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, but are always trying to stay on top of the latest Disney news and happenings, finding ways to travel inexpensively is a must. While Southwest is always our preferred airline, there are times when we just need a very quick trip and therefore a very cheap flight. This is where it pays off to know how to pack light.
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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. Yet again another reason why we love Southwest-2 checked bags and a carry-on are always included. When we find ourselves simply looking for an extremely cheap flight so we can take a quick trip down to Orlando, we basically know it’s going to be with a budget airline like Spirit or Frontier. 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?! Well we are going to tell you our favorite tips to pack light!
Packing Light How To’s
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. I use this one(different print but same style) and have for over 2 years and its always been the perfect size, no matter which airline I’m flying with. 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. Mix and match pieces for different outfits if you can, layer up before you get on the plane, but don’t 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. 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! I can usually fit 2-3 outfits in my backpack. 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 packed. Of course you may have a special dinner or beach time planned on this short trip that requires a dress or bathing suit or different shoes. The key is to bring items you can multipurpose.
So now that you have all of your outfits/clothes packed, it’s time to think about what else you will need during your short stay. When we are staying at a Walt Disney World hotel, we actually don’t bring shampoo, conditioner or body wash for quick trips. Walt Disney World resort rooms come with H2O products, either built into the shower for renovated rooms, or as travel size bottles.
Toiletries for Packing Light
If we are staying off property, we will usually bring something like this to keep it simple, or fill up our reusable TSA approved bottles.
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.
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 years and it’s been a huge lifesaver!
Leave Room for your Tech
Since we are always working on the road, bringing my laptop is a must. When I had to purchase a new laptop last year, I actually chose this one due to its size. Not only does it fit great in my backpack during these quick trips, it’s also the perfect size to use on flights.
Lastly, how can you go to Walt Disney World without ears?! Obviously, we can’t lug around 10 pairs of ears in a small backpack if we are trying to stick to light packing, so we try to narrow it down to a few pairs of versatile ears and then pack them in one of these to keep them safe. The benefit of using a backpack with a laptop compartment is that the ears can easily be stowed in that pocket to keep them safe and not interfere with the rest of the items being packed.
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!
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