Carry on only?

[PennyInPink]

I would not be able to survive on the shampoo, conditioner and soap Disney provides. My long hair would be a nightmare if I can't condition it well, and the soap dries out my skin. Add some deodorant, body spray, toothpaste, well, you get the idea. No "carry on only" trip for me!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

One thing we do is wear convertible pants. They zip off into shorts if it's warm, and leave the legs on if it's cool; plus it's easy to go from a cool morning to a warm afternoon to a cool evening in one pair. I like the ones that are quick dry fabric, DH likes the heavier canvas type.

 

[hsmamato2]

I've done it plenty of times in the past,and frankly when I don't I always find I've overpacked (I have too many clothing choices at home lol) One memorable trip was 2 weeks at WDW with one week being a hard freeze week.... we each brought a duffel bag.we layered,a LOT,and did laundry half way thru our trip- wish my laundry at home was so relaxing, by a lovely pool...honestly, if I have about a million tee shirts at home, I usually force myself to choose my favorite few to bring along,and I tend to rewear most clothes anyway(like shirts and sweaters) WDW is an easy place to pack for, since it's all 'civilized' territory with easy access to laundry if needed. I also now bring a foldable zip tote bag in my suitcase which I use as a carryon on the way home (which I usually need for my purchases)

 

[samsteele]

I've done it & was fine as an adult knowing I would need to both do laundry & also hand wash a few things in the sink. Honestly, don't think I could do it with kids in tow. They will have souvenirs to bring back (& kids goodies always seem bigger & fluffier), more clothing spills & accidents, etc. Have you considered checking 2 bags for a family of 4 to save on fees? With some careful planning & packing, that seems doable & a lot less stressful.

 

[katt789]

The biggest problem with carry-on only is the amount of liquids. I personally, #1: have a bit of makeup that comes with me and #2: don't like using the Disney toiletries,so I bring my own too.

I've done the carry on only before and it's worked fine for up to a week, but that's only me, and usually when I buy some toiletries when I get there (walmart run being done, not paying hotel prices for those!) Test out packing everything you'd need, paying attention to toiletries

 

[DisMommyTX]

DH and I can cruise for a week with a single carry-on roller and one backpack. We have done Disney trips alone but never more than a long weekend, though I'm sure we could have done it with one or two carry-on bags as well. Some how, when we travel with our two kids, it seems like we are moving and never coming back. Every week long trip with the kids has 2-4 checked bags plus a bunch of backpacks. On our last cruise we had 4 suitcases plus 4 backpack/shoulder bags, and I still had to do laundry half way through!!

I am amazed by families who can travel for a week with just carry-on bags. Perhaps when ours are older I'll give it a try!

 

[figmentedfollies]

Not sure if this is the right board?

Has anyone traveled for a week bringing only carry on luggage?

We are a family of 4 ( kids are 6,4) travelling in February. We arrive at night so would have to get our own bags anyway.

We are coming from Canada so will be wearing sweaters/coats so won't have to pack those.

I am really tempted to try bringing only carry on! Wishful thinking?

I think it is certainly doable. You just need to plan what you're bringing and keep an eye on the weather the week or so before you go. That way you will know if you need to bring both cold weather and warm weather clothes. I've found packing cubes to be invaluable, both for organizing and for fitting more stuff in your bags. If you don't mind doing laundry once during the trip that will cut the clothes you have to bring in half.

 

[phillymummer]

I packed for 6 nights on my last trip in just a carry-on. Since it was November I needed a combination of summer and fall clothing. Using packing cubes and rolling my clothes, I was able to do it. My bag was the maximum size allowed on Frontier. I also had a crossbody back pack. My DD11 also had a carry-on and a messenger bag. She even packed her own body wash, hand lotion, and shampoo. She had no problem.

Good info.
Can't imagine all y'all doing laundry while on vacation! Isn't one of the points of vacation to get away from the daily chore and grind at home? That would be like doing work or cooking on vacation. Neither work, cooking or laundry should be used when mixed with vacation. Not in this house at least. .

I totally agree with you!! I do enough laundry and cooking at home. Not doing it on vacation. Nope. Nadda. Not happening!

- roll clothes. I was shocked at this since I have always laid our clothes flat. Then one day I experimented - and its true, rolling (tightly) takes up less space.
- no jeans. If space is tight, the jeans go. They take up more space and are heavier. We mostly wear yoga pants/nylon pants/shorts for all of us. Workout clothes are comfy, can handle rainy weather, and are perfect for long days at the parks.

THIS ^^ If you don't roll your clothes, seriously try it. It really does save space. Also, wear your jeans if you must take them.

One thing we do is wear convertible pants. They zip off into shorts if it's warm, and leave the legs on if it's cool; plus it's easy to go from a cool morning to a warm afternoon to a cool evening in one pair. I like the ones that are quick dry fabric, DH likes the heavier canvas type.

Convertible pants are great. I use them while camping and they were great on my last trip. They were a space-saver.

 

[kamerino]

We are a "carry-on" only family, too. We find it much easier with a lighter load, and it motivates us to buy fewer things while at the park. That being said, we do drive there since we're from South Florida, so any extras can easily be thrown in the car for the drive home. But insofar as clothes and toiletries go, we easily make it a week with only a carry-on each, we're just very deliberate with our choices of clothes we bring along.

 

[Dis703]

I've been taking to doing only a personal item (fits under the seat) since flying Frontier as they charge for all other carry on and checked bags. I can manage this for up to 4 nights if need be but all 5 of us went last week for 5 nights so we checked just one bag. Partially because I wasn't sure about what to bring for the weather so I brought a variety and partially because we brought a bit of food for the kids because of their allergies. We definitely could have managed with just one carry on though, in addition to our "personal item."

I bought small carry on size containers for all of our toiletries which condenses quite a bit. And we got these great Vera Bradley Weekender bags which fit great under the seat and can hold quite a bit of stuff. I also roll my clothes as others have suggested.

 

[disney144]

I travel exclusively with a carry on. Use your park backpack as your "personal item" on the plane. My carry on (21 inches) expands. I travel there with it compressed and expand for a few souvenirs.

Regarding packing, a pair of jeans, 1-2 pairs of shorts, 1-2 pairs running shorts, and 7 t shirts really don't take much space. Plus I pack 3oz bottles of shampoo/conditioner. The biggest trouble I have is sunscreen. I buy a bunch of the small bottles (which are easier to bring into the parks).

 

[Donna M]

I don't think it's wishful thinking at all. We only travel with carry on. You will be able to take 4 bags and the 4 and 6 year old have small clothes, so their bags should have extra space, or you can take 3 bags to make it easier. Here are some tips that help us, and we also travel in Feb from New Hampshire.

• Try to leave your really warm coat in the car before you get to the airport, it takes up too much space when you get onto the plane, wear a warm polar fleece if possible. That coat will come in handy in Fl.
• Wear your sneakers even if they don't match your travel clothes. Chances are they are your largest shoe. We bring a pair of sandals/flip flops and that's it.
• Pack clothes for only half your trip and plan to do wash. You know whether the kids would need extra clothes to get through.
• Use the hotel toiletries.
• Transfer sunscreen into small bottles and distribute into your 3-1-1 bags. Or better yet, buy some when you get there.
• Don't pack extra long pants, you have the pair you wore.
• Our kids weren't big into souvenirs, so we didn't have a problem there. You will have room under your seat for a bag anyway.
• This worked for us, but we are down to earth kind of people who don't require a lot of extras.

 

[McMonsters]

These are great suggestions! I'm contemplating carry on only for our trip next month, me and 3 kids(2,5,7). We do do a rest day every third day so laundry would be easy to accomplish. Pondering the weather though....thinking 3 pants/3 shorts and 4 shirts per person. Last trip we missed our connecting and got stuck in an hotel with only our emergency clothes in the carry on. That fear alone has me considering carry on only for this trip, it was awful!

 

[hsmamato2]

I've done it plenty of times in the past,and frankly when I don't I always find I've overpacked (I have too many clothing choices at home lol) One memorable trip was 2 weeks at WDW with one week being a hard freeze week.... we each brought a duffel bag.we layered,a LOT,and did laundry half way thru our trip- wish my laundry at home was so relaxing, by a lovely pool...honestly, if I have about a million tee shirts at home, I usually force myself to choose my favorite few to bring along,and I tend to rewear most clothes anyway(like shirts and sweaters) WDW is an easy place to pack for, since it's all 'civilized' territory with easy access to laundry if needed. I also now bring a foldable zip tote bag in my suitcase which I use as a carryon on the way home (which I usually need for my purchases)

Just returned from 10 days in Cali (3.5 in Disneyland) we all used just carryons, rolled clothes,used packing cubes,and a backpack each. Did laundry once during trip,super easy.4 different hotels too! I don't check luggage unless I absolutely must.