Car seat/rental question

[TheAngelForever]

Originally our trip to Disney World in May was just the four of us. Our youngest son is going to lap ride on the airplane, so we are not bringing his car seat. We think he will sit nicely in his own seat on the way home just like his big brother (had to buy a seat since he turns two during our stay). Anyway, the plan once in FL was to use only Disney transportation and not worry about anything.

Now my parents are coming with us. They are interested in renting a van for the six of us. Just curious if anyone knows what ages need to be in car seats. I know my youngest will, but was not sure about my 5 year old. Since we will not be able to bring our car seats with us I need to know so we can inquire about renting the items needed. My father was wondering if the laws would be different inside Disney grounds. I informed him that no matter what the little guy would be in a car seat with 5 point restraints.

Thanks for any information.

 

[Sriggi]

I'm not sure about the law and age part but I can tell you that an airline can not charge you for a car seat. I would just check them both in and pick it up at bagage. Better safe then sorry.

 

[TheAngelForever]

I'm not sure about the law and age part but I can tell you that an airline can not charge you for a car seat. I would just check them both in and pick it up at bagage. Better safe then sorry.

I know they can not charge me. I just did not want to lug our giant Britax seat for the little guy. If we stick with Disney transportation we will not need it. Of course my parents could get a car and we stick with that, but would be nice to go with them.

 

[NaplesRI]

From the web:

MOTOR VEHICLES Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL View Entire Chapter

316.613 Child restraint requirements.--

(1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.
(b) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall provide notice of the requirement for child restraint devices, which notice shall accompany the delivery of each motor vehicle license tag.

(2) As used in this section, the term "motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle as defined in s. 316.003 that is operated on the roadways, streets, and highways of the state. The term does not include:

FOR THE ENTIRE RULE, GO TO:http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC613.HTM&Title=-%3E2003-%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20613

 

[all4fun]

I know they can not charge me. I just did not want to lug our giant Britax seat for the little guy. If we stick with Disney transportation we will not need it. Of course my parents could get a car and we stick with that, but would be nice to go with them.

Originally our trip to Disney World in May was just the four of us. Our youngest son is going to lap ride on the airplane, so we are not bringing his car seat. We think he will sit nicely in his own seat on the way home just like his big brother (had to buy a seat since he turns two during our stay). Anyway, the plan once in FL was to use only Disney transportation and not worry about anything.

Now my parents are coming with us. They are interested in renting a van for the six of us. Just curious if anyone knows what ages need to be in car seats. I know my youngest will, but was not sure about my 5 year old. Since we will not be able to bring our car seats with us I need to know so we can inquire about renting the items needed. My father was wondering if the laws would be different inside Disney grounds. I informed him that no matter what the little guy would be in a car seat with 5 point restraints.

Thanks for any information.

Florida car seat laws do not even meet the bare minimum standards set by NHTSA and the AAP. I would not go by that. The FHP has the 4 steps for kids on their site here which encourages using a booster from 4-8yrs old or 4'9" (that is also a bare minimum tho).


A backless booster would be the easiest thing to travel with. Keep in mind backless boosters don't provide side impact protection, do a poorer job of keeping the shoulder belt postioned properly, and also do not provide whiplash protection so a high back booster s/b used in a vehicle with shorter seat backs (hard to know in advance when renting a car). Also, the child has to remain seated properly 100% of the time in a booster in order for it to be effective. I have a 5yr old too, and he still rides 90% of the time in a 5pt harness seat. He just is too much of a wiggle worm at this point for me to trust him in a booster full time. Since car crashes are the #1 cause of accidental death among children, I just don't want to take any chances.

I have also read that you can't always count on car rental agencies to have the appropriate size seat available when you need it, and that often, they are old/expired, and not well-cared for. Again, my ds safety is too important for me to put it in someone elses hands like that. Especially when bringing my own car seat (or booster) is really just a minor inconvenience.

If you don't want to take your big Britax convertible for your younger child, I would recommend buying a Cosco Scenera 5pt instead. It's a smaller, lighter weight seat and is very easy to travel with, fits in airplane seats well. It's a basic seat, so it only costs about $50. You'd spend at least that much renting one for a week, if not more. I wouldn't check a car seat because it could get damaged. If you bring a booster for your 5yr old, a backless one could be carried on and stowed. Some High back boosters come apart, and you can check the back in a bag, and carry the bottom part on so if something gets lost in transit, you still at least have a backless booster with you.

Also, here is a site that explains why using a car seat on board the plane is a good idea, and also has installation tips that will help you.

Just some food for thought!

hth

 

[TheAngelForever]

Florida car seat laws do not even meet the bare minimum standards set by NHTSA and the AAP. I would not go by that. The FHP has the 4 steps for kids on their site here which encourages using a booster from 4-8yrs old or 4'9" (that is also a bare minimum tho).


A backless booster would be the easiest thing to travel with. Keep in mind backless boosters don't provide side impact protection, do a poorer job of keeping the shoulder belt postioned properly, and also do not provide whiplash protection so a high back booster s/b used in a vehicle with shorter seat backs (hard to know in advance when renting a car). Also, the child has to remain seated properly 100% of the time in a booster in order for it to be effective. I have a 5yr old too, and he still rides 90% of the time in a 5pt harness seat. He just is too much of a wiggle worm at this point for me to trust him in a booster full time. Since car crashes are the #1 cause of accidental death among children, I just don't want to take any chances.

I have also read that you can't always count on car rental agencies to have the appropriate size seat available when you need it, and that often, they are old/expired, and not well-cared for. Again, my ds safety is too important for me to put it in someone elses hands like that. Especially when bringing my own car seat (or booster) is really just a minor inconvenience.

If you don't want to take your big Britax convertible for your younger child, I would recommend buying a Cosco Scenera 5pt instead. It's a smaller, lighter weight seat and is very easy to travel with, fits in airplane seats well. It's a basic seat, so it only costs about $50. You'd spend at least that much renting one for a week, if not more. I wouldn't check a car seat because it could get damaged. If you bring a booster for your 5yr old, a backless one could be carried on and stowed. Some High back boosters come apart, and you can check the back in a bag, and carry the bottom part on so if something gets lost in transit, you still at least have a backless booster with you.

Also, here is a site that explains why using a car seat on board the plane is a good idea, and also has installation tips that will help you.

Just some food for thought!

hth

In the state we live in, car seats/boosters are required until a child is 7, so anything different is less for us. I understand all of the risks for my child on the plane and appreciate the information, but our decision is pretty much made (tickets have already been purchased for a while). Hubby and I have our reasons for putting our son on our lap going down.

My 5 year old is actually the one that sits in the Britax most of the time. We had a full back booster in one car that he barely uses. Our other car seat that the little guy uses is not FAA approved to my knowledge and again not into checking it in case it would be ruined. I would rather just use the Disney buses and go that route than have several more items to bring with us. Of course I also know that there are other places in Orlando that now rent car seats and items, so that is something for us to look into as well.

 

[all4fun]

Well, if renting was my only option, I'd tend to trust a baby equipment rental agency like A baby best friend (abbf.com) over a car rental agency, since equipment rental is their business. As far as your 19mos old seat goes, most car seats with a 5pt harness sold in the U.S. are airline approved, although there are probably a handful that aren't. Car seats that are approved for airline use have a sticker on them that says "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft". It's usually a white sticker with black and red printing on the side of the seat somewhere. I know you're not taking it this trip so, Just for future reference. I remember when I was getting ready to travel for the first time w/my ds and was planning on bringing the car seat on board, I was looking all over it for a big Gold FAA seal of approval.

 

[quentina]

We use the car seat travel bags (sunshine kids, I believe is the maker). Bought them off ebay for less than $20.00.

They are huge, in addition to the car seat, we put winter coats etc. Since it is a car seat, it is not included in the baggage rules and is free.

I always take my own, the bags have straps on them so you can carry like a backpack.

Kim