2 Adults, 2 yo, stroller...what type of carry on?

[HeatherL1985]

Hi!

My husband, my 2 yo and I will be flying to Disney in May. We will have two full sized suitcases, a stroller (with gate check bag), my husband and ds will each have a backpack. I keep going back and forth between getting another backpack for myself or small rolling carry on bag. I can't decide whether it's more important to keep my hands free or to pack more in my carry on since our bags may not be available for hours.

Suggestions?

 

[MandiC]

I always bring a carry on, mainly because I usually bring my tablet, a book and sometimes some papers (meal planning and such for at home ). If you think you can fit everything in the backpacks your dh and son will be carrying than there is probably no need. My husband rarely brings a carry on, he usually puts his things in my bag. And we always bring a few things to get us through the first few hours/night at our destination, just in case.

 

[msmama]

Will your son really keep the backpack on at the times when you need him to? (Mine wouldn't have).

I personally like either a large tote bag (like Lands end/LL bean kind) or a weekender kind of bag (I have the Vera Bradley grand cargo bag). Backpacks are convenient until you have it on your back and need to get something out of it. I like being able to have the bag on my shoulder so I can get things in and out of it. And both bags I have that I mentioned are big enough to carry changes of clothes and stuff (we tend to arrive late so we need our pajamas). I don't like putting electronics in a rolling bag either.

Anyway I also like to have a bag big enough to hold the stuff that my son will decide he doesn't want in his backpack anymore, too.

 

[cadawson]

Oh, I can't tolerate a rolling bag when I travel with my kids. It never fails, I will have to be holding a hand and trying to drag a toddler and a rolling bag at the same time. Also, a rolling bag can't be stuffed easily under your stroller. Shoulder bags are easier when you have to carry a toddler on one side and your bag on the other. I have used over the shoulder bags, but this Disney trip I have ordered a Vera Bradley backpack to try because my DS is 4 now. I need more hands free to chase after him. I'd suggest getting something not too big so you won't overload it. But, do make sure you bring enough snacks and entertainment items for your 2 year old for the trip down there. If you go with a medium to small-sized backpack or shoulder bag, you can also use that bag to bring to the parks. Make sure you can pop your toddler's backpack into your bag when it becomes a problem to carry. Vera Bradley has their backpacks on 25% off online now. Do a trial to make sure all your airport carry-on stuff will fit under the stroller. You'll want to be able to stow it when you have to travel across the airport and if you have any delays or layovers. I'll be sad when I have to give up my stroller - it makes a great luggage carrier when I fold down the seat. Have fun and don't bring too much stuff!

 

[HeatherL1985]

Will your son really keep the backpack on at the times when you need him to? (Mine wouldn't have).

Oh yeah, no. He most likely will refuse to wear it at all since I paid money for it...and he's a toddler. It's just a tiny toddler backpack so we got a carabiner to attach it to my husbands backpack when DS inevitably decides he doesn't want it.

Have fun and don't bring too much stuff!

Do you know me? Because you sound just like my husband!!

Thanks for the advice! Aaaaand I'm off to check out Vera Bradley bags.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

We travel as a family of three with a stroller. We bring two backpacks. In one backpack I bring a change of clothes for all of us to change into when we arrive as well as camera, passports, ipad etc. The other backpack is kids items and snacks. We check everything else for delivery through magical express. We gate check the stroller. Condense as much as you can.

 

[mommd]

It's Me, DH, 4yo, and 10 month old. We take 1 regular backpack and a small backpack for the 4yo. There is no way we could do 2 regular backpacks. I have to have my hands free for the 10 month old. And my husband would not go for the 2 backpacks! I just had to be really careful about not over packing.

 

[NJlauren]

I just got the Vera Bradely weekender bag and love it! Fits under (most) seats on the plane, it als is able to go over the handle of a rolling suitcase which came in handy for us.

 

[tzeitel]

DH has a backpack and I have a tote. DD now carries her own backpack with her iPad, snacks and anything else she wants to have on the plane. In my tote I carry all the confirmations/tickets/gift cards etc plus a change of clothes/swimsuit for DD, a sweater for myself (I get cold on flights), snacks, camera and my Kindle. DH packs his backpack with who knows what Before DD carried her own stuff we split it between DH & I. The less you have to carry the less you have to keep track of - I am super paranoid about my tote with all the paperwork etc in it.

I would go for a little bigger bag than a second backpack. My bag is a regular Columbia tote that zips (I always lose stuff if not zipped ) and holds tons! I have also used a regular Jansport backpack and it has been big enough to hold all the stuff we would need in flight and right away at WDW. Remember you will have a bunch of new things bought at Disney so make sure you have room in your suitcase or bring an extra packable bag just in case.

We have been traveling with rolling carry-on suitcases for the past 3 years and it is fine, but DD is 12 now and she keeps a close eye on her things. We all know we are in charge of one backpack/tote and one rolling bag each. It can be done but I am not sure if it would have been as easy to do when DD was little.