rolling cooler as carryon???

[iluveeyore]

Hi fellow DIS'ers - have a strange question - has anyone ever taken a rolling cooler (hardsided) as a carryon? The reason I'm asking - I was supposed to drive to WDW to pick up my husband (he's going with a friend the week before I get vacay), then drive to Talladega for 2 nights camping for the Nascar race, then back to WDW for the rest of my two weeks. Now I have to fly because I can't get the extra two days off work for driving time, soooo now I have to pack as much camping gear as I can in our luggage. I don't want to have to buy a cooler just for two days use (styrofoam won't work even though I know it's cheap because we won't be able to keep buying ice at $10 a bag at the track). So I thought if I used a rolling cooler instead of a rolling suitcase as a carry on and maybe bungee cord it closed (yes, I will look like a complete redneck!), that would be much more helpful for our side trip. There won't be any ice or drinks in the cooler - I'll use it like I would a suitcase for the flight down.
Thoughts anyone? (No laughing - I'm freaking out that I can't just pack everything I need in my car and go!)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

As long as it meets the size requirements for a carry-on it's okay. Most rolling coolers I have seen would be too large.

 

[Tink9295]

YOU STOLE MY IDEA!!!

I have been looking for one recently that would work for a carryon. I was at the All Stars in April and saw someone rolling one around the pool area. Not sure if they used it for a carry on, but that's my intention. All stars do not have a fridge and we used a styrofoam cooler. Pain to carry around the resort.

So you won't be the only foolish one using it as a carryon.

 

[alaska8]

Double check the size, most rolling coolers (hardside) that I have experienced do not fit in the overhead bins (especially since they do not have the "squish" factor that a soft piece of luggage has)

 

[Alesia]

I can't imagine a rolling cooler that's less than 9 or 10 inches deep, which is the maximum most airlines allow.

 

[dancin Disney style]

You should be able to buy one, after you arrive, for under $20.

 

[DonnaL]

I have a soft-sided rolling cooler that I tried to use as my carry-on in March when going to visit our son, who was doing the Disney College Program at WDW. I measured it ahead of time and was sure it would fit in the overhead....wasn't real heavy since it was only some food items. I was bringing some frozen homemade foods for him and didn't feel comfortable checking it with frozen food. Anyway, because of it's squared off shape and the metal frame within the soft sides of the cooler it would not fit overhead and I ended up needing to gate check it......so I seriously doubt a hard sided cooler would make it as a carryon.

 

[iluveeyore]

I checked online at Walmart and Coleman has a hard-sided smaller rolling cooler that meets the requirements. I know I can buy one when I get there, but I also need to be able to bring it home. I don't want to throw it out once we use it - would the resort donate it somewhere for me if I can't bring one back?

 

[Alesia]

I checked online at Walmart and Coleman has a hard-sided smaller rolling cooler that meets the requirements. I know I can buy one when I get there, but I also need to be able to bring it home. I don't want to throw it out once we use it - would the resort donate it somewhere for me if I can't bring one back?

Would you mind posting a link? I could use one that size. I looked but couldn't find one.

 

[iluveeyore]

Would you mind posting a link? I could use one that size. I looked but couldn't find one.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-16-Quart-Cooler-on-Wheels/13848666

Hope I did that right! Found it!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Continental airlines carry on measurement limits are 14X9X22 so the cooler may not pass as a carry on.

Please note: All carry-on items must be stowed under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. Items may not be stowed in the seat back pocket. Any item in excess of carry-on baggage size or allowance requirements as listed above will be checked to your final destination and may be subject to applicable checked baggage fees


You could ended up having to pay for a check bag if the cooler will no fit and depending on which airline it could be rather costly. More than the cost of just buying a cooler when you get there.

Why can't your husband just take it with him since he is driving?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Continetals carry measurement limits are 14X9X22 so the cooler is probably not going to pass as a carry on.

Not probably not, definitely not; that cooler measures 16.0 x 15.0 x 10.0! Again, I have never seen a hard sided cooler small enough for a carry-on. Just check it.

 

[Alesia]

First of all, thanks for the link - it's exactly what I've been needing.

Now for the bad news, It won't fit the requirements for most airlines. It (just barely) fits Southwests requirements, but if you're going to have a bungee cord around it it won't fit. Also, those measurements aren't exact. If they happen to be even a fraction of an inch under the actual size, it won't make it.

Have you thought about packing your things in a bigger cooler and checking it?

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a wonderful collapsable cooler. It is probably a foot high, foot wide and 18'' long. It has a heavy plastic liner that can be taken out and emptied. When it is folded up it is about 4'' deep and fits easily into a checked bag. I have taken that to WDW with me many times, filled it with ice and kept my stuff really cold.
Try a google search and see what you can come up with. Then you won't have to worry about using it as carryon.

 

[iluveeyore]

Thanks everyone! Yes, the one I showed you does meet SWA requirements, but rather than stress about it, I'm just going to buy one (a larger one) when we get our groceries, use it for the weekend, then leave it for donation. It's like renting a fridge for $20, so I'm not going to worry about it! Thanks for all your input, it really helps to get opinions when I can't make up my mind!
Now I can stop having dreams (and nightmares) about how I'm going to use a cooler on the plane!