12 days with no suitcase- possible?

[Jerusalem Gal]

I'll be travelling international at the end of October and this time in order to save money (saving about $500!!!) I'll be flying through Europe. So 3 separate flights, 2 connections in order to get home to WDW.

I'm REALLY worried about losing my suitcase somewhere on the way and so was considering not bringing one at all and managing with a carry-on.
I'll be staying 11 nights, 12 days.

I was considering shoving a duffel bag in there so that I can possibly use it on the way back if I buy too many souvenirs

Any thoughts on this? Good idea? Awful idea?
Thanks!

 

[mister morrow]

i think you'll be fine with no suitcase. i usually do it and i have no problem whatsoever.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

i think you'll be fine with no suitcase. i usually do it and i have no problem whatsoever.

Yeah? Nice! Do you go on long trips?
And I LOVE your profile pic by the way

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

For me the hardest thing would be dealing with toiletries. I guess if you are planning on using Disney toiletries and aren't glued to specific ones you use then you'll be okay. Otherwise, I guess you could order them to be delivered to the resort if you needed to. If that's the case you should be fine!

 

[mister morrow]

Yeah? Nice! Do you go on long trips?
And I LOVE your profile pic by the way

thanks! peoplemover reference
yes, a couple of times i have traveled for a long time.
a decent sized backpack does the trick, and if you run out of space and are traveling with someone maybe put a couple things in their luggage.
the Ziploc Travel Space bags will be your friend when packing!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

For me the hardest thing would be dealing with toiletries. I guess if you are planning on using Disney toiletries and aren't glued to specific ones you use then you'll be okay. Otherwise, I guess you could order them to be delivered to the resort if you needed to. If that's the case you should be fine!

Ah, see, I'm glad I asked. I don't really mind Disney toiletries for a couple of weeks but I forgot about the liquids rule. Last time I packed a can of Coke Zero in my carry-on as a silly gift for my BF and was asked to throw it out at the airport...
I'll have to plan accordingly!
Thanks!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

thanks! peoplemover reference

Which is why I love it!

yes, a couple of times i have traveled for a long time.
a decent sized backpack does the trick, and if you run out of space and are traveling with someone maybe put a couple things in their luggage.
the Ziploc Travel Space bags will be your friend when packing!

Thanks! I'll be travelling alone so no one to depend on. But I'm thinking I'll take my backpack and another small carry-on suitcase on wheels and hopefully that'll be ok.

 

[mister morrow]

Which is why I love it!


Thanks! I'll be travelling alone so no one to depend on. But I'm thinking I'll take my backpack and another small carry-on suitcase on wheels and hopefully that'll be ok.

sounds great! have an awesome trip!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

sounds great! have an awesome trip!

Thank you! You too!

 

[Karin1984]

I just used my trolley for a 2 week trip from Europe to San Diego-Anaheim-New York. And my answer would be: packing cubes. Two large ones at the bottom with my clothes and two smaller ones for toiletries and things like chargers for phone, camera, laptop. I had my laptop in a smaller backpack which still fitted in my trolley on top of the other things while travelling. Next to this my purse which had my camera bag in it.

The only thing that might ruin your plans is do you have any European flights in your schedule? It does sometimes happen they measure your hand luggage to see if it fits the rules. But last week I was flying Paris -Amsterdam and the measurements of my trolley were fine, there was only a scale... they made me weigh all my hand luggage including my purse and it was 3 kg too heavy so I had to check it in (and pay 35 eur). If you stay in transit you are probably fine, never seen these scales at the gates, but if you come from outside the airport, make sure you also fit the weight rules.

 

[Figarro]

I think it can be done. I'm planning to do something similar too. I've never lost a luggage (and I hope I never will) but somehow I'm a little nervous for my WDW trip. So I'll pack my clothes and stuff I dont want to get lost in my carry-on, and the rest (like flip flop and extra toiletries - because I'm kinda high maintenance, lol) in my checked suitcase. The suitcase will hold my souvenirs too on my way home.
Are you going to do laundry there? Not that you have to, but it can help to reduce the number of clothings you need to bring.
Your suitcase may or may not eat into what is already limited weight allowance for carry on. My friend has duffel bag with wheels, so it's lightweight but still convenient.

 

[YawningDodo]

It's very rare for me to check a bag anymore. A standard backpack (like high schoolers and college kids use for books) will easily fit under the seat on the plane as long as you don't fill it to absolute bursting, which means it can qualify as a "personal item" even though you can fit a week's worth of clothes in that alone if you pack right. I don't know if airlines where you are weigh carry-ons; I've never had my carry-ons weighed when traveling within the USA.

Purely cost-wise, if you're planning to buy toiletries there you could compare the cost of a checked bag against the cost of the liquids you'd have to buy on arrival, buuut if lost luggage is your main concern I'd say just go for it and go without a checked bag (the one time I've had a bag lost was on short connection through London, so I agree with the concern). I definitely agree with your plan to bring a duffel for the trip back just in case.

 

[mousefan73]

Why are you, IMO, tormenting yourself if you don't have to? For me 12 days with carry-on only to Florida would be a no-go.. Not even a weekend.. Each person is different, but this means forget about bringiing ANYTHING back home.. Drink mugs, Souvenirs... Sure you can get about 4 / 5 outfits and ONE extra shoe in a carry-on but then have fun doing laundry every 3 days. what about phone chargers, ipads, cameros, sunglasses, paperwork, extra purses for outfits, extra shoes, ( flip flops for pool , suit, sunhat) etc..??

Granted for most Americans their definition of "Carry-on" is not really Carry-on. I work for a European Carrier and what US airlines allow ( officialy not, but dont say anthing) are not carry-on sizes.. Most european carriers have also a 8 to 10 kg. carry-on weight allowance..

and YES last year I had to weigh my carry-on at MCO for this european carrier.

So if your only reason for NOT checking is fear of losing, then re-consider... Sure luggage gets "misplaced" but this would not be a reason not to check anything???..Of course I would still carry-on, necessities, swimsuit and 2 days worth of clothes. who knows if a flight get cancelled and you get stuck...


Even the whole liquid thing would for me not be possible... Contact solution, sunscreen, lotion, make-up..

Also, you do realize your duffel bag for the way home is then a 3rd piece correct? Good luck sneaking that on your european connections. i wouldnt risk it. Bag checking is a pain and expensive.

but then some , maybe you, are very mimalistic.. Only wear one pair of shoes, same outfits, no extra "stuff".

 

[mousefan73]

It's very rare for me to check a bag anymore. A standard backpack (like high schoolers and college kids use for books) will easily fit under the seat on the plane as long as you don't fill it to absolute bursting, which means it can qualify as a "personal item" even though you can fit a week's worth of clothes in that alone if you pack right. I don't know if airlines where you are weigh carry-ons; I've never had my carry-ons weighed when traveling within the USA.

Purely cost-wise, if you're planning to buy toiletries there you could compare the cost of a checked bag against the cost of the liquids you'd have to buy on arrival, buuut if lost luggage is your main concern I'd say just go for it and go without a checked bag (the one time I've had a bag lost was on short connection through London, so I agree with the concern). I definitely agree with your plan to bring a duffel for the trip back just in case.

foreign carriers will weigh carry-on.. I have been weighed at MCO before.

 

[tiggerunner]

I did three weeks in Asia on a backpack and small carryon. I tested some clothing at home washing by hand and seeing how long they take to dry- bras are the worst! Remember most hotels have a self serve laundry room and I have used them numerous times in Disney. I throw in a load and relax by the pool or in my room, never had a problem. I try to make sure all of my clothing can be mixed and match. There are places to buy small toiletries and still worth buying rather then pay luggage fees. Have fun!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, it can absolutely be done. Just be prepared to do laundry. Make sure any liquids you bring are travel sized. If you need anything else, you can get it at WDW, including a bag to pack up souvenirs. After losing our luggage a few years back, we only do carry ons for all trips including international ones. It makes traveling so much easier.

 

[Chucky!]

Check out Sonia Gil's vlog on YouTube, she has heaps of tips for packing in a carry on, taking only what you need etc.

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't like spending one moment of my vacation doing laundry. Why not pack a checked bag with an eye toward your fear of losing it? Pack the important stuff in the carry-on, and put things you wouldn't be devastated to lose in the checked bag?

Even late October can be very hot at WDW. I would want to have ample changes of clothing.

 

[tony67]

Also some of the bargain European carriers have a smaller than standard carry on bag size - so make sure you check the rules for each airline. Airlines that charge only 9 euros for a flight make it up through all sorts of gotcha's - and they have no qualms about it - its all part of the plan. They also charge you a lot more to check your bag at the gate then if you checked the bag in advance.

 

[maxiesmom]

The problem I see is that the weather in October can be hot and cold on the same day. Will you be able to pack for both hot and cold weather in only a carryon? Shorts and jeans, tee shirts and fleece. Sandals and sneakers. All the while making sure you are taking the bag that will fit in the guidelines set by the most fussy airline, and making sure your backpack will fit under the seat in front of you.