First time flying, HELP!!!

[Desnik]

DH, myself and our 2 kids ages 8 and 3 will all be flying for the first time. Well, I flew a few times as a kid but barely remember it. Please excuse my ignorance but I/we are clueless. We will be flying Jetblue out of newark and have already bought our tickets. I just don't know what to do from here!LOL Where do we go at the airport? How do we check in?
DH has been the main reason we always drive to WDW. He won't even go in an elevator, let alone a plane! But, after a terrible car accident we had in Sept, he feels life is too short and we are flying!! He will however be medicated on this flight!!!LOL So, I'll be sitting with the kids, he'll be in the row across. How will I keep the kids happy/occupied without bringing too much stuff? We do not want to check any luggage so we will each have a carryon.(I'm already packed!!) I plan on gate checking the stroller and we will be using ME and will rely on WDW transportation. Do I need a carseat on the plane for my 3 year old?
Any tips/advice anyone can offer on air travel will really be appreciated!
Thanks

 

[dudspizza]

First of all, if your kids like to watch TV, Jet Blue has TV's in the headrest in front of you for every seat! Good Choice.

Others can help more with where to go when you get to the airport. I have found that going to the airports web site you can usually get a good map of the terminal. Here are some other good resources.
http://www.nyctourist.com/travel_newark.htm#Airline
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/newarkliberty.html
http://www.ny.com/transportation/airports/NWK.html

MCO (Orlando) also has a page that walks you through exactly what you do when you arrive. Go here http://www.orlandoairports.net/goaa/arrive/arrive.htm

Have fun!

Duds

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

If you're taking a cab or having a friend drive you to the Airport, have the cab driver or your friend drop you off at the JET BLUE terminal. Otherwise park your car at the Airport and walk to the JET BLUE terminal.
Enter the Airport through the doors at the JET BLUE terminal.
Go to the JET BLUE reservation desk. You'll see it in front of you when you enter the Airport and Stand in the line behind everyone else. There you will check-in your bags and be directed to the GATE.
Go to the GATE and Stand in line behind everyone else. There you will pass through a security check and walk down the corridor to your GATE.
Go to the Boarding desk at your GATE and stand in line behind everyone else. There you will recieve your boarding pass. Then find a seat, sit and wait like everyone else.
OR do what I do and go to the nearest TERMINAL GATE BAR and have a few Bloody Marys or your favorite drinks.
That's pretty much the whole picture.
Good Luck,
Joe

P.S
For that reason, "Stand in line behind everyone else," we might be driving down next year.

 

[texasthree]

I will answer the car seat question.
I, personally wouldnt take a car seat for a 3 year old. Its bulky, hard to get on the plane and is one more piece of luggage to deal with. Now that being said, your child will have to stay seated during the take off, landing and perhaps during the flight so if you think he would sit better secured into a car seat then I would bring it. When my son was an infant until around 3.5 I took a car seat because he knew when he was strapped into the seat, he wasnt getting up. Now that hes older he is able to sit in a plane seat with the seat belt on and be entertained.

To keep them busy, I wouldnt pack much. Jet blue has the tvs so thats an easy entertainment issue. I would pack a few snacks and some bottled water and maybe a small magna doodle, coloring book, small cars. Hot wheels makes 3 great little sets that are a garage, car wash and I think a burger stand. They are like $5 and small enough to pack but are a little play set with a car. I bought a new one of these the last 3 times we flew and it kept him busy for a good 30 minutes.

 

[goofy4tink]

DH, myself and our 2 kids ages 8 and 3 will all be flying for the first time. Well, I flew a few times as a kid but barely remember it. Please excuse my ignorance but I/we are clueless. We will be flying Jetblue out of newark and have already bought our tickets. I just don't know what to do from here!LOL Where do we go at the airport? How do we check in?
DH has been the main reason we always drive to WDW. He won't even go in an elevator, let alone a plane! But, after a terrible car accident we had in Sept, he feels life is too short and we are flying!! He will however be medicated on this flight!!!LOL So, I'll be sitting with the kids, he'll be in the row across. How will I keep the kids happy/occupied without bringing too much stuff? We do not want to check any luggage so we will each have a carryon.(I'm already packed!!) I plan on gate checking the stroller and we will be using ME and will rely on WDW transportation. Do I need a carseat on the plane for my 3 year old?
Any tips/advice anyone can offer on air travel will really be appreciated!
Thanks

The one thing you can do to make it all easier is to leave yourselves plenty of time!! I have just started flying without my dh and the first time I was a basket case!! Just knew I was going to do something wrong, but I was fine. You should be at the airport about 2 hrs before your flight departure...be sure to do that. That way, you can take your time. The JB terminal will be plainly marked. Head there, check your luggage through first. The counters for this should be pretty easy to find. Then head to security...I like to put all electronics in one plastic zip-loc bag in my carry-on. That way it can all just come out for the security people. They like that. Wear shoes that are easy off and on...all of you. Be sure to let the kids know what is going to happen at security. Kids are usually the big holdup in the lines. THey get spooked easily..who can blame them!!
As far as entertaining the kids....the JB t.v.'s are terrific. That should pretty much do the job for you. Be sure to bring a little snack for the kids. Before you board the plane, take that last potty break...I hate having to use the restroom on the plane with kids, and it lets the little ones stretch their legs a bit before boarding.
You'll be fine...you're going to be amazed at how easy it all is.

 

[sue1013]

You've gotten good advice the only thing I would change is not checking luggage. With 2 small kids and a stroller why drag 4 bags around with you. We always do curbside checkin so we don't even have to bring the bags into the airport. Curbside will check your luggage and give you your boarding passes the go straight to security. When you get to Orlando you go to ME desk and won't have to deal with luggage at all. Since you are flying jetblue on return you can check your bags and get boarding passes right at the resort not see your luggage again until your back at Newark.

 

[tkldisney]

I'm with your dh on the elevator thing, I will not ride in one by myself. I walk stairs or wait until there is someone to ride with. But flying does not bother me at all.
As Sue suggested, I would check in online, get your boarding passes. Depending on how many days you will be gone I guess depends on how much luggage. Most of the airlines these days allow one carryon and one personal item. (purse, backpack, or briefcase) & they are very strict about this!!
I would just carryon a change of clothes for everyone & bathsuits, and check everything else curbside. Keep any medications, camera & film with you do not check these items. Film will be damaged in the CT scanners.
Also because of security, wear slip-on shoes (sandals, flipflops) because they want you to put them through the x-ray. This is for everyone even the kids.
I would arrive at the airport 90 min. to 2 hrs. before your flt.

 

[goofy4tink]

Oops, sorry, I forgot to address that carry-on bag thing! Is there a specific reason that you don't want to check your luggage? It really is easier to navigate the airport without it. I have tried to travel to WDW with just carry-on bags and it truly is a pain...especially if you are flying novices and have kids to boot. DME does a great job of getting your bags to your resort...no need to be concerned with that. As someone else has already said...pack a small carry-on with a change of clothes/swimsuits depending on your arrival time in WDW. If it's going to be later in the day, you may not want to swim. But you will want to freshen up.

My issue with the whole 'taking off your shoes' for security is a cleanliness one. I hate being barefoot in the airport. I have been known to go directly to the ladies room, with my dd, and wash off our feet! It just feels yucky to me...so we always wear a pair of light socks with our slip-on shoes.

 

[Desnik]

Thank you all SOOO much!!
To answer the carryon thing. We just have a fear of our luggage getting lost and being stuck at WDW with no clothes and having to buy replacements!!LOL Also, we would like to have our luggage when we check in and not have to wait for it. I guess we really just don't like our stuff in the hands of others and not knowing where it is?!LOL It's a control issue! We are so use to driving and taking care of our own things. Can you check your bags but not let ME handle them and get them yourself?

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you all SOOO much!!
To answer the carryon thing. We just have a fear of our luggage getting lost and being stuck at WDW with no clothes and having to buy replacements!!LOL Also, we would like to have our luggage when we check in and not have to wait for it. I guess we really just don't like our stuff in the hands of others and not knowing where it is?!LOL It's a control issue! We are so use to driving and taking care of our own things. Can you check your bags but not let ME handle them and get them yourself?

Yes, you can do that. In fact, a lot of people do that. Just do not put those yellow tags on your bags that will be checked. Then, when you get to MCO, head to the baggage claim area, grab your bags, and then head to DME check-in area, with your bags. Only one person needs to get into line, so the other adult can stay with the kids and the bags, while the other adult checks in. Then, when you get to the bus, the driver will stow your bags underneath the bus. It is nice to have the bags with you when you get to the resort.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What I would like to know is, how can a family of 4 (including a 3 year old who cannot possibly manage his/her own suitcase), pack everything they need for a trip to Disney in carry on luggage?

Are you sure that you understand the size restrictions for carry-ons?

 

[Desnik]

lost*in*cyberspace
I know it sounds crazy but I am a super organized person and you should see the way I pack! Having been to WDW numerous times I know exactly what we need and make sure that's all we bring. Also, we are DVC'ers so I do a load of laundry while there. Plus summer clothing is smaller !LOL

 

[goofy4tink]

I've also packed all my stuff in a carry-on...it can be done, especially if staying at DVC with the laundry options. If I have checked luggage, I always end up with far too much stuff. I wish my dh could figure out how to do just a carry-on but he can't...says he needs too much stuff. But on the other hand, I hate having that luggage with me at the airport. Hate taking it to the bathroom with me if it's just dd and myself flying. Just a big ole pain!!

 

[Desnik]

After getting some great advice here and the family board we have decided against only carryons. I have repacked and have it down to 1 large and 1 small suitcase to check and 1 carryon and we each have a small backpack with snacks and stuff to occupy us on the plane. We will get our bags ourselves so we don't have to wait for them and we'll just feel better this way. We will still use ME for the transportation.

Now what's this about checking in online? And also at the resort for the return trip?

 

[goofy4tink]

What airline are you flying? I haven't found that checking in on-line makes much difference unless you're flying Southwest. But if you have baggage to check, you still have to go to the counter to check it. A lot of the airlines are using very easy kiosks now to do that. You do the kiosk thing and then step over to the baggage counter where they have your tags all ready to go. It's much faster than it used to be.

Now, as far as the return from the resort...if you are flying on a 'participating' airline (you can find a list at the top of this board), then you can check your luggage at the resort. Then, you don't have to lug it to the airport. You just hop on the bus for the return trip. If you are not flying one of these airlines, then you just take your luggage with you underneath the bus for the return to the airport.

 

[TDC Nala]

You're on Jetblue. Two words: TELE VISION. It really helps distract and makes the flight go faster. I can't fly Jetblue to Orlando but I bring a laptop and watch DVDs.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I know it sounds crazy but I am a super organized person and you should see the way I pack! Having been to WDW numerous times I know exactly what we need and make sure that's all we bring. Also, we are DVC'ers so I do a load of laundry while there. Plus summer clothing is smaller

I wish I were that disciplined, but I always have to take lots of extras, just in case. I like my comforts!