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What to Pack (and What Not to) |
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Practical Packing
Packing for a family vacation can be quite a challenge, and the larger your family, the larger the challenge. Before you decide what to bring along, you need to consider how you’ll be traveling, the weather, your destination (whether it’s the beach, the theme parks, or both), how long you’ll be there, and what you will be doing while you’re there. Take a quick breath because you now have to pack everything into the allotted number of suitcases of the proper size and weight. Good luck, right? Well, don’t get too  discouraged - it is not as difficult as you may think. If you follow a few simple suggestions, packing up your family can become much simpler.
Make a detailed list of all necessary items for each and every family member. If you havea home computer, print the lists out and check them off as you pack them. While you’re bound to forget some things, this should help keep it to a minimum. Put aside some of the clothes you want to bring a week or so ahead of time so you won’t have to go on a last-minute laundry binge just before you’re due to depart.
Get out your luggage, check its measurements, and weigh it (the bathroom scale will do nicely for this) - then be sure to weigh it again once it’s packed. The last thing anyone wants is to have to repack their luggage in the middle of the airport terminal--or worse, to pay those ridiculously exorbitant fees for exceeding size and weight restrictions.
Make sure any previous airline or other travel tags have been removed and that a clearly labeled name and address tag is securely attached. Another tag securely attached to the inside of your luggage wouldn’t hurt either.
Pack as light as is possible. It’s far easier to throw a load of laundry in once or twice while you’re vacationing than to drag all the extra pounds with you through the airports, in and out of cars or shuttles, and all the way to your hotel room. However, if you don’t really relish the thought of doing laundry when you’re on vacation, be sure to pack enough clothes for the entire trip, throwing in a few extra items for any unexpected incidents or accidents.
Pack an extra empty bag inside of your luggage. You will inevitably come home with far more than you left with, especially when you’re traveling with children. Unless you have left plenty of extra room in your luggage (a challenge I’ll bet most can’t meet), it’s likely that you won’t have nearly enough space to accommodate all of the newly acquired souvenirs. You can easily prevent having to pay those hefty fees for overstuffed and overweight luggage by planning ahead. You could of course always buy another suitcase while you’re there - you wouldn’t be the first to have to do it - but it’s an additional expense that’s not only unnecessary but preventable.
Another option would be to have your items packed up and sent home via the U.S. Postage Service, UPS, Fed Ex, or other carrier. Keep in mind that mailing your souvenirs can be costly, but the advantage is that you won't have to lug everything with you. |
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Checklists for Everyone in the Family
Making Your List and Checking It Twice Below you will find several checklists for packing up every member of the family. You can of course adjust these lists to accommodate your own personal preferences, but having some simple guidelines to follow will at least get you started.
Packing for Infants and Toddlers
The Gear
-Infant car seat, toddler car seat, or a booster seat (Boosters are not approved for use on the airlines and will have to be checked with the luggage.)
-Stroller
-Portable crib
-Soft infant carrier, a hip carrier for toddlers, or a baby backpack
-Safety equipment (nightlights, outlet covers)
-Diaper bag
-Small travel-size collapsible (soft-sided) cooler and mini freeze pack(s)
-Portable gate
-Portable bedrail
-Nonslip mat for inside the bathtub
-Waterproof pad for the crib or bed
On the Go with all this Gear
When checking this list, consider that some of the larger items such as portable cribs and bedrails may be available at your hotel or resort, while items such as car seats may be available through the car-rental agencies. Strollers also may be available at some of larger attractions though generally not at any of the smaller attractions. You’ll need to decide which of these items you want to bring yourself and which, if any, you will make arrangements for at your destination. Information regarding what type of gear is available at area hotels, car-rental agencies, and theme parks can be found in the accommodations, car-rental, and parks pages throughout this site. It is always best to check directly with your hotel, car-rental agency, or the theme parks themselves (via the various Web sites or by telephone) to ensure that the information is still accurate and upto- date.
If you are traveling by plane, be aware of any baggage restrictions, including size, weight, and the number of checked and carry-on pieces allowed per ticketed passenger.
This also applies when traveling by train or bus. If you’re traveling by car however, your only restriction is the size of your car.
Don’t feel like Bringing it All With You?
Baby’s Away is a company that specializes in renting baby gear to vacationing families.
They rent everything from strollers (even joggers), cribs, and car seats, to high chairs, Exersaucers, and baby swings. They even have items such as rocking chairs, bouncy seats, gates and monitors, toddler beds, bed rails, backpacks, and more. The equipment is thoroughly cleaned and inspected for safety purposes prior to each rental. The company will both deliver to and pick up the equipment from your hotel, making the entire process as convenient as possible. They have locations in Orlando, Melbourne (serving the Cocoa Beach area), and Tampa/St. Pete (serving the Clearwater, Tampa, and St, Pete area) with additional locations throughout the United States.
For additional information, visit their Web site at www.babysaway.com or call their locations directly:
-Orlando: 888-923-9030 or 407-932-0189
-Melbourne: 800-509-9918 or 321-722-9918
-Tampa: 800-252-0254 or 813-933-0035
Feeding Toddlers and Infants
-Bottles, sippy cups, baby spoons, a small plastic bowl with a lid
-Formula
-Baby food
-Nipple cage (if you have access to a dishwasher)
-Bottle brush
-Bibs
-Pacifiers and teething toys
Packing Light
Don’t try to pack all of the diapers and baby food that you’ll need to get through your entire vacation. It is far easier, and most certainly lighter, to pack only 2 or 3 days’ worth of infant and toddler essentials. Packing for 2 or 3 days will more than allow for any unexpected delays you encounter while traveling to your destination. It will also allow you a bit of extra time before you have to shop for the remainder of your supplies.
There are an abundance of grocers, pharmacies, and convenience stores scattered throughout the tourist districts. You’ll have no trouble stocking up on any of the essentials, not to mention any items that you’ve found that you’ve forgotten. While many hotels and resorts now carry infant-related items such as diapers and certain medications, selections are often extremely limited and prices are at a premium. Only head to the shops at the hotels if you’re in desperate and immediate need of something, then head to the local grocer or pharmacy to stock up on supplies.
Changing Needs
-Changing pad
-Diapers, Pull ups, Goodnights, or training pants
-Baby wipes
-Ointments, powders, or creams for rashes (Even if your kids aren’t usually susceptible, the heat and humidity may take its toll.)
-Zipper-style plastic bags to store clean wipes or to dispose of dirty diapers when there’s no garbage can nearby
-Antibacterial wipes (different from baby wipes) or hand sanitizer for cleaning hands when there’s no sink nearby for washing
The Diaper Bag
This is a great list to follow for a day at the parks too!
-Changing pad. You never know where you’ll have to change your child,
-Enough diapers and wipes to last about 12 hours, and include plenty of extra wipes, which are extremely useful for a multitude of purposes.
-Formula (packets or cans) to last about 12 hours. If you’re using powdered formula, bring along some bottled water to mix it with.
-Bottles and sippy cups (enough to last around 12 hours)
-Pacifiers. Bring several since they often seem to end up flying through the air and landing in places that render them useless until they can be properly washed.
-Blankets. Though Florida is warm, sometimes downright hot, little ones still need and appreciate the security of their blankets. They can also shade small children from the sun when they’re sitting or napping in their stroller.
-A change of clothes and a bathing suit. There are water play areas and rides that soak you to the bone almost everywhere you go. It’s easier to be prepared for accidents than to find yourself scrambling to find and buy dry ones.
-A sweater or sweatshirt for cooler evenings or a chilly restaurant
-Hand sanitizer. There’s not always a sink around when you need it.
-Band-Aids. Bring plenty of them in every shape and size, along with spray or ointment medications for cuts and scrapes
-A hat
-Snacks and drinks
-Water bottles. Bring at least one for everybody. This is really only necessary for a day at the parks unless you need the water to make formula while you’re traveling. Purchasing water at the parks can be ridiculously expensive.
The general rule to follow when packing is to pack enough supplies to last about 12
hours. This will allow for any unexpected changes in your schedule, long days at the
parks, or any unexpected delays when you’re traveling. It’s far better to be prepared with
a few extra items on hand than to be caught short when you’re traveling with infants and
toddlers.
The Emergency Bag
I have always carried a small zipper bag filled with Bandages, ointments (whether travel packets or small tubes) for scrapes and cuts, infant and children’s fever and pain medication, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, and stain wipes and stainstick-pens for those inevitable spills and stains on clothing. It’s been absolutely invaluable over the years. Kids will inevitably take a tumble at some point, and it’s definitely better to be prepared. While many of the parks have first-aid stations, the likelihood that you’ll be directly in front of one when your child takes a spill is infinitesimal. It’s far more likely that you’ll be clear across the park and as far from the first-aid station as you can be when someone skins their knees or scrapes their elbows. Having everything handy in a small pouch or bag inside your purse, backpack, or diaper bag allows for quick access in case of emergencies. A toddler with bloodied knees certainly won’t stand by quietly waiting for you to dig to the bottom of your bag to find the Bandages.
For Kids of All Ages (and Even the Adults)
The following lists are good for kids of all ages, though certain items may be more appropriate for younger kids and others better for older ones.
Medications, First Aid, and Miscellaneous
-Infant/children’s fever and pain reliever (Junior-. or adult-strength may be more appropriate depending on their age)
-Any prescription medications or scripts you may need to fill
-Teething medication
-Antibiotic cream, ointments, or sprays for the inevitable cuts and scrapes
-Rash creams or powders
-Band-Aids in a variety of size; include a few of the waterproof type.
-Sunscreen (preferably a SPF of 50 for infants and toddlers). Be sure to check with your pediatrician regarding what to use for children under 1 year old.
-Sunburn-relieving cream or spray
-Allergy and/or cough medicine
-Upset stomach medication
-Eye drops
-Contact lens supplies
-Bug repellent. Be sure to check with your pediatrician regarding age restrictions and ingredients to avoid.
-Vitamins
-Thermometer
-Nightlight (or two)
-Waterproof pad for the crib or bed
The Clothing List
You may think this silly or even unnecessary, but I can’t tell you how many times something has been left behind or forgotten. Even something as basic as a pair of pajamas has at times remained neatly folded (okay maybe not so neatly)in the dresser drawers instead of landing in the suitcase simply because of all the activity associated with getting ready to go.
Clothes for both day and evenings
-Underwear - enough for the entire trip + 2 extra pairs unless you plan to do laundry
-Socks--enough for a pair a day + 2 extra pairs
-Pajamas
-Short- and long-sleeve shirts
-Shorts
-Pants
-Sundresses or skirts
-Swimsuits. This is plural for a reason.
-Goggles, floats, and swim diapers
-Sweatshirts, jackets, or sweaters Air-conditioning makes these a necessity year- round, and buying new ones can make for a rather expensive and unnecessary expense.
-Jewelry or hair accessories
-Sunglasses
-Sun hats (especially important for infants and toddlers)
-Sandals, sneakers, shoes, water shoes
-Rain gear
-Travel-size laundry detergent for in-room hand washing
-Empty garbage bags for bringing your wet or dirty laundry home
Personal Care Items
Keep mind that many of these items now must be packed in your checked luggage not in your carry-on bags if you are traveling by plane
-Toothbrush and toothpaste
-Comb and or brush
-Hair dryer. Most hotels and resorts now have them in the bathrooms, so be sure to check the resort listings before bringing one along.
-Feminine products
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The Carry-On
If you’re flying the friendly skies to reach your vacation destination, bringing a carry-on can be a real life saver. Keep in mind however, that you need to pack it with items you need, not just whatever’s left over after stuffing the suitcases until they resemble giant marshmallows.
The following are items that should be included:
*Keep mind that many items, once allowed in carry-on bags, must now be packed in your checked luggage when you’re traveling by plane. The following list of prohibited items was issued just this August:
- a change of clothing for all members of the family in case your suitcase is delayed or lost . Now you’re probably thinking…how on Earth can I pack a spare set of clothes for everyone in the family (especially if your family is the size of mine –I have five children)? Well, to be perfectly honest you probably can’t, however keep in mind that everyone with a paid ticket is allowed 1 carry on and at it’s likely that your family could bring along at least 2, possibly more, carry-on bags between you. Simply pack the basics if you have limited space or a larger family – keeping in mind a clean pair of socks, change of undergarments, and a clean shirt per person will at least get you off to a good start if your luggage is vacationing in a destination other than yours.
- any prescription or even over-the-counter medications that you may need before you could get to a pharmacy to replace them
- a toothbrush, (the travel size toothpaste will have to be packed in you checked luggage), a hairbrush or comb, and other personal care items that may be necessary should you find yourselves without your luggage (again, be sure to check the TSA website for the most up to date information regarding what is allowed – along with what isn’t with regard to personal care items)
- a few spare diapers, bottles, and other necessary baby care items (unless you already have a diaper bag packed with these items of course)
Safety in Numbers
You may want to consider dressing the kids (or even the entire family) in matching colors or coordinated clothing as an added safety measure. It is much easier to spot your kids (or for them to spot you) if you are all dressed alike.
You can even have your own screen print created just for the occasion. Check out www.ALROSS.com or call 716-825-8358; they’ll print t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more. Even though they’re located in upstate New York (my stomping grounds), they’ll happily create the artwork and then e-mail or snail mail it to you for your approval.
They’ll ship your order no matter where you live. Just be sure if you plan to do this that you allow at least a month (though 2 would probably be better) since the entire process usually takes up to 3 or 4 weeks. Soggy Shoes Mean Big Blisters
Make sure any footwear you bring along is comfortable and fits properly. Don’t be tempted to take a pair of brand-new shoes or sneakers that haven’t been worn for at least a week. Blisters will make your children (and you, in turn) absolutely miserable given the amount of the walking they’ll be doing.
Additionally, the parks are filled with entire play areas solely devoted to getting everyone who enters completely wet, not to mention that many of the rides these days can give you a pretty good soaking. Walking around for any amount of time, even just a few minutes, in soggy wet sneakers or shoes (whether they fit properly or not) practically ensures that you’ll have blisters by day’s end.
Bringing along a spare pair or wearing a pair of quick-drying water shoes could very well save the day (I know it will save your feet).
The Wind-Chill Factor
Check the weather forecast a few days before departing to get an idea of what you are in for while you’re there. Evenings can be considerably cooler during certain times of the year, and the air-conditioning can be brutal at any time of year. Winter (especially January and early February) is by far the most unpredictable time with regard to the temperature. You may be wearing a bikini one day and sporting a jacket and even mittens the next. A sweater or sweatshirt is a must no matter what time of year you vacation in Florida. The weather channel (www.weatherchannel.com) is one of the most reliable resources for such information.
Entertainment and Comfort
-A favorite blanket
-A favorite small toy, book, or stuffed animal
-New coloring book and crayons
-A personal entertainment system such as a portable CD player, DVD player, radio or hand-held electronic game
-Other travel games
-Favorite or new videos or DVDs
Keep In Mind that…
Kids will take more ownership for their gear if they can pack their own carry on travel bag. A small rolling duffle or rolling backpack will hold a few of their favorite games or toys and is much easier to handle than a bag they’ll have to carry.
The Backpack
Also a great list to follow for a day at the parks.
-A sweater, sweatshirt, or jacket
-Hand sanitizer
-Band-Aids and medications for cuts and scrapes
-Hat for the sun
-Snacks, drinks
-Water bottles for everybody (only for the parks). They can easily be refilled at any water fountain and are much less expensive than purchasing water at the parks. If you’re able to freeze them the night before, they’ll stay refreshingly cold for a good part of the day.
The Suitcase (or suitcases)
While most of us find ourselves having to pick and choose a select few favorites from everything we would like to pack (given that suitcase allowances these days are ridiculously restrictive) the following few helpful hints will ensure what you can bring survives the tip in tack;
- To keep the wrinkles to a minimum you can fold your clothes with tissue paper (and if you’re really adamant about avoiding wrinkles, place each item in a plastic bag), or you can simply roll your clothing instead of folding them – this will save space too
- don’t overstuff the suitcase – not only will you likely find yourself having to pay some rather hefty fees for exceeding the weight limits but your clothing will look like it’s been sitting in the bottom of the laundry basket for a month having pressed it so tightly together (your suit case acting more like an iron than a bag) by the time you arrive.
-Lay all of the clothing you would like to take out (by outfit so you don’t find yourself minus a top or bottom when you’re getting dressed) on your bed. Count up the number of days you’ll be on your vacation and (a) if you have no intention of doing laundry pick out a complete outfit for each day and a complete outfit for at least half of the evenings (b) if you are willing to head to the hotel laundry room (or lucky enough to have facilities right in your room) cut the number of outfits your bringing along by half. Many times I find that I over packed (even though I know I’ll be doing laundry every now and then throughout the vacation). Don’t drag along the extra pounds of clothing if you don’t actually plan on wearing it all. Also keep in mind what you’ll be doing while you’re on your vacation – there’s no sense packing clothing that’s inappropriate either.
Here are a few hints to help;
-If you’re headed to the theme parks (or any of the areas major attractions really) shorts, t-shirts (or a polo shirt), and sneakers are the norm – even at the park restaurants -A bathing suit (or 2) for swimming at the hotel pool or playing in the water play areas at the parks are a must for everyone in the family
-For the evenings (taking into account where you’ll be going) you’ll likely require a sweater or jacket (the restaurants air conditioning is brutally cold at times), and if you intend on heading to at least 1 nice restaurant during your stay an appropriate outfit will be necessary too -Bring along extra socks and undergarments – you’ll likely find yourself changing these items more than once a day given Florida’s high humidity
-While I don’t advocate over-packing, a spare pair of sneakers or sandals may very well come in handy should the first pair get wet (keeping in mind that Florida is well known for some rather pesky afternoon thunderstorms not to mention that there are numerous water play areas and water rides throughout the parks)
-Pack plastic bags (both small zip-style ones and larger garbage bags) for dirty laundry, wet clothing, bathing suits, or wet footwear
-Pack a spare suitcase or large duffle bag inside your suitcase – I’ve found that packing to go home if far more of a challenge than packing the first time around (especially when having to deal with dirty laundry, souvenirs, and a generally less enthusiastic attitude towards the entire process)
-Pack your shampoo, toothpaste, perfume, hairspray (any hair care item really), or any item that if it were to spill would ruin your clothing, in either a sealed plastic bag or preferably a small sealable container (this of course is only applicable if you choose to bring these items along rather than purchasing them at a grocery store upon arrival) though when flying it may be worth the extra effort to run over to the local grocer and purchase a $2 bottle of shampoo (that will last the week and then some) rather than run the risk of anything spilling all over the contents of your suitcase
Other Items for Mom and Dad to Bring Along
The following lists are good for the adults as well as kids, though adults may need to tailor the assortment.
-Walkie-talkies (or 2-way radios). Great for communicating with each other in and around the parks.
-Cell phones
-Camera, film, and necessary accessories like an extra memory chip for digital cameras, batteries, a charger, or any other camera equipment.
-Beach gear (if you are headed to the ocean), including chairs, toys, floats, boogie boards or surf boards, and goggles. Many of these items are really only practical to bring along if you’re traveling by car, but if you’re flying to Florida, some of the smaller items should easily fit in your suitcase. If your little dudes really want to ride the waves, consider buying a boogie board right at the beach. There’s nowhere better that the Ron Jon Surf Shop (with locations in Cocoa Beach and Orlando). You can always have it shipped home when the vacation’s over.
-Backpack or fanny pack to carry everything in at the parks.
-Comfortable shoes or sneakers (more than just one pair), making sure that they are broken in so as not to give you blisters from all of the walking that you and your family will be doing. Also keep in mind that sandals (unless they are Teva style sandals that fit securely and are specifically made for trekking about through all types of terrain), flip flops, and mules are not really great choices for a day at the parks. They can easily fall off on the rides, not to mention that they can be difficult to walk in. Open-toed sandals or shoes aren’t a great choice either (and most certainly not for kids) as they leave toes exposed and unprotected, though if you must, wear a pair that are rugged and secure (Teva -style as I mentioned above).
-Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and lightweight long-sleeved or long-legged clothing to protect from the Florida sunshine.
-An empty bag (a small soft-sided suitcase or duffle bag that you can pack right along in your luggage works great) for all of the little extras you’ll inevitably be bringing home with you. And for those of you that think this is silliness – think again. If you’ve packed light and have plenty of room to spare, you’re either exceptionally organized, or you’ve likely forgotten something (maybe a lot of things - did you use your lists?).
If you’re like most people, though, your luggage is more likely to be bursting at the seams before you’ve even left home. Having a spare bag for the your newly acquired souvenirs along with the clothes that for some reason never seem to fit in the suitcase the way they did for the trip down can be a lifesaver. It also allows you to evenly distribute all your stuff so you won’t find yourself having to pay any of those nasty and ridiculously expensive overweight luggage fees (if you’re traveling by plane).
If All Else Fails, Don’t Forget Sweaters and Rain Gear
It is always best not to overpack, but sweaters and rain gear are absolute essentials for your central Florida vacation. Temperatures can vary a great deal at any time of year, andair-conditioning often keeps Florida restaurants chilly. And if you’re vacationing inFlorida for more than just a few days, it’s more than likely that you’ll get caught in the rain at some point. Florida is well known for its brief, drenching, afternoon downpours.
Though rain gear is readily available at most of the major attractions, it can get expensive to outfit the entire family. You’ll be far dryer in the end having brought along your own gear than standing in a long line with the hundreds of the other people who were caught unprepared for the inclement weather.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to have to pack the extra gear, buying the rain gear at the parks is always an option. The ponchos come in 2 sizes to accommodate both children and adults. If you do end up having to purchase a poncho, make sure to buy an extra adult-sized poncho as they make really great stroller covers, keeping all of your gear, your stroller, and even the child inside of it perfectly dry. They pack up quite easily and take up a relatively small amount of space, so if you do decide to purchase them, remember to save them for your next trip. (I leave ours in the outside zip pocket at all times so we’re never caught without them).
If you decide to purchase rain gear at the parks, there will be hundreds of people dressed in identical gear, making it more difficult to identify your children among the sea of ponchos. Many of the parks have attempted to remedy this by offering clear ponchos (with their logo in one form or the other, of course), but they are still very difficult to differentiate in a crowd.
Perfect Your Packing
-Any breakable items should always be packed in your carry-on luggage. This also applies to valuables like jewelry and electronics (cameras, computers, personal DVD players, I-Pods, and the like).
-Sealed plastic containers are great for items that may spill or leak (and believe me, if they can, they will) such as toothpaste, shampoo, hand cream, and other similar items.
Tupperware and Rubbermaid both make a variety of containers that have particularly good seals for traveling, most of which can be found right at your local grocery store or discount store.
-Roll your clothes instead of folding them if you don’t want a lot of wrinkles.
-Stuff your socks into your shoes or sneakers to save on space and keep the shape of your footwear all at the same time.
Keep in mind that liquids over 3 ounces are not aloud on carryout luggage and must be packed in your checked luggage.
For the latest T.S.A. rules and regulations bo to www.tsa.gov/travelers/index/shtm
Great Gear Alert
L. L. Bean offers several particularly useful travel products including both accessories and luggage. One item whose usefulness stands out among the others is the suitcase organizer, or what they call “ultralight packers.” The ultralight packers are small, relatively thin, rectangular nylon storage bags with a mesh top. They’re really great for packing items that tend to get lost in the shuffle (like socks and underwear, jewelry boxes, accessories, and other items that otherwise tend to just float around in the suitcase) or just to keep everything neat and orderly. You can use them to hold just a few items or organize your entire suitcase with them. They’re offered in a set of 3, each a different size, and currently cost around $29 for the set. While I first thought it a somewhat rather frivolous purchase, I’ve found them to be absolutely invaluable and wouldn’t think of packing a suitcase without them. L. L. Bean also offers some handy travel wallets and document organizers. The document organizers come in a handful of sizes and configurations, but each provides a handy organized way to carry your tickets, luggage claim stubs, passports, and other necessary items such as your license and credit cards. They’re perfect for carrying inside a pocketbook or diaper bag for quick and easy access to all of your necessary documents.
Lands’ End is another company that offers a variety of particularly useful travel bags and luggage for kids and adults alike and they even have one of the most useful, practical, and functional (not to mention nice-looking) diaper-bag lines around.
You can easily shop at either online, by catalog, or by phone.
L. L. Bean: www.llbean.com; 800-441-5713
Lands’ End: www.landsend.com; 800-963-4816
Last but Not Least
In your carry-on, handbag, or diaper bag (whatever you’ll be carrying with you and not checking through), be sure to have your wallet (with your money, credit cards, insurance cards, motor club cards, frequent travel reward club cards, and so on), personal identification (driver’s license or other photo ID), your tickets, all of your travel information (including your flight numbers, hotel and car rental or shuttle information including confirmation numbers, and your personal list of important phone numbers).
You’ll also want to make sure any prescription medications or scripts are in your carry-on (not your checked luggage) as well - just in case your luggage takes longer to get to Florida than you do. If you have toddlers, be sure to have a spare pacifier and bottle close at hand.
As the Luggage Belt Turns
As you patiently watch and wait for your luggage to make its way around the conveyor belt in the baggage claim, you may notice that you’re not the only one who thought basic black luggage was the way to go. The seemingly endless line of luggage all begins to look strikingly alike after only a few minutes. Make it easy on yourself--adorn yours with an obnoxiously bright (or at least unique-looking) luggage tag or luggage strap so you can pick your out of the sea of suitcases quickly and easily.
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