Bringing Presents on the Plane

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

We are celebrating my dd's 5th birthday on our trip. Is it ok to have wrapped presents in my checked luggage? I've heard various things. She is getting mostly disney dollars for the WDW portion of the trip, but her actual birthday is the day our cruise is docked in Castaway Cay, and I wanted to give her a cute Ariel Sandcastle set from the Disney Store that morning. I'm not sure how else I can hide it from her the 13 days of the trip prior to her bday if its not wrapped. Thanks!!

 

[safetymom]

If it is wrapped they will make you unwrap it at security.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

How does that work if its in my checked bag? Do they just open it? I wonder if I could wrap a box with a lid (wrapping the serpartely). So they could just remove the lid to see the contents. Hmmmm....

 

[cbrfan]

I would think wrapping the lid would work. But I think I'd take along a gift bag just in case the original wrap job doesn't make past the TSA.

 

[NotUrsula]

In checked luggage what's more likely is that the entire gift will be removed, and you wouldn't see it again. Theft from baggage happens, and anything in original packaging is a prime target, because it can be returned to a store for money or store credit.

Your best bet is to send the gift to your hotel before you leave, that way there will be no security hassle at all, and no theft temptation. I personally recommend FedEx ground, they are usually cheaper than UPS. You send the box to yourself c/o the resort, with Guest name and check-in date firmly marked on the box. Time it so that it doesn't arrive any more than 2 days before you do.

 

[delilah]

We went to Florida at Christmas time, and had gifts for the extended family in the checked luggage. Interestingly, they unwrapped only the toys for the kids. This was a hassle, because they cut the ribbons and ripped the paper. My SIL was nice enough to let me use some of her ribbon to replace it. None of the packages for adults were touched. I'm not sure why. Most of the adult gifts were food items, though. We kept gift cards in our possession. I guess Thomas the tank engine and JJ the Jet plane are very threatening national security.

 

[jeminni]

I want to take a bottle of wine down with us for my DN's birthday. Can that be taken either wrapped or unwrapped on the plane?

 

[WDWsnooper]

The wine can be carried in your carry on bag. Don't check it with your luggage, it could be a HUGE MESS if it breaks.

Don't wrap any gifts, just pack the wrapping paper/gift bag, matching tissue and ribbons. Don't forget to bring the tape, put any scissors in your CHECKED luggage.

Consider taking another small bag just for gifts and wrapping materials. You'll appreciate the extra space for the return trip.
Snooper

 

[cruiseonmagic]

For questions about what you can or can't take on the plane, go the the airline's website or tsa.gov. Both will give you the correct information that you are looking for. Besides items prohibited by the tsa, one airline's policy may differ from the next.

The wrapped gifts? TSA website...
Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons.

I can't imagine what a security agent would say if you told them that "I know I can do it this way--I read it on the DIS!"

 

[safetymom]

Also a great tip, Never argue with the TSA agent. They can make you miserable and subject you to extra searches or delay you enough to miss your flight.

Just grin and bear it.