micheleq
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
- Messages
- 1,551
Thanks to Aubriee and all the other DISer who posted their packing tips.
Just back from a nine day trip -- the first two days in CT for a wedding, then seven days at WDW.
We took two checked bags, one carry on duffle bag, and each girl had a rolling backpack. On our first flight we had a carry on garment bag in lieu of the duffle bag (for suit and dress for the wedding -- that was sent home UPS before we went to WDW).
Packing -- for me, the packing cubes made life alot easier. I used medium sized cubes to pack all of the girls clothes in. The I used three small cubes, one for each girls' pjs, undies, socks, bathing suit, and the last small cube was for my undies, socks, and some of DH's socks.
Suitcases -- I bought a Mother Lode TLS Mini and was very happy with it. I checked it, but it could have easily been carried on the plane. We also used a 24" Swiss Army (Wegner, not Victorinox) suitcase which is on its last leg (we have a three piece set that has travelled mostly with my DH for work across three continents). While I fit more in the larger suitcase obviously, the Mother Lode has great compartments for storage. I'm thinking I may replace the Swiss Army bags with larger sized Mother Lodes. For the wedding clothes we used a Tumi garment bag which was great. If you need a solid garment bag go for the Tumi. Worth every penny.
The girls have Pottery Barn kids rolling backpacks that were gifts to them. Honestly, not the greatest bags. Hard for them to pull (kept falling over, my DD3 would walk backwards so her wouldn't tip), and the inside storage was pretty small for the size of the bag. The only plus is that there are so many buckles on the exterior that they strapped all their stuffed animals to the outside of the bag! Next time they can use their school backpacks (non-rolling and much lighter) for the plane.
I used a Sherpani XO backpack for the week and it was the perfect size. I kept two autograph books in it, iphones, camera, and a change of clothes for DD3. Hopefully by our next trip I can bring an even smaller bag or backpack.
I used ebags cubes and then purchased the tumi bag on Zappos. Both Zappos and ebags had quick delivery and good customer service (I had to call Zappos to ask a question about the Tumi bag's weight which was incorrect on the website).
Although I did end up buying a rolling duffle at WDW (for $16 at the YC gift store with purchase), I was happy I packed a duffle bag flat in the larger suitcase for souvies. On our last trip I bought the WDW canvas boat bag and that has held up very well. I wasn't a fan of the red or green faux croc bags that most of the gift shops were offering with purchase, so I was happy to see the duffle bag option.
As much as I tried to be a packing commando (I really wanted to be caryy on only), I am happy I wasn't. The overhead compartments on all our flights were jam packed, so I was glad to have checked the larger bags and kept what we carried on beneath the seats in front of us.
Hope this helps someone!
Just back from a nine day trip -- the first two days in CT for a wedding, then seven days at WDW.
We took two checked bags, one carry on duffle bag, and each girl had a rolling backpack. On our first flight we had a carry on garment bag in lieu of the duffle bag (for suit and dress for the wedding -- that was sent home UPS before we went to WDW).
Packing -- for me, the packing cubes made life alot easier. I used medium sized cubes to pack all of the girls clothes in. The I used three small cubes, one for each girls' pjs, undies, socks, bathing suit, and the last small cube was for my undies, socks, and some of DH's socks.
Suitcases -- I bought a Mother Lode TLS Mini and was very happy with it. I checked it, but it could have easily been carried on the plane. We also used a 24" Swiss Army (Wegner, not Victorinox) suitcase which is on its last leg (we have a three piece set that has travelled mostly with my DH for work across three continents). While I fit more in the larger suitcase obviously, the Mother Lode has great compartments for storage. I'm thinking I may replace the Swiss Army bags with larger sized Mother Lodes. For the wedding clothes we used a Tumi garment bag which was great. If you need a solid garment bag go for the Tumi. Worth every penny.
The girls have Pottery Barn kids rolling backpacks that were gifts to them. Honestly, not the greatest bags. Hard for them to pull (kept falling over, my DD3 would walk backwards so her wouldn't tip), and the inside storage was pretty small for the size of the bag. The only plus is that there are so many buckles on the exterior that they strapped all their stuffed animals to the outside of the bag! Next time they can use their school backpacks (non-rolling and much lighter) for the plane.
I used a Sherpani XO backpack for the week and it was the perfect size. I kept two autograph books in it, iphones, camera, and a change of clothes for DD3. Hopefully by our next trip I can bring an even smaller bag or backpack.
I used ebags cubes and then purchased the tumi bag on Zappos. Both Zappos and ebags had quick delivery and good customer service (I had to call Zappos to ask a question about the Tumi bag's weight which was incorrect on the website).
Although I did end up buying a rolling duffle at WDW (for $16 at the YC gift store with purchase), I was happy I packed a duffle bag flat in the larger suitcase for souvies. On our last trip I bought the WDW canvas boat bag and that has held up very well. I wasn't a fan of the red or green faux croc bags that most of the gift shops were offering with purchase, so I was happy to see the duffle bag option.
As much as I tried to be a packing commando (I really wanted to be caryy on only), I am happy I wasn't. The overhead compartments on all our flights were jam packed, so I was glad to have checked the larger bags and kept what we carried on beneath the seats in front of us.
Hope this helps someone!
