Packing HELP!!! -- Liquids/ Lotions etc.

[suffolkprincess]

OK-- so, we are going to Disney very soon, and I am anxious about the new restrictions with the gels/ lotions/ liquids. It is just not at all an option to buy everything when we get there, and I am scared to pack these items in checked luggage because.... last year, the items that were liquid/gel/lotion and were packed in checked luggage leaked into the suitcases. It was really gross, and cause unneccessary stress upon arrival, to say the least. I had put everything into ziplocs, but I think that either the depressurizing (which casued the items to leak in the first place) either burst the ziplocs OR the security personnel who searched our bags didn't reseal the ziplocs.

Does anyone have any good tips for this problem? Thanks!

 

[Nancyg56]

I shipped a box to the resort ahead of time. I tracked it and called the day before we left to confirm receipt.

 

[NotUrsula]

There is a trick to packing liquids. First off, don't pack full-size bottles if you can help it. Go to your local beauty supply and you can get nice 4-oz squeeze bottles for $.69/ea. Fill the bottles only about 3/4 full, and then squeeze out MOST of the air before clicking the lid down fully. Then double-bag them in two ziplock freezer bags with the air again squeezed out. (You never want to check completely full bottles of anything.)

As a final touch, I pack mine in an insulated cloth lunchbox, which prevents them from getting too hot if the luggage sits in the sun or in a grounded plane for too long.

BTW, TSA officers don't open ziploc bags to look at liquids.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Both replies are very helpful tips-- thanks to you both!

 

[Desnik]

I have shipped things down in the past and will ship all our toiletries down for our trip in Nov. It was so easy to ship a box ahead of time and I was able to track it and knew when it arrived at the resort. I really think this is the easiest way to handle it. On the way back we were also able to ship stuff back home. The resort gave us boxes and packing tape and we were able to choose the method of shipping.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Another thing you can do is tape down the top of the bottle to prevent the accidental popping open and to tape the edges of the ziplock. Make sure all the air is out of the ziplock.
Get a duffle bag or a cosmetics bag that all you put in is stuff that it won't matter if it gets icky. That way you won't be needing to clean clothes or anything while you're on your trip. If you need to do it in the same suitcase due to restrictions, try the previous poster's suggestion re: insulated type bag. Also, you could put your clothes in ziplock bags as well. Actually, many posters recommend this to ease in packing, putting one day's outfit for each person into ziplock bags and then just grab a bag to get ready.
Things that are pressurized, like mouse and hair spray do not hold up well, they frequently lose their pressurization. If you can get by with a pump version, definitely do so.
If the reason that purchasing down there is due to no car, you could use one of the local grocery delivery services, and not only get your toiletries, but also water/juice boxes/snacks delivered for a small fee.
RE-think exactly what all you'll need. Do you need shampoo or can you get by with what they have at the hotel? Same with lotion. Could you substitute powder for some of your liquids? Like lemonade or koolaid powder instead of juice boxes. Chewables or caplets instead of liquid meds?

 

[dkal95]

I put our toiletries in ziploc bags and then I put the bags of toiletries inside of a rubbermaid storage container, like the one that's about the size of a shoebox.

 

[thespiderman]

Just the thread I was looking for, since I'll be flying in about 2 weeks. I knew I could count on the DIS! Thanks for the helpful suggestions, everyone.

 

[boomersmom]

So the aerosol spray on sunscreens shouldn't be packed in checked luggage becuase they may depressurize? I may have to go and buy all new sunscreen.

 

[NotUrsula]

I pack aerosol sunscreens all the time; I've never had a problem with them depressurizing. The ones that work best are the Coppertone cans with the twist-valve cap; leave the seals intact.

 

[Zoemakes5]

So the aerosol spray on sunscreens shouldn't be packed in checked luggage becuase they may depressurize? I may have to go and buy all new sunscreen.

May be a complet crap shoot. I've had it happen to me with mouse and with hair spray. It was a main reason I started carrying my toiletries bag on the plane with me vs. checking it. 'Course, that's not an option any more. Though I've never tried it with the pressurized sun screens.