So, you finally took the plunge and bought tickets to go on a Disney Vacation! Now you are scratching your head and wondering what to pack. Don’t worry! I have the best list of What to Pack in a Carry On to save you some stress and get you ready to go.
What to Pack in a Carry On
Bringing a carry-on is vital when traveling. Just in case your other checked luggage gets lost, you are going to need some basic necessities for your trip. Check with the airline you are taking to get the details on how big the carry-on can be and pick your bag. Once you have the bag, it’s time to start filling it up with the basics. Let’s get started.
Bathing Suits
One thing about Disney Vacations is that you can almost guarantee you are going to want a bathing suit. Whether you feel like swimming at your resort or you are taking a cruise, you are going to want a swimming suit. The great thing is that they don’t take up too much space, either.
Clothing
It might seem like a no-brainer, but having an extra outfit or two is so important. You never know if something is going to get spilled on you or if something is going to happen and get your clothes dirty. If you don’t have a change of clothes for everyone in the family, you may find yourself shopping for higher-priced Disney clothing you wouldn’t normally buy.
Electronics
In today’s world, we can barely live without electronics. I recommend having a tablet for the kids, headphones, and most importantly, chargers. There is nothing more frustrating than being on vacation, and your phone dies, and you have to go buy a new charger.
If you are using a camera besides what’s on your phone, you will need that as well. Don’t forget the batteries for your camera as well as an extra memory card or two. If you are going out of the country, you may need a voltage adapter too.
Toiletries
Any toiletry needs to be in a container that isn’t any bigger than 3.4 ounces, and you need to keep it in a clear quart-sized plastic bag. Consider these items:
- Contact Solution
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash or Soap
- Deodorant
- Feminine Products
- Sunblock
- Hand Sanitizer
- Lotions
- Lip Balm
- Make-up
- Wipes for cleaning face or body
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
Medications
Whether you are on daily medication or just want to have some on hand, you should always keep it in your carry-on. Pain relievers, motion sickness medication, bandages, and basic first-aid items will always come in handy. Naturally, make sure to have plenty of your prescription meds and any other medicines you may need. It’s a good idea to keep a list of medications and when they need to be taken for prescriptions as well. In case of an emergency, you never know who may need to have access to the list.
Entertainment
It doesn’t matter if you are bringing kids on the trip or it’s just yourself; you need some form of entertainment. Books, magazines, small toys to keep the kids happy, computer, and anything else you think would be good to keep all of you entertained.
Must-Haves
There are many things you need that are essential for your trip. They include your insurance cards, passport if traveling out of the country, driver’s license, emergency contact information, credit card phone numbers, your wallet, cell phone, and of course, all the tickets!!
If you are planning on sleeping on the plane, you will want earplugs as well as an eye mask and a small pillow. Plus, you never want to travel without some cash on hand. I know most of us prefer cards for purchases, but in case you lose your card, having cash can get you by if needed. Just keep it in a safe place so others can’t access it easily.
Bring your itinerary, maps, and any other documents that are important in your carry-on. You never know when you might need to access it. I recommend printing off extras of your reservations and other information in case they get lost.
Snacks
Trust me; everyone is bound to get hungry once you get settled into your seats. Yes, the airline will offer some snacks, but it’s best to keep on hand what you know everyone likes. Crackers, gummies, candy, dried fruits, granola bars, beef jerky, cookies, and trail mix are just a few ideas.
Miscellaneous
Don’t forget those little extra things you may not be thinking about. Gum for when your ears start popping or when you want to freshen your breath is a must. Your hairbrush, keys, an empty water bottle that you can fill up before the flight, and a purse to carry your basics are a few ideas.
Organizing Your Carry On
Okay, now you know what to pack, but how in the world are you going to fit it all in your bag? Don’t worry, most luggage is made to keep you organized as well. I know I mentioned it earlier, but it’s vital to verify the luggage sizes that are allowed as a carry-on with the airline.
Pick a piece of luggage that has different pockets and dividers. Having luggage that has those items built-in will help you keep everything orderly without even trying too hard.
Use a clear quart-sized bag for your toiletries, so you follow the airline rules. Then grab some packing cubes for everything else. Put clothing in one, medications, and entertainment in their own cube. Then you can easily grab out what you need without too many issues. Most cubes have see-through pockets that make it easy to see what’s inside.
Using a hanging bag for toiletries is also very helpful. This is a great benefit when you arrive at your hotel room as well. Then you can hang it up and easily access everything: store toothbrushes, razor blades, feminine products, hairbrushes, and extra contacts in there. Don’t put anything with liquid in this bag because all liquid needs to be in the clear bag.
I’m so excited for you to take your vacation! Now that you know what to pack in a carry-on, you can easily pack without too much stress.