15 days no suitcases driving only

[RussH]

Very late Saturday night is the beginning of my annual 15-day Orlando trip. About 3 years ago I started using Rubbermaid Roughneck covered storage totes for things like snacks DVDs books and all the other junk one tends to take and never use. First week is at UF RPR and I unload right onto a bell cart at check in. My second week will be at PC and I borrow one of their carts for the unload.
I was thinking why take suitcases since once they are unloaded they just take up space. The totes stack inside one another and use very little room when unlaoded. Now even my clothes and shoes are packed the same way and loading and unloading the truck is really simple.
This only works if you are driving since the lids just snap on but my pack out stack looks sort of industrial now.
RussH

 

[ABCMom]

I have seen other people do this and always think it is a great idea, but never think to do it when I'm traveling....

 

[myboysmom]

We do the very same thing, and have for a long time. We make many trips "up north" to our vacation place. As we unpack when we get there, why use suitcases. Will do the same on our trip to WDW.

When they are empty they nest inside each other, and take up very little room. They can also serve as hampers for dirty clothes and laundry baskets. Hubby and I can usually use one tote, the boys another and a third tote for all the other things that come up.

 

[Melann]

What a great idea! I always overpack, but I bet it's a lot easier to pack a storage container, than a bag! Will definately use this idea on my upcoming trip! Thanks

 

[DisneyPoly]

It's the only way to go!!! Especially when changing hotels. At first I used to feel "funny" -- but now I have no regrets. I certainly makes traveling and packing a lot easier!

 

[marypopfan]

I was wondering if I put these in back of a truck and it rained if my clothes would get wet? I am always wrapping my suitcases in trashbags, but if this would work it would be great.

 

[funhouse8]

We used these to go camping and it always rains and everything stays nice and dry.

 

[Girls Scout Leader]

DH's Boy Scout troop uses these ALOT, but what they like, too, is either empty or full, with the lid on makes a great extra table! they use it for card games in the tent or next to their camp chairs for holding a drink. And they leave them out of the tent at night, and even in the rain nothing gets wet.

 

[Vavasmon]

The name brand toters (I have experience with Rubbermaid)
are water tight (I stored toys on the deck in one for several
years). Some of the low cost models have lids that do not
seal as well (the may or may not leak). I use toters to store
Christamas decorations, toys, etc. When we drive to South
Carolina we always pack food in one, beach toys in another,
towels/lines ina third, etc. They can also be used as a wash
basin in an emergency!

Many of the warehouse clubs (Costco, BJ's, Sams) and the
"wart" stores have a wonderful selection of toters after the holidays (for all the New Years Cleaning). They are also often
on sale just after the holidays.

 

[marypopfan]

Thanks for the help. I think that this is what I am going to do next time.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

What a great idea! Besides being cheap, why not have fun with it? If you're handy with a paintbrush....why not paint favorite disney characters on the totes (seal with finishing spray), or, if not artistically inclined..why not use some Disney stickers on them? Even let the kids decorate them! We are going in April and I'm thinking that totes with lots of paint, stickers, etc. would make a cute little Easter gift for the kids to decorate them by themselves!

 

[jann1033]

we always use these for camping as well but never thought of them instead of suitcases...only problem i can forsee is I have a tendency to keep packing till the case is full so I might just take even more I don't use

 

[Disney Doll]

A great idea if you're driving!!!!! I must admit, I am seeing more and more totes at the front entrances of the hotels.

 

[disneymom3]

I am loving this idea!!! We drive on any vacations we can and always bring a box or two with foodstuffs etc plus a soft sided toy box for the kids. Next trip I am going with totes for sure! Plus they will stack so easily in the back of our van. THANKS!!

 

[houseofmouse]

I wish I lived close to WDW this is a great idea and I will use for my closer to home trips from now on!

 

[Buckleybunch]

We have done this for Softball for years, or we have used the foldable laundry baskets. This is also a good way to go if you are going in the Cooler months.. You can leave the sweatshirts and jackets in the container until you need them and then you aren't using a whole lot of dresser space..

 

[NotUrsula]

Poly bins in good condition are fine, especially if you drive a truck.

Discussions of 'alternative' luggage always remind me of a funny situation I witnessed once at the Swan, back in the days when rental cars were marked.

A man in a very large and very expensive car pulled up at the Swan and announced that he was checking in. He opened up the trunk, and the bellman just stared, because everything he had was in Wal-Mart bags, at least 50 of them. My first thought was that an airline had lost his luggage, but then I looked more closely at the car and realized that it was NOT a rental; it was his personal car. (I won't comment on the license tags.)

To top it all off, the bellman came back after hauling all of that upstairs, and I heard him tell his co-workers that the guy had stiffed him on the tip. (He wasn't loud, but I happened to be a witness to the whole thing because I was standing right by the bellstand with a baby sleeping in a stroller. I was waiting for DH to get something we had forgotten from the car.)

It was the weirdest scene. There was just something ludicrous about the owner of a $40K automobile checking into a luxury hotel with nothing but plastic Wal-Mart sacks for luggage.

 

[Waffles]

Wow, I never thought of that! We use totes for camping, but I never thought to take them on vacation! What a great idea!