Carry-on only?

[jodyb]

I am traveling from Israel with my 10 year old daughter for an 11 day stay at WDW at the end of this month. I am seriously considering packing only carryon luggage. I just hate standing at the carrousel at the end of a long and grueling trip and
worrying whether the suitcases will appear, and just wanting to run out of that airport into the fresh air... sigh... it's my fantasy to just come down that escalator into the "waiting arms" so to speak, of my TTC driver, and GO! So I bought two rolling upright carryons which come UNDER the posted carryon size limit on Continental's site (we are flying Continental Tel-Aviv to Newark, and a connecting Continental flight Newark to MCO). They are quite tiny, but I'm willing to do laundry several times at the resorts (we're staying 4 nights at ASMu and the rest of the time at YC) I'd rather do laundry than face that luggage carrousel after 36 hours with no sleep!
So.... sorry to go on and on... here's my question finally: Does anyone have experience traveling with only carry on luggage, and if so can you share any packing tips??
Thanks in advance - we leave in 20 days!! Woo Hoo!!

 

[CarolMN]

I used to travel frequently for business with only carry-on and packing for a vacation to WDW should be easier. Here are some of my suggestions:

Pick one or two complimentary colors per person and pack only tops and bottoms of those colors. That way you can wear any top with any bottom. Bring extra socks. Wear whatever jacket/coat you think you might need on the plane. If you expect the evenings to be cool, include a hat and a pair of lightweight gloves. (Last year gloves made the difference between a good time and a miserable time at MVMCP/ Illuminations/Fantasmic for my family).

Check your hotel to see if it provides a hair dryer and shampoo, conditioner, etc. If so, leave yours at home! If not, pick up a small amount at the grocery stop. Since you are living in Israel, I'll assume you are very familar with the airline security measures and know what can and cannot be carried onto the plane.

Take only one extra pair of shoes. Make sure both are comfortable for walking. Leave your beach towel, coverup and "swim shoes" home (or take ONLY if you have room after packing everything else). You can use a T-shirt for a coverup and most hotels will provide towels for their pool/hot tub.

Try to leave some room for souvenirs or plan to ship them home. If you ship items home, have the store do it for you. You won't have to pay the FL state sales tax that way. (Not sure what the international/customs rules might be for that, though).

Take advantage of the grocery stop even if all you buy is a small amount of detergent and softener. These are expensive at the WDW laundrys. (If you are staying at one of the DVC resorts, the washers & dryers are free, but you still have to provide detergent and softener. If you have a 1 bedroom, the washer & dryerare right in your room and that is heavenly)!

Some people roll their clothes instead of laying them flat to pack. They say it takes less space and prevents wrinkles. I've never tried it myself, though.

Just in case you end up gate checking your "carry-on" bags, pack some of your things in your daughter's bag and some of hers in yours. That way, if only one bag makes it (very small chance of that, IMHO), you'll at least have one outfit besides what you happen to wear on the plane.

I'm sure others will have other suggestions. Hope you two have a wonderful trip!

 

[jodyb]

CarolMN - those are fantastic suggestions - thank you! I think I may rethink my original decision not to take a grocery stop... leaving out the laundry tablets I usually take may be a significant savings in room in the suitcase!

Anyone else have suggestions on what does NOT have to be taken... in the past I've packed everything but the kitchen sink... and I 'm always sorry and feel we have too much junk in the room.

CarolMN, by the way are you from Minnesota? I grew up in St. Paul... I'm meeting my mother and sister in the World this trip - they live in Edina and Golden Valley..

 

[winnie11]

We only had one carry on for each of us our last trip, and loved walking off and on the planes without having to wait on luggage. We were there 5 days and just took 3 shirts, 3 pairs of pants each, we always take plenty of socks and underware, and we took the things we needed like shampoo, razors, brush and so on.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've done exactly that several times and I'll tell you-my TTC driver was very surprised that there was no regular luggage. I'd suggest packing an extra bag. I always buy more than I expect to, and have a hard time getting everything in for the trip home. On the way home, I just check my dirty laundry, and have souveniers in carry-on. I figure that way if anything gets lost, they can have my laundry but not my souveniers!

 

[jodyb]

Simba's Mom - thanks - I'm going to dig up a fold-up duffel bag I have somewhere. My employer gave them out for office gifts a while back and I remember thinking "what am I ever going to do with this thing?" It folds up to about 8 inches square and about 2 inches thick, and then it expands into a decent sized duffel bag. Now I'm so excited that I have it - I've even asked one of my coworkers to lend me hers for my daughter. I'm not big on souvenirs, but after WDW I'm going to visit my mother in Miami and hopefully she'll be in the mood to buy me and my daughter some clothes! Now I know how I'll be able to take them home!

One slight problem - we're leaving end of November and we'll be there through the first week of DEcember. I know from experience that the weather in Florida is all over the map during that season - so we'll have to have a pair of shorts AND a swimsuit AND hat/gloves as someone mentioned, AND a pretty heavy jacket, a sweatshirt and turtleneck, AND some short sleeved shirts, some long pants.. in short a bit of everything. This will make is harder than packing carryons only for a summer trip, but I'm still sure I'll manage. By the we've booked Tiffany too.

Sorry to ramble. Thanks so much for the tips and advice - it's been VERY useful.
Anyone else have any??

 

[leebee]

Jody-
You may want to rethink the carry-on only thing. As you know, security is supposed to have tightened here since 9/11, but many folks report that the only place they see anything different is at the baggage screening area. Airline rules currently restrict you to one carry-on and one personal piece (purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack) per person. I've read many posts that say folks with carry-on suitcase-type luggage are being pulled aside for full baggage checks, complete unpacking and repacking of everything you have. People say that this has caused many folks to miss their flights, as there are usually only one or two LONG lines for baggage inspection. Also, items such as nail clippers, aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant, etc), tweezers, manicure sets, scissors, pocket knives, etc. are being confiscated, and bottles with liquids in them (hair care, laundry products, sodas, etc) are being carefully searched and/or confiscated. I know you just want to walk off the plane and be free, but you DO want to make that plane! You also don't want to have to buy all kinds of things all over again once you're here (it seems that the items listed above are OK in CHECKED baggage). Many travellers are recommending that EVERYONE carry-on as little as possible, even in a purse or backpack, as waiting time at the security/baggage scanning area can take up to 1.5 hours. Just don't want you to have an ugly surprise to start your trip!

 

[jodyb]

I understand your comments LeeBee and thanks. We are carrying really tiny bags, and it will only take them a second to ransack them if they want. I've been traveling in and out of the Middle East all my life, so airport security (El Al Style) is nothing new or frightening to me. I certainly won't miss my international flight, and as for the connection - I have no doubt that not waiting in line for my checked bags and then dragging them through security will SAVE me time. I've checked the revised rules on Continental's web site, and out bags fit under the NEW size regulations. Also, international travelers are allowed a little leeway on carryons.
I figure the worst that can happen is they will take my bags and check them anyway... but I'm going to chance it - I think the benefits will outway the possible drawbacks. But again, thanks for taking the time to comment.