Travel help with small children!

[farmbabe]

My hubby and I are taking our DD's, ages 4 and 1 1/2 to Disney next Friday! We are all so excited! This is our first family vacation.

I am most nervous about flying with the kids. I fly alot for my work and am so used to walking on and off of a plane quickly. I know that won't be the case this time. Any advice? Did other people look at you like you were crazy if your kid acted up?

Also, were there any attractions in WDW that you thought would be good for your kids, but they were scared of?

Thanks so much!

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

We are in the same boat, only we go in February... I am anxiously watching for replies to your questions...

Shannon

 

[bjscheel]

One thing that really worked for my kids on planes was Crayola Model Magic. They spent hours shaping and forming it and kneading colors together to make new colors. The best part is it's completely clean- no crumbs or mess like play-dough. In the end you can let it dry and keep their creation or just pitch it when the flight attendant makes her last round with the trash.

My kids haven't acted up on a plane so I can't help you but the one time I flew with a one year old, we just let her eat alot. But she was an eater- for a lighter-eating kid that may not be so fun to them!

 

[staci]

Last trip ds was 23 months and we took a little bag of stuff for him on the plane. I went to the dollar store and got a bunch of little things for him to play with - window clings (to 'stick' on the window and tray table), little cars, figurines, colors, etc... just whatever they have in their toy section. Also got a pack of pipe cleaners which we used to create all kinds of fun stuff - crowns, balls, etc. Since they were all so cheap, we didnt have to worry about losing things, and just pitched what was left when we got home.
Also took suckers. He never got candy at all at home, and a sucker could last a LONG time for him! Kept him quiet, entertained, and the sucking helped with the ears. The ring pops seemed to work great.

Hope that helped! Have fun!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

We felw last year with a 2yr old and a 1yr old, they behaved better than most of the adults on flight! haha

We had the portable DVD player and I had a toddler sized backpack for EACH of them filled iwth brand new activities and little toys that they had never seen before.

It worked out GREAT!

Another thing to do, is while waiting to board the plane, my husband and I each took a kid and walked walked walked all around the terminal and checked everythign out. NO sitting down, since that's all they would do on the plane. We were at the airport at like 4am, so it was EMPTY, so we even let them run to us back and forth while there were no people around, Anything to burn energy.

A gallon sized ziplock baggie filled with goldfish, fruit snack, pretzel pouches helped too!

Have fun!!!

This year we are heading to the WORLD with a 1 yr old a 2 yr old and a 3 yr old hahah!!

 

[MNFootballMommy]

We just flew with DD 2.5 in December to WDW and the ONE thing that I kept reminding myself beforehand was that it was a trip to Orlando and people KNOW that there will be little kids on it. Mine was not the loudest, the whiniest or the only crier, even though I might have thought so at the time. The plane was full of kids (both ways) and there was always varying levels of noise, talking, screaming, crying, etc.

What I thought was worse was the Dad sitting behind me on the way down who CONSTANTLY kept calling his son's name (there were three kids, but this one seemed to be the ONLY one in trouble)--three hours of "Ty. Ty. Ty!" got old quick. Funny thing is, I never once heard the kid. He might have been pestering his siblings or kicking the seat but all I ever heard was his name being called non-stop by his Dad!

BTW-I brought LOTS of 'new' activities, as suggested above. I also brought lots of suckers. Not just for mine, but we shared with a few families who didn't think about bringing stuff like that!

Don't stress over it--it might be bad or it might be fine. Either way, it won't ruin your trip and you never have to see those people again anyway.

 

[Ariel8676]

If you do bring some new toys or whatever you get... (Dollar store is great) You could take some time and wrap them in aluminum foil...it takes longer to open, gives them something else to do and you can use it to play with after..lol Works great everytime!!!
Oh and Dont stress..no matter what. It is a flight to Orlando, there will be other children, if they cry oh well...if someone doesn't like it..oh well.
Seriously dont stress over the small things, if you stress your children will sense there is something wrong and it will throw them off as well.
Everything will be great!! Have a great time!

 

[farmbabe]

Thanks for all the great advice. I am trying to remember it is only 2 hours! And that I won't see the people on the plane again!

 

[Belle72]

WE LOVE our portable DVD player. Not too much trouble to take along and so worth it! We also bring a few books, snacks and a special treat-as posted earlier lollipops are good because they last a long time and help with the ears. Stickers and a note pad are helpful,too. Depends on what your children like to do and what might keep them occupied. We wouldn't go without the DVD player.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

And that I won't see the people on the plane again!

haha you may just see them on the return flight. We were on the SAME EXAC return flight as this family that had the WORST kids on earth. Seat kickers and yellers to the EXTREME! when we saw them in the terminal, we wanted to get a different flight!

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

I'm by no means an expert, but here are my two cents (We'll be flying with 5 yr old, 3 yr old and 1 yr old in April....)

As for the DVD player - we won't leave home without it AND the headphones. Friend of mine had a terrible time on a recent flight with their DVD player because the flight attendant wouldn't let her use it w/o headphones, which she didn't bring. Said it would disturb the other passengers, and the headphones the airline had weren't compatible with her player. Just something to keep in mind, though I don't know - I think the screaming toddler would have been much more disturbing to the other passengers than the dialogue from the movie, but whatever....

We also love the Aquadoodle and Color Wonder markers and books for travelling (we typically take 12 hr driving trips a few times a year, so our kids are used to sitting for long stretches.) These keep them amused, and don't hurt to get on clothes/upholstry, etc... The baby uses the aquadoodle, the older ones the markers and books.

Love the other ideas - I may use a few myself (this trip will be different than our drives in that we will be sitting with the kids, not in the front of the van, so we can do some things with them.

Best of luck - and if the kids do happen to melt down, remember - those on the plane who have kids, will understand, and those who don't and get cranky, are just narrow minded and ignorant of what it is to have children.

Carm

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I just wanted to make the point that you will be shocked at how good your kids could end up being on the plane. My DD, who loves to test my patience most days of the week is an ANGEL when she fly. We bring snacks (I recommend lollipops for takeoff so their ears don't pop), books, color wonder, stickers, those figurines from the Disney Store (those entertain her for ages) and of course the DVD player (we also fly JetBlue which helps). They are so excited that the flight is usually a breeze. Happy traveling

 

[jazzmine]

I've traveled with my DS when he was 13 months (on 2 1/2 hour trips), again when he was just over 2 years (across the country on 6 hours flights), and our next trip will be back to Disney when he is 3.

DH and I bring a whole bag of tricks with us to keep DS happy. So far he's been a great little traveler and we are thankful for that. We always bring his favorite "Bunny" along for the ride so he has his snuggling partner. We bring a lot of different snacks and we also bring water/juice (which we buy at the airport since they don't allow you to walk through security with it). DVD player, headphones, books, crayons, a little bit of everything. Sometimes things don't even make it out of the bag but it's good to have it along... just in case!

Take advantage of pre-boarding if they invite people with small children to get on. Also, DH and I usually wait until the plane is pretty much empty before we try getting off (because we have the car seat and that bumps into everything). Things always go a lot better than we anticipate! Good luck!

 

[mom~of~2]

We just survived a very long trip to Maui with DDs 3 and 18 mos. All of the above suggestions worked great for us - especially the DVD player and a "bag of tricks." Our 3-year old kept very busy with color wonder art supplies, making cheerios necklaces, stickers, & books. Our active 18-month was more challenging... we just made sure we had lots of stuff in our "bag of tricks" as well as some of her favorite snacks. We're actually looking forward to our upcoming orlando trip since it will be a mere 2 1/2 hours compared with 9 hours!

Something that helped us (and this kind of depends on how much carry-on stuff you have).... DH boarded ASAP with our car seats and most of our carry-ons. I stayed behind with the girls and ran them up & down the terminal. We would then board the plane last. It was great - once on board, we just jumped into our seats and we were all set!

Have a great trip!

 

[wrighter]

I completely agree with the pp who recommended boarding last, instead of first. One parent should definitely go ahead and get some of that gear stored at your seats, but I always keep our kids in the terminal until the very last call. Why spend an extra 30 minutes trapped in your seats?

Very good suggestions on this thread. Good luck, and have a great time!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We went with an 18 month old, also 2 hour flight, and we chose not to take the car seat. He started to cry when we took off so we gave him a new toy (disney cell phone). Then we gave him cookies. He was a pretty happy camper then. On the way home, he slept and then finished up the flight with some cookies.

The next time we flew, we took the carseat and it was much easier. He is accustomed to sitting in it for car rides. We took color wonders for coloring in the terminal while waiting to board. I didn't get them out in the plane because I didn't want to dive under the seats to retrieve them.

We were all set to take our portable DVD player but decided not to because our son would cry if we turn it off. And I was pretty sure we would have to turn it off the last 20 minutes of the flight.

We're all done with flights until October. He'll be 3 1/2 by then. Hopefully he'll have some reasoning and longer attention spans by then. I may get him a Leapster for that trip. Maybe that will keep him occupied.

I might add that we took his favorite blanket and a stuffed toy also.

Have fun!

 

[farmbabe]

Wow...great help everyone! I am so excited. I appreciate all the advice.

We aren't going to buy a DVD player, unless I change my mind. I did get the 4 year old a Leapster for Christmas, with a Disney Princess game, and it occupies her well! New toys in the backpacks are a great idea for both of them. I don't worry about the 4yo, it's the 17 mo I'm worried about. She is wiggly.

HoosierMom...I am also a Hoosier Mom! I notice you are from Plainfield...I have relatives there. Small world.

This group is great!

 

[Hoosier Mom]

Wow...great help everyone! I am so excited. I appreciate all the advice.

We aren't going to buy a DVD player, unless I change my mind. I did get the 4 year old a Leapster for Christmas, with a Disney Princess game, and it occupies her well! New toys in the backpacks are a great idea for both of them. I don't worry about the 4yo, it's the 17 mo I'm worried about. She is wiggly.

HoosierMom...I am also a Hoosier Mom! I notice you are from Plainfield...I have relatives there. Small world.

This group is great!

Wow! It is a small world. We really like Plainfield. I grew up in Whiteland and worked in Franklin for about 20 years. My husband grew up in Mooresville.

Be sure to tell us how the trip went. We're hoping to go next January. We're only going 5 days though. 7 days was just too much for us last time. We were exhausted.

As far as rides, our 18 month old wasn't scared of any of them. But he didn't like spinning in the teacups. There's some pictures of our trip in the trip report below. I think they are on pages 2 and 3.

Have a great weekend.