Airplane/flying questions

[bartleby1]

Hi guys! I'm happy to say that we will be once again taking a trip to disney this year because I won a trip for 5 days/4 nights for our family! However, even though we have been many times in the past, we have always driven down, so I am clueless about flying.

We will be travelling with a 6 year old, just turned 4 year old, and a 19 month old. At home, my 4 and 6 year olds use a high back booster seat in the car and my 19 month old uses a regular car seat. I know that I need the car seat for the plane and can't use my booster seats on the plane for the older two. So, do I check them with my luggage? I will need them for the rental car once we get to FL. I will also be bringing a stroller for my little one. Do I check that too?

Also, how exactly do we manage to lug 3 kids, luggage, a stroller, and 3 car seats through the airport? My DH will be with us, but it doesn't seem like we will have enough hands, lol! Up until now, I never considered flying because it seemed easier to throw everything and everyone in the car and drive.

So, how do you guys do it? Any helpful hints for a flying newbie?

Thanks!

 

[ryanally]

Congratulations on winning a trip to Disney... how cool is that? Having traveled by plane to Disney many times with our DS 5 and DD 2, we find it best to use a skycap at the curb(something we never would've dreamed of before kids) if your airport has this service. Much easier to get rid of the big suitcases as soon as possible. I would also give them the car seats for your two bigger kids. They sell protective covers for the car seats at various locations so they are not damaged during flight. You also get your boarding passes here, so all you have to do is go through security and onto your gate. Bring the stroller for the little one right up to the gate. The airline crew will give you a special tag to put on it. You can wheel it right up to where you enter the plane, take your little darling out, fold your stroller, and leave it for the crew to store underneath the plane. When you land, it will be in same place waiting for you to use.
Hope this helps and have a wonderful trip!!

 

[cv499]

Hi, I work at Dulles airport. I would definately recommend skycap. You will also want a protective cover for the 2 booster seats. You can probably fit them both in 1 car seat cover. If you have a lot of luggage you will want to do this because. they charge alot for extra bags, each booster would be considered a checked bag. You could also get a plastic bag from the airline( They are pretty thick) and put both boosters in one bag. You can take your stroller right up to the gate with you.

 

[jodifla]

Your 6 year old and possibly 4 year olds (depending on the child's size) could use the low back booster seats. They'd be a lot easier to travel with.

 

[mkutch]

Congrats on winning the trip!!

I know it is an extra charge but most car rental places either have built in carseats in the vehicle or they will rent them. Just something to think about to save you the hassle.

As far as the flight goes bring snacks and things for the kids similar to what you would bring on your car trip to keep them from being hungry and bored. Since you have driven I am guessing you would probably have a flight that lasts 2 hours or less -so check on meals. Some airlines don't serve them or there is an extra charge. So depending on your flight time you may want to make sure you have a meal for the kids or feed them before you board.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Congradulations from me as well.

I found that my dd was more ammused by the flight itself the first time around, and with the drink service/snack service they had on the plane, with the headphones, and all that. She hardly touched all the activities I brought for her...(3.5) If I were you and I was trying to minimize what we were bringing, I would just bring a few coloring books and some crayons. There will be free snacks on the plane, if not stash some m&m's in your purse for later.
I would also reccomend renting a carseat from the car rental place..will cost you a few extra bucks..but will be worth the hassle of all the other baggage.

Good Luck!

 

[SHSFire]

Congratulations.

Check your carseat to make sure it meets FAA requirements, it should be listed on a tag or sticker on the seat or perhaps in the manual that came when it was new.

We recently took a trip with my sister and we put her two low boosters in a large duffel bag and checked it.

Renting is an option. You might want to check with your airline I don't think they "Require" carseats. I preferred to use one for my DS, when he was younger, so he knew he had to stay in one place just like the car.

As for snacks - take some on with you. We flew Northwest in December and they no longer offer free snacks in coach just free drinks (non-alcoholic). Goldfish crackers, juice boxes, dried cherries or raisins, popped popcorn in a plastic bag.

Have fun.

Julie

 

[bartleby1]

Thanks so much to all of you for responding! I have only flown maybe 3 times in my life and my last flight was probably 12 years ago so I really don't have any idea how to go about it with kids, lol!

I'm not so worried about keeping the kids entertained since they are very used to the car and they have each handled the drive from NJ in the past. If they can deal with 2 days in the car, I'm sure they will be fine for a few hours on the plane. It's just getting all of them and our stuff on the plane that worries me! I think I've watched Home Alone 2 too many times where Kevin gets on a different flight than the rest of his family and ends up in NYC, lol!

I will definitely be looking into using a skycap at the curb so we can get rid of our luggage right away. Also, I hadn't thought about the low back booster! I keep one in my car for times when I have to drive other kids places but hadn't thought of bringing that one for my oldest, duh! I'll have to check the requirements to see if I can use one for my 4 year old. I seem to remember they had to be 40 lbs and 4 years old though. He definitely won't be 40 lbs. I'll have to check the seat because it would be awesome if I could use a low back for him also. If not, I'll look into renting one from the rental car company. I didn't realize they did that.

I'm glad to hear that I can bring the stroller right up to the plane. At least that will keep my little one confined until the last minute, plus I can keep my bag in it until then which will keep another hand free for something else.

Thanks again for all of the info. I'm sure I will have more questions as the details of our trip unfold but I'm feeling a little more at ease with this flying thing now.

 

[Spart02]

You may want to see if your carseat will safely fit inside the stroller. My two year old is going to sit on top of the carseat which will be strapped into the stroller. One less thing to carry through the airport. We will have to separate each piece for security though.