Flying with food

[MsSweet]

Can I pack water bottles and my snacks in my luggage? I'm flying from New Orleans to Orlando, I don't want to rent a car or order groceries.

 

[bumbershoot]

Snacks, no problem.

Bottles of water...how would you feel if someone else packed water, and that luggage broke open on top of YOUR luggage? Could be your luggage smashing open on someone else's bags. Do you really want to be responsible for having ruined someone else's clothing? Remember, not everyone is going to Disney where they'll be wearing easy-wash clothes...some are business people with suits and such.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

To answer your question, yes, you can pack water bottles in checked luggage. Watch the weight limits.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

It you decide to bring water bottles an a checked bag, pack them in such a way that the bottles will not lose their contents even of the bag is treated very roughly -- and if the bottles do lose their contents, the water will be contained multiple layers of zip-lock bags.

Although the cost of checking bags and the cost for overweight bags vary by airline, it's hard to see the economics of bringing enough water for a vacation in checked luggage.

Finally, although there's no TSA restriction on water in checked bags for security reasons, some airlines may have own liquid restrictions due to risks other than security.

 

[SarahInMN]

Snacks easy but the water as others have posted will likely push you over the weight limits and if it breaks you are going to get other people's stuff wet.

For the water, if you have a costco membership or amazon or whatever, you can get the water shipped to you at the resort. Depending on the resort (generally the ones with business centers/conference centers attached), there will be a fee (8$ last time). So if its just water being delivered, that might be an option. Otherwise wego shop and garden grocers will drop your stuff at bell services, then you just call bell and they bring your stuff up to the room.

We do travel with wine but have a specially designed carrier that protects the bottles. I'd be super ticked if my luggage was soaked with water or other liquids from other travelers checked luggage.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It you decide to bring water bottles an a checked bag, pack them in such a way that the bottles will not lose their contents even of the bag is treated very roughly -- and if the bottles do lose their contents, the water will be contained multiple layers of zip-lock bags.

Although the cost of checking bags and the cost for overweight bags vary by airline, it's hard to see the economics of bringing enough water for a vacation in checked luggage.

Finally, although there's no TSA restriction on water in checked bags for security reasons, some airlines may have own liquid restrictions due to risks other than security.

I rarely check bags and have never checked water, although I have checked wine many, many times. No problems. No domestic airline has a restriction for how much water you can check, although some do for checked alcohol.

I get three free checked bags up to 70 lbs each due to my FF status, so weight isn't an issue for me. These days, if you travel by air even once a year, you should get an airline branded or other credit card which allows at least one piece of free checked luggage.

 

[SarahInMN]

I rarely check bags and have never checked water, although I have checked wine many, many times. No problems. No domestic airline has a restriction for how much water you can check, although some do for checked alcohol.

I get three free checked bags up to 70 lbs each due to my FF status, so weight isn't an issue for me. These days, if you travel by air even once a year, you should get an airline branded or other credit card which allows at least one piece of free checked luggage.

Both my DH and I get up to three 70 lb bags due to airline status but the wrangling of that many bags is a killer (usually for WDW we each have 2 checked wheelie bags and then a shared wheeled wine carrier: wrangling all of this is a PAIN). We prefer grocery delivery for this reason.

Your advice on the airline credit card is spot on for people who don't have status - not only is free bag for the holder but (at least with Delta) for everyone traveling on the reservation so it could save a family of 4 a lot.

As for alcohol restrictions:
you can't check anything more than 70% alcohol
there are no limits on anything less than 24% (hence our traveling with 7 bottles of wine)
anything between 24% to 70% is limited to 5 liters per person (including minors) - so parents can pack alcohol in the kids luggage if you are coming back from say Brazil with a bunch of cachaça (we have close friends who take advantage of this rule)

 

[OKW Lover]

One other point about checking water on the plane. Bags go in the un-heated luggage compartments. Its very likely that the water will freeze while you are flying to WDW, possibly bursting its container.

 

[houseofduck]

Another option might be to bring a small water filter pitcher (e.g., Brita or Pur).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

One other point about checking water on the plane. Bags go in the un-heated luggage compartments. Its very likely that the water will freeze while you are flying to WDW, possibly bursting its container.

Actually, this is very unlikely. It rarely gets that cold in luggage compartments. As I already stated, I have checked wine many, many times. Not once has it been damaged or frozen. Have you ever checked shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc., then unpacked and found it was frozen? I'm guessing no.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Your items will not freeze, but the weight of hundreds of bagge on top of yours could cause an issue. I packed a bottle of Febreeze in two zip locks, but the pressure of maybe hundreds of pounds pressed out, the Febreeze and conditioner out of the ziplocks into my suitcase. I had to do all the laundry that night of arrival.

Once a DISer was coming home from her honeymoon and her luggage got drenched from another bag. All of her photos and sentimental items were lost. It is so much easier to take empty bottles in your carry on and fill water with a flavor while there. You get free ice water from stands too.

The other thing mentioned is the filter pitcher , it was much easier doing that our one family trip. We packed empty refillable bottles, got ice in the morning and filled our fan and water bottles. Then. We got ice water with our food and refilled them.

 

[chabs]

I've brought water to Disney before in a soft sided cooler that had wheels. I just double lined it with one of those large ziplocks that you can buy in Target (large size that would fit a comforter) and I wrapped a beach towel around the outside in case of leaks. It was perfectly fine and when you get to your room you can fill it with ice. I've never had any problems. Then you have an extra suitcase for souvenirs on the way home too.