Should I drag my stroller on the plane?

[mpbest]

We usually drive, but looking at flying this time. I'm debating on whether or not to take the umbrella stroller. We used it in Oct/Nov 09, not daily but more so the end of the trip. How much bother is dragging it on the plane? I would take it to through security so I didn't have to worry about it getting beaten up. Any opinions?

 

[Goofdad]

absolutely YES, bring the stroller.

the airlines are quite accommodating for strollers.
you can wheel your child/stroller all the way to the airplane door and then leave the stroller at the entrance (with other strollers, carriages, wheelchairs, etc).

After your flight is over, the stroller will be waiting right there for you as you exit the airplane door.

 

[clanmcculloch]

If you don't bring a stroller, you'll want to rent one. I don't know a single 4 year old who can do all the walking required at WDW.

You won't actually bring the stroller right onto the plane. You'll gate check it just before walking into the plane. It's quite easy to do and means that you can keep your son in the stroller even walking towards the plane. You will have to wait for it to be brought to you when you land so it'll take an extra few minutes when getting off (just let all the people who are in a hurry to get nowhere go ahead of you and stay in your seat until most people are off the plane). Again, it's very easy to do. Personally, I'd only bring a stroller if it has a nice area for carrying things, otherwise I'd rent one.

 

[Happiest mommy]

yes bring it, its so easy like the prior poster said he can be in the stroller all the way till you reach the entrance of the plane and it will be waiting for you when you get off love it!

 

[happily single]

Bring the stroller. It can carry so much more than children. Bags, blankets, carry-on luggage,

 

[Hannathy]

If you don't bring a stroller, you'll want to rent one. I don't know a single 4 year old who can do all the walking required at WDW.

Believe me there are many. many who do including all 3 that I've taken to Disney. If they don't know to ask for one and one isn't offered I don't know a 4 yr old that would even think of asking for a stroller.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would take it to through security so I didn't have to worry about it getting beaten up. Any opinions?

There are two choices. Check it when you check luggage, or gate-check it. Can't take it onto the seating part of the plane. When gate-checking, you'll need to get a tag from the gate people (some people at some airlines will give you a tag out in the checkin area, but generally it's at the gate), wheel it down the ramp, fold it up and leave it right before you go into the plane. They'll take it down, put it into the cargo area, and then when you get to your destination they'll take it out, bring it up, and have it there for you (if you rush off the plane you might have to wait for the stroller...so take your time deplaning).

Believe me there are many. many who do including all 3 that I've taken to Disney. If they don't know to ask for one and one isn't offered I don't know a 4 yr old that would even think of asking for a stroller.

They aren't noticing all of their peers in strollers around them?

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I always gate check my mac umbrella stroller. I bought the JL Childress travel bag and you can fit a lot more in the bag... So you basically have a free piece of luggage! My DD is 4 and we like going back to the parks at night. She has never napped, but she loves to crash in her stroller after Spectromagic! It is wonderful wheeling her onto the ferry then to the car. I can't imagine getting a tired kid out of the park w/out it.

 

[Hannathy]

There are two choices. Check it when you check luggage, or gate-check it. Can't take it onto the seating part of the plane. When gate-checking, you'll need to get a tag from the gate people (some people at some airlines will give you a tag out in the checkin area, but generally it's at the gate), wheel it down the ramp, fold it up and leave it right before you go into the plane. They'll take it down, put it into the cargo area, and then when you get to your destination they'll take it out, bring it up, and have it there for you (if you rush off the plane you might have to wait for the stroller...so take your time deplaning).




They aren't noticing all of their peers in strollers around them?

yes mine did they asked why those older kids were in strollers when they were that old.
Of course it is only in recent years that older kids have been in strollers. When I went with the first child there were not kids over the age of 4 ish ever in strollers, it has been getting worse every time I go back.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Believe me there are many. many who do including all 3 that I've taken to Disney. If they don't know to ask for one and one isn't offered I don't know a 4 yr old that would even think of asking for a stroller.

You're correct that not all will ask for a stroller. What many (obviously not all though) will do is ask to be carried or whine about being tired. It's a lot of walking for most kids this age.

I know I shouldn't have made such a sweeping generalization of all 4 year olds needing one and for that I apologize. Unless a child is used to walking several miles per day, they'll probably need some kind of help or short days. There are likely exceptions but the majority I believe would fit this description.

OP still has a stroller suggesting that her child uses it at least on occasion at home. Based on this, I'd say this child will either need a stroller or need to be carried or need to leave the park early to rest. Since they already have the stroller, it's likely in their best interest to bring it.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

yes mine did they asked why those older kids were in strollers when they were that old.
Of course it is only in recent years that older kids have been in strollers. When I went with the first child there were not kids over the age of 4 ish ever in strollers, it has been getting worse every time I go back.

getting worse? What is so terrible about my 4 year old in a stroller when we are walking several miles a day? I think it would be worse her having a total meltdown when fatigue finally hits!

 

[mtquinn]

we are leaving for DW in 8 days and my five year old daughter will be in an umbrella stroller. even my 8.5 year old starts to get jealous of her little sister being wheeled around. for myself and DH it's just easier to provide her with a seat. plus, she just can't keep up with her big sis and older cousins who are coming with us.

strollers are the BEST!

 

[SnowWhite12]

Easiest thing in the world to gate check your stroller. It's awesome!! Then it's right there when you step off the plane, ready to go

 

[macmom3]

We're going in May with a 6,4 and 2 year old. We're bringing a double umbrella stoller for the 2 little ones and another unbrella stoller for the older one. We're not sure if she would needs one, but better safe then sorry.

 

[Davids-Coco]

I second a stroller bag if it is a nice umbrella stroller - we too have a mac. The maclaren stroller bag has so much extra room that we pack kids stuff in it - from pillows to blankets. We even have been known to strap a car seat to it! (no child in car seat) The bag also has wheels, so it makes life easy!

 

[Fall1]

Yes, bring it! We brought ours on our first trip with DC in October and I was happy about how easy it was. Just roll right down the ramp to the plane and it was right there when we landed.

 

[scampiekat]

absolutely YES, bring the stroller.

the airlines are quite accommodating for strollers.
you can wheel your child/stroller all the way to the airplane door and then leave the stroller at the entrance (with other strollers, carriages, wheelchairs, etc).

After your flight is over, the stroller will be waiting right there for you as you exit the airplane door.

except if your flying into jfk... they are the worst, one time everyone was off the plane and the pilot had to go get our stroller

 

[mpbest]

My biggest concern was it getting tossed around if we check it with the luggage. It is a Maclaren and I would like it to arrive in the same condition as it started in. Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely gate check it.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

My biggest concern was it getting tossed around if we check it with the luggage. It is a Maclaren and I would like it to arrive in the same condition as it started in. Thanks for all the advice. I will definitely gate check it.

I stitched up an easy bag with a tie cord at the top. I had a Mac and didn't want it to get dirty.

BTW, not all children can walk for miles in the Florida heat. You know your children and don't worry about those who feel "you" should do something that is not best for your kids. It is the great stroller debate, that and mug re use make for

I have a nearly 7 year old and just got his Liberty push chair yesterday. He is SN but I am sure we will get the terrible looks and get judged by those who only see with their eyes. There is an entirely different story going on than what appears.

 

[dmoore718]

Bring it for sure. I'm going to bring a double stroller next year for my 5 and 4 y.o. and a single for my 18 mo old. It's easy to do the gate check.