Southwest Family Boarding? - The DIS Discussion Forums

jennapens · 08-24-2009, 04:29 PM

Does anyone know how many people can board using "family boarding?" DH and I are taking our 1 year old DD to WDW in December. I'm assuming that we won't have a problem with both of us boarding with her. We are also traveling our family, 4 adults and a 5 year old. I didn't know if they could board with us also. No big deal though. We will be spending 8 days with them at Disney. I'm sure we can handle 2 hours sitting in different areas of the plane! =) We're hoping to all get 'A' tickets, so hopefully this won't be an issue.

stnet · 08-24-2009, 04:43 PM

We did the family boarding with our DD when she was 4 almost 5. Even with the A passes sooo many people board early with kids since the destination is Disney!! I think they may be able to board early with the 5 year old too. If you don't care about sitting together I wouldn't worry about it otherwise you might be able to save some seats. I wasn't expecting the large number of people who pre boarded and I was so worried about us not being able to sit together that we went ahead and did the preboard.

seashoreCM · 08-24-2009, 04:57 PM

I have heard stories that when there are lots of small children, airlijne personnel have restricted the family boarding to one adult.

but this doen't have to upset your plans. You can sit aisle and window without overtly saving a seat near the back of the plane and the chances of some stranger wanting the middle seat are very small back there.

Just learned this one (if true).(copied from another thread here) Don't go for the extreme back but instead settle for say half a dozen rows shy. If you take the second to last row the chances of the middle seat being taken later is slightly greater since others finding themselves this far back and no better seats are very likelyt o taek the next seat in sight which is between you. (Avoid the very last row all the time whenever you can; it doesn't recline)

disneyfaninaz · 08-24-2009, 05:05 PM

Check in at the 24 hour mark and get your boarding pass. Normally family boarding is for 4 year olds and younger and for immediate family members only, i.e. mom, dad, siblings. If you get a "B" boarding pass use the Family Boarding. If you get an "A" boarding pass then board with the "A" group. If your family members get an "A" boarding pass, they may be able to sit in the same vicinity as you.

dancin Disney style · 08-24-2009, 05:25 PM

I believe that the offical policy is that only one person boards with the child (age 4 or less). It's not really a pre-board any more since it occurs between the A and B groups.

I agree that if you get A group just board in your spot. If you get a B or C send one parent with the child in the family boarding group and head to the back of the plane. You will most likely be able to save a seat back there for the other parent.

DisTwix · 08-24-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennapens

Does anyone know how many people can board using "family boarding?" DH and I are taking our 1 year old DD to WDW in December. I'm assuming that we won't have a problem with both of us boarding with her. We are also traveling our family, 4 adults and a 5 year old. I didn't know if they could board with us also. No big deal though. We will be spending 8 days with them at Disney. I'm sure we can handle 2 hours sitting in different areas of the plane! =) We're hoping to all get 'A' tickets, so hopefully this won't be an issue.

When we flew Southwest in Feb, Columbus to MCO, we had B boarding on the outgoing flight, boarded with B and had no issues in getting seats together (party of 7). On the return flight, we managed to check in at MCO via the "family line" (did anyone know they had this??? I sure didn't) and we family boarded - all 7 of us. It just wasn't a big deal. We were three adults and 4 kids --- clearly outnumbered, and obviously had to sit together or things would be ugly for everyone.

phred52 · 08-25-2009, 08:16 AM

When I flew Southwest earlier in August, they were very specific saying only Mom and Dad could board along with their young child(ren). Aunt, Uncles, Grandparents & other companions had to board using their own boarding passes.

My vote is to get on the internet and check in exactly at the 24 hour mark.

08-24-2009, 04:29 PM	#1
jennapens Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southwestern PA Posts: 129	Southwest Family Boarding? Does anyone know how many people can board using "family boarding?" DH and I are taking our 1 year old DD to WDW in December. I'm assuming that we won't have a problem with both of us boarding with her. We are also traveling our family, 4 adults and a 5 year old. I didn't know if they could board with us also. No big deal though. We will be spending 8 days with them at Disney. I'm sure we can handle 2 hours sitting in different areas of the plane! =) We're hoping to all get 'A' tickets, so hopefully this won't be an issue. __________________ DisneyWorld Trips - 1983 (CR), 1985 (CR), 1987 (CR), 1988 (off-site - blah), 1989 (CR), 1991 (CR & CBR), 1993 (WL), 1995 (WL), 1997 (WL), 2000 (WL), 2002 (CSR), 2005 (CSR), 2007 (POP), 2009 (POP), 2011 (POP), 2013 (POP) Jenn Jeremie Kayla Ralphie Sophie

08-24-2009, 04:43 PM	#2
stnet Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 452	We did the family boarding with our DD when she was 4 almost 5. Even with the A passes sooo many people board early with kids since the destination is Disney!! I think they may be able to board early with the 5 year old too. If you don't care about sitting together I wouldn't worry about it otherwise you might be able to save some seats. I wasn't expecting the large number of people who pre boarded and I was so worried about us not being able to sit together that we went ahead and did the preboard. __________________

08-24-2009, 04:57 PM	#3
seashoreCM All around nice guy. Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 20,602	I have heard stories that when there are lots of small children, airlijne personnel have restricted the family boarding to one adult. but this doen't have to upset your plans. You can sit aisle and window without overtly saving a seat near the back of the plane and the chances of some stranger wanting the middle seat are very small back there. Just learned this one (if true).(copied from another thread here) Don't go for the extreme back but instead settle for say half a dozen rows shy. If you take the second to last row the chances of the middle seat being taken later is slightly greater since others finding themselves this far back and no better seats are very likelyt o taek the next seat in sight which is between you. (Avoid the very last row all the time whenever you can; it doesn't recline) __________________ Last Disney trip: December 2010. So you are protesting "... under God, ..." in the Pledge of Allegiance? (WRKO News) One school in Colorado did the pledge with "under God" replaced with "under Allah".

08-24-2009, 05:05 PM	#4
disneyfaninaz It takes faith, trust & pixie dust! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 10,380	Check in at the 24 hour mark and get your boarding pass. Normally family boarding is for 4 year olds and younger and for immediate family members only, i.e. mom, dad, siblings. If you get a "B" boarding pass use the Family Boarding. If you get an "A" boarding pass then board with the "A" group. If your family members get an "A" boarding pass, they may be able to sit in the same vicinity as you. __________________ Wendy- - - Me DH DD (12 going on 18, but a bit sweeter than most) Our Magical "Mental Health" Western Cruise Trip Report (March 2008) ~ Our Magical "Celebration" Western Cruise Trip Report (March 2009) Our Awesome Yosemite & Monterey Bay Trip Report (May 2009) ~ Our Great Quest for Elusive Moose - A Grand Teton/Yellowstone Trip Report (June 2010) Our Rockin' Canyon Tour - A GC/Zion/Bryce Trip Report (May 2011) ~ Our Awesome Yosemite & Monterey Adventure Revisited ( May 2012) My Girls Escape to Seattle/Victoria BC "Gardens & Glass" Trip Report (June 2012) ~ Our Wonderful "Pixar" Pacific Coast Cruise Trip Report (October 2012)

08-24-2009, 05:25 PM	#5
dancin Disney style I found one to share with some fab american disers Could you break off the handle? Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,645	I believe that the offical policy is that only one person boards with the child (age 4 or less). It's not really a pre-board any more since it occurs between the A and B groups. I agree that if you get A group just board in your spot. If you get a B or C send one parent with the child in the family boarding group and head to the back of the plane. You will most likely be able to save a seat back there for the other parent. __________________

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08-25-2009, 08:16 AM	#7
phred52 I love vacation! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Too far from the Mouse~ Posts: 787	When I flew Southwest earlier in August, they were very specific saying only Mom and Dad could board along with their young child(ren). Aunt, Uncles, Grandparents & other companions had to board using their own boarding passes. My vote is to get on the internet and check in exactly at the 24 hour mark.

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