Flying down...stroller at gate?

[MarksMom2006]

Hi all! I just have a quick question. My family and I are flying (after MONTHS of debate about this DH gave in! WOO HOO ) down in September. Now, I know we can have DS be in a stroller right up to the gate. Is there a size limit for the stroller? We have a Gregor that isnt huge, but it isn't an umbrella stroller either. We just figure this will be easier when we get to the airports.

 

[Ariel8676]

They never said anything to us about a size limit. We have a Maclaren double and its no problem..hth

 

[RangerPooh]

We have flown with an Evenflo stroller (on the bulky side) that we ahve checked at the gate. So I don't think that there is a size limit. Just be aware that strollers are stored inside the plane like luggage and not in the seating area. To help protect ours we place it in a stroller bag. The person at the ticket counter at the gate will give you a gate claim tag to place on your stroller. All you ahve to do is collapse it and leave it near the plane door. It will reappear there when you disembark. HTH.

 

[mommy*RN]

I took our full-size stroller in 2004 and didn't have a problem at all. I really don't think there is a size limit. I know I had to fold mine up and put it through the x-ray machine. I was nervous it wouldn't fit, but the guy really torqued on it so it did. I didn't care - I figured their machine would break before my stroller and that is way more expensive!

 

[justwinnie]

I bring my full size Graco Eddie Bauer stroller and gate check it. No problem. I've seen others with the double Graco too, which is even larger.

I have one designated "travel" stroller. It was a hand-me-down, so I don't really mind if something happened to it. I use it b/c it's the biggest stroller and I can fit tons of stuff in it! It makes going through the airport a bit easier b/c I stack my carseat on it.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I've flown numerous times and airlines with a full-size Gracto Quattro and now I use a smaller Peg Pliko Lite which is grate for travel. (and easier to get through the x-ray)

 

[mom_2_boys]

We will be at Disney Aug 13-19 and I have several stroller questions. I have been to WDW a couple of times but this is the first for my kids. We, too are flying and I am glad to hear that you can check your stroller right at the gate. (I never flown with my kids - DS2 & DS4 - before.) I had been planning on renting a stroller in the park until I realized that it was going to cost me nearly $100!!!!! I would like to bring one stroller with me (I have the Graco Eddie Bauer single and double models.) Both of my boys are good walkers so I think that I may bring the single and rent one if I need to? Also, how well do these types of stroller fit on the Disney transportation? My mom and sister are going with us and they think that I am crazy for even considering bringing my own stroller along with all of the other stuff that we are hauling along! I just can't imagine trying to carry the kids at the end of the day all the way to the bus and then all the way back to our hotel room. Not to mention trying to keep track of them in the airports! Any advice from a veteran is really appreciated!

 

[dtndfamily]

We will be at Disney Aug 13-19 and I have several stroller questions. I have been to WDW a couple of times but this is the first for my kids. We, too are flying and I am glad to hear that you can check your stroller right at the gate. (I never flown with my kids - DS2 & DS4 - before.) I had been planning on renting a stroller in the park until I realized that it was going to cost me nearly $100!!!!! I would like to bring one stroller with me (I have the Graco Eddie Bauer single and double models.) Both of my boys are good walkers so I think that I may bring the single and rent one if I need to? Also, how well do these types of stroller fit on the Disney transportation? My mom and sister are going with us and they think that I am crazy for even considering bringing my own stroller along with all of the other stuff that we are hauling along! I just can't imagine trying to carry the kids at the end of the day all the way to the bus and then all the way back to our hotel room. Not to mention trying to keep track of them in the airports! Any advice from a veteran is really appreciated!

We will be there at the same time with our DS6 and DS4. This will be our third trip to Disney with the boys and I am still planning on bringing a stroller for them even though they are old enough not to need a stroller at home (we do Dorney Park on a regular basis and they never need a stroller), but from experience they sure do need one after being in the Florida August heat all day and 5+ miles of walking at Disney sure wears them out. In the past I have taken a huge tandem stoller (my wife calls it the limo ) and last trip we took two umbrella strollers. Is it a pain sometimes to do the buses with the stroller, IMO yes. Is it worth it to have your own stoller so you don't have to carry your kids after leaving the parks, IMO yes. Not to mention the fact that I won't have to spend another $100 on a rental. I just make sure I do not invade other people's space on the bus with the stroller. I even have had complete strangers offer to help hold the stroller on the bus when the kids were smaller.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I just wanted to second the stroller bag, or something to cover the stroller (some people just use the plastic garbage bags.) We didn't know about covering the stroller on our first flight. When we got it back at our destination gate, it had some grease on it that I never did get out. (In the scheme of things, not a big deal, I guess.)

Several travelers stated that they use the super-tough garbage bags, so that's what we're planning to use on our September trip.

 

[lindakmonty]

Uhhh this brings back bad memories... We flew down to WDW on Thanksgiving day 03' I had ds in our maclaren umbrella stroller. At security they made him get out and fold the stroller and put it on the belt...ok no biggie..then they rip his FAVORITE blankie out of his hands to put it through They could have told me nicely to put it through w/o making him scream his head off at 18 mo old!!! So ridiculous!! What could a small blanket have had on it??? They did about the same thing on the way back...I've drove the 17 hrs. down to FL. since then! I don't think you'll have any problems...but they'll probably do the same and make it go through the scanner...

 

[tjmw2727]

You will have no problem with a full size graco. Just remember that it does have to be folded to go through security xray so be sure the bottom isn't loaded up.

In fact I strip the stroller of everything extra including the front tray if it has one, cup holders and even the sunshade if you can detach it and put it in my checked bag. When you get to the gate check in and ask for a stroller gate check tag.

While you can use it right up to the gate I prefer to close it, bungee it closed and then wrap it in a stroller bag or other covering prior to leaving it at the airplane door. The most damage is caused by a stroller opening by mistake and the baggage handlers not knowing how to fold it in addition to them getting wet or dirty.

When you get to WDW just use the stroller without the extras until you get your luggage and then "re-build".

Its really not as complicated as it sounds - have a great trip.

TJ

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD will turn 7 on our next trip and we are still bringing our own stroller. She is 43" and 43# so she can still ride in it when tired and nap, if needed. I am not looking forward to the time when she will no longer fit in it as I don't want to have to carry everything on my person that I now carry in the stroller.

The stroller is great for getting everything to the gate. Since we rent a van, I can't speak about fitting a stroller on Disney Transport, but I can tell you that you will have to fold it to get on any tram (unlike DL where the have room in the first and last car to leave them open) Many times we just walk so we don't have to unpack everything to fold it up. Also I find the stroller very helpful in taking things to and from our room (from the car). I just load everything we need into it in the a.m. and wheel it to the van. At the end of the day, I load everything back into it and wheel it to our room. There is usually room to store it open, in the room-I usually park it by the window. Sometimes, I pack it up the night before to save time in the a.m.

 

[mom_2_boys]

Thanks for all of the advice! I think that I will most likely bring my own stroller from home. I am not sure what you mean by a stroller bag. I understand that you want to cover the stroller completely so that it doesn't get damaged on the plane. What do you use for this? The idea of taking off all of the extras and packing them is a good one.

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

There are bags that you can buy to cover a stroller when it's folded up; I think I've seen them on the BabiesRUs site. But then I read several other posts that said they just used the super-tough garbage bags, and cost was a lot cheaper!

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks for all of the advice! I think that I will most likely bring my own stroller from home. I am not sure what you mean by a stroller bag. I understand that you want to cover the stroller completely so that it doesn't get damaged on the plane. What do you use for this? The idea of taking off all of the extras and packing them is a good one.

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions!

If your going to be using the stroller for a while, ie younger baby or planning for more kids you may want to buy a stroller bag. You can quickly search for them, I know one step ahead has them as does babies r us. They range in price from 19.00 up with various features. I had a standard inexpensive one but my sil has a nice one with wheels like a wheeling suitcase.

If your child is older or you don't travel much then just bring along a trashbag and some bungee cords or even packing tape and just wrap up the stroller at the gate. Be sure that the gate check tag is outside the wrapping and visable.

TJ

 

[Disney Lover JJ]

I believe Disney offers extended stroller packages, so that you don't spend $100. But remember that you cannot take these out of the parks. DTD also has strollers with a deposit. Also, when checking strollers in a plane, consider that they will be thrown in with the luggage and may get "mistreated". This is usually not of big concern unless your stroller is part of a travel system...as it may never lock properly again with the car seat etc. Finally consider an umbrella type stroller, if you don't have one...these can be bought fairly cheap $30. Bulky sturdy strollers will be a pain when using Disney transportation (BUS) and parking trams. Monorails and Boats are OK.