Has anyone ever packed an umbrella stroller in a suitcase?

[BeccaGrace]

My dh is pretty adamant about not lugging a stroller through the airport and would rather rent a stroller in the parks. I don't particularly want to incur the expense of renting and would rather just use one of our umbrella strollers that has the basket underneath, would be useful to have outside the park and reclines in case the girls want to rest. We would only have to bring one because our car service provides a basic stroller for round trip service and that way we'd have two easy strollers and save some money in the process. My question is, rather than cause him stress ( ), I was thinking of packing it in our largest suitcase and then just magically having it when we got there. Has anyone ever done this? Any reason that you can think of that it might be a problem?

 

[Colinsmom]

Do you really have a suitcase that big? Wow!

If not, you could put it in a duffle bag and check it, but if it is a cheap umbrella, you never know if it will come through intact.

Wait a minute - you have a two year old and he doesn't want a stroller in the airport?? Is he going to be chasing her the whole time, or will he leave that to you? There's no way I'd go through an airport with a 2 year old without a stroller - it's such a safe way to contain them while you are waiting, dealing with security, etc., and you never know when you could be delayed, especially in the winter!

 

[metivier]

There's no way I'd go through an airport with a 2 year old without a stroller - it's such a safe way to contain them while you are waiting, dealing with security, etc., and you never know when you could be delayed, especially in the winter!

Ditto to that! There's no way I'd go through an airport with a 4 year-old AND a 2 year-old without a stroller, either. (Make mine a double! )

 

[Honeybehr1]

I have a 7yr old and a 2 yr old and I am gate checking my stroller. There is no way I will go stroller less in an airport with a 2 yr old. One less thing I will have to worry about.

 

[BeccaGrace]

Okay--looks like we need to re-think This is why I come to you guys for advice! Looks like I'll be making an executive decision to bring the stroller!

 

[kjh]

I have a 7yr old and a 2 yr old and I am gate checking my stroller. There is no way I will go stroller less in an airport with a 2 yr old. One less thing I will have to worry about.

My dad doesn't want me to bring a stroller (especially since he knows that Disney VISA holders get a free rental). I told him that I will be bringing one for my DD(15mos) and will be dealing with it so he won't have to worry about it. My question is...what does "gate checking" mean exactly? Will they keep it in the cabin? Or store it down with the baggage at the last moment? Would I be able to bring it is and stow it in the overhead bins or in the closet they have for garment bags?

 

[kangaroodle]

My dad doesn't want me to bring a stroller (especially since he knows that Disney VISA holders get a free rental). I told him that I will be bringing one for my DD(15mos) and will be dealing with it so he won't have to worry about it. My question is...what does "gate checking" mean exactly? Will they keep it in the cabin? Or store it down with the baggage at the last moment? Would I be able to bring it is and stow it in the overhead bins or in the closet they have for garment bags?

Hi KJH!

Just FYI...the free stroller rental for Disney Visa holders is ONLY at Disneyland, not Walt Disney World. "Gate Checking" is a wonderful thing! You can bring your stroller right up to the gate where you board the plane. Tell the flight attendant there that you want to "gate check" your stroller. They will put a tag on it there, stow it where ever they stow it, and when you get off the plane, it will be right there waiting for you again! No extra charge! No hassles! You will have it to use at the airport again. You can do this on both flights to and fromyour destination and a I believe all airlines do this! Have used it many times in the past. Have a great trip! Kathy

 

[kjh]

Hi KJH!

Just FYI...the free stroller rental for Disney Visa holders is ONLY at Disneyland, not Walt Disney World. "Gate Checking" is a wonderful thing! You can bring your stroller right up to the gate where you board the plane. Tell the flight attendant there that you want to "gate check" your stroller. They will put a tag on it there, stow it where ever they stow it, and when you get off the plane, it will be right there waiting for you again! No extra charge! No hassles! You will have it to use at the airport again. You can do this on both flights to and fromyour destination and a I believe all airlines do this! Have used it many times in the past. Have a great trip! Kathy

Thanks!! This will be great in helping convince my dad that it really isn't going to be such a big hassle as he is anticipating. I figure that DD would be more comfy in her own stroller anyway. Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

For gate checking a stroller, you should ask the gate agent for a gate check tag before boarding begins. The gate check tag needs to be filled out with the correct baggage code for the airline you are going to. If you wait until you board, it's more busy and the chance of it being filled out incorrectly is higher. The gate agent is the person who has the gate check tags.
Also, depending on the airline/route, there may be more options on the tag. If you have a connecting flight, you usually has the option of either having the stroller brought to the gate at your connecting city or the final destination. Sometimes there is also an option to check on the tag to have the stroller delivered to the baggage check area.
When you leave your stroller, it should be folded and secured so that it won't open up during transit. If there are pieces that can be removed (like a removable canopy or cup holders, it's best to take them off and carry them on. Anything that sticks out can be caught during travel and might be pulled off or damaged.
Strollers and wheelchairs are brought down the steps at the gate and put on the plane with the luggage. It might go on a conveyor to get up and down form the hold. It is placed on the top of the luggage area and unloaded first when the plane lands. It does take a while to get the strollers back to the gate, so don't be surprised if it's not there right away if you get off quickly.

 

[lmaxwe3]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I are going to Disney for the first time Sept 27 @ POP.
I am wondering if people recommend bringing a regular umbrella stroller or a stroller with the retractable cover and baskets underneath? DS is 3.
The umbrella seems like it would be better in the airports, but the bigger stroller might be worthwhile in the parks?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Colinsmom]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I are going to Disney for the first time Sept 27 @ POP.
I am wondering if people recommend bringing a regular umbrella stroller or a stroller with the retractable cover and baskets underneath? DS is 3.
The umbrella seems like it would be better in the airports, but the bigger stroller might be worthwhile in the parks?

Thank you for your help!

Bring what you want in the parks. My DS (almost 3yo) is very uncomfy in umbrella strollers, and I like him to have sun protection. Not to mention that DH looks like the Humpback after a few hours of pushing one of those things! The airport is no big deal; I see no advantage to an umbrella over a larger stroller in the airport (and I've done both a Maclaren and a P3 in the airport).

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

Hi Everyone,

My family and I are going to Disney for the first time Sept 27 @ POP.
I am wondering if people recommend bringing a regular umbrella stroller or a stroller with the retractable cover and baskets underneath? DS is 3.
The umbrella seems like it would be better in the airports, but the bigger stroller might be worthwhile in the parks?

Thank you for your help!

I don´t know how easy your umbrella stroller is to push. We have a Combi Soho and it is a pain to push with dd, who turned 3 today, in it. That is why we decided to take our sitn´stroll for the airport and as a carseat and rented a big stroller from a baby´s best friend. I think the model is Quattro Tour, and it pushed a lot easier with dd in it, could be reclined, had a huge basket (son no backpack carrying for us), big canopy, tray for kid and parents, etc.

So for me definetly the bigger stroller is better, especially with a 3 year old.

Julie