First time doing carry on only, any pointers?

[lynnfitz]

Hi, going down for a long weekend, so we're just going to do carry on luggage only. Never did carry on only, as we usually are in Florida much longer. I'm thinking of purchasing a new carry on for the flight-I'm assuming one with several pockets would be a good option? ( I know it has to be a certain size). Any suggestions on one? I was going to look at Amazon. As far as toiletries, I know it has to be a certain size, do you usually just go to Target or a Wal Mart and purchase travel size toiletry? Does suntan lotion come in the smaller size as well? Thanks for the suggestions!!! We're flying Alegiant Airlines-

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Doesn't Allegiant charge for carry-on bags, too?

 

[Lewisc]

ULCC charge for bin bags. Checked bags are overweight at 41 lbs.

You can bring one personal item which fits under the seat in front of you. You want the biggest backpack that is within limits. If the max size is close don't overstuff it.

Search for 20 l gonex backpack on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Gonex-Lightw...king/dp/B00P8UE7WY?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

 

[StageTek]

Hi, going down for a long weekend, so we're just going to do carry on luggage only. Never did carry on only, as we usually are in Florida much longer. I'm thinking of purchasing a new carry on for the flight-I'm assuming one with several pockets would be a good option? ( I know it has to be a certain size). Any suggestions on one?

I recommend Genius Pack - the 22" Carry on Spinner. An excellent bag that is solid and really holds a lot.

I was going to look at Amazon. As far as toiletries, I know it has to be a certain size, do you usually just go to Target or a Wal Mart and purchase travel size toiletry? Does suntan lotion come in the smaller size as well? Thanks for the suggestions!!!

Yes, I go to Target or a Wal Mart and purchase travel size toiletry. Yes, suntan lotion come in the smaller size as well. You can carry on 3.4 ounces or smaller. You're safe with whatever you can fit in a 1 quart-sized resealable clear bag. Check the TSA "3-1-1" liquids rule".

 

[bffdisney]

Carry on or personal item?

As stated, carry on goes in the overhead bin and they charge for it. (In this case number of pockets probably would not matter?)
Personal items is like a purse or backpack that goes under the seat in front of you. (Maybe you would want more pockets to easily get to things.

 

[Lewisc]

Assuming you want free luggage, only one personal item:

1. Use shampoo and conditioner supplied by hotel. Use the gel supplied by the hotel instead of shaving cream.
2. Wear your coat and/or sweater and/or sweat shirt.
3. Wear your shoes, assuming you're not going to wear sandals exclusively.
4. Wear jeans.
5. Pack a pair of flip flops, water shoes and/or sandals.
6. Pack a couple of shirts and underwear and socks.
7. Pack 1 (2?) pairs of shorts.
8. Pack 1 pair of swimwear.
9. Transfer your medications into a small ziplock bag.
10. Decide on the minmimum amount of HBA. Toothbrush, toothpaste, razor...

Some people wear a coat with a lot of pockets or even a photographers vest. At a minimum use the pockets for sunglasses, cell phone external battery for your cell phone and cables.

 

[lynnfitz]

great thanks guys! I think with Alegiant we're going to do the "bundle" that includes the carry on and the personal item in the price.

 

[Best Aunt]

I, personally, have never seen sunscreen sold in the size bottle which can fit in the 3-1-1 ziploc bag for flying. Maybe I just live someplace where the weather is so lousy, the sunscreen selection isn't huge. You could always buy a regular-size bottle and pour it into an empty 3 ounce bottle if you can't find the right sunscreen in the small size.

When making packing decisions, I always try to think of what would be easy to buy onsite, and what would be difficult to buy onsite. T-shirts? Easy, so don't go overboard on packing them. Sweatshirts? Easy, although pricey, and they take up a lot of suitcase space. Comfortable sneakers that fit well? Difficult. OTC meds? Easy. Prescription meds? Not so easy.

Also, be realistic and talk to the rest of the group before packing a bathing suit. Are you really going to swim?

 

[Lewisc]

I, personally, have never seen sunscreen sold in the size bottle which can fit in the 3-1-1 ziploc bag for flying.

Target, Harmon, Bed bath and Beyond, Christmas Tree Shop, Walmart have a big section of travel size stuff. I always see at least 1 or 2 kinds of sunscreen.

 

[Funfire240]

We went for a quick trip for the 50th and just took backpacks. We flew spirit that time and only had 2 full days which were both in the parks. because there was no down time we knew no swimming. We didn't bother to take flip flops either like we normally do (except DD who managed to wear birkenstocks - never changed in the car like we told her lol - and stuffed her Nike's and a pair of slippers in her backpack!). But, we just had the changes of clothes and something to sleep in and with rolling them they were easy to pack in the backpacks. We used resort shampoo/body wash and just packed our toothbrushes and travel size toothpastes and then DD and I had our hair brushes, make up and Minnie Ears (which she wore on the plane to save room in the backpack, which we later found out was because of the extra shoes lol - which by the way she only wore the Nike's once we were there!). The one thing we said it was so nice to just grab and go from the plane and not worry about waiting for and lugging the luggage around

 

[sam_gordon]

You can carry on 3.4 ounces or smaller.

Just to clarify this... the CONTAINER can be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml). Extreme example: You can't take a 20oz bottle of water and only have 3.4 ounces of liquid in it.

 

[VandVsmama]

Hi, going down for a long weekend, so we're just going to do carry on luggage only. Never did carry on only, as we usually are in Florida much longer. I'm thinking of purchasing a new carry on for the flight-I'm assuming one with several pockets would be a good option? ( I know it has to be a certain size). Any suggestions on one? I was going to look at Amazon. As far as toiletries, I know it has to be a certain size, do you usually just go to Target or a Wal Mart and purchase travel size toiletry? Does suntan lotion come in the smaller size as well? Thanks for the suggestions!!! We're flying Alegiant Airlines-

Some suggestions for toiletries in carry-on luggage:

• toothpaste - buy some "Eco-Dent" tooth powder. Available for purchase online but I buy ours from Sprouts. It's a powder, not liquid, so you won't have to put it in the 1-quart-sized ziplock bags w/other liquids.
• shampoo, body wash, conditioner - use what's available in the hotel room. If that's not possible, try bar shampoos instead.
• toothbrush - buy one of those travel toothbrushes which don't take up much room.
• tylenol/ibuprofen - grocery stores, drug stores, Walmart, Target often have a travel toiletry section and you can find a super small container of Tylenol and ibuprofen. This is helpful to have on hand ahead of time and saves some $$ at WDW if you really need Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• regular skin lotion (i.e., not sunscreen) - leave it at home and use the hotel brand instead
• sunscreen - lots of brands have stick sunscreens which are good to use for your face. For liquid sunscreen, one option is to take your favorite brand of it and fill a 3 oz travel bottle with the sunscreen. If you use spray-on sunscreen, that won't probably be allowed through TSA security in carry on luggage.
• other hair products - This would be stuff like hair gel, mousse, hair spray, etc. Try Walmart, Target, your local grocery store, local drug store for travel sized version of the stuff you normally use. If you can't find it there, search online and buy before your trip. Just remember that it'll all have to go into the quart-sized Ziplock bag.
• deoderant - buy a travel-sized one ahead of time. Takes up less space.

Other suggestions to consider:

• wear your heaviest shoes on the plane
• consider being sort of minimalistic about your clothes & what you choose to bring with you. If you normally bring, let's say for silly argument's sake, 6 outfits per day, this time...just pack 1 outfit per day. Bring 1 sweatshirt instead of multiple, and tie it around your waist on the plane so it doesn't take up space in your carry on luggage.
• Before you pack, lay everything out in front of you on the bed and take inventory. Then remove anything you think that you can probably do without.
• Leave a little room in your carry on luggage to bring home some souvenirs. Or also remember that for ~$15-18, you can have WDW purchases shipped home for you.

 

[katallo]

Tide travel packs come in handy and depending on the season bug wipes.

 

[_19disnA]

Make sure to check the TSA website for things not allowed on aircraft. Some things CAN be placed in checked baggage that are not allowed on the airplane in your carryon or personal item. Carryon bags will be screened at the TSA security entrance and you will be asked to throw away any items on their unapproved list, some of which may not be obvious to those who have always used checked baggage previously.

 

[Tink3815]

Not sure of the Disney policy for mailing a package. I recently sent one to a Universal hotel’s has pre-paid small box that fits 2 8oz bottles of Coppertone sunscreen perfectly for about 9.00. Mailed on Saturday and was delivered on Wednesday. Saved a Uber trip or buying a gift shop.

 

[Best Aunt]

Not sure of the Disney policy for mailing a package. I recently sent one to a Universal hotel’s has pre-paid small box that fits 2 8oz bottles of Coppertone sunscreen perfectly for about 9.00. Mailed on Saturday and was delivered on Wednesday. Saved a Uber trip or buying a gift shop.

Links to the 2 sections of the Disney website which deal with shipping items to the hotels:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/mail-services/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/business-centers/

 

[AussieFan8]

We always travel carry-on only. As others have said, ideally wear your heaviest shoes and only pack one additional pair. Find the biggest personal item you can that fits the requirements. Don't bring toiletries that the hotel provides. Choose a clothing color palette that mixes and matches well. If you have them, I find that athletic, wicking types of clothing pack down smaller than things like jeans and cotton t-shirts and they are beneficial if it's hot in Orlando. I also find packing cubes to be a tremendous help in getting more in the bag. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen is the perfect size for carry-on only and works really well.

 

[unrequited23]

I would go with packing cubes and ziplocs vs buying luggage with lots of pockets. It is easy to forget where you packed stuff with too many pockets. Solid stick sunscreen and mineral/powder makeup are two of my packing tricks because I need facial moisturizer in my quart size bag. Due to sensitivities, we only use mineral/physical sunscreens and have found Neutrogena to be one of the only brands to be consistently under the 3.4 oz limit if you want a liquid vs solid.

 

[lynnfitz]

All great ideas, thanks everyone! I know I've seen at our local walmart the whole travel section with small items. I'll double check the TSA website for sure.

 

[clm10308]

Clothes can be packed in zip top bags and the air squeezed out to take up less space.