Getting from baggage claim to car rental as a single parent of a squirrelly toddler

[lacroix]

Howdy all.

I'm hoping someone can help me understand just how far and how tricky it is to get from baggage claim for JetBlue at MCO to the Dollar car rental counter and then to the car itself. I read that the rental counters are in the terminal which is nice but I really need blow by blow details.

I'm traveling alone with a energetic toddler and I'm nervous about juggling her and all of our travel gear.

If someone could give me some details, I'd be so appreciative so I can figure out what gear I can and cannot realistically bring.

(I'm wavering on whether to bring my own stroller and own travel carseat or whether it's going to be too much gear to handle alone as I try to make my way through the airport.)

Thanks so much!

 

[mackeymouse4eva]

If your toddler will ride in the stroller and if you can somehow hook the car seat on the back of the stroller or the suitcase, you should be fine- if you have one suitcase, otherwise you run out of hands


I've done it in the past SEVERAL times, and have always been successful HOWEVER it can take some juggling and a few stops & restarts.

When you exit the plane, you can retrieve your stroller on the jetway if you gate checked it. If your car seat was on the plane or also gate checked then hook it on and proceed to baggage claim. They should have told you on the plane, or ask now, which side you can claim your baggage on "A or B". Basically you proceed from the gates to the central area of your terminal, at this point there is a monorail to bring you to the main central terminal. Once in the main terminal, The signs for baggage claim will lead you to to the escalators/elevators down a level to the baggage claim. The sides are clearly labeled "A" & "B" - make sure you have the correct one before heading down the escalator/elevator. Once down, locate your carousel, claim your luggage and load up. This is where more hands could be useful - however you can also rent a luggage cart if that would help. Now proceed back to the elevator and go down one more level to "ground transportation/rental cars". Once down , simply find your rental companies counter(mine always seems to be the furthest away ) . Once your paperwork is complete, you will head outside. I'd head to about mid-terminal point, head outdoors and you will see signage and a crosswalk that lead you to the parking garage, it's only across the driveway. Signs will show you which level your company us located on (Dollar may be on upper level). Either proceed to your car or the rental office as you were instructed.

All that being said, if you gate check the stroller and car seat, you have a little more to manage from the gates but it's not bad at all, much easier if your toddler will actually ride in the stroller. A backpack carryon would definitely be the easiest for you to manage - no hands needed.


My most challenging time was when I had 2 bags, a carryon, a stroller and a booster AND I had to retrieve my luggage on the opposite side of the Magical Express . Basically I had to retrieve everything, go back up to main level, cross over to the other side, and go back down to ground level. I did it with a few stops & starts, and a helpful tall 3 yr old , who managed a suitcase ! Looking back - why didn't I just rent a cart ?!


You will be fine! And IF you check the car seat, you will probably wonder what the concern was....

I think definitely bring your stroller from home- it makes life So much easier. Mine was a light weight umbrella style Combi- invaluable!!!


I also liked having my own car seat/booster, familiarity and less money then renting - IF you think it's manageable for you.


Have fun!!!!

 

[Teacup53]

I would recommend getting a GoGoBabyz Travelmate - It basically turns your carseat into rolly luggage. I have used this with my toddlers twice and you can buckle them in and go. They are strapped in and so while you are waiting for the luggage they can't run anywhere. I have gotten them off craigslist because they cost a lot +/- $70 but I bought my two for $20 each. SUCH AN AWESOME investment. My kids even fell asleep at the Providence airport on our way home (10pm off the plane - got the carseats from gate check - put the GoGoBabyz on and buckled them in and went to baggage claim. While waiting for my husband to get the car - they fell asleep).

Good luck! If you can do it, I would recommend that and then renting at stroller from an outside company if you need it.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I found it was easy to clip the chest clip on our carseat and hook that around the handle of our carry-on bag (wheeled). We had three adults, a toddler, a stroller, 4 carry-on bags, and a carseat (DS used it on the planes) to navigate through airports.

 

[DebbieB]

If you are having difficulty in baggage claim, look for a skycap. They are uniformed and usually have a cart. They will help you (you tip them).

 

[stormer]

If you are having difficulty in baggage claim, look for a skycap. They are uniformed and usually have a cart. They will help you (you tip them).

I agree. They will get the luggage for you, follow you to pick up the car, walk out to the car with you, and load the luggage into the trunk. Very worth it if you are managing a toddler by yourself.

 

[kj2mom]

I would consider signing up for Dollar Express, skipping the counter all together and going right to the garage after getting your luggage. The registration does take a bit of time, not sure when you are going, but if you have a couple of weeks I would highly recommend it. I traveled as the only adult with my two children and making one less stop was very helpful.

 

[bumbershoot]

Either rent a luggage cart or hire a porter when you get to baggage claim.

Pack the carryons relatively lightly. Bring your own stroller. Bring your own carseat; if you don't use it on the plane, GATE check it, and pick it up on the ramp (don't have it checked through...too many unknown forces on it as it goes through the bowels of the airport). I traveled to Anaheim the day before DH, and DS was 3 and high energy. DH talked me out of the stroller. No no no no, horrible idea. I wore DS in the Ergo through the airports, I had my carryon, I carried the Roundabout. After all, toddler-moms tend to have VERY good biceps.

 

[ParrotBill]

SKYCAP! $5 well spent.