Flying & Stroller question

[tycopj]

We will be taking DS who will be almost 3 when we go to Disneyland. We have an umbrella stroller and a scaled down version of a jogging stroller. It has three wheels, but they are not oversized, it is about the size of a normal stroller. It has a good sized basket underneath, it reclines and it has the shade on top. I would rather take it but I dont know how it works with the airline. Can I use it to get to the gate? I've heard, I think, that they will take it once we board the plane and put it with the luggage. If so, will it get destroyed? I think it is too big to carry on.

Thanks

 

[JennsBabySky]

You can use the stroller to go to the gate. Then they will gate check it for you. As for survival of the stroller, that is hard to answer. Statistically, it will probably survive, but I have heard of them getting dirty, breaking a wheel, tearing the cover. Unfortunately, it is hard to predict. I still gate check my stroller, and just cross my fingers. Some people recommend using a bag to keep it from getting dirty. Others say that the bag encourages the handlers to throw heavier items on top (because they can't see that it is baby gear). I don't believe you are any safer if you check the stroller as luggage, because then it is on those conveyor belts and being handled with the heaviest luggage. In this arena, there are no easy answers. I have heard that some credit cards will cover damage, so maybe talk to your cc company before buying the tickets and see if they will cover it. Then use whichever card will cover the cost of repair/replacement. Some of the airlines have policies which protect them from having to pay for repairs. It is not fair -- you can't bring the stroller with you, so you have no control over how the stroller is treated. And since they may not have to pay for damage, they have no financial incentive to treat with care.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We're in the same situation as you - we're going to DL with a five year old and a 17 month old the week before Thanksgiving. We have a full size big stroller (big and comforatable, but too big to travel with unless we check it at the gate) and a small umbrella stroller (very light and compact, but not comfortable for napping and has no baskett). We opted to buy a new Cosco Lightweight Stroller (about $30-$35). It's light, has a small basket, a two position reclining seat, a sun shade, a cup holder area, and it folds up compactly enough that we think it should easily fit into an overhead compartment of an airplane.

We figured that we will get a lot of use out of the new stroller even after our trip to DL because it's not too small or too big for any type of activity or outing.

Anyway, you wouldn't have to worry about your nice jogging stroller getting damaged if you had a stroller that will fit in the overhead compartment. Good luck with this and hope you have a terrific time at Disneyland!