Strollers, Car seats and bears OH MY!!

[cardramblues]

DW and I are taking our DKs (5, 3, and 1) for the first time solo (without the grandparents help). I am concerned about getting 2 strollers, 2 car seats, and luggage in and out of the airport. We thought it best to have a rental once we are down there to have the added flexibility, but I'm dreading the getting in and out of the airport part--not to mention whatever crisis we run into on the plane.

Anyone have any good advice on how in the world we can make this smooth (I don't drink ;-)?

[staci]

Well, what type of strollers do you have? If they are full-size (have an sunshade) we were able to open the sunshade and lay the carseat on it. DS road in the stroller, and we pulled the luggage.

If you dont have a newer pull-style luggage, GET SOME. we were able to use our two new pull ones with wheels, and use the straps on them to hold the extra bags without wheels.

I have also seen some carry bags for car seats, would be worth it if you cant balance it on the stroller. Then you can carry it over your shoulder.

There are also those carts at the airport, I would probably fork over the couple bucks and get one as soon as you see one.

[all4fun]

We always rent one of those big luggage carts at the airport. I think it's $3 and the machine will take a card if you don't have cash. Totally worth it IMO. If one of your strollers is small enough you can fold it and put it on the cart, that way you only have one stroller to push (I'm assuming one is a double so your two younger children can still ride and the older one can walk to the rental car or shuttle if your renting from an off-airport company). If you're renting a car at the airport, when you get back for your return flight home, take a quick look around the garage. Sometimes those carts are just sitting around because someone just left the airport in their rental car and didn't put the cart back in the "cart coralle".

[WDWLinda]

Hopefully your airport has curb-side check in. We checked our car seat at the curb (they even provided a bag for it) and I had packed a booster seat (just the bottom part) in a suitcase that was part of our checked luggage. We had 2 strollers, so we each pushed one and checked them at the gate. When we arrived in MCO, we hired a porter for all the luggage - a little more $$, but it was a big help and he knew exactly where to go. I joined the National Emerald Club so we went straight out to get the car - and the porter came too (he even helped us pick out the car!).

Coming home I dropped off my husband with the kids and the luggage for curb-side check in and then I went to return the car. Met them in the security line. When we landed at home we got another porter.

It can be done...you'll have a great time!

~Linda