Flight times with toddlers?

[Fall1]

I'm trying to decide on flight times to and from Disney World with my 2 little ones. They will be just over 3 when we go in October.

For the flight home here are our choices:
1. Leave Orlando 10:25 AM Arrive Boston 1:15 PM
2. Leave Orlando 2:59 PM Arrive Boston 5:49 PM

Which would you choose? My main concern is that they won't sleep the night we get home. Last trip we flew the times of the 1st flight.
Thanks!!

 

[Dee77]

I would choose the later flight, for two reasons. First, it will allow for an easier, less rushed morning. Second, maybe they will sleep on the plane during the flight home since they will have been up for awhile. Enjoy planning and have a wonderful trip!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'd also go with the later flight. Same reason as Dee77 - easier time in the morning.

 

[taitai]

I would absolutely go with the first option for several reasons.

1) the earlier you go in the day, the less likely your flight will be delayed. A flight that departs and arrives on time meaning less time for your 3 year olds to be cramped in the plane will be best for all.

2) the second flight, if it is on time, will have you arriving during dinner time. If it is late, you will be in the air during dinner time. For my kids, the hours from 4-6 were always the "witching hours" when they were grumpy and cranky. I would not want to be on a plane then.

3) With the third option, by the time you got home, it would be bedtime. It will make for a more frazzled night using that option than the earlier flight and the night time seems to be your big concern.

4) The earlier flight does not have awful times. Leave your hotel by 8 and you should be fine. Who, will little kids, isn't up by 7 anyway?

 

[Tricia's mom]

I would take the later flight so that maybe you can get in One more trip on the monorail or a walk around dtd. And you won't be hurried to get up and out of your room. Maybe an early charcater breakfast and then head to airport.

 

[puffkin]

Neither of those would be ideal for us....we have found that DS flies the best at night....the later the better. But if I had to choose I would say the later one. It will give your kids more time to blow off steam in the mornign and not be a stressful morning by getting up real early. I would plan on having a large lunch and then just grabbing something quick for dinner on the way home.

 

[design_mom]

I agree with Taitai for all the reasons she mentioned.

In addition, one thing that kept my kids entertained on a plane (and not bothering anyone) was eating. With the earlier flight options, you could feed them lunch in the air (grapes, cheese and crackers, etc.). You should get home in plenty of time to get back to your "normal routine" for bedtime. My kids always liked some time to unwind at home, play with their at-home toys, etc. before bedtime.

The second set of flight times might make a rushed evening once you calculate claiming luggage, getting dinner, driving home from the airport, etc. It seems like it would be stressful on them.

You know your kids best though. If there's a time that you think they'll sleep on the plane, go with that one. However, my kids *never* sleep on the plane... And just get cranky if they're tired. I'd prefer to fly while they're well-rested.

 

[ccgirl]

We do the same flight (either BOS or PVD to MCO). I would go with the earlier flight. Neither of my children sleep on planes and getting home and flying at the witching hour would not be pleasant at all!!!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Option 2, definitely. Less scrambling around, the child can nap on the plane.

 

[2binak]

I would go with option 1 for some of the reasons others have pointed out - you can feed them a snack & lunch on the plane, they will most likely be home by dinner & bedtime, kids always seem to do better personality-wise earlier in the day, etc. Our DD is a late sleeper (7:30-8am), but I would always opt for an earlier flight, even if it meant waking her up to get her out of the hotel room.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We would choose option 1.

At 3, my ds still napped, but was able to get to 3 or 4pm without melting down if that was needed.

My dh isn't one who likes to 'fit in' a few extra things the day we're leaving vacation to return home. We're up early with ds anyway. Pack up, head to the airport and get home.

I'd rather get ds on the plane when he's still happy and not overtired. Lunch items are easy to pack to take on the plane.

 

[tinkermom23]

Hello
Just wanted to say Hi... also the mother of boy/girl twins. Ours are 3 1/2.

Last year we flew with them and both flights departed at 1:00 ish. It was nice because we had eaten and they were ready to nap. DD just talked the whole way but DS did sleep.
Our problem was that I wanted to "fit in" swimming and eating before we left for the airport and we ended up being VERY rushed and actually ate on the DME. My advice is to allow yourself plenty of time no matter which flight you choose.

 

[monkey30]

We like the later flights so we are not rushed. We have done both and found FOR US (remember thats us) the later ones worked better. Kids slept if they were tired, and usually they were. We actually take the red eye on our way down because everyone sleeps (but me) on the plane!

Good luck with whatever u decide. I do know by 3 none of my kids were nappers, so if yours r u are very lucky!

 

[Fall1]

Hello
Just wanted to say Hi... also the mother of boy/girl twins. Ours are 3 1/2.

Last year we flew with them and both flights departed at 1:00 ish. It was nice because we had eaten and they were ready to nap. DD just talked the whole way but DS did sleep.
Our problem was that I wanted to "fit in" swimming and eating before we left for the airport and we ended up being VERY rushed and actually ate on the DME. My advice is to allow yourself plenty of time no matter which flight you choose.

Hi -I love meeting other twin moms! 1:00 ish would be just want I want but there is no flight at that time that's direct, so oh well.

Last year when they were 2 1/2 we left at 10am and it was fine. I am like you and wanted to 'fit in' something fun the day we are leaving, but I think we'll end up on the earlier flight.

 

[Fall1]

Thanks for the advice everyone.....I think we are going with the earlier flight. It's the same flight time we flew last year and it worked.

They were too excited to play and see their toys last time we got home and I think that's what will happen this time too.

 

[MickeyShow]

I've done both flights and have found flight #1 to work better. DS gets a huge second wind when we get home and wants to play with all of his toys. With the first flight he can do that while we unpack in peace and then go to bed on time. With the second flight he winds up staying up way too late when we get home when he's already exhausted from the vacation and traveling.

 

[saraheliz]

we had these same choices, as we are also flying in and out of boston.

we chose the earlier time because were are flying on a weekday and didn't want to deal with traffic out of logan rush hour.

if it's the weekend, though, i'd go with the later time.

 

[MyVirtueAidan]

I'm trying to decide on flight times to and from Disney World with my 2 little ones. They will be just over 3 when we go in October.

For the flight home here are our choices:
1. Leave Orlando 10:25 AM Arrive Boston 1:15 PM
2. Leave Orlando 2:59 PM Arrive Boston 5:49 PM

Which would you choose? My main concern is that they won't sleep the night we get home. Last trip we flew the times of the 1st flight.
Thanks!!

Hello Fellow New Englandah!!!!

Our last visit to the world was in June of 08... We decided last year on our option 2... And boy did I mess up!!! Yes it was nice to have the morning and early afternoon still at DW but It didn't work for us... Children slept the entire flight home which I though would be good... As soon as we landed grabbed luggage and went strait to car... Found ourselves on the road at about 7pm but we were stuck in some massive traffic on I93... It was terrible... DD1 at the time cried the entire way home... DS4 was even louder and crankier!!! The traffic was unbareable... Didn't actully get home till nearly 10PM!!! Massive Construction not to mention the normal 6pm traffic that was still stand still!!! It was just too much... I really think that If we would have taken the earlier flight it would have been much better!!! Lesson learned... This time we leave the world around 10am for sure!!!