Packing for a 2yo & a 4yo

[TwoTigersMom]

I can come up with the extras that we need, I just can't figure out how much clothes to pack. We are staying for 10 days in late April/early May. We'll be going back to the resort to change clothes for dinner on at least 5 nights. How much clothes do you guys take for the kids? They generally aren't messy eaters, but accidents happen. Oh and I'm not doing laundry on vacation :lol: I want to take enough so that I won't have to do laundry until I get home. Thanks in advance for your suggestions! :wave:

 

[pinkrose]

I would take at least 18 sets of clothes for the kids then. That would be one outfit for each day, 5 for the evenings you will be changing, and 3 for *accidents*.

When my daughter was 4 and my son was 6, I'd carry a complete change of clothes in a zip lock bag. I did end up using my daughters once. That was when she fell into the fountain in front of America. I changed her, put the we clothes into the ziplock bag, and we went on with our day.

 

[TwoTigersMom]

I would take at least 18 sets of clothes for the kids then. That would be one outfit for each day, 5 for the evenings you will be changing, and 3 for *accidents*.

When my daughter was 4 and my son was 6, I'd carry a complete change of clothes in a zip lock bag. I did end up using my daughters once. That was when she fell into the fountain in front of America. I changed her, put the we clothes into the ziplock bag, and we went on with our day.

I gues I'm lucky it will be warm weather, so it will only be shorts and short sleeved shirts :lol: . I take a rolling backpack in the park with all our supplies (diaper changing, etc) for that day, complete with a change of clothes for each. I never thought of putting them in zip locs but boy would that make more sense! I always just took a couple of grocery bags to put the wet clothes in. This year instead of lugging extra tennis shoes and socks for everyone into the parks, I'm going to take their crocs and change them before they get wet (intentionally) or after they get accidentally wet :lol:

 

[Monty]

I pack enough socks and underwear for a change every day and two spares. Clothes I'll be a little more flexible on and pack three or four sets of long pants and the same of shorts. Shirts enough to tide us over until we've started shopping and a sweatshirt for cold evenings.

I pack everything into one suitcase along with an old military duffel bag that serves as a dirty laundry receptacle. The extra space in the suitcase is easily filled with souvenirs on the way home. :lol:

 

[H20Babie]

I have a 5 year old boy. I find that when we go in the warmer months, I pack more swim trunks with the "gitch" liners than anything else. That way, if he wants to run through any of the interactive wet areas, he dries off in a flash (i.e. the squirty area by Test Track, the mister in Tomorrrowland, the tikis in Adventureland, etc.) Otherwise, other than pjs, socks and gitch, I pretty much pack two shorts and tanks/Ts per day of everything else, plus one pair long pants (he wears the kind that sip off into shorts on the plane) and two sweatshirts (one that he wears on the plane). Oh, one more tip, don't put your children in sandals for the plane (if you are flying). Their little feet will get really cold!

Hope this helps, and of course, this is only one perspective.

19 days, five papers, 2 exams and 1 presentation until WDW!

 

[tigsmom]

We pack for 6 days...one set to travel in (usually the same both ways) and then 5 extra days. I always do laundry because its just easier than trying to pack for 4 people for 10 days. We also bring swimsuits and a "dressy" outfit for the special dinner we usually have.

 

[TwoTigersMom]

We pack for 6 days...one set to travel in (usually the same both ways) and then 5 extra days. I always do laundry because its just easier than trying to pack for 4 people for 10 days. We also bring swimsuits and a "dressy" outfit for the special dinner we usually have.

That would be easiest for sure! We'll be leaving at midnight so they'll be in their PJ's for the trip down. When we stop for breakfast I don't even change them out of their pj's :lol: then when we get there, we'll all change into swimsuits and head for Typhoon Lagoon, so that part won't be too bad I guess. This is what I'm thinking so far, 15 pair of shorts, 2 pair of pj's (including the set they wear down), 13 tee shirts (10 + 3 extras), 5 nicer shirts, 13 pair of underwear, 15 pair of socks. I'm also only taking 1 beach towel per person. We'll only be using them at the water parks and there's several days between our visits to those, so they can dry out and 2 swim suits each.
The problem is going to be getting all this stuff plus mine and DH's and a 16 year old girls stuff packed in my car. :lol: We have a luggage rack thingy for the trailer hitch so I think I'll be able to manage.

 

[welovewdw]

SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN SUNSCREEN!!!!!!!

I cannot tell you how many parents do not put sunscreen on their kids. :brick: Then the kids walk around all week miserable. Buy Ocean Potion products if you have them (made in Cocoa Beach Fl.) Excellent products.

So please pack the sunscreen so your kids can have fun!

 

[tigsmom]

That would be easiest for sure! We'll be leaving at midnight so they'll be in their PJ's for the trip down. When we stop for breakfast I don't even change them out of their pj's :lol: then when we get there, we'll all change into swimsuits and head for Typhoon Lagoon, so that part won't be too bad I guess. This is what I'm thinking so far, 15 pair of shorts, 2 pair of pj's (including the set they wear down), 13 tee shirts (10 + 3 extras), 5 nicer shirts, 13 pair of underwear, 15 pair of socks. I'm also only taking 1 beach towel per person. We'll only be using them at the water parks and there's several days between our visits to those, so they can dry out and 2 swim suits each.
The problem is going to be getting all this stuff plus mine and DH's and a 16 year old girls stuff packed in my car. :lol: We have a luggage rack thingy for the trailer hitch so I think I'll be able to manage.

Heidi, you are making too much work for yourself! You don't need all of that at all. The kids are small and you can rinse out the dress shirts and hang them to dry if they only wear them for a short time at dinner and you might not even have to do that, 2 should do it. Again, the kids are small and the tee shirts can also be rinsed (especially if the aren't messy kids). Shorts can be worn for 2 days (especially jeans). There are laundry rooms in each resort. I usually go when the kids are at the pool (with dad, of course) or in the evening when they are getting ready for bed.

 

[Kadee]

A friend of mine did this when she went a couple of years ago with 3 children all under the age of 7. She set out individual outfits for each child for every day they would be there along with socks and underwear. She put each complete outfit in a one-gallon ziplock bag, labeling each with the child's name. This way you KNOW you have enough for each child every day. It made packing and getting dressed much easier. It also made packing the extra clothes for a day in the parks easier. You just grab a bag for each child. She knew she had everything she needed in each bad for each child. She also refused to do laundry on her trip. I hope this helps.

PS.... WAR EAGLE!

 

[jcc0621]

I always pack enough to have 2 outfits for each day

 

[shari71]

I pack outfit to go down and back in both ways. Then one outfit a day. Then we buy each kid a shirt or two to make up for accidents and changing. The shorts/jeans get at least 2 wears per trip. Only time I have done laundry was when my youngest was 2 1/2 and her pull ups kept leaking. I would check her and she would be dry and 20 minutes later she would be soaked through. I just couldn't stand the soiled cloths in the room so we did laundry a few times. Other than that, I don't want to do laundry at all...it is after all vacation.

 

[miles1]

I don't usually do the packing, but DW's plan is to just pull our each dresser drawer, one by one, and dump them into the kid's suitcase. Then we take the suitcase to the garage and park the wheel of the car on top of it while we zip it shut. This is the easy part.

Be warned that once dirty and left by themselves, kid's vacation clothes will reach critical mass and multiply until all available packing space, plus another fifty percent, is filled. This requires another suitcase or two in order to get home. (This necessitated our only off-property trip, to 'Mart to get an enormous duffle bag.)

I know this is no help whatsoever. Enjoy your trip.:lol:

 

[maharet97a]

. She put each complete outfit in a one-gallon ziplock bag, labeling each with the child's name. This way you KNOW you have enough for each child every day.

What a great idea! Not for us so much for making sure we have enough, but my DH is horrible at dressing the kids. We have two girls 3yrs and 18months and he refuses to look at tags. And forget about matching. If they're roughly in the same vicinity on a color wheel, they go together to him. I'll definitely have to try this next time we go down. Thanks!

 

[TwoTigersMom]

I don't usually do the packing, but DW's plan is to just pull our each dresser drawer, one by one, and dump them into the kid's suitcase. Then we take the suitcase to the garage and park the wheel of the car on top of it while we zip it shut. This is the easy part.

Be warned that once dirty and left by themselves, kid's vacation clothes will reach critical mass and multiply until all available packing space, plus another fifty percent, is filled. This requires another suitcase or two in order to get home. (This necessitated our only off-property trip, to 'Mart to get an enormous duffle bag.)

I know this is no help whatsoever. Enjoy your trip.:lol:

This IS my packing method! I thought we'd try to take less "stuff" this time since we won't be able to lay the 3rd row seat down this trip. Since the baby is now 2 we won't need a lot of *extras* for him this time. We're only taking an umbrella stroller and then we'll rent a double one at the parks. Originally Hubby wanted to buy a double jogging stroller to take with us! NO WAY! I nixed that pretty fast. I've limited us to 1 carry on size suit case per kid. Hubby and I get 1 large suit case and a garment bag each. 16 year old gets 1 large suit case and another smaller bag. We'll take our toiletry bag and a small rubber maid tote for everyones shoes.

A friend of mine did this when she went a couple of years ago with 3 children all under the age of 7. She set out individual outfits for each child for every day they would be there along with socks and underwear. She put each complete outfit in a one-gallon ziplock bag, labeling each with the child's name. This way you KNOW you have enough for each child every day. It made packing and getting dressed much easier. It also made packing the extra clothes for a day in the parks easier. You just grab a bag for each child. She knew she had everything she needed in each bad for each child. She also refused to do laundry on her trip. I hope this helps.

PS.... WAR EAGLE!

This is a great idea! My hubby won't match things up either so this would be a perfect system for us. and definetely WAR EAGLE!!

 

[Ingrid]

Really, doing laundry at Disney is so not a big deal. We usually go for two weeks and I don't think my kids have fourteen outfits each plus extras! I do laundry maybe twice during a two week stay and it really cuts down on the luggage you have to bring, especially of you're worried about room. Just hang out by the pool for a couple of hours while the machines are running, no problem, its not like work at all. Even if the kids aren't messy eaters, they probably do sweat a lot, and I don't know about you, but I would never feel comfortable wearing the same thing twice without washing it. Plus, when you get home from vacation, its kinda nice not to have to worry about doing eight loads of laundry! Also, I always bring a handful of hangers and hang bathing suits and towels from them to dry in between swims, and it works out great, because they dry a little quicker. I keep the ceiling fan going in the room most of the time. Enjoy your stay, and yes, once you stay at Disney, its hard to stay anywhere else! My parents just bought a vacation home in Florida, close to Disney, yet we won't stay there for free, we'd rather pay to stay on property!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Now that my kids are 10 & 5 and have been potty trained for a really long time so we don't need as many extra outfits.
I usually lay out the clothes for each day (shirt, bottoms, underwear and socks) so I know each child including my oldest (my hubby ) has enough matching clothes/ complete outfits for everyday. Then I pack usually 2 extra outfits per person just in case and even more socks and underwear. Each person usually gets 2-3 bathing suits (they take up very little room) and I always pack at least 1 sweatshirt and pair of jeans or sweatpants per person. PJ's are up to each person(we wear a different pair each night but not all people do that). If you have little ones make sure you pack extra PJ's because these kids are usually soooo tired at the end of the day they may not wake up during the night to go to the bathroom if necessary and accidents happen.
Sandals area must for going to and from the pool, and pool shoes may be a good idea for the water parks.
Sunscreen and sunglasses for all are a must.
I have done wash once at the resort and it was no problem to do a load or 2.

 

[RickyMouseMom]

I just packed for a trip this past Feb for a 16 month old and a 4 year old. I plan on doing this again for an Aug trip too. I put together outfits ahead of the trip, put them in zip locks and label them for each day. Usually 2 outfits per day to be safe. Plus I bring an outfit in our day bag to the parks for each child just in case. I even include multiple socks. For some reason if my 16 month old leaks, it usually is right down to his socks!!!:lol: . By keeping the outfits in the bags it keeps the luggage neat and organized and I never have to think about what they will be wearing. This past Feb was a little more difficult because I had to pack both warm weather and cold weather clothes for each day (which they used all of!!!). At least in Aug I know it wont be cold, just HOT!!!!!

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

WOW!! I have a 3 yr old son and our second one will be here within the next two weeks.

The three yr old has been to Disney 9 times now and I don't think I ever put this much thought into packing. I think you all are incredible.

We usually go for about 10 days at a time. I usually take about 8 - 10 shorts (and some pants in the confused weather seasons ) and about twice that many shirts. We tend to mess up shirts more than shorts. I usually do laundry at least once per trip because I don't have enough comfortable clothes myself for a 10 day trip.

We hardly ever changed DS for dinner (unless we were going somewhere super nice). While DH and I may have changed, it didn't seem to make much sense to change a 3 yr old just for dinner when he would probably get a little messy anyway.

I hope you have a great trip and good luck with the packing. I am jealous and sad that we have to wait a couple of months after the baby is born before we can head back down.

Niki

 

[coltow]

On our last trip, we were there for 8 days. I brought 1 outfit per day and 4 extras. I had brought alot of Carter's 1 piece short sets and could rinse them out on the sink if I needed to. I hadn't planned on doing laundry but knew it was an option. I too packed clothes in ziploc bags, but not in the suitcase. I did thins once I got there for the diaper bag. That way should something get dirty or wet from the fountains it wouldn't ruin anything in the bag. I also used the bags to keep everything dry for when the t-storms came through.