Flying help!

[kdlucie]

so last time we went to Disney was in Nov 2013 and we drove from PA. Long drive but kids did great. We are going back this Nov 18-25 and had been planning on driving, leaving the 17 and arriving on the 18 in time to check in and head to the Christmas party at MK.

My husband just found out he has a meeting the morning of the 18. We now have to fly. I should mention I am terrified of flying, have not flown in 10 years. So while I figure that aspect out for myself I know need to totally rethink our travel from packing to hopefully still arriving in time for the party to not having a car which that part will be ok I think.

My kids are 10, 8, and 4 and have never flown either. I guess I'm looking for any threads to help, advice on preparing etc. any good places to start would be amazing thank you! We are doing a split stay first at POR and then CR.

 

[MarBee]

Well, have you chosen your airlines and flights yet? That will be a big determinant as to how to pack and plan.
I personally like to fly Southwest because each person is allowed to check 2 bags for free as well as being a carry on. You can definitely pack easily with 3 bags per person.
Disney also makes flying much easier if you're staying on property. They will send you luggage tags in the mail with your magic bands. Simply put on the luggage tags onto your checked bags. After you check them, you won't have to touch them again because Disney will take them directly to your room. (If you are flying late at night, they may not get there until the next day.)
Once you get to the airport, the Magical Express will take you to your hotel free of charge. Then you can utilize the bus system to get to parks once at the hotel. When you do your split stay, apparently, you can have bell services at the hotel ship them to the next hotel. (I have never done a split stay personally.)
When it's time to leave, the Magical Express will pick you up about 3 hours before your flight and take you to the airport free of charge.
Just make sure Disney has your flight information!

 

[anneboleyn]

I am also from PA and have driven to Disney World every year up until last year. My daughter and I flew out of Latrobe last year and let me tell you, I will never drive there again. Being there in 2 hours as opposed to 20 hours was amazing. And the Magical Express taking you to your hotel and having your bags dropped off was so convenient. Flying is terrifying to me too, but then again, I was also scared driving the whole way down there. I would rather be scared for 2 hours than 20 lol

 

[Nancyg56]

We fly. My adult DD is afraid as well, but she flys so we get there in 3 hours. I sympathize, because if you decide to do this, you know you need to figure out how to manage, and that cannot be easy.

I look at non stop for my flight choices, and wil pay a little more for that convenience. We take the first flight out, and try to take one of the latest flights back in, but with kids, school, etc, that may not be you best bet.

Disney makes it so easy, you take DME to your resort, your bags magically appear, and then when you are ready to leave, you check your bags with airline checkin, and you are done.

 

[Klayfish]

Born and raised in PA, lived there until 2 years ago. We always flew. Now I live in Atlanta, so it's only an 8 hour drive. From a packing perspective, it's honestly no different at all. The only difference for us now is that we bring a cooler of food, which we didn't used to do when we flew. Otherwise, it's the same.

Flying is easy. From Philly, it's a 2 hour flight. Airlines are a personal preference. I hate...no...despise...Southwest and will only fly them as a last resort. But that's just me, others love them. I like the low cost carriers like Spirit or Frontier.

 

[alliecat523]

Take a direct flight, if possible. Combine packing to reduce luggage and fees.

 

[Jennasis]

Talk to your doctor about prescribing you something for the flight. Xanax is a wonderful thing.

 

[maxiesmom]

First off, find your airfare asap. But make sure you read everything as not all airlines have the same rules. Southwest doesn't have seat assignments, but you can chose to pay for Early Bird Check In, which puts your boarding position ahead of those who don't pay for it. Delta airlines has a bargain basement fair that doesn't assign seats either, but with that you get the leftover seats that no one else has picked. Read everything before booking your fare!

If you need more details on flying, hop over to the Transportation Board. Contrary to what you may have heard, we are a friendly bunch.

 

[Praying Colonel]

so last time we went to Disney was in Nov 2013 and we drove from PA. Long drive but kids did great. We are going back this Nov 18-25 and had been planning on driving, leaving the 17 and arriving on the 18 in time to check in and head to the Christmas party at MK.

My husband just found out he has a meeting the morning of the 18. We now have to fly. I should mention I am terrified of flying, have not flown in 10 years. So while I figure that aspect out for myself I know need to totally rethink our travel from packing to hopefully still arriving in time for the party to not having a car which that part will be ok I think.

My kids are 10, 8, and 4 and have never flown either. I guess I'm looking for any threads to help, advice on preparing etc. any good places to start would be amazing thank you! We are doing a split stay first at POR and then CR.

You may want to post this on the Transportation Board--lots of good tips and helpful members there.

 

[k8Davies]

Is there anyway you could drive with the Kids and then your husband just gets the flight down and you can all drive back together?

 

[85glht]

Well, have you chosen your airlines and flights yet? That will be a big determinant as to how to pack and plan.
I personally like to fly Southwest because each person is allowed to check 2 bags for free as well as being a carry on. You can definitely pack easily with 3 bags per person.
Disney also makes flying much easier if you're staying on property. They will send you luggage tags in the mail with your magic bands. Simply put on the luggage tags onto your checked bags. After you check them, you won't have to touch them again because Disney will take them directly to your room. (If you are flying late at night, they may not get there until the next day.)
Once you get to the airport, the Magical Express will take you to your hotel free of charge. Then you can utilize the bus system to get to parks once at the hotel. When you do your split stay, apparently, you can have bell services at the hotel ship them to the next hotel. (I have never done a split stay personally.)
When it's time to leave, the Magical Express will pick you up about 3 hours before your flight and take you to the airport free of charge.
Just make sure Disney has your flight information!

All this AND, you can check in with your airline at the resort before boarding the Magical express bus on your trip home. The next time you see your bags are at your final destination (home). 2.5 hours in the air is better than 20 hours on the road.
We were traveling to WDW with another family, we flew, they drove.... The were in an accident on their way down. No one was hurt (thank God) but it delayed their arrival by 5 hours. They were exhausted when they finally arrived.

Another story..... Same family traveling with us, they drove we flew. We live in the Northeast. Trip went well, they dropped us off at the airport and we went our separate ways. We landed at our home airport, went home, went to pick up the dog at my Inlaws, went grocery shopping and finally settled in our living room. I called my best friend, (the family that drove to WDW and are on the road home) and asked where they were? He said they just got into South Carolina. I said that "we were in our living room". I cannot post here what came out of his mouth after I said that,lol. He then hung up on me. I still bust his stones about that.

 

[bumbershoot]

Disney also makes flying much easier if you're staying on property. They will send you luggage tags in the mail with your magic bands. Simply put on the luggage tags onto your checked bags. After you check them, you won't have to touch them again because Disney will take them directly to your room. (If you are flying late at night, they may not get there until the next day.)

The luggage tags that come with MBs are *souvenir* tags, not the DME tags. And they are ONLY sent if you booked a proper magic your way package.

The DME tags are yellow and sticky, like tags at the airport. They are not sent with MBs.

If you are landing between 10pm and 5 am there is no delivery service. If you put tags on with a landing during that time they will go to the carousel, float around there for who knows how long until noticed by luggage personnel. They will then be put away where they kept left luggage. In the morning someone might notice the yellow tags and get them to DME people and then they would get to you.

I would never rely on this.

Late arrival contingency plans don't apply to the OP because they'll be flying after hubby's meeting but before the party. But I couldn't handle that info being left there to be read.

Flying is terrifying to me too, but then again, I was also scared driving the whole way down there. I would rather be scared for 2 hours than 20 lol

Yep.

And accident statistics are on the side of fliers. Flyers? Hmm.

Talk to your doctor about prescribing you something for the flight. Xanax is a wonderful thing.

My dear friend just had to fly home after her mom died. She had to medicate and it worked for her. It did, however, put a huge burden on her husband having to solely care for their children and luggage and, really, her, so it's worth being aware of that. Everyone's different, and levels of fear are different. For me personally I'd rather fly afraid (and I have) than be drugged, because drugs mess me up BIG time. Even non-drowsy allergy drugs knock me down like a rhino tranquilizer. It's really important for a person to know how they will react to those drugs before a high importance moment, like a flight squeezed between a meeting and getting there for the party.

 

[Jennasis]

My dear friend just had to fly home after her mom died. She had to medicate and it worked for her. It did, however, put a huge burden on her husband having to solely care for their children and luggage and, really, her, so it's worth being aware of that. Everyone's different, and levels of fear are different. For me personally I'd rather fly afraid (and I have) than be drugged, because drugs mess me up BIG time. Even non-drowsy allergy drugs knock me down like a rhino tranquilizer. It's really important for a person to know how they will react to those drugs before a high importance moment, like a flight squeezed between a meeting and getting there for the party.

I would not recommend trying a prescription out for the first time on one's flight. For me, TWO Xanax (at .25mg each) would knock me out. For a flight, HALF of a .25mg takes the edge off for me and allows me to function quite normally. One should always consult with their doctor.

 

[bearybubba]

Another PA flyer and driver here. The last time we drove to WDW was back in 2000, and we swore at that time that we would never do it again (unless we are in a luxury RV!). I used to be afraid of flying but I've become much calmer when I fly. Honestly, what helped me was to keep busy during the flight (and Xanax but that has already been discussed). I would pick up some Mickey Mouse coloring books and I would color on our 2.5 hour flight. I got some looks (we have no children) but it was really relaxing. This was before the recent adult coloring book craze, of course. And now, I don't even need the Xanax to fly. My brother (41yo) and mom (60-ish) are flying for the first time this Dec (from Pittsburgh) and I already have some Disney ColorWonder books for them.
We fly Southwest because of the free bags and their schedules work well with ours. We take non-stop flights so we don't have to mess around with a lot of the up and down of taking off and landing or any plane changes. When you pack, remember to pack at least 1 outfit for each person in to your different suitcases, just in case the airline loses a bag.
To help with getting thru security at the airport, maybe you can go to your local airport to see what you have to do as far as taking shoes and coats off, etc. You can also do a 'mock run' at home so you and the kids know what to do...
Remember that your kids will be looking to you while flying so if you are nervous, they will be too. Good luck!

 

[maxiesmom]

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule

Look this over too. And remember anything that doesn't hold it's shape outside of a container is considered a liquid.

 

[kdlucie]

Is there anyway you could drive with the Kids and then your husband just gets the flight down and you can all drive back together?

Unfortunately no...I was hit by a transit bus several years ago as a pedestrian and had a traumatic brain injury...I was very lucky but have residual vision issues that don't allow me to drive for longer than an hour. That accident also contributes to my anxiety of flying ironically!

 

[kdlucie]

Thank you all so much for the replies... We haven't booked yet but will only book a direct flight and it looks like our choices are Frontier (most likely because of timing) and American. I didn't see southwest as an option which I was surprised by.

And believe me I'm not planning on getting Xanax and crossing my fingers...I will probably have several conversations with my dr. I certainly don't want to pass this fear onto my kiddos! And I don't want to feel to drugged t all, just relaxed so by the time we land I'm like hey that was easy let's fly everywhere!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Thank you all so much for the replies... We haven't booked yet but will only book a direct flight and it looks like our choices are Frontier (most likely because of timing) and American. I didn't see southwest as an option which I was surprised by.

And believe me I'm not planning on getting Xanax and crossing my fingers...I will probably have several conversations with my dr. I certainly don't want to pass this fear onto my kiddos! And I don't want to feel to drugged t all, just relaxed so by the time we land I'm like hey that was easy let's fly everywhere!!

I find xanax doesn't make me feel drugged at all. But if you decide to try it, do try it out before your trip, to make sure it doesn't affect you badly.

 

[mister morrow]

NJ flyer here.

My mom used to have anxiety about flying until she took Xanax. I would be more afraid to drive in a car for 18 hours than fly on a plane for 2.

Also early morning flights are a wonder imo because you're like half asleep on the plane.

Book air-fare asap, and I hope you have an amazing vacation!

 

[MarBee]

Thank you all so much for the replies... We haven't booked yet but will only book a direct flight and it looks like our choices are Frontier (most likely because of timing) and American. I didn't see southwest as an option which I was surprised by.

And believe me I'm not planning on getting Xanax and crossing my fingers...I will probably have several conversations with my dr. I certainly don't want to pass this fear onto my kiddos! And I don't want to feel to drugged t all, just relaxed so by the time we land I'm like hey that was easy let's fly everywhere!!

Just an FYI, if you are looking at Expedia or a similar site, Southwest flights won't come up. Go directly onto their site to see if there's flights.