Too much stuff for 1 person...

[M-J's Mommy]

Hello all. I will be traveling to WDW in mid-September and I actually have something worrying me more than my dining reservations!

I will be traveling with just myself and my two year-old. I will be checking an umbrella stroller at the gate as well as a carseat for the plane ride as she will have to have her own seat anyway. One top of that, we will have two checked bags and probably just one carry-on. But when you put all of that together with the baby her self, that's a whole lot of stuff for one gal to move around.

What I am wondering is if I would be better served getting a rental car? I will be arriving too late to have my bags transferred to the Magical Express automatically (since we're coming from California), so I will be stuck carrying all of this stuff either way. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make my life easier? Thanks in advance.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, first - if you will NOT have a rental car, you will not need the carseat. If you're concerned about your daughter not being protected by just the seat belt or about her refusing to stay seated, Google "CARES harness" or "CARES system" (a little redundant because the S stands for system, but...)

Do you need need need three suitcases of stuff? Sure, it's less fun than a theme park, but you can do laundry at your Disney resort. If much of the space is being used for diapers, consider a delivery service like We Go Shop www.wegoshop.com or Garden Grocer www.gardengrocer.com. Even with the delivery charges, it's still cheaper than a rental car.

Can you make the carry-on a backpack? That will free up your hands.

Even with a rental car, you're still going to have to move all that stuff yourself.

 

[FoodLover]

kaytieeldr made some good suggestions. The backpack idea is especially good.

If you need both bags, consider doing curbside check-in. You'll have to pay a tip (and with some airlines, a per-bag fee) but the $10ish that will cost you might be worth it!

Once you arrive in Orlando and get to the bottom of the escalator (on the baggage level), try to grab a skycap. There aren't many of them, but you might get lucky. They can get a cart and handle all your luggage, taking it to your rental car for you (or to the Magical Express bus). Again, probably worth the tip it will cost you!

Another option is to ship stuff ahead to your hotel (diapers, etc.)

Mary
MouseSavers.com

 

[jana616]

I second (third?) the idea of ditching the car seat. If you are using WDW transportation you can't use it, and it's not worth the hassle of moving it through the airport just for the plane. Getting rid of that alone will help a lot.

I would definitely try to make your carry-on either a backpack, or if you want a little bigger, maybe a 20-22 inch duffle with a strap to wear it over your shoulder. Without the car seat, and having the bag over your shoulder, you could push the stroller (with child inside) to the baggage claim, grab a cart, put your luggage on it, including carry-on, and pull that behind you with one hand while pushing your stroller with the other. Whew... I think I'd go with the skycap if possible!

Good luck!

 

[debbiemomto4]

Once I took a car seat for my then 2 year old and it was not the right type. So before you go carrying onto the plane make sure the dimensions will fit in the seat. Ours was too wide and they said No. They stored it and we got it back when the flight ended. The car we rented had a build in car seat so then we didn't even use it on that. Could have saved the energy.

 

[TaraPA]

I agree ditch the carseat. Too much of a hassle to drag around, and like others said, Disney transportation will not allow you to use it.

I've often traveled by air (including to WDW) with just one of my kids, and we ONLY do carry-ons. Even at your DD's age, she could carry some sort of small backpack - for her toys & things she will need. I always roll some extra clothing into DS's backpack as well. I use a larger backpack plus one medium duffel for everything else - and it's always fit. I do laundry once during the trip to cut back on what I need to pack. If you need diapers, special food, etc. I would just plan to buy it there - yes it will cost more than at home, but for the convenience in your case, I think it would be highly worth it.

 

[Minnesota!]

1. Ditch the car seat

2. The carryon - make it a backpack. Put all your undies, socks, a few changes of clothes, and whatever you think you might need for the plane in it.

3. Ship a box ahead of you with: diapers, wipes, sippy cups (if necessary), bottle brush, small dishsoap to wash out cup, a few outfits, snacks, toiletries, travel size laundry detergent/static sheets.

4. Pack just 1 checked bag - with enough clothes for 1/2 week for both of you. Do laundry there. Put toiletries in here, too.

In your purse (not considered a carryon), have a roll of quarters (for laundry), your money, confirmation numbers, license, and whatever else you might need.

So, when you get there, you will have your daughter in the stroller, the backpack on your back, have your daughter hold your purse, and then you can wheel the checked bag behind you.

Works well for us

Have fun!

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make my life easier? Thanks in advance.

There are redcaps at the airport who will help you move your stuff. Take advantage of them!

 

[CarolA]

WAIT!

How big is the two year old? She has her own seat on the plane. I am not sure I would feel comfortable without a car seat. (sorry folks)

Now I agree, two bags is ONE too many. You aren't moving to Orlando you are going on vacation. Trim that luggage down.

And tips.... Budget for them and spend the budget! Personally I would also skip bringing the stroller and just spend the money at Disney (they sell them there now) But figure you are going to tip bellman, skycaps etc at every location. Figure one to two dollars an item....

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I travelled from CA to MCO when my neice was 2. We needed the car seat both because she was comfortable with sitting in it on the plane and we were also renting a car. We used her McLaren stroller and found that, when she wasn't in it, the car seat and my roller bag fit fine (and her Thomas the Tank pillow -- as the Aunt, I had no say in packing for her!). When she was in the stroller, I strapped the car seat to the roller bag. I also had a backpack with her stuff and a waist pack for my purse.

My parents met us at MCO, but another option would be to use a car service. I understand they will meet you at the bottom of the escalator (or elevator) and help with your luggage.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[prncess674]

In your purse (not considered a carryon), have a roll of quarters (for laundry), your money, confirmation numbers, license, and whatever else you might need.

Just to clarify, your purse counts as your personal item. On most US based airlines you are allowed one carry on and one personal item. A purse will be counted as your personal item.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I always put my purse in a bigger tote bag so it still counts as my personal item, easy to fit under the seat in front of me and can still have a carryon too.

 

[Minnesota!]

Just to clarify, your purse counts as your personal item. On most US based airlines you are allowed one carry on and one personal item. A purse will be counted as your personal item.

That's what I meant - that you can have your purse AND a carryon.

 

[Tinkerbelljean]

Just a thought about your return trip. The convention centers at WDW have an office that caters to the business traveler to WDW. They will ship your package for you at a very reasonable rate. I shipped a big box to Wisconsin for about $15-20. It was cheaper than paying to check two extra bags or buying another large suitcase. Our beloved duffle bag could not make the return trip so we shipped our stuff back instead of buying a new bag or checking two smaller bags (which we would have also had to buy). The down side is you have to haul your stuff over to the convention center pack it yourself. No easy task with a 2 year-old. I have shipped packed suitcases before, so if you want to ship a packed suitcase that would probably be possible. Just a suggestion from one who shops/packs too much.

We used the convention center at the Beach Club.

Jean

 

[M-J's Mommy]

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts. While I am not really comfortable having my daughter fly without a toddler seat since I've read too many horror stories about planes dropping a few thousand feet or making hard landings and toddlers without seats getting hurt, I do think there are some good suggestions.

Guess I probably should pack light and maybe hire a personal driver (which is looking better and better the more I think about it) for like $100. Then again, if I have my own guy to carry my stuff, I can pack as much as I want! Score.