Need Advice For Travel With Toddler

[lyv4him]

Hello!

I need some advice...calling all SuperDisneyMoms out there!

I will be traveling for the first time with my son, and I have a few situations that I need some help with. Would love some advice on the following:

1. Should I rent a stroller from Disneyworld, Buy one at Walmart Orlando, Take one on the plane, Rent one from a website or even ship it to my hotel room?

2. How do I go about renting a car seat? Need one for the taxi upon arrival, and then for a 2 day side trip to the beach. Should I buy, rent, ship?...

3. Any advice on how to keep a 23 month old entertained in the plane? He will be riding on our laps, can't afford another seat.

Thank you for your help.

 

[SaraMc]

When we took our son last year when he was 25 months, to keep him occupied on the plane we bought some Crayola colour wonder markers and a colouring book of pixar characters. They were great and didnt make a mess anywhere but the paper. We also had aqua doodle, some cars in his own carry on bag. We also flew jetblue so we did have a tv to also help keep him entertained.

We brought our Maclaren with us, gate checked it and had it with us everwhere. Loved it.

As for a car seat, well we took magical express and never went anywhere but our resort and the parks so we never needed it. But if you only need it there, I would rent one.

This year with DS being 3 when we go and now with DD we are going to rent a stroller when we arrive ( a double, he now doesnt use a stroller at home) but are still taking our Maclaren for DD through the airports ect.

 

[peemagg]

A thought to get around renting a car seat would be to check his regular car seat as part of your luggage. This way you have a seat that you are all famillair with. I would get one of those bags that the carseat fits in to keep it clean and protect it some though.

We have only used ME when traveling from the airport to the hotel. If we need a car after that we rented one from Almo or National that is right on property. You would probably need to contact the company you are renting the car from. They likely also have carseats there.

Just curious is there a reason as to why you are paying for a taxi and not using ME?


For the stroller we gate checked ours. This way we had in the airport to corral excited little ones and we had it for anywhere else we wanted it. I don't know what your child is like about running, but we had 3 little characters with us, so knowing that they were in the stroller was a piece of mind for us. The ones at Disney are hard plastic and not good for keeping kids in if they are runners. You also don't have them for anywhere else you want to go. I'd personally bring mine from home.

There is added benefit to bringing your own stroller and carseat is that you are saving money for other things. The rental of a stroller will cost around $75 or more for a week. I don't know how much extra it will cost to rent a carseat. If you take the ME bus, even one way, instead of a taxi you could save yourselves at least $100+ for other things.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello!

I need some advice...calling all SuperDisneyMoms out there!

I will be traveling for the first time with my son, and I have a few situations that I need some help with. Would love some advice on the following:

1. Should I rent a stroller from Disneyworld, Buy one at Walmart Orlando, Take one on the plane, Rent one from a website or even ship it to my hotel room?

2. How do I go about renting a car seat? Need one for the taxi upon arrival, and then for a 2 day side trip to the beach. Should I buy, rent, ship?...

3. Any advice on how to keep a 23 month old entertained in the plane? He will be riding on our laps, can't afford another seat.

Thank you for your help.

1. Orlando is a big airport - you'll need a stroller when you land, so bringing your own would be best. You can gate check it right before you get on the plane and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

2. I don't have any experience with taxis and car seats, but I would think you'd need to make arrangements in advance for the taxi to have a carseat. Most car rental agencies charge $10/day for car seat rental. I've read stories of people getting clean, brand new seats from car rental agencies, and I've read of people getting gross, dirty seats. Personally, it's not something I would risk. If you're regular car seat is too big or bulky to travel with, I'd buy a Cosco Scenera. It's a lightweight seat that's great for travel and it's only about $50 at Target. I'm not sure, but you can probably gate check the car seat if you're not using it on the plane.

3. A sippy cup of water or juice will be helpful when taking off if the pressure bothers his ears. Bring lots of snacks (we bring Goldfish, Cheerios, string cheese, animal crackers, etc.). Crayola Color Wonder is great and mess-free. Also, mini Magna Doodles are fun for little ones. On one trip, I brought a small photo album with pictures of various family members. That was a big hit. We also bring lots of books (especially lift the flap books). Bring Motrin or Tylenol in case his ears hurt. If he's still in diapers, bring plenty of diapers, wipes, etc. I always bring 24 hrs worth in case of delays. Finally, if your DS has a pacifier, favorite toy, and/or blanet, bring those too. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky parents whose child sleeps the whole flight!

 

[monorailsilver]

I would definetally bring your own stroller. Like the pp stated MCO is big.

I'd bring my own car seat too. I think (rules have changed since I am saying I think so this may have changed too) that you can bring your car seat in hopes that the plane will have a spare seat & you can use it. If not they will let you gate check it.

As for stuff for a 23 mo old to do on the plane since he is a lap child, I'd say not much. Those seats don't leave alot of room for the table to come down to color, etc... if the child is on your lap. My kids have watched a movie on the DVD player/lap top or on Jet Blue's handy dandy TV, they have sucked on multiple lolipops & gummi bears (I broke them in smaller pieces & handed them out). I have tried the coloring thing but it just doesn't work for us.


Good Luck & have a wonderful trip.

 

[lyv4him]

When we took our son last year when he was 25 months, to keep him occupied on the plane we bought some Crayola colour wonder markers and a colouring book of pixar characters. They were great and didnt make a mess anywhere but the paper. We also had aqua doodle, some cars in his own carry on bag. We also flew jetblue so we did have a tv to also help keep him entertained.

We brought our Maclaren with us, gate checked it and had it with us everwhere. Loved it.

As for a car seat, well we took magical express and never went anywhere but our resort and the parks so we never needed it. But if you only need it there, I would rent one.

This year with DS being 3 when we go and now with DD we are going to rent a stroller when we arrive ( a double, he now doesnt use a stroller at home) but are still taking our Maclaren for DD through the airports ect.

Thank you for the great advice SarahMC!

 

[lyv4him]

A thought to get around renting a car seat would be to check his regular car seat as part of your luggage. This way you have a seat that you are all famillair with. I would get one of those bags that the carseat fits in to keep it clean and protect it some though.

We have only used ME when traveling from the airport to the hotel. If we need a car after that we rented one from Almo or National that is right on property. You would probably need to contact the company you are renting the car from. They likely also have carseats there.

Just curious is there a reason as to why you are paying for a taxi and not using ME?


For the stroller we gate checked ours. This way we had in the airport to corral excited little ones and we had it for anywhere else we wanted it. I don't know what your child is like about running, but we had 3 little characters with us, so knowing that they were in the stroller was a piece of mind for us. The ones at Disney are hard plastic and not good for keeping kids in if they are runners. You also don't have them for anywhere else you want to go. I'd personally bring mine from home.

There is added benefit to bringing your own stroller and carseat is that you are saving money for other things. The rental of a stroller will cost around $75 or more for a week. I don't know how much extra it will cost to rent a carseat. If you take the ME bus, even one way, instead of a taxi you could save yourselves at least $100+ for other things.

I have never stayed at the resort before and it would be our first time....didn't know that Disneyworld offer transportation....before we use to visit and drive everywhere...but we want more time at the parks! Thanks!

 

[lyv4him]

1. Orlando is a big airport - you'll need a stroller when you land, so bringing your own would be best. You can gate check it right before you get on the plane and it will be waiting for you when you get off the plane.

2. I don't have any experience with taxis and car seats, but I would think you'd need to make arrangements in advance for the taxi to have a carseat. Most car rental agencies charge $10/day for car seat rental. I've read stories of people getting clean, brand new seats from car rental agencies, and I've read of people getting gross, dirty seats. Personally, it's not something I would risk. If you're regular car seat is too big or bulky to travel with, I'd buy a Cosco Scenera. It's a lightweight seat that's great for travel and it's only about $50 at Target. I'm not sure, but you can probably gate check the car seat if you're not using it on the plane.

3. A sippy cup of water or juice will be helpful when taking off if the pressure bothers his ears. Bring lots of snacks (we bring Goldfish, Cheerios, string cheese, animal crackers, etc.). Crayola Color Wonder is great and mess-free. Also, mini Magna Doodles are fun for little ones. On one trip, I brought a small photo album with pictures of various family members. That was a big hit. We also bring lots of books (especially lift the flap books). Bring Motrin or Tylenol in case his ears hurt. If he's still in diapers, bring plenty of diapers, wipes, etc. I always bring 24 hrs worth in case of delays. Finally, if your DS has a pacifier, favorite toy, and/or blanet, bring those too. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky parents whose child sleeps the whole flight!

Love your advice...you are a total Supermom! Thanks a bunch!

 

[lyv4him]

I would definetally bring your own stroller. Like the pp stated MCO is big.

I'd bring my own car seat too. I think (rules have changed since I am saying I think so this may have changed too) that you can bring your car seat in hopes that the plane will have a spare seat & you can use it. If not they will let you gate check it.

As for stuff for a 23 mo old to do on the plane since he is a lap child, I'd say not much. Those seats don't leave alot of room for the table to come down to color, etc... if the child is on your lap. My kids have watched a movie on the DVD player/lap top or on Jet Blue's handy dandy TV, they have sucked on multiple lolipops & gummi bears (I broke them in smaller pieces & handed them out). I have tried the coloring thing but it just doesn't work for us.


Good Luck & have a wonderful trip.

Thank you for the advice - I'm all ears! Pun intended!