Getting nervous...

[my3sons77]

In approximately 18 days we are flying, for the FIRST time, to Disney World. Normally we drive every where we go. This will be the first time flying for my boys. Not too worried about my oldest boys but I am bit nervous about the 3 yr old.

Any suggestions on what to pack for him on the plane? I am bringing his Nabi and headphones, hoping that it keeps him occupied and tantrum free for the 2 hr flight. I have downloaded apps that do not need WiFi to work, trying to be prepared. I am going to give him some gum to chew during take off. He does good with gum, so I'm not worried about him swallowing it.

We are also flying Southwest and am getting concerned that we will not all be together. I did pay for the early bird check in to get a better seating position but I have never flown on Southwest so it is all new to me. Any suggestions and advice on this will be MUCH appreciated!!! I am hoping for all of us to be behind one another with the 3 yr old behind one of us in case he starts kicking the seat in front of him. He will be seated with myself, my husband, or my 14 yr old, who is absolutely amazing with him and a very smart, clever kid!

GAH! Please calm me down.

 

[weeniecat2442]

Now this is back in the 80's before all of the portable devices that there are today, but one of my most favorite memories of trips to Disney world were the backpacks my mom and aunt would pack for us for the flight.
She would get all sorts of fun stuff, coloring books, crayons, silly putty, books, little figurines, gum (as you mentioned!)
A lot of the items were Disney themed too!
Have fun!!

 

[marauder]

You didn't need to pay for the early bird seating for Southwest. Since you have a kid 4 & under you would have been allowed to board between A and B seating times. Early seating will probably get you A section, but not always.

Just took my kids 10 & 6 to Disney on Southwest and the trip before that was when they were 4 & 8. We had no problems with them at all. We didn't deal with gum, but we just made sure they were eating some snacks during take-off and landing. Not all planes are WiFi enabled, but the ones that are have free programming that you can watch like Cartoon Network and a few other shows. The key is just to have stuff to keep them busy for the entire time, the first trip we brought a DvD player and they only used it for about a 1/2 hour. This trip for my daughter who tends to get anxious during takeoff and landing, we let her listen to the Frozen soundtrack and she settled down right away.

 

[jacknsally19]

So here is the good news about flying to Orlando... The plane will be filled with families and young kids. No one will bat an eye if your kid acts up.

I fly often with my toddler and I pick up lots of cheap toys / books / snacks and fill up a backpack. New toy / snack as soon as I think she is restless. Wiggly stix, silly putty, mr potato head have been real winners. Also, I find dumbbell lollipops to be lifesavers!

Good luck! I promise it will be easier than you think

 

[Pumbaa_]

when i have flown with younger family members security was hte biggest issue

Make sure you go over what will happen with security and that it is perfectly normal

Have fun!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

If you have priority boarding, you will definitely sit together. You might even be able to get the bulkhead seats and have no one in front of you.

I used to bring an empty sippy cup for DS to use during the flight to minimize spills. When the drink cart comes around, you can ask the flight attendants to fill it with water or juice. Also, bring a few favorite snacks like Goldfish, pretzels, etc.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would not worry..you will be able to sit together. It might be in the rear of the plane but you will be together.

If you are worried about the 3 yr old. maybe go to the dollar store and pick up so cheap fun things that you can carry in your bag. ANd if the need should arise then you can pull out your back up items to keep him happy.

 

[my3sons77]

Thank you everyone!!!

 

[kreckl]

What does he like? Videos, a book on tape, Disney sticker book? You should bring something as they may say shut off all electronics- Wifi or not. Our essentials on a plane:
-antibacterial baby wipes to swipe the trays ( they are gross )
-some finger food snacks
-sippy cup
-some screen with a movie

Don't worry at all about him bothering other people. Most on their way to Orlando will have their own little Mouseketeers!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Make sure you have headphones for any electronic devices! or sound off for games - your fellow passengers thank you

 

[my3sons77]

Make sure you have headphones for any electronic devices! or sound off for games - your fellow passengers thank you

Oh yes! I absolutely have and am bringing headphones!

 

[my3sons77]

What does he like? Videos, a book on tape, Disney sticker book? You should bring something as they may say shut off all electronics- Wifi or not. Our essentials on a plane:
-antibacterial baby wipes to swipe the trays ( they are gross )
-some finger food snacks
-sippy cup
-some screen with a movie

Don't worry at all about him bothering other people. Most on their way to Orlando will have their own little Mouseketeers!

Would have never thought about bringing the wipes, we normally bring hand sanitizer. Thanks!

Thank you for the tips everyone! They are VERY much appreciated!!!!!!!!

 

[jennygirlmt]

We did all the above mentioned, snacks, sippy cup to fill with water/juice, bags of toys, iPads stocked with shows.

We had a 6 hr flight when Dd was 13 months, then 2 hr flight when she was almost 2 and almost 3 (that included a 4 month old). She was a gem. She loved everything. Give him time to watch planes take off, etc and he'll be excited. I guess if he often throws tantrums it could happen but I've found they are too excited about everything.

And I'm pretty sure southwest will let you board earlier enough as a family.

Good luck!

 

[amyren]

We'll be there at the same time! I'd suggest training him on the headphones before the flight. My DS hated them! And I second the idea of snacks. Fortunately both of my kids are really calmed by the movement of the plane. The worst part is waiting for take off! Don't stress and have fun

 

[bjscheel]

With EBCI you'll be fine. I would keep it as you'll probably be ahead of the family boarding. Just be sure to pay attention to when they start lining up. One of our SW trips I had B numbers and was chatting with someone and didn't realize it was time to get up until they were into the C's. Still got 3 of us together in the very back row and DH across the aisle in a center seat. Your two and two seating with one of your own in front of the 3yo sounds perfect.

When our kids were younger, Crayola Model Magic was always a hit on the plane. It's like play doh but doesn't leave any mess. You can form it and reform it and knead two colors together to make a new color...it used to come in sealed packets and now it comes in tubs so I guess I don't know if it's still allowed on planes.

 

[BeatingtheOdds]

Everyone has already posted some great ideas. My daughter also hates/hated her headphones so trying them out at home is a great idea too

I was just going to add to be sure to pack a change of clothes just in case. Our last flight home my DD ( 2 1/2) had a freak throw up accident and it got all over her. Thankfully we were on the last leg of the journey and headed home but I was sure thankful we had extra clothes. I'll be keeping a Ziploc baggie or plastic baggie close by next flight too just in case. Also, if your DS is wiggly we've been happy with our Cares flight harness. I let my DD fly without it once ( actually DFW to Fort Lauderdale) and regretted it because there was so much turbulence, so she needed to be buckled, and she was so wild that I could hardly get her to sit. So, now she always flys with the Cares harness or in her carseat.

I think in flying with toddlers less is more so I try to keep what I pack for my DD onboard ( for entertainment) to a minimum. Usually just the ipad loaded with movies/games , a few books, some snacks, and an empty sippy for when the drink cart rolls around. My daughter also had a blast eating ice the last trip haha

Don't worry, everything will be fine. I just tell myself before each trip that "whatever happens, happens, and it will be OK". I've flown with my DD about 20 times now, sometimes alone, sometimes with DH and we've survived.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

as a pp said a change of clothes and that should be for everyone not just youngest. nothing is worse than having child throw up but get it on an adult plus self and not have a change of clothes for the adult.

 

[JamJamFam]

I'd second a change of clothes and ziploc bags. We brought a box of ziploc bags in our day bag to the park and not only did we use it every day, we often handed them out to strangers who needed them!

The TSA has a video on YouTube aimed at littles about how their screening process goes. It has cartoon puppies, and a tag line of "Stop, Screen, Go". We watched it a bunch with our five and two year olds, and they were very ready to go through security. Especially my two year old! He was excited to stop-screen-go!