Advice please: Car seats and taxis

[northriver]

We don't rent a car, but take our carseats on the plane so we have them in our resort room. Last trip we avoided several places because of the long bus rides. I'd love to take a taxi sometimes but with two in carseats this trip, it is not practical.

My sister says they use taxis anyway, and don't take the carseat. I would NEVER let my child ride in a car without a carseat, and it is also not legal in Florida. BIL says "sure it is, Disney is private property". Umhm, whatever, LOL!

We are staying at the Contmeporary this trip. I'd be interested in the Illuminations fireworks curise, but other than renting a car I can't see how we'd get there, since they just pick you up on the dock at one of the Epcot resorts, no place to leave a carseat if we took our own in a cab, right? I heard a rumor that you could get a taxi with a carseat, but is it true, and are they safe? The resort to resort bus WDW transportation is just so convuleted. For the Illuminations cruise - Monorail from CR to Epcot, then Bus from the front of Epcot to whichever Epcot resort we meet the cruise? Then reverse at park closing - um I don't really think so, not with two toddlers anyway. Is there another way?

We usually avoid DTD also because of the transportation issue. And I've always wanted to eat at Boma too but it seems like so much work to get there using the bus.

Anyone have any tips on getting around with little ones that need carseats? Now that I've typed all this, a car rental sounds like maybe not such a bad idea, but I hate to negociate WDW traffic.

 

[PEANUT1]

we pretty much always rent a car even when staying on property. I don't like using the buses with little kids. There could still be an accident Both of my girls are still in carseats so we will bring them with us. You can rent a car pretty cheaply. We rented a minivan for 12 days for 400$. its worth it to us.

 

[northriver]

We used a towncar service last trip and I just loved it, really it was the best money we spent on the trip. They driver met us at baggage claim, helped with the luggage, then took us to get groceries before dropping us off at the resort and helping with the luggage again. And with small children, there is lots of luggage!

This trip we are flying into Sanford at 10pm if we are ontime, and it is $200 for the towncar service. I KNOW that almost pays for a car rental but after a long flight, I just dread dealing with the car rental, figuring out a new car, finding a grocery store, then finding the resort, dealing with parking and the luggage, etc. Best case scenario, we get to resort at 11:30pm.

I'm thinking I'd rather give up going to the places we need a car for, not to have to deal with the rental.

 

[tjmw2727]

You can request a taxi with a carseat but may have to wait for it and I am not sure you would have much luck getting one with two carseats. If your only concern is the Illuminations cruise then you can just walk over to the MK and take a bus to the BC/YC marina. Or you can take a bus from the CR to MGM and walk or take the boat over to the Marina.

We always rely on WDW transporation and don't mind a little extra time but we do budget for taxis once in a while. Since we are past carseat age that isn't an issue.

If you really want to use carseats then in your case I would consider a rental car. You could still use the monorail for MK and Epcot and then you would have the car for resort trips and MK/MGM if you want to avoid the buses. Mousesavers is a great source for car rental discounts.

TJ

 

[disneymarie]

With many codes out there for the price of renting a taxing and car seat, (they would send a mini van) I would just rent., I debated a two day rental on site and the cost was with in dollars of the week rental from MCO at Enterorize, $99 and free upp grade to full size, total $138. The smaller cars are less expensive.
http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=ESS28R4&arc=ESS28R4
this is the free upgrade link

I have others for a $20 week, free days someplace too.
There is also a transportation forum this server and they have many rental agencys and codes going on too.
dianne

 

[northriver]

tjmw2727 & disneymarie - thanks for the excellent suggestions!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Just got back and had to take a cab from GF back to SSR when Valet lost our car keys (that's a WHOLE other thread). The cab was actually a 15 passenger van and the driver had 2 convertible car seats (can be used as a rear facing infant seat or a forward facing toddler seat) in the back that could quickly be installed if we had needed it. We were able to get DS's car seat out of our rental van (valet left the car unlocked - part of that other thread that needs to be written) so we didn't need to use the taxi service's car seat.

We also took the DVC tour and they had a car seat ready in their van for DS.

I did hold DS when we took Disney Transportation buses and that did make me uneasy - the way they pack everyone on the buses is insane - so I think next trip we will definitely rent a van for the entire trip so DS can be in his car seat.