WWYD- Luggage

[divabydisney]

I am trying to reduce the amount of luggage fees I am paying for our upcoming trip. The goal was to have me and my 2 DS all have a carry on and try to only have one checked bag. It would cost $50 round trip for just that bag, so I am looking for carry-on's. I had no idea how expensive they were. While looking I am now questioning, get a backpack or a duffle? They will need to have enough room to pack outfits since we only have the one suitcase. I guess I am wondering which would have more room. Price wise backpacks are slightly cheaper but not much.

 

[Snappy in OK]

One thing to consider is who will be carrying the carry-ons in the airport(s). Once you determine that, look at what will be comfortable to carry.

Having said that, I think it depends on the duffel or backpack as to which will hold more. Since this is the budget board, one duffel bag I have found that seems to hold a decent amount and would still be classified as a carry on is from Target - one of their brands. And you can find them for $10 on sale. I picked up one for both DD & DS, and we have used them for road trips. (I find that duffel bags are easy to squish in the car. )

Since each passenger is also allotted a "personal" item in addition to the carry on, each of the kids could take a backpack (or something similar) to hold snacks and things to keep them entertained during the flight(s).

 

[MichelleinMaine]

FYI you can bring one carryon bag PLUS one personal item {a purse, computer bag, diaper bag, etc. Generally speaking, the "personal item" must fit under the seat in front of you}

We each carry a small wheeled suitcase (that fits carryon dimensions) plus a school bag sized backpack. We travel regularly and have yet to pay for a checked bag.

For our trip last week, DD actually had a small duffel bag instead of the wheeled bag. It fit much easier in the overhead bin; we may switch to those for our next trip. (DD is only 10 and can't carry the duffel, DH carried it for her.) Duffels are certainly less expensive than wheeled bags if your kids are old enough to carry them.

 

[divabydisney]

Ohhh good to know. I planned on carrying my camera bag as my personal item but didn't even think about having them carry one. They are 12 & 6. They can use their backpacks as their personal items and then I just need to get a duffle bag? I won't get the wheeled ones for cost and weight. I know they make them lighter but they charge a lot more $$$ for those. I assumed I needed to check a bag for liquids- soaps, sunscreen, etc. How do you get around the 3 oz. rule?

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I dunno about the backpacks. Maybe a duffle?

If you haven't completely abandoned the carryon bag, there are cheap, good venues for this. You should be able to get a small, nice, carryon size bag at TJ Maxx or Marshalls for less than $50. Alternately, check the thrifts and Craig's list. If you know anyone who garage sales, ask if they would mind keeping an eye out for some.

Another thing: check the airline website. See if there is anyway around the fee. For example, I never pay the fee because I always fly Continental, and I have a Continental card.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I assumed I needed to check a bag for liquids- soaps, sunscreen, etc. How do you get around the 3 oz. rule?

We use the soap/shampoo at the hotel. Toothpaste, our dentist has free sample sizes he gives out that are under 3oz. You can divide a bottle of (liquid) sunscreen into 3oz containers (can get in the travel dept of Walmart/etc). You can put as many as will fit in a quart sized ziploc and your family can have 3 (eg one per person, even if you carry them for everyone).

We also get a solid/stick face sunscreen and solid deodorant. Those dont' need to be in the ziploc.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Last year I took my DD(9) to Disney for a 5 night trip. We carried on and didn't check any bag. I had a large purse for my personal item. It had my cameras, medicine, wallet, travel documents and other odd things. My DD had her school backpack with her books, DSI and oher odd things. I used a 21" rolling carry on. It had 5 days of clothes, jamas, bathing suit, and shoes. I rolled all the clothes as they fit better. I ironed what was wrinkled and hung up as soon as we checked into the hotel. We wore our tennis shoes as they were the biggest and heaviest and packed the flip flops.

For our toiletries I packed us each a quart size storage bag. We shared the basic things (shampoo, conditioner, lotion and bath soap) Plus the hotels have shampoo, conditioner, bath soap and lotion. As long as your not to picky. I packed what special items we needed in our own bag and divided up the basic items beteen us. I was suprised that I made it all fit and didn't find I needed anything I didn't pack.

We use our duffle bags when we are on car trip and they hold alot. We have ones with a few different zippered compartments. I only worry about when walking through the airport having to tote them around. They do make some with wheels on them so that may be an idea.


HTH

 

[robinb]

I assumed I needed to check a bag for liquids- soaps, sunscreen, etc. How do you get around the 3 oz. rule?

You don't. You either make sure that your liquids are less than or equal to 100ml, you check a bag with all your liquids in it, you rent a car when you get there for sunscreen, etc or you have that kind of stuff delivered by a place like Garden Grocer. We always rent a car since we visit family in Tampa so carry-ons are not a problem for us. We just pack as much as we can and then stop for the rest when we're there.

I don't think it's unreasonable to own carry-on luggage, especially when most airlines are charging to check bags. Like snarlingcoyote suggested, I would look at TJ Maxx or Mashalls. They have nice quality luggage at cheap prices. I got my DD's Liz Claiborne carry-on roller bag at Macy's when they had a huge mega sale a couple years ago with 70% plus coupons. I paid less than $50 for it.

 

[sissy_ib]

How do you get around the 3 oz. rule?

Each person can carry a quart size bag with as many 3oz containers will fit in it.
However I would just use the hotels soaps and shampoo and buy sunscreen when you arrive.

 

[SalandJeff]

Ohhh good to know. I planned on carrying my camera bag as my personal item but didn't even think about having them carry one. They are 12 & 6. They can use their backpacks as their personal items and then I just need to get a duffle bag? I won't get the wheeled ones for cost and weight. I know they make them lighter but they charge a lot more $$$ for those. I assumed I needed to check a bag for liquids- soaps, sunscreen, etc. How do you get around the 3 oz. rule?

If you are using a regular size camera bag, put it inside a big purse or backpack as your personal item. Then you can carry a lot more than just the camera. Since the duffle bags are going to be used as carry ons and not checked, I would get the inexpensive nylon bags they sell at Target or Walmart. They are very lightweight and your 12 year old should be able to carry one for each of your boys, plus his backpack. The 6 year old can just carry his backpack.

 

[robinb]

OP, if you are going to buy something I would skip duffel bags and suggest something with WHEELS. Items without wheels are heavy and difficult to haul through the airport. Our carry-ons routinely weigh between 20 and 30 lbs and I would HATE to have to carry a bag that big in addition to my laptop bag. In fact, I recently changed laptop bags to a backpack type since my traditional laptop bag hurt my shoulder when I carried it. Yes, a rolling bag is more expensive than a simple duffel bag but everyone should be able to pull their own bag behind them (even the 6-year old) and you will be all set for your next trip.

 

[TinkTock]

Our local thrift stores always seem to have duffle bags really cheap. A lot of companies put their logo on the bags and use them as giveaways, and one person can only use so many duffle bags.

 

[divabydisney]

Ok, so I guess that solves that. Geesh, why didn't I think of the stick sunscreen.... oh well). I will play this weekend with our bags and do a mock run. I measured by bag this morning and it fits the carryon requirements. Thanks for all of your help, I think this eliminates the issue, I can handle a few cheap bags.

 

[scrapquitler]

I am trying to reduce the amount of luggage fees I am paying for our upcoming trip. The goal was to have me and my 2 DS all have a carry on and try to only have one checked bag. It would cost $50 round trip for just that bag, so I am looking for carry-on's. I had no idea how expensive they were. While looking I am now questioning, get a backpack or a duffle? They will need to have enough room to pack outfits since we only have the one suitcase. I guess I am wondering which would have more room. Price wise backpacks are slightly cheaper but not much.

It depends on how much you plan to spend for these carryon bags. If you are going to be buying two carryon bags, it might be smarter (and cheaper) to simply check a second bag. Two $30 duffle bags = more than checking the second bag for $50.

I'd go with some sort of bag that they already own (or borrow from someone who owns a rollling bag that fits in the overhead compartment). My preference would be for a rolling bag, since you don't have to carry it thru the airport. I think mine came from Target, and I'm sure it didn't cost more than $30.

 

[amy-momofthree]

I'm having the same dilemma. We leave next month. I think I'm going to get a large duffle, I found one on amazon for 14.99 and check that. Then we will have a few carry ons. There is dh, me and 3 kids.

In the checked bag, I plan on putting 5 outfits for each of us. Then I plan on doing laundry
during our stay. We are staying 9 days. We plan on buying tshirts and such as souvenirs and we plan on wearing those during vacation. Plus, I'm planning on
packing a tote that we can use for souvenirs for the trip home.


I also wanted to add :check your airlines website on carry on restrictions. Some airlines give specific dimensions while others just need to be certain overall dimension.

 

[zoemurr]

they have both had a backpack and a wheeled duffle that they carry through the airport and on the plane. (DH has to get them in the overhead but that's ok). Then we don't have to check a bag.

We got nice wheeled duffles at Marshalls for about $50 each and they have been used many times.

HTH

 

[squirrel]

Pack each persons clothes for each day inside a ziplock bag and squease out all the air. It will make more room in the bags.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you go with both a duffle or backpack and a wheeled case, make sure anything of value is in the duffle. If the overhead bins are full and you end up being forced to gate check a bag, you don't want anything of value in that bag. A duffle will fit underneath the seat in front of you, so that is where you want your valuables. With you, on the plane, under the seat. Not in the possibly gate checked bag.