A host of questions....

[Jon99]

We are heading to VWL of 7 nights in April and by then we will have a 7 month old and our initial plan was/is to drive, but I am getting a little nervous about driving 18 hours with an infant...

So if we decide to fly:

How tough is it to transport a stroller on a plane???? Do rental cars have car seats???? Are the cribs at the resorts of good quality???

 

[trracers]

I don' t have any idea about the cribs. Seems like we had one in the room when my DD5 was 2, but she ended up with us anyway!!

As for the stroller on the airline, we used ours right up until we walked on the plane, closed it up and they took it to some magic baggabe place and it was waiting for us when we stepped off of the plane. I think this is standard for most airlines.

When you rent a car (at least online) they have the option (for a fee, of course) to supply a carseat.

We didn't rent a car, just used the shuttle from the airport to the hotel and back.

Have a great trip!!

P.S. NO WAY I WOULD DRIVE 18 hrs WITH OR WITHOUT A BABY!!!

 

[TandyR]

I know VWL have a pack and play in all 1BR and 2BR, but I am not sure about studios. My older DD could sleep in pack and plays, my younger one never could and always ended up in bed with us.

 

[house_of_princesses]

Our eldest Dd, soon to be 11, has travelled since she was one month old. The next 3 Dd's did the same. We travelled by car and plane. I prefer the car. It may take longer, but you can stop/go at your leisure (you are on vacation, after all!), you don't have to worry about disturbing anyone else, don't have to hassle with a recycled car seat, waiting in line or a rental vehicle that breaks down (happened twice), and if you drive you can bring one or two extra lovies that make babycakes feel at home. I've even taken the exersaucer with us! If I'm travelling alone, I fly, with the kids, by car. And finances are not a factor in that decision. Just my 2cents!!

 

[Angel717]

The times I've flown and taken strollers, I checked them at the gate. Just make sure you fold and lock it together for them and you can drop it right before you get on the plane. The best part is having it right there when you get off the plane.

I think you can rent carseats with the rental car, but I would be hesitant to trust them. You don't know what you are getting until you see for yourself and you don't know who has used it before you. I would suggest bringing your own. You could also use it on the plane.

I'm not sure what kind of cribs all the resorts use, but I know Caribbean Beach uses pack-n-plays. I believe I read on here that they use regular sheets folded over and under. Maybe they've changed it, but I remember them doing that way when we were there last.

 

[jel0511]

How tough is it to transport a stroller on a plane????

Very easy, you just roll it up the jetway and fold it and leave it at the end of the jetway. It will be stored beneath the plane, and brought up to the end of the jetway after landing.

Do rental cars have car seats????

Yes, but for a daily fee of between $5 - $10 per day. Also, I wouldn't want to trust a rental car seat. You never know where it's been, or how safe it may be until you get there. If you don't like the look, you're stuck. Also, the rental companies don't guarantee you a car seat, it's on an as available basis. You should also purchase your child a seat, it's 50% off the regular adult fare, MUCH easier to travel with an infant that way, and you'll need your car seat for that!

Are the cribs at the resorts of good quality???

None of the WDW resorts offer full size cribs like you're used to seeing at home. They are usually pack 'n plays, which are nice and clean. If you stay at a deluxe hotel, you MAY be able to get a portable crib. This crib is basically the same size as a pack 'n play, but is raised off the floor and looks like a crib. The mattress is very thin, and the mattress can not be raised/lowered at all and is at a very difficult height to place a sleeping baby in without waking them up!! I personally prefer the pack 'n plays to the portable cribs, since they are generally newer and in better condition IMO.

 

[disneysteve]

Our first trip with DD was when she was 5-1/2 mo old and we drove from NJ. No problem at all. We loaded up the van with everything we needed - diapers, pack and play (that she slept in), diapers, food, wipes, etc. Far easier than dealing with an airport and more limited packing space.

We removed the center row of seats from our van, put down a piece of carpet and brought along her Exersaucer. At each rest stop, we got her out of the car seat and let her roll around on the floor and play in the Exersaucer for a little bit. It was a wonderful trip that my wife and I still talk about and DD is almost 8 now.

As for flying... bring your own car seat. You need one on the plane anyway (Please don't try to hold your baby on your lap the whole way. Its really dangerous. If you can't afford the extra seat, take the car.) The stroller is simple. Wheel it right up to the door of the plane then the plane staff takes it from there and its waiting for you when you get off.

Steve

 

[BevS97]

if you decide to fly with a lap baby then you can check your carseat, we have checked many carseats and they have all been fine.
(I'm not advocating this, using a carseat on board is definitely better, but for many reasons has not been an option to us - and no these are not financial reasons, but to do with differing laws in different countries)

Bev

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by BevS97
if you decide to fly with a lap baby then you can check your carseat, we have checked many carseats and they have all been fine.
(I'm not advocating this, using a carseat on board is definitely better, but for many reasons has not been an option to us - and no these are not financial reasons, but to do with differing laws in different countries)

Bev

Bev - I'm curious. Is there actually a law that prohibits you from using a carseat on the plane?

Steve

 

[Boo Mc]

We usually drive (18 hours) and our kids have usually done pretty well. If you fly, make sure you get your stroller after each leg of your flight (unless it's non-stop). We changed flights one time and no one told us that we had to get our stroller ourselves (maybe we should have known that but we didn't ) Needless to say, we got to Orlando and no stroller! If you use a pack and play at the hotel, consider putting it in the closet if you have a big closet. This may sound strange but it leaves more floor space in the hotel room. And don't forget an extra crib sheet or towel that you can drape over the stroller to keep baby out of the sun when you're walking around the parks.