My very 1st WDW vacation in November will require that I fly from California to Florida in the middle of the night (and arrive in the morning). This is the first time I've every flown so far. I'm taking a sweater in case I get cold on the flight, headphones and a walkman so that I can sleep, and a small carry-on bag. Is there anything else I should take with me in the plane cabin?

Gum! Or snacks. I usually always have gum with me in case my ears won't pop. Also sometimes it's just nice to have a little snack ;)

Gum! Yes! What a great tip...and I never would've thought of that. Thank you.

hi there; can i start by saying that as a kiwi used to the 26 hour hell trip to london, flying across the continental USA is a breeze? however, that is neither here nor there. it sounds like you will be wanting to sleep on your trip, so here is the list of what I always pack for my overseas flights:

my big soft cashmere pashmina which packs away to the size of a pair of socks (i prefer it to airline blankets which are often synthetic) to use as a shawl and then as a blanket, my foam ear-plugs (totally block out the noise of the engines), cashmere socks, and my lavender-infused eye mask. I also take a small spray bottle of Jurlique (they have a lavender mist which is great as a refresher, and a camomile one that i also love) and a good lip salve. If I am travelling in economy, I also take along an inflatable neck support (If you are looking for one that will not leak (as seems to be the wont of many bought at airports and the like, try a Samsonite one - I bought mine in Germany years ago and it is still going strong). I keep all of this in a small stuff-bag = about 18 cms square, so its ready to go for every trip and so it doesn't get lost in all the faffing around. oh, and of course I also have a mini deodorant, toothbrush and sample size toothpaste in there, but on your flight these are probably not necessary! have fun.

Even though you're planning on sleeping, I'd bring a book too - in case you can't sleep because you're just too sardined in there.

Ive done red-eyes like this before and while I have been able to sleep on such flights, its not a good sleep. All it takes is a nice little batch of turbulence to wake you up after a small nap, only to not get any good rest afterwards.

Im only mentioning that to help set some expectations.

Books, music, portable video player, etc, will be your friend.
Also buy some water before you board the plane and keep it in the seat pocket in front of you so you have something to drink in the middle of the flight.

I always pack books to read. I would definitely grab a couple of bottles of water after you get through security. If you are flying AirTran they provide free earplugs to listen to XM radio - this is my husband's favorite thing about flying and why I think he insists that we fly them:). I would also pack the toothbrush, toothpaste, and something to wash/refresh your face with. That always seems to revive me just before we arrive after a long flight. The gum is an absolute necessity for the ears for me.

You may also want to bring a thick pair of snuggly socks. The kind you would wear around the house or to bed in the wintertime, too thick to wear with shoes. It will be a lot more comfortable than wearing your shoes all night. Wear really loose-fitting shoes or sandals, because your feet may swell a little bit, and your shoes would feel tight when you put them back on. Definitely water to drink, because they won't provide enough to keep you hydrated.

Oh, that's right. A friend did mention that my feet might swell up...but I thought he was joking! I'm a real newbie when it comes to flying - my longest flight has been from San Diego to Los Angeles. All these suggestions are very helpful to me as I'm actually kind of scared about the flight. If it wasn't for the fact that WDW is my destination, I'd probably chicken out!

hi there, hope it goes well, for a first long flight it would have been better to be a daylight flight. If you are on a direct flight which is 5-6 hours, at best you might get 4 hours of quiet time to even try to sleep. Do try, if you're the type that can sleep anywhere, sleeping is best, I never use sleeping pills but sometimes other stuff like cold medicine or dramamine helps me sleep.

Other suggestion is bring not a new book but a favorite book you enjoy rereading, this isn't the time to finally tackle War and Peace!

While you are thinking of the flight need to also think about jetlag once you get there. jetlag is worse when traveling west to east. and for me anyways, an overnight makes it even worse. Plan your first day as an adjustment day, (not a day for a 12 hour park visit) either nap a bit when first there (but not too long use a alarm) or if awake stay busy in the morning and take an afternoon nap.

Most important it's a great adventure for you, have fun and maybe you'll want to travel even more! Disneyworld is awesome and it's well worth the effort to get to! Enjoy!

Oh how could I forget chapstick! Airlines always seem to make my skin/lips feel really dried out, so some kind of lipgloss/lip balm is a must or I end up with cracked, hurty lips. That would very much suck to have on vacation!

The toothbrush/facewipes thing is good too. I would wait until I was maybe off the plane to brush my teeth though, I've seen a lot of 60 minutes-ish news studies that say the water in the plane is some of the most contaminated stuff you can wash in :eek:. On that note, dont forget a small hand sanitizer as well. ;)

Thanks for all the positive advice on flying and some of the ways to relieve the stress of it. I'm taking this middle-of-the-night flight directly after working a full day at my job and arriving in Orlando the next morning on Monday. That Monday is reserved for nothing but relaxation and maybe a light dinner in Downtown Disney.

My very 1st WDW vacation in November will require that I fly from California to Florida in the middle of the night (and arrive in the morning). This is the first time I've every flown so far. I'm taking a sweater in case I get cold on the flight, headphones and a walkman so that I can sleep, and a small carry-on bag. Is there anything else I should take with me in the plane cabin?

Definitly gum, for the plane, but they also don't sell it in Disney at all, and rumor is at the airport in orlando anymore, so stock up! :) if you're a habitual chewer like my hubby is . . .you may need cases :P

Try very hard to get an aisle seat. I usually do window seats for normal length flights (1 to 3 hours), as it helps my claustrophobia to have the great outdoors right there in my face. But on a long flight you'll want to get up and stretch multiple times, go to the bathroom, etc. If you're in a middle or window seat you'll have to repeatedly climb over other people. If you're on the aisle you just get up and stretch whenever you like. I've done some international flying, and trust me - the aisle seat is most definitely the way to go!

On the subject of ears plugged/popping my doc told me last year after I had an ear infection, to spray some neo-synefrine (sp) in your nose before takeoff. I have done this ever since with my ears not plugging AT all anymore. neo-synefrine is safe even for kiddos. and using it just once or twice is not habit forming as nose sprays can sometimes be. ;)

On the subject of ears plugged/popping my doc told me last year after I had an ear infection, to spray some neo-synefrine (sp) in your nose before takeoff. I have done this ever since with my ears not plugging AT all anymore. neo-synefrine is safe even for kiddos. and using it just once or twice is not habit forming as nose sprays can sometimes be. ;)

A plugged up nose is definitely an uncomfortable experience during take-offs and landings, since you won't be able to equalize the air pressure in your ears.

I would, however, caution anyone before using Afrin, Neo-Synephrine, or any other phenylephrine-based nasal spray, that the way those nasal sprays work is to constrict blood vessels in the sinus cavity, in effect "shrinking" the tissue in your nose. That's what makes the nasal passages feel clearer.

A lot of people get really accustomed to the way it feels, since they're not actually clearing the sinus blockage (say from a cold or allergies), and the moment the drug wears off, it's back to being hard to breathe... and it makes a lot of people wind up spraying their noses ALL THE TIME.

The warning label indicates that a person shouldn't spray their nose more than 7 days straight. You will wind up with a bloody nose and such. So use it (or talk to a physician first), but use it with care.

Some people prefer other methods, including Benadryl, for clearing sinuses and making it easier to fall asleep.

Coronado_g, sleeping may be very difficult for you given that this will be your first trip to WDW (and you'll be so excited) as well as your first transcontinental flight. My suggestion is that you take the week before your trip to slowly start going to sleep earlier in the evening to help acclimate your body to the time zone change once you hit Florida.

Others in this thread have offered great tips on what to take. One running theme in all of the tips is the concept of "comfort and cocooning." You want to try to make yourself as comfortable as possible and try to cocoon yourself (blanket or pashmina wrap, eye shades, ear plugs, etc.) because the aircraft emits a huge amount of white noise from the engine, and it's hard to go to sleep.

An aisle seat is very convenient but if you are traveling with another person, a window seat isn't too bad, either. It gives you a wall on which to rest your head, and it's easier to wake up your traveling partner than a stranger, should you need to use the facilities. Don't forget that an aisle seat is convenient for YOU, but if you are seated next to strangers, you are liable to be woken up so THEY could use the restroom! lol.

Don't forget that an aisle seat is convenient for YOU, but if you are seated next to strangers, you are liable to be woken up so THEY could use the restroom! lol.

Good point. I tend to not mind, though, as it's a good excuse for me to stand up and stretch a bit.

for me an aisle seat is non-negotiable, and I am lucky enough to have the frequent flier status on my home airline/one world to have my request for seats as close to the front as possible respected (its awful on american flights when I get bumped down the back!) - its much less bumpy up the front and you get off first (which is not a big deal on domestic flights but important when you are racing to get in the immigration queue with thousands of others) but mainly its because i need to get up and stretch regularly, and I hate the feeling of being trapped. I find I am rarely bothered by those next to me because often times when I get up to stretch, they get up to go to the loo so everyone is happy. You should ask your travel agent to put in an aisle seat request (or window seat if that is what you decide) now, and make sure you check in (online if your airline allows it) as early as you can, to ensure you get the best seat possible.

I'm 5 ft tall so I've imagined that the seating situation would be spacious for my frame!

Just be firm when people are first settling in. Some larger people have a tendency to spread out into surrounding seats. I'm a big guy, but I always try to sit small. Just stand your ground - if someone crosses their legs and points a foot over into your area, simply nudge it back. Or if their arm on the armrest is sliding over into your mid-section, nudge it back. If you do this early on, you won't have any problem. If you wait till mid flight to get up your nerve, you'll continue to have problems the entire flight!

Don't stress about this - people usually are mostly polite as they're settling in.

Wear really loose-fitting shoes or sandals, because your feet may swell a little bit, and your shoes would feel tight when you put them back on.

I never knew this. What makes them swell?

I don't understand this one myself. I've flown all over the world, and I don't think my feet have ever swelled.

I never knew this. What makes them swell?

DVT anyone? Feet swelling is very common on long flights:

"The most likely culprit is inactivity during a flight. Sitting with your feet on the floor for a long period causes blood to pool in your leg veins. If you get up and walk around, your leg muscles contract and compress the veins, forcing blood back to your heart.

The position of your legs when seated also increases pressure in your leg veins. This contributes to foot swelling by causing fluid to leave the blood and move into the surrounding soft tissues. Another cause of swelling in the ankles and feet may be certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers.

You can usually relieve swelling during and after a flight by:

Elevating your feet and legs
Getting up and walking once an hour
Rotating your ankles while seated"


This is exactly why I always insist on an aisle seat - I get up and stretch and move around a lot to make sure this does not happen.

I'm 5 ft tall so I've imagined that the seating situation would be spacious for my frame!

You'd think, but I'm 5'1 and I feel cramped on the flights. I always get an aisle seat. Also I bring eye drops as well as chapstick.

This all so exciting! Maybe the flight will be fun after all if I plan well and bring comfort items as suggested in the posts.