Maclaren as Checked Baggage?

[4xMommy]

We're taking our Twin Triumph to the parks for our 4 year-olds, as well as a Chicco Cortina for our 1 year-old. When we go to the airport, we plan on taking the Cortina through, and checking it at the gate. However, we don't really want/need to bring the Maclaren, and it'll be easier (I think) to just check it. Has anyone checked theirs? Do you remove the hoods first? What do you pack it in? Is it strong enough to be tossed around with the rest of th checked baggage? Or should we just bring it to the gate with us?

 

[Perditamarie]

I would gate check to ensure its safety....I think it would get heavy bags thrown on it and crushed as regular baggage. Plus as a gate checked item it may not count in your actual luggage count...I guess that depends by airlilne.

Also, it may come in handy as a trolley to hold your carry-on bags in the airport. If you are using Magical Express, you will have the stroller and won't have to wait for your baggage if you need the stroller for the parks.

happy planning!

 

[tanyaandallie]

I 100% understand not wanting to cart the double through the airport. When we traveled a few years ago we didn't want to either so we checked or Mac Ralley Twin on the way home. It came back broken. UGH. We had to pay to have it shipped to an authorized Mac dealer to be fixed. It was expensive and a HUGE pain.

So, based on my experience, I would gate check. Or find a big box and mail it to disney!

 

[NotUrsula]

DON'T DO THAT, unless you put it back in the original box padded with packing peanuts first! Even if it came back with no visible damage (unlikely, due to the trip through the conveyors in the bag room), the weight it would likely end up under in the hold would ensure that the suspension is never the same again.

Strollers should always be gate-checked unless they are boxed and padded for shipment.

Even gate-checked, be sure to remove anything loose that you can (including the hood--put that in your checked baggage before leaving home), and bungee the stroller shut so that it cannot accidentally come unfolded during handling. If it does come unfolded, it will either be tossed into the hold half-open, or crammed shut by force -- neither of those is a good thing.

 

[4xMommy]

Okay, gate check it is. And thanks for the tip on fastening it with a bungee cord. I never would've thought about that. With five small children, five carseats, two strollers, and our luggage, we'll make quite the caravan at the airport! Wish us luck!

 

[tanyaandallie]

Okay, gate check it is. And thanks for the tip on fastening it with a bungee cord. I never would've thought about that. With five small children, five carseats, two strollers, and our luggage, we'll make quite the caravan at the airport! Wish us luck!

Wow, I thought we were a crazy group with the double stroller, 2 kids, 2 carseats, etc. but you will be far more crazy than I was, lol!!!

Good luck! Just get there early and all will be fine!