If you follow us on Instagram, then you probably know by now that we love a good travel hack. Since we aren’t Florida locals, we’re always trying to stay on top of the latest Disney news and happenings. Finding ways to travel inexpensively is a must. And with airline companies charging way too much for baggage, checked and carry-on, we decided it was time to share our best tips on how to Pack Light for a Disney Vacation.
This post includes affiliate links to help fund our Disney travel and coffee addiction; which we share with you weekly. As an Amazon Associate, and affiliate publisher we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases and will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking the links.
Pack Light and Avoid Baggage Fees
Many airlines nowadays charge for bags. Every airline is different, though, and while some may only charge for checked bags, others charge for everything. When we find ourselves simply looking for an extremely cheap flight so we can take a quick trip down to Orlando, we need it to be cheap. Usually, if we are just headed down to Walt Disney World for a couple of days, we can pack everything in our “personal item” and avoid paying those annoying baggage fees. So how do we do this exactly? Here are some tips on how to Pack Light for a Disney Vacation.
How Big is your Carry On Bag?
First, it’s important to know just how big your personal item can be. The exact measurements will vary by airline, but usually, if it fits under the seat, it’s the right size. Generally, a great backpack will work. It’s perfect for trips like these because, with separate pockets, it definitely helps things stay organized when they’re crammed into a small space.
Where Are You Going and What Do You Need?
Next, figure out exactly how much you need to bring. This is not the time to overpack. If you’re only going to be gone for a few days, you can easily get all of your things in a simple backpack if you’re smart about it.
Packing Tips for Clothes
Wear your layers on the plane: Mix and match pieces for different outfits if you can, layer up before you get on the plane, but don’t overpack.
Roll Your Clothes: Also, we have found that *generally* the rolling method works best for packing clothes in tight spaces but sometimes you’re better off folding rather than rolling. So when people ask me about this, I always say try both ways and see what works best for your specific item! We can usually fit 2-3 outfits in a backpack.
Just One Pair of Shoes: I tend to stick to just one pair of shoes for these kinds of trips, so I usually pick my most comfortable and versatile shoes and wear them on the plane so no shoes need to be packed. Of course, you may have a special dinner or beach time planned on this short trip that requires a dress bathing suit, or different shoes.
Choose Multipurpose Clothes: The key is to bring items you can multipurpose. A pair of beach pants can be great for a day in the parks, or a nice dinner. The same goes for a jean skirt or tailored shorts. Athleisure wear is great for a park day, as well as the gym, and traveling on the plane.
Packing Tips for Toiletries
Reusable Toiletry Bottles. When we are staying at a Disney Resort we actually don’t bring shampoo, conditioner or body wash for quick trips. Walt Disney World resort rooms come with those toiletries and help us save space in our carry-on. If we are Staying off-property at Disney World, we usually bring reusable TSA-approved bottles. This keeps things easy and cheap!
Florida Friendly Makeup. Outside of those things, we always bring sunscreen, hairspray, and our beauty necessities, which we keep simple. Many people get tripped up by what you can and cannot bring through airport security. If you get confused, you can see the list here but remember that most travel-size items are actually much smaller than what you can bring in. Most “travel-sized” items are well under 3 oz. so most of the time, we don’t need to buy anything extra for our trip; we just use what we already have.
Multipurpose Hair Tools. Not going to lie here, but I have to use heat on my hair in Florida or I will have a lion’s mane that only Simba could be jealous of. The humidity does not agree with my hair, so to tame it down, I actually bring a 2-in-1 curling iron/straightener. This not only fits in my bag perfectly but also works perfectly on my hair. I’ve been using this one for the last couple of years and it’s been a huge lifesaver!
Leave Room for your Tech
Since we are always working on the road, bringing a laptop is a must. In addition to that, you’ll want a battery pack or fuel rod, earbuds, and phone charger. Check out the most important things to bring on our Disney Packing List.
How to Pack Less
So there you have it, how we pack for a light trip! It’s not for everyone, but do you really want to pay $60 for luggage when you’re only traveling for a few days? We didn’t think so. Do you have any tips for packing light? Let us know, we’d love to try them!
Melanie Renee is a photographer, writer, designer and mom. Visiting Disney destinations since 2010, she is also an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. When she's not creating her next coffee recipe, or designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's seeking beautiful sunsets and planning her next trip .
You must be logged in to post a comment.