Airline/Resort questions

[hokiefan33]

We are going for the 3rd time in 3 years, but flying for the first. We normally drive, but with our DD 3 1/2 months, we figured 12 hours in the van wouldn't be as fun as it was with just DS9 and DD6, so we sprang for some SWA tickets this year!

I have a few questions, since we have never flown as a family. For the record, it is me, DW, DS9, DD6 and DD 3 1/2 months. We do NOT have a ticket for the baby, she will ride on one of our laps. We are flying on SWA out of Raleigh/Durham, and it is direct to MCO (about 1 1/2 hours direct). We leave about 7AM and arrive around 8:40 or so, and we are planning on using DME to and from the airport.

1) How much luggage can we bring (both checked and carry-on), and what counts as "luggage"? We have a Jeep jogging stroller we would like to bring, which if we brought it would obviously have to be checked, but could this count as one of our luggage pieces? We have 4 tickets, so I guess we have 4 luggage allocations.

2) I know SWA doesn't have pre-assigned seating (I think), but will we be assured of being able to sit as a family, i.e. take up an entire row of 2 seats-aisle-2 seats? Do we board first with an infant?

3) I know many people talk about shipping stuff down to their resort ahead of time, like food, supplies, etc..., which would be great with diapers, wipes, formula, etc... so we can use room to pack other things. How does this work? Do you just ship the package(s) to your resort and they hold it for you at the front desk for pick up when you get there? Is there a limit to the # of packages you can ship/hold? Can you do the same thing in reverse, i.e. ship back home from the resort?

4) We also have a Pack-n-Play that she can sleep in while we're there, but I know WDW has cribs (pack-n-plays?) that you can get in the room for free while you're there, as well. Anyone used these? Are they nasty? Do they provide clean sheets for them, or should you bring your own?

I think that's most of the questions for now. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tara]

1. Even though you don't have a ticket for the baby, bring your car seat to the gate -- you might very well get a seat for the baby if they have room. Neither the car seat (which you can gate check if you don't use it) nor the stroller count toward your luggage allowance. (You can gate check the stroller as well.)

2. Southwest's baggage guidelines can be found here: http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/baggage.html

3. In most cases, Southwest will let you pre-board if you have an infant.

 

[nutsforgolf]

Check-in luggage is limited to 2 per ticket, therefore you have 8 bags. I do believe there is a weight limit of 50LBS per bag. The stroller is gate checked, therefore it does not count as a checked bag. carry on is limited to 1 per person plus a small bag, such as a purse. You can not bring on two large carry-on bags per person. All airlines will let those that have infants board first. I would pack diapers in the front pockets of your suitcase. That way, you will have extra room for things you buy on your return trip. I have used the cribs and they are fine. They are metal, but the sheets are clean. Bring your own only if you think your child needs ones that they are familiar with.

 

[CarolA]

I would not bother bringing the car seat to the gate. I can count on ONE hand the number of "Empty" seats lately.
If you want to try this, check in at the counter and ask how full the flight is. If it's full go ahead and check the car seat.

All airlines do not automatically let those with infants board first so ask them to give you a preboard pass. (on other airlines you must ask now)