BABIES AND THE ATRACTIONS

[SHEEP]

Hi we are going to orlando feb 2nd yipeeee!!! and are taking our 10 and 8 year old daughters and our 14 month old twin girls,as you can imagine we are aware its going to be hectic!,but i am a bit worried about what things we can still do as a family in the parks(never been to the states before)with two small(just toddling)babs.Also any tips on flying with babies would be very gratefully received.
Also i have never driven abroad before,and need to get to Crescent Lakes from Orlando International,so any words of comfort regarding how easy it is would help to settle my nerves :-).
Sorry ive asked so many things!
Thanks in advance
Sean and netball team!

[scimoon]

Hey Sean, when we took my two girls for the very 1st time to florida one was just 2 the other 5. It was one of best places to visit with young ones, we stayed in a villa which was brillant. Every time we ate out people were so helpful, we didn't even have to pay for meals for them as they ate off our plates in most places. All the parks catered for the young ones too i loved the pushchairs there. My little one decided on the 1st day there she wasn't going to wear a nappy any more to my horror, so it was a trip to walmart for a sheet protector. I must admit that i was really worried about the flight over but the doctor advised me to invest in some(i know the spellings wrong)phenegon. So they both slept there and back, that was stress free for all of us. All in all it was one of the best holidays we have every had, so much so we have been back quite a few times. Driving is so easy there, even i drive to give hubby a break.
so relax and have a great time.
Karen

[Harmony]

Hi Sean,

Although driving standards are dropping in the States as they are here, I'm sure you will agree with me that the americans are the better drivers. They seem more considerate and less agressive in their driving.

My youngest was 11 when we first went to Florida so have no first hand experience of taking such young children. Many of my renters have taken young children and all had the time of their lives. The americans love children and are very helpful to parents with very young children. I'm sure you'll get more advice from other owners on this forum, but there is also another thread Titled "Travelling with Children" which might be useful to you.

If you are still concerned about anything and you are the Sean I think you are, feel free to give me a call for a chat.

All the best Jeff.

[steph_goodrum]

There are quite a few tips on the section travelling with young children, which may come in useful.

One recommendation with young children is to give them a drink for take off and landing as the sucking action helps to stop their ears popping.
Another piece of advice is to take your own car seats for the toddlers, the car hire companies charge around $5 a day each but if you take your own you know
a) that they are the appropriate size for your girls and how to make sure they are fitted properly,
b) that they haven't been involved in an accident and are safe.
the airlines are quite happy for you to check them in , so you'll also be able to use them on the way to the airport, just take a black sack to keep them a bit protected and lable it properly.
At the parks make the most of the parent/child swaps on the rides. It may be that for example more than 1 child will want to go on a ride that the younger ones can't so 1 adult will have to wait with the other children, with the parent/child swap you don't have to queue up again, just take the next child or if it is an adult ride that you both want to do then you can swap over whoever is looking after the children. Just ask the attendant when you start to queue as some have separate waiting areas.

[SHEEP]

Thanks for all of your help i will be rushing to the chemists for phenologen(is that right spelling lol)and jeff it is me,and as to parent/child swop never heard of that before,thanks

[athurstance]

Phenergan (promethazine) is very popular but if you intend to use it for the flight you need to try it out first. In about 5% of cases it doesn't work and has a quite opposite affect - I know a couple of families this has happened to and its no joke. Piriton syrup is an alternative which doesn't have the same side effects and is also available over the counter.
The down side to children sleeping for 9 hours on the flight over is that they are not likely to want to sleep when you arrive for quite some time.
Mine are older now but have been flying since they were tiny. I find it easier to have them awake on the flight out and let them sleep on the night flight back. That way they adapt very quickly to the changing time zones. Seat back TV is a godsend for the flight out as are gameboy advance for older children. Pack masses of goodies - toys, books, crayons etc and prepare to spend the flight as an 'entertainer' to the toddlers. If you 10 and 8 year old are anything like mine they will relish the opportunity to watch movies and play video games for 9 solid hours without being nagged to do something more heathly.

Angela

[scimoon]

Whatever the spelling it was a god send when we travelled to New Zealand last Year, but don't seem to need it now, must be seasoned travellers

LOL

[SHEEP]

Thanks for the advice,it just scares me as we wont be able to take it in turns to look after the babies as there are "2",and ive heard you dont get much help from cabin crew as they are so busy?

[steph_goodrum]

At least there will be 2 of you to take it in turns with the younger ones, the older ones will probably be ok as it will all be quite novel for them, who are you flying with? Some airlines seem to be better at looking after children than others. If you haven't reserved you seats yet it would be a good idea to try and book them in advance so you can make sure you are all sitting together as otherwise you may find they have allocated bulkhead seats for you and the toddlers but the other 2 are somewhere else.
As Angela said lots of crayons, novelties etc but don't give them all to them when they get on the plane or they'll be bored with them in 5 mins, have a few suprises tucked in your bag that you bring out if necessary.

[SHEEP]

We are flying with Virgin,i have heard they are the best but i still find it hard to believe that there are no facilities for babies other than sky cots which they are to big even though we still pay for them!Anyway im sure all the hassle of flying will be worth it,and again thanks for all your reply's.
Sean and girls