packing ?

[guera]

Wasnt sure if I should post in the transportation thread or on the budget board?
Since luggage fee adds up for a family of 6, I was thinking about buying space bags and packing everyones clothes in backpacks used as carry ons. Anybody ever try that, would it even work?

 

[Alesia]

How long are you staying? Are you staying offsite where you'll be able to do laundry every night?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

You could do those roll up kinds but I've found that ziploc bags work just as well when you take the air out of them.

I haven't tried to pack everything into backpacks but we did only use 2 suitcases for the 4 of us and put the remaining clothes into our carryons using ziplock bags. It worked but they were heavy and I wouldn't want to do it again.

We also had to do laundry twice during the trip since we had less clothes with us.

 

[guera]

We are staying off-site at wbc for 7 nights. There is a washer and dryer in the unit.

 

[Alesia]

We are staying off-site at wbc for 7 nights. There is a washer and dryer in the unit.

You may be able to do it if you're willing to just have a couple of outfits per person.

Don't forget about the limitations on liquids, though. But if you have a car it's really a moot point - you can just buy what you need when you get there.

 

[goofy4tink]

You really need to watch the weight when using space saver bags! It's very easy to go over weight limits. I just roll my stuff now. And, I usually pack a total of 5 outfits if I can do laundry. That way, the three of us, when traveling together, can use just two bags, in addition to our carryon bags.

 

[jskacoc]

I usually roll the clothes and have done backpacks. Especially if you can do laundry it's totally doable. Use all empty spaces, like shoes can hold socks. We usually go right before school starts so the kids would have new underwear and socks. I take the old ones and throw them out at the end of the trip to save some space. We wear our bulkier shoes at the airport and pack the flip flops, etc. Good luck!

 

[canadiankim]

We are a family of 4 me, DH, DS (15) & DD (12) and we never take a suitcase to put in the hold, we only ever take hand luggage. We always stay off-site in a private villa with a washer and dryer and have no problems throwing in a load of laundry twice during our 11 night stay. It's not the cost that puts us off, we have been doing it this way for years, even before they started to charge for bags. It was always to do with timing. Flying from the UK, we could be at the car rental company picking up our car before the rest of the plane was through immigration.

Now we are so used to it that it comes natural. Florida weather is so easy to pack for with multiple shorts, T-shirts, and the odd lightweight dress. Anything of the heavier side like hoodies or sneakers, we tend to wear when travelling.

I have used the space saver bags and found they were good if you have bulky items but that with our regular summer clothes they didn't help much. We use the wheelie suitcases as hand luggage so its a bit easier than carrying a back pack.

 

[Minnesota!]

Take less. Use washer and dryer. So easy to just throw things in as you are coming and going. Saves on space and money!

 

[runsandjumps]

I usually pack all my kids clothes in one bag or in your case maybe you could pack two suitcases. I prefer to pay baggage fees so I can bring all my beauty/ health goods easily. I wouldn't check six bags, but I wouldn't want six over stuffed carry on bags either. We're a family of five and it works best if my kids can pack entertainment as opposed to clothes.

 

[Flynnismine]

The most I've done in a backpack is 4 days but that was Disney in January. I packed a few heavier wt clothing items, like an extra pair of jeans and a light jacket, so it took up a little more room. I have been thinking of doing a carry-on only for DD and I for our fall trip (7 days) but we're going to MNSSHP and DD is dressing up as Tink so we'll have her wings to contend with....I'm sure they wouldn't fit in a backpack or carry-on bag. The thought of not having to deal with checking and picking up a large rolling suitcase is oh so very tempting.

 

[dis_guy]

As you can see from the responses, there are lots of ways to go about packing but not all (or even any) of them will necessarily be the best for you.

I'm an older guy (58 years) and I think I've finally got it figured out- for myself anyway.

I just got fed up with packing 26 inch suitcases with "stuff" and bringing home things I didn't even use. Now I just boil it down to what I need at Disney.

Most of the time that's shorts and t shirts. I really like the Disney white sport socks so I count on buying a few pairs while there and not packing as many to take down. I also figure I'll buy a couple of t shirts, so I buy those early on and wear them while there. And yes, I have even been known to take along worn out socks and underwear and just discard them as I used them.

In my 20 inch hard sided carry on I'll have 3 pairs of shorts, a few t shirts, half as many socks as I need, enough underwear, a decent pair of long pants (I wear jeans and a comfortable sport shirt, with a pocket for passport/ID, on the plane), one nicer button-up shirt, my best pair of walking shoes, wearing the more presentable ones, and basic toiletries except for liquids. In my under seat tote I have my electronics for in-flight entertainment, my documents, wallet, keys, phone, and liquids. Everything is in it's place for security screening from the start. My jacket (a fleece and windbreaker combo), gloves and hat go into the 20 inch once I'm in my home airport terminal and stay there for the trip. I also use packing cubes and roll my clothes.

I doesn't sound like much but it leaves room to bring back anything I could want and I never get caught with over-stuffed and overweight carry-ons at the gate. If we stay a week or longer, we do a few loads of laundry midway through our stay.

Hope this helps.

 

[SnackCredit]

For me, on top of a carry on bag: CARGO PANTS. And, if it's cold enough, a coat with multiple pockets.

 

[pooh2001]

We wash clothes every 4 days. Either late evening or early morning.
So on a 10 days vacation - 2 visits to the laundry room.
When we go home, we normally have 3 suit cases of clean clothes, and 1 suitcase of dirty clothes.
Life is easier when we get home.

 

[Pooh2]

We use ziploc and the compression bags and do carry-on only.
We do laundry about every 4th day; throw in the wash then enjoy a walk around the resort. Do the dryer and walk a bit more.
If the kids are all old enough to carry their own bag, should be doable.
Having less stuff floating around the resort room may make it more manageable too.
We do get a car so can stop at the grocery for snacks/toiletries on the way to the resort so the liquids are not so much of a worry.