Packing a food suitcase! Under 50 lbs.

[italianfamilia]

I'm so excited! I have one suitcase completely packed (leaving at 4 am tomorrow). I have this thing about trying to keep the food budget down...seem to waste too much food and money. I have gathered all their favorite snack foods and I have packed it in a suitcase and it is UNDER 50 POUNDS!


It has 12 16 oz bottles of water, 2 bags rice cakes, 1 bag pretzels, (I have eliminated the boxes that all the snacks came in and packed them in 2.5 gallon ziplocs) 2 boxes of muffins, 1 box of poptarts, 1 box of go tarts, 3 boxes of fruit snacks (bonus sizes), 1 snack box of goldfish( the little baggies) 1 snack box of scooby snacks (again the little snack bags) the snack size of applesauce, diced pears, mandarin oranges (those in the little plastic containers) plastic spoons, a million of cheese and cracker snack packs, oreo and frosting packs. It is weighing in at 40 pounds!!

OOH One down, 4 more suitcases to go. I didn't realize actually how much 50 pounds was. I have three people and shoes in a giant suitcase( yes it's the regulated size that is allowable without an extra charge) and it is under 50 pounds.

Just wanted to share!

 

[Starr W.]

I would have shipped all that in a box myself to the resort myself or used one of the grocery delivery services.

I shipped a box to VWL(coffee&filters, cereal, snacks) via USPS priority mail, it was at the front desk waiting for me.

 

[shelli132]

We did that for our trip last year and I'm so glad we did. I can't begin to tell you how much money we saved by not having to buy snacks for the kids all day long. At least a couple hundred dollars. Sure we bought them special treats at the parks but you know how kids can be.... always hungry!! We also used the flavored drink packets that you can mix w/your bottled water and that was a money saver too. Plus you aren't drinking soda all day long. Not good in the summer! Have a great trip! We have about another month to go. Can't wait.

 

[italianfamilia]

I would have shipped all that in a box myself to the resort myself or used one of the grocery delivery services.

I shipped a box to VWL(coffee&filters, cereal, snacks) via USPS priority mail, it was at the front desk waiting for me.

I'm not staying on site and it would cost too much to send a 40 pound box. I'd rather get it on the plane, use up the "one suitcase per person" lol...and I HATE trying to find a grocery store. I usually get great deals on this stuff when it's on sale here, probably cheaper than buying in Florida.

 

[italianfamilia]

We did that for our trip last year and I'm so glad we did. I can't begin to tell you how much money we saved by not having to buy snacks for the kids all day long. At least a couple hundred dollars. Sure we bought them special treats at the parks but you know how kids can be.... always hungry!! We also used the flavored drink packets that you can mix w/your bottled water and that was a money saver too. Plus you aren't drinking soda all day long. Not good in the summer! Have a great trip! We have about another month to go. Can't wait.

Yep, got two boxes of that stuff to flavor the water. I just am shocked that I have all this and WATER!! and under the limit!!! I put everything in ziploc just in case something popped open, but it is my biggest accomplishment today!!

 

[Kies99]

I'm so excited! I have one suitcase completely packed (leaving at 4 am tomorrow). I have this thing about trying to keep the food budget down...seem to waste too much food and money. I have gathered all their favorite snack foods and I have packed it in a suitcase and it is UNDER 50 POUNDS!


It has 12 16 oz bottles of water, 2 bags rice cakes, 1 bag pretzels, (I have eliminated the boxes that all the snacks came in and packed them in 2.5 gallon ziplocs) 2 boxes of muffins, 1 box of poptarts, 1 box of go tarts, 3 boxes of fruit snacks (bonus sizes), 1 snack box of goldfish( the little baggies) 1 snack box of scooby snacks (again the little snack bags) the snack size of applesauce, diced pears, mandarin oranges (those in the little plastic containers) plastic spoons, a million of cheese and cracker snack packs, oreo and frosting packs. It is weighing in at 40 pounds!!

OOH One down, 4 more suitcases to go. I didn't realize actually how much 50 pounds was. I have three people and shoes in a giant suitcase( yes it's the regulated size that is allowable without an extra charge) and it is under 50 pounds.

Just wanted to share!

A suggestion: pack the bags and weaker boxes in shoe boxes. Helps to store them more securely, especially if it's a soft sided suitcase. I also suggest anything liquid be packed in freezer ziploc bags in case they break.

We did pretty much the same as you last month and we were glad we had put stuff in shoeboxes. Everything came through (including plastic bottles of apple juice) with no problem.

 

[kileybeth]

with the way luggage is handled on an airline, what prevents those crunchy snacks from getting all crushed up? especially if there are heavy water bottles in with them?

we have taken a close to 50 lb. bag as checked luggage before as well and then although we thought to fill it with dirty clothes/souvies on way home, we ended up being able to just "wrap" a smaller suit case inside this one and still stay in weight limit.

I never worry about it when we drive as I am in control of how things get packed/moved around but on an airline I'm leary.

BTW, our snacks last time remained in packaging from store and still some were a bit crushed? no problem with gummies and such but no one wants crushed lance crackers or goldfish.

still debating in my mind what to do, I just know we really need those snacks and since we won't have a car in FL, we will need to order or take. . .

I also want some cannned soda for room (sorry I admit to my addiction) even though we will buy refillable mugs . .

what do you think? I'm so undecided!

 

[GraysMom]

We sent a 51 lb box of snacks, diapers, wipes, glow sticks, etc with UPS last month, and it only cost $31. Yes, we could have packed a few more suitcases (we only carried on 1 and checked 2 for 3 seats), but traveling with DS2 and his carseat meant we needed free hands and the least hassle possible.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We do this, too. It's nice to have the empty suitcase on the return trip home for souveneirs. I'm always worried the water will burst with the way baggage is handled.

 

[kileybeth]

Graysmom, so 51 pound box was only $31 dollars? UPS? do you remember dimensions?

I keep hesitating on all these other options because I am such a picky thing and a control freak on top of that!

We like what we like, I know where to purchase it for a good deal, and well, then that is one thing done ahead of time. . .

what do you think about shipping a 12 pack of Diet Coke cans? to if-y? I really am addicted and know even w/ refillable mugs I'll need it in morning and before bed ( I know, so sad) and won't want to have to go out for it.

oh gosh, I was thinking on some refrigerated snacks for baby tho, gogurts for one. . .I could check a very small cooler with cold stuff tho. . .

 

[kileybeth]

Italianfamilia,

have a magical vacation!!

with all that money you will be saving on cheap eats, grab a mickey bar for me and enjoy!!

Hope you will write a trip report so I can see how it goes for you all!

 

[italianfamilia]

A suggestion: pack the bags and weaker boxes in shoe boxes. Helps to store them more securely, especially if it's a soft sided suitcase. I also suggest anything liquid be packed in freezer ziploc bags in case they break.

We did pretty much the same as you last month and we were glad we had put stuff in shoeboxes. Everything came through (including plastic bottles of apple juice) with no problem.

Thanks for the tip. I packed all the crunchy stuff and still everything fits nicely.


Graysmom: I would probably sent it, but don't have the car seat anymore and the little kids love to pull the suitcases...hey get the work out of them to pay off the trip! lol...I still not a big believer on sending the stuff first, especially to off site...not sure and I like stuff to stay with me..lol The six of us can haul the 5 suitcases...I also grap the fresh fruit at the continental free breakfasts and pack to the parks too...

 

[Nienor]

I have three people and shoes in a giant suitcase( yes it's the regulated size that is allowable without an extra charge) and it is under 50 pounds.

They must be awfully small people.


Good to know a pack of water won't make a suitcase over 40 pounds. I plan on taking atleast 12 bottles.

 

[eeyoregon]

I never put all of my eggs in one basket! I am all for packing snacks/beverages (although we just order from gardengrocer.com and have it delivered to the room) but I always split up the contents of our suitcases so that should one get lost/misplaced by the airline, we don't loose all of one thing or one persons things.

If we have 3 suitcases I spread clothes/shoes for each person amongst all 3 suitcases. I just know with my eeyore kind of luck my food suitcase would be the one to get lost!! I would much rather end up with a little bit of everything rather than losing all of something!

 

[flying_babyb]

Not to mention if you pack a food suitcase, You eat it while your there. That leaves you a EMPTY suitcase for souvineers (or clothes if you carry your souvineers in your carryon).

 

[NikNaknJack]

I have never flown with food before (it's never even crossed my mind) but we are taking the kids to Disney in July and I was just reading this thread. Is this a carry-on bag everyone is taking about or a checked-in piece of luggage full of food. The airlines don't mind this? It's just something I've never done before so I am sorry for sounding silly.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

We usually pack snacks for the flight (cheese and crackers, pop-tarts, carrot sticks, etc) in a carry-on bag. However, the bulk of our snacks for WDW trip are packed in checked luggage. Just be careful with liquids - you don't want your bottled water to get crushed in your suitcase! We pack on suitcase with just snacks; on the return trip home the snacks are gone and it's a good space for items we picked up on the trip.

 

[kinntj]

Wow! You're really brave packing water. I think we'll just order that and have it shipped. Still cheaper than buying them in the parks every day.

Thanks to the person who suggested the shoe boxes to hold the snacks. I think I'll do that in 2 different suitcases, so we have some no matter what happens.

I always get the best tips for these boards.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

In this case they are talking about checked bags.

I've brought some snacks in the past, but then supplemented with a grocery stop or ordering them from a grocery service.

My luggage always weighs a ton! twice now I've had to open my suitcase at the airport to move stuff from 1 bag to another to get it in at the weight requirement.

 

[mom2aredhead]

We always rent a car, so we stock up on water, snacks, etc at Target or Wal Mart when we get down there, so I have never thought about sending the things ahead of time.

Now for my stupid question - if it costs $31.00 to ship a box, plus the time to carefully pack it and bring it somewhere to be shipped, are you REALLY saving enough to make it worth it? I guess I'm having a hard time with it because we're only a family of 3 so our snack budget isn't that much of an issue. Or is it just a convenienve thing since you don't rent a car?

I swear I'm not flaming, just curious. $31.00 kind of sounded like a lot of money to me for shipping.