Family Trip - Need Advice

[stephen11]

Hi, we need your help... we will be going to disney in december with our 2 grandchildren (ages 2 and 7 months)... it will be me, my wife, my daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter 2, and grandson 7 months. We are all very excited, but worried about the logistics.

We have reserved seats for our grandchildren. We will be using CARES restraint system for our 2 year-old granddaughter and our grandson will be in his carseat.

We will be bringing two maclaren quest strollers. We plan on taking Magical Express to the BCV...

Our biggest concern is getting through security with all this stuff, diaper bags, strollers, car seat, etc. There will be 4 adults, so we should be able to manage, but any advice on making things easier would be so appreciated.

We will be ordering formula, diapers, etc. from garden grocer... I feel we are organized, but am still "worried"...

Anything we should be aware of??

Thanks so much for your help!!

Steve

 

[Perditamarie]

Here's what worked for us to get through the airport:

* Use stroller to carry car seat (make sure clearly labeled as FAA approved) and carry baby in sling (great for lines at WDW too)

* Everyone wear shoes that slip off w/socks -- you have to remove shoes and don't want your feet to touch germy airport floor...even babies have to remove shoes!

* Strollers have to be folded to go on x ray belt -- whoever is running the strollers practice the folding...can be tricky w/a maclaren

* Don't carry water/juice through security...buy it after you get through (bring an empty sippy cup for 2yo and fill up after/on plane).

* When we travelled w/baby we would use powdered formula and mix w/bottled water. Have enough formula/diapers w/you in case (God forbid!!) you get stuck on the runway.

* It will probably be helpful if 2 adults handle bags/stroller/car seat and the other 2 handle kids, so everyone is not doing the same thing!

* Have your liquid items ready to show in the quart baggies -- I always brough infants Tylenol in case of any ear issues. Also, feed baby at take off/landing to help adjust ear pressure. Tell 2 yo to yawn or give fruit chews or lollipop for ears.

* A portable DVD player is fabulous for children...and their Dads!!! Also, have familiar snacks handy -- plane food is usually junk! and chances are you will fly during/near meal time!

* We have always gate checked strollers and have had excellent results!

* Bring a change of clothes for kids and a shirt in case baby spits up on grown up! Also, bring what you need when you get to the resort, like bathing suits or more diapers/formula, etc....luggage delivered via ME may not be available for several hours.

* We have had excellent transport w/DME, great service w/Garden Grocer and FABULOUS stays at BCV...have a wonderful trip!

 

[DISNEYNV]

PP had some great advice! I second checking the strollers when you get to your gate. Also make sure everyone has a change of clothes for the parks in their carryon bags as well as diapers and wipes, snacks and bibs for the little ones in a separate bag or area so when you get to the resort you can change them easily. We brought our two Macs for our kids with our parents last December and it worked out great. They manuver well, store well and fold easily in my opinion. Have a great time and dont sweat the small stuff.

 

[yekcoh_99]

We just returned on Saturday. Our son is 3 and our daughter turned 2 while we were there. She flew on our lap down which went very well and had a seat on the return. We planned on gate checking the car seats (had a rental car on the other end), but decided to check them both times instead, which worked out well. Lugging them through the airport was not desirable in the end and both kids would be kicking the seat in front of them on the airplane if we put them in their carseats on the plane, so bringing them on wasn't really an option in the end after speaking to many others about 2 years olds in car seats on planes. I thought about doing the CARES harness, but in the end opted not to and the lap belt worked very well for both children. We didn't want to lug our stroller either, so we rented a double stroller from orlando stroller rentals which was marvelous. We also rented a full sized crib from a babies best friend (www.abbf.com) which was fantastic. Both were delivered and picked up from the hotel (Pop Century). The pack and plays just don't work for our daughter and she's still too little for the bed/pull out. A full crib was a secure place for her and she slept like a dream. They each had little backpacks we filled with lots of snacks (especially chewy snacks for take offs), little erasable writing tablets, paper/stickers, books, etc. And a DVD player is wonderful too. Getting through security with all our stuff (meds, etc.) took a bit of time, but is do-able. Just allow for extra time. Have a fantastic trip!

 

[auralia]

I take my daughter by myself on the airlines all the time. it is tough alone but w/ 4 adults it will be a breeze compaired to what i usually do. Just remember you can bring drinks for only the kiddos and it is best if they are sealed.. .juice boxes, baby food, pediasure, they give you less problems with those 3 things, they still won't allow water. Remove all childrens drinks and baby food before boarding... including any premixed baby formula. Bring the 2 year old a DVD player if possible it will make everything more plesant, other wise bring some color wonder coloring books these always help me w/ melt downs from my daughter. also you have to take the babies shoes/jacket off when going through security too!!! crazy...

 

[Bren's Mom]

Definitely sling the baby...but be aware that if it is a ring sling or any with metal in it or buckles, etc. whoever has the infant will have to take him out while going through the metal detector.

And the suggestion of slip off shoes with socks is right on! I had sandals on ds the last time but brought socks to throw on his feet in line. Made life much easier. And those socks went into a baggie in my backpack and into the laundry pile when we got to the hotel.

Backpacks, backpacks, backpacks. I can't say that enough. Each person with a ticket (so 6 of you) may have 1 personal item and 1 carry on. The adults with the kiddos should be able to each handle a backpack along with one child. (I know I can.) The other 2 adults can manage, if necessary, a stroller with a car seat on top, a backpack and a rolling carryon.

For the ladies...put the purses INSIDE backpacks. Have cash and picture ID in their pocket or the outside pocket of the backpack. For security as well as for ease of carrying.

OH...and it is helpful if you explain upfront about the CARES harness to the person sitting behind that seat. I generally introduce myself, explain what it is and immediately reassure them that once I have 'installed' the harness it will not interfere with their tray table at all. I've never had anyone give me a hard time I think because I'm very direct and get it all out of the way right away.

Have a GREAT trip!

 

[Beckypooh1972]

Wow! Lots of good advice here. The only thing I'd add is to trust the judgement of the parents of the kids, as to what they can handle carrying with them (within the confines of what's allowed by the airline of course). Most people who have young ones are pretty good at managing all the gear and the tears, etc. They are lucky to have helpful grandparents going with them. It's definitely going to be easier with 4 adults instead 2. Have a great trip!

 

[Mkrop]

Make sure on adult goes thru security first and then send the kids. Maybe practice haveing them walk thorugh security. Even if they are young having a familair person on the other side is helpful. So you can say "now go see mommy'

 

[micheleq]

I would call the airline and ask if your grandson's car seat is FAA compliant. At 7 months, he's either still in an infant carier or rear facing in a convertable car seat. I've never seen an infant car seat installed on an airplane, only convertable ones forward facing.

There are several car seat experts here in the DIS, so I am sure one of them can clarify.

Have a wonderful trip. My parents came on my girls first trip to Disney and everyone had a great time.

 

[stephen11]

I can't believe all of the wonderful suggestions. Thank you all so very much. I will print this and I'm sure it will help us all be more organized. Our infant car seat is a Graco Snug Ride (?) and it has a sticker on the side approved for air travel. Our plane seats are 3 behind 3, so we shouldn't have a problem with the C.A.R.E.S. harness. We will surely all wear socks to get through security. One of our Maclaren strollers is brand new, so we will be practicing opening and closing it. I guess our daughter will carry her daughter through security and our son-in-law will carry the baby in the sling. My husband and I will help with the diaper bags, car seat, etc. (the back pack suggestion is terrific)..

We will be bringing a few 8 oz. bottles of RTF formula and also some powdered formula to mix with water and a couple of jars of baby food. Garden grocer will deliver the rest..

We do have a portable DVD player and lots of Princess DVDs. Our granddaughter is already in love with Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle!! We have an ADR for a Princess breakfast in the Castle (how lucky!!)..

It seems like alot of planning, but we are so very blessed to be able to have this wonderful trip.

Thanks so much for the great advice!!!

Steve

 

[Mkrop]

The transportation folks might know better but I am not sure if the 2 year old can be carried through the security thing where they check for metal. I flew when my kids were 4 and they had to walk through themselves, so I went through first then DH kinda of pushed them through and said go see mommy