How Do You Get By with Just Carry On?

[idratherbeinwdw]

The thread about Owners Locker got me to thinking. Even with all my locker crammed to the top I still have been using a full sized suitcase. I have neck problems and bring a cervical pillow with me, which takes up a ton of room in my luggage. It also takes up too much room to leave in my locker, but then I read that John is starting to store other items outside the locker. So I started to think that if I store my pillow separately with John, maybe I too could join the \"only a carry on\" club.

But then I started to think. Where do I put my laptop computer? Right now that goes in my carry on (wouldn\'t trust baggage handlers with it!) and takes up at least half the room in the carry on. Eventually I\'ll probably upgrade to a smaller laptop, but for now that seems a waste of money to spend for the 4 or so WDW trips I take each year. I noticed that there are folks who strap their laptops to the top of their carry ons. Does anyone know, is that considered one carry on or two?

And if I do end up with the laptop sitting on top of my carryon bag I would be paranoid leaving the bag with bell services. What do you all who bring computers or other valuables that won\'t fit in your laptop do with that stuff when you get to WDW and it needs to be checked because your room isn\'t ready yet?

Lastly, what if you buy souvenirs? I can\'t imagine having one iota of extra space in my carry on if that\'s all I took with me. I gotta admit that after 30 trips I rarely buy much. But sometimes I do see something I would like to take home that might be too bulky for a carry on. My kids love the pastries at the BW bakery, that\'s all they ask for when I go without them. Last trip I just used carry on because it was just a four day trip and I did not take my computer. I had a devil of a time fitting in the pastries for the kids, as they put them in plastic containers so they wouldn\'t get squished on the way home. I had to sort of crush the plastic down just enough for it to fit but not enough for the pastries inside to be flattened.

Any suggestions for me to enable me to go to just a carry one would be much appreciated. :sheepdance: :icowave:

[TimK]

Most airlines (at least the ones I\'ve flown) will permit one carryon bag and one \"personal item.\" I know for many women a purse would be the personal item. But for us guys, the laptop case qualifies.

I don\'t think I\'ve ever gone to Disney with just a carryon bag. Mostly because our trips are longer in duration and we tend to go during the winter /early spring months when you need a variety of both long and short clothing.

I have taken 3-4 day business trips with just a carryon bag. Usually the big determining factor for me ends up being shoes. :blush: If I can get by with just the shoes on my feet, I can usually cram enough clothing and my toiletries into a smaller suitcase. But if I end up taking one or two other pairs for more informal occasions (work-out at the hotel gym, casual meal with friends), a full-size suitcase is a must.

[idratherbeinwdw]

tjkraz wrote:

Most airlines (at least the ones I\'ve flown) will permit one carryon bag and one \"personal item.\" I know for many women a purse would be the personal item. But for us guys, the laptop case qualifies.

I don\'t take a purse, but I do use a fanny pack. I don\'t know if that counts as a carry on but even if it didn\'t I\'d still worry about checking my laptop with bell services when I get to BWV. The way it is now I keep it in the carry on so it\'s not visible. I realize that bellman can go through my luggage, but I like to think that if I don\'t have it in-their-face-obvious that my laptop is safer. (I also like to think that no one at BWV bell services would steal it even if it WAS obvious, but the New Yorker in me is too jaded).

[mwehttam]

I used to always try to fly with just a carry on when possible. But now with the crazy things you need to do with your toiletries I just say forget it and check baggage now.

-Matt

[stimpy]

Wish I could answer this but I think I\'m the perfect candidate for overpackers anonymous :rolleye11:

We FINALLY have it down to 1 huge suitcase for the 4 of us for DVC trips.....forget anywhere else though. :rotfl2: Thank goodness for that washer/dryer! Anywhere else and it\'s atleast 2 suitcases.

Disney trips, we usually have 1 huge suitcase, 4 carryons stuffed & 2 \"personal\" items. I never carry a purse except on the plane...and it\'s a nice size one for all our personal items...meds, liquids allowed, travel docs, make-up, chargers for Ipods, DS games & DVD player, etc.

My theory is that some people are able to use carry-ons only because their dern carry ons are pretty much the size of regular luggage! They each have 1 and cram it into the overhead compartment, then they each have another carry-on/backpack filled that they cram under the seats. No one has really said anything in the past but I have noticed recently that both SW & Delta are starting to take a firmer stance on it.

[idratherbeinwdw]

stimpy wrote:


My theory is that some people are able to use carry-ons only because their dern carry ons are pretty much the size of regular luggage! They each have 1 and cram it into the overhead compartment, then they each have another carry-on/backpack filled that they cram under the seats. No one has really said anything in the past but I have noticed recently that both SW & Delta are starting to take a firmer stance on it.

I was pretty much thinking this too. And the rules confuse me--when jet Blue says \"To fit in the overhead bin, your item must not exceed:
for our Airbus A320: 26 inches (66 centimeters) length x 18 inches
(45.72 centimeters) width x 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) height\" do they count the wheels? I called to ask and the person on the phone said no. But just to be sure I took a ride to JFK and asked and I was told yes. My sister says the trick is not to ask, but I feel that\'s not right.

But for those of you who manage to legally get all your stuff into carryons for trips over 5 days: :worship: :worship: :worship:

[Stitch]

I always try to live out of carry on bags. I recently went to Denver for 5 days with just carry on. The fanny pack doesn\'t count, so feel free to bring a wheeled bag that fits in the overhead and another bag (laptop, purse, backpack, etc.) that fits under the seat in front of you.

I don\'t think I broke the 3 oz limit for fluids, but I didn\'t give it any thought and just sent the carry on through the xray machine and all seemed fine, no one questioned.

Tip for the overhead bag: I always seem to be in the last group to board. By this time most of the overhead space is filled. As you enter the plane, stick the bag in the first spot available as you go down the aisle, even if it\'s 6 rows in front of your seat. If you need it mid-flight it is easy to get to. If it is behind you, you cannot get back there to get it when you land. No one will let you back, so you end up being the last off. Which is still better than waiting for your lost bag to come off the carousel in LAX when you are in MCO.

You can do it Mar! go for it. It is very liberating!

[idratherbeinwdw]

Stitch wrote:

I always try to live out of carry on bags. I recently went to Denver for 5 days with just carry on. The fanny pack doesn\'t count, so feel free to bring a wheeled bag that fits in the overhead and another bag (laptop, purse, backpack, etc.) that fits under the seat in front of you.

I don\'t think I broke the 3 oz limit for fluids, but I didn\'t give it any thought and just sent the carry on through the xray machine and all seemed fine, no one questioned.

Tip for the overhead bag: I always seem to be in the last group to board. By this time most of the overhead space is filled. As you enter the plane, stick the bag in the first spot available as you go down the aisle, even if it\'s 6 rows in front of your seat. If you need it mid-flight it is easy to get to. If it is behind you, you cannot get back there to get it when you land. No one will let you back, so you end up being the last off. Which is still better than waiting for your lost bag to come off the carousel in LAX when you are in MCO.

You can do it Mar! go for it. It is very liberating!

I very much appreciate all this advice. Two questions:
1. If you bring a laptop where do you put it if you have to store the luggage if your room isn\'t ready? Do you think I am being overly paranoid about not wanting the laptop to be too obvious?

2. Does the bag in the overhead have to fit in with the top of the bag out, or can you put it in sideways? I wouldn\'t bring a full sized suitcase, but just how large can I get away with without it being unfair?

I appreciate you cheering me on TW! :)

[Stitch]

Mar,

1) I just give the laptop to the concierge / bag handler. It\'s insured, the info is backed up and you need a password to log on anyway. So, I gave up worrying about it, though the hassle if it did get stolen would still be huge.

2) Check the sizes again with the carrier and measure your bag. The flight attendants (and even sone other passangers) will shift the bag around to make room for others if need be. for the most part they go in wheels first so the handle is sticking out and easy to grab. Unfair? All\'s fair in airline travel. As long as the bag isn\'t too big they will let you carry it on. If they let you carry it on and you have trouble getting it in the overhead, they will simply stow it with the rest of the checked bags. If they do this, see if they will pull it off for you and have it waiting right where you get off the plane. This is fairly common. Sometimes they simply run out of room and start stowing bags in the cargo hold whether they are the right size or not.

You can do it!

[PoohsPal]

I always see people stick bags in sideays Mar\'.

Am I dreaming or can\'t you ask to have things put in teh safe? Maybe you could do that with your LT. Seems like they must deal with tehm all teh time, especially at BW.

[DBorges]

I fly Southwest or Jetblue..

I normally have 1 bag per person and 1 carry on as well..

I bring a portable dvd player and the kids bring there own electronics in there own carry on

And I carry on my Cannon s2is

I just weigh the damn bags so I do not have to pay extra for being over 50lbs

[idratherbeinwdw]

PoohsPal wrote:


Am I dreaming or can\'t you ask to have things put in teh safe? Maybe you could do that with your LT. Seems like they must deal with tehm all teh time, especially at BW.

I will ask Carrie, but last time I inquired about keeping a camera in the safe they said it was too large. I think they only keep smaller items in there, but it can\'t hurt to inquire! I think I can manage to put it in my carry on and keep it safe with a padding of foam rubber. The laptop case I have is too big so it takes up too much room.

Stitch thanks for the encouraging words. I am convinced! I will leave my pillow home and take just the carry on in 8 weeks. I\'ll let you all know if I felt deprived, hee hee. I managed 4 days with a carry on, I think I can manage 7 between having the washer dryer at BWV and of course, having the Owner\'s Locker.

I actually took out my packing list last night and tried to figure out what was a must and what I could forego. I really think this is going to work out well. Yay! (and if it doesn\'t I can always go back to lugging a bigger suitcase next trip. :goodvibes:

[PoohsPal]

Well, if it was too bug for your camera, then I can\'t imagine them letting you do an LT. At least I was not dreaiming. Thye do havea a safe. Just not a jumbo one. :P

[Stitch]

idratherbeinwdw wrote:

I think I can manage 7 between having the washer dryer at BWV and of course, having the Owner\'s Locker.

Washer / dryer! But of course, that wonderful DVC perk!

Heck, with those, you can go with the clothes on your back!

[idratherbeinwdw]

Stitch wrote:


Washer / dryer! But of course, that wonderful DVC perk!

Heck, with those, you can go with the clothes on your back!

I better wear clothes on all of me not just my back. I don\'t think they\'ll let me into the parks otherwise.
Rimshot!

But seriously folks..I have a sickness about wearing the \"right\" shirt to the \"right\" park. Whatever park I go to I will wear something that \"belongs\" in that park. i.e. a Haunted Mansion shirt for the MK, sorcerer Mickey shirt for DS--you get the picture. And for when I am at BWV I wear a DVC or BWV shirt.

This craziness has me changing 2-3 times a day, depending on my plans. I am going to go cold turkey this next trip and just wear one shirt per day. That will help lighten the load.

I think I can I think I can I think I can.....manage with just a carry on! :hyper: :rocker:

[Stitch]

Just get the logo for each tattooed on your body and go naked

[DBorges]

I think i will bring a fig leaf and and book and slip a 20 in my bum crack then i can do what the post says lol:silly1: :silly1: :silly1: :scared:

Just teasing you all :rotfl2: