Wow...started packing last night

[luvmylittleboy2003]

and I'm beginning to wonder if we should have bought bigger suitcases, I bought myself and dh a 25" Vertical Expandable and ds a 22" Vertical Expandable and they are really stuffed. I went smaller because I feared I would have went over the suitcase limits for Delta. Maybe....I'm just a horrible packer, but, when you have to pack warm & cool outfits (due to this time of years weather), pj's, toiletries, shoes, light jackets it just adds up quick - any tips/suggestions you have on packing would be great, because I have to be right at the limits for Delta Airlines!!

 

[ess]

We are shipping some things down before hand, like all the toletries etc. anything that would be heavy and used up awhile we are there along with a change of clothes incase our luggage is lost.

 

[cbrfan]

Check what you have packed. You probably have more than you need. Eliminate duplicate toiletries. ROLL your clothes, don't fold. If you're a serious overpacker (like me ) remember one thing - they only weigh your luggage, not you. If can't put it in the suitcase, wear it! We normally wear our jackets and/or sweatshirts then just stuff them in the carryons. I carry a cloth totebag tightly folded in my purse. Voila! An extra carryon once you're on the plane.

 

[ess]

Check what you have packed. You probably have more than you need. Eliminate duplicate toiletries. ROLL your clothes, don't fold. If you're a serious overpacker (like me ) remember one thing - they only weigh your luggage, not you. If can't put it in the suitcase, wear it! We normally wear our jackets and/or sweatshirts then just stuff them in the carryons. I carry a cloth totebag tightly folded in my purse. Voila! An extra carryon once you're on the plane.

I'm lost on this one: rolling your clothes instead of folding? How would that make the weight any different? Just asking because I've never heard of this making a difference.

 

[bavaria]

one 25 inch suitcase works for all my work clothes, leisure items and office items etc for a month.

Don't take full size toiletries if you don't need them. Cut back on shoes and jeans as they are heavy. I don't wear sweatshirts but those are bulky so cut back on those if you have any.

I use compressor bags for knits, underwear etc but the quality varies - I can't get the cheaper ones to really work so I buy the ones for about $12 each and they really work to flatten out items and last a very long time (the cheap ones tend to break and let in air defeating the purpose)

Remember, you can wash items in the sink if you need to, or buy things in the hotel gift shop if you absolutely need to.

 

[cbrfan]

I'm lost on this one: rolling your clothes instead of folding? How would that make the weight any different? Just asking because I've never heard of this making a difference.

It doesn't make any difference in weight. It's just not as bulky so it lessens the risk of a zipper breaking on a too-full suitcase. Also, rolling causes less wrinkling than folding, IMHO.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

These are all great tips...keep'em coming

 

[bavaria]

once you have put out all your clothes, remove one item from each category. You WON'T need as much as you think. For my current 3 week trip I have 2 skirts, 1 pair jeans, 1 cardigan, 2 sweaters, 2 knit tops, 2 camisoles, 2 pair shoes, plus various accessories etc. If I had meetings for work etc I would have added 1-2 blazers.

I look for clothes that can do multiple duties.

 

[klmall]

DH is the overpacker in our trio of travelers but we still get by with one checked suitcase (max size) per person and 1 small daypack size carryon per person.

Here's some of my best hints cutting weight and items for fall/winter travel:

1) Dress in thin layers: to avoid the bulky sweatshirt bring a thin turtleneck with a fleece hoodie or a nylon windbreaker with a hood or all 3!
2) Wear cargo pants with zip-off legs converting them to shorts.
3) Cut back on those heavy items like jeans and pack light khaki pants or cotton pants and nylon shorts
4) Coordinate colors into one or two color schemes so almost everything goes together.
5) Wear your heaviest shoes. I know that's kind of a pain at security, Just deal with it!!!
6) Dump things like a hair blower and umbrella. All Disney resorts have hair blowers and irons! So unless you have called and found that your room WON"T have one, don't bother.

My biggest hint is plan on doing a quick laundry if staying more than 4 days. I always do this at WDW and it provides some down time for me while we are back at the resort.

HTH!

 

[pamjb]

I pack everything in ziploc bags. They serve the same purpose as the airbags that bavaria suggests. When my kids were little I packed a complete outfit in each gallon size bag: shorts, shirt, socks, underpants. Worked perfect to keep us organized. I still do this, but have had to graduate to bigger bags. I think the ones that I have now are 2.5 gallon. Also eliminates the amount of air between your clothing and does cut down on wrinkling.
I also wear my jacket (or sweatshirt) on the plane. I am always cold anyway, so that is one less (big) thing that I have to pack.
Just remember, while the size of your bag does matter, don't forget about the weight. According to Delta.com, the size is 62" (length + width + height) and a maximum of 50 lbs.
I agree with pack everything, and then take one item of each category out. I am a chronic overpacker, but have gotten better when I realized how much I bring home that is clean.

 

[newholidayx2]

Im leaving Sat and going for 2 weeks
Dont want to do laundry
Took my largest and middle sized rolling suitcases and I think everything will fit. Havent weighed them they way they're set up. I weighed one a while back and had to take some things out to get under the 50lb limit.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Great tips everyone, I love the ziplock bag ideas and the take one outfit out. I'm now going to plan on everyone wearing their jacket/sweatshirt and if we get hot we will just stuff in into our carry-on and also wearing our heaviest shoes. Thanks again..

 

[hercamore]

You are each entitled to 2 checked bags.

I usually take a 25" and a 21" along to be checked. All my heavy stuff goes in the smaller bag( shoes, jackets, whatever. I don't fully pack that bag tho to save room for purchases.


herc.

 

[BigTigger]

Lots of good advice above that I won't repeat. Two other things to keep in mind - you will buy lots of stuff to remember your trip by that needs to get home too. Make sure you have 20% extra space empty or you'll be sitting on the luggage to get the zipper closed!! Also, as i used to tell my kids, you're not going to a third world country. You can buy consumables in Florida and anything you may have forgotten as well (often cheaper than at home). One way to avoid having winter coats with you for the whole trip is to put them in a locker at the airport on your way out and get them when you return. I know many airports have removed the lockers, but some still have them and they are quite affordable. The old adage to pack what you need then take out half and leave it home is always good advice when traveling. Odds are you won't need to have dressy and casual clothes at Disney, so leave the dressy stuff home. One area not to scrimp is footwear. make sure you bring two pairs of your most comfortable shoes/sneakers. Enjoy your trip!!