Airport Dilemma...please Advise

[raspberrysharpei]

I have no children of my own. I am a seasoned traveler & generally go with my passport in my back pocket with a carry-on when traveling via air.

I will be taking my Dsister (30ish), Dniece(11) & Dnephew(4.5) to WDW. First Dsister is FREAKED out about flying, not looking forward to the experience at all.

My first plan was to go with carry-on only, check in 24hrs early for our boarding passes, take advantage of pre-boarding & send our hotel a box of necessities to lighten the baggage load. Dnephew still in pampers & swim pants, etc. My thought is: make the check in & security check smooth & easy for freaked out sis.

However, I read a post which said checked baggage makes it easier for the security check (true) & getting situated on the airplane. Nobody has to worry about clumsy bags, etc.

This is not my first airport rodeo (so to speak). I've experienced lost luggage, flight delays, baggage claim, etc. I personally will not check luggage unless I absolutely have to-I hate checking luggage.

This IS my first rodeo with children involved & a sis that is freaked out. I understand kids have more needs which can lead to additional baggage. Plus we have a 7AM flight which will require an earlier airport arrival if we check bags. Which way do I go?

 

[powellrj]

I would suggest going with checked bags on this trip. I also prefer to go the carry-on route, but it has taken several trips for us to get to that point. If your DSis is really that upset about flying, she will have enough to worry about just taking care of herself and her children, plus when you fly out early in the am, it usually very crowded with business travelers, so you really don't need the extra headache of keeping track of everyones bag.

Maybe you can use curbside check-in. I know in Indy and St.Louis the last couple of times I have had to pay $2.00 per bag, plus tip, but it was a small price to pay to have the luggage taken care of before we walked in the door.

 

[SueM in MN]

My first plan was to go with carry-on only, check in 24hrs early for our boarding passes, take advantage of pre-boarding & send our hotel a box of necessities to lighten the baggage load.

I'm not sure why you are planning you will be able to pre-board, but wanted to mention that they often only pre-board families with infants or small children who will need a car seat installed.
Also, sometimes for trips going to Orlando, they don't preboard families with children at all. For some flights, they'de be preboarding half the plane if they did.

I would agree with the other poster about checking baggage. I think it would make things much easier for this trip.

 

[michvin]

We went last october for 8 nites with 3 young kids...youngest was not even two. Anyway, for 5 of us, we only checked one bag. Past january, went for 4 nites, no checked bags.

I would recommend mailing a box of diposables, like swim diapers, sunblock, snacks, even bottled water (try staples.com). I mailed a diaper box full of stuff.

Then, pack a surprise bag for on the plane. I picked up stuff over several months and put in a Mikey bag I got online really cheap. That way, the first half hour or so is wow, look what we got. Then, it will keep them occupied for most of the flight..stuff like stickers, silly putty, playdoh, colored pencils, paper, small cheap handheld games, cards, paperback books, etc.

You definitely don't have to check bags. And, i think because you are checking in with a young one, you should be able to get on early to have a place to stash your bags in the overhead. Good luck!

 

[Ariel8676]

Yup i agree..check the bags and bring a small backpack(carry-on) for your nephew with a change of clothes,maybe ear planes, snacks and something to play with..also include something for your neice to keep her occupied. Good Luck..flying with children isn't bad at all..just a little different than what you are used to

 

[Hannathy]

Having taken children on planes many many times I say check the bags give each child there own back pack and your sis her purse,maybe a backpack and check every thing else. Do you really want to try to "assist" your sister if she is having a hard time dealing with flying ( I'm assuming she will be of little help) watch a little one, remind them to bring their bags each time you stop and they will need reminding - back packs can be made their responsibility but they will forget to pick up the others esp if not seasoned flyers- get everything thru security,take care of the boarding passes, make bathroom stops, get it all down to the plane and on, and do the reverse in Fl. All of this with kids excited about flying and I imagine not experienced and someone who is afraid of flying. You may or may not preboard sometimes it is under 3 or 4 or not at all and then only your sis and kid. Plus if she isn't used to flying she will probably have a tendency to over pack. Why stress her more with the have to pack minimally. Sounds like a lot of work and hassle to save how much time? By the way when you get off with kids you don't fly to baggage and run out of the airport- they usually need to use the BR or just take more time. Good luck but having kids with you is a lot different than flying alone, I'd check.

 

[crisi]

I HATE checked luggage, but with the advent of children, we ALWAYS check. Don't burden yourself with more luggage than adult hands, and keep in mind that any child young child counts as luggage for this purpose. You sister may be unable to be of a lot of help, and a 4.5 year old may be a handful all by himself (some kids are great, some run away from you in the airport).

As to your sister, she may want to talk to her doctor if she is really really anxious about the flight, they may prescribe something that will lower her anxiety for the flights.

 

[raspberrysharpei]

Thank you for all the tips!
I had not considered curbside check-in or business travelers. This trip would be a bigger challange without all the knowledge I have gained from seasoned WDW vets like yourselves. Not being in the MK yet- I feel the magic already. I anticipate checking baggage & sending a box to the hotel is the route to go.

MANY THANKS

 

[CEDmom]

We always check luggage and have never had a problem (knocking loudly on wood ). I'd just make sure that your carry-on is well stocked. I bring a complete change of clothes for my DD and at least a partial change for DH and I along with any medication, snacks, distractions for DD etc. Also, we usually end up checking 2 bags and I make sure to parcel out our things equally between the bags in case one does get lost.

 

[crisi]

Oh, by the way, one of the reasons I hate checked luggage is the delay in getting it. Waited 45 minutes in Boston recently - its just not fun. But we've found MCO to be one of the most efficient luggage unloading airports - generally, by the time we get off the plane, stop to go potty (when traveling with kids, you'll do this alot), make our way to the luggage pick up - the luggage belt is starting to turn and its only a few minutes before we have our luggage and our on our way.

 

[cdrn1]

I don't do checked bags whenever I can avoid it EXCEPT when doing Disney. Me makes checked bags so easy that now all I have to worry about is getting them all in the car to get to the airport!

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

one more vote for checking the bags!

i think one of the most stressful things is, after going through security with kids, is keeping all the bags and kids together! if you only have minimal bags to worry about while waiting for the plane, hopefully that will give your sister one less thing to worry about!

 

[Merriwind]

Glad you're checking the bags. I think you will have anough on your hands without bags for everyone! Enjoy!!