We are thinking of flying to Disney with our 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 year olds. The little one is a climber, so could you moms tell me if it's worth taking his carseat on the plane to make sure he's strapped in for the flight? We don't need it any other time, so I hate to lug it all the way to Florida and back, but I'm thinking it would be worth it since I'm not sure a lap belt will keep him contained =-) Any other tips -- for flying with little ones or Disney -- would be great! Thanks
I would not take them to Disney being so young. It's so expensive, they won't remember and it's really hot! :) I'm speaking from experience. I would go to a beach somewhere where they can play in the sand. They would have so much more fun. Sitting in a stroller all day in the heat is not fun.
Two of my three kids are serious climbers and I have never used a car seat on a plane simply due to the pain in the rear it is to lug it around especially in an airport. I just strap them in and they have been typically so enthralled with the whole experience they are fine, even on long flights. I also bring an activity bag with NEW toys and activities in it to keep their interest.
Good luck and enjoy.
ask the airport if you can rent one.. some let you do this.. good luck... a car seat is good for keeping them strapped in... otherwise you may have him sit with you.. good luck.
We are flying to Washington with our 1 YO and after some research online, I found that most airlines have a "5 point harness" that can attach to the seat.... our girl is way to small for something like this, but I don't the size of your child and if this would be something they could use....just an option
I think you could forgo the carseat. IMO, I would wait another year to experience Disney - Unless of course you have time and money to go back again. My kids were 2 and 4 at the time of our visit and we just went to the Magic Kingdom. They are now 6 and 8 and really don't remember a thing. To do it over again, I would wait until at least 3 and 5, if not 4 and 6.
Here are some ideas for toys to keep them entertained. If you are travelling by yourself, it would help to buy a seat for him so you can put his car seat there and strap him in.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550
I agree with Angela F. Too young and hot. Wait until their school aged.
We just flew with my almost 2 year old daughter and my 4 year old. My youngest traveled as a lap child. I took a grab bag of toys for them. I bought each a new box of crayons and a new coloring book. They also love stickers so I took a bag of stickers and let the girls decorate paper with them. I also went to the Dollar Tree and Michael's and purchased little dollar toys for each and wrapped them. I would hand one to the girls and let them open it and play for awhile. I would slowly give a new gift as they got antsy with the old one. It worked out wonderfully! I also took little treats for them to eat and would slowly give that to them.
My oldest did spend a little time watching a portable DVD - I went to Walmart and purchased a $5 DVD movie that I knew she would love. This let her have something new to watch.
The youngest does not like to sit still and did spend a little time going back and forth between her Dad and I, but she did really well and was so enthralled by the flight that it was not a problem.
Good luck to you. My youngest was just under 2 years old (but was an old 2 year old). She loved Disney! Her favorite was the "It's A Small World" ride and the "Dumbo" ride. The other wonderful part was that she didn't know the princesses really well so we didn't have to wait in any lines to meet the princesses. Yes, I don't think she remembers everything now, but she had so much fun that it was worth it. Isn't it true that half the stuff we do for kids they don't remember? We do it partly because they enjoy it at the time and somehow it will fit into the makeup of their life.
First, kids under 2 fly free so why would you pay for a seat just to keep him strapped in (IMO)? Its not that long of a flight I would just hold him in your lap and bring lots of snacks, activities, etc. Along the same lines kids under 3 are free at dinsey so in reality you are only paying for the 3 1/2 yr old and I think he will have a great time at that age. They both may not remember it as they get older but that doesn't mean they won't have a good time and you will remember it forever :). Have fun at Disney and take lots of pictures!!
I know there have been lots of other recent posts on this topic, if you do a search on the subject you will find lots of good advice. Have a fun trip.
