MICHIGAN DVC'ers...Here's my Plan...Any advice?

[kristenrice]

Ok all you east siders (Detroit suburbs)....a west coaster (Grand Rapids 'burbs) needs a little encouragement. I leave in 2 weeks with my 2 DD's ages 3 and 5. Thank goodness a friend of mine is coming too. I am still a little nervous as I am not a seasoned traveler and neither are my children. We went to WDW in January (flew out of Grand Rapids) and my oldest DD (then 4) did not do well with security. I had prepped her about what she would have to do. We even made several trips to the airport so she could see what the people do when they go through the "magic door". She seemed fine, but when the day came....hissy fit central! UGH! Luckily, the TSA agents at the Grand Rapids airport are AWESOME! They were so patient, and even helped us get everything back where it belonged. DH was with us on that trip, but he is going hunting so he won't be joining us on this trip.

Now, in 2 weeks, we're flying out of Detroit! I haven't been to this airport since I was in college (we won't say how long ago that was....suffice it to say that it wasn't recently ) and I got lost in the parking ramp . We are driving over on Friday afternoon and staying at the Fairfield Inn by the airport. I didn't want to stress about potty stops, traffic and food breaks while trying to get to the airport on time for our flight. So, our flight leaves Saturday at 2pm(ish). We're planning on taking the free shuttle from the hotel to the airport. I have our luggage planned out: 1 LARGE (but not oversized) rolling duffel bag that will be checked; 2 carryon's (one rolling and one bag that slides onto the top); each of the girls have their backpacks as their "personal item" and I have my guide bag; car seat in a backpack carrier and a stroller. The backpack carrier will go inside the stroller bag with the stroller and get gate checked. I have the portable DVD player and my laptop as well as an iPod so movies will abound! The girls each have their own headphones, coloring books, EarPlanes, blankets and snacks (TSA approved, of course ). We are flying AirTran so I plan on just listening to the XM radio. I am hoping to upgrade us to business class at check in, but I doubt it will happen. Our flight appears to be VERY full. If we get it, great...we'll sit across the aisle from each other, hopefully. If not, we're seated window/middle, one in front of the other.

OK, so I really don't have any specific questions. I just wanted to make sure that there isn't anything about my plan that I am overlooking. What can I expect from security at the airport? Is there a "family-friendly" line? I plan on checking in at the 24hour mark and getting to the airport 2 hours early. We'll only have the one checked bag but a few carry-ons. I plan on dressing the girls in their "TSA-friendly" outfits....pull-on pants, t-shirts and Crocs! I have the same non-fashionable outfit. I'm dressing for comfort and convenience....someone let me know if there is paparazzi at MCO that I'll need to watch out for!

I'm very excited about this trip since we just bought a contract at AKV. We're staying in a savanna view studio for 6 nights, going to our first MNSSHP and my friend hasn't been to WDW since the mid-80's. I am just starting to get a little nervous. I am really good at rolling with the punches and just dealing with whatever happens. I try to plan in a lot of "padding" in case of an unexpected occurrence. Case in point: In January, I planned on dropping off our dogs at the kennel then meeting my parents for breakfast and having them drop us off at the airport for our 2pm flight. Then, on the way to the kennel, some lady ran a stop sign and broadsided me! Luckily, there were no injuries and my truck was still drivable, but it took almost 2 hours to do a 30 minute task. It was easy to call DH at home and tell him to feed the kids at home because we wouldn't be going to the restaurant. We only live about 10 minutes from the airport so I am really glad I planned the expendable meal. I guess luck was on our side that day. My dad took my truck to the body shop after he dropped us off and when we returned from WDW a week later, it was all fixed!

Now, with us driving to Detroit the day before our flight, I think that we'll be OK if we encounter any delays. Since our flight isn't until 2, we really don't have to rush to get up in the morning or worry about over-sleeping.

What do I have to worry about? This should be very stress-free, right?

 

[4Gus-Gus&Figaro]

I don't have any children, so I can't really offer any advice on how to help your daughter through this. However, living in Metro Detroit, we fly out of DTW 3-4 times per year. Most of the folks who work there are decent people. I would just be honest with them about the anxiety factor. Chances are, they'll take it in stride, and try to put your daughter at ease. I'm sure that they've experienced other worried kids, as well.

As for your basic planning, you should be fine. You're leaving plenty of time, and it's not like we have snow right now, so the weather shouldn't play a factor. Just stay calm and friendly, and look forward to your trip.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We flew out of DTW for the first time this summer with our kids. Beyond the parking and shuttle lot (which you won't have to deal with), it wasn't really that much different than Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids does seem to have really good customer service compared to a lot of airports, but Detroit was ok. You will be fine.

Have fun!

 

[dzorn]

I think you'll be fine. Don't forget to have the kids wear socks with the crocs if the normally don't ( extra pair in back pack in case floor was damp at security). Charge DVD battery all night and plug into a the airport to save the power for the flight.

Ours are a little older but we always have a few travel games to take for the airport especially for flight delays. A real compact(smaller than M & M tube) on is a dice game called LCR (left right center) to play you just need to know your left from right.

My oldest is autistic and does very well with security at DTW. If you don't object to a little bribery how about telling your daughter after this we get and ice cream.

Denise in MI

 

[jenelope]

Air Tran now flies out of the new North Terminal at DTW. I took a tour at the open house last month. What I saw impressed me. Much less confusing and creepy than the old Smith Terminal! The lobby/ticketing area is one long rectangular space. There are short hallways to the gates and concessions from there. Security was not in place at that time, but I imagine those hallways are where the security lines would be. I can't remember if there were two hallways or three. The open house was only on the ticketing/gates level and the baggage claim area is downstairs from there. It's clean, bright and modern.

Unfortunately, it's only been open for about two weeks, so it's hard to find reviews from travelers. But luckily, the Free Press has a bunch of articles about the new terminal opening, with reviews, maps and photos on their website. Hopefully, that can answer some of your questions!

I'm also flying to Orlando on Air Tran in two weeks! My flight is an evening flight on the 22nd. I'm really looking forward to getting to use the new terminal. My dislike of the Smith terminal influenced what carrier I went with too much!

 

[kristenrice]

Air Tran now flies out of the new North Terminal at DTW. I took a tour at the open house last month. What I saw impressed me. Much less confusing and creepy than the old Smith Terminal! The lobby/ticketing area is one long rectangular space. There are short hallways to the gates and concessions from there. Security was not in place at that time, but I imagine those hallways are where the security lines would be. I can't remember if there were two hallways or three. The open house was only on the ticketing/gates level and the baggage claim area is downstairs from there. It's clean, bright and modern.

Unfortunately, it's only been open for about two weeks, so it's hard to find reviews from travelers. But luckily, the Free Press has a bunch of articles about the new terminal opening, with reviews, maps and photos on their website. Hopefully, that can answer some of your questions!

I'm also flying to Orlando on Air Tran in two weeks! My flight is an evening flight on the 22nd. I'm really looking forward to getting to use the new terminal. My dislike of the Smith terminal influenced what carrier I went with too much!

I see you are also coming home on the 31st! Are you returning on AirTran?

 

[jenelope]

Yes, I am! I'm taking the 4:42 flight, with a layover in Atlanta. I get back to Detroit at 10:44. This is the first time I've flown with Air Tran, but my brother recommends it very highly. Also, I haven't updated my countdown, but I'm actually arriving on the 22nd. My original flight was landing at 12:15 AM on the 23rd, so we weren't staying on property. Fortunately, Air Tran's tendency toward schedule changes allows me to land at 8:30 on the 22nd instead. We're doing four nights at Ft. Wilderness (Mom and Dad are traveling by motorhome) and then checking into OKW for the rest of our trip.

Maybe I'll see you down there!

 

[Starr W.]

Can't wait until Thanksgiving to check out the new terminal! We flew AT last Thanksgiving and the best part is not having to wait for your gate to clear like over at NWA. We upgrade to business class, now my 12 yr old whines about having to fly in the "skinny" seats.

I've been flying out of Metro for way longer than I like to mention. . Love that we have 2 cool terminals now. Plus AT's gates at MCO are in the newly redone part of the terminal.

My advice is to give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, park, get through security. I live in Toledo and I can be on airport property in about 45-50 min from my house.

The 12 yr old has Asperger's Syndrome and we wouldn't be flying if I didn't take him to Washington DC 2 yrs ago. I explained the whole process to him many times and he did okay. My younger son you just have to point him in the right direction and tell him to wait on the other side and don't drop your boarding pass.

The people at security aren't so bad at Metro, it's the customs people I've always had problems with(this is going back 20+yrs).They really tend to get lippy. But flying to Orlando you don't have to deal with them.

 

[La Bete]

I think you have all your bases covered. And you seem pretty knowledgeable about the TSA standards. Just a reminder of the 3-1-1 policy.

[From the TSA website: "3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure."]

We'll be going to the World the week after you. It'll be our first MNSSHP. Have a good trip!

 

[Pennykay]

We just flew Airtran a couple of weeks ago in and out of Detroit Metro. We left by 8:00am, so it was pretty fast getting through security. We also stayed at an off site hotel and used their shuttle. We have three kids ages 13,6, and 2. All was easy and problem free. The little one was kind of antsy on the plane despite all of my preparation, but none of you read about me being thrown off of the plane, so I guess we did ok. Just kidding, the kids were good, the flight was on time and the staff was nice. Business class looked pretty small, though, so I wouldn't get your hopes up too much about getting up there. Good luck and have a great time! You will love AKV!

 

[travelbug]

It sounds like you've thought things through pretty well, so you should be fine. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[dudelydude]

Kristen,

I think we are twins seperated at birth. I too am compulsive about covering every single detail, have a backup plan for every eventuality and then a back up plan to cover the first backup plan. Even for 5am flights I am crazy about getting to the airport 2-3 hours ahead of time...and stay near the airport the night before flights when I can. Funny thing is, I go into this worry mode and get to places WAY before I am due for arrival, then sit back and think, "Why was I so worried?" Now what am I going to do for the next 2 hours, right?

Anyway, if your primary, potential challenge is taking your DD through the security gate, I love the bribery idea. Someone said ice cream, which is a great idea once you pass security. Or, if not actually seeing the prize may be a problem, hide some kind of wonderful, new toy or candy in your handbag and pull it out right before security as positive reinforcement to go through the magical security metal detector. If you are lucky, there may be a TSA agent who is willing to help out by being overly-friendly at the right time. Or this may (or may not help)...is it possible for you (or your friend) to go through the metal detector first to show her it's OK? Just some thoughts...you planned well, so I am pulling for you. Good Luck.

Joe

 

[kristenrice]

Yes, I am! I'm taking the 4:42 flight, with a layover in Atlanta. I get back to Detroit at 10:44. This is the first time I've flown with Air Tran, but my brother recommends it very highly. Also, I haven't updated my countdown, but I'm actually arriving on the 22nd. My original flight was landing at 12:15 AM on the 23rd, so we weren't staying on property. Fortunately, Air Tran's tendency toward schedule changes allows me to land at 8:30 on the 22nd instead. We're doing four nights at Ft. Wilderness (Mom and Dad are traveling by motorhome) and then checking into OKW for the rest of our trip.

Maybe I'll see you down there!

Well, we'll be on the same flight from Atlanta to Detroit! But, our Orlando to Atlanta departs at 6:37pm. We'll be the ones RUNNING to catch the plane since we have a mere 38 minute layover.

We're supposed to be in rows 25 and 26...please say "hi"!

 

[jodifla]

I fly in and out of Detroit six to eight times a year. The TSA there are pretty darned nice, I find.

My son, 6, who has flown three or more times a year all of his life, freaked out for some reason last year at security. The TSA was great about it.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[jenelope]

Well, we'll be on the same flight from Atlanta to Detroit! But, our Orlando to Atlanta departs at 6:37pm. We'll be the ones RUNNING to catch the plane since we have a mere 38 minute layover.

We're supposed to be in rows 25 and 26...please say "hi"!

At the rate AirTran is changing those flights, we may end up on the same flight from MCO to ATL, too! I don't know about you, but I'm on my fourth flight change. I was on an evening non-stop, then I was on exactly the same flight as you, then I was on an evening nonstop, now I'm on this one. I picked the slightly earlier flight because I did a 38 minute layover in Atlanta at the beginning of the month. Do-able, but not exactly relaxing.

I'm in row 17, myself. If you see a tired solo traveler with a DVC tote, it's probably me!