It sounds like you are staying offsite.
Which airline are you flying? All airlines have boarding policies for parents of young children - scope the airlines website, or call directly to find out what they are. Normally you just board before other passengers so you can install your car seats - which can not be on an aisle seat.
When your husband drops you and the kids/lugagge off while parking the car there will be skycaps that can help you load everything onto a luggage trolley.
Print your boarding passes at home. Then while your dh is parking the car you can use the curbside check in to check yourself, the kids and the bags. When he gets back he can check himself in (photo ID required for flight check in)
Proceed to airport security -boarding passes and photo IDs out. (car seats usually fit fabulously flipped upside down over rolling carry on suitcases). I am going to assume that one of the strollers is a double. I would bag check the single, and have your 3 yo walk or be carried.
Most major airlines have a 'family' security line now. If yours does you can go through here - or you can request a private screening. Just tell the first TSA agent you see that you want a private security screening. they'll take your family off to the side and go through the stuff and use a hand held wand. If you opt for the family line - everyone has to remove tehir shoes, put strollers, car seats, carry ons etc on the conveyor belt and then walk through the metal detector alone.
Once you're through TSA find your terminal and settle in. this is the time to get a snack/dinner, potty breaks/diaper changes and verify the policy for families with young children. You'll also have to gate check your stroller.
Uneventful flight
Once you land - wait. there's always a mass exodus and crush of people trying to all get their carry ons from teh top and squish through. Wait it out, it's not worth stressing yourself, your husband, the kids or dealing with uptight fellow passangers.
I would suggest that one of you take the kids out while the other (hopefully with the help of a flight attendant) gets the car seats. Your stroller will be waiting for you outside.
MCO at this time of night is dead. Everything inside the terminals is closed and since there are no outbound flights that late the airport staff is scarce. You'll get to the subway/monorail thing just fine and then I suggest that everyone head to the Hyatt, check in and get the kids settled. Then one of you head back down to baggage claim and get your luggage and other stroller.
The best thing you can do for yourself is minimize your luggage. Mail a box to yourself with diapers/wipes/other baby nessecities - or since you'll have a car - buy them when you get there. If your place has laundry - pack only half the clothes you'll need and plan on doing at least one load of laundry while the kids are sleeping during your vacation. You didn't say the ages of all of your kids, but is there any way you can get away with just 1 stroller? Can the older 2 take turns walking and riding, and/or can the youngest be toted around in a sling?
- Pop Century gymnastics trip January 2009,
- Offsite business June 2008,
- Polynesian March 2008,
- Cousins trip FW Cabins December 2006,
- Meg's 1st trip FW Cabins December 2005,
- POFQ birthday August 2005,
- Hurricane Francis Contemporary September 2004, (Amanda's 1st trip)
- Nana's offsite July 2002,
- FW Cabins 5 year anniversary May 2002,
- Kait's 1st FW Cabins December 2000,
- honeymoon offsite June 1997
- ~ the rest don’t count!
