Packing food

[jjarman]

We may be flying down for our trip in March, 2005 if SW keeps up those great deals like they have now. What kind of food should I not pack in my suitcases? I really want to bring some donuts from home. We have a place here that is just wonderful. They come in a box and I figured if I pack clothes all around them they would be okay. I mean, they are good even if they get a little squashed. What else does and does not pack well?

 

[WIDisneyFan]

In thinking about it - some of the things I would be sure to avoid would be;

1) anything in glass jars - they WILL break
2) liquids no matter what they are in (always seem to leak - have watched many unhappy people in airports with that one)
3) Canned food - it is very heavy and there is a weight limit on bags (I think on SW it is 50 lbs per bag)

Items we have packed successfully
1) Drink mix (crystal light / kool-aid)
2) Granola type bars
3) Fruit snacks

I hope this helps out - I am sure there are many more but at least its a start

 

[swilphil]

I always pack food in my carry on. I read to do that here last year. Something about the security. Your checked bags are more likely to get searched if you pack food. You can pack foods that may leak inside ziplock bags.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, you can pack food in your suitcase, they just advise you that it will probably be checked. (That's what NWA told us anyhow.) We packed cereal bars, granola bars, teddy graham individual bags, mini boxes of cereal and some other stuff. Left the bag unlocked and also packed the PlayStation we were bringing to use as a DVD player in there. (FIgured it would look suspicious in there and wanted all the weird stuff in one bag for them.) Sure enough it was checked and marked with the little TSA tag.

With donuts though, I don't know, maybe if you put them in Tupperware or something. Even with clothes around them, I think they might get kind of mashed. Especially if you have soft sided suitcases.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Yeah, we brought donuts and muffins on our last trip- we put them in a tupperware container. We put breakable souvineers in it on the way home. Our bag wasn't checked by the TSA- I use those little plastic zip ties and they were all in tact. -Stephanie

 

[CarolA]

I wouldn't think donuts would be a problem for the xray machines. The problem is dense food like cheese, fruitcakes, granola bars, the xray just can't see what they are and....

I recommend leaving all your luggage unlocked. Those TSA locks are only so-so. (I have heard of several instances where the TSA takes to lock off, but either loses it or only puts it through one part of the zipper which does no good!) Non TSA locks will be destroyed.

I would also NOT pack the PlayStation. Electronics like that are not covered by the insurance and seem to high on the theft list. (Right behind jewerly!)

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by WIDisneyFan
In thinking about it - some of the things I would be sure to avoid would be;

1) anything in glass jars - they WILL break
2) liquids no matter what they are in (always seem to leak - have watched many unhappy people in airports with that one)
3) Canned food - it is very heavy and there is a weight limit on bags (I think on SW it is 50 lbs per bag)

Items we have packed successfully
1) Drink mix (crystal light / kool-aid)
2) Granola type bars
3) Fruit snacks

I hope this helps out - I am sure there are many more but at least its a start

Just a FYI, SWA's limit is 3 checked bags per person at 70#.
more info about that can be found here: http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jjarman
We may be flying down for our trip in March, 2005 if SW keeps up those great deals like they have now. What kind of food should I not pack in my suitcases? I really want to bring some donuts from home. We have a place here that is just wonderful. They come in a box and I figured if I pack clothes all around them they would be okay. I mean, they are good even if they get a little squashed. What else does and does not pack well?

To date there is no ban on food in your checked luggage, they ask that you not put it in your checked luggage. I have packed everything from soda to eggs in my checked luggage and have only had one incident. Paul Newman's Italian dressing does not travel well, BUT, you can find your bag really easily!!!! (Fortunately, it did not spill on other people's luggage, it stayed in the plastic bag it was packed in).

 

[kuklamoo]

Has anyone considered packing a box and sending it to your hotel? I have a friend who says she does it every year when they fly to Disney. The hotel keeps it for you until you arrive.
Any thoughts? DH, DD, and DS will be at the Swan in August and didn't know if anyone had experiences to share.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Having had past experience working at a donut place, I can say that donuts are usually best about 4-6 hours after they're cooked. If nothing else, they're certainly a lot better on the first day, rather than on any subsequent days.