Tips for carrying on bags?

[aubriee]

You do realize that you advised her to break the law...right?

As long as the poster is referring to the disposable shaving razors, those are permitted on carry-ons.

I went back and added the word disposable to my razor. Sorry, but since that's all I use, I didn't even think about the old fashioned straight razors. Do they even make those anymore? Since I have packed all those items in my carryons and have read the TSA list throughly more than once, I know all the items I listed are allowed.

Just wanted to point out that while aubriee's list is great - it probably requires much more of an investment than the $50 the OP is trying to avoid paying the airline

I've accumulated alot of packing folders, packing cubes, different sizes of little jars that can be screwed together, travel size containers, plus a ton of Vera Bradley makeup bags (in all sizes), toiletry bags, trip kits, tech cases, etc, over the years, but you're right, if you had to go buy them all at one time it could be rather expensive. I just can't imagine packing now, without them though. They save so much space and keep me so organized. They were well worth the investment, but wouldn't be for just one trip.

 

[Amunet]

Just wanted to add in my tip ^_^

We travel Delta a lot (though, we wish we didn't) and we skirt by with carryon only luggage constantly. DH and I usually end up sharing our bags, that way, if I pack more than him, it can spill over into his bag for me

For me, I enjoy a certain kind of sunblock (SPF 100 ) and the bottles are small, but not small enough for carryon, so we're checking a bag with all full size liquids ... also not just for us, but for my friend as well

 

[aubriee]

Hi,
Flying Delta also and not sure I can get away without checking any bags?? Looking for suggestions----it's me, my wife and kids age 3, 5, and 8 for 9 days. Hoping I can get by with only 1 large check-in. Thanks!

Last month my husband and I flew down there for eight nights/nine days, using two carryons, one personal item, and one checked bag (and we are both pooh size). I carried one extra park outfit, two sundresses to wear to Signature restaurnts, two pairs of flip flops, plus a pair of nicer sandals and my husband carried an extra park outfit, plus two extra outfits for Signature restuarants. These were in addition to the eight park outfits we had packed for the parks. Going down there, the checked bag had very little in it. I had all my clothes in an 18" packing folder, two sundresses rolled into a small packing cube, underwear and nightgown in a VB trip kit, bras in a slim cube, and a pair of flip flops in my carryon. I had our paperwork, sunglasses, makeup bag, camera, cell phones, and meds in the personal item. We had most of my husband's clothes in an 18" packing folder and his underwear in a VB trip kit. We had them, a small VB makeup bag with chargers, and a white noise machine in his carry on. I didn't want to have to deal with a 3-1-1 bag at the airport, so packed all liquids in a larger hanging VB toiletry kit. It, along with another pair of my shoes, an extra pair of shoes for him, a small packing cube with a couple of swimsuits and a coverup, a leak proof bag with three bottles of spray on sunscreen, a tube of face sunscreen, and a bottle of foot cream, and a 20" packing folder that had just a few of his outfits in it were all that were in the checked bag, going down there. (Other than a couple pairs of dress shorts, all of his shorts were the thicker cotton cargo shorts, so wouldn't all fit in his 18" packing folder, like mine did). On the way back, I completely filled that almost empty 20" packing folder with our dirty clothes. The rest had to go in one of the 18" packing folders in his carry on. I was able to get almost everything that started off in the carryons, into the checked bag on the way home, (including the VB soft duffel I had used as a carry on this trip) and still stay under the 50lb weight limit. Going down there our checked duffel weighed like 20lbs and coming back it weighed in at 48.5 lbs. The only thing we brought back on the plane was my personal item and his carry on. I had bought one of those yard flamingos with the Mickey Mouse hat on it. It, along with the white noise machine, fit into one side of my husband's carryon and the 18" packing folder fit into the other side perfectly. The personal item had the cell phones, sunglasses, camera, makeup bag, leftover meds, ID, etc.

Anyway, my point is that it can be done. We made it home with just one checked bag, one carry on, and one personal item for the two of us.

 

[LadyBeBop]

It also depends on where you are getting the sunscreen for your trip. If you are heading to your local drugstore before you leave, you will probably pay about $8. So your additional cost for buying it at the hotel is only $7. Of course, if you ar like me and stock up on $1 sunscreen at the 99Cent Store in Febraury, it might be worth paying to mail them.

It's not only the sunscreen, it's the moisterizer and lotion as well. Plus, don't forget shampoo, conditioner and body wash. I use a lot more than what's provided by the resort.

Rachel, whereabouts do you live? I live in Northern Kentucky, and according to the USPS site, I can mail a five pound box to WDW for a little over $10. A one pound box would be $5.30. In any event, it's a lot cheaper than the $50 baggage fee. Plus the hassle of waiting for your luggage once you get home (I'm assuming you're using ME while down there).

 

[prncess674]

Hi,
Flying Delta also and not sure I can get away without checking any bags?? Looking for suggestions----it's me, my wife and kids age 3, 5, and 8 for 9 days. Hoping I can get by with only 1 large check-in. Thanks!

Sorry I don't think that you realistically can do carry on. I am assuming you are bringing a stroller for the 3 year old, so one adult will be pushing the stroller thru the airport, this would then have the other adult toting 4 wheelie bags and two backpacks. Unless one of the adults has morphed into a pack mule I think you need to check bags. Have you considered applying for the Delta credit card that allows first bag checked free for each person on your reservation?

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/checked/first_bag_free.jsp

 

[keishashadow]

we usually stay in a DVC studio with no W/D unit. We've taken to wearing the wicking type lightweight shirts that are a breeze to handwash in the sink, hang them up to dry on hangers i bring & good to go the next day.

We either book SWA or AT and find that AT's price lately has dropped to point where our credit from initial booking usually will pay for both seat assignments & checked luggage.

Enough repeated trips to the same destination = everybody figuring out a system that works for them. Interesting to read how others roll though. I'm a vera girl toobut have long since gone to gallon zip bags for toiletries/and intimates. I just pack a small bottle of wrinkle release & go with the roll method for nearly everything unless cruising, then we just stick everything in it's own dry cleaner bag and stick it in the wheeled garment bag - the current one I have holds an amazing amount of stuff.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sorry I don't think that you realistically can do carry on. I am assuming you are bringing a stroller for the 3 year old, so one adult will be pushing the stroller thru the airport, this would then have the other adult toting 4 wheelie bags and two backpacks. Unless one of the adults has morphed into a pack mule I think you need to check bags. Have you considered applying for the Delta credit card that allows first bag checked free for each person on your reservation?

http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/checked/first_bag_free.jsp

I see the pack mule at airports weekly. It's generally accompanied by...

1) crying child
2) Screaming at 2nd child to "STAY WITH US" as he/she races off to something that looks much more fun
3) Fighting parents
4) Attempts to somehow get all this stuff ON the plane.

(Here's a hint I posted a while back. Load up EVERYTHING you plan to take as you plan to take it. You, the kids, DH etc take all this stuff and walk at least 1/4 of a mile with it. Then come home and stand at your front door and figure out how you are going to get it in the front door and to the bedroom. However, remember you only get the amount of space equal to your body to do this and you have to do it in one trip without assitance. And then you have to get it OFF the plane and to whatever transport you plan to use in MCO. IMHO your vacation will be much nicer if you face facts and check some bags, but if you like starting out stressed this is the way to go!)

Also remember that on the way home Delta will probably not preboard families. They can't.. it's the entire plane

 

[Tigger1]

So can I bring as many small 3 oz bottles that will fit in a quart bag?

What is the largest size backpack I can take besides my other carryon?
I need it for my laptop. or should I take a very large purse to put it in?

 

[LWQuestie]

So can I bring as many small 3 oz bottles that will fit in a quart bag?

Yes. Fill the bag! As long as it closes, you are good.

 

[DopeyDame]

I've accumulated alot of packing folders, packing cubes, different sizes of little jars that can be screwed together, travel size containers, plus a ton of Vera Bradley makeup bags (in all sizes), toiletry bags, trip kits, tech cases, etc, over the years, but you're right, if you had to go buy them all at one time it could be rather expensive. I just can't imagine packing now, without them though. They save so much space and keep me so organized. They were well worth the investment, but wouldn't be for just one trip.

Thanks for your great tips! That was a really detailed and helpful list. can you point me in the direction of the packing folders and cubes? My DH has stuff bags for camping, but the clothes get all wrinckly in there, so I'm thinking you're talking about something different.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you spend $25 online with CVS the shipping is free. I have used CVS to buy health and beauty stuff as well as snacks and laundry soap and have it shipped to WDW. Of course if you are staying at a Disney convention resort there may also be a package handling fee charged by the resort. I can say that VWL and AKL did not charge extra for the package.

If you are traveling with a baby you can order diapers too.
I see they have a sale spend $60 get $15 off and free shipping.

 

[aubriee]

Thanks for your great tips! That was a really detailed and helpful list. can you point me in the direction of the packing folders and cubes? My DH has stuff bags for camping, but the clothes get all wrinckly in there, so I'm thinking you're talking about something different.

I got my first set of packing cubes and first few packing folders on ebags.com. However I later found them cheaper at my local Samsonite outlet store and also at TJ Maxx. The ones at TJ Maxx were the good Eagle Creek ones and were sold individually (rather than in sets) which I liked. Personally I use the 18" and 20" packing folders and the slim cubes and small and medium cubes the most.
Read the reviews. Here's some links:

http://www.ebags.com/category/packing-folders-and-cubes/20014520
http://www.magellans.com/store/Packing_Aids___Packing_Cubes___Folders
http://www.altmanluggage.com/eaglecreek_packing.html
http://www.rei.com/category/4501740

 

[TDC Nala]

I have solid shampoo, solid conditioner, solid deodorant, solid facial cleanser, sunscreen wipes and insect repellent wipes. I'll take only a carryon for trips of up to a week. The only problem with buying a large can of spray sunscreen when I arrive is that I don't use it up on a shorter trip and can't bring it home. So I use the wipes. Roll clothes rather than fold them.

 

[tlh0726]

OP, Be prepared to board the plane and possibly have to have them check your luggage due to no room in the overhead compartments. Seems that everyone has the same idea.

DH normally tries to fly southwest on business but had to fly Delta the last 2 flights. There were several carryons that had to be checked and both flight were late departing due to the difficulty of everyone trying to fit everything into the overheads.
The one flight, the attendant ask the gentlemen behind DH if he could put his backpack under the seat in front of him so she could fit a larger piece of luggage in. He refused and started giving the flight attendant a bunch of lip, about how he was an elite member, needs the leg room, ect ect.
She tried moving things around in several compartments finally got the other carryon in and when she closed the door said very loudly Thank you for your cooperation.
The guy started in on her again and ended with and I paid 1200 for this seat.
DH mumbled, not only are you an arrogant *** but your stupid too.
Everyone sitting around him started laughing.
Seems he didn't mumble.

 

[prncess674]

OP, Be prepared to board the plane and possibly have to have them check your luggage due to no room in the overhead compartments. Seems that everyone has the same idea.

DH normally tries to fly southwest on business but had to fly Delta the last 2 flights. There were several carryons that had to be checked and both flight were late departing due to the difficulty of everyone trying to fit everything into the overheads.
The one flight, the attendant ask the gentlemen behind DH if he could put his backpack under the seat in front of him so she could fit a larger piece of luggage in. He refused and started giving the flight attendant a bunch of lip, about how he was an elite member, needs the leg room, ect ect.
She tried moving things around in several compartments finally got the other carryon in and when she closed the door said very loudly Thank you for your cooperation.
The guy started in on her again and ended with and I paid 1200 for this seat.
DH mumbled, not only are you an arrogant *** but your stupid too.
Everyone sitting around him started laughing.
Seems he didn't mumble.

Sorry you seem to believe he was being arrogant. Many people, including myself, only carry on a backpack. Sorry, I don't think your giant wheelie is more important than my backpack. The overhead is shared space and is first come first serve. They can ask that I move my ONE carry on but I am not sitting cramped with my knees in my chest with zero leg room so someone who decides to carry on a giant wheelie can stow it in the overhead bin. I am an elite and intentionally board early (as my status allows) and stow my backpack in the overhead where I have every right to stow it. If you board late with your giant bag be prepared to have it gate checked.

 

[lovesdumbo]

A couple of other options for the OP:
I have used www.minimus.biz several times. They have all sorts of travel size items and lots of snack items too. They ship for free for orders over $20. I often order and ship to the resort.

I have also used www.gardengrocer.com. I get water, snacks, breakfast foods and sunscreen.

I got my first set of packing cubes and first few packing folders on ebags.com. However I later found them cheaper at my local Samsonite outlet store and also at TJ Maxx. The ones at TJ Maxx were the good Eagle Creek ones and were sold individually (rather than in sets) which I liked. Personally I use the 18" and 20" packing folders and the slim cubes and small and medium cubes the most.
Read the reviews. Here's some links:

http://www.ebags.com/category/packing-folders-and-cubes/20014520
http://www.magellans.com/store/Packing_Aids___Packing_Cubes___Folders
http://www.altmanluggage.com/eaglecreek_packing.html
http://www.rei.com/category/4501740

I love the Eagle Creek products. I've purchased odd colored packing folders discounted at www.sierratradingposting.com

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sorry you seem to believe he was being arrogant. Many people, including myself, only carry on a backpack. Sorry, I don't think your giant wheelie is more important than my backpack. The overhead is shared space and is first come first serve. They can ask that I move my ONE carry on but I am not sitting cramped with my knees in my chest with zero leg room so someone who decides to carry on a giant wheelie can stow it in the overhead bin. I am an elite and intentionally board early (as my status allows) and stow my backpack in the overhead where I have every right to stow it. If you board late with your giant bag be prepared to have it gate checked.

"Giant wheelie"? Wow. I didn't read that anywhere. It sounded like the Flight Attendant was trying to find space for a rollaboard that complied with the airline's size limits. Otherwise, wouldn't this responsible airline employee have gate-checked the bag for the passengers?

As for arrogant, well, yes. The man was arrogant.
Reasonable: "No, I can't put my backpack there; I need that space for my legs."
Arrogant: "Do you know who I am? I'm an Elite Member with this airline. I'll put my backpack anywhere I darned well please and other passengers can just tie their luggage to the wings for all I care, and I pay your salary if it weren't for me you'd be slinging hash at some diner and I paid $1,200 to fly 400 miles on your piddling little airline."

 

[kaffinito]

I'll second what aubriee says about packing. I followed her advice, packing cubes and all, and had no trouble fitting everything I needed for five days (including a nice fancy outfit for V&A) into one 21" carry on and one small backpack.

Just for fun, I tried packing the clothes into the carry on without the cubes and it didn't all fit. Then I did it with the cubes and had space left over.

As far as liquids, if you have each person use a 3-1-1 bag in their carry on, you can bring a lot more than if it's just you trying to fit it all into a quart sized bag.

Next trip both boys will be flying to MCO from another airport, so I'll have to ship down the liquids and extras, unless I check a bag.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sorry you seem to believe he was being arrogant. Many people, including myself, only carry on a backpack. Sorry, I don't think your giant wheelie is more important than my backpack. The overhead is shared space and is first come first serve. They can ask that I move my ONE carry on but I am not sitting cramped with my knees in my chest with zero leg room so someone who decides to carry on a giant wheelie can stow it in the overhead bin. I am an elite and intentionally board early (as my status allows) and stow my backpack in the overhead where I have every right to stow it. If you board late with your giant bag be prepared to have it gate checked.

Here's the deal your "status" just allowed you to delay an entire plane? LOL! What we have here folks is a well developed sense of "entitlement".

On behalf of other "elite" flyers let me aplogize for those of us who have this arrogant entitlement feeling. I admit it's fairly widespread but not universal!

Any time you feel the need to announce (A) your status or (B) how much your ticket cost please read what the poster's DH said and realize it applies to you! Flying more does not give us the right to be jerks! It's not a sign of some exaulted status. (And I am top tier on SEVERAL programs, but you would NEVER hear me mentiont that like this!)

 

[pooch]

in a 21 inch duffle bag. I love Aubree's list but that's WAAAAY too much stuff for me.

My bag contains - 3 pr shorts, 6 tops, 1 sundress, undies & pjs, 2 pr flip flops. My 3-1-1 bag holds 2 sample size toothpastes, small eye makeup remover, liquid foundation (go to the dept store makeup counters and ask for a couple of their sample size containers. They're like a inch big & I can put a weeks worth in 2), conditioner, lotion and a couple of small tubes of sunscreen. I am pasty white but 6 oz will do all week (in Aug/Sept) with no burn or, unfortunately, color of any kind . There is still room for at least 3-4 other items in the bag if more sunscreen is necessary. My little make-up bag holds powder, blush, eye pencil, eyelash curler and mascara. Add a small bag with a variety of OTC meds, cotton balls, Q-tips, comb and a toothbrush & I'm ready to go!!