Flying with 3 & 1 yr old

[akmdisney08]

Okay...this is our first trip to Disney. We leave in 2 days!!! It is also our first time flying with both our gilrs (3 and 1 yr old). I am not too worried about our 3 yr old b/c we are taking a portable dvd player. I am however worried about the 1 yr old. My husband opted to have the 1 yr old as a lap baby (trying to save some $$). So any suggestions? I have a ton of snacks packed. We will be flying mid-morning which sometimes she naps, but it will also fall into their lunchtime. I am really trying not to stress out about it b/c I know they can pick up on that sort of stuff.

Another question...do we need to take any sort of id for the girls to fly?

 

[southtexasmom]

you will need a copy of the 1 yr olds birth certificate just in case the airline asks for it to prove she isn't 2 yet

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Welcome to the DIS
I don't have any tips, but I'm going to lurk 'cause I'll be flying too with a toddler and I don't know any great ways to keep her entertained.

 

[gibsontrio]

there is something you can purchase on one step ahead that is like a seat belt for your child on your lap.. here is the link
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=323&cmSource=Search

 

[chessie2008]

The portable DVD player is a great idea!!! I hadn't thought of that - do you know if there is any restrictions having that on the plane?

 

[bigbabyblues]

You can't turn the DVD player on until after you reach the "cruising altitude", or whatever it's called. It has to be turned off I believe when you start the descent. Other than that, no restrictions that I remember. We didn't use ours, but our flight was full of cheerleaders/dancers and they were using them.

To the OP, no suggestions. The first time I EVER flew was when we took our boys to WDW for the first time. They were 3 years old and 15 months old, and they did fine. They did better than I did, I don't like to fly. The (then) 3-yo loved it, he had a window seat and that kept him occupied for most of the flight. The baby got fussy while we were waiting to board (our flight was delayed and we flew at night), but went to sleep almost as soon as we put him in his carseat on the plane. He didn't wake up until we were landing, and then he just looked around and pointed at things. The flight home was about the same, but we flew in the morning and they didn't sleep. Little guy had his Mickey Mouse and a couple books and he was fine.

Have a great trip!

 

[TaraZ]

My DD is 2 and has flown at least 7 or 8 round trips so far. Here is what has worked--

1. Snacks. Esp. important during takeoff and landing so that little ears don't pop. I usually just give her a snack trap full of cheerios (with another in reserve if we need it)

2. DVD-- it usually only takes 15 or so minutes to get to crusing altitude... I use snacks til then.

3. Books-- I usually keep a couple brand new books to give her during the flight-- she LOVES Dora, so I get at least one new Dora book.

4. Coloring books & a couple crayons-- for the 3y.o.

5. MAGNADOODLE!!! We draw shapes, pictures, etc. I can waste 45 minutes that way!

BTW- I use my DD"s carseat as her plane seat. I alays buy her a seat of her own-- for my own sanity!

Please let me know if you have other questions!!!

 

[all4fun]

This site is geared more for long/international flights but still has lots of great info:
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/
I wouldn't bother with the baby b'aire vest. Per the FAA it can only be used during the cruise portion of the flight (not during taxi, take off, or landing). The FAA also recommends using a car seat up to 40lbs. If you'll be renting a car, I'd definitely take the 3yr olds and use it on the plane. You will have to check the 1yr olds seat. If you're using DME and just taking the bus everywhere then you don't have to take the car seat on board the plane...it's up to you. We used a car seat on board up until ds was four because he was light for his age, and I also didn't want to worry about trying to reason with him to keep his seatbelt buckled up for six hours. For us, it was a sanity saver and worth lugging it thru the airport.

I second the recommendation to bring snacks. I also recommend buying a bottle of water just after security as the air on airplanes always dehydrates me and it's nice not to have to wait for the drink cart (and then get a tiny little cup of liquid lol). Also bring sippy cups but FYI the disposable kind don't work well on planes because of the air pressure (btdt!). I recommend bringing the regular kind that have straws or valves.

hth!

 

[CEC's Mom]

We flew with our twin DD's in Oct. who were just turning one. They did pretty well (both flew as lap babies). We had bottles, pacifiers, and snacks for them. We also brought a few toys, but I would recommend soft toys since they occasionally liked to fling them and I wouldn't want anybody to get hit in the head.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

Color wonder books and markers are great. We flew Air Tran on our last trip and my oldest LOVED the headphones w/satellite radio. Lots of snacks. Make sure to have drinks for pressure on ears. How about window clings?

 

[DevilDuckie]

If the infant is being breastfed, remember that during takeoff is a really good time for it. A bottle will do as well but the combination of the sucking motion and the comfort will get a little one through popping ears as painlessly as possible.

My son and I flew across country several times during the first year of his life. Think single piece toys (no stacking rings) that do not make noise. Nobody, including you, wants to listen to a bell ringing or a squeaker honking for the entire flight. I opted for things with texture and moving parts and bright colors. I tried to always include a tried and true favorite and if possible one new toy for the novelty factor.

 

[dunbarfamily]

We have taken many airplane trips with our children and the only thing I can think of is to not be afraid to get up and walk with the baby. Really, it is fine to do. I've paced the aisles many, many times with a somewhat fussy little one. Most of the time, people will entertain the baby as we walk by, so it helps break the baby's crabby mood because of the novelty of a new face to look at. You can stand back by the restrooms too.

Have a great trip to the World! Your children are at perfect ages!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Oh, I've never, EVER broght a birth certificate or any other id for my children, except when we went on a Disney cruise in Jan. I've never been questioned about their ages.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Does anyone know if I could bring a sippy cup with milk in it through security? I know you can with bottles, just no sure about sippy cups

 

[dunbarfamily]

No milk in the sippy cup. I ran into this a few trips ago. Our dd was about 19 months old and was no longer nursing. I actually called the airline and TSA and both said no, that I should bring an empty sippy cup and then buy milk in the secured area. Every airport I've been in, even the teensy tiny in the middle of nowhere airports have at least had a water fountain, so if you couldn't get milk, you can at least get water.