Packing tools and tips for long trip

[KrzyKtty]

I am taking my family to WDW for 14 days and 13 nights. We are also flying, so luggage space is a major concern.

I am planning to not take shampoo, conditioner, or body wash; figured we could use the resorts.

I was thinking of only packing 4-5 days. I know this means that I will have to do laundry 3 or 4 times, but I don't want to pack 8 suitcases lol.

Are there tools you find really helpful to help pack a lot into small spaces? Things you think are on a normal Disney list but can be left behind?

 

[KTK]

That's going to be quite a trip! You didn't mention how many people are in your family.
My family of five (includes three teens) recently got back from a nine day WDW trip.
We only needed to check two bags and did no laundry while on vacation.
We all take a carry-on suitcase. In each carry-on goes three days of clothes along with pajamas, deodorant etc and any heavy items such as a camera and extra footwear. Basically whatever you need to live for three days goes in there in case your luggage gets lost plus it saves you room for your checked luggage.
Also to save money on checked baggage, open a credit card for the airline you are flying. Majority of them allow you to have your first checked bag for free and you can put each checked bag to one member's name. Both of our checked bags were free. Even if the credit card costs an annual fee, it still can be worth it (two checked bags at $30 each for flight down and back is $120 total).
We also limit our sweatshirts and jackets to one or two. They are heavier and take up more space. We are from Pennsylvania so winter in Florida is nice and warm.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[KrzyKtty]

That's going to be quite a trip! You didn't mention how many people are in your family.
My family of five (includes three teens) recently got back from a nine day WDW trip.
We only needed to check two bags and did no laundry while on vacation.
We all take a carry-on suitcase. In each carry-on goes three days of clothes along with pajamas, deodorant etc and any heavy items such as a camera and extra footwear. Basically whatever you need to live for three days goes in there in case your luggage gets lost plus it saves you room for your checked luggage.
Also to save money on checked baggage, open a credit card for the airline you are flying. Majority of them allow you to have your first checked bag for free and you can put each checked bag to one member's name. Both of our checked bags were free. Even if the credit card costs an annual fee, it still can be worth it (two checked bags at $30 each for flight down and back is $120 total).
We also limit our sweatshirts and jackets to one or two. They are heavier and take up more space. We are from Pennsylvania so winter in Florida is nice and warm.
Enjoy your trip!

Sorry, 4 people. I have 1 13 year old, and one Will turn 9 right before the trip.

I do have a Delta card which gives us free checked bag, But I wasn't sure if it was really feasible to bring 6 luggages.

Maybe I will try some mock packing leading up to our trip to see.

 

[ladydi]

If you roll up your clothes, they take up a lot less room in your luggage. That said, I always end up doing some laundry at Disney. The resort laundry rooms aren’t usually crowded. Bring some laundry pods!

 

[Raxel7851]

We drive, but we usually are on the road for 15 days. We did our laundry at POFQ last week. The machines are top notch. $3 for the 30 minute washer and $3 for the 60 minute dryer. You can buy a small box of Tide for $1 in a vending machine. The laundry there is next to the pool. It’s super convenient.

 

[KrzyKtty]

We drive, but we usually are on the road for 15 days. We did our laundry at POFQ last week. The machines are top notch. $3 for the 30 minute washer and $3 for the 60 minute dryer. You can buy a small box of Tide for $1 in a vending machine. The laundry there is next to the pool. It’s super convenient.

Awesome. I was thinking of doing laundry during one of our resort days. Lead the kids by the pool and all that.

 

[MissViv]

Wear your coats on the airplane so you don't have to pack them. As said in earlier post, each person needs a carry on bag & they will hold several days clothes. You don't need to pack a hair dryer as they are at the resort. Pack smaller items socks, underwear etc. inside the extra shoes you pack. Bring the little cheap $1.00 rain ponchos they have at Wal-Mart, you do not want to pay the price for the ones at Disney.

Have fun! I am going in February but just for 4 nights. Really looking forward to it since I have cancelled a previous trip due to Covid concerns.

 

[KrzyKtty]

Wear your coats on the airplane so you don't have to pack them. As said in earlier post, each person needs a carry on bag & they will hold several days clothes. You don't need to pack a hair dryer as they are at the resort. Pack smaller items socks, underwear etc. inside the extra shoes you pack. Bring the little cheap $1.00 rain ponchos they have at Wal-Mart, you do not want to pay the price for the ones at Disney.

Have fun! I am going in February but just for 4 nights. Really looking forward to it since I have cancelled a previous trip due to Covid concerns.

I never thought to put our socks inside the shoes. That's a brilliant one.

We also canceled last year due to covid.. We are taking a really long trip this time because it's the 50th anniversary, and also my husband complains that I kill him every time we go. So he wants downdays .

 

[KrzyKtty]

I was also thinking about getting some of those compression packing cubes

 

[SteveAZee]

I was also thinking about getting some of those compression packing cubes

I've used compression bags (like large ziplock bags) and while it doesn't help with the weight, it does help in how much stuff can be jammed into a few bags.

 

[JIMINYCR]

We do 14 day trips most of the time. I find I do laundry half way through, and then wash clothes again when we get home. We dont get dirty at WDW so our shorts we can wear 2 days, our shirts, underwear, socks changed daily. If you can stay up, try doing your laundry late in the evening when everyone else is sleeping. The laundry area gets very buzy and machines and especially dryers aren’t always readily available during evening hours. I’ve found some dryers aren’t very warm and it may take longer to dry your items.
The compression bags are great space savers and worth purchasing. Consider exactly how necessary the items you take will be needed or used. A lot of space gets take up by items you pack but actually don’t need.

 

[yensid1967]

My suggestion to save space, no matter how many days you go for...
...is to pack enough clothes for 4 days, do not pack anything that you can buy once you get there at the grocery store and don't forget to pack snacks in carry on!(airplane and train food suck! and snacks on the road can be expensive)

 

[Raxel7851]

I think I’m the world’s worst packer. I always overpack. I think it’s because we drive and don’t need to worry about overweight or too many bags. One of these trips I’ll make it point to be more minimalistic.

 

[KrzyKtty]

We do 14 day trips most of the time. I find I do laundry half way through, and then wash clothes again when we get home. We dont get dirty at WDW so our shorts we can wear 2 days, our shirts, underwear, socks changed daily. If you can stay up, try doing your laundry late in the evening when everyone else is sleeping. The laundry area gets very buzy and machines and especially dryers aren’t always readily available during evening hours. I’ve found some dryers aren’t very warm and it may take longer to dry your items.
The compression bags are great space savers and worth purchasing. Consider exactly how necessary the items you take will be needed or used. A lot of space gets take up by items you pack but actually don’t need.

Thanks. Staying up usually isn't problem for me. I could do it on one of the nights where our rest day is the next day and I can sleep in.

 

[DarthVader]

I've used compression bags (like large ziplock bags) and while it doesn't help with the weight, it does help in how much stuff can be jammed into a few bags.

Just don't use those vacuum bags - I've read stories where TSA wanted to examine them and the poor traveler could not fit his clothes back in because you needed a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out. Those roll up types are a good idea for space savings, and I think I'll look at that for my next vacation

 

[The Mom]

I am a big compression packing cube fan, while my husband likes to just roll his clothes. We have used large zip-loc bags in the past, but they start to lose their seal after being opened and closed multiple times.

I try to pack as many light weight hand washable items as possible, along with inflatable hangers, but still plan on making a laundry run. As all of the WDW hotels have a laundry room it is easier - I've had to search out facilities in foreign countries.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Time of year/weather can also play a significant role in this decision. In general, a summer/warm weather trip is easier because shorts, tanks, tees, etc. take up less space...meaning you may be able to pack more into your various bags. Summer temps also tend to be more predictable and consistent, so you don't have to plan for a variety of weather changes. I remember a December trip where it went as high as 75 and as low as 29, so we had all kinds of everything. I don't use packing cubes, but I do like to roll things (vs folding), because it seems to be better for space and some things do go into big Ziplock bags to help keep everything organized.

While we don't usually go to Disney for more than a week, we commonly take 2-3 week road trips to the various national parks. I usually have us pack enough for a week and then plan 1-2 laundry nights.