Car seat to WDW?

[Momerath]

I am in the early, early planning stages of a WDW trip next Oct. and DS will be 2 years then. Do we have to bring a car seat for the plane? Do you need a car seat for magical express? Last time we flew he just sat on my lap (was only 5 months at the time). Just wondering what everyone else does. If it is safe enough I would prefer not to have to lug a carseat with us traveling. Thanks in advance!

 

[Hannathy]

You don't need one for ME or Disney transportation. For the plane you will hear both sides pro and con. I never took one for any of my kids on the plane and they always did fine and had no problems and we have flown A LOT. Hear out both sides and decide yourself but you definitely don't need one for Disney Transportation.

 

[thunderbird1]

Not only do you not need one for Disney transportation (including ME), you can't use one--no seat belts. If you decide to use one for the plane, it will end up being another piece of luggage to transport and store. Is your child safer in a car seat on the plane? Of course. But the airlines don't require one, and no one is going to look at you funny or question your parenting at the airport if you decide to skip it.

We've done it both ways, and find it more convenient not to bring it unless we're renting a car. Even then, we generally check it with the rest of the baggage because it's such a hassle to carry it around the airports and through security checkpoints. Like Hannathy said, you are going to hear lots of advice pro and con, so decide for yourself.

 

[girlsx4]

You should do what you are most comfortable with. We went to WDW in '05 when my youngest DD had just turned 2. We did NOT bring a carseat for the plane or Magical Express. She did want to try to walk around on the Magical Express so we had to hold her most of the time. Everything was just fine.

 

[jessica52877]

I have always taken it on the plane. DS was more comfortable and just went to sleep after a while. He knew you couldn't get up and walk around that way. I guess I think of it as a car, would you put your child in a car without a car seat?

I babysat before having my son and we (well I) often lugged a seat through airport after airport to then never use it once off the plane. Guess I was used to that way of doing it.

Like others have said, it is a personal decision, listen to both sides. DS is now 4 1/2 and I still take his seat on the plane.

 

[TinkerValkyrie]

If you're worried about turbulence on the plane they make a device called Baby B'air. It's supposed to go up to age 2. It's like a little vest that straps on to your seatbelt. I considered this when we flew with my older son when he was a toddler, but we took the carseat instead because we were renting a car. However, if you aren't going to be having a car, the vest would be a lot easier to deal with.

 

[Momerath]

Thank you for the replies...I didn't know ME didn't have seat belts (I knew Disney buses did not). I guess I have plenty of time to think it over.

Thanks!

 

[juligrl]

We did take a car seat when we went and older DD was 2. She had her own seat on the plane so it worked out for her to have the familiarty of her car seat.

For our next trip we are probably not taking the car seat. Older DD is 4 and younger DD is 1. DH insists that our younger daughter will be fine as a lap baby on his lap. She'll have to go on his lap since I'm pretty useless on a plane (motion sickness ). I have a feeling we'll be making alternate arrangements on our homeward flight.