Carry on Luggage

[rscaevans]

I'm starting to think about packing. I borrowed a really nice suitcase from a friend that I think my husband and I can share. I also borrowed a matching duffle bag I think I can use for my kids (DS10 and DD8). I was thinking about having each of the kids and myself bring a backpack. I have a nice size luggage bag for toiletries, hairdryer, etc. I was planning on carrying on the airline the bookbags and suitcase for luggage. Do you think this is a good idea? If I can't get into my room when we arrive, will the hotel hold our bags that we carried with us? The rest of our luggage will arrive through their express service. Maybe I should just let them all go in the express delivery.

For a family of 4 staying 8 days and 7 nights, what do you do? I plan on doing laundry at least once.

16 days to go

 

[pepe of ohio]

After many trips to the world, before with kids and now just the old 2 of us, we tried to keep the luggage to the bare necessities. When the kids were still with us it was a suitcase for each of us. Now its just me and the missus and we have one large rolling duffle and one carry on each. We usually stay 10 nights at Disney, never do laundry and have clothes left over at the end of the vacation. Lately we have used space bags, you just roll the air out, and the last trip I had boocu room left in my bag. Got wifey the same 4 bags for this trip too. She stated she would never do laundry or cook on vacation and I don;t blame her, its a vacation right, we have more than enough clothes and undies at home to live out without washing. And my big b.....is that what you bring, you carry. We now take Amtrak to WDW and they only allow 2 bags each, just right for us.

 

[JRawkSteady]

If you are going to the hotel before you go to the parks, and your room isn't ready yet, the hotel will hold any of your bags for you at Bell Services...I believe all of the on-site resorts offer this, but I would call and check just to make sure. It doesn't hurt to be a little cautious. Just remember to pick your bags back up from bell services when you finally check in after your day of fun!

 

[Skroops]

Most airlines have a one-plus policy for carry on. That means one roll bag or small suit case and another little bag (which includes your purse if they get technical). I'd definately have the kids bring a back pack with books or stuff to do, and I'd bring the same for me, make-up and special toiletries. Most hotels have hair dryers, shampoo, and soap, so that if in the fat chance your luggage gets lost, you'd be fine as far as that goes. I'd also bring snacks and bottled water in case of flight delays. I also bring asprin and sudafed because a headache or sinus pain can really put a kink in my day.
Keep in mind that in most cases, you have quite a walk to the airplane and then to ground transportation. It's always a good idea to pack less weight for the distance you'll travel.
When you check in to your hotel, if your room isn't ready yet you can use bell services to store your carry ons for you until your room is ready.
Good luck! Have a great time!!!

 

[MainStreetFan]

They will hold your bags at the hotel if your room isn't ready, but if you are planning on going to the parks as soon as you arrive, check as many things as you can and let them handle the bags. Try to take just one bag or backpack with the essentials for the ride down and one bag with the essentials for overnight (PJ's, change of undergarments and socks, a clean shirt) and toiletries. I work for an airline and we really don't try to misplace bags, but it can happen. If the plane is full and there isn't room for the bags on board, you will have to end up checking the at the gate, after you had to drag everything thru the airport. My kids are older now, but that always worked for me, especially when they were younger. Those backpacks just seem to get heavier and heavier as the day goes on. Hope this helps. Be sure to check with your airline for weight and size restrictions.

 

[safetymom]

Just check and make sure the luggage you are trying to bring on board is allowed.

 

[mtdevine615]

The other thing you have to worry about with the airlines now is the weight of each bag. Some airlines only allow you a max. of 50lbs. sounds like a lot but not when you're talking the big duffels. The bags themselves can weigh 15lbs. We found this one out the hard way. They charged an extra $75 for one bag being overweight. Maine

 

[CleveRocks]

I always pack in carry-ons for the first 24 hours of my trip just in case the airline delays my luggage.

If you're flying into Orlando and staying at a Disney resort you can use the FREE Disney's Magical Express (DME); it's a FREE bus ride to your resort, and FREE luggage transfer (after you check your bags at your home airport, you won't see them again until they "magically appear" in your room; those bags are transported by a separate truck and will arrive a couple of hours later, and you don't have to be in your room when they're delivered).

After your flight arrives at MCO, you go to the DME desk and then board a bus to your resort; your carry-on bags are still with you, of course. You then check in at your resort. If your room is ready you can stow your carry-ons there. If it's not ready, Bell Services will store your carry-ons for you (every halfway decent hotel in the USA will store your bags if your room's not yet ready).

-- Eric

 

[CleveRocks]

The rest of our luggage will arrive through their express service. Maybe I should just let them all go in the express delivery.

For a family of 4 staying 8 days and 7 nights, what do you do? I plan on doing laundry at least once.

I forgot to address your other issues....

Your carry-ons CAN'T be handled and delivered by DME. DME only handles your checked luggage (that you put the special DME tags on), not your carry-ons. When you get to the DME bus, you have the option of having the driver stow them in the bus cargo hold, but then you will get them right back when you get off the bus at your resort.

We were a family of four (kids 5 and 2.5) in May, 7 days and 6 nights. We purposely chose to pack light and do laundry about mid-way, and it worked fine. We stayed at CBR, and there are laundry rooms adjacent to each village's pool. About 10:00 p.m., after the kids and the wife were asleep, I went to my village's pool. I brought two loads of laundry with me in 2 large duffel bags, along with the laundry detergent I brought from home. I enjoyed the pool and got out once to switch the loads out of the 2 washers into the 2 dryers. I got back in the pool, then when I got out for good I folded my dry laundry and headed back to the room by about midnight. It was a decent way to get some quiet time in an otherwise noisy and tumultuous trip. My book really enjoyed the attention that night -- I finally read The DaVinci Code. I'm up on all the latest trends ... I hear there's a great new show coming out called Survivor.

-- Eric