Too Much Luggage? Driving not flying.

[brendaroo]

There are only my DH & I going on this trip and we will be traveling by car 18 hrs each way and staying a total of 8 days & 7 nights at CBR.
When I started to gather things, I could not believe it! I already have 2 suitcases full, a med rubbermaid tub full of waterpark stuff, 2 duffflebags full, and a large rubbermaid tub that will stay in the van full of "just in case stuff". We are eating breakfast in our room so I will also be bringing groceries, bowls, spoons, etc...I also still need to pack camcorder, & other misc last minute that we use daily. I still have more clothes to wash & pack and our halloween costumes to take. It is suppose to be muggy & hot next week so I have 2 sets of clothes for each day so we can freshen up before dinner & eve activities. I must tell you that I hate doing laundry while on vacation and I have enough outfits to make it so I wont have to.
I am very curious about how much others pack & how many bags they check in. I have seen other peoples packing list and some were much larger than mine (although I added a few items to my list from theirs) My DH just shakes his head and wonders how we are going to manage it all. How much do you pack?
We leave in 5 days, 23 hrs.......
( I could not get my countdown to work!)

 

[nasmith]

I used to be a chronic "overpacker" (this was a label that I gave myself), but I started finding that I enjoyed my vacation less when my room was cluttered with all my "extra - "what-if-I-need-it" "Can't live without"" stuff - plus I started spending way too much time putting together outfits and managing my stuff in my room. So - I've seriously cut back---- Just did a 4 day trip with my 3 y.o (just he and I) - and all of our luggage was in one carry-on and a LL Bean book backpack. Really have found that I don't need as much as I once thought- and it makes it so much easier not having to spend precious vacation time packing it all up to take home again )(as depressing as that is already!!).
If you have the luxury of having your car there- I would pack so that you didn't need to bring all your bags into the CBR at once- maybe one bag of clothes, then when those are worn - switch the dirty bag for a new clean bag-- Just an idea- Jill

 

[brendaroo]

nasmith- thanks for the reply
This is actually our 2nd WDW vacation as a couple and I remember carrying the luggage & all my "stuff" down the stairs at the ASM last time. That experience alone should have taught me a lesson. I almost forgot until I read your message.
I am a serious,"what if I need it person" and have a hard time breaking that habit. I overpacked last time and did not use some of the stuff anyway. I think I will scale it down and relax a little and stick to my original list. I will also try the "leave some in the car till you need it method" I love that idea.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I always wind up bringing home food that that brought. So cut your food in half. If you need more, go shopping. You have a car.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Last year when I flew with my DD(then 3 1/2), for a 4 night trip, I had 1 checkin suitcase for the 2 of us which included diapers and wipes and 2 carryons-1 of things to keep her entertained and 1 for my camera stuff and a change of clothes for both of us. And I had her car seat and stroller. I had to try to pack as light as possible because I was also 6 months pregant.

I learned on a trip to Estonia that I do not need to take everything "just in case". There was nothing much that I couldn't have purchased there if I forgot something. If I could find what I needed in Estonia than surely you can find what you need in Orlando especially since you have a car. If you overpack you won't be able to find all the things you do have. Will you buy any clothes down there?

I wish we could drive. I've got to pack for me, DH, DD(4 1/2), DS(3) and DD(1) and we are going in January. So I need clothes for both cool and warm weather, diapers, wipes, bottles, stollers, car seats, cameras.......I may send a package....

Enjoy your trip and have a safe drive! Don't pack so much that you can't see out the windows.

 

[brendaroo]

I actually feel kind of dumb for asking my original question considering I do have a car. I have no excuse except sleep deprivation, trying to work, pack, and prepare my home for guest to stay while we are gone..(you mean I have to clean????) They are relatives so I guess they have to love me anyway!

I really do want to pack lighter though and I am not sure now about the thought of leaving too much in the vehicle. I recently read a thread about vehicles being broken into so I am a little concerned about that as an option. But if I pack lighter I could still leave something hidden in the car if I need to and still not have to carry in as much. That is my original concern anyway.
I guess I will have my first cup of coffee next time before I get online asking questions!

We leave in 4 days 19 hrs!

 

[songbert]

I have learned that I can live with half of what I always think I need. I have also learned that I can pack a lot less if I do laundry once while we are there.
Since you have a vehicle, you have some leeway, but you could probably still leave half of what you think you "might" need behind!!!

Have a great trip. We were at FW in July, and it was great having our RV with loads of room - and I still did laundry!!!

 

[bmr12]

Heck, take it all! Kids can use a lot of stuff in a short amount of time. You are taking a car, and as long as you have the space and don't have to schlep it very many times, you might as well take what you think you might need. That way you don't end up with extra things you had to buy when you went. You can travel light, but this isn't really one of the times that requires it. And this is coming as the husband who schleps all the stuff out of a Suburban...

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I think I was born an overpacker - what if we do this, what if we go there, what if that happens, blah, blah, blah . . . I always overpack - on our first trip to WDW I insisted on bringing our tennis rackets just in case we wanted to play - can you guess how many times we got out to the courts?!?

Anywho this past trip was a quickie for us and depended upon us carrying on all our luggage. Let me tell you when pressed you can really shave a lot off of the "necessities" and do just fine. We had bare bones toiletries, enough outfits for each of the days, plus an extra, and after we started buying clothes at WDW we still didn't wear all the clothes we brought. Lesson learned - you don't need it all and if you were flying I would pare down but you're driving - so who cares!! Yes there is probably a lot you don't need and my only concern would be if you needed to leave anything in the car - I would fear something bad happening but that's me. Have a great trip!!

 

[frannn]

DH, DD1, and I are flying next month. I am trying so hard (ok, not all that hard) to cut down on my luggage. We have 2 large pullmans, 2 luggage sized duffels, diaper bag, camera bag, two small duffels, car seat, and stroller. I am not bring a purse because I figure I can just use the diaper bag for my wallet, etc, even when we go shopping. I even threw an empty extra large duffel in one of the other bags in case we have souveniers we can't ship home. We are going to FL for 14 days (I will not do laundry), and are actually first going to my company's home office, then relatives, then WDW. So, not only do I have to schlep all DD's stuff (including costumes, crowns, etc), but I had to take a few casual non Disney outfits to wear at work. I left room in one of the duffels because although all my stuff fits neatly in the one big pullman, it probably weighs 60 lbs! We are renting a mid sized car, so I tried out my big stuff in my brother's trunk (has an Accura), and to my surprise, at least 3 large suitcases fit with room on top to boot! I may be able to slide more stuff in! Sounds like you'll have plenty of room & won't have to worry about luggage weight limits. I would take this opportunity to take as much as you want, then judge how much you actually used when you pack for the next time you go. Do the two luggages you already have include your DH's stuff? Have fun!

 

[jdads2]

This is a good question and personally I think you are packing waaay too much!

Here's my list for a 12 day stay:

1 extra pair of sneakers in case the ones I'm wearing get wet
4 undies
4 pairs of socks
3 pairs of shorts
4 t-shirts emblazzened with various "Mickey's"
1 pair of swimming trunks
1 pair nice pants...in case I'm going to meet the President or Mickey
toothbrush and paste
comb, small I don't have much hair
deoderant
band-aides
coins for laundry

This should all fit in a carry-on bag. If I need a sweatshirt I'll buy one (yeah IF I need one LOL).

My wifes is slightly longer. Here is a link to Deb's All ears net:
http://www.wdwig.com/forgot.htm

 

[Mickeydad]

I'm the same as JDads2!!! You basically listed exactly what I am packing for our trip next month.

I think after 10 years, my DW is going to pack ALOT lighter this trip. She always packs too much clothes for herself and our DD9 & DS6.

We always use the washing machine, so why not were the same shorts or pants a few times. There cleaned after each use!!!

 

[c4241]

<MARQUEE><font size=+2 color=red <marquee> ºoº...We are going to DisneyWorld...ºoº</MARQUEE><p>I think the best advice I've read on these posts regarding packing is: Lay out all your clothes on the bed...lay out all the money you are taking. Now, take half the clothes away and add twice as much money. Not sure if that helps but hope it makes you smile.

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