Stroller questions for DME

[wedance6]

I want to use our stroller up until we board the plane, and then I want it right away after we disembark. Two questions: Does the airline allow you to bring the stroller to the plane, and then they take it and put it in a special holding area in flight so you can retreve it right away upon landing? And....Would we just check the stroller as normal, not use the DME luggage tags, so it doesn't go en route to the resort without us? Last time we went 5years ago, we just checked the stroller, since we didn't need it during boarding since our child was older, but now we have an infant. Thanks.

 

[helenk]

I went with my brother and his children in May. We flew SW, they allowed the passengers to keep the children in the strollers until they reached the door of the plane. An attendant took the strollers and told them that the strollers would be on the ramp when we disembarked and they were.
When we got onto the DME bus, they folded them up and put them under the bus with the rest of the carry on luggage so everyone had them when we reached the resorts.

 

[wedance6]

thanks for the info!

 

[Tumblwd501]

Just to help you expedite the process... when you get to your gate, bring your stroller up to the gate attendant and tell him/her that you want to gate check your stroller. They'll tag your stroller, give you the corresponding claim ticket and then when you board the plane you just leave the stroller right outside the plane and they'll have it for you when you get off (plus or minus a few mintues).

 

[CleveRocks]

Tumblwd has the right idea. Gate checking. That's the phrase to use. Ask to gate check your stroller. Do this PRIOR TO BOARDING.

You will get it back nearly immediately after landing, and you will get it returned to you in the same place you left it, in the jetway. You've probably never noticed, but the jetway is not just a long thin hallway. Right near the plane entrance, it widens out into a circle. It's in that wide area near the plane door (but off to the side, to allow others to get past you!!!) where you'll get everyhting (like your child) out of the stroller and fold it up. Then you just leave it there. A ramper (baggage handler) will be up at some point to gather and load the strollers (there's an exterior door to/from the jetway at that end). The process will repeat itself, but in reverse, after you land. You might have wait in that circular area of the jetway (off to the side!!!) for a minute or 3, but some time soon a ramper will be up with the strollers, and then you merrily roll along from there. The stroller will NOT be claimed by Disney's Magical Express.

Since you will flying to and from Orlando, you will surely not be the only party gate checking a stroller. Far from it.

When you get to your DME bus, the driver will load the stroller under the bus, and you'll get it right back when you arrive at your resort.