First Time Traveling with 20 Month Old to Disney, Seeking Advise

I have been taking my kids on a plane since they were 6 months old. The airlines will allow you to take bottles on the plane for the kids not a problem. You can also bring snacks, everything is just subject to a search. I find if you a nice to them that they are nice right back at you. Good luck and have a lot of fun! M.

Hi M.!
On the plane, there is a specific ounce amount that you need to concern yourself with. Keeping 4 oz soy milk box should be okay. but nothing over that. The airline commission puts their requirements on the web. Do a google search and you should find it.
As for Disney-take advantage of the "Fast Pass" option. You can go to a ride and get a "pass" to come back a specific time without having to wait in line.
I wasnt impressed by Animal Kingdom, but The Magic Kingdom was awesome! Parades, shows, character signings, and the rides! We decided to spend the rest of our trip there and still didn't see it all!
There are Baby Centers in the park and definately take advantage of them. A nice cool place to feed, and change baby-even catch a DVD. I would get out of the sun in the late afternoon to undress my daughter, wipe her down with a cool cloth and change her clothes after feeding her. They even had baby food and stuff for sale!
good luck and have fun!

Hi M.!

Check out the TSA website. You will get all the info you need about traveling with babies. If you have to, call it formula or breastmilk, put it in a bottle, they cannot deny that.

I flew internationally with a 6 month old 3 weeks after the foiled threat that led to this liquid ban. I had the formula in a thermos. No problems.

Check with the airline as well. Some do a really great job accomodating special needs and they just might have soy milk!

I think you are absolutely wonderful to take your baby to Disney. If you can swing it than why not!?! Of course he won't remember this trip when he is 15 but at the moment he will be benefitting with the experience he is having with his mommy & daddy. He will be stimulated by new sights, sounds & smells all of which build synapses in his brain which makes for a smarter baby! With toddlers I firmly believe (although I have no scientific proof) that every special thing you do will have a positive impact on their development. Which do you think would make for a happier, healthier baby; sitting in front of a tv for a week, or going to Disney World? You know darn well that he would suffer from a week in front of a TV just as much as he would benefit from mickey, minnie, goofy, and popcycles!

And when he is 15 and you show him and his buddies the pictures from this trip you'll be the coolest mom ever!

My advice would be take it slow, make time for a nap, and definitely stay for the parade on main street...talk about stimulating! And rent a stroller! Have a great time!

A.

Hi M.! My daughter was about 20 months when we first took her to Disney. She'll love it though the poster who said she won't remember anything is right. Just be aware of that. However, my memories of bringing her there are priceless and she loves looking at the pictures of her at the princess lunch now that she's 3 and loves everything Disney princess. Just take lots of pics so she'll feel like she remembers it when all she'll really remember is looking at the pics from your trip. It will still be very special to look back on your trip many years from now.

We've flown with her several times now. I have always brought a sippy cup for her and have always been allowed to take it on. However, that is not the rule so they could make you pour it out. Just be aware that that is all they will let you take and they will make you open it and may even smell it. Don't take any other liquids including hairspray, makeup, water, etc. Pack everything in your checked baggage. Also, buy a new toy to introduce on the plane and make sure you have lots of snacks (without caffeine or too much sugar). Even if you give him juice be sure to water it down to avoid a sugar high on the plane (my daughter is very sensitive to sugar).

Now with Disney, my advice is to go with very low expectations. Let her needs guide you. Each child is different and has their own tolerance for stimulation. Disney is VERY stimulating. Make sure you have a good stroller with storage (you can rent them too), snacks and take lots of breaks. Don't stand on line for 45 minutes for a 4 minute ride. Try to catch the parades, go on rides like the carousel and it's a small world, go to shows. Magic Kingdom has a nice Pooh play area and another over in Toon Town. I'd spend most of my time in that park. They have the most rides for her. She'll love Buzz and Dumbo. Pooh and Peter Pan are not worth a long wait - try to use fast pass for them. Plus, there's nothing wrong with taking turns so you can each go on adult rides like space mountain. Try to use fast pass for those too so you can get on and off quickly. Just keep in mind that you can only use one fast pass at a time. Once you run it through a machine you can't run it through another one until you use the first one or the time expires.

Unless you need a relaxing day toward the end of your trip I'd avoid epcot. There's not much for her age (there's a water ride in Mexico similar to it's a small world and she'll LOVE Nemo but that's about it). Take turns and get fast passes for Soaring. It's amazing. MGM isn't bad, as one poster mentioned. They have several shows, including a playhouse disney show with mickey mouse clubhouse and Little Einsteins, and a restaurant with playhouse disney characters (play and dine - make reservations if you can). There are also very few rides for her at Animal Kingdom, though she'll probably love the lion king show, the pocahontas show and the nemo show (get to nemo early and try to get a good seat - it's a huge theater).

I hope this helps. Have fun! Relax and LET HER NEEDS GUIDE YOU and you'll have an amazing time.

You typically have to declare all liquid items being brought on the plane. So if you are bringing tylenol or any other sealed and unopened liguids, be sure to put them in one ziploc bag to make things easier on yourself. things like water, juice, etc...will not be allowed past the security point. so don't waste the money and buy them beforehand...wait until agfter the checkpoint and buy all drinks afterwards...or wait for on the plane. soymilk does come in small drink packs, you can try to bring a sealed milk pack on the plane, but there is a great chance they will not allow it past security. it all depends on the airport employee bringing you through...and airport rules. take a peak a the airport guidelines online.

also, remember that your child has to take off shoes and be out of the stroller going thru security. another great thing to know is that you can check your stroller at the boarding point of plane. they will take it below the plane for you and have it ready when you get off!!!

hope this helps, from a mother of three who travels a few times a year by plane!

For flying go on your airlines website and they'll list the dos and don'ts. I've been flying every year to Disney for the last 6 years. I was able to take a drink along, even if it was open on the plane as long as it was for the child under 3. If you take medicines like Tylenol, Cough medicine, etc. Buy the smallest sizes and yes, better off closed and in its original package. You can travel with sippy cups. Take full advantage of the Disney's Magical Express if you're staying at the resorts. Its so convenient to have them take your luggage from the airline carousel to your room. No need to lug the stroller and luggage at the same time. And they'll take care of everything when you check out. You go from the bus to the terminal. And I haven't had my luggage lost in 4 years.
As for Disney, you know your child best so go with his flow. If you know he needs his nap at a certain time, just stop what you're doing and take a break. If you're staying at the resorts, go back to the hotel and take a nap yourself, or just hang out in the room. Sometimes parents need R&R too. My boys are now 9, 7 and 4. When they tell me their tired or begging for the pool, we turn right back out and go to the resort. (Advantage of staying in WDW) We hang out at the pool or in the room (if it rains) and just veg out. Go on the disneyworld.com website. They have a section of things to do with toddlers. It really is handy.

Here are some sites that may be on interest to you... one is called Mousesavers.com - they have a ton on info, especially things that are FREE or under $10. Another site is called www.buildabettermousetrip.com - they have more information that you may be able to use... Epcot is not a place for the young ones, I have yet to go there myself. My kids loved Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom the best - Seaworld is nice too for kids that age.

As for the airport/airline be sure to check out the TSA websites before you leave, its always changing as you can see by everyones responses - you might wanna consider looking in the CARES restraint system www.kidsflysafe.com - its designed especially for toddlers - it weighs about a pound and protects your child when they are in their airline seat. You dont have to carry a bulky carseat thru the terminal (remember if you do it has to be FAA approved) and your child will feel like they are still sitting in their carseat the way its designed. I have used it a few times by renting it from someone on ebay.

Hope that helps, have fun and good luck.

You can check TSA's website as to what is allowed on a plane and what isn't. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/index.shtm

It says you can take a "reasonable" quantity which tells me you are going to have to take what you need for the flight and getting settled and then get to a store once you get down there to buy more.

As for Disney, he may enjoy the shows at MGM where they have some stage shows as well as the ones at Animal Kingdom. There were a few things he liked at Disney whereas my oldest prefers Disney because of the rides.

Don't forget to take fun things for the flight! Loveys, something to suck on during take off and landing, snacks, toys, maybe even a portable DVD player with some of his favorite movies. Don't forget the headphones and SUNBLOCK/HAT! :) Also you might want to check out character dining!

Have fun!

My daughter has been travelling since she was just about 5 months (transatlantically). My husband is from Belgium and England so we travel there quite often. I also just went to Disney not long ago (past October) and will be going again in May. My experience for international and domestic travel were pretty much the same and I was able to bring a bottle/sippy cup.... Except when flying out of Heathrow I had to take a sip (well not me I made my husband do it at the time becasue she was drinking formula eeuwww) from my daughters bottle/sippy cup whichever she was using at the time (thanks to the terrorists over there who used their own baby's bottle and poured some liquid explosive in it --). The Brits are more stricter and strigent when it comes to stuff like that and hav enot dropped that rule yet of having to take a sip from your baby's bottle, etc. Domestically her sippy cup was not a problem. So I don't forsee a problem but I would look at the website for the individual airline and TSA to more specific rules.

We just flew into Orlando for other reasons with our very active 19 month old. We had a very early flight so I had a hard time getting him to eat breakfast. But besides that I was able to take a bottle of milk of milk and baby tylenol through security, I just let everyone I came in contact with that I had it and no one questioned it. I check his stroller in the beginning but I wished I brought it with us to the gate because we had so many bags. You can check the stroller at the gate. My son's doctor told us to give him tylenol an hour before take off, I forgot to do that and we ended up giving it to him on the plane. He was fine. We didn't buy our son a seat I thought he would fall asleep, well he didn't. He like sitting on my husbands lap and looking out the window but that only lasted so long. As soon as we were able to I let my son walk all the way to the other end of the plane and I was able to change his diaper. He liked that. We had a hard time keeping him in our aisle so of course we were giving into him and giving him anything he wanted just so he wouldn't make everyone elses flight miserable. We had a few books and toys for him but it only last so long. I recommend buying a seat for your child and bringing the car seat. I think my son would have done better if he was in his car seat. On our way back we ended up having a very late flight and he ended up falling asleep this time so that was a very nice flight. We had our son drink his bottle during take off and landing but he didn't seem to be affected buy the pressure. When we were getting off the flight I apologized to everyone around us just in case my son bothered them but they were complimenting us on how good he did and most people were use to it. Since you are flying into Orlando the flight will have a lot of kids on it anyways so there will be a good chance that there will be a child on the plane worst than yours.

If you bring the soy milk in a sealed container (like the juice boxes) you shouldn't have a problem. (But, then again, everyone has a different experience depending on which airport you fly out of.) But security will make you take all of the food and drinks out of your carry on to be scanned seperately. (I had to do this at two different airports recently) As far as other drinks, one airport made me dump out her sippy cup of water, and two others let me keep the water in there. I would try to contact the airports ahead of time to find a definite answer before you go. HAVE FUN!

I had no problems bringing baby bottles on the plane, but they do have juices.

bring plenty of diapers, because it seemed all we did was eat and POOP on the plane.

And make dure your baby is wearing easy off and easy on shoes, as they make you remove the shoes of your children aswell, even the babies.

bring a pacifier for their ears, because mine complained about that, and a towel for puke, mine did not puke but kept complaining about his belly, it could have been the poop tho.

Other than that it should be ok

GL- and Have fun!!

M

M.,
We went to Disney World in December and my son was 20 months. My son took his sippy cup right on the plane with us in Newark Airport but on the way home Orlando airport would not let us on the plane with sippy cups filled and took away my tube on destin. So it depends on your airline and airport. I hope this is helpful!! Have fun is Disney World.

M. enjoy your trip.

There's been lots of good advice here, but may I suggest you read Passporter's Walt Disney World For Your Special Needs (can be purchased at the Passporter.com website)...one of the special needs is traveling to WDW with a little one. Gives you great tips that will help make this trip easier for you.

I took my daughter to Disney around the same age and was just AMAZED at everything she could go on and do (with us, of course). Have fun! Take advantage of those line hopper tickets (where you get a ticket and then go back at a certain time to be first in line) and plan your rides around that. They were great.

For the airplane- bring lollipops for the take-off and landing. It helps with the ears. The stoller had to be xrayed, so make sure it's empty of kids and bags for a quick pass-through.

A few words of advice....you can take a sippy cup or bottle with you through security, we flew with my daugheter when she was 22 months old and she would ONLY drink milk. We had no problem. I don't know how much they will let you bring though. If you can, maybe bring some powdered soy formula and buy water once through security if you are really concerned about how much you can bring. Also just if you want to be over prepared (I am neurotic and usually am) maybe a Dr. note or perscription stating he cannot drink regular milk etc. The one other piece of advice I have is something we didn't do. We decided to do the whole child in lap thing rather than buy a ticket for her...in retrospect was a BIG mistake. Our daughter did not understand the whole you have to sit even though you are not buckled in thing. It would have it a much better trip had we just sucked it up, paid the money for the seat and dealt with lugging the car seat rather than trying to restrain a very active and overtired toddler from trying to run around the plane or hitting the people in front of her in the head etc. Also, one thing we said we would never buy, but did for this trip was a portable DVD player, it saved us, in the airport, car and on the plane. Good luck, and enjoy Disney, it will be a ball!

Be prepared to drink a little in front of the security guys, and be sure to take the smallest sippy cup on the plane. (Or bottle, if you still give him one. The usually have juice available on the plane, so he won't have to go thirsty. You may have to go to a grocery store when you get to your destination.

We traveled to Disney a couple of years ago with our 8 children. Our youngest 2 were 3 years old & 8 months. They had a great time. Disney is completely ready for families with small children. They have changing and nursing areas in all the parks. The one thing that I would say is take Disney at his pace - enjoy him having fun. Night life is pretty much out, but if you start early in the day, leave after lunch and go back to the hotel or wherever for a rest you can return later in the day.
As far as the plane thing - contact the airline ahead of time; they should be able to do something for you.

hello M.--myhusband and i are disney fans. We took our 18 mth.old son this summer and we're returning this april. we had a great time. character dining is great so your not waiting on lines with a baby to get pics. however, you MUST book in advance. I was uncomfortable with using a harness so he could walk. I found these animal backpacks in walmart that serve the same purpose. He looked like he ws wearing a monkey backpack and i held the tail. So many others had them there as well. i stuck an icepack in the monkey so it wouldn't be too hot. in august we had to sit 2 hours for the light parade so we had lots of snacks. lots of sunblock and hats!! we always fly jetblue so he has the tv for entertainment ont he plane. check the restrictions the day you fly (faa website) rules changed in the few days i flew in and came home. they took all of my formula from me when he ws an infant. no kidding. last year they took my sunblock. check that day!! they continually update it!

M.,

Check with your airline. Go to the airline's website and see if there is any info about things like special diet, food allergies etc. I knoe on USAir website there us a section called travel tools, then a special needs area and contact information for their "special needs" department. Maybe you can request having soy milk to be on the flight for your child, or they can give you some guidance. Maybe bring powdered milk? Good luck and have fun on your trip. I loved Animal Kingdom at Disney!

Ok with ALL do respect to you and the other mothers that blogged...your kids won't remember a thing about disney so why are you wasting your time and money on such an expensive trip? My husband wanted to bring our 5 year old girls and I refused. I told him not until they are at least 8. My parents brought us several times as babies and as children and I can't recall remembering one trip before the age of 8. To me that just too much for a little one. All the walking, the noise, there is very little in Disney for the really little ones to do. If this trip is more about you and your husband then that is great, but your little one isn't going to have a clue when they wake up the next morning. I wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy your trip, I just personally think it's way too soon for Disney :)

Does your son drink soy milk because he's allergic to cow's milk? or do you just prefer to have him drink soy? I ask because if he's allergic certain restaurants have soy milk. (there were only 2 when we were last year). Chef Mickey's and I think the Crystal Palace. My youngest can't have milk and last year when we booked our trip thru the travel agent we said she had the milk allergy and they put that in the arrangements. Every place they booked for dinner the chef or waiter told us what foods she could have and what to avoid.
I've never heard of not being able to bring a child's cup on the plane.

I am a flight attendant at the Binghamton airport. You cannot take any liquids including baby formula or milk all ready made in a bottle. You have to take the powdered item and make it in the bathroom after passing through security. You also cannot take any liquidy food, jello, soups etc. in a carry on bag. You cannot take anything to drink including water bottles until you pass through security. You can take the soy milk or any other liquids as long as you have it in your checked baggage.

I will add a response some of these people have written some days they change, you cannot and have never been able to take sunblock since 9/11 it is a liquid and if they didnt find it in the past you are lucky but you cannot take it. You also cannot take soy milk or formula unless it is sealed in a box or can, it cannot be in a bottle and in the USA we do not sip anything to get it through security! Check the TSA website.

With a 20 month old you want to avoid going to Epcot Center, it will be a waste of your time with his age. Go to MGM, the animal kingdom, sea world. Even in the WAlt Disney actual park he will be too small to ride almost anything there so you will have to take turns going on rides by yourself. He needs to be about 4 before he can do any of the rides.

You also will not be able to take any liquids into any of the disney parks except water, not sure if this will be a hassle for you but then I think with his age you won't be able to do a whole day of a park anyway.

Hi M.,
You will not be able to bring anything liquid or any liquid in his sippy cup through security, even if its in a package, like a carton of soy milk. Just about all airports have places to get drinks and food after security, not the best quality but you have make do. What I did with my son traveling, was bring his empty sippy cup and then after you get through security, go and buy bottled drinks, food and bring that with you on the plane. That is allowable. He may not be able to drink his soy milk during the plane trip but at least you are all prepared with food and drinks and do not have to depend on the stewardesses for that.
Good Luck
N.

Hello M.,

I recently returned from Disney with my 18 month old daughter and husband. We had a awesome time. Regarding travel, you can not bring any milk for your child. You have to purchase their milk, inside the airport, once you have pass secruity. If for some reason, you're having a hard time finding soy milk, go into starbucks. They were very understanding of our needs. I know each place is different, but you never know.
As for Disney, you will have an awesome time. You have to get on the ride "It's a small world." It's so beautiful and my daughter loved it. I highly suggest, if you're interested in taking pictures w/ characters, that you get that out the way first. We decided to get on rides first and when the time came to go into Toon Town, the lines were ridiculous. Over an hour wait and children their age get restless. I didn't get one single picture of her w/ a character. We also went to Sea World and my daughter loves animals. She enjoyed Sea World more than Disney. Have a safe and wonderful trip.

Hi M.. We just got back with our 22 month old daughter. I was nervous about the plane but she did great- I suggest getting to the airport so you don't have to rush and hiving your child time to run and get tired out. I noticed that security was a littl ebit more leniant when travelling with children, though you may want to call your airline about bringing the soy milk. But I imagine from what I saw you would be fine. I also brought a back pack with new toys- that I didn;t show her until wegoit on the plane- stickers were a big hit and kept her occupied for a good 45min. I broughts lots of snacks and suckers for when we were landing but her ears didn't seem to bother her. She loved the Animal Kingdom- safari ride and It's a small world is a must- also Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) is great for this age- all the animation things where we saw Little Einsteins, Mickey's playhouse she liked a lot as well. Safe travels and have fun!

I took my daughter when she was 9 months old and she is allergic to eggs, milk and peanuts. We had to bring rice milk for her. They sell these in little juice box type containers so we bought those and put them in our checked baggage. For the plane trip, we brought one empty bottle and one of the boxes of rice milk and didn't have a problem. We also bought an apple juice once we were past the gate and gave her that. Flying out of Rochester, NY, though, we didn't have a problem getting through security.

As for the parks, when my daughter was so young we brought her to Magic Kingdom. I'm not sure what the other lady that is a flight attendant is talking about but she went on all of the rides in the back of the park. You can take her on those with you. She went on Dumbo, Snow White, It's a Small World, etc. It is not a waste of time, she had a blast there! You will have a great time! Oh, and I was also able to bring her milk in there with us. I told them that she had allergies and they didn't have a problem with it.