Need some advice please...

bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
Hi everyone! I know everything about WDW it seems except for taking a flight. I know about DME, but I'm wondering what to pack, how to pack ( 2 adults 2 children), and any other bits of advice you may have for flying. June 9-14 is our trip. We usually drive ( 14 hours) but hubby wants to think about flying. We're getting too old for the drive! LOL.:eek: My hubby and I haven't flown since 1997 for our honeymoon to Hawaii, so that was pre 9-11!:eek: Not sure about the boys and DS gaming devices, and such. Any help is appreciated! Thanks everyone.;)
 
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mickey2008.1

mickey2008.1

Well-Known Member
We pack the family into to large rolling duffle bags. The heck with fancy suitcases. Get a nice duffle bag with lots of side pockets. Watch the weight to 50 lbs. Going in summer will be much easier to keep under the weight limit. Plus, you can pack an extra carry on bag in there for the ride home that will not cost $$$. As for taking down liquids and what not, just pack them into your check in bag wrapped in sealed clear bags. We dont take much anymore, as the resorts use H2O products, which are pretty good.. As for the kids, let them bring there games, tablets, ipods, what not. Plus kids no longer have to take there shoes off at security, a big plus.
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
bethymouse said:
Hi everyone! I know everything about WDW it seems except for taking a flight. I know about DME, but I'm wondering what to pack, how to pack ( 2 adults 2 children), and any other bits of advice you may have for flying. June 9-14 is our trip. We usually drive ( 14 hours) but hubby wants to think about flying. We're getting too old for the drive! LOL.:eek: My hubby and I haven't flown since 1997 for our honeymoon to Hawaii, so that was pre 9-11!:eek: Not sure about the boys and DS gaming devices, and such. Any help is appreciated! Thanks everyone.;)
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I totally understand! When we went in September, it was the first time flying using DME. And it was SO easy! When you get your Mickey Mail, you will get your yellow stickers for checked luggage. Place those tags on the items you are checking. Make sure that you don't need anything in the checked luggage bc you won't see it until it is in your room. SO - I pack in a carry on things like bathing suits, all my travel documents and gaming devices and camera, etc. Everything else, clothes, shoes, toiletries , etc go in the checked luggage.

Anything you need while there but don't need to bring back, you can ship. So if you have younger kids, you can ship to the resort things like snacks, diapers, wipes, etc. You won't need to bring these back so this saves you a checked piece of luggage.

As far as the logistics of flying and the new rules, as a general rule, don't take liquids. Pack all your toiletries in a checked luggage. If you need something then make sure it is travel size in a clear zip lock. As for laptops and computers and gaming devices, you can bring them all, you just need to turn them on as you go through security. As for carry ons, they just have to fit the permitted carry on size for your airline and that is available on the airline website.

A tip, this helps for souvenirs and laundry. Pack in a checked bag a duffel bag. Put all of your laundry in there and then check it on the way home. This way, your checked luggage now can hold the souvenirs you buy.
 
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UPbeekeeper

UPbeekeeper

Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if this is the type of info you are looking for, but I will throw in my 2 cents. If you are making the flight arrangements yourself (not through a travel agent), use a comparison website like kayak.com. You can compare all of the airline prices at one time, rather than going through each site individually. After I find the price I want, I usually just go directly to that airline's website to snoop around to be sure I've got THE BEST price and then book my flight.

As far as packing, I have found when in doubt as to whether or not an item is ok to put into your carry on luggage, I just throw it in my checked bag (unless it's an expensive item you don't want out of your sight). Less hassle, less worries.

Definitely bring things to keep the kids busy. The part I hate the most about traveling is all the waiting around. It's frustrating as an adult, so I'm sure it must seem like an eternity for a kid. Keep them busy and happy, and it will help you stay happier.

So excited for you! Enjoy your trip!!!
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
FYI - Air Tran was acquired by Southwest, so if you attempt to book on Air Tran, it may route you over to the Southwest website. The baggage policies, etc. are spelled out there.

As far as packing, my advice is to pack light! Don't pack more clothes than you absolutely need. There's virtually nothing (other than prescription drugs and ID) that you can't wash, reuse, borrow or buy at Disney World if you need to. Last time, we packed two 21" carryons of clothes (for the FOUR of us for 6 days - daughter and me in one bag, son and husband in the other) and 1 21" duffle of breakfast foods, snacks, chargers, toiletries and all other miscellaneous items. Even with that, we STILL each had a couple of clothing items we didn't wear, snacks we didn't eat, etc. On the way home, souvenirs went in the duffle (which had space vacated by the cereal, snacks, used sample-size toiletries, etc.). I had my purse, and DH and the kids had backpacks for the plane. We flew JetBlue (which has TVs), so the kids had headphones, and "care packages" containing a new book, color wonder books w/markers, and non-liquid, non-gel snacks like licorice, gummies, etc.

Also, I'm addicted to the ebags packing cubes, which allow me to sort and pack family members' clothes in color-coded cubes which can be unpacked simply by unzipping them and placing them in a drawer.
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
bethymouse said:
How does everyone know that I'm a large woman! LOL. I hope I fit into 1 seat. When we went to Hawaii, I barely fit, but I was also 50 pounds heavier.:(
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I didn't know if you'd fit into a seat or not, lol. I also don't know if you have dry skin. I just mentioned stuff that has changed and my own tips. :)

If you fit before and have lost 50 pounds (Wow! Congrats!), I'm sure you'll fit fine now.

With all the security rules and crap and the high cost of flying, I tend to prefer a drive when I'm not making it alone. :) When I travel alone, I prefer to fly. Long drives are kind of lonely.
 
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G00fyDad

G00fyDad

Well-Known Member
Twhitty said:
However you pack, make sure you leave room for the souvenirs you will bring back with you. You don't want to buy an extra suitcase just to get your items home.
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We usually pack the smaller suitcase and then place it inside of the larger one and pack stuff around that. That way we pay for one piece of luggage there, and then two on the way back. Not two both ways.
 
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D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
bethymouse said:
Hi everyone! I know everything about WDW it seems except for taking a flight. I know about DME, but I'm wondering what to pack, how to pack ( 2 adults 2 children), and any other bits of advice you may have for flying. June 9-14 is our trip. We usually drive ( 14 hours) but hubby wants to think about flying. We're getting too old for the drive! LOL.:eek: My hubby and I haven't flown since 1997 for our honeymoon to Hawaii, so that was pre 9-11!:eek: Not sure about the boys and DS gaming devices, and such. Any help is appreciated! Thanks everyone.;)
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Beth we drove from NJ for years then decided to fly when DS got older. Look into Southwest Airlines though. Each person flying gets one bag 50 lbs or less, free, a carryon and a personal item (me briefcases or women's purses) ALL free (and they dont charge you if you change your flight dates)
You cant pack any liquid over 3 ozs in your carry on, so pack any liquids or gels or even beverages (like a btl of wine ;) ) in your checked bagage.
You can pack Ipods, Itouchs, DS's, laptops, in your checked luggage. Most airlines now have wifi available. (I think Southwest charges $5) and also, for drinks (soda and water is free on Southwest) you need a credit card. Airlines dont accept cash on board.
Arrive at the airport about 2 hours before your flight is about to leave. Gee, can you tell DH works for Homeland Security?!?!!? LOL If I can be of any help, let me know :)
 
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Mawg

Mawg

Well-Known Member
DisneyDebNJ said:
Beth we drove from NJ for years then decided to fly when DS got older. Look into Southwest Airlines though. Each person flying gets one bag 50 lbs or less, free, a carryon and a personal item (me briefcases or women's purses) ALL free (and they dont charge you if you change your flight dates)
You cant pack any liquid over 3 ozs in your carry on, so pack any liquids or gels or even beverages (like a btl of wine ;) ) in your checked bagage.
You can pack Ipods, Itouchs, DS's, laptops, in your checked luggage. Most airlines now have wifi available. (I think Southwest charges $5) and also, for drinks (soda and water is free on Southwest) you need a credit card. Airlines dont accept cash on board.
Arrive at the airport about 2 hours before your flight is about to leave. Gee, can you tell DH works for Homeland Security?!?!!? LOL If I can be of any help, let me know :)
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Southwest allows TWO checked bags (under 50lbs each) per person free. Plus one stroller and one child seat per person in addition to the 2 bag per person allowance.
 
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D

DisneyDebNJ

Well-Known Member
burks said:
This past summer my family of 4 went on a 3 week vacation with 7 checked bags, 2 child seats, 1 stroller (10 check items) and 4 or 5 carry-ons all free with Southwest! Southwest quickly becomes the cheaper airline for long vacations with lots of baggage.
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I know, right?!! LOVE Southwest!! Used to fly out of ACY, since the airport is 7 miles from my house and Spirit was our only option. Even driving to Phila, staying overnight at the Marriot when flying Southwest, we STILL save money!!! Not to mention, Southwest has some of the nicest people on their staff.
 
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