I have two questions! We're taking our 2 kids - one will be nearly three, the other 1 1/2 - to WDW in September. We're staying at the Wilderness Lodge. They are far too young for bunk beds, but my son is used to sleeping in bed with us or in his own bed. My daughter still sleeps in the crib, but may be o.k. in a big bed with her brother (if they don't kill each other!). Do they have bed rails at WL that you can borrow/rent? Or would we be better off requesting a crib for the 1 1/2 year old?

Second, I want to get the easily foldable umbrella strollers to take on the trip. My son hardly spends time in the double stroller anymore and that darn thing is so bulky to take on and off the busses. Besides, if one wants to be cranky and needs to go back to the resort, but the other doesn't, we parents can't split up with the double - everyone's got to go back to the Lodge. Anyone recommend a good stroller? Anything you find really comfortable and convenient to use?

Thanks, guys!

yes they have bed rails - just ask for them and you will get them.

Also, as far as the stroller - they have actually started carrying nicer umbrella Graco strollers in some of the hotel stores. I found one recently (August) at the store at Port Orleans French Quarter and bought it because the handles on it were just enough higher than the Jeep stroller we brought with us. It made a huge difference on my back. I believe the price of it was $40 and it is now one of my favorite strollers. It also comes with a mesh bag which I used rather than a diaper bag. I threw some pull-ups and wipes in it and off we went.

Thanks, Hershey. Yes, I was wondering how those umbrella strollers do on the back! I just thought - sometimes, grandma might want to take one shopping while the big boy goes on his first train ride or something his sister is too small for. Of course, she's already a veteran, having been on Pirates when she was just 7 months old (she loved it).

Thanks, Hershey. Yes, I was wondering how those umbrella strollers do on the back! I just thought - sometimes, grandma might want to take one shopping while the big boy goes on his first train ride or something his sister is too small for. Of course, she's already a veteran, having been on Pirates when she was just 7 months old (she loved it).

A normal umbrella stroller is a huge strain on your back if you are over 5'3", as I am. The one that I bought at WDW was about 2 inches taller than the one we took. We actually went down there with our Jeep Umbrella Stroller and an Eddie Bauer larger stroller. We quit using the Eddie Bauer stroller completely once I bought the Graco stroller down there and barely used the Jeep one. We have a 2 and 4 year old, which is why we went down with two strollers. If you don't want to carry one down there, I highly recommend the one they had in the gift shop.

I agree make sure you know what height stroller you need I am 6'2 and short strollers are worse then carring the baby

Thanks, guys. I'm about 5'5" - I think I will check out Graco (we've had two of their strollers and liked them!) and see if I can find the one you are talking about!

I just booked our flights today so I am sooooooooo excited!! I got seats for the kids - it is a 6 hour flight for us west coasters, and no way I was going to have a 35 pound munchkin on my lap for 6 hours! This way, I can strap them into their own seat! LOL!! Their legs are too short to kick the seat in front, and they won't be able to sit together, so there will be no sibling rivalry (although they don't really get into that. They'll be flanked by a parent and either an uncle or grandma. :)

Good choice getting the seat for them the lap sitting really can get to be anoying on a long flight as you start to get tired.

I almost always fly first class so when my kids were that age I just sat them in between me. and almost always there was a extra seat they allowed me to use it. but my experiances in coach was there is rarly a free seat so booking a seat is a great idea.


We are driving as we only live about 120 miles away

Good choice getting the seat for them the lap sitting really can get to be anoying on a long flight as you start to get tired.

I almost always fly first class so when my kids were that age I just sat them in between me. and almost always there was a extra seat they allowed me to use it. but my experiances in coach was there is rarly a free seat so booking a seat is a great idea.


We are driving as we only live about 120 miles away

I wouldn't do it any other way. They are going to want room to play and squirm and sleep. And so will I. ;) Besides, we have the extra tray table for the portable dvd player. ;)

Nevermind the discomfort, a baby is always safer in its own seat than on a lap!!! Flight attendants call lap sitting babies in turbulance "Footballs" :eek:

I would consider a crib instead of bed rails for the 1.5 year old because if she hasn't already transitioned to a bed, a bed in a hotel may be a difficult thing for her to adjust to. In a crib, she'd be more likely to feel some sense of familiarity and security. But my kids are horrible sleepers in hotels, so this is an issue I'm sensitive too. If you know your kids already sleep well in hotels it might not be an issue for you. For me, I'd get the crib.

As for a lightweight awesome stroller, mine is the Maclaren Triumph. It's very comfortable. It's incredibly convenient and easy to use. It folds up well and has a strap on it that you can swing over your shoulder to carry it very easily. It has a good sized basket and while it's lightweight, it's still very sturdy. I was visiting my cousin yesterday and saw that she has a Triumph, too. We gushed at each other about how much we love that stroller.

I got a good deal by buying mine online.

Adrienne

Nevermind the discomfort, a baby is always safer in its own seat than on a lap!!! Flight attendants call lap sitting babies in turbulance "Footballs" :eek:

**Well, there is that, too. I agree with you on that. I'm always about safety for my kids. It always amazes me that we are so strict with seatbelt laws, but kids can be unbuckled on the bus, in airport shuttles; etc. I don't get it!**


I would consider a crib instead of bed rails for the 1.5 year old because if she hasn't already transitioned to a bed, a bed in a hotel may be a difficult thing for her to adjust to. In a crib, she'd be more likely to feel some sense of familiarity and security. But my kids are horrible sleepers in hotels, so this is an issue I'm sensitive too. If you know your kids already sleep well in hotels it might not be an issue for you. For me, I'd get the crib.

I just don't know what my daughter will be used to by then. She is very progressive. If brother is doing it, she wants to, too. My son switched to a bed right after his second birthday. She may be earlier - we just don't know. So, I thought I would just see what options were available.

Thanks! I'll check into that stroller!

As a flight attendant we called lap children missles. We would give the count to the pilot and say 126 pax and 2 missles!!
You can actually seat them in the same row, and next to eachother, if you chose. By FAA guidelines, a carseat does not have to be in the window seat if all passengers in the row are from the same family. I use to travel this way all the time with my 2 boys in their carseats. In fact, the way it is written you can actually be in the middle seat with a carseat on each side of you. Although many flight attendants will not allow this. Any of the Maclaren strollers are great for travel. The Volo or Techno are my favorite. And they are good for the taller crowd too.

I understand the terms flight attendants use to discribe them . However in doing research on this issue for my job I would say they are baseless claims as the number or reported incidents involving lap sitting babies is very mininal les then 1/8 of a percent (roughly the same as not Lap sitting) of those riding a laps have any incedents reported and of those reported very few need medical attention and none have resulted in deaths ( accept in the event of a plane crash, and these all have been determined to be fatal with a car seat or not).


So I have to say even though its a cute name flight attendants give to the lap babies. IT is just that. As a insurance risk analyst we have a a lot of pet names too. Ofcourse we call Flight Attendants collateral damage as the number or incindents involving Flight Attendeds is just off the chart and makes the risk of for my company very high to supply insuance which we do.



I do not lap sit my baby because of comfort.

I am sorry about my morning rant. I am having a bad week trying to finish a project on airlines before my trip. I have no right to rant on this forum. Sorry about that

No worries, everyone.

I think we all have reasons for doing things differently. I know with my kids, they are way too squirmy to sit still in mommy and daddy's laps for the 6+ hours of flight from SF to Orlando. Plus, I have a bad back and nerve damage in my legs, so it actually gets painful to have them on my lap for too long.

Splitting them up into different rows was another thing. I figured that neither my husband nor I should spend the entire 6 hour flight trying to mediate with BOTH kids. This way, we'll be equally tired. ;) They are great fun, but at 2 3/4 and 1 1/2, they need a lot of attention. This way, each one will have someone that is supporting them and attentive to their needs, without creating enormous stress on either of us. We'll also have two uncles and grandma with us - so, they will have plenty of loved ones around them to keep them busy. Oh, and don't forget the special activity bags we'll surprise them with that morning!

I'm just thankful that my kids are really good kids. They do listen to my husband and I (as if we give them a choice!) and I imagine that the flight will be smooth sailing.

I'm just hoping they have fun at WDW! I'm sure they will! My son knows ALL the Disney characters and squeals "DISNEYWORLD" whenever he sees a commercial. My daughter's unofficial first word was "Piglet."

I can't wait!!!

I understand the terms flight attendants use to discribe them . However in doing research on this issue for my job I would say they are baseless claims as the number or reported incidents involving lap sitting babies is very mininal les then 1/8 of a percent (roughly the same as not Lap sitting) of those riding a laps have any incedents reported and of those reported very few need medical attention and none have resulted in deaths ( accept in the event of a plane crash, and these all have been determined to be fatal with a car seat or not).


So I have to say even though its a cute name flight attendants give to the lap babies. IT is just that. As a insurance risk analyst we have a a lot of pet names too. Ofcourse we call Flight Attendants collateral damage as the number or incindents involving Flight Attendeds is just off the chart and makes the risk of for my company very high to supply insuance which we do.



I do not lap sit my baby because of comfort.

I would hate for you to have an emergency on a flight you were on, and have "collateral damage saving your life." People who feel that way think the flight attendants are they to kiss their a$$ rather than save it, sky waitresses right? I wish they would make EVERYONE who flies watch Flight Attendant school on the travel channel. A real eye opener.

1/8 of a percent is 1/8 too many when it comes to my childrens safety.

Ok first of all I said in the insurance industry that is what they are called . Not really anymore calous then you jokingly calling a child a missle. I personally apeariate what flight attendants do.


An 1/8 of a percent is too much but the persenctage of incidents with a child reported in a carseat is about the same hence the insurance companies not requiring them to have thier own seats. I agree with you that saftey is very important.


The collateral damage is a industry standard term ( as I suppose your missle or football term is) for a person that will be covered though the risk is high and will be costly. I agree its a very hard job. I also stand by I didn't put down flight attendants in anyway in my post.


And again I get the baby a seat of its own for comfort, and I if you truly feel its safer then by all means you should. However a flight attendant with know true study of the subject a football or a missle should not be what makes up your mind.

I would hate for you to have an emergency on a flight you were on, and have "collateral damage saving your life." People who feel that way think the flight attendants are they to kiss their a$$ rather than save it, sky waitresses right? I wish they would make EVERYONE who flies watch Flight Attendant school on the travel channel. A real eye opener.

1/8 of a percent is 1/8 too many when it comes to my childrens safety.

Whoa, it's OK for your industry to call children missles but it isn't OK for another industry to have a nickname for you? Wow. Seems quite the double standard, there. I would never refer to a flight attendant as collateral damage, just as I would never call a child a missle or a football--rude and unfeeling, I would say on either part. But for one to be OK and the other not? That doesn't make much sense to me.

Whoa, it's OK for your industry to call children missles but it isn't OK for another industry to have a nickname for you? Wow. Seems quite the double standard, there. I would never refer to a flight attendant as collateral damage, just as I would never call a child a missle or a football--rude and unfeeling, I would say on either part. But for one to be OK and the other not? That doesn't make much sense to me.

Going through flight attendant training, we watched numerous crash videos and simulations of what happens in a crash. Just as in a vehicle, you would not be able to hold on to your child in an accident, take those speeds times 5 or 6 or even 7. IMHO children are only held on laps in planes to save money on seats. I understand air travel is expensive. I use to have to pay for plane tickets too. That is why it is an option. The FAA will tell you that it is NOT a good option though. The facts are proven, they do become missles in turbulence or crashes.
As far as flight attendants being collateral damage, most people who have opinions of flight attendants being that way, are ones who think they are sky waitresses.

Going through flight attendant training, we watched numerous crash videos and simulations of what happens in a crash. Just as in a vehicle, you would not be able to hold on to your child in an accident, take those speeds times 5 or 6 or even 7. IMHO children are only held on laps in planes to save money on seats. I understand air travel is expensive. I use to have to pay for plane tickets too. That is why it is an option. The FAA will tell you that it is NOT a good option though. The facts are proven, they do become missles in turbulence or crashes.
As far as flight attendants being collateral damage, most people who have opinions of flight attendants being that way, are ones who think they are sky waitresses.

I didn't say one word about the safety or nonsafety of a lap child, so I'm not sure why that point was restated when I didn't question it. Nor did I say that I thought it was OK for a flight attendant to be called collateral damage. What I questioned was the double standard of naming a *person* something that is insulting. A missile (sorry, I had misspelled it before) is "n. A weapon or other object, as a spear, bullet, rocket, etc. designed to be thrown, fired, or launched toward a target". My child, nor any other child, is "designed to be thrown, fired, or launched toward a target" therefore it is not a proven fact that ANY child is a missile regardless of the situation. Nor is that child ever a "football". They are a *person* who is being injured. Exactly the same as a flight attendant who is being injured--again, a *person*. You don't want to be called something you aren't? Then don't do it to someone else.

I didn't say one word about the safety or nonsafety of a lap child, so I'm not sure why that point was restated when I didn't question it. Nor did I say that I thought it was OK for a flight attendant to be called collateral damage. What I questioned was the double standard of naming a *person* something that is insulting. A missile (sorry, I had misspelled it before) is "n. A weapon or other object, as a spear, bullet, rocket, etc. designed to be thrown, fired, or launched toward a target". My child, nor any other child, is "designed to be thrown, fired, or launched toward a target" therefore it is not a proven fact that ANY child is a missile regardless of the situation. Nor is that child ever a "football". They are a *person* who is being injured. Exactly the same as a flight attendant who is being injured--again, a *person*. You don't want to be called something you aren't? Then don't do it to someone else.

The difference is that the FAA warns against holding children on the lap during a flight and THAT can be avoided. Flight attendants job is to be up and moving during a flight.
I never said that the comment the poster made with regards to flight attendants being "collateral damage" was rude. Please don't put words in to my post that were not there.
Oh and thanks for the morning lecture, reminds me of my child hood days.
"You don't want to be called something you aren't? Then don't do it to someone else." Children can become missiles in turbulence or an incident or accident, that isn't what they are intended to be, per your definition. The facts are the facts.
This thread is way off topic and am done participating in it. Don't have time to argue.
And for the record, I am a retired flight attendant, not a current one. Not that that makes a difference.

Second, I want to get the easily foldable umbrella strollers to take on the trip. My son hardly spends time in the double stroller anymore and that darn thing is so bulky to take on and off the busses. Besides, if one wants to be cranky and needs to go back to the resort, but the other doesn't, we parents can't split up with the double - everyone's got to go back to the Lodge. Anyone recommend a good stroller? Anything you find really comfortable and convenient to use?

Thanks, guys!

It's a little pricier than other umbrella strollers, but you might want to consider a Maclaren. It's sturdy, durable, pretty easy to fold and light, especially the Mac "Volo" model. While the Volo doesn't recline (which you might need for your younger child), they have other models that do. It steers very well and is comfortable for taller parents to use. It also has a higher weight limit (55 lbs.) so you'll get a lot of mileage out of it.

Just another stroller brand to consider. Have a great time! :)

Edited to add: Just noticed that Lori and Adrienne recommended the Macs in previous posts...cool! :)

Thanks, everyone. I'll look into your suggestions.

I can't wait to go - - and neither can my son! Daughter thinks anything her brother thinks is cool is cool, so she can't wait, either!