Help with transport of 4 kids in carseats?!?!

[mieuxmew]

Another idea - you have enough to handle with kids, car seats and strollers.

Did you consider shipping some of your suitcases to the resort? Consider creating a Fedex account online and shipping at least some of your luggage a week ahead of time. May not be as inexpensive as checking it on the plane (depending on which airline) but it will be less stuff to deal with at the airport and then you could probably all fit into a minivan. Most of the timeshares will sign for your luggage and hold it for you until you check in for no additional fee. To make it cost effective, don't use a luggage shipping company. Do it yourself. The absolute cheapest way is bring your account number with you to Fedex kinkos and ground ship from there. Fedex can pick up your suitcases at the hotel, but there is a surcharge. There is a Fedex kinkos near downtown Disney. Cost of shipping a 50# suitcase with someone dropping off at Fedex is similiar to what most airlines charge to heck the bag. Perhaps look into it.

I did this for my last trip and it was nice not having to worry about schleping suitcases and stressing over whether they will fit into rental car.

 

[alaska8]

Actually NO domestic airlines will allow 2 lap children on the same side of the aisle. Domestic aircraft are only built with 3 seats and 4 oxygen masks per side of the aisle. I have twins - my husband and I always opted for aisle seats so we were still together with one baby on each of our laps. Also, tell the gate agent and see if she can get you in an row with an empty seat. That way you would have 3 seats - you in one, your husband in the other, the two lap kids= 3 seats 4 oxygen masks. Problem solved.
That's what we did anyway.
Oh and I concur with checking the car seats - its free on all US airlines (at least for now). We put ours in a travel bag - yes it costs a few extra bucks to buy the bag but it has padding and doesn't look like a carseat to the careless baggage handlers - less likely to get filthy and abused. Its still free to check - just show the agent that it is a careat when you check in.

Actually its only one lap child in the entire row (as in both sides of a single aisle aircraft) unless there is an open seat. The reason being that there are 4 oxygen masks on each side, one extra one to be used by the lap child and the other extra one to be used by the flight attendants trying to get back to their jumpseat or to reach the onboard portable oxygen supply so they can render first aid (or to be used by a passenger not at their seat)

 

[pooch]

but the advise here is so helpful. We never flew with the kids when they needed carseats/strollers but I can't resist taking my little grandson on his first Mouse visit (he's 2 1/2). So DH and I are taking him in May. I booked SWA (free flights!!!) with DGS and I on one conf # and DH on another with EBCI. My evil plan is to get him (DH not DGS!!) on the flight first so that he can install the car seat and then DGS and I will board during family boarding. I was hoping for the row behind the exit row and so appreciate being advised that I can't use that row. (DH would NOT be happy being surprised when he got on). Can anyone recommend another row? I assume the front rows will be taken though maybe we'll get lucky.

Also, the carseat says its airline approved so I assume its ok but is there a size limit? I love his carseat and so does he but its pretty big!! Do I need to measure it?

Thanks again for letting me butt in here!!

 

[NotUrsula]

but the advise here is so helpful. We never flew with the kids when they needed carseats/strollers but I can't resist taking my little grandson on his first Mouse visit (he's 2 1/2). So DH and I are taking him in May. I booked SWA (free flights!!!) with DGS and I on one conf # and DH on another with EBCI. My evil plan is to get him (DH not DGS!!) on the flight first so that he can install the car seat and then DGS and I will board during family boarding. I was hoping for the row behind the exit row and so appreciate being advised that I can't use that row. (DH would NOT be happy being surprised when he got on). Can anyone recommend another row? I assume the front rows will be taken though maybe we'll get lucky.

Also, the carseat says its airline approved so I assume its ok but is there a size limit? I love his carseat and so does he but its pretty big!! Do I need to measure it?

Assuming that the carseat is approved, you can use it on board, but if it is large, don't bother trying to get bulkhead seats. The armrests on the bulkhead rows do not raise, and it is almost always necessary to raise an armrest in order to install all but the slimmest carseats. Any row other than the forbidden ones will be fine, but don't go for the back row, not because the seat won't fit, but because it can sometimes be difficult to remove a strapped-in carseat from an airline seat; sometimes you have to resort to going around to the row behind and putting your hand up between the seat base and seatback in order to reach it. (Best trick for preventing this is the give the buckle-side of the belt a half-twist before latching it; that will have the lift-plate facing the soft plane seat, rather than the shell of the carseat.)

My advice is to sit on the port side somewhere. You will have to put the carseat in the window position, and since most airline seatbelts adjust by pulling to the right, that will put you in the best position to tighten it by pulling it toward you, rather than toward the window. You will have better luck with your EBCI plan if your DH heads to the back; front seats are more popular and he might have to switch and sit separately from you if someone wants that aisle seat.

BTW, I've got dozens and dozens of carseat-flights under my kids' belts, and I have one important tip for you: if someone is going to board first to install a carseat, it's usually best if that someone is female. It's a tight fit maneuvering the seat into position under the overhead bin, and most of the time a woman can do it more easily than a man can, unless he's short and has small hands. If the seat is a really heavy one, you might want to consider buying a lightweight travel seat, such as a Cosco Scenera. It's a PITA lugging a heavy seat like a Britax through an airport, even with a carseat satchel to carry it in.

 

[ccgirl]

but the advise here is so helpful. We never flew with the kids when they needed carseats/strollers but I can't resist taking my little grandson on his first Mouse visit (he's 2 1/2). So DH and I are taking him in May. I booked SWA (free flights!!!) with DGS and I on one conf # and DH on another with EBCI. My evil plan is to get him (DH not DGS!!) on the flight first so that he can install the car seat and then DGS and I will board during family boarding. I was hoping for the row behind the exit row and so appreciate being advised that I can't use that row. (DH would NOT be happy being surprised when he got on). Can anyone recommend another row? I assume the front rows will be taken though maybe we'll get lucky.

Also, the carseat says its airline approved so I assume its ok but is there a size limit? I love his carseat and so does he but its pretty big!! Do I need to measure it?

Thanks again for letting me butt in here!!

Depending on when EBCI is purchased, and how many purchased it, it is possible for Family Boarding to be before your husband's ticket (if he has a B) as Family Boarding is between groups A and B.

As far as rows, I actually tend to go as far back as possible so my children would disturb the least amount of passengers. The rows are all the same size, with exception of the first row (which I don't like since there is no under seat storage - think diaper bag, and there are no pull down trays) and the exit row which children cannot sit on.

Don't forget, the car seat needs to be installed on a window seat.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tara]

Depending on when EBCI is purchased, and how many purchased it, it is possible for Family Boarding to be before your husband's ticket (if he has a B) as Family Boarding is between groups A and B.

As far as rows, I actually tend to go as far back as possible so my children would disturb the least amount of passengers. The rows are all the same size, with exception of the first row (which I don't like since there is no under seat storage - think diaper bag, and there are no pull down trays) and the exit row which children cannot sit on.

Don't forget, the car seat needs to be installed on a window seat.

Hope that helps.

Also keep in mind that unless regulations have recently changed, a car seat cannot be installed in the row in front of or behind the exit row.

 

[pooch]

a fold down wheeled "rack" from E-bags that I'm gonna bungee the carseat to for easier handling as its not easy to cart around. Great once its installed though. I see what you're saying about me going in to install it but I've already purchased the EBCI under his name. He'll just have to deal with it!!

 

[casper_jj11]

Ok, the thought of lugging all that stuff around as well as the children exhausts me and I'm not taking the trip. My suggestion is to rent CARES devices for all seated children under age 5. The kids will be safe on the plane. For the rental car, contact a baby equipment rental place in Orlando. Most will meet you at the airport with the car/booster seats so you can take a limo and even strollers if you decide to rent instead of bringing two. They could pick up the carseats from the resort and you'd have one day rental cost for each item. Just do another one day rental on your return day. Or you could rent the seats for the full trip and rent a van. But you wouldn't have to carry all those seats from home.

 

[sarahbug79]

Not sure what kind of car seats you have but we have always taken ours. I one time packed 2 cosco Siennas and a booster all strapped to one carry on bag. I bought a luggage strap at target, bright green that we sometimes use to identify our checked bags. I strap that through the first car seat like a seatbelt and around a rolling carry on bag. Then I took the other one and put it upside down and attached it with straps and somehow attached the booster. I always try to attach them to anything.

 

[ccgirl]

a fold down wheeled "rack" from E-bags that I'm gonna bungee the carseat to for easier handling as its not easy to cart around. Great once its installed though. I see what you're saying about me going in to install it but I've already purchased the EBCI under his name. He'll just have to deal with it!!

THe only caveat to this is that he has to have boarding before you. Otherwise, you will all just board together with family boarding.

Ok, the thought of lugging all that stuff around as well as the children exhausts me and I'm not taking the trip. My suggestion is to rent CARES devices for all seated children under age 5. The kids will be safe on the plane. For the rental car, contact a baby equipment rental place in Orlando. Most will meet you at the airport with the car/booster seats so you can take a limo and even strollers if you decide to rent instead of bringing two. They could pick up the carseats from the resort and you'd have one day rental cost for each item. Just do another one day rental on your return day. Or you could rent the seats for the full trip and rent a van. But you wouldn't have to carry all those seats from home.

Renting the CARES devices would be fairly expensive and then the cost of renting the car seats is expensive as well. Plus, car seat rental is one of those things I would not suggest. I know a lot of people do it but we really have no idea where that seat has been. I have travelled alone with 2 car seats and two toddlers before and managed just fine. I prefer to have my children strapped into their familiar car seats. Plus, they seemed to sleep that way as well.

 

[pooch]

I am hoping he gets a low boarding # and has the seat all set when DGS & I get on. I'm telling him to just take the first row on his right (plane left) that's open & get that sucker installed! Hopefully if he extends the lap belt as far as it'll go, he'll be able to thread it through the opening in the back of the seat pretty quick then just yank it tight!

Our flight is only 2 1/2 hrs. We have a DVD player (but he won't wear headphones so I'll just have to keep the sound down) & I hope he'll sleep a little. I'm a little prejudiced but he's a great kid and except for being stuck in traffic for 3 1/2 hrs on the way home from the Cape (made me crabby too!) we never have issues taking him anywhere.

I so cannot wait for this trip!!!!

 

[malibuconlee]

2 1/2 was probably the worst time my daughter ever flew, we haven't been on a plane since (we moved).

THey don't get why you have to turn off the DVD player when it's time to. SHe wouldn't take a nap. i kept trying to force the issue even tho she needed one if I did it again I wouldn't. It was a LONG day...2 flights and a 3 hour car ride.

Bring LOTS of snacks...stickers a fun at that age.

I would also buy a set of the child size ear phones and try to get him to wear them. Mine started around 2 1/2 to 3 wearing them. She loves to do it now.

Have a great trip!

 

[ccgirl]

I am hoping he gets a low boarding # and has the seat all set when DGS & I get on. I'm telling him to just take the first row on his right (plane left) that's open & get that sucker installed! Hopefully if he extends the lap belt as far as it'll go, he'll be able to thread it through the opening in the back of the seat pretty quick then just yank it tight!

Our flight is only 2 1/2 hrs. We have a DVD player (but he won't wear headphones so I'll just have to keep the sound down) & I hope he'll sleep a little. I'm a little prejudiced but he's a great kid and except for being stuck in traffic for 3 1/2 hrs on the way home from the Cape (made me crabby too!) we never have issues taking him anywhere.

I so cannot wait for this trip!!!!

I bought some puppy dog ones and my son loved to wear them at that age. They make some really cute ones now. I would try to practice before you go. I know if my son listened to it without headphones he would have disturbed those around him. Those seats are close. I also agree snacks are great. Lollipops were a life saver. Not sure if he has sippie cups but bringing a sippy cup and a juice box would be helpful. I was always allowed to bring juice boxes thru security for my toddler. I am short at 5'2" and never had a problem installing the car seat.

Have a great trip!

 

[Alesia]

We have a DVD player (but he won't wear headphones so I'll just have to keep the sound down)

You should try to get him to wear headphones - start practicing now. Otherwise he'll need to watch the movie with the sound completely off. Te way the acoustics are in an airplane, if it's loud enough that you can hear it, it's loud enough to disturb everyone around you. Most flight attendants won't let you have any sound at all.

 

[WicketsMom]

but the advise here is so helpful. We never flew with the kids when they needed carseats/strollers but I can't resist taking my little grandson on his first Mouse visit (he's 2 1/2). So DH and I are taking him in May. I booked SWA (free flights!!!) with DGS and I on one conf # and DH on another with EBCI. My evil plan is to get him (DH not DGS!!) on the flight first so that he can install the car seat and then DGS and I will board during family boarding. I was hoping for the row behind the exit row and so appreciate being advised that I can't use that row. (DH would NOT be happy being surprised when he got on). Can anyone recommend another row? I assume the front rows will be taken though maybe we'll get lucky.

Also, the carseat says its airline approved so I assume its ok but is there a size limit? I love his carseat and so does he but its pretty big!! Do I need to measure it?

Thanks again for letting me butt in here!!

That's what we always did with our son. I bought the Early Boarding for me and got on with all the stuff and get the seat installed and everything set up. Also make sure that you install the carseat in the window seat only.

When my son was that young, I would have DH board at the very end with him, so that he didn't have to sit and wait while everyone else boarded.

 

[WicketsMom]

You should try to get him to wear headphones - start practicing now. Otherwise he'll need to watch the movie with the sound completely off. Te way the acoustics are in an airplane, if it's loud enough that you can hear it, it's loud enough to disturb everyone around you. Most flight attendants won't let you have any sound at all.

Ditto. No sound, and don't pack any toys that make sounds either. We carry Crayola wonder paper and markers, books, even a small container of PlayDoh in our son's 'airplane backpack'. He knows what is in there, and it's stuff he only gets to see when we travel. One of his favorite things is what he calls his 'sticky straws', (I think they are actually "Wikki Sticks") which are wax-covered pieces of yarn that you can build stuff with. Quiet, no mess, and no batteries required!

 

[ccgirl]

Ditto. No sound, and don't pack any toys that make sounds either. We carry Crayola wonder paper and markers, books, even a small container of PlayDoh in our son's 'airplane backpack'. He knows what is in there, and it's stuff he only gets to see when we travel. One of his favorite things is what he calls his 'sticky straws', (I think they are actually "Wikki Sticks") which are wax-covered pieces of yarn that you can build stuff with. Quiet, no mess, and no batteries required!

TSA confiscated our PlayDoh when we tried to bring that on board.

Those Wikki Sticks are great though!

 

[NotUrsula]

PlayDoh is banned now if it is found; it has much the same consistency as plastic explosive. (I have to say that I'm rather relieved, actually; the smell of brand-name PlayDoh is nauseating in close quarters, and the little bits of greasy debris that are so hard to control are a disaster waiting to happen to some hapless business traveler's expensive suit on the next flight. Good riddance to PlayDoh on planes. The Crayola Model Magic was much better for planes, but that's a no-go now, too.)

Some of the best silent things you can bring? Small Post-It's and pipe cleaners. Little kids simply LOVE to stick post-its all over everywhere, and they are easy to grab up and dispose of when the flight ends. A bag of colored pipe cleaners are good for all kinds of design fun, and in a pinch you can use them to replace a broken zipper pull. I also found that little vocabulary picture flash cards are good; little kids just like flipping through them and looking at the pictures.

Definitely practice with the headphones. I trained DS on them with my Nook; she loves the Read-to-Me children's books, and we use them often in physician's waiting rooms and in the car. They also have the benefit of being short, so unlike a movie that will cause a fit if cut short, a book that takes no more than 10 minutes to get through is good practice.

 

[pooch]

I will go out & buy headphones this weekend & start practicing with him, there are kid friendly ones?? Who knew!! And I too have a nook that can hold read-to-me books. Another great idea I hadn't thought of. Gotta love these boards!!!

 

[ccgirl]

I will go out & buy headphones this weekend & start practicing with him, there are kid friendly ones?? Who knew!! And I too have a nook that can hold read-to-me books. Another great idea I hadn't thought of. Gotta love these boards!!!

They sure do. My DS4's are soft puppy faces on each ear. At WalMart I also saw sponge bob ones. They are more 'old fashioned' than the little ear bud ones so it's more comfortable and easy for them to use.

The nook and any tablets are great. There are so many free apps for the kids. Love it!