I've got several questions, please help me out

[jwmccullough]

Greetings Friends!
My wife and I are planning our first trip home, and we are planning to take most of our clan. In all, my situation is like this...

A total of 12 people will be going to WDW this August 17-25 (anybody else going there around that time?)

We will be flying out of Pittsburgh, as we do not fly very often, can anyone give me any insight about traveling with children (4 children ages 5, 3, 2, and 8 months). I believe we will have to have car seats for the kids to use on the plane, is that correct?

Because of the size of our party, it has been suggested on this board that we use a limo for transfers to and from the resort, can anyone recommend one company over another or provide any other insight on this subject.

Has anyone else on the board been craz...er, brave enough to travel in such a group and if so, what advice can you offer to make things go more smoothly.

I think that is it for now. Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Jess

 

[tguy47]

You don't have to take car seats on the plane, it's optional for lap babies. Check the car seats like luggage. You can bring strollers right up to the plane and they'll check them for you. As you get off, your stroller will be waiting.

Get a minivan for the week. Alamo has specials for about $219 for a week. Probably will pay for itself with runs to the grocery store for your group.

Bring a $20 and get a porter (curbside check-in guys) to tow your luggage through security. Easily worth it, and for a "jackson" they're very helpful.





-hoping to be VWL owner soon (waiting on ROFR)

 

[Beca]

I am not sure about the 5yr. old needing a car seat on the airplane (I would actually say "no" to that one), but I know the 8mo. baby is not "required" to have a car seat on the plane, just in the car (I was a flight attendant for 8 yrs...so, that I can speak of).

One of the moderators sent out a private message a while back about a company he recommended - FLTours.com. You might want to check them out as far as transportation is concerned. Also, if you go to www.disneyworld.com, you can get their 800 number, and they have a menu on the phone to get their trans. recommendations.

Let me see...oh, I went with a big group once, and we thought we would use our cell phones to keep in touch, but they did not get good service in the parks.

Other than that....have lots of patience...and lots of fun!!!

Sorry I cannot offer and DVC advice...I am new to the DVC realm!!

 

[Disney Doll]

I ahve never travelled with children, so I cannot answer your car seat question from personal experience. However, I do know folks that have travelled with children who use car seats, and they said that if they get on the plane and put the ir child into the car seat, the child goes into "car seat mode", I guess knowing they are restrained etc., and it makes the flgiht somewhat easier.

As far as a limo service, we have used Tiffany Town Cars in the past and been very pleased. I agree that it would probably be easier, and probably not a lot more expensive(if at all)to use a limo service. That way, you have a car or two that are only for you and your stuff, instead of having to schlep eveything and everybody on and off the Mears bus. You get to your hotel faster, becaiuse the limo doesn't make a bunch of stops. If you are staying in a villa with a kitchen, a lot of the limo companies will do a grocery stop.

 

[Microcell]

I am taking my two year old's car seat because he absolutely would think that he could wiggle right out of the lap belt and socialize with all the pretty ladies on the plane- he is cute and gets lots of attention from all the Mrs.Robinsons out there. I am also hopeful he will go to "fall asleep" mode in his car seat.

My daughter- also very cute but much better behaved has had no problem without car seat at ages four and five and being a tall girl could see out the plane window. My daughter will be six and is making noises about being scared this time so I have been talking to her about how much fun it is to take off and land. People will usually be nice about the inevitable baby or kid crying anyway.
We plan on using cell phones so I hope T-mobile has towers near WDW.

 

[Microcell]

We took our son on a plane when he was 4 months and much less active I found it easier to hold him the whole way and he was fine giving a bottle while taking off and landing. He slept the entire time. I have also ben told by my pediatrician to put Sweet oil in their ears prior to taking off to help with pressure in ears. I did not do it because I thought they would freak out about not being able to hear as well. I had my daughter chomping on gum and my boy sucking on a bottle. Luckily at Two he LOVES gum so I plan on giving him that this time since he has no more bottle!

 

[momsully]

You do not need car seats but as others have posted two year olds often do better when strapped in. I would also recommend buying a seat for the 8 month old as well. Many of the airlines have infant fares for children under two if you ask. It is safer for the baby and easier on mom and dad.

As for transportation we used Happy Limo last year and they were awesome! We are renting cars this time because we have some off site adventures we want to take.

We often travel in large groups and this year there are fifteen of us! My best advice is to not try to plan to do everything together. We always make PS for dinner every night and the whole group gets together then. During the day we usually break into smaller groups to accomadate various interests.

 

[Beast fan]

Do you have "non-stop" flights to MCO? If yes, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If not, please make sure that your scheduled "layovers" are no more than 90 minutes apart! I have twice made the BIG MISTAKE of scheduling flight itineraries that included scheduled layovers of 2+ hours. SAVE YOUR MARRIAGE AND DON'T DO IT! Allow enough time for changing planes, snack breaks, restroom breaks, AND THAT IS IT! DW and I flew to MCO over this past New Years, and I think my blood pressure has finally returned to normal.

Other than that, have a great trip!

Dave