Questions about packing....

[terryfromhawaii]

Do you all have each of your children bring their own small rolling backpack/suitcase or do you combine everything for the whole family into 1 or 2 suitcases? We just came back from our trip to WDW at the end of November and for a family of 6 we had 2 hardsized Samsonite suitcases. It was a little difficult when all 4 kids kept getting irritated at each other for 'messing up' the suitcase they were sharing. My question is, if all kids have their own little suitcase, is that more trouble to keep track of? Would like to get opinions for our next trip to Disneyland next November. Oh, also how much of each clothing item do you all usually bring. I'm trying to learn how to pack light. TIA!

Terry from Hawaii

 

[Schmeck]

We tend to have our own suitcases (we drive down from MA most of the time, plus we take road trips as a family at least once each summer) but we unpack and use the dresser drawers in our room at the resort for our stay. If it's easier to have two big suitcases, why not just unpack, then the kids can have their own drawer of stuff!

I do laundry at least once during our stay, as we tend to be at WDW for 7-9 days on average. So, I pack enough clothing for 2/3 of our trip, and do laundry half way. If the trip is 9 days, I pack clothing for 6 days, and do laundry on the 4th night.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

We usually combine the kids clothes and put them into 1 big suitcase. My DD9 could probably handle her own, but she would probably leave it sitting somewhere. When it was just my oldest daughter, we let her take her own suitcase. As far as helping you pack light, I'm sorry I can't. We ended up not using half of the outfits that we brought with us this past trip. I guess its better to have it with you though, because the one time you don't is the time something will happen and you'll need it.

 

[mamacatnv]

4 Family members = 4 duffle bags in 4 colors. I was sick and tired of luggage drama so I went and purchased 4 duffles with handle and shoulder straps (large Champions, but not so big as to have wheels). I have them lined up on my dining room table as I write this, 3 of the 4 of us are packed and I was amazed that the 12 days worth of clothes fit in each one. There is one additional duffle coming that has DH and I's pillows, an air mattress for DD and the princess costume as well as an additional duffle folded up inside to bring home souveniers.

 

[tiff211]

I usually have one big suitcase for DH and I, My oldest DD has her own, and I pack on for the 2 younger ones. I am actually going to the DIsney store to get them their own suitcases since I found my 15% off coupon!!!! YAY!

 

[Goofyta]

I was going to pack at least 4 bags for our family of 5. I figure the 2.5 yr old will be able to share with me, but both of my older boys will have one of their own. For us, it just makes it easier.

 

[hsmamato2]

Family of 4- 14 days- 1,just ONE, large,34"rolling suitcase-
That's 2 pr shoes each- enough outfits for 4 days,and toiletries. It makes life simpler,less to lose, less hauling, and less trouble packing it up again. I plan on laundry after 2-3 days anyway, and everyobe just re-wears their clothes-
I also pack a foldable duffel bag, b/c I carry home dirty clothes in it seperately, by the end I don't want to wash again,and it works fine-
But I tend to be a minimalist in packing anyway, Walmart is right down the road if we really need something!-
We wear our layers onto the plane,In Ct,it's COLD when we leave...
pants,t shirt,sweatshirt,and double duty jacket, add a winter hat and gloves, and we have our extra layers for if it gets cold,and anywhere in between-and wear the same thing home.
going in less than a month!!!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We are going to try putting some of each person's clothes in each bag. I'm afraid if the airlines lose a suitcase, then one of us has no clothes. Besides two or three medium sized suitcases generally meet the weight limits better than one huge one.

We are going to try the laundry suggestion.

 

[JanMary]

We are going to try putting some of each person's clothes in each bag. I'm afraid if the airlines lose a suitcase, then one of us has no clothes. Besides two or three medium sized suitcases generally meet the weight limits better than one huge one.

We are going to try the laundry suggestion.

I have always done this - much to the irritation of my DH - until the time we flew to France and only half our luggage arrived. He did begrudgingly admit perhaps I just might have been right all along - but only just! It took 2 days for the rest of the luggage to arrive.

He still rolls his eyes when I start redistrubuting the clothes but knows it is best to keep quiet and just let me get on with it!

 

[denisekayt]

I'm another one that distributes the clothes evenly amongst suitcases. For our family of 3 we take two medium suitcases (I also agree that 2 medium are better than 1 large...it's very difficult not to go overweight if you have just one large suitcase!). In addition we take one carry-on suitcase where I put in a change of clothes for each of us and all our bathroom items go in the carry-on as well.

I find that distributing clothes not only makes me worry less about lost suitcases, but you also have more evenly weighted suitcases with everyone's stuff spread out! Since we use the dressers once we've made it to the hotel, sharing suitcases doesn't become an issue....my system is that I unpack all clothes and put them in the drawers the night we arrive, then I use the empty suitcases for the dirty clothes throughout our stay until we're ready to pack things up again! Using the dressers just makes us feel more at home and it's more convenient in my opinion.

I also roll all our clothes instead of folding them...it's amazing how much more you can get in a suitcase by rolling!

 

[hsmamato2]

speaking of packing- I want to try this idea this year- ziploc bag packing- I found the 2 gal. size at aldi's 10 for $1.09.....

 

[suz72]

speaking of packing- I want to try this idea this year- ziploc bag packing- I found the 2 gal. size at aldi's 10 for $1.09.....

Ziploc bag packing --- I've done this...it works

I've done it two different ways...when living out of a suitcase, I have packed DDs entire outfits, each in a ziploc

The second way...a ziplock for undies, one with shirts, etc...

 

[frayedend]

2 adults
2 kids

10 suitcases
1 for me
3 for my wife
1 small one for each child
5 empty for the souvenirs my wife will buy

 

[heart4dis]

We're also a family of six. I really didn't want six suitcases. We packed sets of clothes in XL ziplocks labeled with the child's name. We mixed bags in each suitcase in case one got lost (so everyone would have some clothes). It worked great. Nothing got messed up and when we got to the airport and had one bag too heavy, we were able to open it without embarassment (I packed the "unmentionables" between shorts and shirts in the ziplocks so you couldn't see them) and move ziplocks into another suitcase. It also helped my kids have outfits that matched and had socks ready! I did pack extra empty gym bags for the return trip, but we ended up just shipping a large box home of dirty laundry and souvenirs! I don't remember how many suitcases we ended up with but it was probably two large ones and one or two medium ones. Everyone had their own backpack carry-on with things to do on the plane, snacks and a spare set of clothing.