Flying with Toddlers - airport transport and stroller questions

[DisneyJade]

Seeking advice from parents who have flown to Disneyland with Littles. We are close enough to drive but chose to fly this time to see how our girls do with air travel (we have some longer trips planned for next year, so this is our "test run.")

We are a group of 3 adults and 2 toddlers (both age 2) with a late afternoon arrival at SNA.

Transportation:
I read through the transportation thread, which was very informative!
I think we are down to either booking a private car ahead of time or waiting and calling an Uber XL when we arrive. From what I read on here, it sounds like Uber may not be reliably ready right away (especially a specialty size like an XL). It also sounds like some of the private car companies are not as nice as others or worth the money. I like that Uber is cheaper, but I imagine a private car service will be more patient with us needing to install TWO car seats!
Opinions on either of these options??

Stroller:
Last spring, we drove to DL, which allowed us to bring our side-by-side double jogger - an amazing gift to have in the parks for storing diaper bags, naptimes, cup holders, super easy travel between hotel and park. However, flying with a stroller sounds like a nightmare. We do NOT want to check the stroller. We've seen too often how airlines treat luggage.
Any parents in favor of flying with strollers (or who have done so, out of necessity) who can share any tips for traveling with one, I'm open to hearing that advice!
Conversely, if anyone leaves the stroller at home and rents instead, I'd love a recommendation for clean, high-quality, multi-day rentals (or a link to a thread discussing that.)

Thank you all!
Just when I think I have the Disney parks figured out, I go and have kids and feel like a newbie all over again!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I don’t have any car service tips, but I would bring and gate-check the stroller if possible. You’ll be glad to have it not just in the park, but as you get through the airport, too!

 

[PirateRedhead]

I don’t have any car service tips, but I would bring and gate-check the stroller if possible. You’ll be glad to have it not just in the park, but as you get through the airport, too!

This is what I do too. Take it all the way to the gate and check it there. When there are delays, etc., I'm always glad to have it.

I also leave car seats at home and use Lansky for car service, as they will provide car seats. But I don't do any other travel while at Disney, so I don't need them. I also love that Lansky does a grocery stop, so I can grab Cheerios, pull ups, etc., and not have to pack those things. Then again, you can always just have groceries delivered to your hotel, making a grocery stop unnecessary.

 

[amyg1975]

Yes, do a gate check of the stroller. It won't get too damaged because it doesn't go far! If you decide to rent, City Strollers in the one most of us here will suggest.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Gate check is awesome for strollers! I’ve done it lots of times and never had a bad experience. Just double check the rules with your airline as some have size restrictions for strollers.

 

[jlwhitney]

Use Disneyland express so you don’t have to drag two car seats. No way I would want to be dragging them around plus airlines aren’t gentle with them in general.

Imo I’d just rent a stroller. Even gate check they can get banged up and dirty.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

We gate check our stroller. If you're thinking of doing that, be sure to make sure they'll take the double, as recommended above. We weren't too concerned about our stroller getting banged up as our LO is 2.5 and almost done using it. But it can get damaged.

We fly in to SNA and bring a lightweight Cosco carseat and took a regular taxi (we got a minivan). Was easy peasy!

Have fun! We went in December and my toddler keeps asking when we're going back. He loved it!!

 

[DisneyJade]

Gate check is awesome for strollers! I’ve done it lots of times and never had a bad experience. Just double check the rules with your airline as some have size restrictions for strollers.

We gate check our stroller. If you're thinking of doing that, be sure to make sure they'll take the double, as recommended above. We weren't too concerned about our stroller getting banged up as our LO is 2.5 and almost done using it. But it can get damaged.

We fly in to SNA and bring a lightweight Cosco carseat and took a regular taxi (we got a minivan). Was easy peasy!

Have fun! We went in December and my toddler keeps asking when we're going back. He loved it!!

Thank you! I had not thought about potential size restrictions on the stroller. This thread has me thinking we will attempt to bring it and do a gate check. Those of you who check at the gate, do you bring a protective bag? We bought one of the backpack bags for our car seats (we, too, ordered Cosco seats for the plane!)

Those who don't bring car seats - do your littles just sit in the seats with regular belts? Our girls are very small (less than 25 pounds), but old enough that airlines require them to have their own seats.​

 

[jlwhitney]

Thank you! I had not thought about potential size restrictions on the stroller. This thread has me thinking we will attempt to bring it and do a gate check. Those of you who check at the gate, do you bring a protective bag? We bought one of the backpack bags for our car seats (we, too, ordered Cosco seats for the plane!)

Those who don't bring car seats - do your littles just sit in the seats with regular belts? Our girls are very small (less than 25 pounds), but old enough that airlines require them to have their own seats.​

My 5 year old flew at 20 months in own seat with a seat belt and did fine same as when she flew at 3 years. I personally don’t like using car seats on the planes and you can only put them in certain seats in the row and it’s bulky and they can’t always use tray which mine love.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

Those of you who check at the gate, do you bring a protective bag?
​

Our airline (either United or Delta) wouldn't allow a stroller bag for gate check. I think it's too hard to carry up/ down the stairs.

My 5 year old flew at 20 months in own seat with a seat belt and did fine same as when she flew at 3 years. I personally don’t like using car seats on the planes and you can only put them in certain seats in the row and it’s bulky and they can’t always use tray which mine love.

We fly cross country every summer- 5.5-6 hr flight. Last year, DS was 1.5, we used the car seat and it made the row very crowded. They are bigger than they look! It would be tight if you're fitting two in 1 row.

This year, 2.5, he was just ih the seat belt. It worked fine, but he kept playing with it and unbuckling it. And he didn't want to go in seat for landing. Would've been easier with a car seat help couldn't get out of!

There is a harness you can buy, but it's pricey ($60-70).

So, basically, there's no good way to travel with littles, LOL .

If it's a short flight, the carseats might be fine, but I wouldn't expect to fit in between them.

 

[amyg1975]

We use a bag for our stroller with Southwest, and have no problems.

 

[jlwhitney]

Our airline (either United or Delta) wouldn't allow a stroller bag for gate check. I think it's too hard to carry up/ down the stairs.



We fly cross country every summer- 5.5-6 hr flight. Last year, DS was 1.5, we used the car seat and it made the row very crowded. They are bigger than they look! It would be tight if you're fitting two in 1 row.

This year, 2.5, he was just ih the seat belt. It worked fine, but he kept playing with it and unbuckling it. And he didn't want to go in seat for landing. Would've been easier with a car seat help couldn't get out of!

There is a harness you can buy, but it's pricey ($60-70).

So, basically, there's no good way to travel with littles, LOL .

If it's a short flight, the carseats might be fine, but I wouldn't expect to fit in between them.

and Check with airline some one allow two in same row. Like a family of 4 with 2 car seats would have to book 2 window and 2 middle seats. Since it would be unsafe to one by window to get to them.

 

[RedVines2001]

I second the Disneyland express option. No need to bring car seats since it’s a huge tour coach and kids ride for free for each paying adult. Round trip from SNA to hotel is 35 per person. The down side is that they are on a schedule and I think they leave SNA on each 30 minute mark to Disneyland. If you miss a bus you might have to wait for a while. You can check their schedule online.

On all my trips that I decide to take the short flight with my Littles I have always gate checked my stroller. I fly southwest out of OAK. I have a double jogger and never had a problem. I didn’t use a stroller cover. I think it’s a waste of money to rent a stroller and I like have the familiarity of my own. A double jogger is awesome at DL.

I’ve never brought a car seat for my kids for the plane. The easiest thing I found for take off and landing is to just hold them in my lap. Southwest has never given problems with that.

Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyJade]

I second the Disneyland express option. No need to bring car seats since it’s a huge tour coach and kids ride for free for each paying adult. Round trip from SNA to hotel is 35 per person. The down side is that they are on a schedule and I think they leave SNA on each 30 minute mark to Disneyland. If you miss a bus you might have to wait for a while. You can check their schedule online.

On all my trips that I decide to take the short flight with my Littles I have always gate checked my stroller. I fly southwest out of OAK. I have a double jogger and never had a problem. I didn’t use a stroller cover. I think it’s a waste of money to rent a stroller and I like have the familiarity of my own. A double jogger is awesome at DL.

I’ve never brought a car seat for my kids for the plane. The easiest thing I found for take off and landing is to just hold them in my lap. Southwest has never given problems with that.

Hope this helps.

Thanks! This is especially helpful, as we are also flying Southwest!

Appreciate everyone's input.
It's possible the car seats will be more hassle than they are worth for such a short trip, but part of the purpose of flying is to practice for longer trips planned for next year when we definitely will need the car seats.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks! This is especially helpful, as we are also flying Southwest!

Appreciate everyone's input.
It's possible the car seats will be more hassle than they are worth for such a short trip, but part of the purpose of flying is to practice for longer trips planned for next year when we definitely will need the car seats.

I have flown both with and without car seats and I prefer to have a car seat and use it on the plane for that age. I bought a folding wire luggage cart (available on Amazon or Target for around $20), which made it easy to wheel the seat through the airport. I also have used a inexpensive gate check bag (also from Target or Amazon, red) for my stroller and it worked great. When you get to the boarding area just let them know you will need a gate check ticket for your stroller.

 

[MichiMomma]

I recently flew by myself with my 4 and 2 year old. I stacked both car seats on our Britax single stroller. We flew American, and I was able to put 2 car seats in our row. As long as the seat isn’t blocking a passenger from exiting (no adult in window seat with car seat in the middle) you’re good.

I have a really nice double BOB jogging stroller that we took to Disneyland last year, and there’s no way I would attempt flying with that. I’d be too worried about damage. Airlines are not liable for damage/loss of strollers or car seats.

I’d definitely find a stroller rental company to rent a comfortable one from. Or could you take 2 cheaper/smaller strollers? I bought a cheap (maybe $17) umbrella stroller for flying, because it folds small and I don’t worry if it gets ruined. Summer Infant makes a decent reclining umbrella stroller with storage underneath for not too much.

I swear travel with car seats is a bit of a dilemma, but I like having ours. We did the Vancouver to San Diego Disney cruise last fall, and we drove home in a rental car from San Diego. We pretty much needed our seats, so it was fun cramming 2 car seats into the stateroom. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

 

[amyg1975]

We used our car seat on the plane, and threw it in the stroller as we walked to the terminal. My daughter felt much more secure in her car seat than just sitting in the plane seat. We did that until she was about 4!

 

[jlwhitney]

I second the Disneyland express option. No need to bring car seats since it’s a huge tour coach and kids ride for free for each paying adult. Round trip from SNA to hotel is 35 per person. The down side is that they are on a schedule and I think they leave SNA on each 30 minute mark to Disneyland. If you miss a bus you might have to wait for a while. You can check their schedule online.

On all my trips that I decide to take the short flight with my Littles I have always gate checked my stroller. I fly southwest out of OAK. I have a double jogger and never had a problem. I didn’t use a stroller cover. I think it’s a waste of money to rent a stroller and I like have the familiarity of my own. A double jogger is awesome at DL.

I’ve never brought a car seat for my kids for the plane. The easiest thing I found for take off and landing is to just hold them in my lap. Southwest has never given problems with that.

Hope this helps.

How are kids free? I only see 2 and under free.

 

[jo-jo]

I'm sure this is a once in a blue moon thing......but before you get too far from the gate, open your stroller. We were waiting for our's and the gate agent bringing strollers had a single wheel in his hand. I know my DGD's stroller has wheels that detach easily. So I'm hoping the three wheel stroller owner didn't carry it halfway through the airport before realizing the missing wheel.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

We fly with our car seat. We have a car seat holder that attaches to our rolling luggage so makes it fairly easy to carry. I like having his car seat in the plane cause he is use to it and will fall asleep quicker. We bring our cheaper stroller and do gate check with a bag on top of it.