Getting a toddler thru security by yourself?

[aubriee]

I am thinking about taking my 2 1/2 y/o grandson to WDW for some GM-GS alone time. My D-I-L is not a Disney fan and has no intention of ever taking him. Both she and my son have said they have no problem with me taking him anytime I want though, so I am thinking of taking him on my upcoming Nov/Dec trip. He won't be quite 3 y/o. The only thing I'd take on the plane would be a backpack with stuff we might need on the plane, so I'd have both hands free to deal with him. I'd be renting a stroller from one of the offsite places down there. My only concern is getting him through airport security by myself. He has never flown. He is an easy going kid that's very easy to take care of, but can be timid when it comes to new situations. He's not going to like me putting him down, then having to wait, while I walk through security by myself, before he can come through. If you are by yourself, how do you get yourself and a toddler through the scanners? Also if you were by yourself, would you mess with dealing with a carseat or just let him sit in the plane seat? We'd be using Disney transportation, so would not need a carseat in Orlando.

 

[Junebugwv]

I have flown a few times with my daughter and 3 small grand children and I think one child would be very manageable. I think security can be the challenge, depending on your airport. Just think through the process of having your boarding passes and ID ready, removing 2 pairs of shoes, jackets and your backpack. We have never been separated from the kids going through scanners. They were either right in front or behind us...more a matter of inches than feet.

I would not use a car seat unless using a rental car.

Keeping your hands free is a good idea, but you'll be carrying him quite a bit since there is so much distance to cover in airports.

 

[LaurenT]

You won't have any trouble. I traveled many times alone with my daughter when she was a toddler (she's 8 now). I send her thru the detector first and then I follow, you can try that and if he's too shy, just say, "watch me do it"...then he can follow you. The security people are always great with little kids, they don't want to scare them.

 

[kylieh]

When my DD was younger (and still now I guess) I always had her walk through first to the security person. And I let her know about it on the way to the airport so it wasn't a big surprise when we arrived. Close to the time, depending on him, he may wish to see a photo of the walk through or a security area.

 

[aubriee]

I have flown a few times with my daughter and 3 small grand children and I think one child would be very manageable. I think security can be the challenge, depending on your airport. Just think through the process of having your boarding passes and ID ready, removing 2 pairs of shoes, jackets and your backpack. We have never been separated from the kids going through scanners. They were either right in front or behind us...more a matter of inches than feet.

I would not use a car seat unless using a rental car.

Keeping your hands free is a good idea, but you'll be carrying him quite a bit since there is so much distance to cover in airports.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance!

I'm not worried about handling him once I get through airport security. He's a great kid, is very bright and articulate (was completely potty trained by the time he turned two), minds well, is not a picky eater, and is always very laid back and easy going. He just doesn't like the unfamiliar. The trip would be based entirely on what he'd like to do and would be at his pace. Just in case I do decide to take him, I've already made alot of ADRs for character meals every day. I thought we'd try them and if he is scared of the characters, I can always cancel them. We'd only spend a few hours at the parks in the mornings and if he wants to do the same ride over and over we will. I'd just play each day by ear, according to what he might want to do. We'd go back to the room after lunch and probably spend alot of time in the pool if it's not too cold. (He has a pool at home that he loves and he's taking swimming lessons this summer and doing well.) Then after a nap, we'd go back to a park again. I go to WDW several times a year and couldn't care less how much we get done and he's never been, so wouldn't know what he missed. Our touring would be very laid back. I also have an AP to Universal, so may go over there for a day to let him play in their kiddy areas. He has a 14 y/o step sister, that I've taken on GD-GM trips since she was about 6 years old. She's always been my little travel buddy, but I never traveled with her as a toddler. Each trip was always tailored for her. I guided her, but we always did pretty much exactly what she wanted to do. I know I got almost sick one year riding Triceratop Spin about ten times in a row for her.lol It was her favorite ride and I made the mistake going at a very slow time of the year and telling her we'd ride it as many times as she wanted, so we were able to just walk on repeatedly. I also followed her around Disney Quest for an entire day and night one trip. We had planned to spend a half day there, but round up getting there at opening and not leaving until almost closing. Now it's her brother's turn for some one on one time with GM and we'll do things he'll enjoy. The only thing I was really concerned about was getting him through airport security by myself and if we needed his car seat on the plane. Oh, and convincing him to take his shoes off to walk through security.

He's small for his age, so I should be able to get everything we might need for the flight in a single backpack that will fit under the seat. I plan on bringing him an extra outfit, extra underwear, plenty of snacks, an empty sippy cup, and probably some new toys to keep him occupied on the plane. The only other things that would be in there, would be an envelope with our trip paperwork, a small wristlet with my ID, CC, AP, TIW card, some Disney gift cards, insurance cards, notarized paperwork saying I can travel with him and get medical care for him if needed, and a little cash, my camera, and a cell phone. I'd probably use the back pack itself as our park bag. He's very active, but not a runner usually and will hold my hand, but I still want my hands empty just in case I need to carry him. I'm still debating on carrying him now or waiting until he's a little older though. I know there's alot for him to do down there, but still alot he would be too small to do too.

 

[Alexander]

I have flown with both of my kids alone several times a year. When they were toddlers and had to walk through security themselves, I always sent them first so I could always see them. I did not want them behind me when I went through. It is much easier to coax a little one through first than have him/her refuse to come through once you are. If he is truly small enough, they may let you carry him through especially if he is acting very afraid of being set down. I honestly don't remember how old my kids were when they began walking through.

OT--My DS was about 3 and we were stepping onto an escalator in a mall and just as I stepped on he let go of my hand and stayed at the top. My older DS was still there so I told him to grab his brother's hand and step on. DS (3) did the same thing again. So there we both were on the down escalator running up because my 3 y/o was alone at the top! Finally an elderly man took his hand and stepped right on for us! I learned to never assume my son would follow me and always make him go first now.

Edited to add--we always call the scanner a picture thing. DS had to put his stuffed toy and blankie through the x-ray machine so we would tell him that they were taking a picture of them. Then when we walked through we told him it was his time for a picture.

 

[aubriee]

Edited to add--we always call the scanner a picture thing. DS had to put his stuffed toy and blankie through the x-ray machine so we would tell him that they were taking a picture of them. Then when we walked through we told him it was his time for a picture.

Good idea!

I took my GD (his older sister) to San Antonio for our first GM-GD trip, when she was about 4 or 5 y/o. At that time she had a green stuffed bunny that she couldn't sleep without. We were only doing two rolling carry ons that trip, so packed the bunny in her carry on. I did warn her that he'd have to go through the scanner. However, as I put the carry ons on the belt and told her to walk through to the TSA agent, she suddenly went ballistic, screaming, "bunny, bunny, they're killing him". Everyone around there was laughing. I could have killed her. Once we both got through security and grabbed our bags, she insisted on checking on her bunny. She yanked him out of the bag, started hugging him, and said, "Oh bunny thank goodness you're alive. I thought I'd lost you". Coming back I had bought her a large stuffed dolphin that we had to carry on as a personal item, because it was too long to go in the carry on and also a stuffed Shamu whale. The morning I was packing to come home, I was having to squish her rabbit and Shamu into her carry on. I had the rabbit face down, pushing him in. She started complaining I was going to hurt her rabbit. I told her either I squeezed him in, or he got left in San Antonio. She ran over, started stuffing him in with both hands, saying "hold your breath, hold your breath, you gotta fit". Thank goodness my grandson doesn't have anything that he must carry with him like that. Uh oh, I just realized he never lets go of his sippy cups if he's out and about.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You should be fine. You might want to watch this video:

http://mfile.akamai.com/25703/wmv/tsagov.download.akamai.com/25703/htdocs/assets/wmv/vid3_kids.asx

Also lots of useful info here:

http://www.jetwithkids.com/

No need to bring the carseat if you aren't renting a car.

 

[aubriee]

You should be fine. You might want to watch this video:

http://mfile.akamai.com/25703/wmv/tsagov.download.akamai.com/25703/htdocs/assets/wmv/vid3_kids.asx

Also lots of useful info here:

http://www.jetwithkids.com/

No need to bring the carseat if you aren't renting a car.

Thanks! Really good info!

 

[mom2brooke76]

I've been flying regularly with my dd who is now 7, and she also is super tiny for her age. When she was that age they would let me carry her through usually. Now I have her walk ahead of me and go through first and wait for me on the other side.

As far as the carseat goes, I personally have never used one for my dd. I'm sure I'll get bashed by people, but until she was two she flew as a lap child (btw, I don't recommend them flying as a lap child past one because, in my experience, they don't like being still that long, making for an uncomfortable trip ). Since then she obviously gets her own seat and I just buckle her in. Having to keep up with a young child, stroller, carry on stuff, etc by myself is enough to deal with without having to manage a carseat, too. In the past I have considered renting a CARES harness, which is made for a plane (and you can rent on eBay), but just never did.

 

[SEC71]

You should be fine, I always send my toddler through the scanner first and then I go. If he has never flown before I would just talk to him about taking off his shoes and sending his backpack through the scanner prior to getting to the airport. My 3 year old is an expert flyer and can often be found instructing other passengers what they need to do at security!

 

[TDC Nala]

I saw some photos of the Octomom trying to get her kids through airport security...if she can do it anybody can.

 

[Maryrn11168]

I have 3 children, the youngest is now 8. I agree not to bring a car seat unless renting a car, just strap them in. I would reccomend a stroller. It can be a pain to put thru the scanner, but I always new where my toddler was. Take them out right before check point, put them right back in and then gate check stroller. It is right at the plane door when fight is over and they are right back in.

 

[aubriee]

I have 3 children, the youngest is now 8. I agree not to bring a car seat unless renting a car, just strap them in. I would reccomend a stroller. It can be a pain to put thru the scanner, but I always new where my toddler was. Take them out right before check point, put them right back in and then gate check stroller. It is right at the plane door when fight is over and they are right back in.

I thought I read something that only the small umbrella type strollers were being allowed to be checked at the gate now and that all other strollers had to be checked with the checked luggage. He has a very nice stroller, but if I had to check it and something happened to it, my daughter-in-law would kill me. (He's got a 3 month old baby brother that will be needing it in the future.) I thought it would just be easier to rent one down there from one of the offsite places. I'm not too worried about keeping up with him at the airport. Again he can be a little timid in new situations. He'll be clinging to me and looking around, not running around.

 

[peemagg]

If you are worried about his good stroller getting busted up on the trip. You could always get a nice umbrella style stroller that wouldn't be real expensive or big. I used Combi strollers when our little ones travel. They are light weight, fold up nice, and even recline. Nice to have in the parks.

I bet if you looked on E-bay or at yard sales you could find a nice stroller that would work and if it got damaged it wouldn't be a lot of money you would be out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I thought I read something that only the small umbrella type strollers were being allowed to be checked at the gate now and that all other strollers had to be checked with the checked luggage.

I think that's just on American (for now, anyway). If you know anybody who works for that airline, you might want to try to find out why they made that change.

 

[RMAMom]

Good idea!

I took my GD (his older sister) to San Antonio for our first GM-GD trip, when she was about 4 or 5 y/o. At that time she had a green stuffed bunny that she couldn't sleep without. We were only doing two rolling carry ons that trip, so packed the bunny in her carry on. I did warn her that he'd have to go through the scanner. However, as I put the carry ons on the belt and told her to walk through to the TSA agent, she suddenly went ballistic, screaming, "bunny, bunny, they're killing him". Everyone around there was laughing. I could have killed her. Once we both got through security and grabbed our bags, she insisted on checking on her bunny. She yanked him out of the bag, started hugging him, and said, "Oh bunny thank goodness you're alive. I thought I'd lost you". Coming back I had bought her a large stuffed dolphin that we had to carry on as a personal item, because it was too long to go in the carry on and also a stuffed Shamu whale. The morning I was packing to come home, I was having to squish her rabbit and Shamu into her carry on. I had the rabbit face down, pushing him in. She started complaining I was going to hurt her rabbit. I told her either I squeezed him in, or he got left in San Antonio. She ran over, started stuffing him in with both hands, saying "hold your breath, hold your breath, you gotta fit". Thank goodness my grandson doesn't have anything that he must carry with him like that. Uh oh, I just realized he never lets go of his sippy cups if he's out and about.

Thats really funny!!!!

I read your list of things to bring in your carry on and wanted to add that you may want to slip a pack of post it notes in there. Little people are usually afraid of the automatic flush because it's so loud and unexpected. A post it over the sensor will stop it from flushing until your ready for it to flush! He may not be bothered by it but it's such a simple solution to what could be a huge problem I thought I'd mention it.

 

[aubriee]

I think that's just on American (for now, anyway). If you know anybody who works for that airline, you might want to try to find out why they made that change.

We'd be flying out Nov 26th, but with Air Tran's last flight out of DFW being Nov 21st, our options for flying out DFW is pretty much limited to American, if I want a nonstop flight which I do. As long as I can keep my hands empty, I may not need a stroller in the airport anyway. He's got one, but truthfully I don't know if he's ever even been it it. The only reason I plan on renting one for WDW is I know he'll get tired and may be willing to sit in one. His parents took his on vacation last summer when they went to some amusement parks in Tennessee and Virginia, but they said he didn't use it.

Thats really funny!!!!

I read your list of things to bring in your carry on and wanted to add that you may want to slip a pack of post it notes in there. Little people are usually afraid of the automatic flush because it's so loud and unexpected. A post it over the sensor will stop it from flushing until your ready for it to flush! He may not be bothered by it but it's such a simple solution to what could be a huge problem I thought I'd mention it.

Good idea! I hadn't even thought about those.