Cruise line transfer w toddler

[TwoSpringers]

i booked a transfer through cruise line but I'm curious what people do with small kids in car seats. It's a longer drive so I'd prefer my child (20m) to be in her car seat. Are there seat belts on the bus? Thanks

 

[kdogfister]

I'm almost positive that Disney does not allow car seats on the buses because there are no seat belts. The buses are designed to protect riders in a different fashion (by size and construction) assuming those riders are sitting in the correct way (forward facing specifically). You could keep the child in your lap, but I get that a 1+ hour ride is a long time to hold a kid down.

I'm travelling with a 6, 3 and 21M old myself in a week, and would welcome other suggestions. I have a CARES harness for the plane ride, but doubt that it would work in a bus without a seatbelt (and not even sure it would be a good idea).

 

[princessmommyx3]

Every DCL transfer bus I have been on has had seatbelts. However, I don't know if they allow car seats or not.

 

[TwoSpringers]

I'm almost positive that Disney does not allow car seats on the buses because there are no seat belts. The buses are designed to protect riders in a different fashion (by size and construction) assuming those riders are sitting in the correct way (forward facing specifically). You could keep the child in your lap, but I get that a 1+ hour ride is a long time to hold a kid down.

I'm travelling with a 6, 3 and 21M old myself in a week, and would welcome other suggestions. I have a CARES harness for the plane ride, but doubt that it would work in a bus without a seatbelt (and not even sure it would be a good idea).

Let me know how you make out, please. I started looking into private car services, might be the best option if we want to keep her in the car seat. I did the bus from MCO to WDW in January, but kept her in the ergo as she was only 8M.

 

[Muppetfan3]

You would have to stow a car seat under the bus with the other carry on luggage, strollers, etc. If you used a car service - Happy Limo, for example - you can request a car seat ($7 surcharge, I believe) for your toddler. I have the same situation as you. Used the transfer bus at WDW - no car seats for my 21 mo, he just sat on our laps. However, on our upcoming cruise, we are doing Happy Limo instead of the DCL transfer and adding a car seat.

 

[bumbershoot]

Car seats are not allowed. Some of the buses have seatbelts for some reason. But coach buses are built in a way so seatbelts are not needed. Just like city buses don't have them.

I am a huge car seat proponent and my son was in the maximum safest sort of seat situation until he was truly done with them, and I won't let him sit in the front with an airbag until he's 13 (the age in wa for front seat being ok), but buses are different beasts.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There have been seatbelts in the bus the last two times we used it:


However, it's my understanding that you can't use regular car seats with the belts.