Tips for packing light!

[Kristamouse]

Leaving on the 27th? WHAT TO PACK? In an effort to mimize our cr*p give me your packing tips. I have 3 kids 5, 4 and 9 months plus my DH and of course me. We are driving form KY and staying at the ASMo. We are getting a fridge for Baby Mouses meds and are seriously considering taking a microwave. Crazy I know espically b/c we have the DDP, but the kids love oatmeal.
So please please give me you packing tips for cutting down on the cr*p!

 

[Beccone]

I will be traveling with 4 kids in August so I know about bringing as little stuff as possible. Last year I got those space saver bags and they were great, I was able to fit so much stuff in our bags, for 2 adults, a 13, 5, 4 and 1 1/2 yr old I was able to only bring 1 big suitcase and a 1 small one. But we were staying off site at a house and when packing to go home I was able to use the house's vacuum to seal the bags, not sure how to do that at a resort. I plan on doing laundry one day so we will not have to bring as many clothes. Last year I brought food down with us because I thought food would be more exspensive in Orlando but when we went to Walmart for a few things I saw that everything was about the same price as home so this year I will getting my snacks and breakfeast things down there. As far as toys, I brought things down there for my kids to play with while we were not at the parks and guess what? They were so tired at the end of the day that they never played with anything, they would either crash in the car or fall asleep as soon as we got home. So this year I am not bringing much, a few things to entertain in the car for our 14 hour drive but that's it. I am hoping to only have my 2 suitcases, a backpack diaper bag, a backpack with some things for the kids and a small cooler with juiceboxes and water for the car. Everything else I may need I'll pick up down there. Good luck packing I know how stressful it can be!

 

[Figment632]

Dont pack a lot

 

[wdwfan100]

Let me know what you come up with. It is just my wife and I traveling and to this day we still bring 10 times more stuff than we need......And then have to buy an extra bag for souveniers on the way home :hammer:

 

[jewils]

Not sure that I'm great at weeding out things. I'm more into organization of things. Here are just a few suggestions.

1) take a pop-up laundry bin to keep the hotel room cleaner

2) I also took last time a fold up car organizer. It was great to have the kids throw their shoes in, and I also had a place to keep our backpacks/diaper bags. No more looking for lost shoes.

3) I always pack the kids outfits in ziplock bags. We often travel with family and have adjoining rooms, so this allows me to throw them a bag and they can help get the kids ready. But ziplock bags are similar to the space saver bags.

4) We take one Disney storytime book that has multiple stories in it so we don't have to take bedtime books.

5) I LOVE gardengrocier.com and have used them many times. It's great to have our diapers, toddler snacks, we also get a 1/2 gallon of milk for bedtime drinks delivered straight to our hotel room.

6) We only allow one stuffed animal (which is a killer for my 6 yr old daughter), but then allow them to buy one at the park.

7) I tend to bring "just in case" meds, and they make some in dissolvable strips. My 4 and 6 year olds can take these and it saves on space but allows me to be prepared for colds/allergies.

8) I've just learned not to allow a bunch of toys because it's a waste of space and they never get used. My daughter loves small writing journals and pens. We bought NASA card deck that has pictures/info of space ships and planets, so this keeps my son busy during wait times. We keep these things in the diaper bag. My 18 mth old (who has been to DW 4 times), she just needs to run and be free so there's nothing needed to pack to keep her busy.


Hope this helps.

 

[mickey&me]

1. Do laundry in the middle of your trip (saves 1/2 the clothes)
2. Pack yourself some snacks; use the space that leaves in the luggage for souvenirs
3. Before you pack, ask yourself what would happen if you forgot this item; this tactic keeps me from packing stuff I don't need
4. Pack outfits of clothing together in large zippered bags (air can be squeezed out) or in rolls
5. Know what's in your room (blow dryer, etc.) and at your resort (like microwaves in the food court) before you pack

These help me; hope they help you, too!

 

[WIX]

A family seems quite the challenge to pack for. I do not envy you. Always check the weather before you go as this will tell you what to pack. Meaning do you really need the jacket or not?

Thankfully, it is just me and the DH and I have always managed to get a whole seven days worth of clothes and four pair of shoes for myself into one carry-on bag. I have taught him how to do the same thing. I never could grasp the many bags theory that most women bring with them. :shrug: Why do you need that many changes of clothes??? Pick what you need ahead of time.

 

[Ariel484]

Assuming you are making instant oatmeal, look into getting a Hot Pot instead of taking a microwave. I had one of these in college (I was one of those good kids who followed the "no microwaves allowed" rule) and it did the job for hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc. I believe I got it at Walmart or Target.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I have a wife and three daughters, so this is a concept that is beyond my comprehension.

Thing is less you have to ware the more washing you have to do while your there.

 

[Mickey-Mommy]

Since you'll be driving, don't pack all the diapers, wipes, formula and food that you'll need. Either have it delivered by gardengrocer.com or make a stop at Publix or Wal-Mart just before you get to your resort or when you run out. I used to pack all kinds of meds for dh, me and our 1 yr old ds but now I just pack Tylenol and can buy everything else as needed. I found that if I brough just incase meds that it took up way too much space and was hardly ever needed. A lot of the gift shops in the parks have single serving meds available for purchase behind the counter. Anything I asked for, they had. Put clothes (undies, socks) in your shoes also saves space. Only pack one comfy pair of shoes to wear to the parks and maybe another to go to the pool. Plan on doing laundry one time while you're there. I'd suggest not bringing a microwave since they have one in the food courts you could use to make oatmeal. Don't bring a pack and play with you since you can request one from the resort and if you really need to save on more space, you can rent a stroller and they will deliver it to your resort (not the Disney strollers, but from orlandostrollerrentals.com) Bring a small, soft sided cooler with you that you could put ice in from the resort and take into the parks for snacks.

Just remember, you can always buy what you've forgotten! It took me a long time to learn this! Haha!

 

[Kristamouse]

Thanks! You all rock!
My only packing tip for medicine is I only take a couple of doses (benedryl, stomach items and motrin)and cut out the dosing instuctions off the box and put them in a small bag. Then I put all of the small snack bags in a large ziploc bag.
Since our trip is going to be short I am thinking we are all only taking one pair of shoes (some form of Croc for all of us) and thoose will be on our feet.(HMMM...need to think about this perhaps not) I am also cutting out toys. Ony coloring books and other car realted play toys. One set of PJ's (they are clean when they put them on)
I am going to try the zip lock bag ideal, I could put the kids stuff in ther including the girl's hair bows (I am always trying to find where I packed them). I will also try rolling the bag.
Will do the pop up hamper.
My goal is to pack our all five of us in a very large Cabeala's rolling duffle (so big the kids can fit in it), cooler, diaper bag and stroller. (DH also packs tools in case of break down, thoose stay in the car with the DVD player.
I also read somwhere to do the shoe organizer to open counter space.
Off to All Ears to see what is in out room.
Keep thoose tips coming....

 

[disneygirl76]

Leaving on the 27th? WHAT TO PACK? In an effort to mimize our cr*p give me your packing tips. I have 3 kids 5, 4 and 9 months plus my DH and of course me. We are driving form KY and staying at the ASMo. We are getting a fridge for Baby Mouses meds and are seriously considering taking a microwave. Crazy I know espically b/c we have the DDP, but the kids love oatmeal.
So please please give me you packing tips for cutting down on the cr*p!

Have a great trip!!! It's going to be wonderful!!! :sohappy: As for tips for packing - I make a list and plan, plan, plan! It minimizes the "extras". A tip - bring a travel size laundry soap to wash items in sink that might get a stain or spot but can be worn again. This will help cut down on having to pack more items to compensate for spills. I find having a spread sheet with the dates and family members and outfits helps the packing process as well! Have a great time!! :wave:

 

[disneygirl1024]

Hey fellow Kenton Countian. I live in Taylor Mill. We are practically neighbors. You are so lucky to be going on the 27th. Have fun.

Anyway, you won't need a microwave cause the lobby has one unless your kid wants his oatmeal right now. Pack 1/2 the clothes and do laundry. I buy the Tide laundry packets from Target. They are good for 1 load. Everyone on here has hit just about anything.

 

[kitten2299]

If your 9month old is still using formula buy the travel powder packages it might be alittle more expensive but I swear by them it was so easy to take a couple in my purse and had the perfect amount for the bottle and every where I went was great about getting my warm water. Also you can get at Wal-Mart or Target travel food holders and that worked great for cereal. Have a great trip!

 

[kstella]

Thanks! You all rock!
My only packing tip for medicine is I only take a couple of doses (benedryl, stomach items and motrin)and cut out the dosing instuctions off the box and put them in a small bag. Then I put all of the small snack bags in a large ziploc bag.
Since our trip is going to be short I am thinking we are all only taking one pair of shoes (some form of Croc for all of us) and thoose will be on our feet.(HMMM...need to think about this perhaps not) I am also cutting out toys. Ony coloring books and other car realted play toys. One set of PJ's (they are clean when they put them on)
I am going to try the zip lock bag ideal, I could put the kids stuff in ther including the girl's hair bows (I am always trying to find where I packed them). I will also try rolling the bag.
Will do the pop up hamper.
My goal is to pack our all five of us in a very large Cabeala's rolling duffle (so big the kids can fit in it), cooler, diaper bag and stroller. (DH also packs tools in case of break down, thoose stay in the car with the DVD player.
I also read somwhere to do the shoe organizer to open counter space.
Off to All Ears to see what is in out room.
Keep thoose tips coming....

I would definitely pack a back up pair of shoes for each person. Some things you just can't cut out.

 

[Susan Savia]

We wear a pair of tennis shoes and pack one more and then swap on and off during the week. We bring our own snacks and make a midweek stop at Walmart or Publix for sodas or snacks or anything (Pepto, motrim) we forgot, or need. I try not to do laundry while there, but I always carry an empty soda bottle with some liquid detergent in it just in case. All clothes are mix and match so I dont wind up with some red shorts and a green shirt at the end of the week. Our kids (when they were small) liked to color so we always carried coloring books and crayons to use in the room, although after full days in the parks, some tv they were ready for sleep.

 

[ThinkTink721]

Leaving on the 27th? WHAT TO PACK? In an effort to mimize our cr*p give me your packing tips. I have 3 kids 5, 4 and 9 months plus my DH and of course me. We are driving form KY and staying at the ASMo. We are getting a fridge for Baby Mouses meds and are seriously considering taking a microwave. Crazy I know espically b/c we have the DDP, but the kids love oatmeal.
So please please give me you packing tips for cutting down on the cr*p!

Something that really helped us w/ packing for our 3 kids on our past trips:
Since their clothes are smaller than ours (your kids are younger than mine, so their clothing will be even smaller) I was able to put daily outfits together including underwear & socks in individual gallon sized ziploc bags & label each w/ the child's name & date that they were to wear it. Afterwards, I folded the dirty clothing & put it back in the same ziploc bag.
This cut down on suitcase space & the dirty clothes didn't stink up the suitcase.

 

[disneygirl1]

Geese, I sure wish I knew the secret to packing light, just can't seem to do it! My goal is to only have one big suitcase to fit all my stuff and my son's stuff in for our trip in Sept. Reason being airline is charging for checked bags now! I am so not paying $50 bucks to check in bags for the each of us.

And just as a heads up, there is a microwave in the food court that you are free to use to heat things up. So there is one less thing you need to worry about bringing.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mickeymatt]

I agree that you can use the food court's microwave, but if your room is a disatnce away, what a pain! I would suggest oatmeal bars or cereal bars or if they have to have hot oatmeal, maybe bring a small coffee pot and make hot water with it. It takes up less room than a microwave and hey you can make coffee with it too! I just don't know about huffing it all the way to the food court and back. I am usually trying to beat everyone else to rope drop though!

 

[d-ko]

pack extra shoes! i live here in Central Florida and it rains almost every day. Sneakers will get soaked in a passing rain shower. Walking around in wet shoes stinks.