young children and plane rides

[.mushu.]

when we go to WDW (october 2008) my son will be a year old, i was wondering how well do young children do on plane rides? we live in Canada but will be flying out of Buffalo so it will only be roughly a two hour plane ride. any one have any advice/tips/personal experience.

 

[all4fun]

2 hours? Piece of cake! Honestly when ds was that age that was the easiest time to fly because he slept most of the way (in his car seat since we bought him his own seat). Our trips to WDW are cross country too. I don't think you should worry at all.

 

[MoeFam]

Both of our last two trips- the kids slept most of the time. Used a sippy cup for their ears, and packed tons of new little toys, games etc. Also had the DVD player- if you cant get him his own seat and use his car seat- people say that really helps. We never did when they were under two- just got lucky I guess!

 

[.mushu.]

i was thinking that it wouldn't be a problem at such a young age, my dbf is just the worry type and he is still deciding whether or not he wants to take a plane.

 

[MoeFam]

At that age I would much rather take a plane ride than a LONG car trip!

 

[penguincrazie]

Our DD has been on so many plane rides. Her first at 4 months. I think she just thinks its a big car. We buy her a seat so she is in her carseat. She never asks to get up, I don't think she even realizes its an option since she can't in the car. She usually just falls asleep. BUT I can't imagine traveling with her on my lap!

 

[.mushu.]

ya exactly, a two hour plane ride sounds much better then a 27 hour car ride. as a child my parents drove the first 10 times and it was to cramp for my liking so i am really trying to convince him to take a plane, maybe if i make the suggestion of getting him his own seat with the car seat he might go for it.

 

[Tikicampers]

We took DS on his first plane ride at a little over a year. It was just under two hours. On the way there he fell asleep as we took off and woke as we landed. On the way home he slept for 1/2 the time and then watched a video on our portable DVD player. We didn't get him his own seat, but if you can afford it I would just for the extra space.

 

[belle&beast]

We bought a seat for our DS when he was just under 2. We used his carseat and he never even wanted to get out- he knew once he was in the carseat, he doesn't get out until we stop. We also had lots of snacks and some new toys that were surprises. My DD was 4 and she loved to pull something new out of the bag. You should be fine, hopefully he will sleep.

 

[MontanaKtsMom]

Ummmm....correct me if I'm wrong, but you're planning a trip for Oct 2008??????And your son will be a year old then????? Then that means you're still 'expecting, and due this October!!! How cool is that! You also are new to these boards?? Well, you have the perfect qualifications to be here!---preparing and planning for every possible contingency!! Congrats, and best wishes!! and maybe DBf will calm down once his pregnancy hormones settle down--I hear 3rd trimester does that to you ! Kidding....

 

[tammy1210]

Ummmm....correct me if I'm wrong, but you're planning a trip for Oct 2008??????And your son will be a year old then????? Then that means you're still 'expecting, and due this October!!! How cool is that! You also are new to these boards?? Well, you have the perfect qualifications to be here!---preparing and planning for every possible contingency!! Congrats, and best wishes!! and maybe DBf will calm down once his pregnancy hormones settle down--I hear 3rd trimester does that to you ! Kidding....

I was going to say the same thing! Wow - with everything you've got coming up I don't blame you a bit for making plans now! Congratulations. BTW - we first took dd to WDW when she was 13 months and we flew - a 1 hr flight, then a 1.5 hour - she was great - she sat on our laps (dh or me or grandma) and was very content both ways. Last year we went to the Virgin Islands - she was 3, but my nephew was 14 months - a much longer flight, but he did great, too - he also took turns sitting on whoever's laps - but neither offered to scream, cry, try to walk around, etc... good luck!

 

[.mushu.]

thank you everyone for your help. i am still expecting, but i love to plan a head for things. My mother LOVES WDW and she has planned a big family trip to WDW for when my ds will be a year old. She cant wait to take him to see all the characters and parades. I am pretty sure we are going to take a plane there, dbf has now agreed to take a plane there, he is just a little nervous because it is his and my first child and he doesn't want anything bad to happen to his ds. but i am sure he will be more relaxed when the time comes.

 

[dsneygirl]

DS is 10months and has already been on 4 plane trips. For the most part he has slept the entire time.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

When we went in Dec 2005, DD had just turned 2, and DS was 5. We didn,t have any behavior issues, but DD threw up the ENTIRE flight home. She was fine on the way there, it was just coming back. There was a little bit of turbulence, but nothing major. Anyway, you may want to ask your pediatrician about using seabands or dramamine patches just in case.

 

[Hodkys]

We're flying from the UK and it's a 9 hour flight! Our younger son will be 9 months old! His older brother will turn 6 when we're on holiday.

We took our eldest son when he was 22 months, 2 years 4 months, 4 years old. He slept through most of the flight on his first two trips. We fly with Virgin Atlantic and for our upcoming July trip we have requested a 'sky cot' (bassinet)which folds down from the bulkhead.

We must obviously have a strong desire to visit Disney!!