Need lots of toddler advice

So in a moment of weakness I agreed to take our grandson and his mother along on our end of Sept stay at Wilderness Lodge. He will be 26 months at that time.

How do you make it through the whole airport and flight thing with one that young, who I must say is a tad hyperactive at this point? Do you bring a car seat on the plane for him to sit in, so you also have it for the car rental? I was thinking if you can do that, maybe he would sit better in the plane, as he is use to sitting in his car seat. I have no idea if you can even do that or how to go about it.

In addition, his mother has never been on a plane before either and is nervous about it.

Once we get to Orlando, any tips from people who do this with such young 'uns? I have rethought our dining plans and now will probably eat breakfast and supper in the timeshare most of the time. He is a very light eater and when he is done he wants to be on the move..

Any and all comments and suggestions most welcome.

I woke up at 5am thinking OMG, what did I do? I sure don't want to be one of those families you read about in the national news who got kicked off the plane!

Don't worry too much... you will have fond memories of this trip you will tell him about when is older! I actually find that the vibrations of the plane while it is flying can make little kids calmer or sleepier. I never bring a car seat on the plane because I find it cumbersome and car rental companies of course have them. You will want a stroller which will be gate checked.
Pack little toys he has never seen in your carry on and give them to him as needed.
Good luck!

We have taken a car seat, and our son did great at that age. (He's 12 now) I don't think he would have sat, as still, if he didn't have his car seat. He was even complimented by several passengers in the immediate area, for being such a good kid, and that was on a 5 hour flight!
The landing can be hard on their ears, heck, it's still hard on mine sometimes! Make sure they're either sucking on a pacifier, candy, or swallowing a lot, like a drink, or bottle.
Make some memories... whatever happens, you'll laugh about them someday! :whoopie:

The worst part for little ones is when the plane begins its descent for landing. The change in cabin pressure can cause great pain in the ears or in the sinus cavities in the forehead and cheeks. I feel this pain myself sometimes when descending to land. It really makes the kids start to scream and there's nothing you can do. My advice is to talk to the child's doctor about a decongestent, and try to clear up the runny noses and sinuses as much as possible. What works best for me when trying to equalize these pressures is a big yawn. Pops my ears!!

I also only fly with our little ones in the morning. The afternoon and evening causes sleep issues and "crazy" kids. Be prepared for "the look" you will get when you walk on the plane with a todler. Everyone fears you sitting next to them.
We checked our car seat and let the little one sit on our lap (she was free that way).

The car seat is cumbersome, but it is also the safest option and one with which they are familiar and I do tend to think it helps them stay put since they are already accustomed to being strapped in and confined...Without it..well, we have to hope for the best. When I had only one child, she used the car seat on the plane until she was almost 3...but then I had twins...we lugged two massive car seats, double stroller and another BIG bag and stopped taking a seat for my 3 year old.

Now that they are used to travelling and I have had enough of lugging car seats through the airport and installing and uninstalling them on the plane, I stopped using them on the last trip..they were 2.5... and did just fine.

I check my own car seats with the luggage. You CAN rent with the car.... ( $10 per day. For me that is $210 for the week for 3 seats....no thanks.) I have done the rentals in the past quite a few times however and now I carry my own, but I check them...I have been very disappointed with the quality cleanliness of the rental seats, so I am much happier with my own.



The BIG bag of snacks and very importantly, lots of small ( but not things that will roll the length of the plane easily if they fall) books, toys, trinkets, etc, to keep him amused will be key for your active little one..... Make the little gifts last the whole ride and keep something in reserve, too.

Candy, ..clearly you dont want to send them bouncing off the airplane walls, but keep something special in a back pocket, just in case.... and mine actually look forward to their gummies on take off and decents....its become somewhat of a tradition, but it keeps them happy and chewing so no one complains that their ears hurt.

While at disney, or in the parks...the most imortant thing I have found, is to not push them too hard. He's TWO, mind his needs and don't keep him in the park all day.

Get to the park when it opens and get him back to the room in PLENTY of time to get a good nap, eat and relax a bit. You can go back after everyone is refreshed.Don't push him. Plan down days....no parks....see if you can get a character meal scheduled....not the park or expense, but they still enjoy the characters and you have toe at anyway.

Finally, you might want to suggest that mom read him a childrens book or have him watch a video about air travel. We have a couple, one is called ""Going on a plane" and we have a video "Shay by air" (very old ( filmed in the 70's )and its a little girl, so maybe you can find one that is more updated with a little boy on Amazon)...but the bottom line is.... they love it. They get reminded about buckling up and not kicking the back of seats and going through security....my kids adore these books an videos and we always pull them out before trips.

Good Luck...don't panic...travelling with little ones can be alot of work. Mom will not have time to be nervous herself as she will be too busy keeping her son entertained...unless, she is lucky enough for him to just take nap. Just don't go onto the plane expecting to "Sit back and enjoy the ride"...It's time for active parenting and full entertainment mode.

The memories are really amazing...and the travel part is over before you know it. So worth it.....

Good Luck.

Sea Six said:

The worst part for little ones is when the plane begins its descent for landing. The change in cabin pressure can cause great pain in the ears or in the sinus cavities in the forehead and cheeks. I feel this pain myself sometimes when descending to land. It really makes the kids start to scream and there's nothing you can do. My advice is to talk to the child's doctor about a decongestent, and try to clear up the runny noses and sinuses as much as possible. What works best for me when trying to equalize these pressures is a big yawn. Pops my ears!!

Click to expand...

Before I took my oldest on his first flight I received this tip from a very experienced FA:

Take 2 plastic cups, and fill them generously with baby wipes or any other moistured wipes. The moist is very important. When the plane starts landing, place the cups over the ears and push gently. They can do it by themselves as soon as they feel what it does. The pressure will take away (part of) the pain. This does not help when a kid is already screaming because of the pain, as it will probably be moving too much to hold the cups in place.

I've always used it when necessary (4 kids) and the kids were always fine. As soon as they learned that a plane started landing, they would take their cups and hold them standby. Sometimes they would still feel something, but it would take away most of the pain.

Bring crunchy foods that your grandson likes to eat on the plane. Even if you don't believe in giving junk food, this is the time to forget that. Chewing and swallowing keeps the ears from hurting.

Ironically, we just took our 2 1/2 year old granddaughter to California, with our daughter, just got back on Saturday, and she was very good on the plane and kept her seatbelt on, watched a DVD while flying both ways, and she snacked. Our daughter gave her Tylenol before the takeoff to keep her ears from hurting. She didn't complain at all.

Our granddaughter is a trooper, and this was her sixth RT flight. When she was 20 months, she went to Germany with our daughter to meet our son-in-law who was there for a short time. She has been to Orlando already, last year, and was an angel then too. She is a busy girl, always playing at home, never sitting, but she instinctively knows that flying on an airplane is not "run around" time. She sees everyone else sitting and knows that is the expected behavior.

To avoid meltdowns (tantrums), our daughter tells our granddaughter to "use her words," which keeps Evelyn from the hysterical crying (most of the time), when it becomes apparent she is going to start losing her temper. This works very well because Evelyn has to catch her breath to talk.

When their family went to North Dakota last year for a funeral, she was 18 months, and the passengers nearby were so impressed because she started crying, and our daughter asked her to use her words, and Evelyn said, "Ears hurt, Mommy, please help me." Laura told her the pain would go away in a little while. She got her to eat some more snacks, and of course gave her some Tylenol, Evelyn was fine after that.

The first time we flew with our dd's they were 10mos old and almost 3yr. No problem!!! The little one was a little too young , but the 3 yr old loved it.

Our problem was the little one got a bad ear infection while in FL and the dr. (my sil took her kids to this pediatrician) said good we were not going home for a few days cuz the flying would have hurt!!!!

Some have said to give them a little benadryl to make them sleepy. I sometimes get nervous flying and take a benadryl to help me sleep.

as far as the parks, , once we were there, we were there for the entire day. Never went back to the condo for a break. Maybe I was lucky, cuz the kids would rest in the stroller. But at the end of the day, while walking out of the park, we carried 2 tired, sound asleep girls

And you will cherish those days forever. It's been 30 years since we took our dd's and still remember as if it were yesterday. Plus, now , we have the memories of taking our gr.d twice to WDW among other places!!!!

If using the the carseat on the plane, make sure it is approved for air travel. (Not all are. We had to check one we planned to use).

Nancy

happybaby said:

as far as the parks, , once we were there, we were there for the entire day. Never went back to the condo for a break. Maybe I was lucky, cuz the kids would rest in the stroller. But at the end of the day, while walking out of the park, we carried 2 tired, sound asleep girls

Click to expand...

WEll, I guess that's a good point about the parks. None of my kids have ever been prone to getting good naps in a stroller, so we really have to get them back to their cribs/beds to rest well.... But, if you are blessed enough to have good stroller nappers, then go for it.


My point it is , know your kids and don't do more than they can handle.

It's vacation, it should be fun and if you wear them out day after day, then neither they nor you will be having a good time by the end of the week!

I hate to see really hot cranky and tired kids/families at the park. That is not my idea fun, so we leave while everyone is still in good spirits.

Make you seat reservation at the other end of the plane and enjoy the flight, LOL.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Good stuff.

I really need to plan and plan some more and then just relax and do the best we can. I already know we will all be in full entertainment mode the entire trip and we will see what we can find to take along for new treats and surprises to entertain him.

I am really on the fence about the whole car seat on the plane thing. I just don't want more stuff to lug around, mainly. It will be up to DH and mother to deal with everything at security, because I will be off doing the up and close personal screening. I set off the alarms since I had my knee replaced.

If it were just DH and I with the grandson, we would have no problem with gearing down and doing things slowly and at his pace. Problem is gonna be with his mom who is so excited and wants to see everything. I already told her since we have the free bus transportation, one of us can always go back with little guy for naptime and one can stay with her and do the stuff he is too little to do. Like most of it. LOL Or if she is up for it, we can stay at the timeshare with him in the evening and she can go back alone.

I really am excited thinking about it. It will be so fun to show the parks to someone who has never been there. And as already mentioned, what memories! Gonna take a ton of pictures for sure.

I do think we are going to take our stroller along. It will help with getting through the airport with him and all the stuff, as well as not having to rent one at the parks. Does a stroller count as baggage with Northwest?

Anymore suggestions or ideas, all are welcome.

thheath said:

Make you seat reservation at the other end of the plane and enjoy the flight, LOL.

Click to expand...

Don't think I haven't thought of that.

Go to your favorite drugstore and read the package on a set of "Earplanes" to see if they work for that age. The directions do need to be followed (leaving them in for the whole flight -- I expect from ND you may have a plane change, so you might need more sets). They really help my grandson, but he was older when we first found them.

A stroller that folds easily is very helpful (you don't need those mega-ones that seem to be prevalent these days, tho). Search on Disney forums and you'll find lots of helpful tips about taking toddlers. (I like disboards.com).

Pre-order the PhotoPass CD and get lots of 3 generation and individual photos.

If your daughter is nervous about flying some Bonine or Dramamine might help (she might nap, and hopefully DGS will also!).

Since you won't be able to do everything, prioritize and do plan for some breaks (we managed some full days when my DGS was 13 mos -- but I had more stamina then). One of our fun memories was my going around the lazy river 3-4 times holding him while he napped (I used one of the little tubes to shield him from the oversprays).

Even if some of the trip is rocky (there will be times when patience will be key) -- you will have great memories. You will remember it very fondly and be really glad to have lots of cute pics.

We traveled often with our two toddlers, and just knew that the flight was going to be hard work for us parents! Like others have said, we came prepared with lots of snacks, water to drink, and an assortment of books, toys, etc., We tried to take toys we didn't care about, so if they got dropped down the seat, or lost somewhere along the way, it wasn't a big deal. We had a whole collection of Happy Meal Toys, cheap wind up toys, etc., that were perfect and we could take them out one at a time to keep things interesting.

What irritates me as a traveler now are parents who bring kids on the plane with one book and nothing else to do, and then yell at them the entire trip to behave! I always feel sorry for the kids because it's not their fault they get bored with nothing to do after 10 minutes.

We usually didn't take car seats on, but I can see where that could be a good idea. We always did take ours though as checked baggage, because we couldn't always count in getting one with the rental car and they were always dirty and gross. We always put ours in a heavy duty garbage bag before checking and added a tag. (I always cringe when I see the car seats going around the luggage carousel uncovered. Hard to imagine putting a kid in one of those, after they've been run through the dirty luggage carts, plane holds, etc.)

The other thing we learned is that kids that agevare often more interested in things like watching a bug or splashing in a fountain than doing some activity like a Disney ride. So it's good to dial down expectations and just take the time to let them enjoy their setting. You may want to let one of you stay with the child in a shady spot or just to walk around, while the other two stand in lines for a ride.

The great part is that being right at Disney they can nap and take a break at the resort when they get over tired. Plan a break in those 8-10 h days and you go do things when they are sleeping.

Also go the the WDW website as there is an Ask Moms section with lots of helpful hints about visits. Are you using Magical Express for transportation.
http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/

When my parents lived in Florida we flew a couple of times with little ones and no car seats to see them and drove a couple of times. Believe me it was easier flying then driving with them. This was before people had TVs in cars and could play movies or video games on long drives.

Activity books or a movie on a portable dvd player should work and get direct flights if affordable.

cindi said:

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. Good stuff.

I really need to plan and plan some more and then just relax and do the best we can. I already know we will all be in full entertainment mode the entire trip and we will see what we can find to take along for new treats and surprises to entertain him.

I am really on the fence about the whole car seat on the plane thing. I just don't want more stuff to lug around, mainly. It will be up to DH and mother to deal with everything at security, because I will be off doing the up and close personal screening. I set off the alarms since I had my knee replaced.

If it were just DH and I with the grandson, we would have no problem with gearing down and doing things slowly and at his pace. Problem is gonna be with his mom who is so excited and wants to see everything. I already told her since we have the free bus transportation, one of us can always go back with little guy for naptime and one can stay with her and do the stuff he is too little to do. Like most of it. LOL Or if she is up for it, we can stay at the timeshare with him in the evening and she can go back alone.

I really am excited thinking about it. It will be so fun to show the parks to someone who has never been there. And as already mentioned, what memories! Gonna take a ton of pictures for sure.

I do think we are going to take our stroller along. It will help with getting through the airport with him and all the stuff, as well as not having to rent one at the parks. Does a stroller count as baggage with Northwest?

Anymore suggestions or ideas, all are welcome.

Click to expand...

I'm past the stroller phase with mine, but I don't think NWA charges for strollers as there are always a big pile of them that are gate-checked when I've gone to Orlando.

Thanks again everyone. And excellent idea about checking the disboards. One of those why didn't I think of that moments!

The little dude will want to walk around on the plane. All the time. So if there isn't any turbulence and the fight attendants aren't in the aisle you can let him walk with you or mom.

I told my kids 2 things at that age: 1) the pilot won't let them on the plane if they don't have a bath the night before (no stinky kids allowed on planes) and 2) the pilot knows who has his/her seatbelt on and can't let the plane take off without a seatbelt on. This works with kids in car seats or seatbelts.

I agree that having snacks are good. Buying water/juice after security is good. Toys are good, maybe even a dvd player.

Have a great time.

clsmit said:

The little dude will want to walk around on the plane. All the time. So if there isn't any turbulence and the fight attendants aren't in the aisle you can let him walk with you or mom.

I told my kids 2 things at that age: 1) the pilot won't let them on the plane if they don't have a bath the night before (no stinky kids allowed on planes) and 2) the pilot knows who has his/her seatbelt on and can't let the plane take off without a seatbelt on. This works with kids in car seats or seatbelts.

I agree that having snacks are good. Buying water/juice after security is good. Toys are good, maybe even a dvd player.

Have a great time.

Click to expand...

He will definitely want to walk. He is a perpetual motion machine. BG

That really made me laugh about the stinky kids. :hysterical:

We recently flew on both AA and US Airways and neither charged us for checking our little umbrella stroller at the gate. Was great to have in the airport to keep our daughter (9 mos) confined. When our son was 2 we used a car seat in the plane and it was a big pain in the _____, lugging it around and it also took up some of "our" space too. Since then we've gone seatless (he's 5 now) and ever since that one "car seat" flight he's just sat in the seat and it was better for everyone.

We also bought a portable DVD player that we break out for flights and long drives. They cost anywhere from $80-$200 depending on size and manufacturer, and he thought it was really cool that on our trip to Phoenix that he was able to watch 2 Star Wars movies !!

If you're taking Disney's Magical Express you can't use a car seat in the shuttle (need to hold the little one in your lap), if you're renting a car at the airport (can also rent one on the WDW grounds - check around for the best deal) you can usually rent them from the rental company as well. Lots of folks have also gone to one of the Walmarts in the area and bought a "cheap" one for the trip. There are also companies that will rent this stuff in Orlando. Can also do a google search and see if you can find any stroller/baby seat swaps (not sure if folks still do that but it was done in the past).

Found out that in Phoenix there's even a place that rents baby stuff as our trip there we stayed with the inlaws and rented a pack-n-play, a "bouncy" seat, a megasaucer and a few other things.

Enjoy the trip, a tri-generational trip should bring memories for a lifetime. We just bought DVC a few months ago (our 1st TS, but probably not our only one), and our first trip is going to be a tri-generational trip - we can't wait !

Chris

We are going to bring a portable DVD player, hopefully it will help some. OMG, more Bob the Builder! Yikes. Problem is, he will watch for about maybe 10 minutes max at the house and then he is off. Hopefully if he is confined he will stick with it longer.

I am trying to decide between the huge PITA factor of lugging the car seat versus the safety factor for him as well along with the hope he will stay seated better in something he is use to.

cindi said:

We are going to bring a portable DVD player, hopefully it will help some. OMG, more Bob the Builder! Yikes. Problem is, he will watch for about maybe 10 minutes max at the house and then he is off. Hopefully if he is confined he will stick with it longer.

I am trying to decide between the huge PITA factor of lugging the car seat versus the safety factor for him as well along with the hope he will stay seated better in something he is use to.

Click to expand...

I would recommend a product similar to this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3091046 For carrying around your carseat. The one I had straps like a backpack and it was very easy to carry.

Your gs is at the inbetween age where he might or might not be good without a carseat. I took ours as long as I could. I did something similar as the above poster in that I told my child it was required just like the car on a plane. However, my kids are very good rule followers. They have always been that way.

Another thing and don't take this personally as it isn't meant that way but the adult's attitude will have everything to do with how well the trip goes. I noticed my kids acted up more when I was frustrated or not patient, etc... So, for the child as well as the adults everyone needs to have a good nights sleep and be flexible. Everyone is travelling together and needs to be conscious of everyone's needs and desires. Of course, the child won't be able to be as flexible so it will be up to the adults to adjust. And, it sounds like you guys have some great plans in there where you can leave with the gs and go back to the ts when necessary.

ciscogizmo1 said:

I would recommend a product similar to this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3091046 For carrying around your carseat. The one I had straps like a backpack and it was very easy to carry.

Your gs is at the inbetween age where he might or might not be good without a carseat. I took ours as long as I could. I did something similar as the above poster in that I told my child it was required just like the car on a plane. However, my kids are very good rule followers. They have always been that way.

Another thing and don't take this personally as it isn't meant that way but the adult's attitude will have everything to do with how well the trip goes. I noticed my kids acted up more when I was frustrated or not patient, etc... So, for the child as well as the adults everyone needs to have a good nights sleep and be flexible. Everyone is travelling together and needs to be conscious of everyone's needs and desires. Of course, the child won't be able to be as flexible so it will be up to the adults to adjust. And, it sounds like you guys have some great plans in there where you can leave with the gs and go back to the ts when necessary.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. It would be nice to be able to carry it like that. I was thinking maybe putting it in the stroller would work and carry the GS.

No offense taken and I completely understand what you mean about being frustrated. They definitely pick up on that. DH and I have been there so many times it doesn't bother us one bit to slow down and stop and smell the roses (or play in spouting water) but I am kind of concerned his mom is going to be so excited she may not.

I want to be the one to take him back to the timeshare for a nap so I can too.