THis is the first time we'll be taking our toddlers (2 and 4 yr old) on a plane. Will we need car seats for them?

We haven't traveled in a while so what site would be the best to go to in terms of size of carry-on, limits, etc.?

We're planning to bring a duo-umbrella stroller. Does this count as one carry-on?

What tips do you have to keep the kids busy while at the airport/waiting for bus, etc. We're not renting a car when we get to DisneyWorld.

Do we need to bring any form of "official" identification for the kids?

Thanks.

No, you don't need car seats, however it would be safer for the kids if they have one (and it must be approved by the FAA to use it on the plane). I have also found that my 2 year old does much better when strapped into his car seat on the plane--it limits his ability and desire to get up and walk around, plus he feels comfort in "his" seat. My 4 year old has grown out of her FAA approved seat, but she was fine just sitting down...although it was often a struggle to have her keep her seatbelt buckled.

Go to the website of the airline you are flying to look at carry on limits. In my experience, purses and diaper bags do not count as carry ons, however with 2 kids you will want to limit the amount of stuff you have to carry with you. Also you can check the stroller at the gate and it shouldn't count as a carry on.

As for keeping the kids busy...it depends on your kids, but it is usually good if you have something new or something that they haven't seen for a while. I tried many things with my 4 year old, and the thing that was the best was a movie (and we don't watch very much tv at home). She would color (I found crayons that were not round so they wouldn't keep rolling away), or play with stickers or read. The 2 year old was a different story. He liked playing with things on the airplane--buttons and stuff, or running around the airport so as long as we kept him moving and engaged he was good.

I've been asked for the kids' vaccine record as a form of ID for them--mainly just to prove their age if they are a lap child or not. Again, you might want to check with your airline...but you probably won't need any form of ID.

Have a great time!!!

-bug

We have traveled by plane a number of times with our children, and have never been asked for ID for them. One thing we learned was not to let them wear those shoes that light up when they walk-the LED lights will trigger a more intensive search at security. Yes, it's awful to think that anyone would wire their kid with a bomb, but this was right after the shoe bombing incident, so they were really paying attention to shoes. I always carry little amusements to keep them busy. The Crayola Color Wonder kits are a favorite, and non-messy. Another fun craft is to pack some Fruit Loops and string licorice, and let them make necklaces. Your stroller will not go with you onto the plane. You can roll it right up to the entrance of the plane, and leave it there, and they will gate check it for you. It should be waiting for you when you get off the plane, or a few minutes after.

A car seat is never required on an airplane, but it is definitely a good idea with younger kids. Based on our experiences flying, I would expect that you will probably want a car seat for the 2-year-old, but the 4-year-old will be too big to use one comfortably on a plane. Since you are not going to be renting a car in Florida, I would suggest taking along just the one car seat.

The stroller will not count as a carry-on, so you shouldn't have to worry about that. You will need to gate check it, which means that they will store it for you as you are getting on the plane and it should be waiting for you right at the gate when you arrive. I've heard from others that strollers can sometimes get pretty dirty in the storage area, so you might want to think about a cover. On the other hand, we've never covered our strollers when gate checking them and it hasn't been a problem...

As for things to keep the kid's entertained on the plane, we have had pretty good luck with a portable DVD player (bring along a spare battery, if you have one -- we've had problems with the battery going dead half way through a flight) as well as various books and small toys. One useful trick is to pick up a new toy or activity book that you don't show to the child until you get on the plane. That introduces a novelty factor that might hold the kid's attention a bit longer.

Every kid is different, of course, but our experience with our son was that he generally slept through most flights until he was around 3 years old. Not wanting to scare you, I'll also mention that around that same age our son started getting panic attacks when we first boarded. He would settle down and be fine after about 10 minutes or so (usually before the plane even took off), but prior to that he was in pretty much full meltdown. We had this experience on 3 different flights. On our last flight (the return home from our last Florida trip), we talked with him pretty continuously during the wait at the airport, reminding him of the previous flight. On that flight, he was fine and was also very proud of himself for being so brave.

As for keeping the kids occupied while waiting for buses or at the airport, our experience has been that we haven't really needed anything. The overall excitement factor was high enough that boredom never really had time to set in.

-Jeff

EARPLANES! That is my best advice if you have kids with any sort of ear issues. My little one had ear infections a lot between 6m and 1y, so we found these little earplugs that reduce the pressure in their ears. I wear them too! It's hard to convince them to keep them in at first, but then they get used to them. He's now 3 1/2 and won't fly without them, since he removed them on the way down once and was miserable for two hours after landing. (NOT FUN!) You can get them at pharmacies, travel stores and online at www.onestepahead.com

Have them drink on the way up and down - that helps. Lollypops help too.

Double check that your carseat is FAA approved. Britax usually is, and there are few more.

Buddies, blankies and other snuggles that you bring on the plane have to go through the x-ray machine too, so if you don't want them touching the buckets, bring a big ziplock to put them in first. Prepare the kids ahead of time that their snuggly things might have to go through the x-ray. That can be hard on kids.

I like to bring Color Wonders, a little DVD player with headphones, snacks and a couple little travel games with us. Avoid things with wheels (like cars - just roll away!) and loud things that might annoy others. If you bring crayons, before you head out, put a peice of aluminum foil in a pan or on a griddle then place the crayons on that for just a second or two to melt one side flat so they don't roll away and head under the seats. A little bit of time before you go will lead to much less irritation later! ;) (remember to use tongs to pick the crayons up out of the hot pan - umm . .. yeah, from experience . . .) heh heh

Best of luck on your trip! Have fun!! :)

Pluses of flying with a carseat:

- Safer, in case of bad turbulence or a rough landing
- Lifts a small child up so that they can see out the window better
- More comfortable, if you're expecting the child may nap on the plane

Disadvantages of flying with a carseat:

- Really hard to install. You'll need to preboard to have plenty of time to struggle with it. We've taken two different carseats, several different planes, and it just never works right. Sometimes the seatbelt latch is in a spot where it's pretty impossible to actually tighten it enough. Sometimes the latch ends up inside the seat, making for a really hard, uncomfortable lump right in the middle of the child's back. Bring extra clothes to use as padding.
- Pushes the kid further forward, with less legroom. So they are less comfortable, and you end up having to spend a lot of the flight trying to keep them from kicking the person in front of them.
- No flexibility in seating. The carseat must be by the window, you can't have the kid move and sit in between Mom & Dad.
- It's another big thing to have to carry through the airport and get through security. We had to hold up the security line for a while once, while the TSA helped us try and figure out how to get the seat to fit into the x-ray machine.
- Can't fold down the tray table, it hits the carseat.

The 4-year-old will almost certainly be too big to use a carseat on the plane, unless you're flying first class - there just won't be the legroom.

Next time we fly with our 2 1/2 year old, I think I'll decide based on how long the flight is and whether it overlaps naptime. For a short flight that isn't at naptime, I'd skip the carseat. For napping, the seat is definitely more comfortable.

In the past (I haven't checked recently,) there have been booster seats that had the "FAA Approved" sticker on them BUT airlines won't let booster seats on planes. So if you're taking a carseat, make sure it's a carseat and not a booster seat.

I'm a VERY strong advocate of NOT lapsitting children on planes - but I'd vote to not worry about bringing a carseat for the 4-y/o.

Adrienne

The good thing about having the car seats (mentioned previously) is that you will get to board early. Just mention it to the gate attendant...it is really nice to get on early, get the seats buckled in, and catch your breath before everyone else boards. I have twin boys who are now 10, but were 3 when we moved across country to Seattle. It was their first flight and I was a wreck! It gave me a moment to get it together!

For your 4 year old, take a small back pack that has just things for him(her). I purchased some new books, a small magna doodle, toddler size toys (action figures), washable markers and the ones that were stamps (more fun than crayons), a small sketch pad, a child CD player and music (which helped with noise on the plane), and favorite snacks like animal crackers, marshmellows, and m&m's as a treat. I now pack "goodie bags" for every "family" trip for my kids. They really look forward to finding the new special things that are packed just for them!

Hope this helps!;)

I would def. put both kids in carseats on the plane. You are going to need them when you arrive anyway, and checking them with luggage not only makes them at risk for being lost, but damaged as well, even if you gate check them there is still risks. Not to mention the kids are much safer buckled in to their carseats on the plane. My 4yo still rides in his 5pt. harness on the plane when we fly. I never have an issue with installing it, just preboard and take my time. A tip is to flip the buckle so that the part you need to lift to unbuckle is not against the back of the carseat, but toward the back of the plane seat.

Typically booster seats require lap/shoulder belt combinations and therefore they are not FAA approved, as the plane belts are lap only.

You are going to need them when you arrive anyway, and checking them with luggage not only makes them at risk for being lost, but damaged as well, even if you gate check them there is still risks.
If they are taking Disney's Magical Express and on-site Disney transportation the whole time, they are not going to need their car seats when they arrive. None of the transportation has seat belts and it is all exempt from car seat laws.

I also had a question that I'd heard about before - If you have a seat for a young child, but don't have a car seat, there was a certain age that they required that you lap hold the child for take off and landing. Does any one know about that? I think it was primarily for the under-2 set?

Any tips for helping infants with their ears? We're going to WDW when our Cub will be 4 months old. His first plane ride. I expect he's too young for Earplanes? Since he'll need to be in his car seat, breastfeeding's out.

I would recommend a pacifier or anything else the baby likes to suck on. Even a little water in a bottle might be helpful....the swallowing/sucking is what will help the ears.

Lori

When we flew with our then 4-month-old daughter, we didn't purchase a seat for her, so there was no expectation/rule about her being in a seat at takeoff. I actually was nursing her as we took off. On the way home, there were empty seats on the plane, so they let us put her car seat in a seat. Then since she had a seat, she had to be in it for takeoff -- she was drinking from a bottle as we took off. No problems with ears either way.

I'm the one in my family who does the "panic attack at the beginning of the flight" thing (crying, hyperventilating - the whole nine yards). DH learned FAST that he needs to distract me during takeoff. Feeding the baby took care of that very nicely.

We fly to Hawaii every year and until my boys were 4 and 3, I would bring their britax car seats on the plane.

But as the boys got older, legs grew longer, airplane seats grew smaller, and since their little sister was born, I no longer bring the car seats on the plane. It was so stressful to put the car seats into the airplane seats (even with the extra time given with early boarding;) I was NOT in a good mood by the time the plane left the ground.

However, when my kids were babies, I did not purchase seats for them. My kids HATED the baby car seat. Even in the car, everytime they were in them, they screamed. It changed when they got moved to the convertible car seat. I nursed them in the plane taking off and landing. So easy.

gloria

I nursed them in the plane taking off and landing. So easy.

gloria

And holding them whole entire time? How did that go?

And holding them whole entire time? How did that go?

And holding them whole entire time? How did that go?

It was fine. Definitely easier to entertain when in my lap. I'm trying to remember...my daughter was 8 mos when she first went to hawaii; my husband entertained the boys. She and I just played together and of course, she napped easier when I held her.

The last time we went was in Jan '07; my boys were 7, 5 1/2 and DD was 2 1/2. I flew with the kids by myself (my DH was on his way to India!) The hardest, hardest part about the whole trip was the security check. I had the double stroller, dvd player, backpack; I had to unload the stroller, take everyone's shoes off, remove the plastic bags with meds, blah, blah, blah. It was early in the am so, thank God, no one was behind me! Returning to CA was not so bad because I already knew what to expect.

gloria

The good thing about having the car seats (mentioned previously) is that you will get to board early.

Actually, there is no guarantee that you will get to pre-board, even when using a carseat. We found it was very hit and miss during the various trips we took before our son outgrew using one on a plane. Particularly relevant to this section, I don't believe we have ever been given the opportunity to pre-board on any flights to Orlando. Those flights have so many families with small children that they would probably end up pre-boarding half the plane...

-Jeff

To maximize your chance of being able to preboard, make sure you talk with the gate agent about your need. The last couple of years they rarely do a blanket pre-board, but they will call individuals.

Also, one thing my sister and BIL did when they flew with car seats - ONE adult pre-boarded with the car seat and got it installed, then the other got on very near the end of the boarding process. The kids aren't 'just sitting there' for any longer than they need to!

To maximize your chance of being able to preboard, make sure you talk with the gate agent about your need. The last couple of years they rarely do a blanket pre-board, but they will call individuals.


I've found that generally doesn't make a difference when it comes to boarding with small children and installing a car seat. I'm sure there are occasions where the gate crew might allow it, but generally they enforce the preboarding policy in a uniform manner.

As I noted, the chances are a lot better if you are traveling on a flight that doesn't have a lot of small children. If you are going to Orlando, you definitely shouldn't count on it.

-Jeff

Also, one thing my sister and BIL did when they flew with car seats - ONE adult pre-boarded with the car seat and got it installed, then the other got on very near the end of the boarding process. The kids aren't 'just sitting there' for any longer than they need to!

This is exactly what we were planning on doing, Drince88. Thanks!

To maximize your chance of being able to preboard, make sure you talk with the gate agent about your need. The last couple of years they rarely do a blanket pre-board, but they will call individuals.

Also, one thing my sister and BIL did when they flew with car seats - ONE adult pre-boarded with the car seat and got it installed, then the other got on very near the end of the boarding process. The kids aren't 'just sitting there' for any longer than they need to!

It might work for some...but not others. Our then three year old had a fit when I got on the plane and left him and daddy behind to get on after us.

If they are taking Disney's Magical Express and on-site Disney transportation the whole time, they are not going to need their car seats when they arrive. None of the transportation has seat belts and it is all exempt from car seat laws.

I also had a question that I'd heard about before - If you have a seat for a young child, but don't have a car seat, there was a certain age that they required that you lap hold the child for take off and landing. Does any one know about that? I think it was primarily for the under-2 set?

I am not familiar with the Disneyworld transportation systems, so I assumed they would need the seats, at least for transportation to their hotel, as we do when we go to Disneyland.

I do not know of any requirement of a child having to be held during take off and landing, if you have purchased a seat for the child. I am a former flight attendant, and don't recall any rules. However, it would not make sense to purchase a seat for a child and not have them in a carseat if they were not old enough to sit on their own etc.

As far as how to help with the changes in cabin pressure and ear issues. Sucking is the best thing. As kids get older, they can chew gum or suck on lollipops, but for babies, nursing, drinking a bottle, or a sucking on a pacifier is the best way to relieve ear pressure.

The bottom line with safety on the plane is just like in a vehicle. ALL passengers should be restrained somehow. It really isn't practical to think that during a rough landing, severe turbulence or a plane crash, a parent would be able to hold on to their child. For me, it comes down to this. My airline pilot DH wears a 5 pt harness when he is flying the plane, I sure don't want my baby restrained only by my arms.

Thanks for all your help. I really get a lot of useful info here and forward the infor to my hsband.

My son's acutally pretty big 2 yr old..he's about 32 lbs. so I think we'r eoK without car seat.

I didn't even think of the ear -- thing. I'm sure my kids will enjoy the lollipops.

Thanks again.

At the hairdressers this morning, I picked up the January issue of Good Housekeeping, and there was an article about new products that featured a FAA-approved child harness that hooks onto the seat. Much easier to carry and install than a car seat, if you don't need a car seat on the trip, and appropriate for toddlers. I don't recall the brand name, but I believe the retail cost was $75.

it's called the "CARES" harness, and you can actually rent them via ebay- I have heard positive reports of people doing that.