Strollers, Airports and Flight Changes, oh my.

[Oakenshield]

Currently we're booked on a flight 2/7 at 1pm to leave Orlando and go back home. I can change my flight to a 9pm flight and get an extra day in the parks. However, my husband and I will have our 2 year old son, and we planned on renting a stroller from either Kingdom or Orlando. The latest the stroller will be picked up is 5pm, so that will leave us hours before boarding the plane. We didn't want to bring our stroller because we don't want it getting destroyed, and we don't to have to lug it around along with our luggage.

Am I just asking for a headache by taking a 9pm flight? Surely I should be able to keep my 2 year old occupied riiiiiiight? I've been so hesitant to pull the trigger and switch the flight because after 11am we don't have access to the hotel room if we need it and I'm trying to avoid any meltdowns! But, the idea of an extra park day is appealing to us all, even the 2 year old, who loves rides!

Someone convince me either way!

 

[MainMom]

Every 2 year old is different, but I would not have taken a 9pm flight with either of mine. That makes a really long day.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

What time does your 2 yo normally go to bed? Now what happens if that 2 year old burns lots of energy with an extra park day and then has to stay up late to get on a plane and the only has the option to sleep on the plane? What happens when you land and they are either too exhausted to function when it's time to get off the plane or are too wired from their plane nap to settle down when you get home? You don't have a stroller, so you will be carrying that child anywhere you need them to go if they won't walk.

I think it is a bad idea.

 

[momto3pirates]

Are you using Magical Express? If so they will pick you up 3-4 hours before your flight time. Losing the stroller at 5 won't make that big of a difference. I would never do a flight that late with a 2 year old though. They may sleep on the plane but will have to wake up and walk through the airport. It would be tough to carry/deal with a tired toddler and get your luggage.

 

[hcox31]

We were with our son, and are with our 8 month old, slaves to sleep schedules. IMO, he's 2, you'll have plenty of years where a later flight would make sense. In this instance, I'd go with the earlier flight. A meltdown and tired and hyper two year old does not sound appealing to me at all. Especially on a late flight. :shudder:

 

[Oakenshield]

What time does your 2 yo normally go to bed? Now what happens if that 2 year old burns lots of energy with an extra park day and then has to stay up late to get on a plane and the only has the option to sleep on the plane? What happens when you land and they are either too exhausted to function when it's time to get off the plane or are too wired from their plane nap to settle down when you get home? You don't have a stroller, so you will be carrying that child anywhere you need them to go if they won't walk.

I think it is a bad idea.

Our 2 year old is a night owl. He used to go to bed around 8, now bedtime is anywhere from 11pm-1am. (It's not a bad thing for us right now though, because it works with our wacky work schedules. If he was still going to bed early, we wouldn't be spending as much time with him.)

 

[Oakenshield]

Are you using Magical Express? If so they will pick you up 3-4 hours before your flight time. Losing the stroller at 5 won't make that big of a difference. I would never do a flight that late with a 2 year old though. They may sleep on the plane but will have to wake up and walk through the airport. It would be tough to carry/deal with a tired toddler and get your luggage.

We are doing ME, so good point with the stroller! Didn't even give that a thought really.

 

[dsneygirl]

9 o clock flight will pick you up at 6 so you're good. We usually pick a flight around 6-7 because 9 makes me nervous if there is a delay.

 

[Oakenshield]

9 o clock flight will pick you up at 6 so you're good. We usually pick a flight around 6-7 because 9 makes me nervous if there is a delay.

I bit the bullet and changed the flight to 9pm. I realized after reading the responses I spent most of my time thinking of excuses as to WHY it should be changed to 9pm. My husband was all about changing considering we have park hoppers already paid for for that day. We'll see what happens. If any of you are there and see the frazzled lady trying to kill her husband and run away from an angry 2 year old. Feel free to shoot my an "I told you so" I'll go in prepping for the worst, but hoping for the best.

 

[MommyMK]

We always take the last flight of the day with our kids and it's fine. They sleep on the plane or watch movies and they are generally very sedate. They may be a little grumpy at baggage claim but then fall asleep in the car on the way home and go right to bed when we walk in the door. Bring jammies with you to the airport and change into them before you get on the plane!

 

[katie111]

I don't think it's a big deal at all. We have taken late flights with our kids many times. They can have a meltdown on an 11am flight just as easily as a 9pm flight. Usually my kids are exhausted on the flight and barely make a peep. They don't usually sleep on planes but they just relax ad watch a movie. Once we get in the car they are asleep in 2 minutes. Next day can be bad, but who cares at that point, you got an extra day in Disney.

The one thing I would reconsider is not bringing a stroller. It is so useful in the airport. DH and I have done a double stroller and luggage and had no problems at all handling it. I can easily pull a suitcase and push a stroller but carrying a sleeping child while pulling luggage is much harder. I've brought probably 4 different strollers on at least 15 different flights and have never had any issues on the plane.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree that I would go for it. You will get most of a day of parks in and return to the resort around 5 to meet the stroller pick up if necessary. Eat dinner at the resort, put on the kidos PJs and catch DME. We always try to MAX out that last day!

 

[Lincolnshire]

Consider picking up a used stroller. We got a second hand double City Mini for the cost of renting, and now we have it for the next time we need to check a stroller on a flight and don't want to risk our good one.

 

[JamJamFam]

I think you made the right choice! I wouldn't hesitate to take my two year old on a late flight after a day at Disney. I know my kid, and as long as he had a full belly, he'd sleep the whole flight. Every kid is different, and in your heart you know yours best!

 

[catherines_mama]

Just a thought... Why not buy a less expensive umbrella stroller before your trip. Use it for your "travel days" before you get the rental. If the airline messes it up, oh well it was a well priced investment in your sanity.

What happens if your flight is delayed or diverted? For a 4 yr old, no worries, a 2 yr old- I think you'll need it.

 

[MandiC]

I think switching to a 9pm flight is a good idea, honestly I feel like that is perfect timing for a flight home. MDE will pick you up from your resort about 3 hours prior to your flight time so 6pm...which gives you time to have dinner (though to play it safe I'd do dinner at your resort if I were you) before you leave.
I do agree that with a 2 year old I would want a stroller in the airport, so I am with the other posters in suggesting that you pick up a cheap umbrella type stroller for the airport. I picked up a First Years Ignite on clearance and I love the thing. 50lb weight limit, basket, parent cup holder, decent sunshade...all with umbrella stroller size. I actually got it with the intentions of bringing it to Disney for our youngest who will likely be 4 on our next trip.

 

[laughinplace199]

I don't think it's a big deal at all. We have taken late flights with our kids many times. They can have a meltdown on an 11am flight just as easily as a 9pm flight. Usually my kids are exhausted on the flight and barely make a peep. They don't usually sleep on planes but they just relax ad watch a movie. Once we get in the car they are asleep in 2 minutes. Next day can be bad, but who cares at that point, you got an extra day in Disney.

The one thing I would reconsider is not bringing a stroller. It is so useful in the airport. DH and I have done a double stroller and luggage and had no problems at all handling it. I can easily pull a suitcase and push a stroller but carrying a sleeping child while pulling luggage is much harder. I've brought probably 4 different strollers on at least 15 different flights and have never had any issues on the plane.

I agree. We've done plenty of late flights with kids, but we always had a stroller for the airport. OP, maybe bring a cheap umbrella stroller - even if you only use it at the airports, it'd be worth it.