Starting to get nervous about the "traveling" part of our trip with little ones...

[moopdog]

I haven't flown in 5 years so we now have a 13, 4 and 2 year old to go along with us. A big difference - plus we haven't flown since 9/11. What do I need to know... what should we expect? Any advice?

 

[all4fun]

Probably the main thing that has changed is security but of course you knew that. You have to show ID when you enter the security check point at the airport. All your kids will need to walk thru the metal detectors on their own, even the two year old. One of the adults should go through first and leave the other til last, that way there is someone waiting on the other side. Make sure your kids aren't wearing outfits with lots of metal (like overalls) and you shouldn't have any problems. Also, shoes that are easy on/easy off are helpful with the little ones. Just so you're aware, if you have a stroller, you'll have to fold it and put it thru the scanner. If it's too big they'll hand check it.

For the flight bring snacks and you might want a new toy for the younger ones which should hold their interest a little longer. Portable DVD players are a god-send as well if you have one, and/or a gameboy for the older child (heck my dh entertains himself with both of these, lol).

That's all I can think of right now. Anything specific you're concerned about?

hth!

 

[Amyality]

Just leave some extra time for security and be prepared to remove your shoes. Do bring a stroller! It actually speeds up the wait at the metal detectors. They see that stroller and want to move it quickly. Also, they take it right at the airplane door and give it right back to you at the airplane door, no lugging baby around and you can hang stuff on the handles. THe BEST light umbrella stroller, hands down, is the Chicco Caddy. Its aluminum, so its light, it comes with a travel bag, a rain fly, a sun shade, it reclines some. Its pricey for an umbrella stroller - 40 or 50 but, I have beat mine around for 3 years now and it is going strong. If your 2 year old is a wiggler (who's isn't?!?!?) consider putting him or her in a carseat (must be FAA accepted, a sticker will identify this on the seat). This creates boundaries and is much safer (obvoiously). Also bring a big bag of gummies for the kids to chew on for take off and landing. Juice boxes are a given! A change of clothes is a good idea for a little one and just a couple of toys. No need to bring a huge pack or anything, a onesie and 2 or 3 toys is plenty.

 

[moopdog]

Thanks so far, it's great info! I am confused about the stroller thing. I need to bring our double stroller (side by side). Is that good enough for in the airports too, I really don't want to bring 2 strollers! I also would like to have it on hand as we get off of the plane, will they do that with a big stroller and if not... what else can I do?

I really didn't want to bring a car seat... my youngest will only be 4 weeks away from her 3rd bday and I don't want to lug her booster seat from flight to flight or to disney & back, etc. We don't HAVE to have a car seat, right?

What do I bring for ID for the kids and ourselves? What else should we have on hand like that?

OK that's it for now. THANKS!

BTW - I did pick up a video now for my sons bday but that's not until December, should I consider cracking into early and letting the kids use in on the flights OR should I just buy or borrow someones portable DVD player?

 

[kpk89]

I wouldn't bother with 2 strollers ... they'll gate check whatever you bring. And you don't need a carseat if you'll be doing Disney transport -only if you'll be renting a car or taking a towncar.

Your flight will be pretty short, relatively speaking -- by the time you're in the air, and you get through the snack, looking out the window, etc. there won't be a heck of a lot of time to worry about keeping them entertained. Often just the new environment to explore (visually, of course) is enough.

Oh and we found this to be new (we recently took our first post 9/11 flight) -- they don't let more than one person to the bathroom at a time. You can't wait outside the door, you have to wait for someone to come out (and then leap to your feet since the rest of the plane has been waiting, too! ) Though we did go in with dd in to help her, and nobody made a peep about that.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[all4fun]

Hi,
Like the pp said, you can bring any stroller you want. It's ok if it's big. I haven't traveled with a double but I did travel with our Jeep Liberty 3-wheeler and it is fairly heavy and has a bulky fold and we didn't have aproblem with that at all. I DO recommend removing anything from it that isn't screwed on though otherwise you might lose it in transit (like parent tray covers - that type of thing). I have also removed the canopy on our umbrella style stroller just so it didn't get damaged. It's pretty easy to take off & put back on though.

As far as the car seat - you will need one for your youngest if you're renting a car but if you'll just be using Magical Express and Disney transportation you won't need it at your destination. The airlines recommend that kids under 40lbs have a car seat but it's not a requirement. You can check the car seat (either with luggage or gate check w/the stroller) and it doesn't count against your baggage count. I also recommend putting it in a bag of some sort like the pp recommended.

You'll just need ID for yourselves. The kids don't need it. If it makes you feel better though you can go to your local drivers licensing dept. and get them their own picture ID. Some people recommend that kids have some sort of ID on them just in case anyway. But you won't need it at the airport.

hth!

 

[MrsMcNally]

I just flew to Ft Lauderdale with my kids. 5yr and 9mo. They both did surprisingly well. The 9 mo old was better than the 5 yr old!!!!!! The only thing I had a problem with was the 5 yr old drank too much and when we were getting ready to land he couldn't go to the bathroom, so he wet his pants . So take a change of clothes in the carry on. And make sure everyone goes potty right before they make you sit down to land. We also took a gameboy but he was too intersted in looking out the window, my 9 month old was busy flirting with all the ladies behind him!!!!

 

[Nicolepa]

Oh and we found this to be new (we recently took our first post 9/11 flight) -- they don't let more than one person to the bathroom at a time. You can't wait outside the door, you have to wait for someone to come out (and then leap to your feet since the rest of the plane has been waiting, too! ) Though we did go in with dd in to help her, and nobody made a peep about that.

Have a wonderful trip!

I have flown at least a dozen times since 9/11 and I've never heard of this. There are always lines for the bathrooms. Might have been an airline specific thing?