Upcoming Disney Trip & Plane Ride with 3 small children solo

[roses25]

We have had a Disney World trip planned for over a year with my 2 children and myself. Due a tragic accident I'm becoming my nephew's guardian. I've added my nephew to the trip. We've also reserved the cheapest flight we could which means an arrival into the Orlando airport at 3:30 our time (5:30 AM Orlando time). The children's ages are 7, 5, and 4.

I'm going to take a double stroller on our trip to Disney World. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get 3 small children off a plane to the stroller that's waiting gate side at 3:30 in the morning? Will the flight attendants help carry out a kid? This is the only part of the trip that makes me a bit nervous.

Thanks.

 

[HeatherL1985]

Oh my gosh - I am so sorry that your family has encountered such tragedy.

Do you know which airline you are flying?

I don't think a flight attendant will carry a child due to liability issues. Attendants are experts on this type of thing, though, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. In my experience, no matter how tired my son has been, he's wide awake when we touch down because he's running on pure excitement! If it comes time to leave and they won't wake up, just wait until the plane is almost empty and flag down an attendant. They will be more than willing to let you know the quickest and easiest way to get you up and on your way to the Happiest Place on Earth!!

 

[roseaster]

7, 5, and 4, you should be okay. Really. I have traveled with 5 alone.

Travel light. Use a back pack as a carry on. When the plane lands and you get ready to deplane, put the back pack on and hold the hands of the 5 and 4 year olds and have the 7 year old walk in front of you. Your stroller should meet you on the jetway just outside of the plane door, so you won't have to go far.

I don't the flight attendants will ever carry a child, if they are asleep you are just going to have to wake them up and make them walk, cranky, out of the plane.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Roses25, sorry to hear about your family tragedy. Wishing you all a wonderful visit and lots of Xtra Pixie Dust!

 

[3Gsandme]

My advice would be to just allow the entire plane to unload that way you're not rushed trying to get the kids out or set up the stroller. I honestly don't think you're going to be able to depend on any help. The little ones will have to wake up and walk the distance to the stroller.

 

[Thing 1]

How long is the flight?? I think i might try to wake them about fifteen minutes before the flight lands. Maybe wake them telling them you are almost there! Maybe have a special breakfast snack for them to enjoy that last few minutes. Where will you be going to upon arrival? DME? A taxi? We arrived at WDW once at 7:00AM and they felt bad for us and found a room ready for us to check into so it could happen but of course no guarantee. Hugs and prayers for you as you embrace this new journey in your life.

 

[Pesky]

I'm so sorry to hear such sad news. You will be fine. In terms of getting off the plane, just wake them up, let them sleepily stagger to the stroller and off you go. I'd probably make a pit stop right after that, just in case. Agree with letting the entire plane unload -- it took us that long to wake up DS once. Agree with trying to keep carry-ons manageable. The 7 YO will probably be able to carry a bag but I wouldn't bank on the 5 and 4 YOs, so while they may have their own little backpacks, you'll probably end up with them. I hope you have a magical time!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Flight attendants cannot help you, but you will be okay. Keep in mind that you will not be able to all sit in the same row of the plane (assuming this is a domestic flight), as the configuration is usually three seats across. Put the oldest child in the aisle seat across from you. That's a horrible flight time; be prepared to deal with some cranky kids.

 

[tee11]

I'm so sorry about the tragedy!
Unfortunately I can tell you from my experience that no flight attendant will help you in any way: they won't carry a child, they won't carry or pull a bag/carry on, they won't hand you your bag or jacket or any other item, they won't help a struggling child with a bag, they won't fold or unfold a stroller or do anything else that may come to mind.
The best thing is to try to sit in the back of the plane and let it empty completely before you get the kids up and out.
You can carry the youngest (as I did, plus two backpacks), and I had my 5 year old pull our carry on. When everyone is gone it is much easier to put the kids down to unfold the stroller versus having a full gangway of people rushing out, possibly pushing your kids with them! So - let everyone leave first! Boarding may be harder than exiting the plane, so discuss ahead of time how you will board - who will carry/push what! Because now you have to get the kids on and fold the stroller and hand it to an attendant (or leave it depending on airline), and people are rushing on with their luggage.
So be prepared.
Oh and get the stroller gate check tags at the boarding gate well ahead of boarding time.
Good luck! You will make it and have an awesome time!