room service,the next is if there is a laundry. It bothers the heck out of me to come home and have tons of laundry -not to mention dirty clothes in our luggage.

 

[deelam]

I'm just wondering hy some of you put clothes in zip lock bags?

 

[Hockeymommy]

LOL I always pack "heavy". I usually have 2 sets of clothes per day. Maybe if I went to Disney in the winter months I could get away with 1 set! As for packing "light" and doing laundry??? Are you kidding? This is my VACATION no laundry duty for me. LOL.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I refuse to do laundry on my vacation. Last year we were in Florida 7/2-7/17 and I never once touched a washing machine. Each person had 2 outfits per day. I could not believe I got it all in our suitcases. Who cares if they are by the pool, your still doing wash on vacation. Maybe some people don't mind, but it's not for me.

 

[rie'smom]

I'm just wondering hy some of you put clothes in zip lock bags?

It allows you to fit more clothes in a suitcase. After putting the outfit in the bag,partially seal it,then roll it to get the air out- the bag gets flatter. Also,it takes the guess work out of what to wear each day because the outfits are already put together.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always do one load of laundry each trip. Usually first thing in the morning. For the warmer months, it's 5 pr. shorts, 7 shirts (tees mostly) 1 capri, 2 bathing suits, undies, Crocs (no socks). Same for my dd, 12. Dh has pretty much the same stuff. We used to bring sneakers, water sandals, regular sandals, 8 pr socks apiece. Then, once I tried the Crocs at WDW, I brought those, plus sneakers and reg. sandals. Then, I stopped bringing the reg. sandals. Now, it's just the Crocs...that's all I've worn for the past two trips.
I also use the plastic bags. It does keep things organized and you can pack more in the bag. They are also nice for any dirty laundry in the bags.
The think I always overpack is toiletries. You would think I was going to the outback and could't get a band-aid if I needed one!!! Way too much health and beauty aids in my bag. Now, I'm cutting way back on the make-up.

 

[pooch]

5 bathing suits!!!!! I don't think my kids ever owned 5 suits at a time. Out of sincere curiosity, why would she need that many suits?

Pooch

 

[pezpam]

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I refuse to do laundry on my vacation. Last year we were in Florida 7/2-7/17 and I never once touched a washing machine. Each person had 2 outfits per day. I could not believe I got it all in our suitcases. Who cares if they are by the pool, your still doing wash on vacation. Maybe some people don't mind, but it's not for me.

I totally see where you're coming from, but it works for me.

I can:
A - spend a couple of hours by the pool (which DD will beg to do anyway, lol) reading and sipping a drink. I get up for two minutes a couple of times - to switch from washer to dryer, etc..... - and go back to my book.

B - lug an extra suitcase through the airport (I'm the only adult on the trips and once you add the 'souvenir duffel' for the trip home, that's three bags to handle by myself from the airport to the house) and wind up having to do a load or two of laundry the night of our trip home instead of just being able to grab something to eat and head for bed.

A wins hands down for me. B wins hands down for others. Whatever.

PS And hey, at least I'm not cooking and cleaning.

 

[Webbie]

I'm just wondering hy some of you put clothes in zip lock bags?

I use ziplock bags for all the underwear.socks and PJ's. It condenses the volume and they then take up less room in the suitcases. It also helps keep the clean from the dirty! LOL.

I also have some of the one way valve bags that I got thru the internet.

 

[richard_andmel]

I also have some of the one way valve bags that I got thru the internet.

I love these things. Not only does it make more room, but I know it's less likely some security guy is pawing my underwear.

 

[AJKMOM]

We have DVC, too, and I decided long ago that I would rather do laundry than have 5 large suitcases for 5 of us. I pack for half the trip and wash in the middle. This last time, we went for a week and all of us packed into 9 carry-ons. I was so proud that we had no checked(or lost) baggage at Christmas time.