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| His first plane ride – sacked out to the sweet lull of a jet engine. |
We took my son, Liam, to Disneyland for the first time when he was four months old, then at ten months, one year, two years old, and we’re headed back this summer for his fifth trip and his sister’s first. The first few times we went, more than I was worried about how he would act in the parks, I was worried about getting there. I’d always imagine the worst case scenarios; like having to listen to my screaming child for 16 hours in the car, or perhaps worse, a plane full of passengers -and myself- listening to my child throw a tantrum for two-and-a-half hours. But, oh-so-thankfully, that has never happened. Trips one through three were flights, and the fourth was a roadie. Both types of travel certainly presented their own challenges – but they each have positive things about them as well. So now that you have your park tickets, part two of this “traveling from out-of-state” series will be about getting to good ol’ Anaheim, CA. Here are some things to think about when you are deciding whether to fly or drive, and some tips that have helped me survive the journey.
Flying – The Pros:
1) Flying gets you there faster (obvious, I know). If I can afford to fly then that is always my first choice – I’m impatient and I just want to be there. Also, if you or your kids don’t like any kind of travel, then flying is less painful just because it takes less time.
2) Flying gives you more time to enjoy your destination! I’d much rather spend two of my allotted vacation days at Disneyland than in my car. If you can get a direct flight, 2.5 hours feels pretty good! However, if it’s a connecting flight(s) with a significant layover – I’d rethink.
3) Generally, kids like planes. If you have a baby, the jet engines soothe them and put them to sleep, in my experience. If you are taking a toddler, they are fascinated by planes!
4) If you have a Disney Premier Visa, you can use your rewards toward airline travel, a new feature!
Flying – The Cons:
1) Horror stories, right? I’ve heard, and I’m sure you have too, absolute horror stories about flying with screaming babies or toddlers throwing temper tantrums – I feel so bad for these people, whoever they are. While I have had interesting experiences with my son on the airplane, they’re more comical than awful. My mistake was always not packing enough diapers or outfits for the traveling portion. I like to be prepared, but hate over-packing and dragging around extra stuff. I have changed my ways, I tell you! You would think that four diapers and an extra outfit would be enough to get you through three hours with a baby, and any other time it would… but not on an airplane. I’m fairly convinced that something about plane rides, maybe it’s the altitude, seem to squeeze every last bit of poo out of a child. So next time we fly, I’m taking 10 diapers and 3 outfits… maybe 4.
2) Layovers can be difficult, especially if you don’t have a stroller and/or are stuck with an already-cranky child. And it seems like (especially from Boise), direct flights are almost impossible to get anymore.
3) When you fly you either have to pay extra for your luggage (still not on Southwest though, woohoo!) and/or you have to stick to your weight limit or pay extra there – this can be difficult if you want to bring a lot of souvenirs home like I always do. Click here for more on what to pack.
4) Security check is the pits. Not only are you holding/entertaining your little ones in a forever-long line, and trying to get your shoes and their shoes (oh yes, even baby booties) off, and put everything in 572 bins, and fold the stroller, and open the laptop or DVD player so they can check it, and sweating like it’s an oven in there – but, then you all get to step aside and wait while they check your formula/water/baby food for explosives and give you a pat down. Fun times.
5) And lastly, it’s more expensive, like wayyy more expensive – at least from where I’m flying out of. Check a fuel cost calculator to compare the cost of fuel for your trip with the cost of plane tickets. (And don’t forget to factor in the cost to get from the airport to the hotel as well).
Flying Tips: When I fly, I always use a backpack to keep my hands free. Here is what I pack to keep kiddos happy and entertained: DVD player, couple DVDs, lovie, swaddle blanket (large and thin, good for so many things), a few favorite books and toys, a few crayons and small pad of paper, pacifier (plus an extra for when the original is inevitably lost or dropped), and snacks or bottle. The bigger the kid, the more stuff it seems you need to bring. I also bring disinfecting wipes to wipe down the tray, armrests, etc. and plastic Ziploc baggies (see last tip).
To alleviate the pressure in their ears – for babies give them a pacifier or plan to feed them during take-off; for toddlers or big kids give them a snack or gum.
**If you are bringing a “lap child” with you – as in, they fly free because they sit in your lap – when you check in for your flight, ask if there are extra seats. If there are, most airlines try to accommodate you and rearrange things so you can use that empty seat.**
If you have a car seat you are bringing along, and your child get’s their own seat, I recommend bringing it. Babies just seem to sleep better in them, plus if you have a bigger kid, then they are strapped in and not trying to slip out from under the airplane seat belt and play on that nasty airplane floor. But if you need to check your car seat, a great purchase will be a car seat travel bag – those things are heavy to carry around an airport, the travel bags have nice long straps and even wheels on them (plus, in a pinch you can stuff jackets or extra stuff in there – and you don’t have to pay!)
Most importantly, bring lots – and I mean lots – of diapers, wipes, and extra clothes (and Ziploc bags to store the yuckies in until you can wash them).
If you do choose to fly, I recommend flying into Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne Airport – it’s a really nice, less busy airport. Plus, it’s so much closer to Disneyland, which means less of a commute (and less chance you’ll run into traffic) and cheaper shuttle costs.
If you do choose to fly, I recommend flying into Santa Ana/Orange County/John Wayne Airport – it’s a really nice, less busy airport. Plus, it’s so much closer to Disneyland, which means less of a commute (and less chance you’ll run into traffic) and cheaper shuttle costs.
Driving – The Pros:
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| 11 hours – 0 meltdowns, maybe I’m just lucky. |
1) You’re stuck in a car together for a while so why not just look at it as spending quality time with your family – talk, sing songs, read stories, play car games, and watch movies together.
2) In a car you can be more comfortable – load it up with blankets, pillows, snacks, pretty much stuff it to the gills with extra comforts (and all the souvenirs you buy when you are there). Plus, since you don’t have to worry about over packing, you won’t have to think about whether or not you should throw in that extra pair of pants in case the weather turns chilly, or carefully count out scoops of formula or diapers so you have just enough. (Click here for a great article on what to do if you do need to make a store run for a planned or emergency need.)
3) You can also take your time in a car and add extra vacation fun! Stop and enjoy restaurants, tourist attractions, recreational areas, etc. along the way. On our road trip we planned to leave at a time that would get us to Las Vegas early afternoon and then went on the next morning – it doubled the fun of our vacation! Not to mention, if you have a fussy kid you can actually stop and rest, versus being stuck in an airplane with nowhere to go.
4) Surprisingly, even with gas costs gouging us, it’s still cheaper than flying – especially the more people you are taking.
Driving – The Cons:
1) It can be a very, very… very… long drive. Kids and adults can have a tendency to get extra cranky and you’re not-even-there-yet.
2) While gas is cheaper than a plane ticket, if you do choose to extend your vacation by doing lots of additional things on the way or spending the night somewhere, those extra costs can add up to as-much-as or more than the cost of a flight.
2) And, as I said earlier, it takes a lot of extra time out of your vacation.
Driving Tips: When we drive, I pack entertainment items in a large, structured tote so it’s easier to reach back and pull out the thing you need. Here is what I pack for fun – DVD player, DVDs, lovie, blanket, favorite books and toys, crayons and paper (Crayola Color Wonder products are great for unsupervised kids in the backseat); whatever you take on the airplane, take in the car – but take more of it, because you can! I also pack a ton of snacks and food, but we always end up stopping at a McDonald’s so the kids can run around the play place while we eat, and then we feed the kids once we’re back on the road.
One thing my husband’s family does – and it works well I think – is start their road trips early, about 3 or 4 am. This works well if you have kids that will go back to sleep, or if you can go back to sleep – and your spouse can drive (*wink*). It’s so nice to get there early in the day, or at least by dinner time. I also know of people who leave right after work and drive through the night, instead of waiting till the next morning, that way their kids sleep through the majority of the trip. I don’t think I could stay awake driving and I’m not sure I could trust somebody else to either – but if it works for you, it’s a pretty great idea!
I always take my car in for a check-up before I go on a significant road trip, or at the very least get the oil changed and fluids checked and replenished.
The biggest tip I can give you for flying or driving is take the grandparents. They are helpful beyond measure and the kids loooooove them. 
Overall, if you count the number of pros and cons for flying or driving, it sure looks like driving comes out on top – but what it really comes down to is weight or importance of those pros or cons. For me, it basically comes down to money and time. If I can afford it, and it will give me the time I need, then I’ll choose to fly, but maybe saving money is more important to you. So, what do you think? Do you prefer to drive or fly? And what tips do you have for keeping kids happy on an airplane or in a car – I’m always on the lookout for a great new idea!
Also, check out Chapter 1 of Lisa’s Babes In Disneyland book for more info on planning your visit, and here to find out the best times to go.
Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.
Read more from Jessica on her blog, Idahome. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or on Instagram.
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Out of all the really good suggestions, I think I like “take the grandparents” the best.
A Disney and Granchild-loving Grandparent