Question about Ziplock bags/packing/airport security

[kdtwiss]

Ok,so we are leaving Wed morning!!!
and I bought a whole slew of ziplock bags because I remember how important they are. The only problem is - I do not recall WHY they were so important. What different uses do you all have for those bags?
I know one was for packing and the posts I read seem to say put one outfit per bag so you have each day ready and also so airport security does not get your stuff all dirty. Now, my children are little and I can pack nearly ALL my dd 5 stuff in one 2.5 gallon ziplock, but does this defeat the purpose of airport security - I mean will they just take everything out of the bags anyway? I don't want to roll everything neatly and pack tons of stuff in only to have it ripped apart by security. Is that why people say one outfit per bag? So everything in the bag can be clearly seen w/o being opened? I would so appreciate everyone's last minute advice for me, we are a family of 6 and I do all the packing ,planning, etc for all of us so anyway to make it easier would be helpful! Thanks you guys!!

 

[becky7953]

When we went, I only packed small stuff in ziploc baggies. That way less chance of falling out. Our bags were not opened on the way down but on the way home they were opened. Nothing was missing or dirty.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I pack my socks and underwear in the bags,. I don't want airport security touching my underwear! I don't think they open the plastic bags, so you should be safe packing all your children's clothes in them.

 

[Nicolepa]

Call me crazy but when I pack the kids, I put one complete outfit (top, bottoms, undies/diaper, socks) in each bag. This way they (or dh) can just grab a bag and we know they coordinate. It also prevents mismaches at the end of the trip.

I also put anything liquid in the bags (or anything that could make a mess, laundry detergent for example).

 

[kdtwiss]

Thanks guys! Any other uses for ziplock bags in the park? I seem to recall a thread about that but can not find it!

 

[ajfargo]

Another use for ziplock bags is at the airport. Empty things from your pocket into the bag for when you go through security.

 

[chefdeb]

You can also carry one to throw over your camera/camcorder should it rain while you are at the park. I use a ziplock to put all of my documents in - cc receipts, airline tickets, extra cash, etc...before storing them in my waist belt. That way when the FL heat kicks in and I start to....um glisten... , those important papers don't get soggy.
Hope you figure out what you bought all of those bags for! If not, just consider yourself well stocked!

 

[Leota]

I throw a couple gallon size ziplocs in my Park Pack - One for my refillable coffee mug (I'm usually still having coffee when we leave for the Park) and one to stash my wallet, camera etc.. in before water rides. This is really only necessary at Kali. I have also used a ziploc to stash my frozen water bottle in to contain the condesation.

I use clear plastic packing cubes now & it didn't appear that they had been rifled thru during airport security.

 

[momof2OH]

I have latex allergies and use zip lock bags to pack everything that goes into the suitcase. This is the only way I can be sure they don't touch anything with their latex gloves if the suit case is inspected. The TSA told me to do this. They won't open zip lock bags to go through your items.
Hope this helps!

 

[robinb]

I love ziplock bags!

Snack Size:
* Pre-measured powered laundry detergent, one load per bag
* Snacks in the parks from a larger bag/box
* Collect change for pressed pennies and/or laundry
* Band-aids and a small tube of neosporin

Quart Ziplocks:
* Pack liquids or spray bottles
* Pack medicine
* Carry PB&J sandwiches into the park (although I prefer the Glad square containers for this)

Gallon Ziplocks:
* Pack little kids clothes (my DD's clothes are getting too big for this )
* Extra change of clothes in case of an "accident" and an extra bag for the soiled clothes
* Swimsuit and small hand towel for the kid fountains at Epcot and DTD
* Change of clothes and small hand towel for Kali River Rapids
* Protect electronics on wet rides
* Refillable mug storage. (We drink coffee on the bus or in the car and end up with a dirty mug or two. We rinse before storage )

2 Gallon Ziplocks:
* Wet swimsuit storage for the whole family when we go to a water park or pool hop (we're DVC members)
* Holds all ponchos, wet or dry

BTW, I have had the TSA open ziplocks which resulted in stuff all over my luggage .

 

[lovemygoofy]

I pack snacks in my suitcases or even a seperate bag and each kind of snack or juice goes in a ziploc bag. My personal hygiene items: shampoo, body wash, hair gel, sunscreen, or anything else that can pour out goes in a ziploc bag. I also bring extras for dirty undies and socks or damp bathing suits.

 

[momof2OH]

That's not good to hear. I was hoping this would prevent them from touching my stuff with their gloves. I was told they use latex gloves (that's their standard issued glove). I'm not sure what else to do now. I was told they won't use seperate gloves even if I mention my allergy and that putting a tag on my luggage stating the allergy wouldn't do any good either. I guess I just hope and pray that our luggage doesn't need extra searching through or I could be in trouble.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Call me crazy but when I pack the kids, I put one complete outfit (top, bottoms, undies/diaper, socks) in each bag. This way they (or dh) can just grab a bag and we know they coordinate. It also prevents mismaches at the end of the trip.

I also put anything liquid in the bags (or anything that could make a mess, laundry detergent for example).

This is pretty much what we do.
At the risk of sounding a little sexist, women tend to take longer to get ready, which means the men can help the kids get ready, however, men are not so good at pairing up cute little outfits with the cute little socks that match the cute little outfit. And if you aren't going to match the whole oufit, then what's the point of paying for it. (Ziplocs can also be used to discreetly help DH's who aren't master coordinators, too.)
Ziplocs make our vacation much smoother. They help keep the outfits from getting wrinkled, and prevent liquids from leaking. We also put our dirty clothes in a bag - but usually a shopping bag or trash bag. It is especially helpful if you are staying at more than one hotel.
Ziplocs can also be used to make certain food items more compact. Like maybe you don't want to bring a whole bulky can of coffee and a whole box of coffee filters. I keep a Ziploc with a handful of Cheerios and Goldfish in my purse. My mom - cringe a little - uses Ziplocs for food leftovers. They take up less space in the fridge, and at restaurants you don't have to wait for the server to bring your food back - and there is no chance of the server giving you someone else's leftovers.

 

[cajunstitch]

I fly alot, and if you are one of the luck few that get the hands on bag inspection you have a fifty fifty chance of the TSA screener going through every ziplock that you packed even though you can see through them because they want to swab the insides for explosives residue. It all depends on their attitude for the day.

 

[Taja]

A bit late for the OP, who should be well on her (his?) way to the magic of WDW now!

I use a combination of Space Bags, PackMate & PackMaxx bags, along with ZipLoc bags for packing. My personal preference in the commercial packing bags is PackMate--they seem to work better for me. A friend prefers Space Bags, so it's just personal preference!

Suggestion for the person with latex allergy: after zip sealing the bag, place a label over the seal from one side to the other so you can tell if the bag has been opened. Just use address labels or anything else you have at home that doesn't remove easily--good use for those old labels that don't fit the inkjet or laser printers!. It won't help your allergy if a bag is opened, but at least you'll know if it is!

I take a soft-sided cooler with me to use in my room when I travel, so I use quart-size ZipLoc bags to contain the ice from the machine. It's much easier to clean up than loose ice in the cooler! Use gallon-size bags for larger coolers.

None of my bags have been opened yet--pure luck, I'm sure. I travel frequently on business and have developed a specific packing style. No one ever manages to replace the items exactly the way I pack them! I've learned exactly how to fold/roll and place items to maximize the bags and minimize the space!

 

[daisax]

When traveling in general (not just Disney) I try to take a ziploc (or general clean baggie) with me so that I can stop off at the ice machine on the way BACK to the room.

Nothing like walking into your room WITH your ice, rather than going to the room, getting the ice bucket, and walking all the way to the ice machine and back before you can get off your feet! (Especially if your room is far from the elevator/ice machine!)

 

[Trixiezzz]

On our last trip to WDW, I tried the 1-outfit-per-ziploc method and it worked great: each ziploc had 1 child's top, shorts, underwear and socks for each day.

It was great because...

*It helped keep my 2 girls clothes separated so that even my DH knew which girl's outfit was which (we had unpacked & put the things into the drawers).

* It clearly identified these as clean clothes, and kept them away from already worn clothes ~sometimes the little one puts dirty ones back into the drawer rather than in the dirty clothes bag!

And also,

* The clothes took up less room in the suitcase when packed. When you're putting the outfits in the bag, you smash it/sit on it before you zip it and it removes all the air.....and keeps it pretty unwrinkled.

I like this system and am planning on using it again!