Don't know where to begin

[Denine]

We are going to WDW next month with our 16 month old. DD has been 4 times already, but we have always driven.

We can't relish the thought of driving again so soon after our last 2 trips so we are seriously thinking about flying. We will more than likely get a seat for her so we can put her in her car seat. She is more likey to sit still that way, plus it is safer.

We can't decide whether to rent a car for the whole time, just to drive to WDW and drop it off and get another for the trip back to the airport or have one of the towncar places do the driving.

I can't even decide which time of day is best for traveling. The last thing I want is a screaming baby on an airplane. All the times either take away 1 nap or go past her bedtime. We are hoping the novelty of being on a plane with other people will be enough to keep her happy, even if she misses a nap. I will of course provide toys and snacks. Any advice? On anything?

We are stying at OKW resort, which of course, is the least convenient to be without a car. We will probably spend most of our time at the MK and Epcot.

 

[cyndibelle]

hi from one ohioan to another....i would say fly when it is the cheapest.....dont worry about the baby..and dont worry about the people....dont try to work around her schedule cause your right ..being on a plane is gonna throw her all off anyways...i flew once when my son was small and he did great on the way there...perfecto....now on the way back was another story..fuss city...but you know what...you just go with the flow..you just take food..snacks..toys..whatever you know they are gonna like...you just cant predict whats gonna happen with a baby....good luck in whatever you decide...

 

[BevS97]

i tend to agree, just fly when you have to and the baby will cope.

as for the car, it depends on your budget but if okw is inconvenient at the best of times then i would hire a car, we find it much easier with strollers, diaper bags etc/

 

[chager]

I agree with flying when the fares are best. The excitement from flying will disrupt any schedules anyway. I would also suggest getting the ear plugs for children to help with the pressure changes. I have read alot of good things about them. Our Ds (9y) had an awful time with the pressure change. We even had him chewing gum but he literally screamed and cried becuase it hurt so bad. Take off wasn't as big an issue as landing for some reason. As far as car rental I can't help there. We stayed at AllStar Sports so we just used Disney transportation this past June. I'm starting to look into car rentals though becuase on our next trip we want to stay part of the time at WDW and part at Universal.

 

[Denine]

Thanks for the advice/reassurance. DH wants to take the 9AM flight, which is the most expensive, but the least disruptive to DD schedule. I thought maybe the 12:30 PM flight, but then she will miss both naps, even though she is trying to give up one of them now.

We are leaning toward renting a car, because it is the most convenient. Since we drive, we are used to having a car with us. If we had know we were going to fly this trip, we would have booked a more convenient hotel, like the Boardwalk Villas. But, what are you going to do? We love OKW and don't really want to change.

Anyone else with words of wisdom?

 

[dreaminofdisney]

I've been taking my daughter with me on my work trips 3 to 4 times a year since she was only one month old. Here's my advice...

1. Fly when it is the cheapest. The whole travel thing will kind of throw them off anyway. Naps do happen on the plane! I tend to go for the really early flights. Get up at an outrages time and I'm almost always going to get her to sleep part of the flight.

3. Yes, get her her own seat. Once on a very short 1 1/2 hour flight choice not to get her a seat. It was the first and last time to do that. My daughter knew that when she is in her seat she is to be IN HER SEAT.

2. Use the money you save on the flight for a car! Conveinence, conveinence, conveinence, need I say more. You can found some great deals.

3. I have a small lunch box full of toys that are either her favorite, brand new, or she hasn't seen since her last flight. These three reasons I have found to have more play time for her.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[dixielander]

We always got my daughter her own seat, and brought her car seat on board, and she always slept on every flight we ever flew on. I guess the flight lulled her to sleep, just like a long car ride. We never had to worry about her losing her nap! (My ped. also recommended using Motrin Cold, even for my other children, as they've all had ear problems.)

I am definetly for having the babies or children in car seats on airplanes. Even for small babies, a two or three hour flight can be a long time to hold a baby.

I'd fly either in the morning, or afternoon, as she'll most likely sleep during either one.

Good Luck!

 

[topgumm]

The other posts gave great advice, I would agree with the cheapest option. My husband is a pilot for a major airline and we have to fly stand-by, which is so hard to plan for with kids. If we left really early they might sleep or be over tired. If we left late they might stay awake but be tired when we arrive. There is no guarantee. As far as the other passengers, I say do your best and be prepared but don't sweat what others think. You are only with them for a short time. Plus you ARE a paying passenger like they are as well!

My best advice with kids is to start looking for small(preferably flat and or light weight/small items that you can pack in a backpack or your carry on. I actually spend an evening wrapping the small gifts in Disney (or other fun) wrapping paper. Then I pull one out about every 45 min. Let them unwrap it and then play with it. I have to determine in my mind that I will do what it takes to keep them occupied even if that means being silly and making up funny "I spy" games. My kids loved books on tape, Color Wonder paper(no mess magic markers by Crayola), small dolls, puzzels, books, even snack size ziplocs with fun snacks, things of that nature. I always look in second-hand stores. You can get new or somewhat used items for really cheap.

Just an idea that has always worked great for me.

 

[disneymama73]

We have driven and flown, so we have experienced both. And we have travelled when our children were all different ages ranging from 4 mos to 4.5 years.

My first piece of advice would be not to worry about the schedule thing. Like others have said, travelling alone is going to throw off your schedule, so there's not much point paying more in airfare to accomodate a nap that may never happen anyway. We always fly as early as possible. That way we have to wake up early and by the time we take off, the kids and wiped out and sleep for at least an hour on the plane. We usually fly home late, and again, the kids sleep.

As far as getting around once you're there, I have never been disappointed in solely using Disney transportation. When we fly, we take the Mears shuttle from the airport to the resort, and then we just use the Disney buses/monorail. But if you're used to hitting non-Disney spots (restaurants, attractions, etc.), I would rent a car.

Is it too late to switch hotels? We love WL because with two small children, we spend lots of time at MK, and it's just a short boatride away. And on some of the boats, we don't even have to fold up the stoller which is great!

 

[disneymama73]

......fold up the stoller which is great!

Of course this should say STROLLER. LOL!