Children flying for the first time... Questions??

[SummerInTennessee]

Our children, ages 4 & 6, will be flying for the first time (as well as visiting Disney for the first time ), and I have a couple of questions...

1. Of course, they both ride in car seats at home (still 5-point harnesses). What is required/recommended for their ages on airplanes? Our DD is 40 pounds and 42"; our DS is 43 pounds and 46".
2. What is the car seat policy for the Magical Express from the airport to our hotel?

We won't be renting a car, only riding the monorail during our stay.

Thanks a bunch... can't believe our trip is just over a month away!!!

Summer
**should also mention our flight to Orlando is 1.5 hours long

 

[gina_g]

Our children, ages 4 & 6, will be flying for the first time (as well as visiting Disney for the first time ), and I have a couple of questions...

1. Of course, they both ride in car seats at home (still 5-point harnesses). What is required/recommended for their ages on airplanes? Our DD is 40 pounds and 42"; our DS is 43 pounds and 46".
2. What is the car seat policy for the Magical Express from the airport to our hotel?

We won't be renting a car, only riding the monorail during our stay.

Thanks a bunch... can't believe our trip is just over a month away!!!

Summer
**should also mention our flight to Orlando is 1.5 hours long

Neither is required to have a car seat on the plane. With their sizes, they should fit just fine in the seat belts. Our DD is small for her age, and was fine in the airplane seat belt at age 2. As for ME, they wouldn't be allowed to use their car seats as there are no belts on the buses. I believe they have to be stowed under the bus. (The car seats, not the kids!) If you're not renting a car and only using Disney transportation, I wouldn't mess with taking them at all.

 

[Minnie824]

You don't need car seats at all. They would be uncomfortable in a car seat on the plane, I would think. Also, just a suggestion, for my youngest daughter she had issues w/her ears popping. I bought earplanes from cvs (they have childrens sizes)...nice earplugs so her ears don't bother her at all.

 

[Alesia]

You won't need them. Honestly, as big as your kids are they would probably be pretty uncomfortable in their car seats on the plane.

There are no seat belts on ME, the monorail, or Disney buses, so no car seats can be used.

Even if you had a car (or decided to take a taxi,) Florida law wouldn't require them to be in a car seat or booster,

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I just wanted to say have a MAGICAL first trip! I noticed you live in M'boro. I am your neighbor in Franklin! Hope everything goes wonderfully!

 

[kycat]

Everyone else is right on...

I just might add that we fly a lot, but my 4 year old still has a tough time with the pressure in her ears equalizing when the plane begins to descend. And that can be very painful...so you might do well to prepare for that. We usually have a big wad of gum (bubble yum) ready for her , or some hard candy to suck on...maybe even some nasal decongestant 30 min before landing.

There's nothing worse than seeing your child in pain and not being able to do anything about it.

 

[Alesia]

Everyone else is right on...

I just might add that we fly a lot, but my 4 year old still has a tough time with the pressure in her ears equalizing when the plane begins to descend. And that can be very painful...so you might do well to prepare for that. We usually have a big wad of gum (bubble yum) ready for her , or some hard candy to suck on...maybe even some nasal decongestant 30 min before landing.

There's nothing worse than seeing your child in pain and not being able to do anything about it.

Good point. I highly recommend Earplanes.