April 2010 ABD Backstage Magic : California Here We Come!!!

[tmli]

This is what I found on the ABD website....

14) Are there luggage restrictions?
Our recommendation? Pack lightly. Many guests find they pack too many clothes and personal items. Each guest is restricted to one checked bag and, one personal item plus one small bag per ticketed person, as specified by your air carrier. With frequent security changes, we recommend that you check with your air carrier as well as the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) website www.tsa.gov for current restrictions

 

[corky441]

This is what I found on the ABD website....

14) Are there luggage restrictions?
Our recommendation? Pack lightly. Many guests find they pack too many clothes and personal items. Each guest is restricted to one checked bag and, one personal item plus one small bag per ticketed person, as specified by your air carrier. With frequent security changes, we recommend that you check with your air carrier as well as the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) website www.tsa.gov for current restrictions

Whew - that's a relief. If I'm reading this correctly - both DH & I can have a piece of luggage, a carry-on small bag & he can carry the laptop and I can carry my purse
California here we come !!!

 

[DisneyKevin]

Hi Folks,

ABD restrictions state one bag per person and one carry-on.

The reason for this is that ABD handles your luggage upon arrival, at the hotel, moving from hotel to hotel and upon departure.

On our Italy trip, we were told that ABD was very strict about this, but I saw folks with two bags.

That being said....both hotels will have a laundry service where you give them your clothes that need to be cleaned and you have them back the next day. There is a cost involved in this, but it's a great service. There is also guest laundry facilities at each hotel, should you wish to wash your own.

Something I would consider with the airline weight restrictions.......ship anything you purchase at Disney home. The last time I was at Disneyland, we were moving frequently from hotel to hotel while reviewing the different SoCal choices for the Dis. Anything I purchased at Disney, I just let the CM know and it meant filling out a quick form and paying for shipping. This makes shopping much easier when you dont have to worry about packing.

Just a few suggestions that I think may help with your planning.

 

[skunkvette]

Another tip for sending something home, if you have access to a FEDEX account - I bring a couple of package labels with my account number to send purchases back if they (the purchases) are not in Disney shops.

I have also used the hotel's business center top arrange for a box or tyvec sleeve for the items - usually at no charge,

 

[kab407]

I love packing talk, it means we're getting close!

 

[tickledtink33]

So ABD limits us to one bag per person? Are we also allowed a carryon? I may bring an empty carryon to handle the souvenirs for the return trip.

- Bill

This is the million dollar question right now. I'm not sure where that came from. Maybe it was in the materials we've already received?

Oh Kevin?!!! Are you there?!!! We actually seem to have a real question!!!

When I took the Southwest Splendors ABD tour I had one large checked bag and I used a large backpack as my carry on which I was able to bring on the bus. It seemed like most everyone did something similar. There is limited space under the bus to store the luggage as the group moves between hotels and ABD uses some of that space to store bottled water, snacks etc. As long as your carry on is of a reasonable size and can fit in the overhead space on the bus I don't think you will have a problem. Keeping in mind that the overhead space on the bus is a bit smaller than the overhead space on a plane.

 

[katscradle]

Hi Folks,

ABD restrictions state one bag per person and one carry-on.

The reason for this is that ABD handles your luggage upon arrival, at the hotel, moving from hotel to hotel and upon departure.

On our Italy trip, we were told that ABD was very strict about this, but I saw folks with two bags.

That being said....both hotels will have a laundry service where you give them your clothes that need to be cleaned and you have them back the next day. There is a cost involved in this, but it's a great service. There is also guest laundry facilities at each hotel, should you wish to wash your own.

Something I would consider with the airline weight restrictions.......ship anything you purchase at Disney home. The last time I was at Disneyland, we were moving frequently from hotel to hotel while reviewing the different SoCal choices for the Dis. Anything I purchased at Disney, I just let the CM know and it meant filling out a quick form and paying for shipping. This makes shopping much easier when you dont have to worry about packing.

Just a few suggestions that I think may help with your planning.

Thanks for clearing this up for us Kevin!
I was wondering about this myself.
However I have to say this sucks for us. Being that we are flying from Canada our airline lets us have 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on per person.
Also shipping from there to here for us is not reasonable at all. We have looked into this on prior trips to WDW. I will have to figure something out.

 

[tmli]

Thanks for clearing this up for us Kevin!
I was wondering about this myself.
However I have to say this sucks for us. Being that we are flying from Canada our airline lets us have 2 checked bags and 1 carry-on per person.
Also shipping from there to here for us is not reasonable at all. We have looked into this on prior trips to WDW. I will have to figure something out.

Actually Air Canada has recently changed the rules for transborder flights...we are only allowed one checked bag plus carryon!!

I agree about shipping...I once asked about shipping a snow globe, the shipping cost was more than the globe!!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

We've traveled a lot as a family over the past few years. Including three cruises where cabin space and storage space is limited, but you still need multiple outfits each day. After packing so much for our family of five, I've mastered my packing skills to one large suitcase and one medium suitcase for a family of five for a week. That includes shoes and toiletries. I figure, if I can do that, I can pack for two adults in two suitcases plus two carry-ons.

We have our first Nanny interview on Saturday. Wish us luck! I will be able to breath a little easier when we get this sitter situation taken care of. We thought it was taken care of when I booked this trip. But, things come up and situations change. I'm keeping in good standing with the children's friends parents too, in case I need a back-up plan.

One way or another, we'll be on that plane in Austin on April 11th. However, Bill made the mistake of looking online at American Airlines yesterday and now they are cheaper directly from Dallas (30 minutes away) to LAX than our Southwest flight from Austin (three hours away!). We may change our flight to AA, we'll keep you posted Kevin. If so, we'll have to use those Southwest tickets for something. Bill mentioned Vegas. Sounds good to me!

Jennifer

 

[tmli]

We've traveled a lot as a family over the past few years. Including three cruises where cabin space and storage space is limited, but you still need multiple outfits each day. After packing so much for our family of five, I've mastered my packing skills to one large suitcase and one medium suitcase for a family of five for a week. That includes shoes and toiletries. I figure, if I can do that, I can pack for two adults in two suitcases plus two carry-ons.

We have our first Nanny interview on Saturday. Wish us luck! I will be able to breath a little easier when we get this sitter situation taken care of. We thought it was taken care of when I booked this trip. But, things come up and situations change. I'm keeping in good standing with the children's friends parents too, in case I need a back-up plan.

One way or another, we'll be on that plane in Austin on April 11th. However, Bill made the mistake of looking online at American Airlines yesterday and now they are cheaper directly from Dallas (30 minutes away) to LAX than our Southwest flight from Austin (three hours away!). We may change our flight to AA, we'll keep you posted Kevin. If so, we'll have to use those Southwest tickets for something. Bill mentioned Vegas. Sounds good to me!

Jennifer

We changed our flights as well. We were originally scheduled out of Buffalo with Southwest, but decided to check out Air Canada from Toronto when we saw the great fare John and Kathryn got. We ended up cancelling Southwest and using airmiles for one ticket and buying the second. Now we are flying direct, are departing closer from home and get seatback entertainment on the flight!! An important feature when stuck on a plane for 5 hours.

 

[tardis1029]

We've traveled a lot as a family over the past few years. Including three cruises where cabin space and storage space is limited, but you still need multiple outfits each day. After packing so much for our family of five, I've mastered my packing skills to one large suitcase and one medium suitcase for a family of five for a week. That includes shoes and toiletries. I figure, if I can do that, I can pack for two adults in two suitcases plus two carry-ons.

We have our first Nanny interview on Saturday. Wish us luck! I will be able to breath a little easier when we get this sitter situation taken care of. We thought it was taken care of when I booked this trip. But, things come up and situations change. I'm keeping in good standing with the children's friends parents too, in case I need a back-up plan.

One way or another, we'll be on that plane in Austin on April 11th. However, Bill made the mistake of looking online at American Airlines yesterday and now they are cheaper directly from Dallas (30 minutes away) to LAX than our Southwest flight from Austin (three hours away!). We may change our flight to AA, we'll keep you posted Kevin. If so, we'll have to use those Southwest tickets for something. Bill mentioned Vegas. Sounds good to me!

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,
I totally understand what you are going through. Years ago, as a mother of 3 small children I had won a trip to Hawaii with a company that I worked for. While my husband (Tardis 1029) could not go as he had to work - I was faced with a challenge of who was going to watch my children, 3 was not the magic number for others so I split up the kids - the 2 girls ( 8 and 6 )went to my aunt ( who lived 100 miles away from me ) and my 1 year old son when to his Godmothers for the week. The kids had a great time and I had peace of mind. However, it did cost me more in "gifts" but it was so worth it. Sometimes the bumps in the road makes the journey more enjoyable!
Good Luck -and I'll keep good thoughts for you. - Micki

 

[katscradle]

Actually Air Canada has recently changed the rules for transborder flights...we are only allowed one checked bag plus carryon!!

I agree about shipping...I once asked about shipping a snow globe, the shipping cost was more than the globe!!!

I know it is ridculous!
Well then on to plan B, John will be wearing the same clothes the whole trip.
I will have his clothing launder if this helps!
Well all joking asside I am not sure if I will make this trip with him.
Our babysitter backed out, and the list of people coming forward does not look promising. I really want to go, but not at the expence of the boys well being. So for now we are just going to play it by ear and see what happens.

 

[spokanemom]

Well all joking asside I am not sure if I will make this trip with him.
Our babysitter backed out, and the list of people coming forward does not look promising. I really want to go, but not at the expence of the boys well being. So for now we are just going to play it by ear and see what happens.

I hope you are able to find a good solution for your childcare. It would be sad for you to have to cancel this close to going. And especially since you know the "head exploding" Club 33 secret and everything!

 

[katscradle]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

 

[kab407]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

Glad everything worked out for you and John!!! See you in a few weeks.

 

[aspen37]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

 

[spokanemom]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

Congratulations!!!

 

[Circusgirl]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

I'm so glad it all worked out. It would not have been the same without you!

 

[corky441]

I am now on cloud 9!
I got a babysitter at 8:30 tonight!
Let the party begin!!

Guess John will not have much of a wardrobe!

So glad it's all coming together for you

a real shame though that poor John will be so limited with his wardrobe though

 

[corky441]

Good luck with the interview.

i'm stressing just about what clothes to bring _ I can't imagine dealing with a childcare issue too.
An empty nest has it's advantages in times like these