Luggage suggestions / recommendations

[tigereye]

Our WDW trip down in October will be our first vacation flying. In the past, we've always driven everywhere, so have packed up as many of the zillion or so bags that we've accumulated throughout the years as needed and loaded them into the nooks and crannies of the "Family Truckster".

Now that we're flying this year, it seems like it's time to spring for some luggage (I don't anticipate trying to check 14 random duffle bags... )

Any recommendations for decent/moderately priced luggage, and more specifically what pieces I actually need? The kids are all big enough to pull their own luggage if that's a consideration.

For the 3 kids and I and a 6 night trip, can I get by with a carryon and backpack each or will I need to have something bigger? Note that I do anticipate packing pins, glow sticks and ponchos if that makes any difference.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[hollisterluva92]

Alrighty, well, here's how I do mine--I take one suitcase and use that--there's a one carry-on limit for everyone, but for girls they can have a carry-on and a purse. The carry-on I do a backpack and then my purse, and then check my suitcase. There's a 50 pound weight limit for suitcases--anything over that you have to pay an extra cost. Depending on what airline you are taking, you also have to pay for checking your luggage. For North West Airlines--you have to pay $15 per suitcase for your first suitcase--$25 for your second suitcase. If you don't have enough room in your checked suitcase, then use a smaller suitcase for your carry-on. So back to the suitcase/backpack ideas--here's what I would get for your kids:
They come in plenty of different colors and they are very roomy
http://www.target.com/Trans-Janspor...s=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&rh=k:jansport&page=1
For the luggage:
This for your daughter:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4660495


This for your sons:
In a different color, of course
http://www.target.com/Embark-Luggage-Set-3-pc/dp/B00281773C/ref=br_1_18?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&searchView=grid5&searchNodeID=13828201&node=13828201&searchRank=salesrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Embark%20Luggage%20Set%203%20pc


And this for you:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11069674
If you need anything else, just pm me---I'm putting pics up of my luggage when I get back from running aarons today on my ptr, it's on my siggie--take a peek

 

[LovinRafiki]

I have purchased my luggage from Target and I love it. It works just as good as the expensive stuff. I think for you, if everyone can bring a carry on I would do that.

 

[tigereye]

Thanks for the advice. Think I'll pick up a carry on for everyone and do a dry run with the packing to see if I can get it all in there.

Mike

 

[delaneyc52]

I did get some decent deals at ebags.com and overstock.com. Big duffles that I somehow keep to the 50 lb weight limit (a miracle!!!).

 

[tigereye]

I did get some decent deals at ebags.com and overstock.com. Big duffles that I somehow keep to the 50 lb weight limit (a miracle!!!).

I've seen a couple of recommendations for duffles. Do they pack better than a similarly sized suitcase or is there another reason for using one?

Mike

 

[aubriee]

I've seen a couple of recommendations for duffles. Do they pack better than a similarly sized suitcase or is there another reason for using one?

Mike

I love my duffels. They are usually lighter than suitcases and plus hold more. I use packing folders and packing cubes to organize them.

 

[cuches]

I love my long duffle with rollers. Weighs next to nothing and holds so much more then our old hard case from Samsonite!

I'm so crazy with the weight limit after we paid so much in over poundage fees (I tried to get away with only 1 bag for my DH and I so the bag weighed almost 75Lbs!!!! They told us we would not have had to pay a fee if we separated it all in 3 or 4 separate bags.) Live and learn. Now I take one big soft sided suit case and the long duffle to check in and 3 carry-ons between DD, DH and me.

On my carry on's: Snacks for DD10, small toys, memory games, small DVD player, gum, my DH's computer and of course XANAX!!!!

Tina

 

[AnxiousDad]

1. Make a list, and highlight the things you might be needing before you actually have a time to unpack, i.e.: swimwear if plan to arrive at appropriate time, reading material for the plane, etc.
2. Assign compartments and divisions to your suitcase: things that I need before arriving, toilet things, etc.
3. I do recommend you get a luggage that fits the travel length, compartment size and quantity and type of travel (wheels for airport use are a must). Expensive luggage is better if you are a frequent traveler, cheaper one is fine for once a year thing. Usually you can see the quality by looking and feeling the zipper/closing method construction quality. All the protruding components (wheels, handles, buckles, etc) will get some kind of abuse since your belongings will be tossed, pushed, thrown, thrown at, etc.
4. Get locks for your check-in luggage! and get the TSA ones. The airport security may want to open your luggage after checked in.
5. If you got nylon or canvas luggage, spray them with teflon or other fabric protector - you can get this at Walmart.
6. Mark your luggage. Not only with a tag, also with a ribbon on the handle or patch or something that you can spot on the luggage carousel or Hotel lobby from a few feet away.
7. Pack a few plastic bags for soiled shoes, dirty clothes, etc. I almost always run out of the ones supplied for Hotel laundry.
8. When packing on your way back, fold neatly your dirty clothes, get them on a plastic bag, sit on it in order to get the air out and tie a knot on the open end, making sure you got out as much of the air as you can. This will keep your dirty clothes compressed and not occupying a lot of air space. Much needed for your shopping.

And have fun!!!

 

[Tink9721]

I usually bring a suitcase for my clothes and toiletries and a carry on bag(usually a backpack) for anything I'll need on the plane or right when I get to the hotel(mp3 player, a book, etc.) I usually pack a change of clothes in my carry on. I go in February and live in Rhode Island so it's too cold to go to the airport in shorts...

 

[Carriemel]

OP, if you plan on taking glow sticks, know that they DO need to be in CHECKED baggage because they contain liquid. They are not labeled as to ounce content, and without that, they WILL NOT make it through the security checkpoint.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

We have converted to LLBean rolling duffels (large, xl is too many inches if full). My old samsonite weighed 20 pounds, the duffel is about 8.5! DD got the pink flowered one for her 3rd birthday and loves it! Just an FYI... they don't stand-up upright so if you take public transportation they could be a pain. Otherwise they are awesome!

I use packing cubes to make it more organized, but cubes can get expensive so now I save zippered plastic bags (like what new sheets come in) and I am going to try Dollar Store's generic travel space bag.

Lastly, we got draw-string laundry bags from WalMart (they have cool colors right now for college- they fold into a pocket), they fit perfectly in the duffel when full. When we get home we roll it right in the laundry room. One duffel is full of darks and the other is lights!

 

[dancer4life22]

Our WDW trip down in October will be our first vacation flying. In the past, we've always driven everywhere, so have packed up as many of the zillion or so bags that we've accumulated throughout the years as needed and loaded them into the nooks and crannies of the "Family Truckster".

Now that we're flying this year, it seems like it's time to spring for some luggage (I don't anticipate trying to check 14 random duffle bags... )

Any recommendations for decent/moderately priced luggage, and more specifically what pieces I actually need? The kids are all big enough to pull their own luggage if that's a consideration.

For the 3 kids and I and a 6 night trip, can I get by with a carryon and backpack each or will I need to have something bigger? Note that I do anticipate packing pins, glow sticks and ponchos if that makes any difference.

Thanks,

Mike

here is my suggestion. most airlines have a carryone limit of one carryone and one personal bag. then there is the checked luggage. what my family does is we all have one suitcase, my dad has a backpack, my mom has a tote and a backpack, and me and my sister have small duffels and a tote. me and my sister each have one small suitcase that we check and my parents share a slightly larger one that they check. in the suitcases go all our clothes, bathing suits, and liquids. in the carryons go one bathing suit because sometimes luggage arrives late and you dont have one. me and my sister bring our own blankets because we dont like hotel ones, stuff to do on the plane, and little things that dont need to go in the suitcase like i bring a hair straightner.

heres a tip. if you will have a washing machine and you want to do laundry. bring 4 outfits each and wash them in the middle of the week. were doing that this time because our villa will have a washing machine in the room. now we are going to avoid checking anything and just bring duffel bags and totes.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

If you take Southwest, there are no luggage fees.

We learned for our last trip that we needed to change our ways....3 people with 4 large suitcases and 4 carrys (of which only one rolled). The crook in my arm got a big bruise.

So we have new Delsey luggage. Delsey gets great reviews. Kohl's carries it and you can use their coupons. Also ebags.com carries it.

Now we each have one 25" Delsey (wheeled), and one 18" wheeled carryon. The wheeled carryons each slip onto our 25" suitcases with a sleeve (slips onto handle). The 18" fits under an airline seat pretty well. Then I got a little baggalini purse that has a long strap that goes crossways so I'm handsfree.

I wouldn't get a 28" suitcase...they tend to be over the 50 pound limit when fully packed.

I had to get the 18" carryons on ebags.com. Most carryons with wheels in the store are around 21". I should clarify....our 25" ones are Delsey and I got them at Kohls. The 18" ones are a different brand.

I second the suggestion of doing laundry halfway on your trip.

Have fun on your trip!