We've always driven to DL before, but this time we decided to fly. We have three boys who'll be 4, 2, and 1. I booked seats for all the kids, because it's too hard to wrangle the older two if I have to hold the 1yo (who btw is as big as the 2yo).

1) Do I need to bring car seats for the plane ride? The carseats we have are bulky and wide; I don't really think they'd fit in the airplane and I'm not about to go out and purchase new carseats for one flight.

2) Can I bring a double stroller (sidebyside) through security and to the gate? Do they just hand wand it (I know it won't fit thru their machine).

We might be staying at the DLH.

3) Will they provide a Pack N Play and if so, how good is it? Is it clean, safe, and all that?

4) Is the refrig empty or is it one of those honor bars?

5) Regarding the monorail, can one take a stroller on there without folding it up or is that not allowed?

Yes, definitely bring carseats... check to make sure they are airline approved. Most of them are.

Yes, you can gate check your stroller, it's very convenient and allows you to use the stroller right up until you board the plane.

I don't know what the DLH offers as far as cribs... I know that GCH has a Pack-N-Play in each room's closet automatically...

Again, not sure about the fridge at DLH, but GCH has an honor fridge in each room, they will give you an empty one free of charge upon request.

You must fold your stroller to board the monorail.

Have a great time!!! When is your trip???

1) Do I need to bring car seats for the plane ride? The carseats we have are bulky and wide; I don't really think they'd fit in the airplane and I'm not about to go out and purchase new carseats for one flight.

For the 4 & 2-y/o's probably not. If they're booster seats, they won't let them on the planes anyway. For the 1-y/o I would say to take it. If it's a CARSEAT (not a booster seat) it will have a sticker on it saying it's FAA approved. That's what gets it on the plane. Booster seats they often won't let on the plane even if they have FAA stickers on them.

2) Can I bring a double stroller (sidebyside) through security and to the gate? Do they just hand wand it (I know it won't fit thru their machine).

Yes. When you get to the gate, go to the check-in station and tell the attendants that you want to "Gate Check" your stroller. They will give you a tag to put on it. You roll your stroller down the ramp and hand it to the attendant at the plane door. When you get off the plane the stroller will be sitting by the door waiting for you. If it's not, just wait a few minutes and it will be there.

3) Will they provide a Pack N Play and if so, how good is it? Is it clean, safe, and all that?

They will provide a crib. I don't know if it's a crib or a pack and play. The GCH does provide Pack and Plays in every room (or at least the rooms I visited had them.) They looked very nice and clean.

4) Is the refrig empty or is it one of those honor bars?

We had an empty refrigerator in our room last February.

5) Regarding the monorail, can one take a stroller on there without folding it up or is that not allowed?

You'll need to fold it up.

Adrienne

One more thing:

How do you plan to get from the airport to Disneyland?

Remember, in California, our law is 6 years/60 lbs needs a carseat or a booster seat. So if you don't bring the seats on the plane, I assume you're checking them as luggage or renting them from a company on this side?

Adrienne
(sparing you my soapbox.)

We plan on taking a taxi van to the hotel. And while they don't have the restrictions, I'd still bring carseats for the younger two.....I just wouldn't be hauling them thru to the plane, kwim? Got enough to carry the way it is!

I'll have to take a look at the labels on our carseats and see what the deal is.

Not so sure about the crib thing though. I want to think that because it's Disney, it's going to be safe. But I've seen some shoddy baby beds at even the better hotels. I really hate to haul my Pack N Play too, but if we have to we have to. :(

1) Do I need to bring car seats for the plane ride? The carseats we have are bulky and wide; I don't really think they'd fit in the airplane and I'm not about to go out and purchase new carseats for one flight.

Most likely, you will be ok without a carseat on the plane the older kids (although you should give serious thought as to whether it is really safe to be without it), but I doubt the 1 year old will be permitted by the airline to use the seat without an FAA-approved carseat. Without a carseat, you would instead likely end up being forced to hold the 1-year-old through the whole flight even if you bought a seat for him/her. Also keep in mind that, even though it is still permitted, holding a small child throughout a flight isn't really exceptionally safe.

You should also keep in mind what AK noted about the need for carseats for the transportation from the airport. If you aren't bringing them along, you should make certain that the rental car or shuttle bus company will provide them for you.

3) Will they provide a Pack N Play and if so, how good is it? Is it clean, safe, and all that?

Last week, some friends from out of town stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. The hotel provided them with a very new-looking and clean Pack N Play for their 2-year-old to use. Since they may have limited quantities available, I would recommend making sure that you reserve one (or how ever many you need) when you make your hotel reservation.

4) Is the refrig empty or is it one of those honor bars?

The refrigerator in my friends' room was empty and available for their use. I even ended up taking them on a grocery store run so they could pick up some milk and juice.

5) Regarding the monorail, can one take a stroller on there without folding it up or is that not allowed?

They definitely require the strollers to be folded. In fact, they won't even allow you to take an unfolded stroller up to the platform at the Tomorrowland station, so be prepared for that. I haven't taken the monorail from Downtown Disney with the stroller, so I don't know for sure when they require you to fold it there.

-Jeff

We might be staying at the DLH.

3) Will they provide a Pack N Play and if so, how good is it? Is it clean, safe, and all that?

4) Is the refrig empty or is it one of those honor bars?



When we stayed at the Grand Californian, we had to request an empty refrigerator for our room.

When we stayed in the Paradise Pier Hotel with our daughter, they provided us with a Pack N Play (it was folded up in the closet). But we didn't end up using it, since she was so little, we put her in the middle of the other bed with pillows around her. (We didn't want to deal with unfolding the Pack N Play). Plus, we did have an empty refrigerator in the room as well.

I think it just depends on the hotel. You can always ask when you call.

Yes. When you get to the gate, go to the check-in station and tell the attendants that you want to "Gate Check" your stroller. They will give you a tag to put on it. You roll your stroller down the ramp and hand it to the attendant at the plane door. When you get off the plane the stroller will be sitting by the door waiting for you. If it's not, just wait a few minutes and it will be there.
Adrienne

And remember the term "gate check" because otherwise you look like an idiot when you say "can I have one of those tag hangies so I can leave this by the door at the end of that thing you walk down to get on the plane?" ;)

P.S. you can also get a tag hangy for your boosters/car seats so that you can leave them by the door.

Personally, though I only have 1 child to "wrangle," I would go for the car seat on the plane. They will also be more comfortable in it. Also, have you SEEN how those baggage handlers treat car seats? You're supposed to replace them after minor car accidents yet these people hurl them onto the ground! If you have a Britax, they can definitely go on planes.