Airport with a toddler

[KT0191]

Need advice. I'll be flying alone with DS3 and I am bringing an umbrella stroller just to use in the airport (we are renting from Kingdom for the stroller down there). I would like to bring my rolling carry on so I can have extra clothes and bathing suits for me and him since luggage can take a while. But I am worried that it would be hard to walk around the airports rolling a suitcase and pushing a stroller. Its nonstop though so its only through two airports. Thoughts/opinions? Should I just try to stuff everything into a backpack?

 

[Party.Of.4-NY>>>FL]

Need advice. I'll be flying alone with DS3 and I am bringing an umbrella stroller just to use in the airport (we are renting from Kingdom for the stroller down there). I would like to bring my rolling carry on so I can have extra clothes and bathing suits for me and him since luggage can take a while. But I am worried that it would be hard to walk around the airports rolling a suitcase and pushing a stroller. Its nonstop though so its only through two airports. Thoughts/opinions? Should I just try to stuff everything into a backpack?

A backpack would be ideal in your situation. Can your rolling carry on be used with a shoulder strap while pushing the stroller?

 

[FigmentSpark]

I used to push a cheap umbrella stroller and had a purse over my neck and shoulder, as well as a laptop bag AND pulled a carry on in my left hand, which held the stroller and the bag. Then, when my 3 year old got tired of pulling his (he had to walk, as the little one was in the stroller), I clipped his carry on to the back of mine and made it through the airport.

It can be done. Do you want to do it? That's another question. Don't forget MCO has trams. I don't know how easily you can get the stroller on the tram and take care of the suitcases. While a backpack will probably give you sore shoulders, it might be preferable. You might look for a back pack with wheels. It'll be heavier when you have to carry it, but a godsend when you're able to use it in the rolling capacity.

Why aren't you just using your stroller in the World? It's cheaper and you don't have to wait in a line to sign out a stroller.

 

[Dis703]

I love a backpack now, but when we took ODS at 26 months we had rolling luggage and he pulled one on his own. He thought it was the coolest thing to walk along and pull the suitcase, lol. I was able to push a stroller and pull one on each side. It gets tricky here and there, but it can be done.

 

[maxiesmom]

I wouldn't use the stroller at the airport, in all honesty. If you are afraid of being separated, use one of the baby tethers.

 

[KT0191]

A backpack would be ideal in your situation. Can your rolling carry on be used with a shoulder strap while pushing the stroller?

Unfortunately, no. It's just a standard Chaps rolling suitcase and would be too big to use a shoulder strap on.

I used to push a cheap umbrella stroller and had a purse over my neck and shoulder, as well as a laptop bag AND pulled a carry on in my left hand, which held the stroller and the bag. Then, when my 3 year old got tired of pulling his (he had to walk, as the little one was in the stroller), I clipped his carry on to the back of mine and made it through the airport.

It can be done. Do you want to do it? That's another question. Don't forget MCO has trams. I don't know how easily you can get the stroller on the tram and take care of the suitcases. While a backpack will probably give you sore shoulders, it might be preferable. You might look for a back pack with wheels. It'll be heavier when you have to carry it, but a godsend when you're able to use it in the rolling capacity.

Why aren't you just using your stroller in the World? It's cheaper and you don't have to wait in a line to sign out a stroller.

A rolling backpack is a good idea..I think that would work out pretty well. I am not worried about sore shoulders or anything since it wont be an all day thing. My flight leaves Indianapolis around 7a and I'll be at MCO at 9:10a so its a short, nonstop flight. I should clarify, I am renting from Kingdom Strollers..and they deliver it my hotel and pick up from there when we are done. No waiting in line for it needed I am being paranoid over my stroller being taken due to my mom's being stolen 2 years ago at Disney. I have a nice Britax and I don't want anything to happen to it lol. (I know its very rare for that to happen but I just like having the insurance on the rental and not being worried the whole time I leave it.) Plus, my rental comes with a rain cover and snack tray..two thing of which I don't have for my Britax.

 

[KT0191]

I love a backpack now, but when we took ODS at 26 months we had rolling luggage and he pulled one on his own. He thought it was the coolest thing to walk along and pull the suitcase, lol. I was able to push a stroller and pull one on each side. It gets tricky here and there, but it can be done.

That's good to hear! Honestly, I overthink everything and I like to make things seem like they're going to be way more complicated than they actually will be. LOL.

I wouldn't use the stroller at the airport, in all honesty. If you are afraid of being separated, use one of the baby tethers.

My son will probably want to walk the whole time but more often than not, he wants me to carry him. Plus, its a very early morning and if he can just sleep most of the time at the airport in his stroller, that would make things easier. I'm not worried about being separated or anything.

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think a stroller is quite workable. You probably have to sky-check it (take it to the gate and they bring it to you once you get off the plane. It should be waiting right at the plane entrance for you). That means that if it's not off the plane before you, you'll have to wait a few minutes to get it. Minor inconvenience for having the comfort of knowing where your son is.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I would use a backpack . A large one for me to carry and a smaller one to put on the back of the stroller. I would also pack the small one with the things that you could need on the flight(put it under the seat) and the larger one with the other items. The large one could then go in the over head compartment on the plane.

 

[quagmire0]

Yeah, backpack makes a whole lot of sense in this scenario. And definitely do the stroller. It's good to have an option to strap them down, if need be.