Whether you’re traveling to Disney from an hour or two away, or across the sea, if you’re taking a pre-schooler it’s probably not a journey you’re looking forward to. Unlike older children, who will quite happily sit and play with their DS Lite or iPhone, toddlers are a little harder to keep entertained. Here are some tips which we hope will help make your journey a little easier.

If you’re driving there, make sure you take frequent stops, not just for potty breaks, but so that kids can stretch their legs and have a break from sitting for a while.

If you have enough room in your carry-on bags, take a variety of gifts wrapped in tissue paper (unwrapping them will add to the excitement). Leave one end of each gift open in case you need to let security examine them. If you’re on a long flight, or drive, you could give one present every hour or so. For shorter journeys you can have less gifts or give them more frequently.
Avoid toys with small parts that could get lost, or things that make a lot of noise. If you have children under 3, watch out for small parts that may be a choking hazard.

Here are a few suggestions of things to take:
Sticker books (try amazon or ebay)
Coloring & activity books (try amazon or ebay)
Crayons
Crayola Color Wonder Travel Tote (UK link)
Tomy Aquadoodle (Aquadraw in UK)
Small board books (UK link)
Disney scrolly puzzles (only seem to be available from UK)
Magnetic drawing board / dry erase board (ebay is best for these)
Mini stampers (Disney Store have a selection)
Plasticine
The Disney Store have great stationery and small toys
Check out other Travel toys on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Let your child have their own carry-on bag. You can buy Disney themed mini suitcases with a handle & wheels from the Disney Store. Children love being given responsibility and will feel all grown-up if they have their own suitcase to pull. Trunkis are fabulous and double up as a ride-on which will keep kids occupied while waiting to board a flight.

Portable DVD players are great for keeping little ones amused with their favorite DVDs. If you’re travelling by car you can also take along a few fun CDs to play, not forgetting the Disney music!

Snacks are a must-take, especially if flying as you won’t be able to stop off to buy anything, and plane food can be pretty unappealing and choices limited. Take a variety of your child’s favorites. Don’t forget drinks either. It’s best to purchase these after security check but before you board the plane.

If your child has a favorite comforter, be it a special toy or blanket, don’t forget to take that with you!

If on an overnight flight or drive, dress kids in their nightwear so they’ll feel more comfortable and more likely to sleep.

Be prepared! Take a change of clothes, diapers (nappies) if needed, anti-nausea / travel sickness medications.

Flights

If you have a choice of airlines, do a bit of research before booking to find out which are the most child-friendly. Do they have seat back TVs with children’s channels and provide children’s meals? The airline’s website should have a section about flying with infants or children.

Most airlines allow you to take a car seat onboard for small children to sit in. It may be more comfortable for them and make them feel safer. Check out this information about using Child Restraint Systems onboard aircraft.

When you check in, ask if the flight is full. If it isn’t, they might be willing to block the seat next to you. This is especially helpful if you’re travelling with an infant under 2 years who doesn’t have a seat booked.

Ask if passengers with small children are able to board the aircraft first before everyone else.

Take off and landing can cause ear pain, but there are simple steps you can take to prevent it. For older children, get them to suck on a lollipop or hard candy during take off and landing. For infants, use a pacifier or bottle of milk. Sucking helps to balance the pressure in the middle ear, the changes in which are the cause of ear pain with changes in altitude. You can also buy special ear plugs that are said to regulate pressure in the ear, but reviews of effectiveness are mixed. They’re available from pharmacies and drug stores.

Taking Liquids Onboard a Plane

When traveling with your infant or toddler, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of baby formula, breast milk, or juice are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary, if you perform the following:

  1. Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
  2. Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
  3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

You are encouraged to travel with only as much formula, breast milk, or juice in your carry-on needed to reach your destination.

You are allowed to bring gel or liquid-filled teethers, canned, jarred, or processed baby food in your carry-on baggage and aboard your plane.

When carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your infant or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. The Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) for explosives. [source: TSA website]

If you have any tips to share, reply and let us know!

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