Packing for 2 trips in 1?

[tamitru32]

I thought it wouldn't be an issue, but now that I'm thinking what to take I'm not so sure. Any advice would be much appreciated! In the spring taking a 5 day trip traveling cross country. Since it's only 5 days and a long way to travel, decided to add on another 4 nights at WDW of course. At first I thought it would pretty much involve the same typical park clothes and I could wash them after checking in to 2nd hotel. But now I realize trip #1 (non Diz) will need a few party type items.
I think these are my options -
1) take bigger suitcase (bleh), usually only take 19-20" max
2) send box ahead to hotel and then send current suitcase unnecessary contents home from Disney Springs mail station. Just sounds like such a hassle.
I know I can send stuff home from gift shops but that wouldn't cover travel clothes.
Ideas? Thanks!

 

[Skippyboo]

How are you traveling across the country?

 

[tamitru32]

How are you traveling across the country?

Ah, sorry left that out. Plane.

 

[Dug720]

Packing cubes!

 

[fla4fun]

Are you checking a bag on your flight or trying to do carry on only?

When I did my first trip to the UK, I flew business class and could take two carryons and one personal item. I chose this specifically because I did not want a suitcase to get lost on my way to the destination. I packed an empty, lightweight nylon duffel inside one of the bags. On the way home, I packed the laundry I was least concerned about in the duffel bag and checked it, figuring if it got lost on the way home, I had plenty of other clothes at home to wear. Then any clothes of greater value, and my souvenirs, were packed in the two carryons and taken on board the plane.

So to answer your question, I would probably ship a box to the hotel, adding a duffel bag to the box, and check the duffel full of laundry when coming home. That way, if you have to pay for a checked bag, it’s only one way and less of a concern if it gets delayed. Depending on the speed you choose, shipping a box and checking a bag may not be much different in cost.

My sister and BIL have shipped boxes to hotels on many trips (such as winter coats and boots when heading to a cold climate from Florida) and had good luck doing so. They do ship the box home as well. If you are staying at a resort with a convention center, they may be able to ship the package from your hotel instead of going to DS.

 

[kwdw]

I thought it wouldn't be an issue, but now that I'm thinking what to take I'm not so sure. Any advice would be much appreciated! In the spring taking a 5 day trip traveling cross country. Since it's only 5 days and a long way to travel, decided to add on another 4 nights at WDW of course. At first I thought it would pretty much involve the same typical park clothes and I could wash them after checking in to 2nd hotel. But now I realize trip #1 (non Diz) will need a few party type items.
I think these are my options -
1) take bigger suitcase (bleh), usually only take 19-20" max
2) send box ahead to hotel and then send current suitcase unnecessary contents home from Disney Springs mail station. Just sounds like such a hassle.
I know I can send stuff home from gift shops but that wouldn't cover travel clothes.
Ideas? Thanks!

Take a bigger suitcase and check it. I don't know what airline you are flying - but I suspect a checked bag fee is no different than the cost of shipping a box each direction - and WAY easier. I have done work travel paired with Disney (or other sightseeing) travel a couple of times - I really make the effort to "segment" the suitcase. I literally pack the "first trip only" clothes on top - and remove them from the bag at the first hotel. Hang the nice stuff up. The "second trip only" clothes I ALSO take out of the bag and put them all in one discreet spot in my room. I then slowly "repack" first trip clothes on the bottom as I wear them. Then - its the second trip clothes that end up on top. So - I think of the stuff in my bag as three units - first trip, second trip, both trips - and I group my "stuff" around the room and in the suitcase appropriately.

I have a friend who literally packs two carry-on size bags instead - and checks one of them. That's harder for me to cope with. I have a 25inch bag I pack for trips like this. Plus - it means I can buy what I want at Disney and still have room on the way home.
Orlando's MCO airport is "usually" pretty prompt with getting bags to baggage claim.

 

[tamitru32]

Thank you all! I usually check a bag since rarely non-stop flights and lately even 2 stops which makes for a lot of suitcase lugging. Love packing cubes and use them all the time! May need to give in and use a larger suitcase this time. I did consider the cost of shipping stuff separately and also the time it takes out of a fun day. I usually don't take anything that doesn't serve a few purposes. e.g. yoga pants instead of giant flowered pjs. Still looking for maybe a type of glitzy chiffon top that could actually be worn over tank/pants. It was a good idea originally just might not pan out, may end up looking odd and not very festive.
I've also seen mentioned, buying a Disney suitcase on property for the trip back. It would mean 2 suitcases but at least one would be cool souvenir.

 

[Lewisc]

Lugless.com
Check sizing. What they call a checked bag is sized less then airline.

They leverage huge fedx discounts.

 

[jimmymc]

Checking a bag sounds like a lot less stress than shipping things to hotels. It's also about the same price.

You could also try to maximize your carry on by bringing a backpack as your personal item. Wear the largest shoes, pants, and jacket on the plane, and avoid fancier or complicated outfits.

 

[jec6613]

The easy answer if you have a larger carry-on is to take it - I have a 22" rollaboard that meets US domestic standards that's about 35% more volume than my 20" international rollaboard. Tack on a maximum sized personal item and that shouldn't be too much of an issue to pack for.

Also, I'm willing to check pretty small bags, it's much easier than shipping. I've been known to fill a collapsable duffel with my dirty clothes and check it on the return flight to make room for more stuff. Also, I check carry-on sized bags all of the time (I get free checked so that helps) - I've had my 20" carry-on up to the 70 lb limit before.