Checking a tote bag with drinks?

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

My sister and I are going to WDW for Labor Day weekend so just a short trip.
It's short enough that we could easily do carry on luggage. Plus we are going to MNSSHP the day we arrive so we'd be putting our costumes in our carry on anyways so our thought is why bother with checked luggage.

Only problem is that we really like bringing drinks from home especially since we had a grad party for my niece and still have several cases of water so we'd rather not pay to purchase bottles of water for the room at Disney.

So I got an idea that I could put water bottles in large ziploc baggies and then put them in a tote bag that has a zipper top and is made of the same material as a duffel bag and check it.

Would this work?/Has anyone else ever packed drinks in a duffel and checked it?

Or should we just check everything and keep our costumes in our carry on?

 

[wilkeliza]

I would make sure they are in something harder than a duffel. Luggage is not treated that kindly and is often tossed form place to place so imagine what would happen to those bottles even in large ziplocs after being tossed onto a pile and then tossed onto the plane then tossed onto the baggage carousel.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I would make sure they are in something harder than a duffel. Luggage is not treated that kindly and is often tossed form place to place so imagine what would happen to those bottles even in large ziplocs after being tossed onto a pile and then tossed onto the plane then tossed onto the baggage carousel.

In that case we might as well just check everything but the costumes because my thought was that then I could put the empty bag into my carry on for the way home.
If I'm going to have to check an empty suitcase on the way home then its just as easy to check everything ya know what I mean?

 

[scrapquitler]

In that case we might as well just check everything but the costumes because my thought was that then I could put the empty bag into my carry on for the way home.
If I'm going to have to check an empty suitcase on the way home then its just as easy to check everything ya know what I mean?

Instead of checking an empty suitcase, put one inside the other

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Instead of checking an empty suitcase, put one inside the other

But why would I bother.....I'd still have to check it....
If I have to check something on the way home I might as well just put everything but the costume in one checked luggage and check it both ways.

 

[wilkeliza]

Just wondering does the airline your flying have free checked bag? If not I imagine just buying a case at the resort would be either cheaper or a net 0 but removes all this checked bag stress.

 

[Woodview]

Your Bottled Water will be taken from you at Security ....

But you can Buy water after Security .

SO Put Water Bottles into case ... Check it in ...and it goes into hold on aircraft.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Just wondering does the airline your flying have free checked bag? If not I imagine just buying a case at the resort would be either cheaper or a net 0 but removes all this checked bag stress.

Flying SW.
We can each check 2 bags for free so fees were not at all part of the equation.
If we were arriving the evening before I would not put my costume in my carry on but since we are arriving the same day as the party I want to ensure that I definitely have it in time to leave for the park.
My point was that I could just put everything in a carry on and just check the drinks and then fold the bag up and put it in my carry on for the way home but if I am already going to have to pick up luggage once I get home then I might as well just check everything besides the costume... if this makes sense.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Your Bottled Water will be taken from you at Security ....

But you can Buy water after Security .

SO Put Water Bottles into case ... Check it in ...and it goes into hold on aircraft.

You are confused.
The point was I was just checking the water.
I was not attempting to bring the water carry on.
Ugh not sure why this thread is becoming so confusing lol.
I am just going to check everything and bring my costume in my carry on.

 

[wilkeliza]

Flying SW.
We can each check 2 bags for free so fees were not at all part of the equation.
If we were arriving the evening before I would not put my costume in my carry on but since we are arriving the same day as the party I want to ensure that I definitely have it in time to leave for the park.
My point was that I could just put everything in a carry on and just check the drinks and then fold the bag up and put it in my carry on for the way home but if I am already going to have to pick up luggage once I get home then I might as well just check everything besides the costume... if this makes sense.

That makes since. My original point was that I didn't think a tote bag was going to be strong enough to prevent water bottles breaking with the way luggage is handled. I have a small carry on roller that would totally be strong enough and I could then use as a carry on on the way back so thought perhaps you had an option like that as well to consider for the water. If you only have big bags that are more structurally sound then yeah just pack it all in the same bag and bring smaller carry ons.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ugh not sure why this thread is becoming so confusing lol.

It's confusing because you want to put plastic bottles into a duffel bag and let the luggage handlers toss it around.

Why would you do something with such a high chance to destroy other peoples' property?!?

Pack the water in a hard case (or just leave it at home so you don't have to buy more when you get back home), pack whatever else you want in there, carry on what you want to carry. On the way home toss everything in the hard case and check it.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

It's confusing because you want to put plastic bottles into a duffel bag and let the luggage handlers toss it around.

Why would you do something with such a high chance to destroy other peoples' property?!?

Pack the water in a hard case (or just leave it at home so you don't have to buy more when you get back home), pack whatever else you want in there, carry on what you want to carry. On the way home toss everything in the hard case and check it.

Wow. ok then...................................

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

That makes since. My original point was that I didn't think a tote bag was going to be strong enough to prevent water bottles breaking with the way luggage is handled. I have a small carry on roller that would totally be strong enough and I could then use as a carry on on the way back so thought perhaps you had an option like that as well to consider for the water. If you only have big bags that are more structurally sound then yeah just pack it all in the same bag and bring smaller carry ons.

I totally understood where you were coming from with the tossing around of luggage. That's why I wondered if anyone else had done it with success or if people thought it was a bad idea. I got my answer lol.
I do have a small sturdy suitcase I could put them in but that would just make for more carry on luggage to handle on the way home.
Just gonna make my life easier and pack as I normally would for a longer trip with all of my clothes, accessories, toiletries.... and drinks in one checked luggage and just put the costume in my carry on as a just in case. I would not want to have my luggage get misplaced for a few hours and not be able to wear my costume to the party.
I was only thinking of the ease of not having to go to baggage claim once I arrived back home. I recall one time I used carry on only and just walked right out the door instead of waiting for my luggage to come around on the carousel.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Honestly, even though it will cost a little $, I'd ship the water. It's just not worth the stress IMO.

 

[Kaytie]

Get a sturdy cardboard box and some filler. Newspaper, bubble wrap, those air-filled strips Amazon and Target use... Pack the water, pad the top and sides, tape well. Attach your DME tag, if using, also (covered by) with tape, printed side up.

• Southwest will accept this as checked luggage.
• DME will deliver it to your room.
• Disney will not charge you the package handling fee.
• You can discard the box when done.

 

[CarolMN]

Sounds like a lot of effort to save what?? Water is heavy, too. I'd just buy water there or better yet, bring a reusable water bottle with a filter. (If it's empty, you can bring that in your carry on).

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Sounds like a lot of effort to save what?? Water is heavy, too. I'd just buy water there or better yet, bring a reusable water bottle with a filter. (If it's empty, you can bring that in your carry on).

To save time when I arrive home. Not sure why it matters that water is heavy. I won't have anywhere near 50lbs of it...
But as I said I will scrap the idea.

 

[FigmentSpark]

To save time when I arrive home. Not sure why it matters that water is heavy. I won't have anywhere near 50lbs of it...
But as I said I will scrap the idea.

My first vision of this was you taking a case of 24 or more. That would be heavy, but, agreed, probably not 50lbs. How many bottles are we talking here? If there are a lot (even 12), definitely put them in ziplocs, then a packing box with bubble wrap or newspaper and maybe something absorbant in case of a leak, and send it separately (you get 2 suitcases with Southwest anyway).

If it's just a few for a couple of days, I'd still put them in ziplocs (or double them, because stuff happens and you don't want your stuff ruined or at least soggy) and then I'd still bubble wrap them and bag them again before adding them to your luggage. But really, if its only a couple of bottles, it does seem like a lot of effort to save a few bucks on water.

So the question is, do you want the hassle of checked luggage, but free water from home, or are you willing to go with carry-ons only, but buy water in Orlando? What is the cost of the water vs the value of the convenience factor to you?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

My first vision of this was you taking a case of 24 or more. That would be heavy, but, agreed, probably not 50lbs. How many bottles are we talking here? If there are a lot (even 12), definitely put them in ziplocs, then a packing box with bubble wrap or newspaper and maybe something absorbant in case of a leak, and send it separately (you get 2 suitcases with Southwest anyway).

If it's just a few for a couple of days, I'd still put them in ziplocs (or double them, because stuff happens and you don't want your stuff ruined or at least soggy) and then I'd still bubble wrap them and bag them again before adding them to your luggage. But really, if its only a couple of bottles, it does seem like a lot of effort to save a few bucks on water.

So the question is, do you want the hassle of checked luggage, but free water from home, or are you willing to go with carry-ons only, but buy water in Orlando? What is the cost of the water vs the value of the convenience factor to you?

We are only going for a short trip.
It was gonna be maybe 4 bottles each so 8 total.
The point was to just toss them in a duffel bag and then fold it up for the way home.
I've put water in my checked luggage plenty of times in the past so not worried about them leaking on my stuff just wasn't sure if a duffel was a good idea for them and people have let me know in no uncertain terms that its a horrible idea because it will definitely ruin other passenger's belongings.
I will just do as usual and put the water bottles with the rest of my items no problem.
Thanks for responding though.

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's my thought. For eight bottles of water, you aren't going to need a very large tote bag. So, if you had a tote bag that was smaller and put the water bottles in it, you really would stand the chance of having that tote bag really tossed around. Baggage handlers aren't know for their gentle handling!!!
Now...regarding putting them in checked bags....be very careful. If your bag isn't hard sided, it's easy to get a poke by something sharp. I had a bag with a hole poked in it when I got it at my destination!! Still have no idea how it happened. Anyway....that could allow your water bottles to get poked as well, and that means your stuff is now wet.
For me, that would be a lot of work just to get eight free bottles of water! But, it's up to each person to do what works best for them. I would leave the water at home, pack what I needed in my carry on bag, and not worry about any checked bags. It would be worth the cost of paying for water when I got there.