The Bear Necessities

[CSAColl]

My daughter (3) and I are flying Allegiant down for 3 days at the 'land. I'm not paying for carry-ons or checked bags, so we're each taking a single personal items backpack.

If you had to pare down what you were taking to just one backpack (and I know some of you do!) what would you take?

I'm going to buy some things down there- sunscreen, diapers, shampoo/conditioner, snacks & water bottles.

What else do I need to buy down there?

 

[abdgeek]

I would take two pairs of pants/shorts(you would wear one on the plane), 4 shirts(unless you have one's you can wash in the sink easily), something to lounge in and something to sleep in. Roll them all up and they should fit. I would also take travel sized toiletries in a quart bag and whatever chargers you need for your electronics. You can check the weather to see if you need a light jacket for night time and wear that on the plane. Everything else you can buy when you get there. Remember that you will be paying resort prices for them, so try to minimize what you have to buy. Good Luck.

 

[KateDrake]

You might want to run some calculations and see if avoiding luggage will actually save you money. A package of diapers alone is about $20 here in Salt Lake City, and bound to be even more at the resort. Add in $10 sunscreen, $15 in snacks, etc. Then add in how much it will cost you (in time and money) to walk or take a cab to the store. You may find that you end up at the same price or less than what it would cost to check a bag!

Am I understanding it right that your airline is charging for a carry on as well? If not, I would totally recommend taking a roller suitcase with some diapers, snacks, etc. It would also give you a little more room for clothes.

If you HAVE to do the backpack thing, I'd wear one pair of pants/shorts/skirt and take another. Wear one pair of comfortable "park" shoes, and take another. Then bring clean shirts and underwear for each day, possibly a couple of extra outfits for your DD3. If she's anything like my DD3, you may end up wet or covered with ice cream! If that won't fit, you can buy little packets of Woolite before you go, and wash shirts and undies in the sink at your hotel...

 

[CSAColl]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that we're going to be meeting my mom and grandma so we will have a car and can get down to walmart.

re: diapers- I'd have to pay for them anyway, whether I buy them here or down there and diapers (and everything) is more expensive in Canada.

Yes, Allegiant charges for Carry-ons, but each person gets one personal sized bag included with the ticket, so we're each taking a backpack that fits under the seat in front of us.

Great tip about the woolite- and I hadn't anticipated spills so I'll throw in a couple extra t's and skirts.

Thanks and keep-em coming!

 

[KateDrake]

If you have access to a car, that will make it so much easier! That's great. The Woolite packets work pretty well, especially for things like underwear that dry really quickly. I have a little kit I got at Target, which included a stopper for the sink and a little string to make a laundry line. I took it through Eastern Europe, and it worked great!

I thought of two other tips for you. First off, bring an adult-sized backpack for your DD. You may have to carry it, but it will allow you to put in more stuff. I doubt the airline will care that a little girl has a big pack as long as it fits under the seat. Will they let you gate check a stroller for free? Because you might be able to throw a few things in there if there is a pocket or something, too.

Also, depending on when you go, it might be a good idea to bring a sweatshirt. I know Vancouver isn't exactly cold, and Anaheim will probably feel quite hot during the day, but it does cool down a bit at night. If you are watching WOC or something, you can get misted, and it's good to have something warm on hand just in case. Just wear the sweatshirts or tie them around your waists on the plane, so they don't take up extra room in your backpacks.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

were gona be going on the bus in oct and we have one carry on bag we want to fit all our stuff in, and then two carry ons a back pack and one other with stuff for the 8hour trip its gona be tight but we are sure we can do it for 4days

good luck

 

[Rubygoose]

You can order groceries online from Vons (same family of stores as Safeway in Canada) and they offer free delivery. You'll have a car anyway, but this will save you time.

I like to use extra large freezer bags to put clothes in, and then squeeze all of the air out. It saves a lot of space, and then is good for putting dirty laundry in for the way home.

 

[starshine514]

Don't forget to buy/bring zip-top sandwich baggies (we always end up needing them). Be sure to bring hats to help keep the sun off of your faces - and once I forgot to bring hair elastics (they take up so little space, but are invaluable at times - as are safety pins and clippers). You also will want to take a few pills of any medications you need (even randomly) since you may have allergies, headache, tummy ache or achy muscles. As long as they aren't prescription, you should be fine having them in a baggie and out of their original bottles. I know for adults most everything is available in pill form, but for your DD, you may only have the option of chewable Tylenol (and maybe Maalox Jr). Also, don't forget a baggie of your vitamins.

I'd pack extras clothes for your DD (the good news is that they are tiny) and I would wear my jeans/pants through and pack my shorts. I'd also wear my sweatshirt through instead of wasting space packing it (this also works with your hat if you don't have room). I agree with the others, if you think you may need to do laundry, bring the supplies if you can (or have your mom or grandma bring you some if they live in the area). I know after a long day in the parks, the last thing I want to do is put those dirty clothes back on my freshly-showered body the next day, so doing laundry mid-trip might be an option to help you pack light.

Also, save room in her backpack for a souvenir.

 

[TheZue]

If you are planning on buying any souvineers or clothes where your worst clothes on the trip down and toss them while you are there. Same goes for undies, they can go on a one way trip to the magic lol. It'll give you some room on the return. Also layer your clothes for the flight; don't pack a hoody just wear it, even if it's for like five minutes and you carry it after that. Her clothes shouldn't take up a full backpack so that will grab you some extra room as well.

 

[CSAColl]

Update: I spoke with Allegiant today about their carryon/personal bag policy.

I can gate check my carseat and stroller free, plus each paying fare gets a personal sized backpack/puse/etc free, AND I can take a diaper bag free. Score! That will be more than enough room for going AND coming back (with extras!)

I'm also using the ziploc technique. That should make things nice and cozy. I can't wait!

 

[starshine514]

You may want to think about installing the car seat on the plane instead of gate-checking it. I've heard of a few instances of damaged carseats (and then there is the fear of hairline damage that you don't see). I hadn't heard of this until recently (yes, I've even checked carseats as luggage...), so I just thought I would throw it out there in case you hadn't heard about it either.