When do you usually start packing? How many bags do you bring per person?

[twoeeyy]

I am a person that thrives on dead-lines so I pack the night before we leave. I do of course make sure that all laundry is done before hand.

For three of us we take two carry-on sized suitcases and our daughter takes a small bag of ' junk' for the plane.

My husbands motto is if we forgot it we can buy it!! I think one trip I just might ' forget ' to pack my clothes ( this would be great except I would not want to take the time looking for a whole new wardrobe )

 

[Skroops]

then I'll start to put things in the suitcases a couple of days before. I usually make a chart/calendar matching what I'll wear to each park so that I don't under pack or over pack. I keep in mind that we can do a load of laundry if it comes to that so that I don't add too many additions.
Remember, you should be careful of your carry ons if you decide not to check luggage. Overhead bin space is limited, and many of the roll bags can be packed too fat to fit in the bin. If the plane is full and you are last to board, over head bin space is first come first serve. You may need to end up checking your bag any way if the bin space is full or your bag is too large. Many of the roll bags sold are too large for carry on, and they'll make you check it. Oh yeah, if you can't lift your carry on yourself, you'll be forced to check it! We ALWAYS check our luggage. It is so much easier!
Some cities (Cleveland for sure) limit your carry on even as you enter security so even IF the airline would overlook your extra piece of carry on, security may not let you through with it. Cleveland made me put my purse in my roll bag because I already had a tote bag. They are very strict about one bag plus (briefcase, tote, or purse).
I always bring an extra tote bag inside of the bags for the return. I love the Kipling bags (very thin and durable and come in lots of shapes and sizes). We bring one bag p.p. and a rolling tote for toiletries/activities/food(incase of delays). I can't wait! October is coming up fast!!

 

[NadiasMommy]

I love to pack early..but often when I get to packing everything too soon, I forget what I packed and what I didn't. Even If I have a list and its checked off, I will end up double and triple checking the important stuff..just in case..and I think thats more stressful than waiting until the night before and throwing everything I need *neatly of course* into the suitcase. But that's just me.

( check on me next month.....i will probobly have our bags packed and waiting by the door! ) lol

 

[newholidayx2]

I dont unpack! lol
Honest - DS & I returned from our 2wks at WDW 10days ago. There is still a suitcase sitting on the floor here w/Disney items in it! Thinking of putting away the suitcase as is - it's all trip items!
DS took 2 suitcases and I took 2 suitcases plus our carryons. Only 1 had clothes in it - others were misc, shoes, food, etc.

 

[crazywig]

i pack the night before. we take one large pullman suitcase for all 4 of us . my kids are only 3 and 1 so their clothes are small, and we are DVC so we have washer/dryer at our disposal so i pack half the clothes i need.

we only carryon the diaper bag backpack and the laptop (to watch dvds). traveling with small children (think strollers, 2 carseats, etc) is not easy but i think we've got it down to a science for our family.

 

[RussH]

I usually pack for 2 weeks 1 at WDW and the 2nd at UF. I set up this very large folding table print out my packing list and start piling on about 2 weeks before.
Since I drive suitcases are out I use those large Rubbermaid blue tubs. This has worked out great all my stuff except Aloha shirts are packed without wrinkles.
The bellman at resorts really like this since they just stack on the carts.
Downside is I take too much but so what I never have needed to go offsite to find some missed item.

 

[holden]

Just in case anyone is still reading this thread, we shipped our medium suitcase (my clothes, DD's clothes, and some of DH's clothes), carseat, box of 80 Pullups, "floatie" for pool, and other misc. stuff via UPS 2nd day air on Tues. It's due to arrive Thurs. at the Swan, where DH is at a convention. DD and I fly down on Fri. with a carry-on, backpack, and my purse. If this thread is still going, I'll let you all know if UPS delivers on time.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[can'twait]

I'm still reading! Please keep us posted!

 

[holden]

DH said our 3 boxes arrived on time in WDW at 10:30am! It's a relief knowing that my clothes made it. In case you are wondering, yes, we are checking this luggage on the way home. We shipped it out because I am flying w/DD for the first time alone (well, with my MIL, but...) and didn't want the hassle of having to check in a suitcase, carseat and another bag. DH will be flying home with us too.

I would do this again. Now if we can just dodge that storm...

 

[justplaingoofy]

I would not... Repeat.. would not.... check my luggage with a skycap. Go directly to your airline. Those skycaps do not work for that specific airline. My husband used to work for the airlines and would never let us check curbside. When I asked why he said just about all lost luggage is through them.Your luggage is wayyyy more likely to get lost by doing this.

If you have a direct flight, it would be extremely rare for it to be lost. One connection would still be rare. If you are worried about it look up your airlines website to double check the sizes for carry ons. Pack one carry on with enough clothes for everyone for a day or two and check the rest. Or if you have to check two bags put a little bit of everyones stuff in each one incase one does get lost.

I always fill out the luggage tags but for added assurance I put a peice of paper inside the suitcase (in case the luggage tag is damaged). On both of them I put our name, address, cell phone, but I also put which hotel we are staying and the dates we will be there.