A 3 year old in a taxi at Disney?

[camdensmom]

We typically rent a car on our Disney trips, but since we are staying at the Beach Club we are thinking about skipping the expense. We figured we would take a cab for our hotel ADRs.

However, we have a 3 (almost 4 by the trip) year old. How does it work. Do they have car seats? Anyone do this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[JTDisney]

There are several taxi's on prem run by Mears so chances are someone will have one with a booster seat in it. You can always call Mears and ask them. Or, you can cross your fingers and just strap your child in but clearly there is a serious element of risk involved.

Below is FL law

"Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster set should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats (generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old). Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" in height should ride in a booster seat."

 

[TwoRoos]

We called for a cab (from Mears) with a car seat, and had terrible luck. (We actually called ahead and set up a pick-up time for a cab w/car seat, and even that didn't work.) We waited for nearly 45 minutes for one to show up, and finally gave up and rode the bus (and I HATED riding the bus with two kids and two strollers.) Mears told me that they had very limited car seat availability, but when one was "free" they would come for us. They never did. I called back a few times and they kept telling me to wait. They said that our "order" got cancelled out every 20? minutes or so (it was assumed that someone would pick up in that time) and that they had to re-enter the request. They asked me to call back and remind them if a cab hadn't showed up yet. We finally got tired of dealing with it all. Plus we had an ADR that we needed to get to.

I said all this to say not to count on a car seat always being available when you need it. Our last trip we rented a car for our full length of stay (the time before we didn't have the rental the whole time...thus the need for the cab or bus). For us at least, the convenience was well worth the money.

 

[JTDisney]

We called for a cab (from Mears) with a car seat, and had terrible luck. (We actually called ahead and set up a pick-up time for a cab w/car seat, and even that didn't work.) We waited for nearly 45 minutes for one to show up, and finally gave up and rode the bus (and I HATED riding the bus with two kids and two strollers.) Mears told me that they had very limited car seat availability, but when one was "free" they would come for us. They never did. I called back a few times and they kept telling me to wait. They said that our "order" got cancelled out every 20? minutes or so (it was assumed that someone would pick up in that time) and that they had to re-enter the request. They asked me to call back and remind them if a cab hadn't showed up yet. We finally got tired of dealing with it all. Plus we had an ADR that we needed to get to.

I said all this to say not to count on a car seat always being available when you need it. Our last trip we rented a car for our full length of stay (the time before we didn't have the rental the whole time...thus the need for the cab or bus). For us at least, the convenience was well worth the money.

It would be a great idea if Disney started selling the $15 booster like at Walmart. I bet they would sell a ton. You can also bring one as a carry on. We did this for a trip one time and it fit in the overhead compartment easily.

 

[crisi]

There are several taxi's on prem run by Mears so chances are someone will have one with a booster seat in it. You can always call Mears and ask them. Or, you can cross your fingers and just strap your child in but clearly there is a serious element of risk involved.

Below is FL law

"Florida law requires children under 5 years of age to be properly restrained no matter where they are seated in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier (child safety seat) or in a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children ages 4 - 5, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. If a safety belt does not fit the child correctly, a booster set should be used to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts once they outgrow forward facing child safety seats (generally at about 40 pounds and 4 years old). Children from approximately 40-80 pounds and under 4'9" in height should ride in a booster seat."

Florida law exempts cars "for hire" - they are not required on Magical Express or Disney buses (and you can't put them in there) or in cabs.

Some cabs have them, most don't.

If the risk analysis leaves you thinking you want a car seat, you need to BRING YOUR OWN - do not rent them - cars for hire also exempts rental companies - who will often reserve a car seat for you and then not have them available when you pick up the car (happened to us).

 

[all4fun]

When we did not have a rental car and had ADRs at other resorts, we always just take the bus. IMO the risk involved by taking a car and not having ds in a car seat was too great (I have seen accidents on disney property). I wonder if you brought your own to use in a taxi, if bell services would hold it for you while you dine? Just a thought...might be worth checking into. Also, IMO a backless booster which would be the cheapest and easiest thing to carry would be better than nothing, but is not really appropriate for a 3yr old (keeping in mind that 4yrs & 40lbs is the bare minimum recommendations for using a booster, every step "up" in car seats is a step down in safety, and that backless boosters would be the last "step" after a high back booster is outgrown.) It is just something I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with doing. I actually bought a Ride Safer Travel Vest to use when we travel, because ds 5pt seat is not airline approved and way too big to travel with. That might also be something you could consider, if you have use for it on other trips or other occasions. The cost is about $100 but it's super light weight and easy to stuff in a bag to carry around.

 

[PrincessPeyton]

We weren't planning on hiring a taxi during out stay but ofcourse we slept in too late one morning and almost missed our photo shoot at the Grand Floridian...all the way from All-Star Movie! So we had to jump in a taxi with my DD2. Honestly I didn't feel unsafe with her not being in a car seat and riding on my lap, the driver was very safe and it was so much easier then lugging her stroller on the bus!

 

[kathi29]

We weren't planning on hiring a taxi during out stay but ofcourse we slept in too late one morning and almost missed our photo shoot at the Grand Floridian...all the way from All-Star Movie! So we had to jump in a taxi with my DD2. Honestly I didn't feel unsafe with her not being in a car seat and riding on my lap, the driver was very safe and it was so much easier then lugging her stroller on the bus!

Maybe your driver was safe, but what about the other 100,000 people you passed on your way there?

 

[ilandrazdsw]

OK, I am not the model of safety...our children never have used carseats in a taxi. The rides are usually quick, like from the airport to the rental car place. This trip we ventured to Midevil Times and DD3 sat right on the seat next to me. Where we live car seats are not mandatory in golf carts and are not enforced in cars so the kids are used to sitting properly in any vehicle.

If it is not against the law and you feel comfortable with your decision it is up to you if you need a car/booster seat or not.

 

[mjkacmom]

OK, I am not the model of safety...our children never have used carseats in a taxi. The rides are usually quick, like from the airport to the rental car place. This trip we ventured to Midevil Times and DD3 sat right on the seat next to me. Where we live car seats are not mandatory in golf carts and are not enforced in cars so the kids are used to sitting properly in any vehicle.

If it is not against the law and you feel comfortable with your decision it is up to you if you need a car/booster seat or not.

I am very good about carseats - heck, my oldest was in a booster until she was 10! However, I've never used them in taxi's - we usually use them in cities, when we're going from place to place, and I have no idea where I'd put them in museums and other attractions.

 

[fireflymedic]

if there was a seat belt for the middle pasenger I think I would put him there with just a lap belt, that will keep him from being ejected out of the car the main thing that kills people in a MVC (and the only kind of seat belt in cars up to the 1070 or so as I recall). IMHO

 

[tjmw2727]

Florida law exempts cars "for hire" - they are not required on Magical Express or Disney buses (and you can't put them in there) or in cabs.

Some cabs have them, most don't.

If the risk analysis leaves you thinking you want a car seat, you need to BRING YOUR OWN - do not rent them - cars for hire also exempts rental companies - who will often reserve a car seat for you and then not have them available when you pick up the car (happened to us).

Actually, Florida is one of the few states that does not exept, livery (cab, limo etc). They do exclude buses, school buses, farm tractors, motorcycles etc but they do not exclude taxi's or limos.

So in the case of the OP you would need a carseat for a 3yo to comply with Florida law.

http://flsenate.gov/Statutes/index..../SEC613.HTM&Title=->2003->Ch0316->Section+613

TJ

 

[tanyaandallie]

WOW. As a child passenger safety technician I am SHOCKED at some of the responses here. The laws in Florida (or whatever state you may be in) do not expemt you from the laws of physics.

Seriously? A child on your lap in the car? PLEASE take a look at this video. This IS what will happen to your baby in a crash. Just because the cab driver was driving safely does NOT mean that another driver will not hit you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGJT-tlX1C0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2jrQ4uunU

If you plan on taking a taxi while you are in Disney, you need to bring a carseat with you on the trip. You cannot depend on the cab company as even if they have one, they are notoriously dirty, expired, broken, etc. Your child is safest in your own carseat, preferably a 5 point harness for a 3 year old.

ETA - The RSTV is a great option. Then you owuld not be carting around a car seat to dinner.

 

[crisi]

Actually, Florida is one of the few states that does not exept, livery (cab, limo etc). They do exclude buses, school buses, farm tractors, motorcycles etc but they do not exclude taxi's or limos.

So in the case of the OP you would need a carseat for a 3yo to comply with Florida law.

http://flsenate.gov/Statutes/index..../SEC613.HTM&Title=->2003->Ch0316->Section+613

TJ

They've changed it since last I looked (my kids outgrew car seats a while ago) - it used to exempt cars "for hire." But it looks like cabs are now legally problematic unless you want to haul your carseat around.

(My experience is that cabs at Disney GENERALLY don't have carseats and if you ask the taxi company to send one that does, the cabbie picking up the call won't have one and you'll reject a few cabs before finding one that does. The cabbies depend on you needing to get somewhere and throwing caution to the winds.)

 

[kathi29]

if there was a seat belt for the middle pasenger I think I would put him there with just a lap belt, that will keep him from being ejected out of the car the main thing that kills people in a MVC (and the only kind of seat belt in cars up to the 1070 or so as I recall). IMHO

The only thing lap belts are good for is installing a car seat. Think of your spine as a straw inside a twisty phone cord. When your upper body goes frying forward in a crash, the twisty part will stretch. The straw will not.

 

[MegaDisney]

WOW. As a child passenger safety technician I am SHOCKED at some of the responses here. The laws in Florida (or whatever state you may be in) do not expemt you from the laws of physics.

Seriously? A child on your lap in the car? PLEASE take a look at this video. This IS what will happen to your baby in a crash. Just because the cab driver was driving safely does NOT mean that another driver will not hit you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGJT-tlX1C0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2jrQ4uunU

If you plan on taking a taxi while you are in Disney, you need to bring a carseat with you on the trip. You cannot depend on the cab company as even if they have one, they are notoriously dirty, expired, broken, etc. Your child is safest in your own carseat, preferably a 5 point harness for a 3 year old.

ETA - The RSTV is a great option. Then you owuld not be carting around a car seat to dinner.

Completely agree! In fact, I just responded on the Transportation Board to someone asking this same question about their niece. I told them the same thing- the laws of physics don't change because you're in a cab! If the cab drivers in Orlando have some special method they use to avoid accidents I'd love to know what it is. Otherwise, you might as well drive around with your kid on your lap at home. What's the difference?

Bring an appropriate car seat for your child. It's worth the peace of mind.

 

[jennilynn510]

Maybe your driver was safe, but what about the other 100,000 people you passed on your way there?

ohhh geez ...

 

[DWFan4Life]

WOW. As a child passenger safety technician I am SHOCKED at some of the responses here. The laws in Florida (or whatever state you may be in) do not expemt you from the laws of physics.

Seriously? A child on your lap in the car? PLEASE take a look at this video. This IS what will happen to your baby in a crash. Just because the cab driver was driving safely does NOT mean that another driver will not hit you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGJT-tlX1C0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2jrQ4uunU

If you plan on taking a taxi while you are in Disney, you need to bring a carseat with you on the trip. You cannot depend on the cab company as even if they have one, they are notoriously dirty, expired, broken, etc. Your child is safest in your own carseat, preferably a 5 point harness for a 3 year old.

ETA - The RSTV is a great option. Then you owuld not be carting around a car seat to dinner.

Thank you for this info. I'm glad I found this, I will put in mind everything you said. Thanks again.

Have a nice day.

 

[suebedo]

WOW. As a child passenger safety technician I am SHOCKED at some of the responses here. The laws in Florida (or whatever state you may be in) do not expemt you from the laws of physics.

Seriously? A child on your lap in the car? PLEASE take a look at this video. This IS what will happen to your baby in a crash. Just because the cab driver was driving safely does NOT mean that another driver will not hit you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGJT-tlX1C0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU2jrQ4uunU

If you plan on taking a taxi while you are in Disney, you need to bring a carseat with you on the trip. You cannot depend on the cab company as even if they have one, they are notoriously dirty, expired, broken, etc. Your child is safest in your own carseat, preferably a 5 point harness for a 3 year old.

ETA - The RSTV is a great option. Then you owuld not be carting around a car seat to dinner.

serious question here, I'm not trying to be Snarky or anything.
How is a Disney bus or the ME bus safer than a car? Why aren't buses required to use safety seats also?

What do all the people who live in big cities do when they take cabs? I have never seen anyone walking down a busy city street holding a toddler in one arm and a baby seat in the other.
Once again, not trying to be snippy, I am just curious.

 

[Elmo888]

We did it. I know the laws of physics, I had DD8 in a booster until she was 75 lbs and couldn't fit in it, and DD4 was rear facing until she was 2 1/2 and is now in a car seat that goes to 65 lbs. I feel like I'm more informed than others with regard to car seats, but we still did it. The taxi was a full sized van, and we just buckled her in. The trip was from AKL to ASMusic (ie, it was short since both resorts are considered to be in the AK area).

We took a bus from AK to AKL for our meal at Jiko. We just spent our day at AK, so it was easy to go to AKL. However, at 7:30 pm, after our meal, kids were tired and AK was closed. The taxi took no time at all.

I would check out your transportation options and try to use buses, but there are times when a taxi will just be easier.

Here is a handy transportation wizard for WDW...

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx

Have a great trip!