Packing light

[wdwholic1206]

I always over pack but not on clothes. I tend to dump my Med. chest in our suitcase. "Well what if we need this and what about this and how about this!" And we NEVER need any of it. Last trip I tried really hard but still needed to buy a new suitcase the night before we left. One problem I have is my suitcase weighs 23 lbs. empty so I can't put much in it to begin with.
Not this time I have went out and purchased all new (lighter) suitcases.
I will only pack the essentials for Med's. If I have to spend $10 for some ointment then so be it...
I only pack about 6 days of clothes for DH and I as we always buy new things so why not where them down there.
Where I have a problem is w/ DD. I am (as you can see) a "worry wart". I pack shorts and shirt for her for the day and think well maybe it wil be cool so I should pack a capri set w/ light sweater. But then what if it's cold she will need pants and a sweater. But what if she wants to wear her dress this day. I end up packing about 3 outfits per day for her. You know the PRINCESS can't wear the same thing twice (my rule not hers). Not to mention the well what if she makes a mess on this outfit she'll need another one.
Okay so I over think her stuff. It doesn't help that all her clothes are so darn cute and she looks so cute in them...You just gotta love Gymboree for all the nice lines that mesh well together!

 

[Micca]

Pack just the essentials and buy some cool new stuff at WDW. The return trip baggage will be stuffed, but you'll have wearable souvenirs when you get home.

 

[MarySB]

Just curious---Don't the clothes in ziplock bags get wrinkled? Otherwise, a great idea! I would love to try it it wrinkling is not a prob.

 

[clonetothebone]

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.

 

[fancythemouse]

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!!!

I always try to pack the minimum amount of clothes, which doesn't actually happen. One thing I do to minimize the amount of clothes I take on vacation is plan on wearing the same outfit the day we arrive and then on the way back home. See, now thats one outfit less than you need.