American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage Review – Is It Worth It? [Video]

In the 80 years since it launched, American Tourister has become one of the top names in the midrange luggage market. The company offers a wide range of quality hard-side and soft-side bags, catering to nearly every type of traveler. This reputation has also enabled the brand to collaborate with some of the most recognizable companies in the world, adding extra appeal to its already beloved bags. One of these collaborations is the Disney Hardside luggage collection, which we’ll look at today.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage

American Tourister’s Disney Hardside luggage range consists of whimsical but functional pieces that cover all the bases for travel. With designs ranging from character prints to more understated patterns, these suitcases allow Disney fans to express their love for their favorite characters however they see fit.

Whether you need a new bag for a Disney cruise or a park trip, the Disney collection has something for you.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage Review

For this review, we examined the carry-on in the Disney Hardside American Tourister collaboration. While most people will focus on the case’s fun Mickey Mouse design, it has many other advantages. It’s a roomy suitcase that can fit multiple days’ worth of clothing, toiletries, and other travel necessities without exceeding most size limits.

However, there are a few minor drawbacks to consider, which we’ll review in the relevant sections below.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage Overall Rating

American Tourister Disney Hardside Style and Look

American Tourister is known for its understated bags, but it pulled out all the stops with the Disney line. Since the cases are made of hard plastic, they provide a canvas for more detailed designs. You can find options depicting both understated patterns, like Mickey’s typical red, black, and yellow color scheme, and more obvious character features.

That said, we know this particular design style won’t appeal to everyone. You have to be a Disney fan to appreciate the collection, and while some people would proudly bring a suitcase like this on a business trip, we can see how others might find it unprofessional.

With distinctive patterns, you won’t have any trouble spotting your case if you have to pick it up at a luggage carousel.

Hot Tip:

Check out our article on the best carry-on bags for kids.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Size and Compartments

This carry-on is 24 x 14.75 x 9.5 inches, so it’s small enough to fit in most overhead compartments. This is especially true for international or long-haul flights that use larger planes. However, some domestic routes use smaller crafts. Be sure to check the size requirements of any airline you plan to travel with.

The bag is also pretty lightweight, weighing 6.6 pounds. Although there are often no strict weight limits for carry-on bags, having a light suitcase can help make maneuvering and lifting the case easier.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover that this suitcase is extendable by 1.5 inches if you need extra room. However, use this expansion option sparingly. It will likely put your bag over the carry-on size limit, so you might have to check it.

As hardside luggage, this particular suitcase has no external pockets or compartments. We don’t recommend using it to store your travel documents since you’d have to unzip the whole case to access them. You’d need a personal item for quick access to your belongings.

The bag opens like a clamshell to reveal 2 interior compartments. The first packing area has an X-shaped compression strap to keep clothing in place. Limiting clothing movement can help prevent wrinkles when you arrive at your destination.

The other compartment can be closed thanks to the zippered dividing panel separating the 2 areas. This is particularly useful if you need to open up the case at the airport or on the move, as it stops the contents on this side from falling out.

Enclosed within this divider is a concealed zippered pocket, and there’s a little pouch along the spine of the suitcase. Both of these are useful for small items like jewelry. We would also have liked a mesh pocket to quickly see some items.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Durability and Materials

All the models in this collection are made of ABS plastic designed to resist cracking. While the bag’s shell is solid, it also has reasonable flexibility to absorb the impact when coming into contact with other suitcases.

While we wouldn’t recommend repeatedly straining the bag unnecessarily, we’re pretty confident that it should be able to withstand the general stress and wear and tear of traveling.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Wheels

Overall, we were happy with this bag’s single-spinner wheels after testing them on a variety of surfaces, both inside and outside. The wheels didn’t stick or skid, even when maneuvering sharp corners quickly. We don’t think the Disney Hardside will slow you down if you’re running to reach your departure gate.

The wheels also feel secure and didn’t rattle, so we aren’t concerned about them falling off just from general rolling. The one downside to these wheels was their placement. They’re not recessed, so they add extra bull to the otherwise sleek silhouette and are susceptible to being knocked or bumped.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Handles

There are 3 handles on the carry-on Disney Hardside. Typically, we use the telescopic handle the most, which is adjustable to 2 different heights using the button on the handle. We didn’t have any issues with extracting or retracting the handle. At its tallest setting, the handle felt sturdy and didn’t rattle around much, so we’d be comfortable using it even when the bag was at its heaviest.

In addition to the telescopic handle, the case has 2 carrying handles on its top and side. Both were easy to grab and didn’t add bulk to the case since they lay flat when not used. However, they felt thin and uncomfortable, so we didn’t have a huge amount of confidence in them.

Like many other American Tourister hard-side cases, this case does not have a bottom handle. We like a bottom handle to help lift the case in and out of the overhead compartment.

American Tourister Disney Hardside Locks and Zips

Zippers can sometimes be a weak spot on luggage, but we didn’t find that to be the case with the Disney line by American Tourister. We tested the double zipper when the bag was empty and full, and both times, it ran smoothly without snagging on any fabric or misaligning the zipper’s teeth.

The zipper pulls were also a comfortable size. While they did jingle a little, they interlock to minimize this sound, so it shouldn’t add extra annoyance to stressful travel days.

Unfortunately, the carry-on does not have an integrated lock. We weren’t surprised by this, but it would have been a nice extra touch. The zipper is designed to accommodate a separate lock, which is helpful if you think you might have to gate-check it.

Hot Tip:

Undecided on the Disney Hardside? Take a look at some alternatives with the best American Tourister luggage.

American Tourister Brand Warranty and Customer Service

American Tourister offers a limited global warranty on all of its lines, including those made in collaboration with other brands. This warranty typically lasts 3 or 10 years from the date of purchase.

We found the warranty parameters to be pretty standard, but we’re a little concerned about the process of redeeming it. American Tourister only guarantees protection for damages caused by manufacturing defects, which can be challenging to prove, especially after the first few months of owning a bag.

Other American Tourister Disney Hardside Luggage

Disney’s collaboration with American Tourister also includes a large checked suitcase option. Since this is a brand partnership, we’re not surprised at its relatively small, curated number of pieces. For mini travelers, kid-sized suitcases are also available in this range.

Final Thoughts

For good reason, American Tourister is a prominent name in the luggage industry. Renowned for its reliability and affordability, the brand offers a diverse range of high-quality luggage collections.

This reputation has also helped the brand land collaborations with other brands, as seen by the Disney Hardside line.

This magical, fun collection is perfect for Disney fanatics of any age. These bags are not just cute; they’re useful as well, with plenty of space and functionality that more than makes up for their lack of features like a built-in lock or mesh storage pocket.