A Disney-addicted mom plans a trip in August, 2010! *New pics #574*

[BabyEeyore]

Congratulations!!

 

[lexmas]

Congrats!

 

[Charlefours]

Your trip is coming up so quickly! I cannot believe you go to Disney next month!!

I agree about the PP CD. Since we prepaid it, I am going to make sure we take advantage of the service as much as possible since I already paid for it.

I'm sorry your MIL is not able to make it in January but it does seem simpler without her along as horrible as it sounds.

Congratulations on passing your boards!

 

[klacey1]

Congrats on passing your boards!! That's awesome news!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Congratulations!!

Congrats!

Thanks!!!

Your trip is coming up so quickly! I cannot believe you go to Disney next month!!

I agree about the PP CD. Since we prepaid it, I am going to make sure we take advantage of the service as much as possible since I already paid for it.

I'm sorry your MIL is not able to make it in January but it does seem simpler without her along as horrible as it sounds.

Congratulations on passing your boards!

Not horrible at all! My MIL is super high maintenance.

Congrats on passing your boards!! That's awesome news!!

Thanks!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Advice please!!!!
Recap:
Our original plan was BCV 8/22-8/28 (using my 40% off PIN). When I went to book flights, airfare was outrageous. The only affordable way to go was to fly Southwest out of Islip (which is about 90 minutes away) and take a late afternoon flight. I didn't want to lose a day so we decided to arrive on 8/21. Since a one bedroom villa is expensive, I booked one night at CSR and then figured we'd switch to BCV after spending the morning at the parks. My DH enjoys Disney but isn't a big pre-planner. I discussed this plan with him and he agreed to everything.

The issue:
DH calls me at work today to ask about the details of the trip. He just learned of a work-related training session in Dallas 8/20-8/21. He wants to know if I can handle flying with 3 kids by myself and then he'll meet us in the Orlando Airport on Saturday evening (or maybe at the hotel, depending). He also wants to know why we're spending the 1st night at CSR instead of BCV (um, to save $200+ when we won't arrive on Disney property until 7pm or so) and thinks I should try to change the 1st over to BCV (which is fine as long as there's availability - TA working on it now). He's gets paid $1500 to go to Dallas so that will cover the 1st night hotel (and even cover his original SW plane ticket if we cancel it - company covers trip to Dallas).

Here's my question:
Will I be able to take 3 little kids (6, 4, and 2) from NY to MCO by myself? I figure I'll check the double stroller and keep the single for the 2 year old in the airport. I'm most worried about check-in. We're driving to the airport. How will I get 3 check bags, 2 strollers, and 3 kids from the car to the curb-side check-in? (I've never been to Islip before which is another stress but it's a very small airport.) It's a direct flight leaving NY at 3:10pm and arriving in Orlando at 5:50pm.
Help???

Amanda

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Is there anyway that your DH could take a bag or 2 to eliminate some of that stress? If you are parking at the airport, most places will have the cart rentals in the parking area that you can get for the bags. It might be worth it to check into parking at an off site location because the driver will help put ur bags on the bus, drive you to SW curbside check-in and unload the bags leaving you with just standing in the line.

If all else fails, maybe DH could take 1 bag, leaving you with 2 for you to roll (i'm assuming?), the 6 yr old can wheel the double stroller and the 4 yr old can help with the smaller stroller? On most rolling suitcases they have a strap on the front that you might be able to connect a stroller or 2 onto the bags.

I hope I kind of helped!?

 

[lexmas]

Hmm...that is a lot of bags. I think having DH help you is the way to do it. Obviously you can do something that involves paying someone to help you, but it would probably be easiest to just have DH take 2 bags (if he's flying southwest, obviously) and then you'd have one bag and the two strollers. You could pack everything you needed for the first day or two in that bag, and DH could pack what he needs for his business trip in the bags that he's bringing with him.

 

[dismagiclover]

I've flown alone with my 3 kids and it really wasn't near as hard as I thought it would be. Granted my kids were a bit older at the time (They were 8, 6 and 4). Hopefully you're oldest is fairly responsible. If that is the case it's very doable. Since it's a small airport I assume the parking is close and you won't have to take a shuttle from your car. Leave the kids in the car while you unload everything and pile it on a luggage cart. Strap your 2 year old in a stroller and assign the 6 year old the job of pushing the stroller. Instruct your 4 year old to hang on to your shirt. Then head to the curb. It will be a bit slow going because you'll have to keep a close eye on the 6 year old, but it will only be for a short time. Then once you have everything checked it will all be cake. Have you considered renting a double stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals. Then you won't have to bring that too. That actually seems like the trickiest thing to get to the curb. Another option is to pull directly up to the curb and check all of the luggage while your kids wait in the car. Then go park the car and come in. It's hard to know if that will be feasible though. You couldn't do that in Baltimore because there is a line for Southwest curbside check in and they wouldn't let you keep your car there while you waited in it. In Orlando you can just use the Magical Express tags and you won't have to worry about the luggage at all. Good luck!

 

[DrMomof3]

Is there anyway that your DH could take a bag or 2 to eliminate some of that stress? If you are parking at the airport, most places will have the cart rentals in the parking area that you can get for the bags. It might be worth it to check into parking at an off site location because the driver will help put ur bags on the bus, drive you to SW curbside check-in and unload the bags leaving you with just standing in the line.

If all else fails, maybe DH could take 1 bag, leaving you with 2 for you to roll (i'm assuming?), the 6 yr old can wheel the double stroller and the 4 yr old can help with the smaller stroller? On most rolling suitcases they have a strap on the front that you might be able to connect a stroller or 2 onto the bags.

I hope I kind of helped!?

I already told DH he will need to bring some stuff with him!

Hmm...that is a lot of bags. I think having DH help you is the way to do it. Obviously you can do something that involves paying someone to help you, but it would probably be easiest to just have DH take 2 bags (if he's flying southwest, obviously) and then you'd have one bag and the two strollers. You could pack everything you needed for the first day or two in that bag, and DH could pack what he needs for his business trip in the bags that he's bringing with him.

Interesting idea. DH bringing extra stuff to Dallas...

I've flown alone with my 3 kids and it really wasn't near as hard as I thought it would be. Granted my kids were a bit older at the time (They were 8, 6 and 4). Hopefully you're oldest is fairly responsible. If that is the case it's very doable. Since it's a small airport I assume the parking is close and you won't have to take a shuttle from your car. Leave the kids in the car while you unload everything and pile it on a luggage cart. Strap your 2 year old in a stroller and assign the 6 year old the job of pushing the stroller. Instruct your 4 year old to hang on to your shirt. Then head to the curb. It will be a bit slow going because you'll have to keep a close eye on the 6 year old, but it will only be for a short time. Then once you have everything checked it will all be cake. Have you considered renting a double stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals. Then you won't have to bring that too. That actually seems like the trickiest thing to get to the curb. Another option is to pull directly up to the curb and check all of the luggage while your kids wait in the car. Then go park the car and come in. It's hard to know if that will be feasible though. You couldn't do that in Baltimore because there is a line for Southwest curbside check in and they wouldn't let you keep your car there while you waited in it. In Orlando you can just use the Magical Express tags and you won't have to worry about the luggage at all. Good luck!

My 6 year old is very responsible and my 4 year old is quite mature for her age. I talked to both of them today about going with me alone and they both offered ideas for helping. ME is definitely a life-saver!!!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

A little bit of good news:

1. We have officially changed our reservations and we're now staying at BCV for the extra night! I'm very happy about this as it will simplify things.
2. My nanny wants our car while we're away (she uses our car during the week and has no car on the weekends). This means she will drive with me to Islip and help me get checked-in. Once our "check" bags are gone, I think it'll be manageable. I'm planning to buy a stroller bag and check the double stroller. Then each child will have a backpack with snacks, toys, PJs for 1st night, etc. I'll have the big backpack diaper bag with DVD player and a few DVDs (plus diapers, snacks, PJs for me, etc.) and I'll have the single stroller. Not so bad.

I think this is do-able. Since we'll have washer/dryer, I'm not going to stress about pre-trip laundry. I'll just do laundry during the trip. I'm perfectly happy to bring dirty clothes and have them wash themselves while we go to the parks. We'll order gardengrocer.com to be delivered on our first night. It may not arrive before we do but I can probably make some pasta the 1st night for dinner. Or grab burgers somewhere.
I'd love suggestions for how to make this easier for me!!!

Amanda

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

that sounds like a good plan!! As soon as those checked bags are gone, all will be well! What is your seat placement on the plane? I'm assuming at least one of the kids will be sitting alone? I guess with SW you will get to pick so that is good!!

Another tip might be, since you are going in Aug, you might want to have the kids wear shoes that are easy on and off for security..crocs or flip flops??

 

[DrMomof3]

that sounds like a good plan!! As soon as those checked bags are gone, all will be well! What is your seat placement on the plane? I'm assuming at least one of the kids will be sitting alone? I guess with SW you will get to pick so that is good!!

Another tip might be, since you are going in Aug, you might want to have the kids wear shoes that are easy on and off for security..crocs or flip flops??

I'm thinking that I'll put the 4 year old by the window, the 2 year old in the middle, me at the aisle, and the 6 year old across the aisle from me. He'll have his DS with him so he should be fine with that.

Great idea about the crocs. I wouldn't have thought of that.

Amanda

 

[BabyEeyore]

Sounds like you've got some great plans to handle the kids during the flight! I don't like thinking about flying alone with my one kid and luggage. Everything will go great! I like that croc or flip flop idea that TinkerbellLuvr7 mentioned.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Sounds like you've got some great plans to handle the kids during the flight! I don't like thinking about flying alone with my one kid and luggage. Everything will go great! I like that croc or flip flop idea that TinkerbellLuvr7 mentioned.

Thanks!! When Jon & Kate + 8 used to be on, I remember one of their shows they mentioned that having easy on/easy off shoes was a life savor for them!! Even when I travel, I tend to wear Flip Flops at the airport!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Sounds like you've got some great plans to handle the kids during the flight! I don't like thinking about flying alone with my one kid and luggage. Everything will go great! I like that croc or flip flop idea that TinkerbellLuvr7 mentioned.

Thanks!! When Jon & Kate + 8 used to be on, I remember one of their shows they mentioned that having easy on/easy off shoes was a life savor for them!! Even when I travel, I tend to wear Flip Flops at the airport!!

My issue is that I get grossed out by the idea of walking through security barefoot. I know it's weird but I just think about all those dirty feet before me! I'm totally NOT a germ-o-phobe or anything which makes it even funnier that I can't stand walking through airport security without socks! I might have to have the kids wear crocs with socks until we're through security. Totally a fashion emergency!

Amanda

 

[klacey1]

My issue is that I get grossed out by the idea of walking through security barefoot. I know it's weird but I just think about all those dirty feet before me! I'm totally NOT a germ-o-phobe or anything which makes it even funnier that I can't stand walking through airport security without socks! I might have to have the kids wear crocs with socks until we're through security. Totally a fashion emergency!

Amanda

Haha, I was going to recommend crocs with socks! Pretty much the best way to have slip on shoes and still avoid the gross airport floor! Not attractive, but easy!
I think it's great that now you won't be switching resorts. Just will make life easier for you/your family to not have to move.

 

[lexmas]

Eh, we wear crocs with socks at the airport, and at the park. Doesn't bother me...I know it looks bad, but I think crocs look bad enough as is, that I might as well be comfortable! Definately a good idea to have easy on/off shoes.

 

[BabyEeyore]

I would probably wear socks with the crocs (just through security) because you're right, I would be grossed out by thinking of all those people walking there before me barefoot. blech I'm also not a germaphobe normally, but there are just certain things that, if I think about it, really gross me out!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I agree about the airport floor. Ewwwww
My nephews are wearing Keens and just putting socks on to walk through security. I like the Crocs idea too.