packing...revisited

[Misty89]

HI- going over some lists ( and making new ones) and i am still having a problem trying to figure out to get by with the MINIMAL luggage.
family of 4....DH, me, DD's 13 & 5.

DD5 and i can and will share a case, ( 25" ) that will be checked. = 1

DD13 will have her own case ( small 19") will be checked. = 2

DH usally carrys a duffle carry on =3

bathroom bag = 4

my carry-on all paperwork and Money - might be a large purse =5

carseat - ( i wont pay 50$ to rent a seat from car place) checked =6

stroller - a must, shes 5, but happier when does not have to walk all day touring) Gate checked = 6

HOW do poeple travel with just carry ons? are they Bigger carry ons?
how much clothes do you bring? I was going to try to have everyone
bring two summerish ourfits and 2 winterish outfits , etc i am bringing laundry soap to do a load of wash or 2, but......this sure seems like a TON of stuff still with even only bringing 4 days of outfits?

can someone who is more experianced traveling with a family on a airplane help us out?


thank you

Tina

 

[ellyn2000]

I have one "huge" suitcase that I use when my family flies. It will hold clothing for 4 days or so for all of us and it's only one bag to check and pick up. We usually use smaller duffle bags for each of us when we drive and can just load it in the car. I don't see how you can do without the car seat & stroller unless you're willing to rent them rather than haul them. Looks like you're doing pretty well unless it's an option to take one huge suitcase for all 4 of you. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Could the "bathroom bag" be put inside one of the other bags?

How large is your 5 year old? I seem to remember being out of the car seat and the booster seat by the time I was 5 (that was a while ago, so my memory could be off)

Last thing, you may want to consider packing an empty duffel bag inside one of your suitcases, if you have space, that way you can have some room to bring back anything you may happen to buy at WDW.

 

[maciec]

We (dh, me, dd[4] ,ds[1]) are taking:

1 x-large suitcase for dh and I

1 large suitcase for dd and ds

1 medium suitcase for miscellaneous stuff toiletries, underwear, socks, diapers, snacks. Basically all of the overflow stuff.

Backpack for carry-on bag for me and ds

Small tote for carry-on for dh and dd

Oh yeah, I forgot 2 strollers and 1 car seat. We will gate check the strollers and the car seat comes on the plane.

It would be more, but mom and dad are driving down on Friday and taking our pillows, beach towels, pool toys, and other miscellaneous stuff

I always overpack.

 

[bubba's mom]

Originally posted by SyracuseWolvrine

How large is your 5 year old? I seem to remember being out of the car seat and the booster seat by the time I was 5 (that was a while ago, so my memory could be off)

Some states' laws are changing...for example...in PA, kids must be in car/booster seat until the age of 8. While Fla. doesn't have this law, many parents and kids are very accustomed and comfortable with the booster seat.

**a note to the op about checking booster seat....remove cup holder and armrest cushions (if applicable) because there is a good chance they will not arrive with you to your destination! ours didn't!! wish i'd taken that armrest cover off!!!!

 

[shamrock30]

Weight limits for baggage have gone down, so if you carry an XL suitcase, be prepared to pay a fee.

Also, I don't think taking one big suitcase for two or more people is a great idea. If it gets lost, no one would have a single item of clothing. DH and I each take one small wheeled suitcase. We also swap a few items of clothing when we pack. That way, if we have to check the bags and one gets lost, neither of us is completely without.

 

[maciec]

Also, I don't think taking one big suitcase for two or more people is a great idea. If it gets lost, no one would have a single item of clothing. DH and I each take one small wheeled suitcase. We also swap a few items of clothing when we pack. That way, if we have to check the bags and one gets lost, neither of us is completely without.

Unfortunatley, when you have 2 small kids in tote, carrying 2 rolling carry-on suticases is not an option. Losing our suitcases is honestly the least of my worries because I can always buy more clothes. However, I always carry an extra change of clothes for the kids and all of my essential items with me.

 

[bubba's mom]

Originally posted by shamrock30
Weight limits for baggage have gone down, so if you carry an XL suitcase, be prepared to pay a fee.

depends on your airline. be sure to check yours. i know usair is 50lbs and southwest is 70lbs. one year we flew usair and less than 2 weeks before we flew, they changed the weight limit....from 70 to 50--without telling us!! we took like 2 things out and then they said "ok"....we know darn well it was still overweight! **I know this because one year flying usair (while the limit was 70lbs.) we were over like 3 or 4 pounds. now, this was a 30" suitcase and i had 3 peoples' clothes in it! (ds just a tot at the time!) usair said there'd be a charge for the extra weight. well, since i had no other suitcase, i figure, what the heck...i'll pay the $20 or whatever it cost. well, let me tell you...my DH about blew a gasket when she said the overweight fee was $89!! DH insisted the suitcase get it's own seat for that price!! (which was about what we were paying to fly).... ever since then, we weigh the suitcase with a leeway of about 5lbs!! Check with your airline what their limit is and then be sure not to go over!!

 

[bearzabout]

I travel a lot. With the new FAA rules, I find it difficult to only use carry on luggage. I usually have something I can no longer carry on (scissors, swiss army knife, etc.)

I now only carry on a small backpack filled with valuables and things to help make the flight more comfortable. I have learned over the years that if my luggage doesn't arrive when I do, the airline can usually track it and tell me where it is. Often, it is placed on the next flight in and I either wait at the airport for it or go back to the airport to get it when that flight arrives. This is the fastest, most secure way to recover delayed bags.

The best advice I can give is to use medium or large size bags that are not big enough to ever be overweight. Penalties for overweight bags can be steep. The next thing is to always have good bags with wheels and a sturdy handle. My bag also has a strap for attaching my coat to the top after I arrive in Florida. This way, I always have one arm free. I find that I can handle two wheeled bags and one small backpack easily on my own.

I don't see the harm in overpacking. As long as the bags are easy to handle and all fit in the car, I think it you will have a better time if you have everything you need without worrying about doing laundry every few days.

 

[disneyag]

Airlines allow 2 checked bags per person. However, I usually can fit 2 people's stuff for a week in one 25" suitcase.

Best thing I ever did -- buy my 2 kids rolling backpacks. They can bring whatever toys/CD/etc they want as long as THEY CARRY THEM! The rolling backpacks stopped the "I am tired of carrying this" whining.

I also carry a small backpack. I check EVERYTHING except our camera, my wallet, prescription meds, and a good book.

Oh, I also bring an empty duffle bag to be filled with souvenirs for the trip home!