Packing Tips?

[shelby3387]

I'm going to Disney in September and I'm trying to pack really light, I'm going to try to fit a weeks worth of things into a carry on bag. Do any of you have good tips on packing? Also there are these "packing cubes" they seem cool but are a little pricy, anything similar that could work as well? Thanks!

 

[StitchBuddy]

It will pretty hot and humid that time of year. For me, it would require two sets of clothing a day. I always just take a carry-on. I just do a couple loads of laundry mid trip while I'm swimming.

 

[swedie]

I love these things! Put 2-3 outfits in a bag, having folded them neatly and within the dimensions of the bag, leaving about an inch at the bag opening. Zip the bag closed most of the way, and squeeze while rolling to get as much air out as possible - when nearing the end, zip the rest of the bag! Same with undies, bathing suits, lingerie type items.

You can fit quite a few of these filled bags into a carry-on. Once you get to the hotel, remove and shake out clothing. Wrinkles? Most of the items I wear are knit/stretch type materials and do not wrinkle. If not, you could always go to the laundry and throw them in the dryer for a couple of minutes, and most rooms have an iron and ironing board.

Don't forget your 3-1-1 bag = you can only have 1: 1qt bag containing any liquids or gels (toothpaste falls into this category), each of which can contain no more than 3 oz. If you need more than 3 oz - take 2 of the same item - as many as you may need, however they all must fit in the 1 qt bag. Throw in a couple of packets of travel-size woolite - good for hand wahing in the sink every night or two. Use another bag for any med type items: prescriptions, otc stuff, bandaids - basically anything you'd take with from the bathroom that doesn't fall into the liquids category.

Besides your carry-on, you are allowed a personal item (must be able to fit under the seat in front of you on the plane).

A back-pack works well for this, just leave enough room to put your purse at the top. At the bottom you can put an extra pair of shoes, any electronics, chargers, etc. (again put these in plastic bags - makes security so much quicker if they need to inspect your bag further). Throw in a couple of snacks for the plane, a pashmina-type shawl (good for the plane if you're so inclined as to take a bit of a snooze, and also good for the overly air-conditioned indoors in FL).

Get yourself some sort of water bottle with a carabiner that you can clip onto the outside of the backpack. You need to go through security with it empty, but can fill it once inside the boarding area. This will come in sooooo handy on the plane and at disney. You can get cups of ice water free at any fountain service station within the world. You need to stay hydrated at Disney, especially if you're going during their hot and humid days!

Once you find you don't need to be standing around waiting for your bag at the airport carousel (where they all look the same!), you'll never go back!

Have a magical trip.

 

[Luv2Run]

These are great tips for packing a carry-on, thank you!

I've never been able to do carry-on only, mainly because 1) I need to bring a razor (there's no way I'm dropping $15 on a new razor, plus I don't want the hassle of going out to buy one once I'm there), and 2) I have way too many toiletries to fit in 3-1-1 (when you consider shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, hair serum/detangler, sunscreen, toothpaste, face wash, etc). I wish I weren't so high maintenance! LOL

 

[jenniy122]

I go by the adult life lesson of pants are never dirty, and only pack 3 pairs of shorts for a week and wear them multiple times. If you cared, you could wash them I guess. 1 shirt per day. 2 bras per trip, one dries out from the previous day while I wear the other. 1 swimsuit. Use hotel toiletries so you can pack less of your own (this didn't work on my last trip, I was in for an interview and needed most of my makeup kit, that was crazy trying to get it into the quart bag!). Keep it to 2 pairs of shoes so you only have to pack 1. If your bringing anything bulky (sweatshirt, blanket, pillow), use it on the plane. They'll let you carry it on out of your bag. Bring the roomiest "personal item" you can find, don't waste that allotment on just a little purse.

 

[Stephaniesue]

I could use some help with this to if no one minds.

I have been planning to take 1 large checked bag, and 1 carry on plus the 1 personal item.

I have toyed with the idea of each of us doing a carry on sized bag and avoiding the checked bag hassle. My problem is the toiletries. We are a family of 4 traveling, me, DH, DD 11, and DS 9. We will be in Disney for 4 days then the beach for 5, so the quart size bag isn't going to get us far. I thought about shipping that stuff down in one of those flat rate boxes?

Has anyone ever done that before?

 

[swedie]

These are great tips for packing a carry-on, thank you!

I've never been able to do carry-on only, mainly because 1) I need to bring a razor (there's no way I'm dropping $15 on a new razor, plus I don't want the hassle of going out to buy one once I'm there), and 2) I have way too many toiletries to fit in 3-1-1 (when you consider shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body lotion, hair serum/detangler, sunscreen, toothpaste, face wash, etc). I wish I weren't so high maintenance! LOL

You would be surprised at how much a 1 quart bag can hold as long as you're not trying to fill it with full sized products. There is no reason you would need full sized products for a week to 10 day vacation. If you are traveling with others, everyone in your travel party is allowed the 3-1-1 bag - opening even more options of how much you can bring!

Traveling with my husband, we both have our own quart-sized bag, containing a 3-oz bottle that we fill with sunscreen and a small tube of toothpaste. Then between both of our quart bags, we split up: travel-size deodorant, hair conditioner and a pump-type bug repellant; a few woolite hand-wash packets, a tube of neosporin, a lip moisurizer containing sunscreen and a hand sanitizer. If we are going for a longer period, we drop the sunscreen and just purchase a larger bottle once we get where we are going, because...in the scheme of things with cost of a vacation...what's the big deal with spending a couple of extra $$$ to get it once we've arrived?

Not sure if you need to use specific brands? For a week, I can certainly make do with the shampoos, soaps, lotions normally supplied in hotels, although I do tend to pack a small bottle of conditioner, in case it is not supplied in the room. If you need a specific brand, you can check at your beauty supply place if they have smaller size samples available - you'd also be surprised at the offerings of travel size items in places like Target, and your local Rite-Aid, Walgreens, etc.

If you can't find a specific brand, purchase empty containers (a variety of sizes in both jars & bottles, even squeeze-tube bottles!) at almost any drug store (or even Target; bed, bath beyond; Wal-mart, etc) and fill them with your own product.

Razor....hhrmm? I'm sure my husband brought his (although just a travel one? and he's always seemed close-shaved?). Me - I usually shave night before we leave, though... I am lucky to not be that hairy to start with, so I can easily go a week before there is any sort of anything!

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[swedie]

I could use some help with this to if no one minds.

I have been planning to take 1 large checked bag, and 1 carry on plus the 1 personal item.

I have toyed with the idea of each of us doing a carry on sized bag and avoiding the checked bag hassle. My problem is the toiletries. We are a family of 4 traveling, me, DH, DD 11, and DS 9. We will be in Disney for 4 days then the beach for 5, so the quart size bag isn't going to get us far. I thought about shipping that stuff down in one of those flat rate boxes?

Has anyone ever done that before?

Hi Stephaniesue,

See my answer to Luv2Run above. It's all basically the same answer for you.
However, if you are going to the beach afterwards, I would assume you're renting a car? If so, just stop at a supermarket, Wal-mart, etc. once you are down there and pick up eveything you need then. Otherwise, you can go the same as I mentioned above...each person taking their own 3-1-1 bag along with their carry-on and personal bag.

Shipping could be an option, or I remember reading on the boards that some have items delivered to their resort. Just put deliveries in the search option and I'm sure you'll find help there...that could be the way to go for you. Waters, drinks, snacks, etc. - all delivered for your arrival!

Have a wonderful trip!