Traveling by air - any packing strategies

[lisaross]

it's been about 7 years since the four of us travelled by air...to Disney. We will be in Disney 6 nights and then switching to Universal for 2 nights. The luggage size/fees drives me crazy. It's me, hubby and 2 teenage boys. Do I get all new rolling duffle for each of us - we get 2 checked bags for free. Do we try and put all universal in one bag - check 3 and do carry on's - any packing tips you care to share or just pay and everyone pack separately?

Thanks

65 days to go

 

[Marionnette]

it's been about 7 years since the four of us travelled by air...to Disney. We will be in Disney 6 nights and then switching to Universal for 2 nights. The luggage size/fees drives me crazy. It's me, hubby and 2 teenage boys. Do I get all new rolling duffle for each of us - we get 2 checked bags for free. Do we try and put all universal in one bag - check 3 and do carry on's - any packing tips you care to share or just pay and everyone pack separately?

Thanks

65 days to go

I use packing cubes - each family member has a different color set. I sort clothing into the cubes with shirts in one, pants/shorts in another and socks/underwear/PJs in a third. I don't pack a separate bag for different hotels within the trip. I just take the packing cubes out of the luggage and put them in drawers. When it's time to move to the next hotel, I zip up the packing cubes and place them back in the luggage. For an 8-night trip, I would expect to do some laundry in the middle of the stay. But we own DVC and have easy access to W/D.

I try to limit space occupied by toiletries by filling travel bottles with our preferred products. Don't go crazy with shoes. They take up a lot of space and they add considerable weight. If you're bringing any food, make sure that crushable stuff is in a rigid container (I like shoe boxes - they can be thrown out instead of needing to bring them back).

Carry on bags include a complete change of clothing for each person (in case bags get lost), all prescription meds and Advil, travel-size sunscreen and any valuables.

I don't purchase new luggage for trips. My old bags are still in very good shape (one of the reasons for buying good luggage instead of cheap stuff). If your older bags are still in serviceable shape, buying new stuff is a waste of money, IMO. However, if I were in the market for a new bag, I would be looking at something with rigid sides and not duffelbags. Duffels provide very little protection from breakage.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree with above and keep in mind, if everyone has a bag you have to lug those bags and it can get tiring. I would think you could get by easily with one large checked bag (I'd use big ziplock bags instead of packing cubes just because you can get a lot of air out of them and have more room that way. If you boys are anything like mine was, one pair of shorts lasts 2 if not 3 days and so does a pair of jeans so no reason to overpack. Do take at least two pairs of shoes each, it rains in Florida. I have a hanging toiletry bag which makes life easy when it comes to packing, I don't have to unpack it, I just hang it over the bathroom door and we work out of that, putting everything back as we use it. I'd invest in a luggage scale, they can be bought anywhere, aren't expensive and will tell you exactly how much everything weighs. If everyone has one carryon, you could actually fit the Universal clothes in those.

 

[Aliceacc]

My one tip is this: Each time we fly, I pack one entire outfit, from the skin out, for each person-- and put it into someone else's bag. That way, should a piece of luggage take an unexpected detour, it buys us 24 hours.

 

[davper]

As PP said...

• Packing Cubes are great. ebags.com is where I get mine. don't forget your ebates if you purchase there.
• Yes on travel bottles. No need to lug full size bottles.
• Change of clothes and meds are essential on carry-ons. Not just for lost luggage but if you get stuck and have to stay overnight without your luggage.
• I did purchase new bags but mine were 25+ years old and ripping/falling apart. Again, ebags is where I purchased.

What you don't have to do is pack clothes for every day and every situation. My wife did this. it was a waste of space. Halfway through the trip, we did laundry and wore all the same clothes again.
Do laundry while spending time at the resort. For us, the laundry was at the pool. while we waited, we swam and relaxed. No lost vacation time.

 

[alliecat523]

What airline are you flying? I'm confused by the 2 free checked bags. Unless someone has preferred status? Just thinking of its SW, everyone would be entitled to a free checked bag.

I would try to get as much as possible in the checked bags and use carry ons for everything else. The fees are crazy but I'm also not a fan of lugging around a jam packed carry on.

 

[lisaross]

We are flying United and since I opened their credit card I get 2 free bags. As for the carryonbags, United it has tone 9x14x22 - just was at the max and the smallest depth was 10in - I will search online -QUOTE="alliecat523, post: 55180246, member: 561449"]What airline are you flying? I'm confused by the 2 free checked bags. Unless someone has preferred status? Just thinking of its SW, everyone would be entitled to a free checked bag.

I would try to get as much as possible in the checked bags and use carry ons for everything else. The fees are crazy but I'm also not a fan of lugging around a jam packed carry on.[/QUOTE]

 

[KKB]

What airline are you flying? I'm confused by the 2 free checked bags. Unless someone has preferred status? Just thinking of its SW, everyone would be entitled to a free checked bag.

I would try to get as much as possible in the checked bags and use carry ons for everything else. The fees are crazy but I'm also not a fan of lugging around a jam packed carry on.

SWA allows 2 free checked bags per person

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have premium status on United and also use the mileage plus chase card to buy all tickets. We all get two free bags when traveling together. I think with just the csrd you get a free bag for you and a companion plus earlier boarding. I would probably take one bag for me and husband and another for the boys. And a third with all the sundries, sunscreen, shoes, etc If you purchase ahead of time an extra bag is 25 on United. It costs more if you buy at airport.
Then everyone gets a carryon. I put change of clean underwear and bathing suits in carryon just in case. I wouldn't try to distinguish between Disney and universal. What difference does it make?
Also at Disney we never get less than one bedroom so we have a washer and dryer which allows a lot more flexibility with clothes.

 

[lisaross]

I do have packing cubes! Great suggestions. I think I'll do the cArryon bags - I will need new ones as ours are two big I believe - will have to measure again as United it has to be 9x14x22... In addition to this cArryon, we could each bring a backpack right? I was thinking of packing separately for Universal because we will have Disney and universal tshirts daily - but maybe I'll just put them In A separate packing cube.

Those who flew u item are they extremely strict with carry on size?

 

[lisaross]

What kind of carry on bag do you take? Hard case? Duffle bag?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I do have packing cubes! Great suggestions. I think I'll do the cArryon bags - I will need new ones as ours are two big I believe - will have to measure again as United it has to be 9x14x22... In addition to this cArryon, we could each bring a backpack right? I was thinking of packing separately for Universal because we will have Disney and universal tshirts daily - but maybe I'll just put them In A separate packing cube.

Those who flew u item are they extremely strict with carry on size?

Some airlines are more strict than others about carry on sizes, it also can depend on how packed the plane is - I personally witnessed 2 gentlemen with extra large garment bags being told they had to gate check them because they were too big.

I also have had to gate check a bag because the plane ran out of overhead space and I was one of the last to board (that was the last time I stopped for a drink on my way to the gate!).
I prepare for that and put my most important items (ie prescription meds, 3-1-1 bag, electronics, one pair of undergarments and a shirt change into a backpack that can go under the seat in front of me.

 

[elphaba91]

I think if you've got the checked bags available then I would use them. Put 2 people's stuff in one bag and the other 2 in the other bag. I definitely wouldn't bother having different bags for Universal as you'll presumably still have the same shorts, pants, underwear, shoes, etc. If you're buying new luggage I'd try get hard shell suitcases with 4 spinner wheels - they are more protective and are a lot easier to wheel around. They don't have to be expensive - we got ours from a discount department store (a Walmart/Target-type place) for about $80 for a large suitcase with matching carry on size suitcase. If you're checking bags then I'd also either get bright colours/designs or add something like stickers, ribbons or bright luggage tags so you can identify them more easily.

I agree with PPs to pack a spare set of clothes (at the very least a shirt and underwear) in your carry on. I'd also agree with putting all essentials in your personal item (backpack or handbag). We had to check our carry on after another family put their excess carry on (including things like blankets, handbags and jackets that should have gone under their seats) in our overhead compartment. It was a full flight that had already been delayed several hours so I think it was just easier for the flight attendants to check our stuff than to try find room. We were really rushed to get our stuff to the front of the plane for them to check it and didn't even get the chance to transfer some stuff to our handbags. It was a domestic flight following an international flight, so it was pretty stressful not knowing if we would have anything at all upon arriving in a foreign city late at night.

 

[MomToOne]

I HATE lugging a bunch of luggage through airports and trying to find overhead space, so I check bags whenever I can for free. I even pay the $25 on occasion when I could probably manage with just a carry-on, just to avoid the hassle.

So if I were you (which I fully recognize I'm not LOL), I would take full advantage of the two checked bags. I have a large rolling duffle bag that I use for both DD15 and myself on trips. I can usually fit all the stuff we need for a week or more into it, and hit just under the 50lb limit. I don't use packing cubes or anything else - DD15 and I don't exactly like the same styles, so it's easy to tell our clothes apart. I am also a fan of rolling our clothes, and packing cubes just end up wasting space in that case.

Carry-ons I keep to just what we need for the day. I have a long history of lost luggage, and even so don't bother with a change of clothes in our carry-ons or anything like that. I've had my bag gone through at the security check point to check out items they can't see clearly on Xray before, and the thought of them pulling out my unmentionables in full view of everyone there just makes me cringe (Hey, I didn't say my fears were rational! And yes, I know that can happen with checked baggage too, but at least I am not there to see it!!) I figure I have a credit card - if no luggage appears, then I'll hit a Target or Walmart and buy what we need. The one thing I do make sure to have in my carry-on is any meds we need, and any electronics and jewelry that someone might be tempted to steal from our luggage. Unfortunately, that has actually happened to me in the past.

One other thing - you might want to consider bringing only enough clothes for half your trip, and just doing some laundry while you are there. I find it a nice "timeout" from all the Disney go-go-go. We just hang at the pool, hit the gift shop, etc. while our laundry is going. DD and I also have a tradition of splitting a handmade ice cream cookie sandwich at some point during our trip, and this is a good time for it. With multiple machines, it goes faster than you would think.

 

[MomToOne]

are they extremely strict with carry on size?

These days, with most flights flying pretty full, yes they can be. It seems to be at the whim of the gate agent though - some are more militant about it, others could care less. Problem is you never know what type you are going to get!

Be sure to measure your carry-on bags WITH any wheels included. The luggage manufacturers like to give you measurements for the bag without including any wheels. But the airlines only care if you fit into their little template thing-ys. They don't care what the space is taken by - if they make you put it into the template and it's too big to fit, even if it's just because of the wheels, they will demand you check the bag.

Also, even if your bag is the right size empty, be sure not to overstuff it (esp. outside pockets), causing it to exceed a dimension.

 

[pjlla]

My one tip is this: Each time we fly, I pack one entire outfit, from the skin out, for each person-- and put it into someone else's bag. That way, should a piece of luggage take an unexpected detour, it buys us 24 hours.

We also do this with our carry-on luggage (including a pair of shoes.... even if they are only flip-flops)..... you only need to be vomited on ONCE during a flight (by the drunk person next to you or perhaps by your airsick child) or have turbulence and end up with your in-flight cocktail in your lap at the beginning of a 6 hour flight, to realize the IMPORTANCE of carrying a FULL change of clothing with you!! ....................P

 

[Sagginit]

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30235115/

I have these and they do the trick. They are so much cheaper than the other brands and I have used mine a lot without that much wear. I actually have one set and 3 large ones I was lucky enough to find in the discount bins at Ikea for $1 each. I fold pants in thirds or shorts in half. Tees and tanks get rolled and go in that way, it makes getting dressed a breeze as I just pick a roll out of the row. You can google for ideas but organization goes a long way. I use an old travel qtip plastic container for my headphones and charging cord, jewelry has its own little holder, makeup goes in a zpallette etc. My luggage when you open it up has nothing but shoes that aren't in a container, bag, or bin of sorts. This is also my best friend too so I make room for it. I hate using hotel irons and this gets out wrinkles in a snap. It doesn't weigh much and I can't imagine not having it on a trip. My husband likes it so much he even volunteers to pack it in his suitcase so we always have it.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...-reg-hand-steamer/3277448?Keyword=joy+mangano

My last trip I invested in a rolling carry on. The downside is you have to board early to get bin space. The good news is it is far easier to get through the airport with. If you bring one backpack just make sure it is small enough to count as a personal item. I second the plan of making sure anything valuable or needed is in your backpack, as they do sometimes force people to gate check carryons (not matter the size) when things get tight. Also your personal item needs to be stowed under the seat, so if you are tall I recommend those smaller sport backpacks, I have a narrow one that I use in place of a purse. I can put my feet on either side comfortably, a full size backpack and I would have to keep my feet crammed in front of it. I have used those duffle bag and suitcase hybrids when I was in college as I had to borrow luggage from a relative. Everything does roll around, its like having your stuff in a laundry bag so I personally wouldn't buy one.

If you have time to go to a store I would buy my toiletries once there. I went on a 12 day honeymoon trip to CA and we drove down the coast. As we had so many hotels I was adamant we wouldn't have huge luggage to roll in and out. I did a Target run and some of the travel size items were so large we didn't finish them (they are one size up from travel size but not full size, I love that stores have these now). If you are packing buy the smaller sizes and travel sizes at home. If you are able to empty them you can leave them there too and not pack home. If I don't have a travel size and its too much work to transfer to a container (I'm looking at you facewash in a tube), I plan ahead and put one aside when I have a weeks worth left to pack on the trip. Again it then gets tossed before I leave. If you are a family it may be worth it to bring one smaller size full size product that you can share (lotion, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste) instead of each brining minis.

One travel tip I picked up here and really works is to save clothes/shoes that are at the end of their life (not in condition I would donate). I actually save socks, underpinnings, pjs, tshirts, and even shoes for this. For tshirts its not torn to shred stuff but things like a white tee that has yellowed a bit, a hem starting to unravel, a tiny hole in the fabric on say the back where my hair covers etc. It also saves me laundry when I get back too. Coming back you have room for souvenirs too so I don't need to worry about being overweight. Also be realistic about you will use, I usually have 1-2 outfits and one pair of shoes I never wore.

 

[lisaross]

All great tips - thanks again.

In the past I did laundry when we were at Disney 7 or 8 full days - but since we r in Disney 5 full then heading to universal I might not have time for laundry.

 

[MomToOne]

h I have used those duffle bag and suitcase hybrids when I was in college as I had to borrow luggage from a relative. Everything does roll around, its like having your stuff in a laundry bag so I personally wouldn't buy one.

You can get some great, semi-structured rolling duffels. I have a large one from Travelpro that I love and have traveled with for over 15 years. I've never had stuff "roll around" in it and it's definitely not "like having your stuff in a laundry bag".

It's all in the brand you buy (or borrow! LOL)