Toddler travels and airlines

[dphie28]

We are leaving in 12 days and I am a nervous wreck about things going smoothly. We are staying in a condo that does not have a pack n play. SpiritAir's website says there is no charge for a bassinet, car seat or stroller. Would my pack n play count in the bassinet category? The CS rep I talked to said yes, but I am not 100% confident that he understood what I was asking. Renting one would cost as much as it would to buy one at walmart once we got there. I would hate to bring it to the check in counter to be told 'no' or that it would be $25 each way to check it (the same price as buying a brand new one). If it does count, does it matter that he is a lap baby?

We will be renting a car, so we are taking DS's car seat with us. I am worried that it won't fit in the seat on the plane. It is an Evenflo Triumph and is very wide at the top. Anyone know if it would be OK?

This is just a vent...but we were originally having DS (22 mos) sit in our laps for the trip. I was able to get him a seat on the return flight home, but it is on a separate reservation. As directed by Spirit, I called to have the two ressies linked in their system. Now, when I check our departing flight DS's name is no longer listed as a lap child at all! UGH!!! Not to mention, I put his individual return flight ressie in my name at first and they told me it was wrong, to re-do it and they would cancel that one...well, they haven't. I am frustrated and worried and have too much to think about.

Our flight leaves at 6 am and I know DH will be a grumpy man with such little sleep so I worry about dragging everything thru the airport along with our 3 sleepy kids.

Speaking of sleep...that's where I should be. Thanks for listening and TIA for your help!

 

[mjkacmom]

I know that carseats and strollers can be gate checked, but have never heard you could gate check a pack and play. If your carseat label says it's FAA approved, it should fit, but don't count on using it on the flight down if you don't have a seat - I can't remember the last flight I was on that wasn't full.

 

[brymolmom]

Is the 22 month old the one for the pack n play? I wouldn't worry too much about it for that age. I wouldn't bring one at all - but that's me - WAY too heavy and too much to drag along. If you're staying in a condo - there will be lots of opportunities to 'make' a bed for him/her. Take a mattress off a bed and put it on the floor surrounded by pillows....OR move one bed all the way against the wall and have one parent sleep on the outside with the toddler on the inside near the wall.

OR if all else fails you can run to Walmart and buy one. I would rather do that with 3 kids and getting the airport at 6 am than try lugging it with me along with the carseat, etc.

 

[natnelliesmom]

I do know that Delta allows you to gate check a pack-n-play or portable crib. I don't know about other airlines. I personally would pay the extra checked luggage charge and check it with my luggage. If you also have a stroller it would be a pain to lug both a stroller and a p-n-p to and from the gate while also managing kids and bags.

To make it much easier on yourself- stop and buy one at Walmart on your way to the hotel. The cheapest model is about $79 last I checked. Well worth saving yourself any hassle at the airport.

I know you said your hotel doesn't provide Pack-n-plays- but will they provide a crib? Most hotels will provide cribs, even if it's a small charge per night.

There are also baby gear rental places that can have a crib and bedding ready for you when you arrive. That may be a good option too.

I think you should make some phone calls before your trip gets much closer. It sounds like you have some details to straighten out!

-Sarah

 

[tinkermom23]

Is the 22 month old the one for the pack n play? I wouldn't worry too much about it for that age. I wouldn't bring one at all - but that's me - WAY too heavy and too much to drag along. If you're staying in a condo - there will be lots of opportunities to 'make' a bed for him/her. Take a mattress off a bed and put it on the floor surrounded by pillows....OR move one bed all the way against the wall and have one parent sleep on the outside with the toddler on the inside near the wall.

OR if all else fails you can run to Walmart and buy one. I would rather do that with 3 kids and getting the airport at 6 am than try lugging it with me along with the carseat, etc.

I totally agree! You will have so many other things to think (worry) about, simplify something (everything!)!
Maybe bring a toddler-size air mattress? OR if you feel more comfortable, I have heard you can get bedrails at the resorts for no charge? IMO, skip the hassle of the pack n play.
We wanted the kids' first trip through the airport to be as easy as possible, so we shipped a box down instead of checking any luggage. The box we shipped included an air mattress and snacks...
I was worried that our regular doublestroller wouldn't pass for the gate check but it did and there was even a bigger, double jogging stroller at the gate thatt I would never have thought woudl pass.
Think about other options and maybe try them at home before you go. We camped out in the living room in sleeping bags beforehand to see if the kids would sleep at all out of their "normal."

Good luck, and know all your planning will pay off, but try not to go crazy in the meantime!!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would skip the pack 'n play also. My favorite trick for little kiddos in big beds is to put rolled up towels lengthwise under the fitted sheet to create a barrier. It works like a bed rail to keep them from falling out. You can do this on both sides of the bed and even at the head and feet if you want to create a cozier bed, similar to the size of a crib. Works great, no lugging anything heavy and CHEAP!

And I wouldn't take a Triumph on the plane. They are very heavy and wide. If at all possible I'd get a Cosco Scenera before the trip if your son is still under the top slots on it and under 40lbs. MUCH lighter and narrower.

 

[all4fun]

I would skip the pack 'n play also. My favorite trick for little kiddos in big beds is to put rolled up towels lengthwise under the fitted sheet to create a barrier. It works like a bed rail to keep them from falling out. You can do this on both sides of the bed and even at the head and feet if you want to create a cozier bed, similar to the size of a crib. Works great, no lugging anything heavy and CHEAP!

And I wouldn't take a Triumph on the plane. They are very heavy and wide. If at all possible I'd get a Cosco Scenera before the trip if your son is still under the top slots on it and under 40lbs. MUCH lighter and narrower.

I agree with this advice. Also, another option to buying a Scenera is borrowing one from a friend. Maybe there is someone you know and trust that would be willing to swap car seats with you for a week so you can take their smaller one? It is just a thought. The Scenera is nice for travel because it's pretty light and easy to carry. It's also narrower than the Triumph. Is your Triumph the older 40lb limit version or the newer "Advanced" version?

 

[Macduffy]

We are leaving in 12 days and I am a nervous wreck about things going smoothly. We are staying in a condo that does not have a pack n play. SpiritAir's website says there is no charge for a bassinet, car seat or stroller. Would my pack n play count in the bassinet category? The CS rep I talked to said yes, but I am not 100% confident that he understood what I was asking. Renting one would cost as much as it would to buy one at walmart once we got there. I would hate to bring it to the check in counter to be told 'no' or that it would be $25 each way to check it (the same price as buying a brand new one). If it does count, does it matter that he is a lap baby?

We will be renting a car, so we are taking DS's car seat with us. I am worried that it won't fit in the seat on the plane. It is an Evenflo Triumph and is very wide at the top. Anyone know if it would be OK?

This is just a vent...but we were originally having DS (22 mos) sit in our laps for the trip. I was able to get him a seat on the return flight home, but it is on a separate reservation. As directed by Spirit, I called to have the two ressies linked in their system. Now, when I check our departing flight DS's name is no longer listed as a lap child at all! UGH!!! Not to mention, I put his individual return flight ressie in my name at first and they told me it was wrong, to re-do it and they would cancel that one...well, they haven't. I am frustrated and worried and have too much to think about.

Our flight leaves at 6 am and I know DH will be a grumpy man with such little sleep so I worry about dragging everything thru the airport along with our 3 sleepy kids.

Speaking of sleep...that's where I should be. Thanks for listening and TIA for your help!

OMG we are having almost the SAME trip LOL! well except mine is a 20 month old! I'm having the SAME anxiety issues too - separate airline reservations (was going to be a lap baby but bought a ticket last week) worried about the car seat and strollers as baggage. AND we are leaving at 6 AM too LOL!

I guess I'm not help at all except to tell you that you are SO not alone!!! Funny thing is - I'm not worried about other DS at all

 

[Hannathy]

Agree with the forget the pac n play. I really like the idea of the towels under the sheets that is brilliant!!!! Wish I would have known that when traveling with my kids.

There is no way I'd drag a pac n play thru the airport with 3 kids at 6 am, you will have your hands full as it is.

I'm curious for those that say they have checked a pac n play has this been recent? I'm just wondering since we used to be able to check a lot more stuff if this was still true now that they are charging for every suitcase if they are still letting baby stuff go thru. Wouldn't want folks to get to the airport and be surprised.

 

[dphie28]

Thank you for all of the replies!!! I found out today that SpiritAir allows you to check a pack n play for free...and I have it in writing in an email that is coming with me!!!

We are not doing WDW this trip - we are staying at the Nick Hotel for 3 nights where they do have a pack n play. Then we are going to a private condo where there is no crib or pack n play. Renting a p-n-p is the same price as buying one at WalMart. I am too nervous to skip it altogether because I don't want to deal with a cranky toddler for the last 4 days of vacation. We went to Williamsburg in April and he slept great in the p-n-p. He has never fallen asleep anywhere that he was not confined by bars LOL. He is a light sleeper and I am too afraid to risk it, so I think we are taking it with us. Part of me would like to leave it behind and just wait and see if we need it - running to walmart if we do. But, we have TWO here at home and I hate to spend $50 for something we don't need. I have to talk to DH more about it... He is the one who will be juggling all the luggage. I have kid-duty.

As for the carseat - our Triumph is the new version (I think - I got it in 2007). I will ask around to see if anyone has a smaller seat I can swap for the week - thanks for that idea! I asked my sis but didn't think to ask anyone else

Things are falling into place.... Thanks again!