Luggage for 2 adults and a 17 month old? Help?

[zuzu310]

So this will be my husband and I's first trip with our then 17 month old son. We are flying SWA so no need to worry about checked bag fees but we do need to be able to haul it all, carryons, and a stroller to ME. So right now we own a 29" and a 30" suitcase. I will also admit I am an overpacker but I am trying to be ultra conscious of what we really need for this trip. I have 2 questions I have been trying to brainstorm. Can someone help me out please?

1. Are those two bags enough to get all of our clothing including our toddler's in and all of his accessories (diapers, wipes, etc.)?

2. What type of carryons should I bring? I debated bringing a duffel and packing my son's diapers and clothes in it and putting it in the overhead but then we will be hauling a stroller, a large duffel, my messenger bag, my husband's laptop bag and 2 large luggage bags. That seems like a lot.

Bottom line: I want to use the absolute fewest bags possible to make our travel with a toddler easier. Can someone help me who travels a lot or who has experience traveling with a toddler? Thanks!!!!

 

[aubriee]

You might want to measure those bags. Southwest does allow two free checked bags, but the maximum dimensions of each bag is 62" (height+length+width). Unless they're duffels most 29" and 30" bags are going to be too big and don't forget they count the wheels, handles, and any bulges in their measurements. Also checked bags have a weight limit of 50lbs. Anything bigger or heavier you will be charged fees.

Carryons must be no bigger than 10"x16"x24", so a large duffel won't work for a carry on either.

I've never traveled with a 17 month old, but my husband and I did take our 3 y/o grandson to WDW Feb 4th-11th. He carried a toddler size back pack with a few toys and snacks for the plane and a child size Lightening McQueen rolling carry on that held all of his clothes (he is potty trained of course, so really didn't have that much). He loved his little carryon, loved pulling it, and wouldn't let us help him. My husband and I each carried a 22" carry on and I carried a Vera Bradley weekender as a personal item that squished easily and fit under the seat. My husband and I then shared one big rolling duffel that we checked. There was still quite a bit if room in it though, so some of my grandson's stuff could have fit if we needed it to. In fact, I stuffed my 22" Vera Bradley duffel that I had used as a carry on on the way down there into the big duffel on the way home and just carried the Vera Bradely weekender on as a personal item/carryon. The reason we had the extra room is because I am not an overpacker and use packing folders and cubes to organize our bags.

Again I've traveled with a toddler, but not one needing diapers and wipes, etc. Something alot of people do though is just ship stuff down there (diapers, wipes, snacks, sunscreen, other toiletries, etc). That stuff shouldn't weigh much and that way you wouldn't have to deal with dragging it through the airport. Just pack a box and ship it to your resort a week or so before leaving, then pick it up at bell services when you arrive. Another option might be to order from one of those online shopping places and have that stuff delivered (diapers, wipes, sunscreen, fresh snacks, juice, water, etc).

 

[francie57]

Another option would be to ship the diapers/wipes, snacks, and anything else that wouldn't be making the return trip home to the resort. There have been posts on here about people shipping things all the time.

 

[aazarow]

If you want to pack light, leave the diapers and wipes home. There is a Walmart 15 minutes from downtown. Take a cab and buy what you need - snacks, wipes, diapers...they have a good kids section and a gr8 deli counter! Other option - buy luggage that snaps together and wheels...and a bunch of singles to have baggage people move it for you

 

[At World's End]

The easiest solution would be to just use a luggage cart, or are those not allowed to be taken out to the ME?

Another way to pack more into your luggage is to use two rolling duffles instead of your suitcases. Because they weigh so little you can put alot more in them before you exceed the weight limit. Just be careful of the size limitations. Our last trip we managed to pack for 4 people in one 30" rolling duffle, one 19" carryone, and three backpacks. It was in January, and we had packed LOTS of clothes for layering. I would go that route. Each adult brings a backpack that has your flight snacks and extra change of clothes, plus you personal item (messenger bag and laptop bag). Your son could bring a little backpack with toys. Pack one adult's clothes and your son's clothes in one rolling duffle, the other adult's clothes, toiletries, diapers, etc. in the other duffle. Roll all your cothes and you'll have plenty of space. We got our duffle for $15 at WalMart.

 

[Jestocost]

So this will be my husband and I's first trip with our then 17 month old son. We are flying SWA so no need to worry about checked bag fees but we do need to be able to haul it all, carryons, and a stroller to ME. So right now we own a 29" and a 30" suitcase. I will also admit I am an overpacker but I am trying to be ultra conscious of what we really need for this trip. I have 2 questions I have been trying to brainstorm. Can someone help me out please?

1. Are those two bags enough to get all of our clothing including our toddler's in and all of his accessories (diapers, wipes, etc.)?

2. What type of carryons should I bring? I debated bringing a duffel and packing my son's diapers and clothes in it and putting it in the overhead but then we will be hauling a stroller, a large duffel, my messenger bag, my husband's laptop bag and 2 large luggage bags. That seems like a lot.

Bottom line: I want to use the absolute fewest bags possible to make our travel with a toddler easier. Can someone help me who travels a lot or who has experience traveling with a toddler? Thanks!!!!

Why not use the DME luggage transfer service to get your checked bags to the resort? Unless you are arriving after 10 p.m., that would be the perfect solution for you. That still means you'd have to worry about the carry ons and the stroller, but that's a whole lot easier than messing with all of it/

 

[mlacreta]

We have traveled with TONS of luggage..first trip we had 4 kids (including a 1 yr old) and second trip we had 5 with the youngest under 1. We always have one good size suitcase per person..plus a double stroller. I can tell you once you are at Disney there are no worries about luggage. Like someoneelse said...just be ready to tip bell services! (Although I can tell you one stay we asked for a cart so we could bring our luggage out ourselves when we left as we were out of cash and were told we couldn't have a cart but not to be concerned because tipping wasnt necessary...still...) Bell services can get your luggage to and from anywhere while you are on property. You would really just need to be more concerned with getting into your airport and back again. We were lucky enough to have help. If you don't have help even with 3 suitcases and a stroller I am sure you can handle it. The bulk of the little one's suitcase of corse will be the diapers. We always bring ours as they are costly on site but if cost isnt a big deal you can find them in the hotel shops. Once we are at Disney we don't go off propery so I would never take a taxi to get stuff but we have used one of the grocery delivery services. They might deliver diapers...not sure...can't remember. We used them 6 years ago and I remember comparing their prices and bringing down anything that was cheaper to buy at home. We seriously had a couple suitcases just filled with food items! Goodluck!!!! It's all in the planning. You could even do a practice pack if you are really concerned to see how much you can fit in what and how much it weighs.

 

[goofy4tink]

Are you arriving close to 10pm??? Is that why you are planning on getting all your luggage for yourself?? If you are arriving at another time, please, tag those checked bags with DME luggage tags and allow DME to handle them for you.
Then...pack enough baby supplies to get you through the first 6 hrs of your stay, in your carryon. Each ticketed passenger gets an overhead bag, a bag that goes beneath the seat....so, that should be plenty for you.
As far as baby supplies, I would either ship them down to your resort, or use a grocery delivery service to have them delivered to your resort. I just wouldn't worry about stuffing a checked bag with enough diapers/wipes and such to get me through the stay.
And, that way, you can save room for clothes and such...and won't need as much luggage.
If you check your bags with DME, you will now have to deal with 2, possibly 3, carryon bags, the stroller and 1 or 2 smaller bags. Should be easy enough. Gatecheck the stroller....then as soon as you leave the plane, they will give you the stroller and the baby goes in it.

 

[zuzu310]

Thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate it! I think we will either pack 3 checked bags (our 2 big ones and 1 small-we have to get ourselves to the airport and we have no room in an Elantra for 3 big ones, a stroller, 2 adults, and a baby in carseat) or check our 2 large bags and bring along a duffel to put overhead and my messenger bag. I am debating sending diapers/wipes ahead of time but being the worrywart I am, I would be concerned it wouldn't get there. One time at CSR, they gave me a hard way to go about the package of water I had sent ahead.

As for DME, I know people are going to hate me for this but we always take our bags on DME. Well, it's the whole bedbugs thing for me. I admit it. I have OCD and it just bothers me to have my bags in a room I haven't checked yet. We are arriving early so the chances of our room being ready for me to check out ahead of time is slim to none and to make it worse my friend had a bedbug infestation in her apartment a couple of years back and it was a NIGHTMARE to get rid of them. Just thinking about the little buggers give me the creeps.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for all of the replies. I really appreciate it! I think we will either pack 3 checked bags (our 2 big ones and 1 small-we have to get ourselves to the airport and we have no room in an Elantra for 3 big ones, a stroller, 2 adults, and a baby in carseat) or check our 2 large bags and bring along a duffel to put overhead and my messenger bag. I am debating sending diapers/wipes ahead of time but being the worrywart I am, I would be concerned it wouldn't get there. One time at CSR, they gave me a hard way to go about the package of water I had sent ahead.

As for DME, I know people are going to hate me for this but we always take our bags on DME. Well, it's the whole bedbugs thing for me. I admit it. I have OCD and it just bothers me to have my bags in a room I haven't checked yet. We are arriving early so the chances of our room being ready for me to check out ahead of time is slim to none and to make it worse my friend had a bedbug infestation in her apartment a couple of years back and it was a NIGHTMARE to get rid of them. Just thinking about the little buggers give me the creeps.

A couple of thoughts for you. I completely understand the whole 'bedbug' issue. My dd has been through it twice at camp...not so much fun. BUT....it really isn't an issue at WDW. I have had 30+ different stays, at all level of resort, and not once have I had any 'bug' issue...not once. I really don't think it's an issue. Also....you stand just as good a chance of picking the little guys up when leaving your bags in storage. Luggage is the easiest mode of transport for the bugs...so your bags could actually carry them off the plane, or out of Bell Services.
So....take your bags on DME with you if you choose, that's up to you. But, bed bugs just aren't that big an issue.

 

[zuzu310]

A couple of thoughts for you. I completely understand the whole 'bedbug' issue. My dd has been through it twice at camp...not so much fun. BUT....it really isn't an issue at WDW. I have had 30+ different stays, at all level of resort, and not once have I had any 'bug' issue...not once. I really don't think it's an issue. Also....you stand just as good a chance of picking the little guys up when leaving your bags in storage. Luggage is the easiest mode of transport for the bugs...so your bags could actually carry them off the plane, or out of Bell Services.
So....take your bags on DME with you if you choose, that's up to you. But, bed bugs just aren't that big an issue.

You are right. If they can crawl through walls or crawl into your luggage from the cargo bay of the airplane, then I guess it doesn't really matter if they sit in the room for a few hours or in Bell Services for a few hours. The risk is still there either way. It will be much easier to just have DME take our two large bags.

I am thinking of buying this for the overhead compartment and my DH can store his laptop in there along with diapers, toddler clothes, etc. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/...=yes&productid=1370035&itemid=2&cartlink=view They also make a wheeled version although wheels are heavier and take up more space. I probably will get something like this to store under the seat with DS's toys/entertainment for in-flight http://www.ebags.com/product/high-s...yes&productid=10178128&itemid=7&cartlink=view Then all we have to worry about is our two carryons, our stroller, and our son.

 

[nacho113]

Best advise I have for you is to pack light. Pick up some of those all-in-one laundry sheets and throw a load of laundry in once or twice during your vacation to recycle clothing and cut down on how much you have to pack/carry.
Our first trip to WDW when the kids were little, we packed everything we owned (or so it seemed) and had to cart 5 large suitcases and 5 carry-ons plus multiple small bags (and the 3 little ones) through 2 airports and to the resorts. Had to rent a mini-van to haul all of this around in too.
I think the kids lived in there favorite pair of shorts and sandals for the whole 10 days so they only used 30% of what we packed. The wife and I worked our way through 75% of what we had brought.
On our next trip a couple of years later, we packed smarter and much lighter. 2 large suitcases (2/3 filled to allow room for souvenirs) and 5 carry-ons for a 17 day vacation. We did a couple of loads of laundry about 8 days in - on one of our days off from the parks. Worked great.

The wife and I are taking my daughter back in May this year for a week and we are going to see if we can do it with just our carry-ons since the baggage fees are killers these days.

 

[tms295psu]

We flew (5 day trip) with our daughter @ 23 months (still in diapers) and we had:
2 backpacks/bookbags and 1 rolling carryon suit case.

I packed exactly what we needed in clothing (we wear jeans 2 x) in the rolling carry-on. and 1 backpack has the diapers (averaged what we use per day and added 1 day worth), sippy, blankie, few toys. And the other backpack had our overflow of stuff.

My plan was if we used all the clothing (accidents happen) I'd spend the few dollars on 1 load of wash! And save my checked bag money, and risk of lost/delayed luggage.

 

[goofy4tink]

You are right. If they can crawl through walls or crawl into your luggage from the cargo bay of the airplane, then I guess it doesn't really matter if they sit in the room for a few hours or in Bell Services for a few hours. The risk is still there either way. It will be much easier to just have DME take our two large bags.

I am thinking of buying this for the overhead compartment and my DH can store his laptop in there along with diapers, toddler clothes, etc. http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/...=yes&productid=1370035&itemid=2&cartlink=view They also make a wheeled version although wheels are heavier and take up more space. I probably will get something like this to store under the seat with DS's toys/entertainment for in-flight http://www.ebags.com/product/high-s...yes&productid=10178128&itemid=7&cartlink=view Then all we have to worry about is our two carryons, our stroller, and our son.

In all reality, if it has wheels, it doesn't matter if it weighs a bit more. If you have to carry it, then it's going to be harder. I would go with a wheeled carryon....that's what I use. Check the airline site and see what their size requirements are....then, get a wheeled bag that fits. But, you may not want to lug something wheeled behind you since it will take a hand to do do. A backpack may work best for you...just slip it on and you have both hands free.
In any case, both those bags should work fine. Even if you and your dh each had a larger backpack, you would still have four hands free to deal with the stroller and such.