Little ones on a 3 hr. flight

[lilpixie]

My family just got back from a trip to DL and my 6 month old screamed for a good portion of the flight (needless to say, we weren't the favorites on the plane). I really want to go to WDW next fall because she will be 2 years old by then. How would an average 2 yr old do on a 3 hr flight? Our flight to DL was just under 2 hrs. I have a 6 year old and 3 year old that did pretty well on that flight. I am just wondering about the 3 hr flight to WDW, if my youngest cried the whole time it would be miserable!!!
DH just wants to go to DL because it is closer, more affordable, and not so overwhelming. I grew up in FL and really want to go back to WDW! Do you think it is worth the extra planning, $$$, etc?
thanks for any advice/tips

 

[Passions71203]

I am bumping this b/c in June we are going to WDW by plane with our DD who will be 2 and our DS who is 3. I also would love to hear about some tips for us with young children. I really don't want the whole plane to be mad at us for taking them.

TIA
Erin

 

[TheBeast]

I think there's two reasons kids act up on planes - they're bored or they don't feel well.

As for bored, bring stuff for them to do. Whatever they like, and lots of variety. Coloring, books, music, gameboys, whatever. Bring good snacks too - candy, juices, whatever they like. I'm a firm believer in bribing and spoiling for short periods of time to influence behavior

As for not feeling well, that's harder to control. I've heard about "proactive" sudafed - taken before the flight and/or just before descent to loosen things up and minimize the ear pain. If they're sick for some other reason, there's not a whole you can do unfortunately.

We've taken our kids on a plane (MA to FL) just about every year since they were 1, and I don't remember any really horrible flights. But I do remember great times at WDW! So either there weren't any bad flights or they pale in comparison to the good times and are soon forgotten.

Good luck!

 

[MOMO2DK]

Hi,
When my kids were little, I always brought their car seats on the plane. They were comfortable in them for car rides, and were used to falling asleep in them, and ususally did so on the flights.

Now they are out of the car seats and I try to make reservations on planes that have individual TV screens- the kids now watch TV during the flight.
And always book non-stop flights.

I remember once, my son who can be very difficult, was happy to spend the entire flight putting stickers on the back of the seat in front of him.

Traveling with little ones can be hard, but every grown up was a kid once!!

 

[all4fun]

I found this site which has a lot of useful tips:
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com/

We always take my ds's car seat. Two-yr olds love to run around and when he's in his seat he knows he's buckled in for the ride and not going anywhere.

Some airlines have tv screens and offer a variety of movies and entertainment. If yours doesn't then I highly recommend a portable DVD player and a few favorite movies to choose from. This works really well when my ds is getting anxious to get up and move around (and it was a real lifesaver on an extermely long road trip we took last fall too!)

For our next trip I also got one of those kits with some of that Crayola wonder paper and the special pens that go along with it (won't mark on anything but the special paper). They have a finger-paint set too: http://www.crayolastore.com/category.asp?NAV=COLOR

Also, bring SNACKS because the airlines don't typically provide a lot and also, even if a meal or snack is provided it's still nice to have things you know your toddler will prefer and they won't have to wait for the cart to reach your row, either.

hth!

 

[gianna2006]

Does Jet Blue fly out of your home airport? They had individual TVs for each passenger. This was the best thing in the world for my two kids when we flew down last year - it really distracted them. Or maybe a portable DVD player with some of their favorite Disney movies? Another thing we do is try to take early morning flights, as my kids will go back to sleep on the plane - added perks are that you get to DIS earlier and it's usually cheaper too!

7/90 off-site
9/96 off-site
7/99 off-site
7/2000 off-site
4/01 off-site
5/04 off-site
5/06 finally goind DIS all the way at OKW/SSR!!

me DH DS(7) DD(3)

 

[tcolbert]

I would rent one of those portable DVD players and headsets. OR, pick up a pair of Disney headsets designed for children. DS5 did just fine on a flight to OH from here when he was 1 all because of the portable DVD player and Toy Story.

 

[misspickle]

3hours would be great !!!! we are travelling at christmas with a 15mth and a 7year old its going to take 9hrs in the air .

 

[CRSNDSNY]

My family just got back from a trip to DL and my 6 month old screamed for a good portion of the flight (needless to say, we weren't the favorites on the plane).

Did you let her drink a bottle on takeoff and landing? Perhaps her ears were blocked and in pain? Even a binkie will do the trick.

 

[Christypl]

I've flown to FL from HI with a little one at 7 months, 13 months, 18 months and 28 months. It isnt fun but you can do it. I brought a portable dvd player with an extra battery, lots of snacks and toys he hadnt seen before. We got up and walked around a lot. You wont believe how interesting the bathroom is to a toddler!

 

[lilpixie]

Oh thank you for your tips. A portable DVD player sounds like a great idea. On this last trip, I did give my 6 month old a bottle at take off and landing, but she can gulp it down in less than 10 minutes and then proceeded to scream -- I think her ears were really bothering her. We tried to give her juice, etc but she was crying so much, she wouldn't take any more of her bottle or take the pacifier. Not to mention, we were stuck on the tarmack for an extra hour. I seriously wanted to cry or jump out the window lol.
It should be better this next time since she will be a lot older. I would love to take the vacation sooner, but I just want her to be at an age where she can be occupied with coloring,etc.
The sudafed is a good tip. My 6 year old was an angel on the flight, but cried for THREE HOURS when we got to the hotel because her ears wouldn't pop (I had given her gum to chew in hopes that would do the trick). Next time I will try the sudafed, gum, DVD, coloring, snacks . . . hopefully it will work out

 

[MelanieRI]

I try to get DD to sleep for most of the flight. I get motion sickness and so the less "Mom" time I need to do, the better, and DD is really into having mom do everything. Kids can start getting cranky at the airport since you have to be there so far in advance. I use the airport time almost like we were trapped on an airplane. I bring drinks, snacks, toys, and activities to do. I like to surprise her with some new very small toys in her backpack. I bring a small blanket and stuffed animal out once we are on the plane. After take-off, I tell her it's time for a nap and this means she can stay up for fireworks tonight. Then, she sleeps almost the whole flight there (RI to FL - almost 3 hrs.)

 

[Fish2girls]

Has anyone tried Benedryl? I tried it once when my dd was 3 and it didn't help her sleep but did help with the air pressure. Any advise on getting a 12 mo. to sleep on her first flight ? We are going in April with an almost 5yr and a 12 mo. old. Our dd5 will be fine but our dd 1yr can be tempermental at times. We used a dvd plyer and new toys for our dd5 before when she was 3 and both worked out great We are hoping our dd1 will sleep through but unsure of her tolerance. Help!!

 

[lilpixie]

Fish2girls: What about Dramamine for kids? I know they had a children's version, but I'm not sure about the minimum age. I know that stuff knocks me out, so maybe if it is safe (call your pediatrician to find out a dosage) to give to a 1 year old -- maybe she would be so drowsy she could sleep??? I feel for you, it is hard with babies on the plane. Although I took my 2nd baby on the plane when she was 11 months and she was fine -- no problems. It's just this last plane fiasco that keeps me from wanting to fly in the near future I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Kristi1357]

Our little guy is 2 1/2 and he's flown lots of times. The portable DVD player with noise cancelling headphones is invaluable! Also, I bring new toys from the Dollar Tree, Color Wonder markers, small cars, etc. Lots of snacks too.

Our doctor even gave us a prescription for drops to put in his ears for pain. We figured we'd use them if he got fussy - but he never did! It was nice to have them handy just in case though. I think they are called A/B Otic or something. They are for kids with ear ache pain. I finally did use the drops this February when DS got his first earache!

We always bring his Marathon car seat. Even though it's huge and a huge pain to lug & install - he's used to it and knows when he's buckled in that he can't move around. We got lazy on one flight and decided to check the seat on the way home since it was more convienent. NEVER AGAIN! He was awful and screamed the last 30 mins of the flight to top it off.

 

[amarberry]

We've been pretty lucky, so far, with DD on plane trips. All the flights that we have taken are around 2.5 to 3 hours. Here's what we do...

1. I book our flight for mid-day so it's somewhat close to her naptime.

2. We buy her a seat and bring her carseat. It's safer, everyone is more comfortable, and many airlines only charge you 50% if your child is under 2. My DD is one of those kids who loves to sleep in the car so between the carseat and being close to naptime, she usually sleeps for a good portion of flights.

3. Talk to your ped. about something like Benadryl or Dimetapp. If your child has any ear issues, it will dry them out and (hopefully) knock them out.

4. Portable DVD player.

5. Special treats and juice with a straw (big treat for DD ).

Good luck!

 

[Fish2girls]

We've been pretty lucky, so far, with DD on plane trips. All the flights that we have taken are around 2.5 to 3 hours. Here's what we do...

1. I book our flight for mid-day so it's somewhat close to her naptime.

2. We buy her a seat and bring her carseat. It's safer, everyone is more comfortable, and many airlines only charge you 50% if your child is under 2. My DD is one of those kids who loves to sleep in the car so between the carseat and being close to naptime, she usually sleeps for a good portion of flights.

3. Talk to your ped. about something like Benadryl or Dimetapp. If your child has any ear issues, it will dry them out and (hopefully) knock them out.

4. Portable DVD player.

5. Special treats and juice with a straw (big treat for DD ).

Good luck!

Thanx a lot for the response!! I will call my Ped. on the Benedryl just to see if she will get some sleep from it besides air pressure issues. Unfortunately our trip is early morning so I hope she will adjust. It is a family group trip, so we had to go with times that worked for the whole family. Going to be fun!!

 

[dawnball]

We've resorted to benadryl once or twice. Mostly we try to schedule flights to coincide with a normal nap time, provide amusements and snacks and hope for the best. Oh, and I carry 2 boxes of earplugs with me. That's enough for 10 people, and further away than that (we're usually in planes small enough they're 2x2 or 2x3) - they can't hear her scream.

Also, as much as it is counterintuitive - we sit as close to the engines as possible. It drowns out any noise she does make, and helps lull her to sleep. I learned she preferred prop planes, but it's hard to find those anymore.

 

[Fish2girls]

:

We've resorted to benadryl once or twice. Mostly we try to schedule flights to coincide with a normal nap time, provide amusements and snacks and hope for the best. Oh, and I carry 2 boxes of earplugs with me. That's enough for 10 people, and further away than that (we're usually in planes small enough they're 2x2 or 2x3) - they can't hear her scream.

Also, as much as it is counterintuitive - we sit as close to the engines as possible. It drowns out any noise she does make, and helps lull her to sleep. I learned she preferred prop planes, but it's hard to find those anymore.

That is GREAT, You have me laughing because my father is in the National Guard and I think they only use prop planes in the Army?? That would be an awesome idea since the car does put her to sleep, a prop plane is ideal!! Thanx!!

 

[Passions71203]

I bought some kids Dramamine. Has anyone used it? I hope it makes the kids sleep through the plane ride. (I know I sound like a bad mother)