Stroller Shipping

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

Does anyone have any ideas on the best way to get a stroller to Disney World. My son and his wife are trying to figure out the best way. They will be flying. In your opinion is it better to have it aboard the plane as luggage or to have it shipped separately. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Perditamarie]

We like to gate check them... gentler than sending w/checked baggage and we can use it in the airport. Best of all, when you land, you are ready to go. If you have DME, you won't see your bags but if you gate check your stroller, you can just be off ... check in and hit the parks.

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

LOL, Oops I forgot the question marks.

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

Ok, thanks for the input. Thankfully, being Grandma I don't have to worry about strollers anymore.

 

[laughinplace199]

We always gate check our stroller on the plane. Won't they need it in the airport?

 

[JeremyGNJ]

If you dont want to take it on the plane...well I think shipping would be too expensive to be worth it. Here's a different idea if you can manage it.

Buy a cheap one from wallmart.com with an "in store pickup". Swing by and get it once you arrive. If you wont have a car, see if your hotel will receive the package for you.

After your trip, give it away to someone. I'm actually surprised I dont see stroller-swaps on these boards.

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

I had actually mentioned a stroller swap, but my daughter thought it would be unsanitary. LOL, they use the same shopping carts in grocery stores. But she is looking out for her #1-nephew.

 

[mrstomrice]

Gate check is a piece of cake. They will want the stroller in the airport to safely keep the child contained. If they choose to go another route, every hotel gift shop seems to sell a nicer umbrella type stroller for around $45.00. I say go with their own stroller.

 

[TJA]

We used to check ours in with our checked luggage, but next trip we are gate-checking it so that we can have it right when we arrive in Disney. Thanks to good advice here on the Dis, we bought a bag for the stroller and when we reach the gate we will just slip our stroller in the bag to protect it a bit.

 

[jessica52877]

We'll be doing the same as the above poster, just bought the bag today. I have never had issues with a stroller being gate checked, but of course always checked a cheap $20 stroller, this time we are taking our nice Maclaren.

 

[all4fun]

We also always gate check ours, that way we have it all the way up to the airplane and it's brought back out and put on the jetway upon arrival. If they do this, make sure to take anything removable (ie after market cup holders, or bags, or anything that snaps on that may fall off in transit) off and pack it in their checked bag to put back on once they get there. They should collapse and lock the stroller closed before leaving it at the gate. They will need to get a gate check tag for the stroller before boarding as well.

hth!

 

[tanyaandallie]

I like being in the airport without a stroller. I find hauling my stroller through the airport kind of a pain. However, shipping a stroller can get pricey so we gate check ours. We checked it with our luggage in May and it got damaged.

 

[disneyfanx3]

I too vote for gate check - just makes life easier especially in some airports when you have a long distance to walk and have carry ons etc.

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

Ok, cool. It does sound like gate checking is the best way to go. Thanks for all the ideas.

 

[camdensmom]

I see a lot of votes for gate checking, but wanted to clarifying what that will entail.

When you get to airport security you will need to take the child out of the stroller, collapse it and run it through the xray machine.

As you board the plane you can push the child right down the ramp and then just collapse it as you get to the door of the aircraft. The airline workers will place a tag on it and they take it out that side door and place it under the plane.

When you arrive in Orlando the stroller is waiting immediately outside the aircraft door and quite often is open and ready for you.

It is VERY easy and is actually super helpful to have at the airport to get the child around. I only mention the hassle of xray because we weren't expecting it the first time and it threw us for a loop. As long as you have a plan it's easy.

DH and I have a system where he takes care of all the xray stuf (stroller, carryons and camera) and I am solely in charge of getting DS through.

I would HIGHLY recommend a Macleran stroller. THey are great quality, lightweight and easy to close with one hand and also have a wonderful strap so you can easily carry it over your shoulder. We bought it for our first trip with DS since our normal "mall stroller" was too bulky for all the on/off buses hassles.

I would also recommend tying some easy to identify things to your stroller. While there are stroller thiefs out there I think that is minimal, BUT cast members FREQUENTLY move strollers around when you are on attractions and since so many strollers look alike, people may accidently walk away with the wrong one.

I've used bright ribbons and a tag with our cell phone. However, on our last visit we stayed at the polynesian and the lei they gave my son at check in got draped over his stroller handle and that was by far the best 'identifier' we had ever had.

 

[Eeyore's-tail-tack]

LOl, So much to take into account for a stroller. But, I know this is one peiece of baby gear that is a necessity. I will pass all the ideas along to the kids. Thanks again for all input. If you notice something not listed already by all means please post.