Disney's magical express and luggage?

[klinkprincesses]

I was just wondering how other families manage getting their luggage (in our case for a family of four) around the airport until you check-in and then also again once your return home until you get to the car. I haven't flown much and was just wondering if I need to buy some type of cart ( and then check it?) or can you rent these at the airport? I am just picturing this: Me having my hands full just keeping up with dd4 and dd2 and my husband trying to deal with 2 strollers, 4 bags (at least) and 2-3 carry-ons. I just don't see how it's possible. I know all families deal with this. I would love to hear how you hand it! Thanks!

 

[dburg30]

Well at the airport, sometimes they have shuttles that will get you from your car parking lot to the curbside checkin? Or once at the terminal I think you can usually rent the carts? Or worse case, can DH drop you and the luggage and the kids off and can you just stay with the luggage and kids while he parks? And do the opposite on return? Use the cart to get to curbside pickup, then he goes and gets the car?

edit: Oh, btw, is there any chance you can afford to rent strollers at WDW? If you can that would cut the bulkiness down some also..

 

[all4fun]

We have matching luggage that has the integrated wheels and the smaller bag can be strapped to a large bag so you can pull two bags with one hand. But what we usually do because we have ds and the car seat and stroller to contend with, is dh will go and get a smart cart ($3 to rent) and then we'll just pile everything we can on that, and I'll push ds in the stroller. We always have a family member who lives nearby drop us off at the airport that way we can be dropped off right by the check in area. We of course will return the favor whenever necessary. I'm not sure what we would do if we had to park and take the shuttle from long term parking though. I guess you could stop by the bus stop and unload then one person can park the car while everyone else waits at the stop with the luggage.

Are your kids big enough to carry their own carry ons? That might help a little bit. Just a thought.

hth

 

[dismom73]

We have a family of five and travel a lot and this it what works for us...
When we arrive at the airport I drop DH off with the bags and the two older kids, we rent a cart (and yes, all U.S. airports have them right out front, they are usually $3). I then proceed to the parking lot with our little one, so my DH doesn't have to try and chase her and keep track of all the bags. We take the shuttle to the terminal and meet up with the rest of the family and then get in line to check our bags. Each family member has one carry on and they are all backpacks. My DD(7) usually gets overzealous with packing hers, so to make sure it is not too heavy for her and that she will be able to carry it in the airport(we usually have to make connections) I make her put it on her back at home and go up and down the stairs a few times and then circle the inside of the house a few times. If she doesn't complain she can bring it as is.
On the other end we rent a cart as well. The $6 is well worth the sanity of not trying to have the older kids help out when they are exausted from traveling accross the country.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On your return flight home, if one of the carriers offered, you can check in at the hotel. (for a fee--we did this in Hawaii and it was well worth the fee!)

The only other time you need to handle the luggage is checking in from your home airport.

We use the strollers as our "carts" in the airport. We have made our 4yo walk and the 2yo would ride or I would carry. I would use my free hand for a carryon. My 4yo would use her hands to tote her little bag on wheels. If your children will be all over the place....then into the stroller they go. Then hubby gets 2 bags piggy backed and you get too bags piggy backed. Carryons I assume are diaper and activity bags--those can go in the bottom of the stroller and the extra can be piggy backed with the others.

If umbrella strollers, we have hooked the bags to the stroller with the kid in the stroller or one other bag in the stroller as a counterweight.

We also have straps that allows our luggage to be fastened together and a suitcase can ride piggy back with another.

Worst case scenario, if you don't want to purchase new luggage, you can do curbside checkin if you like and just pay the tip.

Honestly--once you get the schematics down, you will be amazed at how well you can get around when it seems you can't. We also have bags for our car seats (purchased at One Step Ahead) and they have straps and we can carry those on our shoulder.

The straps to attach the handles of bags together I think can be purchased separately. Ours has it built into the bag and the link we just store in the zipper pocket.

Another consideration--pack less....

Statistically, most often, travelers pack way way way more than what they need to a fault. You could probably trim down your packing as well as pack more compactly. Roll clothes instead of folding them for example.

Our most challenging trip was overseas to Europe. We managed--but the challenge wasn't getting into and out of airports, it was managing with trains and cabs once we were there as well as the long walks from baggage claim to trains and trains to airline checkin. That was with a 3yo and an 18 month old.

Depending on the trip, the girls share a big if it is full sized, or their stuff goes in with dad and my things. Their "suitcase" is used for carryon and has blanket, change of clothes (if early flight we drive them to the airport in their jammies) or jammies (to change into for a late flight) and a toy.

 

[TheDizMom]

I would ask a family member or friend to take us to the airport and drop us off with all of our belongings as my first option, and then check our luggage with a skycap at the curb. They can also sometimes get you your boarding passes too, if they are with the larger airlines. If that wasn't an option I would have one adult drop off the other, older child, one stroller and luggage at the curb and go park with the younger child and other stoller (if the older one could make it without one, skip one stroller you can always rent one extra at WDW). Then if the weather was ok I would just stay put and check the bags with a skycap again once your better half has arrived with the toddler and everyone can give the skycap their ID. Once you get to Orlando if you are using the ME let them worry about the bags and all you have to do is get you and your carry-ons to the bus and resort. If not just get the cart. Then I would just reverse the same procedure going home except maybe get the cart to put the luggage on and out to the curb for pick-up at the end of the trip. Again if you can arrange to have someone pick you up it will be a lot easier. Otherwise, if dad or you can handle the 2 kids and one stroller to get to the car, then the other can get all the claimed luggage while the other is getting the kids in the car and driving around to get you. Push the cart to the curb and load up. Good luck! It is a bit of a juggling act but you can do it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We have a family of five and travel a lot and this it what works for us...
When we arrive at the airport I drop DH off with the bags and the two older kids, we rent a cart (and yes, all U.S. airports have them right out front, they are usually $3).

I may be a bit unobservant, but I have not found them at MCO yet. They have them down by the baggage claim...and I have found the occasional stray in the parking garage. But they are not out front of the airport. (we live locally--so I don't know where the busses drop off--if by the baggage claim, then I guess they would be "in front" of the airport).

 

[klinkprincesses]

Thanks so much! Lots of good advice! I will definately have dh drop us off and then we'll try to get a cart. That sounds manageable!