Tips for flying and touring with a 5 y/o???

[ChgoMusicGirl]

After reading some of the posts, I see that you guys have some great advice and I'm wondering if anyone can offer some general tips about flying (my DS hasn't flown since he was 9 mos., so basically he has no idea what it's like) and touring with him. We are going in June, right after he finishes Kindergarten, he will still be 5, but almost 6. He has been to a theme park before, but never WDW. I haven't been in 9 years and DH has never been (so we're super excited!) We will be there for 8 days, and have 7 day (no park hopper or WP&M) tickets. We're staying at POP. Thank you!

 

[Canooknic]

Snacks, snacks and more snacks!! My boys have flown a few times, but weren't old enough to remember so they consider last year their first time on a plane.

I packed lots of different snacks - carrot sticks, apple slices, grapes and then some sweet treats too. I brought mini tubes of Pringles and then used the empty tubes for protecting snacks on park days. I bought bottles of water (with sports caps to avoid spills) and small juice bottles once through security.

I made activity books with lots of mazes, coloring pages, simple word searches etc. This year I have made one that incorporates things they've learned at school (French immersion so ive made French Disney flashcards of things we'll see) plus some coloring etc again.

Both boys have little pull-along Buzz suitcases that they put under the seat in front of them so we aren't spending the entire flight getting up & down.
I recommend the card game Top Trumps too. Small, quiet and easy to play.

If he has a bedtime teddy/blanket etc i would also bring that in his bag 'just in case'. DS1 didn't like take-off so teddy calmed him down, and there was no risk of losing him if our cases get misplaced by the airline!!!

When you're in the parks, I would go at his pace. DH and I are adamant that these trips are for the kids so if they want to ride the same thing 6 times in a row (Buzz) then that's what we'll do! Our time to ride what we want when we want will come when they're older!!

Have an amazing time xx

 

[maxiesmom]

If he likes watching videos or listening to music, make sure you pack some kid friendly headphones for the airplane. He will need to use them with anything that makes noise.

For the parks think about bringing a stroller along, or have money to rent one if needed. The parks are big and it is a lot of walking! Also a stroller would give him a good place if he needs a break or just a little time to himself.

 

[ChgoMusicGirl]

Thanks! Definitely a lot of good ideas!

 

[tina.tina]

We had such a hard time getting DS (who was 5.5 on our visit) to nap. He had been used to an afternoon nap his entire life. He got very overstimulated and could NOT sleep. We were all lying in the dark for over an hour and he suddenly popped up and said "Guys, can we get up now?" He had a meltdown at DHS and it took forever to calm him down. We took the next day off and he was okay after that.

I guess this isn't helpful but just a warning!

 

[Ladcassidy]

After reading some of the posts, I see that you guys have some great advice and I'm wondering if anyone can offer some general tips about flying (my DS hasn't flown since he was 9 mos., so basically he has no idea what it's like) and touring with him. We are going in June, right after he finishes Kindergarten, he will still be 5, but almost 6. He has been to a theme park before, but never WDW. I haven't been in 9 years and DH has never been (so we're super excited!) We will be there for 8 days, and have 7 day (no park hopper or WP&M) tickets. We're staying at POP. Thank you!

Lifesavers. My DD5 and I buy a pack at the airport news stand before each flight. The sucking and swallowing helps with changing ear pressure during the flight. But she just likes seeing which of us can keep it longest. Apparently neither of us is very good at it, because we go through LOTS of lifesavers on each trip. Funny, I don't think she's ever had (or even asked for) the candy when we aren't on a plane.

 

[MSSANDRA]

At 5, the flight really should not be too big a deal. Unless you are coming cross country or from out of the country, you are looking at a few hours. At 5, our DS was pretty content with his DS, a book or two read by me, and some snacks and maybe one or two other things. He loves the crayola model clay. Completely unmessy and he and I play a game where we each create something and the other has to guess what it is. We can spend two hours doing this. Purchase a drink or two after you go through security.


parks are so fun with a kindergarten kid! They are big enough for most everything, but yet little enough to enjoy all the kids stuff!! We did not try to do an open to close park any days. We either took a break, or called it an early night when DS was 5. We leave in 2 days for this trip and for the first time are going to try to do an all day park!

 

[B.B. Sots]

parks are so fun with a kindergarten kid! They are big enough for most everything, but yet little enough to enjoy all the kids stuff!!

Agreed!

We went when our son 'graduated' from pre-k. The best thing that we did to help avoid meltdowns was taking our time eating lunch (at a CS) and Dinner (TS). We took our time and rested and let him rest his feet and rehydrate.

Just that 45 mins to an hour helped us avoid any major meltdowns.

I also recommend bringing a first aid kit, extra sunscreen and hand sanitizer. These 3 things helped us avoid the nastiness of minor aches and complaints that young kids have.

 

[AlixaLock]

At 5, the flight really should not be too big a deal. Unless you are coming cross country or from out of the country, you are looking at a few hours. At 5, our DS was pretty content with his DS, a book or two read by me, and some snacks and maybe one or two other things.!

This!! My best advice with a kindergartener is don't load yourself down. My just turned 6-year-old carries a small backpack with her iPad, headphones, a book and maybe a few crayons and a coloring book. I keep the snacks in my bag along with my iPad, wallet, phone etc ... and that's it. No stroller, nothing extra ... we are able to zip in and out of the airport. For the last trip we added a little homework and a clip board so she could do it during the flight or while waiting in lines etc ...

At this age they are actually really good airplane companions ... they don't take up much room and they are independent enough to allow you a little time to read or watch a movie. It's a great way to start a vacation.

As for touring tips ... I think it all depends on your family! We try to get lots of treats and relax the rules a bit, but mostly we stick with our regular family philosophy. For us that means, adults and kids alike take turns picking rides and everyone stays together. We take breaks to swim and do lots of sit down meals, because for us they are breaks! No one person, controls the trip. For your family, you might want something completely different. You know your kid and they really won't be all that different at WDW then they are at home ... if slightly more tired! LOL!

 

[Runnergal]

5 is a great age to travel with! One must have: good kid-size headphones. It is annoying when they ate trying to watch a movie or play games when adult size headphones are sliding off your head. My ds packs his own backpack with his ds, iPad, a few new books, and snacks. They love to pick out their breakfast at the airport to take on the plane. My boys-they are 8 and 6 now-somehow ended up seated in the row behind us when they were 4 and 6. It was the funniest thing-I was worried there might be a problem, but I didn't hear a peep from them the entire flight, except when i overheard them confidently ordering cokes from the flight attendant- it was 8am!!

 

[maplevale]

We travel once a year with our kids - so the flight is not too big of a deal. DD (6) has a 'phone' loaded with movies and games. We also bring some other activities like a colouring book/not pad and pen. The flight is a huge draw for her!

The parks (this is only our second trip - first she was 4) we try really hard to remember that it is for her. If there is a LOOONg line we explain what that may mean (less rides, no swim) and if she wants to wait, we do. Otherwise we move on.

We don't need much for snacks - but we do make sure to stop before we/she is hungry for meals. We push liquids (even if it's something she wouldn't get at home like some Orange Pop or a slushy)

Finally - we let her know our rules ahead of time. We are dealing with severe 6 year old snark - we have told her if the snark comes on the trip then we will take turns staying in the hotel room. We have a rule that if one person needs to use the bathroom we all try. That we are in the stroller or beside an adult.

We reward a good day with one treat/souvenir (~$10) at the end of the day. It killed 2 birds with 1 stone - limited the amount of stuff we bought/carried and was an incentive to be on her best behaviour.

 

[maplevale]

5 is a great age to travel with! One must have: good kid-size headphones. It is annoying when they ate trying to watch a movie or play games when adult size headphones are sliding off your head. My ds packs his own backpack with his ds, iPad, a few new books, and snacks. They love to pick out their breakfast at the airport to take on the plane. My boys-they are 8 and 6 now-somehow ended up seated in the row behind us when they were 4 and 6. It was the funniest thing-I was worried there might be a problem, but I didn't hear a peep from them the entire flight, except when i overheard them confidently ordering cokes from the flight attendant- it was 8am!!

LOL! My 6 year old could totally sit on her own now! I wonder if I could get away with putting her and the 2.5 year old in one row and DH and I in the other!!

 

[ChgoMusicGirl]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I really appreciate them and am adding them all to my Disney planning notebook ( trying to be super organized).
We're only flying from Chicago, so a short flight, you guys have definitely calmed my fears about that! I'm sure he'll be very excited to be on a plane!!!

 

[Honeybee83]

My husband is a pilot so we can fly for free on standby. This normally means a lot of waiting (not so patiently) for my toddler. I often have to fly with her by myself to go meet daddy too. One trick I use is I go to the dollar store and buy a ton of toys that she only gets to play with on the plane. Take a new one out every 30 min or so. Try not to stress it. Go with the flow and keep a cool head. People have always been helpful and understanding. I flew during bad weather causing us to remain in the air an extra 45 min with a 1 1/2 year old with a tummy bug having diaper blowouts. She was down to her last pair of pants before we even took off. We made it and you will too. Just keep in your mind all the fun you'll have on the vacation, and on the return trip the memories you made. Have fun!

 

[pineappletreat]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I really appreciate them and am adding them all to my Disney planning notebook ( trying to be super organized).
We're only flying from Chicago, so a short flight, you guys have definitely calmed my fears about that! I'm sure he'll be very excited to be on a plane!!!

Have you considered a trunki? My kids (4) and (6) love them and can ride on them through the airport. You can also pull them. I absolutely despise the latches on them and make sure to having the carrying seat which helps latch the suitcase shut too. They slide right under the seat.

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...ie=UTF8&qid=1390503461&sr=8-1&keywords=trunki

Otherwise, they are great and they help entertain my kids too. A friend of mine taught me for when we took the kids to Hawaii to have a bag of snacks and a bag of whatever toys entertain the kids, some old, some new. Every hour pull out a new snack, every hour pull out a different toy, make sure to alternate so every 30 minutes they get something new. That works for really long flights. For fairly short ones, the dvd player with kid headphones are great.

 

[pineappletreat]

Thanks for all the tips, everyone! I really appreciate them and am adding them all to my Disney planning notebook ( trying to be super organized).
We're only flying from Chicago, so a short flight, you guys have definitely calmed my fears about that! I'm sure he'll be very excited to be on a plane!!!

Oh, be sure to have them (and you) wear comfortable clothes! You want to make sure that they can sleep if they want to and more importantly that they can get into the bathroom and can get their clothes off in such a tiny place on the plane.