What do you normally pack for a week or two in Orlando, Florida? Shorts, swimsuits, and sunglasses!
Vacations are fun, and trips to Orlando are particularly magical! The only downfall, for any journey, is the packing and lugging of your luggage.
Fortunately, vacation timeshare owners have the luxury of packing light thanks to convenient resort features. Find out below how your vacation resort saves you frustration and cash as well as the perfect packing list for your upcoming Orlando trip.
Fewer Suitcases Means More Savings
Budget airline carriers have great deals on flights to Orlando, but they charge extra for stored (checked-in) luggage. Fees for baggage can run anywhere from $25 to $50 each flight. You can save significantly by only bringing a carry-on and one personal item.
Families can save the most by cutting extra fees for multiple pieces of luggage. Check out the following estimated savings per piece of luggage:
· 1 suitcase – $50 to $100
· 2 suitcases – $100 to $200
· 3 suitcases – $150 to $300
· 4 suitcases – $200 to $400
Lugging around multiple bags can be frustrating for families with young children. By packing less, parents can use smaller hands-free bags, like backpacks and messenger bags, and keep a better hold on small kids. Anyone who has traveled with two kids younger than five years old knows the hassle of juggling kids and bags in an airplane, much less an airport.
Smaller bags are also more convenient while exploring attractions in Orlando. Rather than a rolling suitcase, you would have a backpack at a theme park to hold all of your family’s items.
The Benefits of A Washer & Dryer
Save space in your luggage for souvenirs and gifts by packing light. Pack fewer socks, tops, and bottoms by taking advantage of the laundry amenities at the resort.
Only have one swimsuit? Not a problem. Keep it fresh and dry using the in-suite washer and dryer! Wear your favorite items over and over again during your Orlando vacation.
Having a washer and dryer in your suite is a blessing for parents with young children. Kids are magnets for food stains and soiled clothing. Parents can toss clothes into the wash quickly rather than sit for a week in a suitcase.
Wash all your vacation clothes before packing for back home, so you can put your freshly laundered clothes back in closets and drawers. It will save you the hassle of doing it when you’re home and let you enjoy the aftereffects of your relaxing trip longer.
Other Space-Saving In-Suite Amenities
Wondering what is necessary for your trip? Certain items you can leave at home because your vacation resort already has them for you. For instance, the resort provides toiletries and personal items like:
· Dishwashing liquid
· Laundry detergent pack
· Paper towels and toilet paper
· An iron and ironing board
· Bath towels
Hairdryers are bulky and take up unnecessary room in your luggage. The cord can become tangled in delicate items during transportation, and it’s a hassle to fit it amongst more flexible pieces. Fortunately, you can leave it at home since your suite comes furnished with one.
Need to get some work done while on your vacation? Keep your laptop at home and use the resort’s business center to send emails and print documents. You must separate laptops and other large electronic devices into a separate bin when going through airport security. Save yourself the effort and the risk of damage by keeping it at home.
If you have an extended stay (longer than a week), then the resort’s housekeeping will tidy up mid-stay. But, you can always ask the concierge about extra cleanings for an additional charge.
What to Pack for an Orlando Vacation
It may be tempting to only pack shorts and swimsuits for Florida’s sunny weather, but the weather also may include sudden rainfalls, particularly in the cold seasons. It’s important to pack layers even if you are packing light.
The indoor temperatures are also a consideration for packing layers. While it may be 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, restaurants and stores usually set thermostats between 62 and 67 degrees.
Essential clothing to pack include the following:
· Undergarments and socks for half your stay (do laundry halfway through)
· A pair of pants for cooler days and shorts for warm
· A tank top, tee-shirt, and long-sleeved top or sweatshirt
· A rain-resistant jacket
· A swimsuit
· Sandals or flip flops
· Comfortable walking shoes, like sneakers, for theme park and tour days
A great way to save space in your luggage is to wear bulkier items while traveling. For instance, wearing a sweatshirt and/or jacket on the plane saves you significant space as well as keeps you warm on the plane (or doubles as a pillow)! Likewise, wear your sneakers and pack the smaller footwear.
You can always purchase inexpensive items from local stores to save room in your bag when it comes to toiletries. Also, some things are better to buy locally than bring from home due to airline volume restrictions.
Items to buy locally include the following:
· Shampoo and conditioner
· Body wash/soap
· Toothpaste
· Razors and shaving cream
· Tweezers
· Batteries
· Ponchos or an umbrella
· Sunscreen
Personal items you should pack include the following:
· Eyewear and prescription contacts
· Personal medications
· Makeup products
· Hairbrush or comb, hair accessories, and products
· Some cotton swabs and lip moisturizer
· Cell phone and charger
It’s easy to forget important items when you try to pack light. To help, here are a few packing tips for your vacation to Florida:
1. Keep your sunglasses on you or in your personal item, so they don’t get damaged.
2. Don’t forget vacation-specific belongings like your camera and its charger.
3. Wear bulking items on the plane and then tie them around your waist when you arrive.
You may also consider packing lighter if you plan to purchase clothing as souvenirs. Theme park and Orlando apparel let you relive your fun, family moments every time you wear them!
