Should I gate check strollers for 5 year olds?

[BettyCv]

I posted this question on the transportation board, too, but thought I might get some helpful info. here as well:

I planned all along on gate-checking the strollers (one single and one tandem double). However, after reading the posts about the MCO airport and the need to 1) take a tram from the gate to the terminal and 2) take TWO escalators down to the ME Greeting area... I am now starting to wonder if the strollers would be a pain. Are there long lines of people with strollers waiting at the elevators? (Ugh!)

I wanted to gate-check because 1) I thought it would be easier to keep track of the kids in the airport and 2) I thought we would need the strollers as soon as we arrive at the hotel and I was worried about the ME luggage delay. Now I'm thinking we can do without the strollers for the rest of the day (we arrive at MCO around 3 pm), or can rent them in the park (probably MK) if we really need to for the first day.

What do you think?

Betty

 

[beattyfamily]

I would gate check it, absolutely.

The tram is like the monorail and the stroller if you had it just slides right on.

Not sure why you feel you wouldn't want to gate check it? I prefer having it.

 

[tbelfonti]

I plan on gate checking my strollers (DD 9.5 months and DD 4.9 years). I'm so paranoid about my older one wandering off that I like to know she'll be in the stroller in the airport.

 

[MrsDude]

Definitely gate check the strollers! You will have them right away after getting off the plane, and the elevator wait is not long at all.

 

[2dogmom]

Definitely gate check them. I have never stood in a long elevator line at MCO. And if you are doing ME, who knows when you stuff will arrive (from the few reviews I have read) Why take a chance on needing to rent the strollers at MK the first day.

 

[pooh4evr]

We gate checked ours and it worked great, DD sat right in it and we could put some of out carry on bags an the stroller too, the lines for the elevator are not an issue.

 

[BettyCv]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. Glad to hear the elevators will not be an issue!

Betty