It’s easy to forget, when you’re stuck in the middle of the countless hours of planning your trip to Walt Disney World and imagining what you’re going to do and what surprises will be waiting for you when you arrive, that you’ll also need to pack for your vacation. When it comes to packing you’ll want to know the best luggage sets for Disney World and I’m here to help.
If you’re heading to WDW, you should pack light and only take what you need, because you’re going to want to use every square inch of luggage capacity that you can find to take all of the souvenirs and merchandise that you’re inevitably going to buy while you’re there home with you.
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The Best Luggage Sets for Disney World
That’s why I decided to make planning your trip a little easier by putting together this list of luggage sets that won’t just survive this Disney trip, but will also faithfully serve you and your family for all the other Walt Disney World vacations that lie in your future. It’s time to start packing for the adventure of a lifetime…
1. Amazon Basics Three-Piece Luggage Set
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They may be basic by name, but I assure you these cases are anything but basic by nature. All three hardshell cases give you a little extra peace of mind, as you know that they’ve been designed to shrug off every blow and ill-timed throw that they’ll encounter between the time that you check them in and pick them up from the luggage carousel, and will keep everything inside them safe and sound. How do I know that?
Because they’re made from hardened thermoplastic, and it’d take a direct blow from a sledgehammer to even crack one of these cases.
On the inside, they’re all equipped with three zippered pockets and an interior organizer to make sure that there’s a place for everything, and everything that you pack will stay in its place.
And on the outside? Each case has its own simple and straightforward to use and adjust telescopic handle, and a set of double spinner wheels, so they’ll change direction when you do while you’re pulling them behind you on the way to the Magical Express or our rental car.
They’re made to be easy to maneuver, and where you go, these cases follow.
I’m a fan of the three sizes fit-all approach that they adhere to, and Amazon’s luggage set includes two cases that’ll go in the hold and one that you can take on board as carry-on luggage.
And as they come in the one color that Henry Ford knew everyone could live with, they’re an ideal choice for any trip, foreign or domestic that you’ll ever take.
Pros
- Hard As Nails – The extra thick thermoplastic that the suitcases are made from will stand up to just about anything that air travel can throw at them.
- Three Cases – It’s a three-case set that’ll enable you to pack everything you need for your trip, and still have enough room left for all the little extras that you’ll end up taking home with you.
- Fifteen Percent Premium – Each of the cases is also made to expand by an additional fifteen percent, so you’ll be able to squeeze in an additional souvenir or three. And that fifteen percent might not sound like much, but it’ll make all the difference when you’re trying to jam everything in your case an hour before checkout.
Cons
- It’s A Weight Thing – The cases weigh between three and four pounds each, so they’re kind of heavy. All the protection that they offer will eat into, and take a larger than you’d like chuck out of your baggage allowance before you’ve even started packing.
2. Steve Madden Luggage Set
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I know what you’re thinking, AmazonBasics can seem a little plain and rough and ready and they’re hardly in keeping with the spirit of a Walt Disney World trip. It’s a good point, which is why I’ve included this Steve Madden set, as a special vacation wouldn’t be the same without a special set of luggage to tie the final bow on your trip.
After all, if you’re staying on WDW property, you want to look good when you arrive and leave, don’t you?
Made from tough polyester, these softshell cases are a lot harder than they look and were made to survive life in the hold and the less than delicate approach to customer care that a lot of baggage handlers subscribe to.
And because they’re made from fabric, they’re light, which means that you can pack more to take with you, and can bring more back with you. And if you’re heading to WDW, that’s an almost perfect combination.
And best of all? There are four cases in the set. Well, I say four, there’s actually three and a duffel bag, but the additional bag means that this set includes two cases to go in the hold, and two that you can carry on the plane with you. In other words, it’s all the luggage that you’ll need for your Disney World Trip.
Pros
- Soft, But Tough – The polyester material that each of the cases (and the bag) are made from can, and will easily cope with all of the heavy-handed punishment that they’ll endure on their way to, and from Disney World
- Four Not Three – Who doesn’t want, or need an extra bag when they go on vacation? Steve Madden knows the truth about what’s important to a Disney fan, and that’s why they included an additional bag in their language set. So that you’ll have more room to bring souvenirs home.
- Warranty – And Madden’s luggage comes with a limited five-year warranty, so if the cases don’t live up to your expectations and make it safely back, you can either have Steve Madden replace them for your next trip, or get your money back to buy a different set.
Cons
- Price Point – While I’m on the subject of money, this luggage set is a little on the pricey side, which makes me think that maybe you’ll be paying an inflated premium because of the brand name. But, if that’s important to you, then these cases (and the extra bag), are a solid, and sound vacation expenditure.
3. U.S. Traveler New Yorker Lightweight Softside Expandable Travel Rolling Luggage Set
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So, sticking with the four cases instead of three idea, if brand names and badging are far less important to you than functionality is, you could always get a little help from U.S.
Traveler for your Disney World vacation. Okay, I know that New Yorkers don’t exactly have the best reputation when it comes to offering their fellow citizens a helping hand, but this luggage set might go some way to dispelling that myth.
Made from lightweight, tear-resistant fabric, the three cases and the tote bag can take an airline beating and keep everything that you’ve packed safe and secure.
And as they’ve cut the weight of their cases, U.S. Traveler has ensured that you can spend the full amount of your airline baggage allowance on the things that really matter. The clothes that you’ll need to take with you and the merchandise that you’ll want to take home from the Magic Kingdom.
The set is made up of two cases for the hold, and two that can be taken on board a plane with you as carry-on luggage, which means that you’ll have all the luggage space that you’ll need to take whatever you need to make the most of your trip with you. Size matters and U.S. Traveler know that, which is why this luggage set is focused on making sure that it provides as much of it as it possibly can.
Pros
- Size REALLY Matters – Just when you think you’ve run out of room and you can’t stuff anything else into your case, that’s when U.S. Traveler comes to the rescue as the unique design of these cases means that they can stretch a twenty-five percent, which should give you enough room to cram those other keepsakes that you swore that you weren’t going to buy into your case.
- Get Hip, Get With It – U.S. Traveler don’t believe that everyone should look the same, they cherish the same individual spirit of adventure that you do, which is why the New Yorker is available in eleven different colors. That’s right, you didn’t make a mistake, that’s exactly what I said. This luggage set is available in eleven different colors, so just choose whichever one you like the best, and U.S. Traveler will do the rest.
Cons
- In-Line Wheels – Unfortunately, the cases are fitted with in-line wheels which might make them a little difficult to maneuver when you’re trying to race across Orlando International to catch the bus to Walt Disney World.
4. Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
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With over a century of dedicated luggage expertise under their belt, Samsonite is one of the premier names in suitcase design and manufacture in the world. But their sterling reputation wasn’t enough to earn them a place on this list, as the best place for names is on the tombstones that litter the graveyard of The Haunted Mansion.
No, the reason Samsonite made my list is because their Omni Hardside luggage set is functional, beautiful, and was crafted to look as good and be as dependable on your one-hundredth trip to Walt Disney World as it will be on your first.
The Samsonite set offers three cases made from micro-diamond polycarbonate (which means that they’re incredibly strong and built to last), that all have push-button locking telescopic handles, and are mounted on four multi-directional spinner wheels. So no matter how heavy they are, provided they fall within the permitted baggage allowance, you’ll be able to maneuver them through your departure airport and Orlando International with ease.
And you don’t need to worry about anyone being able to take a sneak peek in your case while they’re in the care of the airline and out of your sight, as each case is fitted with a TSA approved security lock, so the only people who will ever be able to get into the cases are Transport Security Administration agents and you and your family.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry, regardless of where you’re headed on vacation.
Pros
- As Tough As They Get – As Samsonite have made these cases from micro-diamond polycarbonate, they’ll last a lifetime and no amount of mistreatment by airport staff will break, or even damage them.
- TSA Locks – All three cases are fitted with TSA locks, so everything that’s packed inside them will be safe from the unwanted attention of snoopers with sticky fingers.
- Ten Year Warranty – Samsonite’s Omni luggage set comes with a ten-year warranty, so if in the incredibly unlikely event that something untoward does happen to them, they’ll either replace your cases or give you a refund.
Cons
- The Heavy Woes Of Hard Cases – Again, it all comes down to weight and the fact that the thing that makes these cases so special, also makes them a little bit heavy. That means that they’ll start eating into your baggage allowance before you’ve even thrown your first tee-shirt into one.
5. Coolife Luggage 3 Piece Set
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Don’t ask me who Coolife are, I don’t know and if I’m honest, it doesn’t really matter as these three cases bridge the gap between the hard shell and soft baggage world have a sort of innate coolness (which is probably where the brand gets it to name from) that’s difficult to quantify.
That and the fact that they’re incredibly affordable made them stand out, which is why I suggested my friend Barry and his family should use them for their last trip, and he was pleasantly surprised by how tough they were, and how well they weathered the storm of his trip to WDW.
Fashioned from rugged Oxford cloth and nylon, the three cases also have locking telescopic handles, multi-directional wheels, and numerous front and interior pockets so you can throw a few little extras in them, even when it looks like they’re completely full.
And as they’re available in four different colors, you don’t have to follow the rest of the vacationing herd, you can choose to follow your own Coolife path.
They do have one inherently cool facet that the other luggage sets on my list don’t, and that’s the fact that these cases were, and are designed to be stored like a Russian doll when you’re not using them. In other words, when you’re not using them for a Disney World trip, they’ll fit inside one another, making them easier to store on top of your closet.
Pros
- All In One – They’re light, they’re tough, they’re mounted on multi-directional wheels, and have telescopic handles. And they’re well within the financial boundaries of an everyday budget. What’s not to like about them?
- Warranty – And they also come with a two-year warranty, so that means that you’ll have at least twenty-four months of traveling peace of mind if you decide that Coolife are the right cases for you and your family’s Walt Disney World vacations.
Cons
- The Warranty Might Come In Handy – A couple of online reviews have highlighted the fact that these cases might not be quite as sturdy as the manufacturer claims, which means that the warranty might just be your best friend. But as Barry was more than happy with them, I guess I’ll have to go with his take on Coolife, which is why they made the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An International Luggage Set?
An international luggage set is a small collection of cases that have been purposely designed to cope with all the rough and ready rigors of international travel.
If you’re heading to WDW by air, then, believe me, you’re going to need one to make sure that everything you bring with you and take home arrives safely at both ends.
Which International Luggage Set Is The Right One For My Walt Disney World Trip?
While all of the luggage sets on my list will see you in good stead for your Disney vacation, if it’s within your financial means I’d recommend the Samsonite set, but if you’re not willing to spend that much, then either the AmazonBasics or U.S. Traveler luggage sets will keep everything that you want to take with you, and bring home safe and secure.
And who knows, when you do arrive at WDW, maybe we’ll bump into each other at one of the parks.
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