Rookies at flying

[prestonbunch]

Hi, everyone.

We are flying to Disney in 17 days. My husband and I have only flown once, pre-911 and before we had three children.

We are flying Southwest. Our kids are ages 4, 5, and 7. I am just trying to imagine the logistics of getting our baggage from the hotel to the airport to the baggage check. I mean, do they have baggage carts like the hotels do? Do we pull up to the airport and unload and then go park?

We have booked a park and fly at a nearby hotel that offers free shuttle service to the airport. But there is also a hotel attached directly to the airport that offers a "people mover." It's quite a bit more expensive than the hotel we have already booked. Is it worth the extra expense to not have to do the shuttle thing?

We are planning on packing three large rolling suitcases for the five of us and taking two carry-ons and three backpacks. We figured my husband and I could each pull a large suitcase and a carry-on. My oldest daughter can pull a large suitcase and wear her backpacks. Our two littlest girls can wear their backpacks. (Of course, this is assuming nobody decides to dart off in the crowd, etc. -- mainly thinking of my four-year-old here).

Any advice from families with young children who have navigated airports is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[lylone]

That question would really be good for the hotel or shuttle service. Every shuttle we have used for hotel or park 'n fly the driver of the shuttle has put our luggage on and off. At every airport we have been to there has been curbside checkin and the shuttles have dropped us off there so the distance to the curbside was maybe 10 feet.

The real key is to have luggage with wheels. I have even seen small toddlers dragging rolling cases behind them that could barely walk. One actually enjoyed "being like daddy going to work". It was so cute to see a small girl with her little Mickey carry on.....and funny at the same time.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I like Park N' Fly shuttles. The driver has always put my luggage on for me and taken it off. I do tip the person too.

At our airport, the shuttles drop you off across the street from the curb side check in. That would be perfect for you because you could just get your things across the street and check it in right there.
Your husband could take the 2 rolling bags for checkin, you could have the other rolling back for checkin and hold your youngests hand and the other 2 could take the carryon bags with their backpacks. As long as those carryon bags have wheels a 5 and 7 year old should be able to handle them across the street.
Then once you get the bags checked in, you could rearrange the carryons but still make sure you have a hand free for your 4 year old to hold.

If you had one of these, that would help with the backpack carryon's. I love mine. You could put one on each of the carryon suitcases for making it easier to get through the airport. You'd have one hand free for your 4 year old.
http://www.travelsmith.com/bag-bungee/travel-accessories/luggage-accessories/18262?listIndex=1

At security you do need to remove your backpack from the top of the carryon suitcase but it's so easy to do, you can do it one handed.

And on my last trip, I saw a 3 year old wrangling his own little backpack with wheels. It was adorable so I asked his Mom how old he was. She told me 3 years old and that the best thing for her was having him haul his own bag. She said he felt very important and didn't try to run off. Maybe that would work for you?

 

[prestonbunch]

Thank you for all the tips!

Does curbside check-in mean you can check your bags right there?

Do all airports have that?

We are flying out of Pittsburgh.

Sorry to be so lame, but, like I said, we aren't seasoned travelers except in our RV and we "check" our own luggage into it!

 

[DebbieB]

Southwest does have curbside at PIT. I think you would be better off staying at the offsite and using the shuttle. You will need to tip the shuttle driver a $1 or $2 per bag handled and you also need to tip the curbside check person $1 or $2 a bag. I don't know if the Hyatt has a service for taking your luggage over to the check-in.

Since SW has 2 free checked bags per person, I would check as many as you can.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd, now 18, has been flying since she was just about 3. From that first flight, she was expected to handle her own carryon bag. She had a Barbie rolling bag..and yes, she was careful about pulling it behind her!! We practiced at home. As she got older, she was able to use a backpack (did that when she was almost 5), and then she was able to pull a lighter bag as well.
So...with that in mind. Get the kids used to wearing the backpacks. When you get to the airport, dad can lug two checked bags, and wear one backpack...just called him your 'sherpa'..that's what we do for dh!! You take the third checked bag, and hold the 4 y/o's hand.
The 5 y/o gets a backpack to wear, and a carryon to pull. The 7 y/o gets a backpack to wear and a carryon to pull. The 4 y/o holds your hand and 'helps' you with your bag.
You won't be going far. If you are moving from the hotel to the airport via a shuttle, the driver will do most of the heavy lifting..you just have to get it from the van to the checkin area. And in your case? Do curbside checkin. It does mean a tip, but it will be worth it. Most larger airports have curbside service for the various airlines.

Try not to overthink this. Practice at home, with the bags you plan to use. You will see how easy it will get. For us, the worst time for bags was our 12 night trip....did a cruise for 5 days, about 4 nights at WDW and then over to visit my ds in Tampa. Had to pack all sorts of stuff for that trip....used 4 checked bags for 3 people, as well as 3 good sized carryons, and two backpacks. Man, that was hard.

 

[goofy4tink]

Southwest does have curbside at PIT. I think you would be better off staying at the offsite and using the shuttle. You will need to tip the shuttle driver a $1 or $2 per bag handled and you also need to tip the curbside check person $1 or $2 a bag. I don't know if the Hyatt has a service for taking your luggage over to the check-in.

Since SW has 2 free checked bags per person, I would check as many as you can.

Absolutely agree!!! If you can get away with checking 4 bags go for it. When you are heading home from WDW, you should be able to use RAC to check your bags and get boarding passes...so no need to lug them any further than your resort lobby!!!
Don't overpack carryon bags for the flight. I see that happen all the time. And believe me, it's a pain. Take a few things to occupy the kids for the flight...but they won't need much. They'll be too excited about the actual flight. Take a change of clothes for each one, in addition to toiletries....all in that quart sized baggie with nothing larger than 3.4oz!!! maybe tuck in a swimsuit so you can swim upon arrival. This way..if something goes amiss with any checked bags, you'll have clothes and swimsuits with you.
Bring a few snacks..nothing big though. You really don't need all that much for the flight itself.

 

[prestonbunch]

Thank you so much. This has been a very helpful discussion.

I guess I wasn't really thinking that just because a bag is called a "carry on" doesn't mean it has to be carried on. I think I can pack enough stuff in one carry-on for all of five of us to exist until the luggage arrives (change of clothes, swimsuit, and toiletries). So, we could check our other two smaller suitcases.

The kids are all three used to backpacks because my youngest two go to preschool, so I was going to pack them each a Disney activity book, crayons, their Leapsters, and a snack. (I can't get drinks till after we go through security, right?)

I am also going to pack an empty duffel bag in one of our large suitcases so we have extra storage for bringing home souvenirs, etc.

I agree that $5-10 is worth it to not have to lug the bags through the airport.

Any other advice/tips/suggestions are welcome!

 

[msheriffm]

Be sure to check in on line with Southwest asap (24 hours before flight). Once you are checked in you get your boarding pass with a letter and number. They start boarding the plane with letter A number 1 and continue until the plane is loaded. If you get on early and the first set of seats are open take them. The first four seats one each side face each other making it easy to see everybody and how they are doing. ( Two people will be traveling backwards but we have never found this to be a problem.)

 

[rwdavis2]

How many trips have you made to WDW? Just curious.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Read up on your home airport to make sure there are no updates that might have an effect on your travel day.

I’d have one adult carry 2 of the large suitcases and the other adult carry the 3rd and hold the 4 year-old’s hand. Like someone else said, at those ages, each child might like to have their own backpack, or at least the 5 and 7 year-olds might like their own. Items can be more easily distributed and since you don’t have any lap children everyone will have space under the seat in front of them to store it during flight. Then you don’t have constant requests coming for whatever during the flight. “Mom, can I have my Leapster?” Five minutes later, “mom, can I have a different game?” It might even free up room to reduce you down to one rolling carry-on.

The 5 and 7 year-olds can roll the smaller bags in addition to carrying their backpacks. They could each roll a bag with the opposite hand so they could hold hands if you have to cross a street.

Once the luggage is checked, I’d relieve the children of the rolling bags so they have less responsibility at the security check point. Or like someone else said, with 5 people you can check them for free on SWA, so I’d probably check all 5. I love having just my backpack after the luggage is checked.

Shoes that slip on and off for you and your husband will help you get through security if you like. I have worn my crocs or my sneakers with the laces undone and tucked in. Children get to keep their shoes on now. When they had to remove them, my daughter wore sneakers with Velcro closures. Dress comfortably and try to limit accessories to avoid setting off the detector. On our last trip, my children and I were behind a woman who had to practically strip before she could go through. We ended up going around her. Most families your size I see generally send one parent through, then children, then the other parent.

Yes, drinks have to be purchased after you go through security. I carry empty see through no spill bottles with us. I put them in side pockets of the backpack so it is obvious they are empty.

Some gummy bears or soft candy or some gum to keep their ears popping on take off and landing is good to have too.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would absolutely do curb side check in - check as much as you possibly can!! Keep one carryon with the important stuff - (which for me would be a change of clothes, toothbrushes, chapstick, swim stuff, medications, camera, phone. Each kid can be in charge of their own backpack. So you will be pretty much hands free once you curbside check. It's slick and makes traveling with kids a bit easier! No juggling!

Enjoy!!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The first four seats one each side face each other making it easy to see everybody and how they are doing. ( Two people will be traveling backwards but we have never found this to be a problem.)

How many years has it been since you flew WN? They have not had any planes with this seating configuration in many years, guessing probably 10 or more. All seats face forwards, although it is safer to have the seats facing backwards.

Some people used to call these the "hot tub" seats.

 

[msheriffm]

How many years has it been since you flew WN? They have not had any planes with this seating configuration in many years, guessing probably 10 or more. All seats face forwards, although it is safer to have the seats facing backwards.

Some people used to call these the "hot tub" seats.

My kids are older now so I guess I have not paid attention. We used them all the time when they were little. Actually now that you mention it, I guess it has been several years since we have taken southwest. We will be taking it to WDW this summer. I will be happy to have free baggage again.

 

[prestonbunch]

How many trips have you made to WDW? Just curious.

This is our first.

 

[prestonbunch]

Be sure to check in on line with Southwest asap (24 hours before flight). Once you are checked in you get your boarding pass with a letter and number. They start boarding the plane with letter A number 1 and continue until the plane is loaded. If you get on early and the first set of seats are open take them. The first four seats one each side face each other making it easy to see everybody and how they are doing. ( Two people will be traveling backwards but we have never found this to be a problem.)

We paid the fee for early check-in, so I believe they automatically check us in and we can print our boarding passes anytime beginning like 36 hours before our flight. We were afraid to not be able to sit together, so we thought the extra fee was worth it.

 

[prestonbunch]

Another question: Would sunblock be considered a liquid?

Four of the five of us are very fair-skinned and we require sunblock and lots of it. *lol* I know I can only pack containers of about 3 oz. on the carry-on. I usually buy the continuous spray stuff because it's much faster to sunblock three kids with that than the lotion. But the continuous spray doesn't come in small containers.

 

[plutolovr]

Yes, sunblock is a liquid. You'll need to put it in the checked bag.

 

[aubriee]

And on my last trip, I saw a 3 year old wrangling his own little backpack with wheels. It was adorable so I asked his Mom how old he was. She told me 3 years old and that the best thing for her was having him haul his own bag. She said he felt very important and didn't try to run off. Maybe that would work for you?

My husband and I took our 3 y/o grandson to WDW Feb 4th-11th. He is 3 1/2, but so tiny most people think he's 2 y/o. He's used to wearing a toddler size backpack, because he goes to day care everyday. I bought him a Cars rolling carryon that held all of his clothes and a toddler size Cars back pack that held toys and snacks for the plane. He loved wearing the backpack and dragging his own carry on through the airport. We checked one bag for all three of us, my husband had a rolling carry on, and I had a carry on and a personal item. Since he had an empty hand, my husband tried to carry my GS's carrry on for him, but my GS insisted on pulling it himself. He looked adorable walking through the airport with his bags, couldn't run off, and felt like such a big boy. All three of the OP's kids should be able to wear a backpack and pull a rolling carry on.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you so much. This has been a very helpful discussion.

I guess I wasn't really thinking that just because a bag is called a "carry on" doesn't mean it has to be carried on. I think I can pack enough stuff in one carry-on for all of five of us to exist until the luggage arrives (change of clothes, swimsuit, and toiletries). So, we could check our other two smaller suitcases.

The kids are all three used to backpacks because my youngest two go to preschool, so I was going to pack them each a Disney activity book, crayons, their Leapsters, and a snack. (I can't get drinks till after we go through security, right?)

I am also going to pack an empty duffel bag in one of our large suitcases so we have extra storage for bringing home souvenirs, etc.

I agree that $5-10 is worth it to not have to lug the bags through the airport.

Any other advice/tips/suggestions are welcome!

You should be able to easily roll up some undies, a tee shirt and a pr of shorts on the very bottom of each backpack. That way, each child will have a change of cloths if needed. That should help make it easier to carry just the one carryon bag.

How many trips have you made to WDW? Just curious.

What bearing does this have???

Be sure to check in on line with Southwest asap (24 hours before flight). Once you are checked in you get your boarding pass with a letter and number. They start boarding the plane with letter A number 1 and continue until the plane is loaded. If you get on early and the first set of seats are open take them. The first four seats one each side face each other making it easy to see everybody and how they are doing. ( Two people will be traveling backwards but we have never found this to be a problem.)

I've been flying for years, and haven't seen this type of configuration. On a train? Sure, but not a plane.

We paid the fee for early check-in, so I believe they automatically check us in and we can print our boarding passes anytime beginning like 36 hours before our flight. We were afraid to not be able to sit together, so we thought the extra fee was worth it.

You can print them out at the 24 hr mark, not any earlier. You should be able to get seats together this way. 3 in one row, 2 in another.

Another question: Would sunblock be considered a liquid?

Four of the five of us are very fair-skinned and we require sunblock and lots of it. *lol* I know I can only pack containers of about 3 oz. on the carry-on. I usually buy the continuous spray stuff because it's much faster to sunblock three kids with that than the lotion. But the continuous spray doesn't come in small containers.

Get some of the small travel sized bottles of sunblock. They are perfect for those first few hours. Then, you're good to go when you get your checked bags later in the day.