Red Eye with kids

[matdamom]

I was wondering if any of you who have flown long distances have used "red eye" flights with kids? We want to take our kids to DisneyLand sometime this year and meet up with some west coast friends while there. But the thought of being stuck in a flying tube with my kids for hours on end does not sound appealing. I thought if we took a later evening flight, then maybe they would sleep during at least part of the trip. Suggestions????

 

[vacanut]

I haven't flown red-eye but debated on it the last trip we took to Vegas, decided against it as I like to sleep in a comfortable bed at night and wanted to start my trip out with rest, so we took an early am flight and arrived around 1:00pm west coast time and were able to sleep on the plane but at least we got some sleep the night before.

 

[Brian Noble]

I would avoid it like the plague. The red-eye is fine in that you can usually sleep on it, but the time *in the air* is not anywhere near a "full night's sleep." As an example, the flight time from the west coast to detroit is about 4 hours, and you'll probably not be sleeping for all of that time (you can't recline until you are off the ground, you have to bring your seat up/the cabin lights come on as you approch.)

A daytime flight will be the lesser of two evils.

 

[matdamom]

So, a better bet would be to take an early morning flight - say 6 am or so?

 

[Brian Noble]

I have two kids, and we went to DL last year when they were 5 and 3. We took mid-day flights so that no one had to get up early and stay up late.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[matdamom]

Mine would be 6, 4 & 2 when we could go (this fall). And we would probably be flying out of Charlotte, NC or Nashville, TN - whichever is cheaper because they are about the same distance from our home. Looks like flying out of Charlotte, with one connection in Denver - we could leave at around 9:30 am and be in Orange County at 2:45 or so. It's a almost a 3 hour lay-over in Denver. Thanks for the help - I've never flown west of the Mississippi.

 

[Caropooh]

There are no red eye flights fom the east coast to the west coast. Only west to east. It's due to the time difference. Normally the latest you can do is around 9:00pm leaving the east and that would get you in to the west at around midnight.

 

[doodlebug]

Just the thread I was looking for and about to post!!! I was thinking about doing this for our trip I want to do in April because I can get a pretty good airfare from Seattle to Orlando by flying from 10:30pm and arriving MCO at 8:15am... The only other way is to leave mid day and arrive really late at night so seems like a waste of a Disney Hotel room. Figured we could arrive at the resort and rest by the pool or nap and then spend the evening exploring or getting a PS for some fun Character Meal since we don't plan on being in the park that first day most likely anyways.. What do you think?

 

[CarolA]

Kids actually do better on this flight then adults. If your kids are the kind who can sleep anywhere go for it.... if they have to be in thier own beds RUN!. I hate that flight and won't do it anymore, but lots of folks do!

 

[Beast fan]

When we begin our vacations, we ALWAYS try to get a 7am or earlier flight out. The DS's are barely buckled in their seats when they are asleep again. Because I work nights, I usually stay awake the whole night until the flight takes off, then I'm "out" until we start descending to either CVG or ATL, where we change planes.

Dave

 

[doodlebug]

Oh my kids can fall asleep anywhere if they are tired enough and so can I... I usually go pretty well on 5 hours sleep so I think I would be just fine. Now my dh on the other hand !!

 

[dudspizza]

WE did a late flight home to MSP one year. We took off after 10pm and landed at 1am. Both of my girls (5 and 2) did not do well. They could not get comfortable and kept moaning and whining..... not fun......

I prefer to take early am flights. We do a park and fly at a hotel the night before, swim, go to the Mall of America, and then get a good nights sleep. We catch the first shuttle to the airport at 430am and fly before 7. We are at MCO by 1130 and our hotel by 1230.... we can enjoy the rest of the day.

When flying home, we prefer a mid day flight. We are ready to go and it is nice to get home while the sun is still up.

Have fun!

Duds

 

[tidoublegger]

So, a better bet would be to take an early morning flight - say 6 am or so?

Absolutely, no question!


Flying a red eye with kids, especially as young as yours, could not only backfire during the flight itself, but over the course of several days when they are tired and cranky from potentially being up all night on a red eye. I wouldn't book a red eye period.

 

[doodlebug]

But in my case if I can get an early morning flight I still don't get in until 5/6pm Orlando time, then have to get to the hotel. Guess that would be okay but I am not finding cheap airfare for my April visit with any early morning takeoff.. Just late night and early afternoon.. Why do I have to live so far away from WDW?

 

[Caropooh]

We took a red eye out of Seattle to NYC last summer. left here at 10:30pm and changed planes in Chicago. My girls were 5 and 10 and they did fine. We all slept a little bit on each plane. I can't say we were "rested" when we got to NYC. but we weren't exhausted either. If the price is a whole lot better and your kids are good sleepers, i would do it.
Oh BTW, sorry i never got back about what we have on United for flights for you, I have been out sick from work for a week and still have another week to go.
Carolyn

 

[doodlebug]

Thanks Carolyn!! It is looking like it could be $50.00 and more dollars per person saving so I might just have to try it

 

[Caropooh]

Out of curiousity Doodlebug, where do you live? We live in Auburn/Federal Way area

 

[doodlebug]

I am up in Lake Forest Park (Bothell area)!!

 

[DebbieB]

My Mom and I did a red-eye from Las Vegas to PIT one time. It was pretty miserable. First, you have to be out of your hotel by noon, so that leaves you all day with no place to rest (in Las Vegas, they don't want you to rest in public places, they want you in the casino!). We ended up heading to the airport around 8:00pm and the gate area was pretty full already! I kind of dosed most of the flight but couldn't fall completely asleep, especially with the girl next to me snoring on my shoulder. One weird thing was going from dark to light, never experienced that before on a flight.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We fly red eye flights with our 2 little ones. It's the only way they'll sleep. The flight back home is hard because there are no red eyes going back to California. Red eyes work better for our kids, but it's hard on DH! He's very cranky when we arrive at WDW.