I can't believe it.....help!

[tinkerpea]

Really sorry your plans have had to change Cindy

Have you tried to speak to your airline to see what help they could possibly offer?? (Sorry I hope that dosnt sound condescending it's not meant that way), it's just that we were on a flight a couple of years ago and there were a few unaccompanied children & everyone from ground staff to cabin crew were fantastic in offering these children extra help and assistance took them through immigration etc &, I just wondered if there was something they could do to help, in this way especially as your own health is unpredictable

We use a fantastic taxi/car hire service were they meet you at the luggage carousel, help you with all of your luggage, stop enroute for a quick supermarket shop if you want it, then help with all of your luggage when you get to your accommodation we have used them for years now and wouldn't use anyone else. I can give you there details if you would like?

Hope things work out for you Cindy

Hi no you don't sound condescending at all,
That's a great idea I will give them a call in the morning,
When we travel with my mum normally she has assisted passage and they are great, however the last time the guy who wheeled her through split my mum from us, she was taken in the lift and we was told to take the elevator to I explained that my son.has to stay with her " nanny is his world" but he refused ,leaving my son screaming and highly upset as he was so panicked that she would lose us!

So if she comes that makes me a little nervous that it would happen again while I'm trying to juggle the cases and twins lol..
However I will look into getting some help for us all
I'd love the details on the car service.

Hubby has had confirmed permission today that he can fly out on the 19th and miss what they call the graduation. So at least that's only 2 and half days now, and I've decided to Def go with flying out on the 17th alone or with my mum.. Not happy about it as everyone knows the build up and travel is the exciting bit,and it won't feel right knowing we are leaving daddy behind..but I'll make the best of it
X

 

[TinkerbellW]

You should do it. Your children will probably surprise you and 'step up'. I did it alone with a 12 year old and a 9 year old and we had a great time. We just adapted!

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[Little Flower]

Just a thought, did you find out about postponing a couple of days so you can all fly together. I've had to make date changes a few times due to deployments and training courses - my dh's in the RAF. As disney requires booking in advance as opposed to a last minute booking we often find that military life means we have to tweak things at the end and we've never had a problem

 

[tinkerpea]

Just a thought, did you find out about postponing a couple of days so you can all fly together. I've had to make date changes a few times due to deployments and training courses - my dh's in the RAF. As disney requires booking in advance as opposed to a last minute booking we often find that military life means we have to tweak things at the end and we've never had a problem

If we do that we will have to pay £120 amendment fee each plus what ever the difference is to fly that times 6 is alot!

We already paid this out once when we had to change it from may to June due to the posting making the course dates later,

Also as our disney part is over July 4th wk not much is left accommodation wise.

 

[elaine amj]

I did it when my 2 kids were around 6/7 and I flew home to visit my family. My DH flew there with me and stayed for 2 weeks. I stayed with my kids for another 2 weeks then flew back with them - a 30+ hour trip with 2 layovers. For my trip, I used a porter when I got back to my home airport to help me with my big bags. My husband met us outside and took care of the rest.

Couple of difficult spots:
1. When both wanted something at the same time and since I was only one person, I could only assist one at a time and the other had to be patient. Otherwise, I have to say - both behaved really well. I was very nervous but it was manageable.

2. We had a long late night layover and had been napping in the airport. I had to wake both up at 4am to walk to the desk to check in for our next flight. My son refused to wake up so I had to carry my backpack, my son, and pull his rolling bag. My daughter leaned against me as she pulled her own rolling bag and we walked sleepily across the airport. It was OK - but I wished I had packed a bit smarter.

I would highly recommend being really careful with your packing and thinking it through. Given you expect everyone to be tired getting off the plane, pack as much as possible into your large check-in luggage. Minimise the amount of carry-on bags. Perhaps one rolling carry on that your oldest can take charge of and make sure any additional bags can attach to that rolling carry on (ours usually carries an extra 1-3 small bags). That way you leave your hands free to manage the twins.

As for the big luggage, those will be easy. When you get to Gatwick, either get a porter or use a luggage cart to get them to the check in desk.

In Florida, arrange for a car service to pick you up. If they cannot meet you at the luggage rack to assist, pay a porter to help load everything on a luggage cart and accompany you to the driver who can then take over from there. At the hotel, a bellhop will assist. The extra costs will be worth it.

 

[tinkerpea]

I really appreciate having so many give out advice and well wishes.

As I have mentioned in pp I have decided to go ahead and travel ahead of dh with the kids, " even though they are driving me up crazy fighting right now being on easter hols" lol
I will know in a few wks if my mum will also come.she won't make things much easier but if I have to pop to the loo she can watch them!
Now for dh to sort out his flight tomorrow...

Thanks again

 

[scoobydooby]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Tell them it's an adventure. I do sympathise. I'm taking my 12 year old in May without DH and DS who went skiing instead (gasps), and I'm not looking forward to the airport with three cases, two hand luggage and just us. We are going to try the escalator......

 

[tinkerpea]

I'm sure you'll be fine. Tell them it's an adventure. I do sympathise. I'm taking my 12 year old in May without DH and DS who went skiing instead (gasps), and I'm not looking forward to the airport with three cases, two hand luggage and just us. We are going to try the escalator......

I'm getting more used to the idea now,I think we're more upset that were leaving dh behind after him already being separated for 4 months

 

[fizz13]

hi there,
I think you've totally made the right decision and it's amazing what we can cope with in the moment, sounds like you've had some fab advice

 

[scoobydooby]

Just to second the above. I have used Tiffany Town Car twice and it was an absolutely stress less experience. I do get about missing your DH when you are already part so much. That does suck. Try and turn it on its head and think its a totally special one off with just you and your kids on holiday. I tend to find forcing my head into a positive space (even when I don't want to), helpful.

 

[tinkerpea]

Well bit the bullet and booked dh flight yesterday,
It cost us extra £350, 100 change fee with virgin and the rest in difference we was told it was the last seat on the flight,"not sure how true that is".

 

[flortlebap]

Well bit the bullet and booked dh flight yesterday,
It cost us extra £350, 100 change fee with virgin and the rest in difference we was told it was the last seat on the flight,"not sure how true that is".

Probably not remotely true, lol!

I'm glad you got everything sorted. You'll have a wonderful time and you'll be even more excited about getting your DH back