How far is SW gates to baggage claim?

[sbpebbles]

This just came up recently so I thought I'd start my own thread on it for my specific question..DD7, DS who will be 1, my mother and I are coming in on a SW flight to MCO and I'm debating if we will need a stroller for DS just to get through the airport...Last time I was in Orlando I remember we did take a train but the only other thing i remember about the airport was waiting for the car rental and this was over 10 years ago, we have video of us waiting which is why i remember it lol...DS is not walking yet and even if he is I don't know if i'd be comfy with him walking in an airport..He and I have been in Mexico City Airport with no problems but that was just a connecting flight and the gates were close together..and he's not a light baby either, at least a good 27+ pounds already and i'm only 115...We also come in on a late flight, we get to Orlando at 10ish, provided we don't have any bad weather..Just wondering what you would do if you were me? My sister will be picking us up, we won't be renting a car or using ME, and we will have a gate checked carseat...so what would you do? TIA

 

[CarolAnnB]

I would bring the stroller. I always end up at the last gate then you have to walk all the way to the monorail. And there are not a lot of seats on there, just at the ends of the cars. Then you walk quite a bit and down a level to get to baggage claim. If you are already carrying a car seat, I think it would be tough to carry a sleeping child as well.

 

[Tozzie]

This just came up recently so I thought I'd start my own thread on it for my specific question..DD7, DS who will be 1, my mother and I are coming in on a SW flight to MCO and I'm debating if we will need a stroller for DS just to get through the airport...Last time I was in Orlando I remember we did take a train but the only other thing i remember about the airport was waiting for the car rental and this was over 10 years ago, we have video of us waiting which is why i remember it lol...DS is not walking yet and even if he is I don't know if i'd be comfy with him walking in an airport..He and I have been in Mexico City Airport with no problems but that was just a connecting flight and the gates were close together..and he's not a light baby either, at least a good 27+ pounds already and i'm only 115...We also come in on a late flight, we get to Orlando at 10ish, provided we don't have any bad weather..Just wondering what you would do if you were me? My sister will be picking us up, we won't be renting a car or using ME, and we will have a gate checked carseat...so what would you do? TIA

Gate check a stroller if you son is only 1 and it i late he will be tired and possibly cranky and you will also be able to keep him contained while you wait for your luggage. You will be happier and so will your son.

 

[sbpebbles]

Gate check a stroller if you son is only 1 and it i late he will be tired and possibly cranky and you will also be able to keep him contained while you wait for your luggage. You will be happier and so will your son.

we already plan to gate check the carseat and from my understanding if i bring a stroller i can gate check BOTH items right?the more i think about it even if i just have a light umbrella stroller just to get us through the airport with him i think we will...

 

[Tara]

Don't you need the stroller on vacation? There are terminal maps here http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/term.htm and if I recall, Southwest luggage usually comes in on the luggage carousels in the teens. (Seems like it's always 13 or 14 for us?) When you get off the plane you'll be A side of the terminal in one of the gates between 100 and 129. That area is like a wide V and you'll be on one side or the other and walk toward the center. The train to the main terminal is at the center point. From the train you'll walk past the security area and into the atrium area where shops are and take a set of escalators down to the 2nd level where baggage claim is. The walk from the train to the escalators isn't long.

If you really don't want to bring the stroller and don't mind spending a little money, you could get the Gogo Kidz car seat carrier. It's kind of like one of those foldable luggage cards, but a car seat attaches to it so you can roll the seat around. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products-c26-gogo_Kidz_Travelmate.aspx

But seriously, I'd bring the stroller. If you end up with a delayed flight before you even take off for Orlando, you're really going to want somewhere the baby can rest or just "be."

 

[goofy4tink]

You will walk from your gate to the tram...most likely about 3 mins tops. Then the tram ride to the main terminal. When you get off the tram, you will need to go down to level 2, you arrived on level 3, to get to baggage claim. That will be another 2-3 mins...and an escalator or elevator. It really isn't that bad a walk.
It does become an issue if you arrive on SW, but for whatever reason want to get your own luggage before taking DME. Then you have to do what I outlined above, but then, with your luggage, go back up to level 3 of the main terminal, cross over the center of the terminal (about a min or so), then down to level 2 of Side B (you arrived on Side A) and down one more to level 1 and ground transportation and DME. Not a huge deal but more walking than normal...if you had allowed DME to take care of luggage.

But as others mentioned, I would keep the stroller. It will be nice to have while waiting for your bags and then when you are heading out to the car.

 

[sbpebbles]

Don't you need the stroller on vacation? There are terminal maps here http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/term.htm and if I recall, Southwest luggage usually comes in on the luggage carousels in the teens. (Seems like it's always 13 or 14 for us?) When you get off the plane you'll be A side of the terminal in one of the gates between 100 and 129. That area is like a wide V and you'll be on one side or the other and walk toward the center. The train to the main terminal is at the center point. From the train you'll walk past the security area and into the atrium area where shops are and take a set of escalators down to the 2nd level where baggage claim is. The walk from the train to the escalators isn't long.

If you really don't want to bring the stroller and don't mind spending a little money, you could get the Gogo Kidz car seat carrier. It's kind of like one of those foldable luggage cards, but a car seat attaches to it so you can roll the seat around. http://www.gogobabyz.com/products-c26-gogo_Kidz_Travelmate.aspx

But seriously, I'd bring the stroller. If you end up with a delayed flight before you even take off for Orlando, you're really going to want somewhere the baby can rest or just "be."

We are part of a stroller swap for our time in Florida...we aren't going to Fl just for WDW, it's to visit my sister and she'll be taking us to see different things..I wish we could afford a Gogo Kidz, Does anyone know if you can rent these anywhere? I highly doubt I'll be able to find one here in WI that I can afford, maybe I'll check Ebay..thanks everyone, I think we will have to suck it up and bring the stroller

 

[bumbershoot]

At 1 I'd just have my mei tai (chinese style baby carrier) and put the little one on my back, giving me two hands to carry other things. Much easier than a stroller at that age, if you're used to it.

 

[goofy4tink]

At 1 I'd just have my mei tai (chinese style baby carrier) and put the little one on my back, giving me two hands to carry other things. Much easier than a stroller at that age, if you're used to it.

And therein lies the issue.....'if you're used to it'. I couldn't get to used to one of those front sling thingies....just really bothered me. Can't imagine having my 1 y/o on my back. But it works for plenty of people around the world.

 

[sbpebbles]

At 1 I'd just have my mei tai (chinese style baby carrier) and put the little one on my back, giving me two hands to carry other things. Much easier than a stroller at that age, if you're used to it.

DS never got used to one of those things..so that's out of the question