Best time to fly with 2 and 4 year old

[cwnhokie]

What do you guys think? We are flying with our DS4 and DS2 from Baltimore to Orlando in May. We can leave at 7:20 or 12:30 get to orlando at 9:30 or 2:30. Both are non stop. We can't check in until around 4. We are staying at a timeshare so I don't know if they ever let you in early or not. Any one with some experience with this, your advise is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[CTillberg]

Since you most likely won't have a weather delay, I would pick the later flight. Trying to get yourself, a 2 and 4 year old ready to get to the airport at 6am is a hectic way to start a vacation. The later flight will let you have breakfast and take your time getting ready. Then you can have a snack before you leave, then snack or have lunch at the airport for something to keep the kids occupied while waiting to board your 12:30 flight. If you kids are good nappers, they may even nap on the plane, as most toddlers tend to get tired after lunchtime.

If you were going during the wintertime, I would pick the 7:20 flight in case there are weather delays. If you get delayed, it could be a long wait at the airport, but you will get out before the 12:30 fliers.

Have a great trip!
Cathy

 

[PatricenPete]

We are taking a trip this October - our DS will just be turning 1 and we opted to take a later flight figuring that by the time we arrive at our resort, our room will be ready. This way we won't have to wander aimlessly with a cranky toddler.

 

[DMAMom]

I'd go with the later flight. We had the option of 7am or 2:30 pm and chose the later. The thought of running around the house and getting myself, my three kids and my lazy *** husband (LOL) ready and out the door by 5am just makes me nauseous!!!

 

[monorailsilver]

I'd go with the later flight too. This way if they nap in the afternoon they can get one on the plane & you don't have to rush.

 

[yeahdisney]

Hello. We had a 3yr old and a barely 6 year old. We chose the later flight. With the travel time to the airport 1 1/2 hr and 2 hour get there early rule, it worked for us. I of course wanted the early flight so I could get to DISNEY but for my children the more relaxed and more to their regular time of being awake was the best for all. No one was cranky, no one was tired. PS their ears did hurt, just like their fathers, so prior from walgreens we had purchased earplanes thingys for their ear, they do have child size one there too. My 3 year old asked for them. During landing approach -- My ears hurts, my ears hurt, do you want you ear things yes, calm and quiet in 3 minutes. Plus the chewing of gummy worms. Enjoy your trip.

 

[nygrl]

we always fly in the night before and stay at a cheap hotel by the airport. this works well we get to orlando at about 6 or 7 at night and go right to the hotel have some dinner and go to bed. this way we are ready and refreshed for disney the next day. i found that before we did this my kids were alway6s cranky on that first day just from all the traveling. it seemed that we always wasted our first day so now we just go the night before and check into the hotel early the next morning and even if the room isnt ready you are refreshed showered and ready to have fun at the parks.

 

[kldmom2000]

We just did this exact thing in December! Our girls were 4 and 2. I opted to do the mid-day flight on a Saturday to avoid the business travelers during the week and not to be so rushed out of the house in the am. It couldn't have been a more delightful/easy trip BOTH ways! My non-napping 2 yr old actually crashed for the entire 2.5 hour flight BOTH there and back from Orlando! My 4 yr old was content with the portable DVD player we brought along. After the flight and everything, I knew they would be too tired to do a park or anything intense, so we just hung out by the pool/walked around the boardwalk (across from our hotel). It was definitely the right time of day for us!!!

 

[cwnhokie]

Thanks for the tips, any more tips for plane travel with a 2 and 4 year old. We have a DVD player for the car, but it plugs into the cigarette lighter, do they have that on the plane to plug it into? Sorry, I haven't been on a plane in a long time. Also what are the things called for their ears? Can I find them at CVS or Walmart?

 

[RichNKatHolly]

CVS has them, they are called EarPlanes - worked well. Our 1 yo and 4 yo were just fine with them. I bought lots of little snacks and some new toys they had never seen before.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Katrina

 

[nygrl]

Thanks for the tips, any more tips for plane travel with a 2 and 4 year old. We have a DVD player for the car, but it plugs into the cigarette lighter, do they have that on the plane to plug it into? Sorry, I haven't been on a plane in a long time. Also what are the things called for their ears? Can I find them at CVS or Walmart?

there is no where to plug a dvd into on the lane but of course they do sell portable o nes now that work on batteries..i found something even better than ear planes for my ds it is called ear ease i dont think you can get it in stores but i found it on line. they are small cups you fill with hot water and hold over the ear.and they work great. i dont know how bad your kids get ear pain but my ds used to scream and cry for about a half our when we were landing and he is 8. i know the feeling because i get the same pain. the ear planes did absoulutly nothing for us. but these worked great!~