Airplane Stories with kids...?

[mom2meiko]

Hi all!

I'm sure I'll regret asking for this but as I am in the final prep days for our 1/9 trip to WDW, I am trying to prepare for any and all possible problems that we may encounter with our kids on the plane.

Do any of you have any war stories you want to share that may help me to plan for the worst case scenario?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Emmabean2000]

For us it is all about the ears. If we can make it through take off without ear pain, all will be well. Some type of chewy food helps, but that may be more challenging for the little crew. Just bring ample activities to entertain the 2 year old, and you will be fine. Comfy clothes help too We have had mostly good luck, but kids will be kids and cry. Just don't be the parents that ignore their kids, and other passengers will hopefully be understanding!

 

[perpetualplanner]

We started flying with our boys when they were older 2's and have never had a problem. The PP is right - if you ignore them then you're asking for it. Just realize the flight is going to be all about them and have plenty of activities. Each kid is different but coloring books, electronic games, regular books you read to them, puzzle books etc... are all good ideas. Just make sure the electronic games can either be muted or they have headphones so they don't disturb others.

 

[design_mom]

Pack an extra outfit for your child *and* for yourself in your carry-on. (The extra outfit for the child was "obvious" to me, but the extra outfit for myself wasn't... until I needed it.)

My child never "spit up" but apparently had a nervous stomach on a long flight. For my sister, it was the blow-out diaper while the baby was sitting on her lap. Both of us wished we'd had an extra change of clothes for ourselves, too.

 

[happymommy]

I've flown a lot with my kids - and when they were 2 and newborn I flew alone with them. That flight, I nursed my DD from after takeoff to landing I think.

I do agree to pack a change of clothes in your bag onboard. You never know when you'll need one. And also at the theme parks!

Other than that, just relax and have a good time! You're going to WDW! That is cool. I find that if I'm stressed out, the kids are too.

I also pack some wipes and some paper towels or napkins. My kids used to be messy (oh you should have seen the seats after they sat in them for a two hour flight when they were little!!!! I felt so bad for the folks cleaning up after us.). Maybe an empty sippy cup for a drink onboard - you can pour juice into it onboard. I don't trust their cups even with a straw for a two year old. But that is because I know my son!

 

[DonnaL]

As another poster above said.......pack in a carry on an extra outfit for the child (ren) AND parents.......not only on the way to WDW, but also on the way home......personal experience. We were leaving VWL on the way to the airport when my grandson was about four.....the rental car was packed with the bags we were checking at the airport and we were just taking a last look at the lobby when all of a sudden my grandson began upchucking......no warning whatsoever......all over himself, my daughter, and the floor in the lobby of WL!!! While she ran to the restroom with him, my DH ran out to the car to get clothing out of the bags (now don't forget we're ready to leave for airport at this point........so we're on a time limit here). I went to the front desk to explain what happened and ask for someone from housekeeping to come to the area of lobby where he was sick. We just had to wash him and my daughter off, they changed, and rinsed the clothes quickly in the restroom and put them in a doubled plastic bag and in the checked luggage.....and then held our breaths that he wouldn't get sick again!!! He was OK on the ride to the airport (we were now really hustling to make the 2 hour checkin at MCO) and OK until we got thru security.......then he RAN to a trash can placed near the monorail that takes you to the gate areas.............and was sick again.....only this time.....thankfully the trash can was available!!! He was also beginning to run a fever at this point, so we gave him some childrens Motrin. He was OK on the flight except for complaining that his ears hurt (which he had never done before.....and had been flying since a year old). Sure enough, when we got home and the fever continued the next day and my daughter took him to the doctor, he had a double ear infection. It definitely was a trip I don't ever wish to repeat..............and we ALWAYS have a change of clothes in a carryon since that trip........he's now eight. Funny part of the story....two years after this happened.....DH and I took him for the first time alone to WDW (without Mommy). When we got to MCO and took the monorail to the main terminal from the gate area and got off the monorail he turned and said to me "Grandma, look.....there's my trashcan"!

 

[marciemouse]

We recently survived three LONG flights home from Ukraine with our newly adopted 2 year old daughter. Thankfully, she didn't have ear issues, but they make earplugs now specifically to aid with takeoff and landing. (look at Walgreens. I think they're called ear-planes.) Pack a sippy cup, some snacks, and clothes. I remember one flight when I was about 11. I accidentally tipped a Coke into my dad's lap. He was wearing white pants. Not good! So even with older kids, watch out! Also, keep in mind how any time changes may affect your kids' eating and sleeping schedule.

 

[dismom2]

I have flown many time with my kids since they were born. My trick is to pack a lot of different types of things to keep them entertained, and pack several different types of snacks.

One GREAT idea I got from a friend years ago was to go to the dollar store, or dollar section at Target (or anywhere...depends on how much you want to spend), and actually wrap a couple 'gifts' that you could give your child/kids if they get really antsy (save the wrapped surprises for when you really need something to cheer up a seriously bored/crying kid). All kids like surprises and presents, so it will cheer them up at least for a while. Fortunately, my kids love to fly, so I haven't had mine yell or cry on a flight...knock on wood. But, I did and do go prepared for anything and everything. I'm an overpacker,lol.

I also made a huge deal about the airplane...telling them that taking off was my favorite part because it was like a roller coaster ride. So, instead of them being scared, they look forward to that part.

In this day and age of electronics, you could bring a laptop or portable DVD player with some of their favorite show/movies. Also, load up some of their favorite music on an ipod, and bring a pillow and blanket, for sure.

Have fun!

 

[bas71873]

Playdoh worked (and still does work) for my DD. I got a few of the little containers and brought a long plenty of wipes and we played and rolled "doh" for quite a while. We also did snacks (and getting snacks and drinks from the flight attendant is HUGE according to my DD). I always let her sit by the window so she is trapped, yet can still look out (she's 6 now, so really this was more when she was little).

Also, while waiting for your plane and if you have a layover.....LET THEM WALK AROUND!!!!. I've never understood parents that just sit at the gate and make the kids sit too. They get plenty of sitting on the plane. DD and I walk around, look at all the stores, ride the riding sidewalks if the airport has them (that thing can still keep her entertained for what seems like ever).

Good luck. U will be fine! Most planes headed to Orlando are full of peeps going to WDW and will likely have lots of kids

 

[Cedarmom]

Is the 2 year old potty trained? My boys inevitably annouce they have to go potty just as the pilot comes over the intercom and says "Flight attendants, prepare for takeoff". It is a loooong time until you can get up again. lol Take her *right* before you get on the plane and don't give her any juice/water until after takeoff. Just sayin'.

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

my suggestion is to only drink water on the plane. drinks are so easy to spill on an airplane, and a little water on your clothes is just a minor inconvenience, when coffee or soda or juice could result in a mandatory change of clothes inside the tiny airplane bathroom.

 

[taitai]

My stories are pretty much the same as everyone elses. Things will spill on the plane. We now bring their Sigg water bottles and have the flight attendants put their drinks in there. We now no longer have spills.

A friend once didn't bring a change of clothes for herself on a flight from Tokyo and her toddler got sick due to the turbulence. She ended up having to buy an expensive Hermes scarf from the duty free cart on the plane and used that as a halter top under her husband's sports coat. Bring a change of clothes for EVERYONE.

Be prepared for long delays. Fortunately, we have never had a really long tarmac delay when traveling with the kids. 45 minutes is the most. However, we have arrived at the airport in Syracuse, NY, Cancun, Mexico and Naples, Florida to find that our flight had been significantly delayed (10 plus hours) or cancelled. 12 hours in the Cancun airport with three toddlers was excruciating. Syracuse had a play area which was okay but got very old very quickly. Naples, we had to spend the night. Be prepared for that.

That is about it. The most important thing is to be prepared. If you are prepared, you can weather any issue. The ones who really struggle are those who don't think ahead or just try to chance it. The travel gods do not look kindly on those people.

Have a great trip
taitai

 

[tam626]

Portable dvd player. It's a god send.

 

[jagafen]

You might want to prep the 2 year old for security....walking through the door by herself, taking off her shoes and putting them on the belt to be xrayed, etc. I've found that by prepping DS (he was 18 months the first time he flew) and then adjusting the security talk to his age level, it really helps with things going smoothly, and preventing a melt down at an inappropriate time (although, when you're 2, anytime is good for a meltdown!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I flew (alone) many times with my two when they were little. Here are my best tips (in no particular order):

**Have plenty of NONeltronic entertainment. Electornics cannot be used until you reach cruising altitude--this includes time on the tramac. You have to wait to de-ice this can be quite a while.

**Arrive at the airport plenty early:
*Show the 2 year old how security works (watch a couple of people before you get in line). Yes they can flag a 2 year old for extra screening--make it sound fun: "you get to make airplane arms while they wave the magic wand over you IF the beeper goes off."
*Have a light meal (not too greasy--upset stomaches are not a good thing on the plane) after you are through security and shortly before boarding so you do not have hungry (cranky) kids on board. Also stop and buy water/juice to throw in the carry on.

**Find a naerby empty gate and keep the little one moving until boarding time (play Simon Says, Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, etc.).

**Do not preboard. Wait until the end of boarding to get on the plane so your little one does not have to sit for longer than necessarry.

**Pack suckers or gum for ears if your toddlers can handle those. If not, pack the "hardest" to suck though sippy cup and give her something you know she will drink for take off and landing.

**Take twice asmany diapers as you think you'll need.

**Either do not use a car seat for the toddler, OR chose sets of two and two seats right in front of each other. Put someone in your own party in front of the toddler so you do not have to worry about her kicking the seat eahd of her as much (if she is in a car seat she will be able to reach to kick very easily).

FINALLY, relax and enjoy I have been through some very stressful flight situations with my two (6 hours on a tarmac, stuck in Chicago overnight mid route, TWO planes landing and having to be replaced on the same trip with mechanical problems which included sleeping on the floor in an otherwise unoccupied area of DFW from midnight to 4:00 while they flew in a new aircraft, etc., etc.--NOT that this is normal, we travel waaaay too much) and in ALL of that the kids have done just fine. They take their cues from their parents so be prepared and roll with the punches and all will go smoothly.

 

[kassreese]

Get some of the Crayola Color Wonder sets. These are great since they don't mark on anything except the paper that they are intended for.

 

[momz]

my experience with kids and airports has nothing to do with the flight, but everything to do with security.

Upon returning to our home airport late one night, our kids (2 and 4 at the time) were sleeping. So I sat with them on a bench (both asleep) while my husband retrieved our bags. They were still asleep and it was freezing cold outside, so we decided he would get the car, and I would stay with the kids and bags, he would come by and pick us up.

Bad idea...should have taken the poor sleeping babies on the parking lot tram. Turns out, when my husband arrived at the curb, he was not allowed to leave the car to come help me with the kids (can't leave your car unattended). Also, as it turns out, I could not leave the bags while I took the kids to the car (can't leave your bags unattended). So this left us with the only option of leaving the KIDS unattended while I took the bags to the car. Well, uh...not the best choice to have to make. Luckily, there was a nice old couple nearby who overheard our problem. They stayed with the kids while I took the bags. It was very nice of them, but still not a good situation to have to leave 2 sleeping babies with strangers.

Common sense was thrown out the window when all these security measures where implemented. But...what can you do?

 

[PhillipA82]

Good info here, thanks.