Flying to Disneyland with a Preschooler - First Time!

[Tazicket]

Full disclosure - I started a post on the Disney for Families board, too but wanted to post here as well in case there are tips for traveling with a little dude that are specific to Disneyland.

Our family will be flying to Disneyland later this year. It will be the first time we've ever taken DS on a plane and he will be 4. We've stuck with visiting places within driving distance up to this point, so travel logistics have never been a big deal before. I'm hoping that someone here with more travel experience will be able to help us out.

We're thinking we will get him a CARES harness for the plane, but how do taxis work for little ones who need car seats? Do we need to bring something with us for the taxi, or will they have a car seat? We won't really need a car while we're there - just transport to the hotel and then back to the airport at the end of the trip. Maybe one more small ride to the beach and back.

So how does that all work when you're in a strange city without your car?

 

[SMD]

You have to install the car seat and the meter runs while you're installing it. Are you flying into LAX or SNA? A taxi would be $100+ each way from LAX, so in that case you might want to look for a hotel with free parking just so you could rent a car and not have to uninstall and reinstall the car seat. You'd also need to provide one for a shuttle van. They are not required for the large Grayline charter bus, DL resort express.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

At age 4 he might just need a booster not a carseat. Either way just bring your own from home if you are going to take a taxi. All airlines will let you carry on your seat/booster for free on the plane. pp is right that a taxi will not provide any seats, and you will have to install it yourself while the meter runs, which is why a booster would be way easier if he's big enough for them.There are some private car companies that provide a seat for you. We have used DK Livery in the past and had a great experience with them.

 

[YukonMommy]

Traveling with a toddler is different for everyone, the key is to do what will work best for you and your child.

I would consider myself a flying pro with children as I have 4 and the oldest first time on a plane was at 12 days old. I personally so not use harnesses on planes. My kids knew the rule of you must seat buckle in and stay there unless you have to go to the bathroom or we are getting off (I started teaching this as soon as they began to sit in their own seat at just over 2!) A lot of airplanes have TV's to watch. We also always brought a few small snacks and bought a bottle of water after security to take on the plane. Gum or suckers are a must for take off and landings for their ears (carrying some kids Tylenol is a must!) we also took small activity books and markers, playdough, travel pillows, a small set of lego and their favorite stuffed animal (keep an eye on those suckers as it sucks running back through the airport because it was left behind!)

We always found it easier to book with a company that can provide carseats or just take a bus where you do not need them!

Have a magical time!

 

[Tazicket]

Thanks so much! We're flying into John Wayne in Orange County because it's smaller and ultimately closer to where we want to go. DS is tall and skinny, so he tends to wind up on the lower end of the weight charts. I'd love to be able to do a booster rather than a car seat (his car seat is freaking huge), but I guess we'll have to wait until we get a little closer to make that call.

Thanks for the private car company recommendation! We'll be staying pretty close to the parks and are planning to spend most of our time right there, so we'd rather not have to rent a car and then pay for it to sit in the lot for the bulk of our trip.

I really appreciate the tips!

 

[nikkislaght]

There is an inflatable booster seat you can buy, its called a bubblebum, you can get them online or at Walmart.. don't know where you are from..
here is what it says from the website
For children ages 4 - 11, 40 to 100 lbs

• Inflatable, Foldable and Portable - great for travel, car rentals, taxis, tight "3 across" fits, carpools and caregivers

• Easily fit three car seats across the back seat with BubbleBum because it's 13" wide.

• Rated a "Best Bet" Booster by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Winner of many awards including The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

• When deflated, it easily fits in a handbag or backpack.

When my son was younger and we traveled by plane, I always got a few small new toys. and would bring them out at certain hours.. playdough is good , paper and markers. his own snacks.. and drink after security .. and I would take an inflatable ball, at the gate we would find an empty area and kick the ball around.. my son has ADHD, and so needs to run around.. as he got older he also took a skipping rope, and would skip for ages.. always found an empty gate to play at so we didn't bother people.. we also took headphones and a MP3 player with books on tape and music that he loves..
you can make a couple of re useable writing pages.. by laminating some paper , punching a hole on the side and using a binder ring and using the Vis a Vis white board pens , they clear off better.. and a sock to clean .. or even getting a DVD cover.. putting white paper behind the plastic and the pens inside. instant white board and pen carrier..
when getting on the plane.. you can do it two ways... get on the plane with the first wave of travelers and settle in.. or if travelling with a partner . they get on the plane with all your stuff and then you get on towards the last wave of travelers.. .
Hope you have a great trip...

 

[BeveMom]

At age 4 he might just need a booster not a carseat. Either way just bring your own from home if you are going to take a taxi. All airlines will let you carry on your seat/booster for free on the plane. pp is right that a taxi will not provide any seats, and you will have to install it yourself while the meter runs, which is why a booster would be way easier if he's big enough for them.There are some private car companies that provide a seat for you. We have used DK Livery in the past and had a great experience with them.

The bold part is not entirely true. You do not have to pay to take your seat, true, and if you are using a carseat ON the plane, it is very easy. If you plan on gate checking it, many airlines will no longer allow this. This is definitely true for boosters. I had a HUGE argument with the gate agent for United (and then his supervisor, later) at the San Diego airport last summer about it. I was allowed to gate check on the way there, but they wouldn't allow it on the way back. So just be aware.

Honestly, when we flew with DS (now 8) at that age, I made him sit in his carseat on the plane. It works well unless your kid is a seat kicker. He actually a better plane traveler than car tripper for whatever reason, and we've been doing both with him since he was a baby. For your little guy's age, I'd recommend a lot of snacks, and a few new toys. The novelty of flying will probably keep him occupied for a while too, especially if he gets the window seat. Have a great time!!!

 

[tralin]

So exciting. I first took my dd at age 4 to WDW. We flew from Vancouver, Canada to Orlando. My recommendations from that 9.5 hour travel day with a brand new 4 year old........ kids gravol, it calmed her down (some will sleep, not mine but she is much calmer). Also pipe cleaners, you can make anything, and a deck of cards. I think we played war (and she practiced her numbers) a good part of the way. You didn't ask but one last brilliant tip that was passed onto me that I will share is make sure you get some small glow in the dark sticks. We used them on all the dark rides. Gave her some light without disturbing anyone else's experience. She only ever used them on each ride once (once she knew what to expect she didn't want them anymore) and she even shared with other kids that looked scared in the lineup. In the end at years old, the Tower or Terror was her most favorite ride followed very closely by POTC. Thank you glow sticks. Oh, lastly, I bought her a very expensive leap pad for on the plane and didn't give it to her until she was bored, it lasted 3 minutes. I am not kidding. Biggest waste of money every. Also, her own pillow and small blanket if you have a long flight. Have a fabulous time.

 

[Carolynleanne]

I think everyone covered the plane travel bit pretty good - but I did want to add that you can book the Disneyland Resort Express to your hotel if you don't have a car seat. It's a greyline big bus that doesn't have seat belts, so we hold the boys on our lap. We always take this shuttle because we don't want to lug two car seats around the airport (our boys are 3 and 1)

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'd rent a car or take a shuttle. It will be cheaper than taxis. Since your child is 4, consider bringing a booster seat. It's easiest to install quickly. That's really all I've got. Good luck!

 

[alisen96]

I second the Disneyland Resort Express. Here is the link so you can see if they drop off at or near your hotel...http://www.graylineanaheim.com/airport_info.cfm

You can click on their brochure to find all the details. You just need to arrive at SNA before 7pm to take it.

 

[lovetogowdw]

I'm planning my first DLR trip with my 4yo, so wondering the same. Only done 1hr flights to WDW. In FL have always done CARES straps on plane (love them and not lugging heavy car seat!), then Safe Traffic System's vest instead of booster for taxi or carservice ride. Are there any rules in California against these vests for use instead of a booster?

 

[DisneyDreamer1229]

We have used Super Shuttle from the John Wayne airport, you get on right outside the airport and it drops you off at the entrance to your hotel. From John Wayne, it was $11 per person I think, much cheaper than taking a taxi the first time we went down. The only downside is having to provide a car seat.

If you do go the car seat route, while I am not sure that this is true for all airlines, but just in case, we were told after we had the seat and the child strapped in that it was required to be in the window seat for safety reasons.

Hope that helps and good luck with your trip!!

 

[Kulshy]

I want to second the idea of the BubbleBum. We have one and plan to bring it for taxis. It folds down to about the size of a shoebox and weighs nothing. And it works well! I wouldn't use it as an everyday car seat, but for short cab rides, it will be perfect. I think mine was on sale on Amazon for $22.00.

Edit: I have a 40#, 42" almost 5 year old.

 

[nikkislaght]

One thing you should check,, if taking your own car seat on the plane. it needs be air safety compliant.. it will tell you on the sticker on the bottom if it is..

 

[MommyJKM]

Thanks so much! We're flying into John Wayne in Orange County because it's smaller and ultimately closer to where we want to go. DS is tall and skinny, so he tends to wind up on the lower end of the weight charts. I'd love to be able to do a booster rather than a car seat (his car seat is freaking huge), but I guess we'll have to wait until we get a little closer to make that call.

We usually rent a car but last year took the Disneyland Resort Express with 3 kids instead of lugging around 3 carseats/boosters and LOVED it! I highly recommend! And there is an unadvertised AAA rate that makes it $20 and kids ride free.

My DD is 4 and isn't 40lbs yet so she still has a large carseat which is really cumbersome when grabbing luggage. DD has probably flown over 20times and I've never bought the harness, it's unccessary. Kids are squirmy anyway but at 4 they are aware of rules and keeping the seatbelt on isn't nearly as hard as you would think. We make a game out of it and pretend we are practicing for Disneyland rides.

As a PP said, we bring snacks and iPad and books. If you go to the Target $1 $3 bins you can find those all-in-one crayon and paper sets. I usually buy brand new coloring books/crayons/markers and put them in a backpack for her and it's like a gift that morning!

Remember to bring gummy candies in case his ears are plugged up.

If you take a taxi to the beach, ask your hotel to get you a company that will bring a carseat.

Enjoy