I would not do the Dramamine... I took the kid's version myself this past Christmas on our return flight from NYC, because I got motion sick on the outgoing flight (it was a little plane). I was knocked out for 14 hours! (but I am a small person- less than 5' tall) It was only a 1 &1/2 hour flight. I could barely rouse myself to get off the plane and into the car (thank god I wasn't driving). I couldn't even wake up enough to eat. It was crazy!
My kiddo is 4 and has flown a few times. The first couple of times when she was a baby. I'm lucky because she has always done well so far and seems to love it. She is not afraid of take off like I am- she says 'weeeee! go faster!' LOL.
I held her in my lap as a baby (during which she charmed ALL of the business men who were initially not happy to see us get on the plane. They were eating out of her hand by the end
)and then this last flight she was about 38" tall and 32 lbs so she just rode in the seat like a grown up (which she loved). I just couldn't deal with carrying the car seat, carry ons, and wrangling her all alone. She did just fine. I hope our Disney flight in summer goes well. I think your 4 year old will do great without a car seat.
I will pack her back pack full of new activity books (all Disney themed) that she isn't allowed to open until we get through security- Imagine ink, color wonder coloring books, a puzzle book (the puzzles stay contained in the book so no lost pieces), reading books, magnetic dress up dolls, and her nobi (if I can ever find the charger) with headphones (I just bought Kidz gear- I hear they are great for planes- cancel out the engine noise and volume can be adjusted by mom to avoid her blowing out her eardrums!
). I found most of it at target and some on
Amazon.
My kiddo doesn't like candy (weird kid, right?!) so I take crackers for her to munch and try to teach her about equalizing her ears (so far, it has not been an issue.)
Some TSA security lines don't seem to make kids take off their shoes so you may luck out. I'm having us both wear slip ons just in case.