Need suggestions on flying with toddler, carseat recs, stroller recs,etc?

Question

We are traveling with toddler on a 2 1/2 hour flight for the first time. We are going to bring her carseat. Wondering if you have any suggestions on lugging everything around. Also any recs on strollers that would be perfect for travel/and for Disney. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks :)

Answer 1

i have a single-seat graco metro that i used when i had one child (now i have two). i like it a lot for travel because it was light and had a huge basket underneath the seat. this will come in handy, not only in the airport, but at disney. when you go through security with it, you have to fold it up and send it through the xray machine along with your purse and shoes, etc. it's a hassle but worth it because it gives you a place to keep your toddler as you walk through the airport.

you don't HAVE to bring the carseat on the plane. if you child was an infant, i would say that you should use it onboard, but since you have a toddler, i'd recommend not bringing it on the plane. check it with the rest of your luggage. get a soft-sided case for it so it doesn't get thrashed. i would also recommend a case for your stroller, too, to put it in when you check it at the gate. i have gate-checked my stroller without a case and it got damaged...not to the extent that it was worth my time to file a complaint and get reimbursed, but it still irritates me every time i look at it. you can get great carseat bags and stroller cases at www.onestepahead.com (search using keyword "carseat bag") or www.babiesrus.com.

also, do your best to keep your child entertained on the plane and so your little angel doesn't turn into a little devil and disturb others on the plane. bring a few new toys that s/he's never seen before, like a new coloring book. i recommend color wonder markers and coloring books from crayola...that way, your child won't mark up the seats and tray tables with crayons or regular markers.

also, i wouldn't THINK of getting on a plane with my kids without a portable dvd player and a new movie. it keeps them quiet and happy...bear in mind that we travel from l.a. to boston...a 6 hour flight. you may not need this since you're only on the plane for 2 1/2 hours.

i also bring treats that they wouldn't normally be allowed to eat at home. i use it as bribes ("if you color quietly for the next twenty minutes, you can have a twizzler"). you have to use these bribes carefully, though...you don't want your kid to start throwing up from a bunch of junk food that s/he isn't used to.

happy travels!

Answer 2

Visit http://www.OneStepAhead.com , they have a car seat that has a handle and wheels to use as a stroller. It is perfect for traveling, especially flying!

You could also just get a cheap umbrella type stroller. Babies R Us has a Jeep Brand one that is I think only $20 or $25. It has mesh sides and back to keep the child cooler, or flaps you can pull down (sort of like a tent). It folds quite small and is light weight.

Strollers are not allowed at a lot of Disney attractions, so I would not take an expensive one because it may have to be left outside of a restaurant, line for a ride, store, etc. My children were beyond stroller age when we went two years ago this month, but I could not believe that such a child oriented place would have restrictions on strollers like that. They do have some you can rent there, BTW-atleast if they disappeared, you could get a replacement.

I just remembered, One Step Ahead also has a five point harness that is able to be used on an air plane or in a car when traveling. It is not a car seat, per se-hard to explain so look it up on their site. You use it in conjection with the safety belt in the vehicle and it restrains your child. It folds up to almost nothing!

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

Answer 3

I've traveled with my toddler a few times now. My best recommendation is to bring the carseat with you. This is so you have a way to truly strap her in on the plane (and keep her from figgeting and trying to get up and run around). Also, keep your stroller with you until it's time to board. They will let you board early if you ask, and you can fold up the stroller right at the plane door. It is much easier than carrying your child and bags around the airport. Good luck.

Answer 4

an umbrella stroller is awesome for zipping around especially for disney. if you can check teh carseat, it will make going through airports easier. for entertainment, i bring bubbles and colors, books, and lot of snacks. It keeps my son and other children occupied, and i try to sit in the very back or very front of a plane so its not too disturbing to other passengers. When the pilot turns off the seatbelt sign, dotn be afraid to get up and walk your child down the isle, they need to get up and move sometimes. Its very difficult fo ryou to sit there let alone a toddler. IHoep this helps

oh be prepared to have your kids shoes off and not have him in the stroller when you go through security, they will have to chekc your stroller through the scan. makes it that much easier to be prepared in advance.

Answer 5

did you pay for a airline seat for the toddler, as opposed to them sitting on your lap....if you bought a seat, definitely bring the carseat...bring your large stroller...umbrella strollers are smaller, but with your big stroller you can place your bags, snacks, cameras, etc on the stroller instead of carrying all your supplies around the parks all day...it may be well worth tipping a bellhop at the airports to help you lug your suitcases,carseat, etc on this trip...

Answer 6

We're going to Disney World in Jan. By then I'll have a 4 year old and a 4 month old. We decided we don't want to ruin our stroller, so we're going to pay the price and just rent a double stroller there.

Answer 7

1] definitely bring your carseat- you have to pay for the seat anyway, and she will be safer in it during take-off and landing.
You would also need it in a rental car. Bring books, toys on plane that are not easy to lose, and don't hurt if they hit you in back of the head.
2] bring your own stroller that can be put in front of the plane.
Disney requires a lot of walking, and she will get tired, and can nap inline.
3] after arrival, one take the baby and the stroller while other carrise carseat and get a baggage cart for carseat, luggage, etc. Then go to rental caragency or hotel.
4] suggest you bring a diaper bag, AND a backpack or messenger bag to park. Put diapers/pullups, wipes, and a change of clothes for her in each one, in case you get split up.
Add sunscreen, water, juices, fruit, and her preferred snacks.,
maybe a book, and a huggy toy [ one big enough not too get lost. ]
5] Bring a hat and sunglasses for everyone.
6] offer drinks after each ride for everyone. Re- apply sunscreen.
7] give snacks or lunch every three hours [ we used to eat lunch early, @ 11 o'clock, to avoid crowds and low blood sugar.] Do potty breaks after each meal or snack.
Then you can eat dinner early, @ 5 o'clock, to avoid rush again.
8] if she still does naps, go to park early when it opens, and go to room about 1/2 hour before naptime. Then maybe swim until dinner, and go back to park when it's cooler.
9] put first aid items in bag in a plastic ziploc - bandaids, ointment, tylenol for her, thermometer for her, motrin for you, immodium for you, maybe some pepto-bismol, and aloe in case some one burns.