Orlando Airport question

[Randi]

Can anyone help with some suggestions on how to get from the plane to the baggage area in a reasonable amount of time? This appears to be the most difficult thing we have to deal with on our trips to WDW. We request a wheelchair to meet us as my adult son has a heart condition and can't walk fast or for long distances. That means we have to wait until nearly everyone else had left the plane and is already halfway to baggage! By the time we even get up into the terminal, we are the last ones around. Now I have to push him, hang on to my slipping shoulder bag (he carries his CPAP bag) and walk what seems like miles. Most of the time, we have to wait for the monorail so that adds more time. By the time we get to baggage, our stuff is the last there and everyone else is gone. We have done this 2x with a friend who hurried on ahead & got our luggage & met the limo driver, but the next time we go, it will be just my son & me. We leave from the small RI airport & they use a motorized cart to zip us around. Huge Orlando makes us hike! Once we get to the limo and to WDW, we have never had any problem navigating. It is just the airport situation that scares me from going again and I really really want to go again!

 

[pugdog]

we know exactly what you mean. my dw is in a chair and it is hard to get from the plane to baggage pushing the chair and the bags. what we have learned to do ,over the last 7 times we have gone down, is to get a bag with a shoulder strap so we can hang it off both of the handles. she also holds the other one on her feet with the stap going through the arm rests. we have alwaqys waited for everyone else to
get off so we can take our time and put things on right so noone gets hurt, plus you get the added benifet of your luggage there for you instead of waiting like everyone else. your on vacation just slow down alittle and enjoy life.

 

[SueM in MN]

We do the same asw pugdog with our carryon bags. My DD usually has two backpacks hanging from the back of her wheelchair. It's much easier to have it there than have it falling off our shoulders. Another possiblity would be one of the backpacks with wheels. We've got one of those too. Your son might be able to hold onto it while you push the wheelchair and just pull it along.
Another possibility if you are having a limo service is to ask for the driver to meet you someplace other than the baggage claim area. When we were there in March, only ticketed passengers were allowed into the gate area, but we saw several people who were waiting for passengers just after the secured area. That way you would have help getting to the baggage claim area.
I guess I agree with pugdog on getting to the baggage area. Getting there faster doesn't necessarily get your bags to you any faster. If you get there quickly, you usually have to wait anyway.
Here's the "Contact us" page from the Orlando airport . Maybe they would have some other suggestions to help you.

 

[Nanajo1]

I wonder if when you request a wheechair if you can also note that you will need a skycap to assist you to the baggage claim. I know when the skycap arrives with a wheelchair for me he usually ask(albeit quickly) Are you all set? My DH is with me so we do the shoulder strap, rest bags on my feet thing too but I think maybe for a tip of course a skycap would help.