Packing Lite - Is that possible?

[LeeAnn]

Party of 5: Me, DH, DD4, DS3, DD1

4 Airlines Tix - 2 Bags Per Tix - Total of 8 Checked Items

3 Car Seats (will be checked/not used on plane, just too much to carry).
1 Double Stroller
1 Single Stroller

That's 5 and only 3 Remaining

So we have 2 Large and 1 meduim luggage for all of us and we're going for 2 weeks (5 days elsewhere).

Don't want to do wash. It's a vacation.

Kids need an outfit a day. Just don't know what they will do. The adults will mix and match and wear items more than once.

That seems allot w/o even mentioning toiletries, misc items.

How do you pack lite?

Also, I would like to try the kids clothes in ziploc bags. I think this will make easier for dressing in the morning but does this help in packing your luggage? Does it take up more space?

Any advice will be helpful. Must pack by this weekend. Under the gun.

 

[snugglepeas]

first gate check one of the strollers and it wont count towards your checked baggage so then you can have 4 bags. most of the kids clothes should fit in 1 bag, and if you planned on packing diapers and wipes and such think about sending a package to the resort so that it will be waiting for you.

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Space bags ROCK!!! Over Christmas we (family of 5 too) drove from NC to MI and needed all of our clothes, winter coats and snow pants and also all of our gifts. We used the space bags for everything we possibly could and it made a huge difference!!! I found "knock off" bags at Target and they were much cheaper than the Space Bag brand.

And even though it is vacation... we always do a little bit of laundry. We have twin 6 y.o. boys - nuf said. We stayed at the Contemporary last time and there was a laundry room in the hotel.

Happy packing and say hi to Mickey!!!

 

[TheDizMom]

I am a former FA so I am a good packer. I can go with 3 large and 1 small bag. DD gets the little one because her clothes are smaller. Pack it all flat, if it has wheels pack your undies, socks etc., first around the handle that goes along the bottom of the bag. It fills in that space well and gives you more room. Do not fold and pack it takes to much room, put it in as flat as possible. I can pack for 8 days of clothes, 3 night time out to dinner outfits, 3 extra outfits and the necessary things like sweatshirts in case it gets cool at night and still have room. I even packed small hangers and gift wrap bags in my DD's suitcase. I still had room left with all the souveniers and new clothes when we came home. Put all shoes and toiletries on top, or your bag will be a mess if it gets inspected. They want that on top. Fortunately your kids are all little so their clothes take up a lot less room. If you can find one really bigduffle type bag that will fit at least 2 carseats it will help, and size for checked stuff isn't as big of an issue as weight. If you get them in just right they should fit into a bag that wouldn't be considered oversized and for sure gate check the double stroller and if possible both. You'll want them to get through the airport anyway, especially in Orlando with the trams. Better yet if you can just use the double for the little ones and rent one for the 4yr old you have one less thing to tote, and the ability to take another suitcase. She is old enough to handle the walk from the shuttle to the gates, and it will make the bus a lot easier too. If you have time ship down a box with the diapers, wipes and other necessary baby parafinallia and any snacks you want to have down there for your park bag and room. You can send down toiletries too! We did this UPS ground giving the box 3 days leway before we got there. It was in our room when we arrived, and you can always throw a few extra diapers and wipes into the diaper bag in case there was an unexpected delay.

Have a good trip! Good luck with the packing.

 

[Perditamarie]

You can gate check both strollers and it shouldn't count in your luggage total.

Packing the kids clothes in ziplocks is great -- outfits can be seen and grabbed in a second and you know outfits out of the bag need to be laundered. That being said, I would plan on doing a little laundry so you're not up to your neck in clothes. It will cut down on the weight of the bags and clutter in your room. You can pick up a little container of Tide in the trial sized section of Target and just wash the kids clothes and pop them back in the ziplocks.

Another packing tip picked up on the Dis is to spread the families clothes out amongst all the bags in case a bag or two goes missing, everyone still has something to wear.

Have a great trip!

 

[las3888]

We check DS's car seat as well. We bought a travel bag for it at BRU for around $20. This way I use a large hefty bag and fill it with diapers, sippy cups, bibs, blankets, stuffed animals, all the big bulky kids items like that, including some clothes and shoes. I stuff it inside the carseat bag then zip it up. This way, it is almost like a suitcase to us (plus it is a nice buffer for the car seat). When we arrive at our desination, I just upzip, take the hefty bag out, and voila - the car seat is ready to be installed. Good luck!

 

[Nicolepa]

Party of 5: Me, DH, DD4, DS3, DD1


Also, I would like to try the kids clothes in ziploc bags. I think this will make easier for dressing in the morning but does this help in packing your luggage? Does it take up more space?

Any advice will be helpful. Must pack by this weekend. Under the gun.

I have been using the ziploc bags for years. It actually takes up less space because you can squeeze all the air out. The problem I run into w/the bags is that I can get too much stuff in the suitcase and I go over 50 pounds.

Not really sure how you can pack light and not do laundry for 2 weeks. We usually do laundry ever few days while the kids take a nap. One stays w/the kids and one of us runs down and does a couple loads of laundry. Really doesn't take too long since there is more than one washer to use.

 

[lutherlovr]

Most airlines will allow you a stroller and a car seat checked without taking part of your baggage allowance as long as you are traveling with children. Just got back from a trip on American Airlines, and they allowed us 2 bags each plus one double stroller (gate checked) and 2 car seats (checked in with regular baggage), so it is worth checking with the airline about their policy.

 

[nbodyhome]

I went to Europe for 9 days last week and my main bag was 14.5 pounds, and that included having another bag inside (for souvenirs). I prefer to do laundry while away instead of hauling items around. I have clothes I can wash in the sink as well.

There were a couple of pieces of clothes I didn't use, I could have gotten away with 12 or less pounds. Of course, that is just one person (me!) But most days I wore the same outfit, one I washed in the sink each day (very lightweight sun-protective clothing that dries in hours).

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am really big on packing one Carryon and going. But with kids you just can't do that, as we figured out on our first family trip. SO... I agreed to check one of our "big" suitcases for all of us.
Our Bag for 7 days looks like this

3 shorts for each person
4 shirts for each person (lghtweight)
1 pair of pants per person
1 sweater or light jacket per person
1 pair of sneakers per person
1 bathing suit per person
7 pair of socks and undies for each person (socks and undies are just one of those things you just have to change every day.)
spacebag all of this,in the big spacebag and throw it in the suitcase

Ziploc
suntan lotion,make up,aloe,meds,toothbrush,toothpaste, brush, deoaderant
throw it in the suitcase

Carry on
purex, snack,bottle of water,coloring book and crayons, imp. papers, more asprin

Seriously, you will have room left in your suitcase for more things. If you spacebag that other stuff. Our first trip we packed everything under the sun, and regretted it. Since we are not good "unpackers" once we get there either, we just live out of our suitcase for a week. So this min. approach works well for us.
Good Luck and Happy Packing

 

[WDWorBUST]

Check your airline - I know Delta allows you a "baby item" (stroller, carseat) that does not go against your checked luggage allowance but that you can check. I can't remember if it is per child, or how they calculated it but it was all on their website. If you are taking 3 carseats it doesn't sound like you are using Magical Express - but if anyone else is reading this that is the airline check-in at Pop would not allow me the "baby item" that the airline would so we had to gate-check the stroller on the way home - not that big of a deal fortunately - but I STILL don't understand if they are handling the check-in for the airlines why they don't have the same rules.

 

[jenrein]

Whew! Just reading about all your luggage makes me exhausted! I would go with the space bag thing too- other than that I have no words of wisdom other than wait until your kids are out of car seats and rent a stroller Sorry....I'm tired and just getting to my coffee

 

[LauraAnn630]

Packing light just isnt in my vocabulary.

I do not want to wash clothes.

We will take the maximum allowed for the suitcases.

I will send a box down.
alchohol (cant carry it on)
coffee pot - coffe-filters-cream and sugar
blender- frozen drinks
cups
plasticwear
paper plates
napkins
disposable bowls for cereal


Have groceries delivered.
cereal
milk
bagels
cream cheese
water
fruit
veggie tray

Ive never been sorry so far.

We found we all needed 2 outfits per day. We were hot and sweaty. The kids would get dirty somehow. We always go back to our room shower and change for dinner.

 

[lakoda]

I know you mentioned that you don't want to wash but I've found that we can pack half the amount of clothing. It would depend on where your staying - we stay at Pop and swim in the pool while the clothes are in the nearby laundry. If you can catch the laundry room at a slow time you should be able to do it all at once since there are several washers/driers. Not like at home where it takes several hours! We do it half way through trip and it reduces the amount we take as well as amount we have to bring home and launder.

You probably already know this but don't pack full size toiletries, buy sample sizes. Wal-mart and other discount stores have sections with lots of sample size items. It saves us a lot of space and we're always surprised at how much we get out of a tiny tube of toothpaste!

Also, trust me that you probably won't want to "rewear" clothing if you are going this time of year. You could do that in the cooler months but it is already very warm in Florida.

Whatever you decide, have a great time!!!

 

[Starr W.]

We just came back from VWL and I for a family of 4 we had 2 carry-on suitcases and 2 small carryons. We stayed in a 2br villa, so I had the washer and dryer in the room.

 

[LauraAnn630]

You are right!
We always end up doing laundry!
At least the pool towels, bathing suites, underwear and socks


Adding laundry soap (powder) and dryer sheets to the list.

I know they sell it there too!

Thinking back 2 years. We found a drying that was working without having to put money in it. We used it several times and told another couple.
Were so bad!

 

[mommiepoppins]

I say go for the zip locks. when you are done with the zip locks you can put ice in them to keep your drinks cold in the parks I usually double bag. also you can put dirty clothes in a zip lock to.


I always try to pack light for my family of 6 and I find it very hard

I always bing 3- suit cases full of food drinks and house hold supplies. Also 2 small soft coolers filled with snacks thats 5 . Then I pack for the family. This year I am doing a condo. So I will bring less clothes and do laundry ( even though I always bring enough clothes I still do laundry )
So I hope to this year pack less


my bigest thing is with packing less clothes. I take pics of the kids wearing the same out fit every other day . Then I am like theres my DD weraing that same Minne Mouse shirt

 

[Bunchkin]

We try to cut back on the amount of items to pack every year.

I try to use the roll method for saving space in the luggage. This works well.


Also, we now ship a box or two down with extra items.
Water bottles, juice boxes/pouches, water spray fans, etc.


And if the trip is going to be over a week long we wil do laundry.
We are not willing to lug around more than a week's worth of anything!!

 

[dani blaski]

We check DS's car seat as well. We bought a travel bag for it at BRU for around $20. This way I use a large hefty bag and fill it with diapers, sippy cups, bibs, blankets, stuffed animals, all the big bulky kids items like that, including some clothes and shoes. I stuff it inside the carseat bag then zip it up. This way, it is almost like a suitcase to us (plus it is a nice buffer for the car seat). When we arrive at our desination, I just upzip, take the hefty bag out, and voila - the car seat is ready to be installed. Good luck!

We included a bag with our shoes so more room in suitcases. The bag we got from Babies R Us was very durable! Simialr material to travel golf bag covers...

 

[dani blaski]

I am a former FA so I am a good packer. I can go with 3 large and 1 small bag. DD gets the little one because her clothes are smaller. Pack it all flat, if it has wheels pack your undies, socks etc., first around the handle that goes along the bottom of the bag. It fills in that space well and gives you more room. Do not fold and pack it takes to much room, put it in as flat as possible. I can pack for 8 days of clothes, 3 night time out to dinner outfits, 3 extra outfits and the necessary things like sweatshirts in case it gets cool at night and still have room. I even packed small hangers and gift wrap bags in my DD's suitcase. I still had room left with all the souveniers and new clothes when we came home. Put all shoes and toiletries on top, or your bag will be a mess if it gets inspected. They want that on top. Fortunately your kids are all little so their clothes take up a lot less room. If you can find one really bigduffle type bag that will fit at least 2 carseats it will help, and size for checked stuff isn't as big of an issue as weight. If you get them in just right they should fit into a bag that wouldn't be considered oversized and for sure gate check the double stroller and if possible both. You'll want them to get through the airport anyway, especially in Orlando with the trams. Better yet if you can just use the double for the little ones and rent one for the 4yr old you have one less thing to tote, and the ability to take another suitcase. She is old enough to handle the walk from the shuttle to the gates, and it will make the bus a lot easier too. If you have time ship down a box with the diapers, wipes and other necessary baby parafinallia and any snacks you want to have down there for your park bag and room. You can send down toiletries too! We did this UPS ground giving the box 3 days leway before we got there. It was in our room when we arrived, and you can always throw a few extra diapers and wipes into the diaper bag in case there was an unexpected delay.

Have a good trip! Good luck with the packing.

What a great post! So informative!! I look forward to using your tips the next time I fly..in a few weeks. The shoes always get me especially if I am traveling for work. When I travel with my DS 10 mos old all of his food, bottles (even using the AVENT travel disposable cups)take up room! I am glad that we are able to feed him more table food now. Lst month we had to travel for a funeral so pretty much NO prep time & did not have time to stop at a grocery store to buy food, etc. So he got his own bag with food, formula etc. The joy of traveling as he gets older!

You can gate check both strollers and it shouldn't count in your luggage total.

Packing the kids clothes in ziplocks is great -- outfits can be seen and grabbed in a second and you know outfits out of the bag need to be laundered. That being said, I would plan on doing a little laundry so you're not up to your neck in clothes. It will cut down on the weight of the bags and clutter in your room. You can pick up a little container of Tide in the trial sized section of Target and just wash the kids clothes and pop them back in the ziplocks.

Another packing tip picked up on the Dis is to spread the families clothes out amongst all the bags in case a bag or two goes missing, everyone still has something to wear.

Have a great trip!

I would definitely gate check! It saves us time & worrying about our car seat easpecially since we have VERY close flights last month for our funeral trip.
I have been using Ziplocs for years. Never really caught on using it for clothes but I do now with our baby. I did this on the last trip --as I folded laundry I put them in the ziplocs to mate the outfits.

Not really sure how you can pack light and not do laundry for 2 weeks. We usually do laundry ever few days while the kids take a nap. One stays w/the kids and one of us runs down and does a couple loads of laundry. Really doesn't take too long since there is more than one washer to use.

I know you mentioned that you don't want to wash but I've found that we can pack half the amount of clothing. It would depend on where your staying - we stay at Pop and swim in the pool while the clothes are in the nearby laundry. If you can catch the laundry room at a slow time you should be able to do it all at once since there are several washers/driers. Not like at home where it takes several hours! We do it half way through trip and it reduces the amount we take as well as amount we have to bring home and launder.

You probably already know this but don't pack full size toiletries, buy sample sizes. Wal-mart and other discount stores have sections with lots of sample size items. It saves us a lot of space and we're always surprised at how much we get out of a tiny tube of toothpaste!

Also, trust me that you probably won't want to "rewear" clothing if you are going this time of year. You could do that in the cooler months but it is already very warm in Florida.

Whatever you decide, have a great time!!!

I have done laundry before on Disney trips and we did it either during poo time or early in the morning and went to parks late--that was without children. So I would definitely do so with our little one. He can go through three outfits a day right now I think this will improve as he gets older--hopefully
We always take travel size items. I have tried refilling the bottles but depending what it is sometimes they leak after a while.If you have favorite must have products there are very good durable travel size containers found at the container store website http://www.containerstore.com/browse/index.jhtml?CATID=253&howMany=999&viewAll=true