Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

We just got back from Florida and we survived our first real vacation and two plane rides with a 15 month old

We probably overpacked in hindsight, but we really had no idea what we would need. Our carry on for the plane was JUST stuff for DS to keep him entertained/busy/not fussy... we NEVER even opened it!!! He didn't have his own seat, but he entertained himself with us, with the seatbelt, snacks from the plane, walking between me and DH etc. On the way home it was more difficult because the airline separated my and DH's seats and we didn't notice until we actually boarded the plane So I had DS and he was SUPER fussy bc he needed a nap.

We were hoping to have an extra empty seat so that we could sit DS in his carseat. That didn't happen so we gate checked the carseat. I highly recommend this silly little strap I got from Amazon - we were able to strap the carseat on to our carry-on bag so we didn't have to carry the carseat through the airport; we just rolled it with the carry on. HIGHLY recommend!
Car seat strap - LINK



We also bought a harness (GASP! ) for DS to use in the parks. We used it in Disney for a little while when he wanted to walk on his own. Definitely worth the $5.99 I spent on it and it fit in the diaper bag easily!
Munchkin Harness and Strap



We got DS this floatie from One Step Ahead and we LOVED it! DS was able to chill in the pool, we didn't have to constantly hold him, he played when he wanted, relaxed when he wanted, AND he had a shade over his head so he wouldn't get sunburned! Highly recommend.
Baby Pool Float


We also got him the re-usable swim diaper and swim socks from One Step Ahead and highly recommend them too.
Swim Diaper


Swim Socks



We bought Badger baby sunscreen and the Kidsport Spray sunscreen - both on the no chemical/recommended list. The badger one was great for being in the pool etc. The spray one worked well too. In hindsight, I didn't need both.
Badger sunscreen


KidSport spray sunscreen



Since we were staying in a timeshare 2 bedroom apartment, we brought this table chair with us for DS to sit at the table - BEST idea. He was able to sit and enjoy his breakfast/dinner/snacks on his own and would also sit to play with his toys. Folds down flat for easy luggage packing. Mine is a different color, but same chair.
Inglesina Fast Table Chair



Oh and we brought our DSLR camera - so happy we did! I know that comes up as a question every so often. We went to Disney (Magic Kingdom), Seaworld, and both Universal Parks, spent the entire day at the parks and it was never really an inconvenience or worry to have the camera! So if you have one, take it!


Last thing - which probably and hopefully never applies to anyone - I rented an electric scooter for the week from ScootAround because of a foot/leg injury. They delivered it before we arrived, picked it up after we left. The scooter was transportable meaning it comes apart into like 4 pieces for you to take it in the trunk of your car to go to the parks or wherever, but we rented an SUV and the guys just put it straight in the trunk without taking it apart. Definitely saved time. I was happy with the company we used and would definitely recommend them. It was about $150 for the week plus tax etc.



I hope some of this helps someone who will be traveling this summer with their little one(s)! I have to get around to uploading pics... I took over 800!

Message edited 6/15/2011 9:40:56 AM.

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

awesome tips! love the car seat strap idea. glad u had a great time!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Glad to hear you made it! We also just got back from our first vacation and flight with DD and I am happy to report we too survived!

We got that 1st thing (attachment strap for carseat) as well. I thought it definitely came in handy but we never were able to get the carseat tightly on, no matter how much we pulled the straps. And we so overpacked as well. It was comical to say the least but I felt comfortable knowing I had just about everything I needed (even though I didn't need half of it ).

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Great reviews thanks!!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Great tips! So glad you guys had a fun time!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

This is fabulous advice! I'm also going to bookmark because my mom needs those scooters and she rented it for one day at DW when she went for her anniversary a few years ago and it was SO expensive! I never in a million years thought about renting one for a week! I would definitely do that for her, or for my grandfather if he's ever able to go with us!

Thanks again for the advice and I can't wait to see pictures!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Great tips!! Can't wait to see all the pics. I'm so glad you guys had a good time!!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Glad you had a great time, and THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR THIS POST!

The tips are very much appreciated!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Sounds like you all had a great trip!

Thanks for sharing all the products-- I'm interested in those swim socks. He wore them at the beach & pool? I'm looking for something for my 1-year-old for this summer when we go to the beach (we usually go to rocky North Shore beaches, but they don't make water shoes small enough for her).

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

glad you had a good time! i have the inglesina chair too & i love it! i keep it in my trunk for those places that don't have high chairs or when we eat at someone else's house! love it!

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Thank you so much for posting this. I need to get the safety harness to for a upcoming vacation. I was just looking to find the right one. I know people will probably make faces, but I don't care bc my sons safety is my #1 goal.

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Posted by sj-girl

Thank you so much for posting this. I need to get the safety harness to for a upcoming vacation. I was just looking to find the right one. I know people will probably make faces, but I don't care bc my sons safety is my #1 goal.

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Posted by LoveyQ

Posted by sj-girl

Thank you so much for posting this. I need to get the safety harness to for a upcoming vacation. I was just looking to find the right one. I know people will probably make faces, but I don't care bc my sons safety is my #1 goal.

Same here, although to be honest, not one person made a face or comment. I actually saw a lot of kids with the animal backpack kind of harnesses. To me, those are more bulky to carry around, but I guess some kids take better to a "toy" on their back. DS being so little, it didn't matter and this cheap harness was perfect. You can even just use the strap on their wrist or tied to a belt loop on their pants if you don't want to use the harness on their body.

Re: Survived our first vacation and plane ride with DS! With tips ;) - DISNEY etc

Great tips, thanks! Glad you had fun and I can't wait to see pics!!!