with kids, we vote for well rested everytime. they cope with new things and changes better that way. there isn't much worse than a tired hungry scared/stressed teenager. (except maybe her younger sibs) so if we can't book a red-eye (when they'd be sleeping anyway), then we just follow a normal routine. often, they are (still!)excited enough for sleep to not be so easy anywhere!

pack food, lots of food. and activities.... sudoku is a favourite of our kids these days. we also take a laptop and dvds.

i'm glad MrZhu has discovered books .

hth,
faerieloch