Lets talk Luggage...and packing.

[Minniemum]

OMG minniemum..I had NEVER thought of doing the water parks then hopping straight to one of the parks at night.......great, now i have to rejig my already rejigged touring plans

DH will be happy, as i told him we dont have time to do a waterpark....

so what days are the quietest???

Love an ADR, a few rides and a fireworks show after a day at the waterparks.

Of course your DH wants to go to the waterparks with his hot new bod

Any day we're not at the waterparks are the quietest! If it rains, which of course it will in Sept, everyone packs up and leaves and we feel like we've got the park to ourselves. If they forecast thunderstorms with lightning they will however close the park. It's a fine line.

 

[australiankaren]

Love an ADR, a few rides and a fireworks show after a day at the waterparks.

Of course your DH wants to go to the waterparks with his hot new bod

Any day we're not at the waterparks are the quietest! If it rains, which of course it will in Sept, everyone packs up and leaves and we feel like we've got the park to ourselves. If they forecast thunderstorms with lightning they will however close the park. It's a fine line.

so true...he wants to show off all his hard work

so we'll go at lunch time to the waterpark (which one do you recommend)..we dont do water rides..we float and snorkle......

ok heres my plan
Animal kingdom tour 8.30-11.30 am
then off to the waterpark til 5pm
MGM til close

excited much now

 

[Minniemum]

so true...he wants to show off all his hard work

so we'll go at lunch time to the waterpark (which one do you recommend)..we dont do water rides..we float and snorkle......

ok heres my plan
Animal kingdom tour 8.30-11.30 am
then off to the waterpark til 5pm
MGM til close

excited much now

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Asking which park I'd recommend is like asking me to pick my favourite child!

BUT because you said snorkel, I'd say Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[Kassxcourage]

We have a problem with our Japan trip - we will be coming from Kyoto straight to the airport on the Shinkansen (bullet train)not only is luggage space limited to overhead bins, but getting 5 people and their luggage through a crowded Japanese train station and onto a train where they dont have much flexibility in their departure times is going to be insane!

No one in our family likes to share their luggage space - so everyone must have their own!

I do have my eye on the samsonite b-lites. I was in strandbags the other day and the lady was showing me a cute little roll on cabin bag that fits and secures on top of the medium samsonite suitcase
http://www.strandbags.com.au/luggage/cabrelli-gio-18in-wheel-bag/3098093

Its only $40 so may not be the best quality - but gee it looked cute on top of the spinner - I think I will treat myself.

My DB and I are using that exact Cabrelli as our carry ons in two different designs and they're perfect, so roomy! The space inside, the wheels and the fact that it can sit on top of my checked luggage completely sold me.. they're so cute too!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

We have a problem with our Japan trip - we will be coming from Kyoto straight to the airport on the Shinkansen (bullet train)not only is luggage space limited to overhead bins, but getting 5 people and their luggage through a crowded Japanese train station and onto a train where they dont have much flexibility in their departure times is going to be insane!

No one in our family likes to share their luggage space - so everyone must have their own!

I do have my eye on the samsonite b-lites. I was in strandbags the other day and the lady was showing me a cute little roll on cabin bag that fits and secures on top of the medium samsonite suitcase
http://www.strandbags.com.au/luggage/cabrelli-gio-18in-wheel-bag/3098093

Its only $40 so may not be the best quality - but gee it looked cute on top of the spinner - I think I will treat myself.

Battymum, I've got 2 of these exact rolling cabin bags. They are very spacious and definitely fit nicely onto the top of the suitcases. The only thing I would say is that they are very "softsided". I wouldn't feel comfortable putting a laptop or camera equipment in them.

With that in mind, I think I will buy something similar but that has sturdier sides for the breakable stuff.

 

[viaggiamo]

What do you guys use as a toiletry bag?

We used to use a hard case that I have had since the 80s, but on our flight back from Thailand in April someone in customs must have stood on it and now it wont lock.

This time, due to internal flights being restricted with baggage, I want something inside our suitcases.

Am on the hunt for a wonderful recommendation please.

C

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

What do you guys use as a toiletry bag?

We used to use a hard case that I have had since the 80s, but on our flight back from Thailand in April someone in customs must have stood on it and now it wont lock.

This time, due to internal flights being restricted with baggage, I want something inside our suitcases.

Am on the hunt for a wonderful recommendation please.

C

Hahaha, get ready to laugh. I have this clear large plastic zip up bag that I got some sheets in once that I put all of our combined toiletries in. Everything liquidy goes into it's own little zip lock but I find there are so many toiletries for a family of 4, it's easier to keep the stuff together. I do however have my make up separate along with my little "medicine cabinet" stuff.

The other reason I just use the one toilet bag is that most hotel rooms have a very small vanity and if I just use one larger case it will fit at the side of the sink, rather than having tons of little bags spewing all over the floor etc.

 

[alicia1506]

Wow. Love the rolling duffle and a great price!! Might have to steal it for myself if i cant find a replica to the vera bradley rolling tote

 

[australiankaren]

my toiletries bag is a kiddie soft sided lunch box from red rooster

something like this

works a treat, is water proof and can sit on wet benches without going nasty, has a carry handle, is long enough for toothbrushes and deodorant cans..also cost me $5...bargain

 

[alicia1506]

my toiletries bag is a kiddie soft sided lunch box from red rooster

something like this

works a treat, is water proof and can sit on wet benches without going nasty, has a carry handle, is long enough for toothbrushes and deodorant cans..also cost me $5...bargain

Ok this is the best travel tip i have seen in years!!! Totally stealing this idea for our next trip. Travel genius karen!!

 

[australiankaren]

Ok this is the best travel tip i have seen in years!!! Totally stealing this idea for our next trip. Travel genius karen!!

here to help ..we think its great...I stumbled across the idea last year when DH destroyed our very expensive one with POLO aftershave....best thing he has ever done

 

[Andona]

Ours is a Lanza Bag similar to this one http://www.strandbags.com.au/luggage/Lanza%20WM%20III%20Cosmetic%20Bag/3044724

We've had it for years and it's still going strong. It zips open to lie flat and has enough space for toiletries for a family that likes to take lots of "just in case" stuff

Andona

 

[australiankaren]

ok, so i have a hard shell carry on...
its big inside without pockets or compartments

what do you do to stop all your stuff rattling around...do you put stuff in other bags?? i dont want to pack it full just to stop stuff moving

help

 

[Kangarucci]

I use a roll up bag that hangs on the back of the door. It has several transparent zip up sections so you can see what is in each. Wide enough for toothbrushes, small travel hairbrush and normal size toothpaste.
Also, it doesn't take up any vanity space.

 

[JessNewbs]

A little bit ....well kinda. Just investigating what kind of clothes/swimmers to pack for the kids. Am thinking it will be pretty hot, especially on the Orlando leg of the trip but am buying the kids some swimmers and am wondering how covered up they need to be. Will sunscreen suffice or will they need rashies for swimmine

 

[battymum]

Yes shuttrgirl, i was thinking I would put my camera bag in it. I am def getting two of these and two medium samsonites. The inlaws usually want to buy us something for Christmas, while I don't like to put in an order I will def be sending some hints. So I will wait and see what Santa brings! Luggage seems to be perpetually on sale at strandbags!

 

[battymum]

A little bit ....well kinda. Just investigating what kind of clothes/swimmers to pack for the kids. Am thinking it will be pretty hot, especially on the Orlando leg of the trip but am buying the kids some swimmers and am wondering how covered up they need to be. Will sunscreen suffice or will they need rashies for swimmine

Def need rashies - although my kids always wore them
(even at night, they say it keeps them warmer - ) I always found rashies to be easier to put on than sunscreen!

When are you going? We went in September and while it was super hot - I dont think the sun was actually as harsh as here - didnt seem to burn as quick!

 

[Travel Mum]

We also took rash tops with us on our late Sep/Early Oct trip and we all wore ours at the Disney water parks at my insistance. This comes from living in N.Z. where we have a huge hole in the Ozone layer above us and a very high rate of skin cancer. However, honest to goodness, we were the ONLY people in the water parks wearing rash tops and so you can imagine how thrilled (not) my girls were at me!!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

A little bit ....well kinda. Just investigating what kind of clothes/swimmers to pack for the kids. Am thinking it will be pretty hot, especially on the Orlando leg of the trip but am buying the kids some swimmers and am wondering how covered up they need to be. Will sunscreen suffice or will they need rashies for swimmine

You will be so surprised when you are there at how no one uses rashies. I was stunned. We always use rashies for our children. Ask my 14 DD how much she loves that . When you grow the ****ies, you want to have them out there but not if you're our child hahaha .

It's definitely not as "sun hot" as here for whatever reason but I always use sunscreen and rashies, we are crazy about our kids skin. I guess do whatever you feel comfortable doing here.

Yes shuttrgirl, i was thinking I would put my camera bag in it. I am def getting two of these and two medium samsonites. The inlaws usually want to buy us something for Christmas, while I don't like to put in an order I will def be sending some hints. So I will wait and see what Santa brings! Luggage seems to be perpetually on sale at strandbags!

Well just make sure you camera is in a very padded bag before going in there. I seriously would be thinking long and hard about putting mine in there. It was more when we had checked our luggage in and the bag was rolling along the ground that I was concerned. It was fine in the car, on top of the suitcase etc. Great bags though and I'm really happy with my 2.

Def need rashies - although my kids always wore them
(even at night, they say it keeps them warmer - ) I always found rashies to be easier to put on than sunscreen!

When are you going? We went in September and while it was super hot - I dont think the sun was actually as harsh as here - didnt seem to burn as quick!

I agree, the sun didn't seem as harsh in Sept/Oct.

That damn humidity though, sure does zap your energy.

We also took rash tops with us on our late Sep/Early Oct trip and we all wore ours at the Disney water parks at my insistance. This comes from living in N.Z. where we have a huge hole in the Ozone layer above us and a very high rate of skin cancer. However, honest to goodness, we were the ONLY people in the water parks wearing rash tops and so you can imagine how thrilled (not) my girls were at me!!

I couldn't believe it Travel Mum. No children had rashies on but ours at the water park and that place was packed. I didn't see one parent putting sunscreen on a child and barely anyone was wearing a hat. We were astonished.

 

[battymum]

Yeah, I get ya! I am also thinking of how you might jam it up in the luggage bin on the plane.

I am also throwing out the hints big time, for DH to buy me an Ipad for my birthday - and will be taking that. (feeling confident) I will have a hard cover for it but yes, not so good being so close the ground!

I will rethink!

As for the rashies, my boys have always worn them even at home for night swimming, (which I didnt like them doing as the chlorine ruins them) as did my DD until she grew up and now rarely swims, but for the life of me I will not wear them.
I try to not be out in the sun long and I do slap on the sunscreen, but I just feel so constricted, claustrophobic or something wearing one of those. I have had several skin cancers removed, but that was from bad habits as a kid.

I am a bad momma!!

But when they are spending a long amount of time in the pools, you really should!