Question on checking stroller at airport

[Melknor]

I've been going back and forth whether to bring our full size Greco stroller from home or to just rent one at Disney (from the park). We will only have 4 park days so it is actually more cost effective if we rented to get from Disney rather than an outside company.

Anyway, I think I will bring ours from home for DS4. Does anyone have any experience checking a stroller at the counter compared to gate-checking it? We won't need it at the airport, so I figured it would be easier to check at the counter. Should I put it in a bag if we do this? I don't have a stroller bag, but do have a car seat bag which I think should work just as well.

Has anyone had their stroller damaged doing this? Last year we gate checked ours so it wasn't an issue. This year DS will definately walk at the airport (mr independent). Our stroller is on it's last leg anyway having been through two kids now, so I guess if it were completely damaged, we could go with plan B and just rent..........we hardly ever use at home. What do you think???

 

[30ishmom]

We've checked a stroller before (not on a trip to Disney, but another trip) and it was absolutely no problem! If you can, I would stick the stroller in a bag because when they throw it around, it might spring open....airlines may require a bag anyway, or that stroller is securely tied together, not sure...

Also, I'm not sure if this applies to you, but if you're using ME and need the stroller on the day you arrive, I would gate-check it. Better safe than sorry!!

Last year, we used ME and didn't receive our luggage until the day after we arrived. It ended up being the airline's fault, not Disney's, and kind of a fluke, but I was glad we had everything we needed (swimsuits, toiletries, pjs, change of clothes, etc.) in our carry-ons!!

Have fun!!

 

[tam626]

We take our full size Graco too & always gate check it. It's just easier if we need to hurry to have him ride in it or pile our carry ons/ backpacks on it until it's time to board.

 

[Hannathy]

When you gate check it, it still goes into the cargo area the same as if you check it at the counter.

 

[Melknor]

Thanks everyone! I think we will gate check it. That way if if is along haul to our next gate when we change planes, DS can just ride in it and not worry about having to keep up.

 

[mamaLori05]

I would still use a stroller bag wherever you check it. One of our little umbrella type strollers actually broke, and ever since then we have used stroller bags. Our stroller bags even get little tears in them from time to time, but I am happy it was the bag and not the stroller!!!

 

[tam626]

I had my MIL make a canvas bag for our full size Graco to protect it. It looks even bigger in that bag. I had one attendant ask "Is that a stroller?!" Haha.

 

[cheshiregirl]

We have only flown once since DS 2.5 was born, but we are now gearing up for our big WDW vacation in 2 months. My question is: Do they charge you for your stroller if you check it at the counter versus gate checking it?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

They don't charge if you gate check the stroller, I don't know if you check it but would guess they would charge it as luggage.

Always use a bag!