Packing/suitcase advise needed...

[duck_adoo]

Hi there,
We're a family of 5 (DH, 2 9 yo dd's & 1 2yo dd) driving down in 20 more days staying for 8 days . I'm just planning on bring enough clothes for about 4 days and doing laundry once or twice. Does anyone else do this?

My other question..our suitcases are not the kind that collapse, they're soft but still have the harder frame. DH was thinking we should just bring 3 big duffle bags (the really big ones) made from the collapseable nylon. That way we can just pile everything in the back and it would collpase more compactly. I haven't been able to find a suitcase like the duffle back material, any suggestions?
We'll be bringing down enough diapers/wipes, bottles of water. But now I'm even starting to rethink that. Should I just go to a Walmart when we get there and pick the stuff up? Any feed back would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Cheryl

 

[justcruisin]

I always do laundry on vacation, it really helps with the quantity of clothes we bring.

I actually prefer the hard sided suitcases to the large duffles (we have both). I only put soft items in the duffle, EVERYTHING gets moved around and squished. I would not swap all the luggage for duffles ... Bring 1 duffle.

Can you buy "space bags" in the UK? They're large strong plastic bags which after putting in your clothers, you roll and force the air out through a 1 way valve. They save a ton of space.

I would pack enough diapers/wipes for a couple of days, then buy the rest there. Buy water when you get here. Way too heavy to travel with!

-diana

 

[tortoni]

I like the soft totes too and use them when we drive (I prefer the sturdier ones for flights). We use the largest size LLBean totes. I always do some laundry while we are away and sometimes we stay in condo style places just for this purpose--makes things infinitely easier. I also buy supplies, etc. in Publix after we get there. We leave in twenty days too!

 

[eeyore45]

I'd bring both - depending on your dining choices, you may bring a 'dressier' outfit, and like posted above some things would get squished in the soft sided duffel.. and I'd make sure one of those duffel bags was barely full - you are planning on buying souveniers right??

and I do laundry about the 4th day also, but I'm an overpacker!! I still bring enough tops for everyday, I get tired of wearing the same thing over and over, yet at Disney when we went in July, we ended up changing at least twice, it was so hot, and we'd stop for an afternoon break at the pool - and I couldnt bring myself to putting on the hot sweaty shirt I had on in the am!!

 

[SusanD]

The heat is a big factor. Usually four days worth of clothes would last you that long but with the heat and humidity I tend to change clothes more often. Try to bring enough along that you only need to do laundry once.

 

[pennst8r]

I do laundry--so much easier! I just read a thread where some people send themselves a package of what they'll need to the hotel. Cheaper than buying it there, and easier than packing it.

 

[mars315]

LOL justcruisin, the OP is from NEW England, not England!!! I knew she said she was "driving down," so when I saw that you asked if they had space bags in England I did a double take! Not quite as far to travel (but space bage are STILL a good idea).

Michelle
(originally from New England)

 

[DisneyMom5]

My advice based on my laundry doing our last trip is to bring 1-2 days more than you are saying. For example, you are staying 8 days, bring 5-6 days clothes, and plan on doing laundry at the 4th day. I would also bring everyone 1 more day of "whites". We had a couple of socks that never made it in the laundry and on the last day a couple of kids had to wear dirty socks.
Since you are staying longer, it should be easy enough to do laundry some morning before you go to the parks or some afternoon on a break.

Duffles: I wanted a rectangle shaped duffle suitcase for our trip, and couldn't find what I wanted in the luggage dept. Ended up finding an awesome one in the sporting goods dept., and for half the price.
Have a great time!

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Ok,

If you were a redneck, 4 large trashbags would do the trip.

Good luck on your trip.

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

If you are driving from New England I would take water with you. I couldn't tell if you are driving or not from your post, but when we drove we took a case of Poland Springs and then bought water when we were in Orlando when we ran out. We just bought whatever they had at Walmart and it tasted GROSS! I don't know what it was but we could not get used to the bottled water down there.

If anything maybe you could buy Dasani or Auqafina, something that is National rather then regional because then you'll know if you like the taste.

I wouldn't pack water if I was flying though, way too heavy

 

[duck_adoo]

Thanks for all the great feedback!

I'm leaning towards doing the duffles.

Leigh's Mommy- you must have read my mind..I already bought the Poland Springs water (Shaw's had it last week..buy one get 2 free!).

CT TiggerFan- That's how I moved in college

Disney Mom 5 & Susan D- I should have been clearer on my 4 day allotment..I was thinking of actually 8 outfits. Figuring we'll get changed twice a day. We'll be doing the early am nap,pool., back to park plan. Hopefully. With a 2yo I know our plans will be subject to change!

Thanks again everyone!

 

[jenelope]

Duck_adoo, I just noticed this morning that Target has all of their C9 luggage on sale this week. I've had my eye on this 30" rolling duffel for a while now. It's got a separate, more rigid compartment on the bottom. I plan to buy it and skip my whole duffel + upright = chaos problem.

 

[duck_adoo]

Thanks Jen...I'm in Target at least once a week. Especially now...want to make sure we're all set for school before we go

 

[kimmbagley]

Who on god's earth would want to take time out to actually do laundry?
I can't imagine. Who's with me?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Who on god's earth would want to take time out to actually do laundry?
I can't imagine. Who's with me?

You mean on vacation? Or ever?
I agree with you on vacation!

 

[the kabuki]

Who on god's earth would want to take time out to actually do laundry?
I can't imagine. Who's with me?

I'm with you...never did it before, don't plan on ever doing it in the future!

 

[pennst8r]

I used to think that too---I didn't start until I had 3 little boys who were covered with everything they ate by the end of the night. One year I threw a load of laundry in while we were all at a quiet pool at POR beause I didn't want to ruin a particular shirt ....... and it was soooo easy. It's not like I stood there watching it spin. It's so much easier to pack for the 5 of us if I do laundry one night while we're there.

BUT...I don't cook while on vacation! I don't care how expensive meals are at the park. For one week a year, someone is serving me.

 

[jenelope]

Well, I bought that 30" C9 rolling duffel yesterday and tested it out using my 9 day packing list. It fit: 6 pr. shorts; 4 pr. capri pants; 1 skirt; 1 knit jacket; 10 tee shirts; 5 casual shirts; 2 bathing suits; 4 sets pajamas; way more than enough undies; 10 pr. socks; 1pr. New Balance; 1 pr. flip flops; a small hairdryer; 4 cans/bottles assorted hair products; and one large toiletry bag. I still had some room too, if my already too long packing list grows. It was a bit heavy, not unmanageable. I forgot to weigh it, though. I have to remember to do that. I'd hate to have to pay $25 just to get everything in one bag.

Oh, and I've done laundry on my last two WDW trips. That's why my packing list is so long this time. It's not hard to get a little laundy done, but it's time I'd rather spend elsewhere.

 

[duck_adoo]

With 3 kids under the age of 9 + DH and going down for 8 days, it's not a choice of *wanting* to do laundry. It's more of *having* to do laundry. we're going for 8 days w/5 people...hmmm..let me do the math.

5 people mulitplied by 8 days= 40outfits

Plus we get changed twice a day in August

40 x2 =80 outifts.

Not mention the various ice cream, drink, and food spills which will occur.

Gee I never did the math like that before

AND...I made that mistake our first trip and thinking I wasn't going to have to do laundry and was verrrrrrrrry disappointed when I had to do it.

Plus, I don't know about anyone else..but I'd like to be able to wear my favorite more than once. I wouldn't have that choice if I didn't do laundry.

It's just what works for us

 

[DisneyMom5]

We have 6 kids under 11. We will be on the road 9 days total, 5 at Disney. That would be 8 X 9 outfits = 72 outfits and then 8 pjs and all that underwear...YIKES! I have to do laundry to keep my sanity.
(and that is questionable!)