Packing Only Carry-on Bags?? Any Tips??

[desertbloom]

Has anyone successfully managed to fit 10 days worth of clothes for 3 people into only carry on suitcases (1 each)? I hate waiting for my luggage to get around the carousel, then having to try and find DH because he goes to pick up the rental car while we stare at the circling baggage. It seems like my suitcases are always last out. Sometimes I have had to wait close to an hour! Does anyone have any good packing tips? Thanks. I am getting so anxious to go!!!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Hmmmm...10 days worth of clothes is a lot! We stayed 10 days but packed less clothes since we did laundry after 5 days. There were 4 of us and we still managed to fill 4 suitcases plus 4 carry-ons. Don't forget that there are size limits to carry-ons. You're allowed to have one carry-on each plus a personal item (purse, small backpack, laptop, etc.).

The biggest issues I see is that you won't be able to bring any toiletries with you because of the ban on liquids. You can bring a few items, but they have to be no more than 3 ounces of any single liquid and each person can only have as much as they can fit into a quart-sized ziplock bag. This includes your toothpaste, shampoo, etc. You probably won't be able to bring enough to last through the whole trip. Just a few things to consider...

 

[lovehoney]

It can be done. My MIL did it for a trip to Europe. You will need to wash clothes to do it. She had to wash clothes in sinks a lot. She also threw away clothes. If she didn't need them anymore she would just toss them. It made more room on the way back.

It also depends on your size. My MIL is quite petite so it makes it easier.

If you are only doing park touring and no nice restaurants I think it could be done. Just bring a few tshirts, shorts and underwear, wear your tennis shoes and bring along a swimsuit and flipflops. Toiletries are provided in the resort if you don't care what you wash with.

I am the worst overpacker in the world and I am determined that in May that we will only have 1 bag each. On my trip to Denver during the holidays we checked 8 bags (4 were smaller duffle type bags) and all 4 of us had a carryon. It was a nightmare moving around with all of that luggage.

 

[mamacatnv]

I'm sure it can be done, but don't buy a dang thing while you are there except toiletries that you plan to toss when you are done.

I have our family down to 1 duffle each plus 1 small toiletry carrier. For our 10 day trip: I took enough shirts for every day and planned the same shorts/capri's to be worn twice. 2 pairs of shoes, 1 on our feet and one in the bag. 1 sweatshirt per person that was carried onto the plane. 1 pair of socks per day and I brought 3 extra pairs per person along with 2 swim suits ea.

It isn't the clothing that gets us, it is the camera's, electronic toys for the flights, food on the plane, lanyards full of pins, boxes of film & discs for the video camera etc..... and if possible, I really like to bring DH's and I's pillows, it makes a huge difference when sleeping in a strange bed.

Depending on the age of your kids, the bags with 10 days full of clothes could be heavy and hard for them to manuever which leaves you with your hands full.

I also take 2 empty duffles to bring goodies home.

As much as I hate baggage claim, I prefer the stressless trip thru security and never having to worry about leaving something behind on the plane.

happy planning

 

[Daytona99]

We used to always do carry-on to WDW only. There are 3 of us - so each of us had a carry-on. That worked alright, however, sometimes it's difficult to find space above in the overhead compartment. Then two years ago when Disney started Magical Express, we started checking our luggage. You check it and forget it until you arrive at your room. Of course, you must stay at a Disney resort and only fly on certain airlines, but we're crazy about ME.

 

[Desnik]

We do carry-ons only. One for each of us, there are 4 of us. The longest trip we did this for was 9 days. We are DVC members so we have the washer/dryer in our unit. That helps alot! We ship a box down to the resort ahead of time. In it I put all our toiletries, snacks, breakfast items, drink boxes, swim shoes and an extra box. We ship the toiletries and all our souveniers back home from the resort. I roll all DH and my clothing. I find I fit more in the suitcase that way. I pack one pair of shoes for each of us in addition to the ones we wear so only 2 pairs each. That doesn't include the water shoes/flip flops we ship down. For the kids I pack their things in ziplock bags. One outfit in each and it helps with getting ready in the mornings too! All our electronics go in our "personal" bags the airlines allow you to have in addition to the carry-ons. DH has a messenger type bag that he fits his toys for the plane, PSP, Ipod, video camera(it also takes pictures so no need for an additional camera). The kids have small backpacks with their distractions for the plane. We also have an umbrella stroller to lug around but it actually helps holding our small bags. DS loves to stroll the airport wheeling his Lightening McQueen suitcase!
We use DME too and love it but I don't trust anyone with my stuff! Not Disney and not the airlines.
Have a great trip!

 

[kennyfan]

The best way to pack clothes is to roll them. It takes up less room than just folding them. Did this for our cruise and it worked great! Another good idea is to take old underware etc that is almost ready to toss and then you can just throw them away once used.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Good luck to you with this one! LOL! I am a packer - there is no way I could ever do a Disney trip with the kids with just carry on. That being said -- DH and I did it for a trip to Atlanta for the weekend - but that was before the carry on restrictions.

 

[CleveRocks]

Then two years ago when Disney started Magical Express, we started checking our luggage. You check it and forget it until you arrive at your room. Of course, you must stay at a Disney resort and only fly on certain airlines, but we're crazy about ME.

I also love using DME, but you are incorrect about the airline thing.
EVERYONE on EVERY AIRLINE can use DME.

EVERYONE gets the free round-trip bus transportation.

EVERYONE gets the free luggage delivery service to your resort (it "magically appears" inside your room whether you're in there or not).

On the way back home, only people flying certain airlines get luggage delivery in that direction. For people NOT on one of those airlines, they take their luggage to the DME bus, the driver loads it at the resort and then unloads it for you at the airport.

So like I said, EVERYONE can use DME, not just people who use certain airlines.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

As much as I hate baggage claim, I prefer the stressless trip thru security and never having to worry about leaving something behind on the plane.

happy planning

That's me as well. We carry on my laptop and DS's backpack and check 3 bags for a week's trip. One of the checked bags is almost empty because we will invariably fill it up with souvenirs. There are three of us and we find that we don't have to do laundry in the summertime because the clothes are lighter and smaller. During the winter we'll do a load or two mid-trip.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I can't stand waiting at the luggage carousel, either - I feel like part of a herd of cattle waiting for the feed truck or something! Moo! I've never done the trip with just carry-ons, but will be giving it a shot in April.

I've already packed a box to ship down with toiletries and such - all partial bottles so I can toss them without guilt at the end of the week - and have already planned what I'll wear each day to avoid overpacking "just in case I might want to wear it." On the plane I'll wear the one pair of pants/one sweatshirt/sneakers that would add the greatest bulk to the suitcase, as well. (All my chosen outfits will match the sweatshirt, too.) It may be anal, but if it saves me the mindless herding to baggage claim it'll be worth it!

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I'm the opposite and would do just about anything to avoid carrying luggage on the plane but that being said I think your ambitious idea can be done. Before we go on any vacation I always make an excel spreadsheet (yes I'm that much of a planner) and map out what I'm going to wear and make sure that every item I have can be worn with multiple items. For me it helps to know I still have options even on limited clothing. I also only pack one pair of shoes and wear one on the plane. I too roll all my clothing - you really can fit more in than you think. Luckily I pack my son's and husband's clothing to so we usually have no problem packing and having room left over for souvies. Good luck!

 

[scrapbook35]

The laundry we did at Port Orleans French Quarter was VERY Expensive. I am an over packer too, but after 8 or so days, the room is just yucky with all the "DIRTY" stuff. So I succumbed to the fact of doing the laundry. I absolutely love going home with mostly clean stuff !!! BUt although I knew It would be expensive, I was still shocked at the cost. Wound up being $2 to wash a small load. $2. to dry it for 30 minutes, but 30 minutes isn't and wasn't enough so it was really $4 to dry. So EACH SMALL LOAD COST $6.
What I did was made sure one of the dryers I only put in thin cotton items like t shirts, underwear, and that stuff did dry in the 30 min's. So I saved $2.00 But all in all I still spent like $16.00 on laundry. Which really wasn't acceptable.

 

[tadamom]

I would suggest doing laundry & taking less clothes. I also like the idea someone said about taking older undergarments that could be trashed when done ( or you can always go commando - lots of people do it ). Also, you could use space bags and that would cut down on some space.

 

[jenseib]

No way could I do it. i am going 4 nights and have 3 big suitcases jammed full!
It is interesting to hear what everyone says though.
I am the kind of person that packs 2-3 outfits a day for me and my child. I could get away with less if I do laundry, but I won't have much time for htat either. I like the shipping a box idea though. We are just checking as much in as possible, as I don't want to lug much on the plane. WE already ahve to do a stroller, and a DVD player, and my back full of stuff Documents, purse,books, diapers for 2 YO. We have a bag filled for DD2 with toys and snacks. And one carry on, basically with a extra set of clothes for each, in case something would happen to our checked luggage.
I know I'm an over packer. But I have even took stuff out of the suitcase knowing this, and still they are full! LOL

 

[Desnik]

No way could I do it. i am going 4 nights and have 3 big suitcases jammed full!
It is interesting to hear what everyone says though.
I am the kind of person that packs 2-3 outfits a day for me and my child. I could get away with less if I do laundry, but I won't have much time for htat either. I like the shipping a box idea though. We are just checking as much in as possible, as I don't want to lug much on the plane. WE already ahve to do a stroller, and a DVD player, and my back full of stuff Documents, purse,books, diapers for 2 YO. We have a bag filled for DD2 with toys and snacks. And one carry on, basically with a extra set of clothes for each, in case something would happen to our checked luggage.
I know I'm an over packer. But I have even took stuff out of the suitcase knowing this, and still they are full! LOL

3 outfits a day each!! How mant times do you go back to the room to change?LOL

 

[lovehoney]

3 outfits a day each!! How mant times do you go back to the room to change?LOL

I could do it .

Pajamas: outfit #1
am park touring: Outfit #2
lunch break and swim: outfit#3
pm park touring or dinner Outfit: #4


My DSs might need an extra outfit if they get extremely messy.

I will only wear pajamas once or twice before washing.

My goal for this trip is to cut down on what I bring. Thankfully we have a washer and dryer at OKW.

 

[desertbloom]

well, I am all packed. Everything fit just fine. T shirts are pretty thin and didn't take up much room, nor do flip flops. I packed enough clothes for 6 days and then we will do laundry since half our vacation will be spent at a relatives in Palm Beach. I made sure to have enough to cover the 5 days at Disney plus an extra day "incase". I bought mini deodorants and toothpaste and a 3 oz sunscreen. Does makeup have to go in the quart bag? Like mascara and foundation? I packed it into a quart bag already but thought I should double check. Only a few more days. I need a vacation soooooooo bad. I'm totally burnt out.

 

[CleveRocks]

I bought mini deodorants and toothpaste and a 3 oz sunscreen. Does makeup have to go in the quart bag? Like mascara and foundation? I packed it into a quart bag already but thought I should double check. Only a few more days. I need a vacation soooooooo bad. I'm totally burnt out.

Liquids and gels are banned from carry-ons, except that which you put into a quart-sized zip-top bag, one bag per ticketed passenger. Is your foundation liquid or gel? If yes, then it has to go in the quart bag. Is your mascara liquid or gel? If yes, then it has to go in the quart bag.

Don't try to think what "category" the stuff is. It makes no difference what its function is. If it's a liquid or gel, it must be in a container no larger than 3 ounces and that container must go into the quart-sized zip-top bag, the bag must be able to close comfortably, and only one such bag per ticketed passenger. Anything that doesn't meet these criteria can't be carried on.

 

[scrapbook35]

Yes the makeup has to go in the bag. And IF your feelin' generous I would put a couple extra ziplock bags in there , One for the way home, I found another one useful. And one to give to a stranger, as I felt Sooo Bad for some mother who had to leave her expensive makeup at the security counter because she just didn't know and couldn't get her hands on a ziplock. I wished I had one handy to give her. My extra ziplock was ck'd.

I also take the gallon size ziplocks for putting wet clothes in when they change at the parks. Like the sprayers, my kids play in then I have a plastic bag for their underwear and stinky socks, right there with me in the park.