Trying to pack light ... space bags? bag in a bag?

[mommy2princesses0309]

We are leaving for the World on 1/9. It will be DH, DD 6, DD 8 mos. and myself. I am trying to pack light to cut down on stuff we have to lug around with the 2 kids through the airport. We are renting a condo so I'll be able to do laundry every couple of days, so I'm hoping to pack minimal clothes for all of us. I am only taking enough formula, baby food, diapers on the plan to last 1 day (it's a 2 hr flight but will "overpack" diaper bag for any just in case events!), we are renting a car and will stop at walmart on the way to the condo to get diapers, wipes, formula. We do not have to take a pack n play or anything because the condo has them. I am still deciding whether to take our Mac stroller for DD 8mos. in the airport and gate checking it. Otherwise, the condo has one.

My first question is ... are the roll out/push down space bags worth buying to use for travel?

My second question is ... since we are flying airtran they charge $15 for each checked bag. We are checking one car seat bag with car seat and booster seat in it and want to check one large suitcase. We have discussed packing an empty suitcase in that suitcase because we know we'll be bringing stuff back with us that we didn't have before The other option is to ship whatever stuff we buy home on the Friday before we leave.

I'd love to hear your thoughts/suggestions on this.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We normally drive but the 2 times I've flown to Disney, I used to use the space bags that you could roll up but found that a gallon ziploc bag works as well and was cheaper. I usually only put panties and bras in those since I don't like the idea of TSA folks or security folks rummaging thru my lingere. LOL

The one issue is you have to watch the weight of your suitcase more. It can easily go overweight. The same thing with one large suitcase. It can get too heavy fast.

You are smart to stop and get diapers, formula and wipes on your way to the condo.

I usually put a duffle bag in my carryon suitcase and when I leave, I check the suitcase I carried on and carry the duffle bag onto the plane.

But since you are trying to avoid more checked bag fees, I think I'd ship as many souveniers home as you can except for a new stuffed animal or two that the kids will want to carry home. LOL

 

[amamax2]

I, too, have used the space bags but found the ziplocks work just as well for cheaper, and also usually pack an empty duffle bag or two. Then we put souvenirs in our carry-ons and check the duffles with all our dirty laundry. The other thing that works well is to ROLL all your clothes, rather than folding them (if not using the ziplocks). Takes up waaay less space.

The best advice I ever got and now always follow is pack the rule of three. Won't really work for the baby, but the rest of you could do it. Pick three colors. The boys in my family usually are blue, black, and grey or brown. I am usually black, brown, and green or mauve. Excluding underwear, only take clothes in these colors, so that EVERYTHING mixes and matches. It makes it all so much easier.

I also usually figure out how often I will do laundry, pack that many outfits plus one (so that we have something clean to wear while doing all the dirty clothes). We usually go on trips for three weeks at a time, and I plan on laundry every 5 days, so pack six outfits.

Just re-read your original post - will the one large bag to check contain everything you are bringing, or will you have carry-ons too? Can you have carry-ons for free? If so, then I would put the souviners in the duffle and carry on and then once again check the large bag just the way it was when you went.

 

[mommy2princesses0309]

@amamax2: Going out we will check the big suitcase. DD 6 will have a small backpack carryon with her games, books, etc., DH will have the laptop, and I will have the diaper bag. So coming back, if we take a smaller suitcase or duffel and pack it in the big one going out, it can be a carry-on, hadn't thought of that! Thanks!!!

Will also try the ziplocks instead of buying the spacebags. We have had 4 successful Disney trips with older DD but this is our first time flying with the baby so I'm stressing a bit LOL

 

[brennicksmom]

We have flown airtran the past two years--they have been pretty good. The nice thing is that their carry on can be 55". That's usually the check size of other airlines. Last year each of the 4 of us had a suitcase at 55" or just under. They said that the flight was too full and that they would check them at no charge since it was a matter of room. We could keep one. We kept the one with meds and electronics. On our return flight the same thing-except the girl at the desk said that they had just changed the size and that they had changed the check in size. Not true, that was June, 09 and we are flying with them again in Feb,10 and still 55" carryon size!!

 

[happymommy]

I would DEFINITELY take your own stroller! If baby is tired at the airport, it will be a great thing to have. I took one of our own until years after my kids were used to using one at home - loved having one at Disney. I know you said the condo will have one, but you have two kids that may need one each as well. I actually brought our double when our kids were 2 and 4 (almost 3 and 5).

I'd bring a few extra diapers, and maybe a bit extra formula, just in case of either a delay, or problems getting the specific kind you want. But I agree about doing a stop along the way to the condo (or one going to after the other gets dropped off to settle in with the kids). I always buy things like one bottle of shampoo for us to share, a small bottle of laundry soap, etc...

Maybe one of you bring a wheeled carry-on bag, just in case?

We used to use the space bags, but really the extra large ziploc are great. I bring plenty of extra empty ones - you never know when you'll need one! I kept one with a change of clothes for each child in my backpack when we'd go to the parks every day (and for a plane flight).

Ugh - I remember traveling with a carseat, but only did it once or twice. I'd personally rent the carseat, and ditch the booster. I know, many folks say they need it, but I don't really drive much on vacation, and used to let it slide. I got a seatbelt adjuster thing and just used that. I don't know the law in Florida, but I do know you can rent carseats. I've seen them at Alamo, and they are all cleaned and sanitized. It would just cut down on the stuff you need to haul around, even if it cost a bit more. Or, I had a booster that the back folded up into it, and you could bring it on a plane, it barely weighed a couple of pounds. (It's all coming back to me now). So it can be carried on. Plus, if baby is in the infant seat, can you gatecheck that? And is there a charge on Airtran?

Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[Poohbug]

I also vote to take the stroller and gate check. It is so nice to have at the airport.

Having carry ons to save on baggage fees is great-unless you have a baby. Let me tell you it was a pain trying to carry a car seat, a baby, a diaper bag, a purse and a carry on down the 18 inch isles of an airplane. And make sure the other kids made it to the seats and ended up carrying one of their bags because they could not do it. And of course our seats where in the back and many people already were on the plane. I'm sure I smacked a few people with a bag going down that isle and I felt bad. It was just really hard getting everything down that isle and car seats are bulky. I could have used a drink by the time I got to the seats but of course could not afford it. This is with the help of my DH-there is no way I could have done it alone.

I will pack more carefully next time and check bags if I need to. No more carrying everything for me.

Rolling clothes works great. Also roll up dirty clothes-it also takes up less room.

Have a great trip.

 

[Heidijs]

We're in the same spot but just one 4 year old going along. I plan on using the bags as well and doing two checked bags and then carrying on a regular carry on and sticking DD's smaller bag inside that one and then sticking our laptop inside that one and then stuff a couple duffle bags inside all that for the return trip home, so we should only have one carry on leaving and we'll take a backpack for toys on the plane and snacks...hoping this is enough!

With the space saver bags...what's the point? I mean you can suck the air out of them at home but what do you do when you go home? I have a pump for an air mattress I could take with to remove the air but I'd have to lug 4 D batteries with me! I don't want to go overweight either...do you just use the bags to help compress everything or what?

 

[mommy2princesses0309]

With the space saver bags...what's the point? I mean you can suck the air out of them at home but what do you do when you go home? I have a pump for an air mattress I could take with to remove the air but I'd have to lug 4 D batteries with me! I don't want to go overweight either...do you just use the bags to help compress everything or what?

They make travel ones that you roll the air out, don't need a vacuum. They also have new ones that you push down on and the air comes out, again no vacuum needed.

 

[Heidijs]

They make travel ones that you roll the air out, don't need a vacuum. They also have new ones that you push down on and the air comes out, again no vacuum needed.

Cool! I'll look for those then!

One good thing about baby clothes and toddler clothes, they don't take up very much space!

 

[Bren's Mom]

If you can do laundry you really don't need more than 2 pairs of pants and 2 shirts (plus the ones you wear to travel), maybe 1 extra pair of shoes for each of you, 2 outfits for each of the kids plus extra shoes (like flip flops), toiletries. All that plus LOTS more should easily fit into one large suitcase. Bring a soft duffle bag or large empty backpack for the trip home if you think you might need more space. The backpack can always be an extra carry-on for the return flight. (Remember if you've purchased 4 tickets you can have 4 carryons!)