Final 30 days to planning and packing - help me here!

[frostymom]

Getting so excited for our trip in 30 days and a wake up! Now I need to start really getting to work on what needs to get done.



DH, ds 3 and 5 and me!

We are flying and neither of our little boys have never been on an airplane. Ideas?

We are flying Airtran and will be able to take carry ons but pay $$ for checking luggage. We are thinking of each of us with a backpack and a rolling carry on (including the boys with little disney cases) WWYD?

Green Grocer for all the things we will need that can not be taken on plane and snacks or buy it from Walt Disney?

if we do the green grocer and have stuff left over, anyone want it instead of just throwing it away?

Last year we drove and had all we needed or could go out and get it.

Thanks for all your advice and help in advance.

 

[akozlosk]

I think the carry-on luggage is an awesome idea. I'm going next week and I'm only doing a carry on - I'll be danged if I"ll pay United $20 to check a bag! The little Disney bags for your sons will work for playthings and a change of clothes. If you end up needing to do a big suitcase, use just one for everyone and then it will keep costs down and the DME will have it waiting for you at your resort! I love not checking bags, waiting for them sometimes takes more than an hour in Chicago (where DD25 lives) or at LAX (where I fly loads). My DN23 who is attending our grand adventure has some digestive problems so I will be looking into the Green Grocer! Have a wonderful time. I'm inbetween having kids and grandkids, so I have a mini doxie who doesn't do Disney World, LOL!

 

[wesmom]

Hi-
1. Airtran lets you take slightly larger carry-ons than other airlines, so make sure you measure. My DS3 and I had more than enough room last time for a week long trip and had enough room to take a little Christmas tree and other stuff on the way back!
2. I don't know if you prepaid for your seats, but it's possible for Airtran to seperate your family if you didn't. I saw them do it last time we flew, so just plan ahead. You can try calling customer service and maybe get a helpful person?
3. While gum is great for bigger kids, you can also try starbursts (gum-like, but OK to swallow). Snacks in general are always a hit.
4. Take maps of the parks or a book to discuss what rides you are going to do, places you are going to eat, places you are going to take pics of, etc.
5. Green Grocer is a good idea, or you can send some stuff ahead of you to your resort (amazon has a nice selection of grocery items). Also, I don't know if you got the dining plan, but we packed a ton of snacks and ended up taking sooo much home with us at the end. Hope this helps and have a magical trip! 3 and 5 are great ages to be in WDW! (OK, really any age )

 

[junderwood99]

I hope you don't mind me joining in with a question. We are also leaving in a month - Woo Hoo - and flying Airtran. We haven't flown in 3 years - so can we each bring a backpack and a small carryon suitcase? I know it says one personal item and one carry on per person. To me, a personal item is a purse, but can all 4 of us have a backpack and then also bring our rollers? I am trying to avoid the additional luggage costs as well

Thanks in advance!

 

[wesmom]

Hi- Hope this helps
•A carry-on bag must not exceed 24” long + 18” wide + 13” tall for a total combined linear measurement of 55 inches.
•For a personal item, such as a briefcase, laptop, purse, or camera to fit under the seat in front of the customer, it must not exceed 17” long + 12” wide + 8.5” tall.
As long as you are within these measurements, you will be fine. I usually max out at the 55" mark with the carry-on and Airtran gate checks my bag, so I have to pick it up later in baggage claim. Just be certain to have the essentials you need in your "personal bag" under the seat in front of you.
Have fun! How wonderful to be mere weeks away!

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

We were supposed to fly Airtran last year, but they canceled all our flights without even telling us!!! Then they wanted to keep ALL our money and send us to another airport 200 miles away. The only way we found out about our flights being canceled was my Dad checked on our flights and they were gone!! I called and they said yes those flights are no longer available but you can fly out of NYC, said no thank you and they did not want to refund our money. Just posting this so that you are on top of your airline schedule with Airtran they seem to often change flights and add fees.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Have a great trip!! I'd have some little activity-surprises for the boys for the flight!