How to pack for 1st flight

[kiramay]

We're flying on southwest in October (I know it's still a long way off), and I'm already thinking about how to pack since I might need to buy luggage. We'll be checking some bags and carrying on some, but I'm not sure what to pack in each. I hope I'm making some sense.... We're using DME and plan to go to MK after checking in (~1pm) so I know I'll need some things in the carry on like shorts, hats, MBs...

What else?

Theoretically we can check up to 10 bags and carry on 5, but I know we won't need that much. One checked bag will be all food and water. Lol

Eta: each kid will have a backpack of travel activities and snacks.

We drove last time and I WAY over packed, including a travel toilet since ds4 was potty training at the time.

 

[maxiesmom]

Pack what you need for the first 24 hours in your carry-on bags. Meds, reservation papers, maybe shorts and tee shirts. Have your kid's bags be only what they need to be happy on the airplane--I-Pods and earphones, handheld games, and a few snacks.

Don't forget that each of you can have a 3-1-1 baggie. Get a few small sized sunscreens, and put those in the baggies. Along with small hand sanitizers and chapstick.

Be careful with your checked bag of food and water. First off, make sure you do not go over-weight. That is a huge fee! Also, make sure you pack that water well--double baggies, and maybe some clothes for cushioning. You don't want them breaking and getting your (and your fellow travelers) luggage all wet.

 

[amomma23]

Don't pack water in your checked bag. It weighs a ton and could break and make a real mess. You can order cases of bottled water from Staples.com. If you don't already have one, sign up for a staples rewards card (free store discount card). It will get you free shipping with no minimum purchase. You can ship water, snacks, or whatever else you want right to the resort.

 

[Alesia]

Don't pack water in your checked bag. It weighs a ton and could break and make a real mess. You can order cases of bottled water from Staples.com. If you don't already have one, sign up for a staples rewards card (free store discount card). It will get you free shipping with no minimum purchase. You can ship water, snacks, or whatever else you want right to the resort.

Agreed.

 

[DadLightyear]

For our last trip, we sent down a box filled with Poptarts, granola bars, individual bagged snacks, diapers, etc. Then, we had bottled water and Gatorade delivered to the resort by Garden Grocer. Was definitely a better option for us, as opposed to checking all that stuff.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[JillShari]

Just got back....
We arrived a bit later than you and we did a hotel day that day.

As far as our carry ons.... we had one apiece. The kids had their own activities for the airplane in their backpacks. I had a pocketbook which was a sling type bag to carry wallet, travel documents etc and I had my camera backpack. My DH was in charge of the wheeled small suitcase... we had shorts, swimsuits (since we planned a swim afternoon), my contact lenses, any meds, a few travel snacks and any reading material for the plane, check in materials, any thing vital not to check.

We had two large suitcases checked. We had the kids clothes in one and our in the other. I packed each person whole outfits in ziploc bags one per person per day....and then I added "Mickey presents" into the kids bags for them to find each morning. We packed toiletries, PJ's... hats, etc.

As far as bringing water and food.... we got on gardengrocer.com and even though it was a bit expensive... we got everything we needed for snacks and even full breakfasts in our room. It was great not to take it down there with us...and we only brought back a bit. We ordered bottles of water and gatorade which really came in handy. Also, having breakfast for the kids while we showered in the morning was a great time saver. So, even if you don't do gardengrocer, consider shipping stuff down ahead of time or like the other poster suggested... order water online to be delivered.

Some people on here have monster lists of stuff to pack.... you really don't need everything...

 

[kiramay]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll order water from amazon or staples.

 

[Disfor3]

JillShari- what were your "Mickey presents"?!? That's a great idea and i'd love to do something like that this year for my DD!

We also have cases of water shipped to the room! I believe we got it for around $7/case and the bellhop brought it up to our rooms for us. We just throw a couple in the bottom of our stroller each morning. Cheap and easy and (when on a I ing plan) you don't waste the free drink that comes with your meal on water (when you could get a yummy smoothie) and you don't waste snack credits on water either!

 

[jezebel73]

We come from Buffalo, usually when it's cold at home, and wear light clothing, even shorts on the way down, just with a jacket/fleece on top, so we don't have to lug much down to change into when we get there. I make sure the carryons have things you can't live without if they *gasp* lost your luggage. I pack any medications and toiletries and essential paperwork and everyone packs their swimsuit in their carryon so we don't have to wait for luggage upon arrival (our first day is generally right to the pool - again that whole Buffalo thing LOL), plus that takes up so little space anyway. Everyone also has a couple of snacks and activities, whether that be an electronic, book, or such, for the plane.

And my daughter ALWAYS brings her blankie on the plane. Just in case...

 

[triana00]

Be sure to keep an inventory of every item in each checked suitcase....when southwest lost my bag on our flight home, we had to identify at least three items in it in cases he tag came off. Also attach your contact info INSIDE the bag just in case. Leave room in your carry one for souvenirs.


(It eventually arrived the next day)

 

[Betty Rohrer]

the one tip for checked bags is make sure everyone has at least one outfit in each bag. that way if one bag does not make it, you have clothes for everyone. for carryons, make sure swimsuits and pjs are in carryons. again if a bag is delayed, you have needed items. if your kids have a special lovey type item, make sure that they know that it has to go thru scanner and they can not carry it thru security. remember the size of "liquid" that can be carried on.

 

[Stephaniesue]

I plan to pack 2 carry on bags and 1 checked bag for our family of 4. My MIL is going with us and thinks she needs more than us. So, we are going to have a chat .

We are renting a car in Orlando and driving to sarasota. I plan to rent a full size car, and more than a couple bags won't fit. I plan to do laundry when we arrive in Sarasota.

Our carry on will have 1 change of clothing for each person, meds, and the one baggie of toiletries and toothbrushes! I will have an additional bag with snacks for the plane, my tablet, phone charger and activities for the kids.

I also read a good tip is to purchase a TSA lock, they are sold online and target I believe. This way if your bag needs to be inspected they won't cut your lock, they have a master key. I am also going to print our travel info, hotel phone numbers and our personal contact info and put it in each checked bag. This way if its lost we are easy to find.

I didn't know we could get snacks and water shipped! I was planning to pack some breakfast and snack items, but looks like I won't have to!

 

[MandiC]

Our rule of thumb for packing for the kids is we don't pack more for them than they themselves can get through the airport. Magical Express makes this easier but you still have to get the luggage through the airport as you depart and when you return home, it's hard enough keeping track of your kids without worrying about carrying 8 bags
I bought the biggest luggage that we could check without an extra fee (we also flew southwest, we each checked one bag). I packed my stuff and ALL of our toiletries plus some snacks in that bag. (remember to keep it under 50lbs too, so water could easily put you over the weight and you'd have an extra fee, I agree with the others who say have it shipped to your resort) DH packed a bag for himself (the biggest bag that came with a set we had) and the kids each checked a carry-on size bag with their things. I bought them cute sets on amazon, I think the brand name was Rockland or Rockwell. Cute, bright prints that really stand out. The sets came with the carry-on bag with wheels and a 'personal bag' which was perfect size for them to bring a change of clothes, their toothbrushes, homework from school and some games, ect to do on the plane. (I *hate* putting carry-ons in the overhead so I try to avoid bags big enough where we have to) I brought backpack and my knitting bag as my carry-on and personal item. My backpack had the things that were musts for the rest of our first night for dh and I and the kids. DH didn't even bring a carry-on.

Honestly as far as water is concerned, I found it easier to bring a filtered water bottle. We traveled light in the parks and don't mind sharing so it was nice to just have one refillable bottle to carry. You can ask for a any counter service to refill it for free. We weren't in our room long enough for us to need much in our rooms, we had the dining plan so we did have the refillable mugs but we really only filled the once a day (when we got back to the resort for the night we'd go fill them up with something).

 

[MandiC]

I do recommend packing snacks BTW and now that I am thinking about it I remember I did pack an extra duffel that we ended up using as dh's carry on on the flight home. Reason- souvenirs! The snacks you don't use you can just leave and then you have room for extra stuff in your bag, the duffel was nice because we brought home the resort mugs and a photo album.

Also, on southwest I highly recommend buying the early bird check-in option. All of business select or whatever it's called and group A boards before families with young children. We bought early bird and for the flight to Florida we did manage to sit in rows with each other but even with early bird on the flight home I sat with one of our daughters 5 rows behind where my husband was with our other daughter. I imagine it could get stressful if you don't have early bird and are traveling with young kids. You could count on people moving to let you sit with kids but honestly I think that would be a little rude since people do pay extra to chose where they want to sit.

 

[msmama]

My son (6) and I travel with one suitcase between us. For disney I plan our outfits before hand (not super matchy but so we don't clash in pictures, plus, having "outfits" rather than just clothes makes it easier once we are there).

He gets an outfit per day plus one extra. I get enough tops for the whole trip (I re-wear pants/shorts). I will often toss in one pair of pants and a sweatshirt too (unless its cold at home then we wear that). At least two pairs of shoes for each of us (including what we are wearing). We each have a toilettry case that includes any medicines we might need.

I also toss in a small duffle bag to use for dirty clothes storage there and then to bring stuff home in.

I take a backpack and my purse on the plane, he takes his backpack. In your case I'd take park clothes and/or bathing suits.

I've become a very adept packer and rarely come home with anything I haven't actually used.

 

[mm1971]

We're flying on southwest in October (I know it's still a long way off), and I'm already thinking about how to pack since I might need to buy luggage. We'll be checking some bags and carrying on some, but I'm not sure what to pack in each. I hope I'm making some sense.... We're using DME and plan to go to MK after checking in (~1pm) so I know I'll need some things in the carry on like shorts, hats, MBs...

What else?

Theoretically we can check up to 10 bags and carry on 5, but I know we won't need that much. One checked bag will be all food and water. Lol

Eta: each kid will have a backpack of travel activities and snacks.

We drove last time and I WAY over packed, including a travel toilet since ds4 was potty training at the time.

I would say pack what you need for the first day in your carry on and check the rest. We normally pack snack and such for the plane, shorts or any clothes we may need when we get there and any medications and things you may need. The rest we pack and check at the airport.

We normally have in the carry on......snacks, bathing suits, activities for the travel time, sun block, medications, small first aid kit, ponchos and travel documents. That allows us to hit the ground running!

You didn't say if you were renting a car or taking DME. With DME, your bags may not be in your room for several hours so make sure you have everything you need to avoid having to wait for something and miss out on fun time.

 

[capeseal]

Make sure you have all the things you will need on the flight in a backpack or something that can be stowed under seat. Occasionally, the overhead bins fill before you get on the plane and then you will have to gate check anything that will not fit under your seat. You don't want to have all of your airplane snacks and entertainment impossible to access or be scrambling to pull things out at the last minute before you board.

We pack the kids' clothes for each day in individual ziplock bags. Much easier than fishing for tiny pairs of socks or underwear in a big suitcase or trying to match things at the last minute while trying to get out the door of our hotel in time for RD. Also, that helps me to keep track and make sure I have enough clothes for everyone for the week.

Definitely ship water to your resort and maybe even some of your snacks.

 

[kiramay]

Thank you all for the suggestions!