Carry on luggage or check-it?

[01Sweetpea]

Even though our trip isn't until 2/27, I'm starting to think about packing. We will be gone for 9 days, and I'm deciding if we should check our luggage or just do carry-ons. There are 4 of us, so each would be responsible for wheeling their own suitcase.

During the 9 days I could do laundry, and only pack 5 outfits per person, but do I really want to spend THAT much time doing laundry on vacation? (3 - 4 loads total). However, I could then fit all the clothing on the carry-ons.

If I pack for 9 days, then we would HAVE to check the bags.

When DH & I went to St. Lucia for a week, and only used carry-ons and it was sooo convenient. Just hop off the plane and go!

So what do you do???

 

[wdw_first_time]

I prefer not to checkin. During our last visit, we did not checkin any baggage and it was very convenient. We stayed for only 4 days and could fit everything in carry on baggage. If you are staying for 9 days then take a day off (after 4 days) from the theme parks and do laundry and just relax. I cannot do 9 days continuosly.

 

[01Sweetpea]

Out of our 9 days, we lose 1 1/2 days for traveling, 1 day for DH's daughters' cheer competition, and 1 day for DQ. So although we have 2 "off" days from the parks, we are "on" with other things.

If I'm going to have to do laundry it would be at night, and I'm not sure I want to do that. I would love to just carry on, walk off the plane, and go.

 

[wdw_first_time]

Without checkin baggage: We took the air train, went straight to rental car counter, got the keys immediately, walked over to the rental car area and drove out of the airport in *20* minutes after the plane landed.

Similarly after the plane landed at 9:30pm in New York, I called the cab from the plane, out of the airport in 10 min and reached home in *30*min after the plane landed.

 

[mikemelita]

9 days. I vote: no laundry! you really feel left out doing laundry at WDW!
That will mean a bunch of outfits I know, you did not say what your ages are. I know one adult and a 7 year old can pack for a week in a medium suitcase. So, 2 LARGE suitcases should fit everyone + 1 for overflow. I have never known baggage delays to be that bad. Be smart. The lighter the articles the better. The weather was up and down a LOT for us from 12-10 till 12-17, sweatshirts and jackets in the morning AND evening, short sleeves in mid-day. We never did get to wear shorts (!)

 

[hammertime]

I'm going for 9 days and I would rather take the extra 1/2 hour to get my luggage than to have to use up 1 1/2hours doing laundry while at WDW. Plus the weather has been up and down from what I hear so I'm planning on overpacking so that I'm well prepared.

Hope this helps.

 

[arminnie]

I hate carry on luggage. I used to travel for work all of the time and had to carry on my computer and other work related stuff.

Part of what I am paying for is for the airline to carry my luggage not me. I have literally flown hundreds of thousands of miles. I don't know if I've ever had to wait more than 15 minutes max for my luggage - it's usually 5-10 minutes. The hassle of trying to keep up with it before a flight, carting it to the gate a million miles away, trying to find a place to put it on the packed plane, hauling it across the airport to change planes, etc, etc is just such a hassle.

The only thing I hate more than carrying on my luggage is the people who hit me with their luggage while carrying it on.

 

[DisFam95]

The time that you 'saved' not checking bags does not compare to the 'hours' it will take to do those 3-4 loads. No brainer...no laundry..check the bags!!!!

 

[sue1013]

I know I'm the odd one but I don't mind doing laundry while at WDW. Acutally look forward to it after a couple days. Laundry facilities are right by the pool, I get time to myself to sit by the pool and read. The rest of the family goes and does something I meet them later refreshed.

 

[cyndibelle]

we are going for 7 days and their is 4 of us and we are doing the carry on thing..no checking for us....i want all my luggage with me at all times...

 

[joshsmom]

I'm torn here because I've done it both ways. On one hand, I HATE having to lug that suitcase around with me, try to lift it up into the bin (I'm 5' and I swear they make those bins 10' high!!), trying to squish it in the bin and then trying to get it OUT of the bin when people are running over me in the aisle!!! That's the worst part! But, I love the convenience of grabbing it and going. Previously trips have only been for 6 days or so, with stable weather (IOW--hot)!! This time we are going for 9 (GLORIOUS) days and the weather is going to be very changeable, from what I've read. So we are going to be packing everything from shorts and swimtrunks to sweatshirts and gloves.

We're CHECKIN' IT!!!!!!

 

[WANNABE@WDW]

Don't forget about the security level. Lines at the security check points will probably be a lot longer. I will definately be checking everything but my backpack.

 

[MichaelH]

I prefer to check my luggage. It just makes life easier for me. I travel for work and I like not having to worry if the luggage will fit in the overhead.

It also makes it easier with the security. All you have to worry about is having your ID and ticket. You may get wanded, but that is better that getting wanded and then having your bag searched. I like not having to fool with that headache.

 

[xostarrynights]

we usually carry on just in case a plane gets delayed, we're able to switch flights to another-meanwhile if we checked in, we wouldn't be able to do that.

 

[behappy]

We always check our bags...it seems Orlando Airport is very efficient at getting luggage out onto the belt....it nevers seems to take more than a few minutes after we arrive. And, the baggage claim is on the way to the car rental counters.

While the kids and I wait for our bags, DW heads down and gets the car (we use National Emerald Aisle, so there is no stop at the counter!).

Why stress over what to bring/what not to bring....as was pointed out earlier, it's only a few minutes at the beginning of the trip vs much more time spent in a hot/crowded laundry room!

 

[drogerstn]

For a 9 day trip, especially with winter clothes, I'd check most of my luggage (including an ice chest with clothes in it). I'd pack one or two carry-ons with bathroom items and a change of clothes for everyone in case the main luggage is lost or delayed, but then, I've never hit anybody with my carry-on.

I'd also plan on doing laundry one time during my stay. Some clothes may get really dirty and I'd prefer they not stay that way for a week if there is a chance they could mold or mildew. Also, we may end up wearing more sets of clothes than planned but we can still pack lighter since we will do laundry. Nine days worth of dirty clothes is a large amount of clothes to deal with when getting back home.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I'd say check the luggage.
2) We have a shoulder carry-on for a change of clothes. *
3) Everything else, we check.
4) We are on vacation and don't want to do laundry.
5) I am also tired of toting carry-ons through airports.

* This is only in the event the luggage is delayed or mis-directed. It allows us a one-day change of clothes until the mis-directed luggage shows up later and is delivered by the airline. We did actually have use this emergency plan once.