the age question again...

[Missyma919]

Do you think a child that is almost 3 (a month away) could handle a week in WDW without too much chaos?

My main concern is the flight, which is 5 hours long. I just don't know if he'll be ready. I would hate to be "that mom" who's child was out of control and screamed on the flight. What do you guys think?

 

[ama223]

I can tell you in a little over a month! We are taking DS (who turned 3 the beginning of September) from 11/30-12/7. I think he's going to do great.. I am nervous about the plane, I think our flight is about 3 hours.. I'm planning on packing lots of "new" stuff for him to do, but we are going Jet Blue so I'm hoping the TVs keep him occupied as well!

 

[DVC Sadie]

Do you think a child that is almost 3 (a month away) could handle a week in WDW without too much chaos?

My main concern is the flight, which is 5 hours long. I just don't know if he'll be ready. I would hate to be "that mom" who's child was out of control and screamed on the flight. What do you guys think?

Handling a 3 yr old in WDW should not be a problem if you are prepared to follow his schedule and be flexible.

In regards to flying, how does your DS handle being in his car seat for 5 hours? If he handles this without incident at home then there shouldn't be any difficulty.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Edited: OOPS double post.

 

[james'mommy]

I would recommend a portable dvd player and some brand new movies. DS has flown a bunch of times. When he was younger we put a lot more effort into keeping him occupied. We used the dvd player, packed some toys and snacks.

 

[emmiesmom]

I was scared of being "that mom" too but we did it with my daughter a week before her 3rd birthday- our plane ride was about 3 hours.

We bought her a few new toys placed in her backpack that she had never seen (disney themed), lots of snacks (cheerios, goldfish, raisins, granola bites/bars, disney themed fruit snacks- a special treat we give her only for vacations), a DVD player, stickers, paper and color wonders markers and coloring book.

She never even got to half the stuff we packed! Between the new toys during take-off and the snacks and DVDs during the flight she was thrilled! Having all those items worked in our favor though for down-time in the hotel room and the flight back!

 

[everylastbreath]

Relax- You and your 3 year old will be FINE! 1st- you are on a PLANE HEADING FOR ORLANDO, there will be a ton of kids on it, so your restless 3 year old will not stand out, and I know from experience that the sounds of your childs crys are heard the loudest by YOU. Bring plenty of new toys to play with, give them out slowly as child get's bored with one, pull out the next- DVD player is great. Don't forget the LOLLYPOPS! you will need them on take off and landing to prevent the ear problems. But seriously don't worry, everyone is sitting down, so they are more likely to stay sitting.

As far as the week in WDW being crazy, it will be the most wonderful trip ever. Toddlers are such a joy on vacation, they see so much wonder and beauty in every little thing- my GS loved the hotel room, the hallway, the elevator and that was before we even got to a park!! Just take it slow, don't try to do everything- your little one will not even know or realize that you didn't get to see (example) Dumbo, so don't stress about not seeing it, leave it for the next time- Take your time, see what you can and enjoy the smiles and laughs they are priceless.

 

[Dani C]

Do you think a child that is almost 3 (a month away) could handle a week in WDW without too much chaos?

My main concern is the flight, which is 5 hours long. I just don't know if he'll be ready. I would hate to be "that mom" who's child was out of control and screamed on the flight. What do you guys think?

No one knows your child as well as you do.

If you are concerned with the flight, talk to him about it. Let him know what it will be like (if he has never flown before) and what he will be able to do on the plane. Consider getting him something special for just on the plane (books, etc.) so he can look forward to having it as a special reward for being a "big boy". Be sure to take along something that can help with the possibility of ears popping (gum if he can chew it already, chewy snacks and drinks if not) during take-off and landing times and even consider consulting his pediatrician to see if they have any recommendations to help with this possibility as well as for motion sickness if he suffers from it on long trips.

Don't worry if the little guy has a breakdown in the park or on the plane. At his age, it is expected that he will occassionally have a meltdown and it will not be held against you.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Do I think a kid can handle it? Sure do! My kids have been going since they were babies. We also fly (no carseats- flame away) and they do fine. I don't bring DVD players (I did once or twice) because I hate to carry extra stuff. I might bring magnadoodles, some coloring books, snacks etc. To be honest my kids like to read the skymall magazine and the emergency landing pamphlets I love when they ask my why the people are sliding into the water.
You'll do fine. We take 4 little ones. (soon to be 5!) Half the time most of them take a nap on the plane. We try to fly early in the morning.
Have fun!

 

[abouley]

Well, you know your child and what they are used to and can handle. My kids are very used to being on the go...in the car for 5-6 hour car trips to gma since they were tiny babies often and used to being out and stimulated doing day trip type things. My son went to WDW when he was 19 months for the first time....week at the parks and then a week disney cruise and LOVED it. We also did the 5+ hour flight and it was ok. Not relaxing but very manageable. We went back last Dec with my 2 year old and almost 5 year old for 2 full weeks at the parks and none of us were ready to come home. We had a fabulous time and the flights were great.

Now, if you have a child who won't sit in the car for a long drive, who doesn't do well with stimulation, people and noise and who won't either sit in the stroller or walk holding hands you might consider working on those things closer to home until you feel you're ready....again, you really know your child best! Generally though I'd say that 3 is a GREAT age to go! Good luck!!

 

[auralia]

my daughter was 2.5 when she just went and it was a 8 hour drive... just bring a portable dvd player and the little one will be fine.... it went really well asside from the ear infection and the trip to the er, one day of our trip was pretty worthless because of the fever, but our last day she was feeling better again and enjoyed riding toy story mania 3x's w/ her dad using everyone elses fast passes.

 

[happymommy]

I've taken my kids on trips since they were infants, so I think as long as you plan ahead you'll be fine! I even flew alone with my son at 6 months from Hawaii (where we lived) to the mainland for 3 weeks, and both when they were 2 years and my DD was 3 months (yes, alone, 2 carseats on the plane, and I nursed her the whole flight).

If you want to go, then go and enjoy. First time we took both kids to WDW they were 4 and 2, and we drove 13 hours. Then, I took them alone at 6 and 4, and it was a breeze with a two hour flight. I loved it.

With a bit of planning, you can go and enjoy it! Yes, it's more work than without kids, but it's the best place on Earth to go on vacation with children! I have been so many times, and many of them my husband couldn't come with us, still my kids and I have a great time!

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we just got back with our son(2.5) and dd(4). i do reccomend the dvd player- its a godsend!!! and we also took a small bag of dolalr store items they hadnt seen yet.

here was our 1st day. get up 4 am ast. , be to airport by 6- flight at 855, fly from halifax to newark, abotu an hr and a half. get off, rush from one terminal to the other, get kids dressed, get back on plane, from there to mco- i think 2.5 hrs. then unload get on dme and go to hotel. followed by a very fast dinner adn then hs til 10pm(which is 11 our time!).

i did luck out, one kid slept each leg. they survvied the first very long day and the entire trip of 8 days. and we went non stop. we didnt stop for naps, as my 4 yr old doesnt and my 2 yr old needs complete quiet in a room.

your child might just surprise you. is he used to travelling via car? i think that made a difference for ours. we also gave ours some kids gravol to get them to sleep a bit. but if your child is acting up on a flight to disney- relax, he wont be the first nor the last. on our way down there was a couple with two girls in front of us and the youngest was all over the place. i think when people realize- heck theyre kids on a trip to disney they tend to understand more.

the thing that really bothered mine was the ear thing. i tried to bribe them with lollipops, my 2 yr old ate his before we had finsihed taxiing down the run way.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I just wanted to add that we have taken the kids 9 times, flew every time and I don't remember any kids that were crying, screaming etc. The only time WE had a problem was when a flight was delayed due to weather and we were on the tarmac an extra hour or two. Our kids wanted to run around and that was hard. They were bored no matter what because there was no flying sound and motion. It was naptime (we planned it that way) and they were overtired. Once the plane took off they were asleep before we even hit 30,000 feet.

 

[Fall1]

I have to say I was PETRIFIED of taking our 2 1/2 year old twins on the plane and to WDW in general, but we really wanted to go.

Well, we just got back 2 weeks ago and the trip was AMAZING! The kids were great on the plane and really good the whole week. We kept to their schedule and were back in the room for naps each day from 1-3 and in bed by 8pm each night. I think that made the trip.

As for the flight, we flew Jetblue, so there were tvs on the plane. Also, we did lots and lots of snacks!!

Have fun if you go!

 

[ogreenlee]

Leapster!!

 

[ktlm]

We took DD for her 1st time at 2 yrs 10 months. It was the most incredible magical trip for her. There were times I had tears in my eyes just watching the joy on her face. It was the perfect age for her 1st trip! I too was terrified about the plane ride- 2 legs over 4 hours total. She is extremely active and stubborn. She was fine on the plane. She had her own little carry on with toys (some new for the plane) and little boxes of Disney board books which kept her occupied for a long time as she loves books. On the way back, she was so tired from a week at WDW that she slept most of the way.

 

[Erica09M]

For our first trip, May 2010, my youngest will only be 23 months. We have a 3 hour flight. I'm totally excited and I think she'll do great! She's going to have so much fun!

So I definitely think that your son will be ok, at 3 years old. Think of the alternatives, driving... EEEK! Not for us. Or not going at all

 

[tinkerfan1]

I can't speak to the flight, but I can speak to the week in Disney World. My youngest had just turned 3 when we took him to Disney World. He handled it just fine. Loved it and remembers it, despite what some will tell you about needing to wait until they are a little older. He is a Disney fanatic just like me, even ten years later.