Those flying...how are you packing w/the bag restrictions?

[LilyU]

With the "one checked bag per person" limitation, how are you doing your packing? I was thinking of getting a duffle bag for each of us to carry on and pack a lot of clothes in there, so I can put the shoes and toiletries in the checked baggage (since they are too big to carry on anyway). Plus wanting to have room for souveniers!!

Argh!!

Lily

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

SW allows 2 checked bags per person plus a carry on PLUS a personal item (purse, computer, etc.). So are you sure your airline only permits one checked bag? That means for a party of 5 we'd be permitted 10 checked bags!! Wow, we'd never need that many.

But, with SW there are size and weight limitations to the carryon so I'd bet the duffle full of clothes wouldn't work for SW.

I went to my airline website and printed out all of the baggage & carryon info.

 

[LilyU]

We are flying Continental and they allow one checked bag each, and the next bag is charged a fee, so I am trying to avoid that fee.

Yes, we can each carry on a bag too (which is why I mentioned the duffle bags). It can be 40 lbs. and measure up to 51" (L + W + D)

L.

 

[happymommy]

We only bring one carry on each, don't check bags.

The only liquids I really need other than my makeup is medicine, which isn't restricted.

If I need any other liquids I buy it in Orlando, or ship a small box ahead of time (I may do that next time as I use Proactiv facial cleanser and need a big bottle of it).

You may find you need less than you think.

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

Yes, I agree: ship a box ahead. And then use plastic zip bags to make the most of your suitcase. Even with the SW allowances we are shipping a box of other stuff ahead (surprises, drink mix, etc.).

I guess you could also plan on just doing laundry while you were there so bring only a few clothing items. I read somewhere that the Disney laundry pwdr is about the same price as travel packets of it on the home end. So not too crazy price-wise.

Good luck! Let us know how you get it all there!!

 

[ChrisandDon'sMommy]

We're flying Delta down to WDW, so it's free for our first bag, which we'll only use two. I'll pack one bag under my name for our youngest son and me; whereas, my husband will pack one bag under his name for our oldest son and himself.

However, on our return trip, we are flying United and will have to pay $30
($15 each) !

 

[imthatgirl]

we're flying southwest, so we dont have that problem. but if i did i would just plan to do some laundry there and i would bring anything i didnt absolutely need, or that i could buy there.

 

[Kat73]

Okay don't hate me but I'm totally cheating! My parents are snowbirds and live not far from Sarasota at the time I'm going to disney. I go to visit them every year and have always, even before the new restrictions/pricing, sent a bag with them ahead. Usually toiletries, summer sandals and shoes, etc.

When I go home to visit them for Christmas, I hand off my "Florida Bag" and don't see it again until I get to their place in Feb. Of course, the older I get, the more I need a giant list reminding me of what I packed LOL.

This year I'm visiting them first, then Disney, so they're definitely getting a giant bag of clothes because Disney in Feb. is a new one on me and I have no idea whether I'm going to want jeans or shorts so I'm bringing everything LOL!

Now.... getting it all HOME again.... I dunno. Probably I'll price out shipping a bag home but wind up paying the extra charge.


For your situation I'd price out shipping a bag down- but shipping heavy boxes overnight or twoday gets REALLY expensive so you might be better off paying the surcharge with your airline.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I always try to check only one bag no matter what. I'm very tiny with no strength haha so it becomes very hard for me to maneuver more than one, and to even pull it off the claim thing! Last trip, I had two checked bags, along with a purse I'd carried on. I went over to a man in military fatigues, and asked kindly for help. Thankfully he smiled and helped me, or else those bags weren't going anywhere!

This year, my plan is this:

• Purse (a large-ish domed satchel..the Vuitton Speedy 30 if anyone is a fan!) and packing in it medications, wallet, etc, the normal purse items.
  
• Backpack with laptop, DVD player, movies, chargers, change of clothes, other expensive items I don't want to check.

And checking:

• 1 piece of luggage with toiletries, clothes, shoes, blow dryer, flat iron, etc. and cloth Vera Bradley duffle for the way back. I like this duffle because it's small, cloth so it can be smushed into carry on, and also stuffed with a ton of goodies on the way back!

On the way back I plan to put the stuff from the backpack into the duffle with my souvenirs, and pack away my backpack into my checked luggage. I know I'll have to remove my laptop at security, but the backpack has separate compartments so it'll be easier.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

I ordered a couple of the largest, light weight (less than a pound and a half each) duffle bags that fit the size requirements of the airline (Airtran) from ebags. My husband says that they remind him of the duffle bag he was issued in the Marines. Anyway, I figured that all the weight could be clothes instead of half of the weight coming from the suitcase.

We plan on checking the 2 duffles and one rolling suitcase and then having some carry on. We also plan on putting outfits into large ziplock bags inside of the duffles. The rolling suitcase will be shoes and stuff for the room, like window decorations.

Maggie

 

[IndayMichelle]

Well we are flying Alaska and we get to check one bag each. DBF is packing his checked bag with whatever I will wash for him. I am bringing two pieces of luggage. I will pack a carry-on sized suitcase with clothing, toiletries, and miscellaneous items and then put that bag into a larger check in suitcase. I will shove the boxes of oatmeal, poptarts, and cereal inside the larger suitcase around the edges of the smaller. My carry-on will by my backpack with my laptop and other bits in it.

On the way home I plan on using the smaller suitcase as a carry one for all of the acquired souvenirs and MNSSHP candy. All of the clothes and things will go back in the big suitcase. So I'll leave with one thing to check in and a personal item to carry on. I'll return with one check in and one carry on as well as my personal item.

Worked for all my other vacays, so I'm sure it'll be fine this time too.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

no changes, we usually pack a family of 4 with two suit cases and 1 carry-on for 10-day to 2-week stay

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We are going for 10 days and packing five outfits and plan to do laundry. Most resorts have the laundry room close to the pool area so I can do laundry and sit by the pool. Since they SSR have a large laundry room by the main pool which has 8 washer and dryers I can do 3 loads at once as long as the machines are available. So the amount of time it takes to wash and dry will be enough time to get a bit to eat and then sit by the pool.

I found that my Target sells a small bottle of tide which is enough to do 4 loads of clothes and I found it in the trail size section of the health and beauty dept. Toss in a few dryer sheets and walla only need to pack half as much!

Plus think when I get home I only have half the amount of dirt clothes to wash!

 

[BigDopeyMom]

My DS8 and I are heading down to Universal/Disney for 12 days. I just shipped a box down from NJ to Orlando for $16 - it weighed 25 lbs and contains all of our toiletries, snacks, ponchos, power strip, etc...etc...

We will each have a small wheeled suitcase as a carry-on and we are not checking any bags. I'll probably pack around 5-6 days worth of clothes and do laundry at the resorts on one of our swim days!

 

[Wild4Walt]

We booked AA at the beginning of the year before the rules changed so we are covered for this trip, unless we get some really over zealous agent at the airport. I called AA to get this info straight from them.

So, I will probably have 2 bags this trip since we are going for 9 days.

Moving forward - I'll fly Southwest so I don't have to worry about it. Or worry about them going bankrupt, or about bad customer service, or... well you get the picture.

 

[*Valdez*]

Over the years and multiple vaca we are finally being forced to learn. Dh always buys himself t-shirts from his favorite attractions, so we will pack a nice shirt for dinner and 1 extra. He will buy his regular souveniers and save on space. We have also learned unless you drive NO ONE gets a big heavy souvenier. Small items only and then we have plenty of space for our big stuff. We also bought and interchangable adapter for Gameboys, PSPs, and and iPod. That also helps with space. Never, and I mean never buy books of any kind. That weighs down luggage. We went over the 50lbs with our DVC books and by taking them out we dropped 10lbs. I have also learned going I put my wallet, cell phone, etc. in my carry on so on the way back I still have space for my empty personal item.

 

[SUNFLOWER93]

There are 3 of us going for 5 days on sw. We each get a rolling carry-on thats it, if it doesnt fit it doesnt go. I am incredibly adept at rolling clothes tightly. We hate waiting for our luggage to come down at baggage claim. We get off the plane and head to national rental(emerald club-also dislike waiting on line at car rentals). We stop at target for water and travel size health and beauty stuff then on to akl. With so much waiting in line at WDW who needs it at MCO. Might not work for everyone but does for us. I know I am the travel nazi.

 

[javamoma]

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