Car seats and Taxis

[jkstewart1800]

We are having Tiffany Town Car pick us up at the airport for our upcoming trip in July.... they will be providing the car seat for my almost 3 year old son....

We will not have a car while we are staying at the GF for that week and will be relying on cabs when we have to go to AK .... (we are not doing HS this time around)

My question is: If I don't have a car seat for my kid will the cabbie take us or will we be refused the ride.

I have ridden in city cabs with kids and they don't seem to care if you have a car seat or not...but Disney cabs might be different.... and I know the car seat law (as I know it) pertains to personal vehicles....

Has anyone used the cabs at WDW? and has anyone used the cab with kids with NO seat???

Any info would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[bekkiz]

Can I ask why cabs and not the busses? Is it simply a time issue? The GF busses are usually pretty good in terms of crowds and waits. And then you wouldn't have to worry about the carseat issue.

Otherwise, Florida law says that children under 3 must be in a restraint (booster/car seat) even in a taxi.

 

[CLR4321]

Florida state laws require children in taxis to be in the required booster or car seat (only buses are exempt). You can request a car seat with most taxi companies when you call in for it. Any cabbie who's primary service is at WDW will have car seats available. A cabbie may let you in without a car seat, but it isn't safe for your child without one.

 

[Erica09M]

You definitely need, and should want, a car seat for your little one in a taxi... even if the law says it isn't required (though in this case it is required). I don't like to leave what-ifs and clearly car seats are the safest way for little ones to travel. If you'd like more information, please visit us on http://www.car-seat.org/

 

[jkstewart1800]

We have been told that the AK bus to GF is unusually slow, and with going in July I am worried about crowds....

If I had my way we would have a rental - but the drive (DH) says it's his vacation too!

I appreciate any information regarding the law in Florida which seems to be different here in texas.... it is good to know that I can call the cab and have a car seat in it when it arrives .... hadn't thought about that.... I am so used to just hailing them.

However I don't require opinions as to the saftey of my choices... that is not what I wanted this thread to be about. I totally understand that a car seat is safer... but if we choose to use one or not is up to us.

Thanks

 

[Erica09M]

We have been told that the AK bus to GF is unusually slow, and with going in July I am worried about crowds....

If I had my way we would have a rental - but the drive (DH) says it's his vacation too!

I appreciate any information regarding the law in Florida which seems to be different here in texas.... it is good to know that I can call the cab and have a car seat in it when it arrives .... hadn't thought about that.... I am so used to just hailing them.

However I don't require opinions as to the saftey of my choices... that is not what I wanted this thread to be about. I totally understand that a car seat is safer... but if we choose to use one or not is up to us.

Thanks

I'm very sorry, my intention wasn't for my previous post to come across as snarky. I'm very sorry if that is the way you took it. I do apologize, as that is not how it was meant.

As far as it being your choice or not to use one, I suppose that is the truth if you throw the law aside. Just make sure that they have the seat installed correctly, taxi drivers are probably not CPSTs!

Have a great trip!

 

[jkstewart1800]

Thanks for the apology - I have pretty thick skin.... but I got worried that if I didn't say anything it would just get worse... I have learned that sometimes can happen on the DIS...

That being said, now that I know it is the law, that changes things.... and to know that the mears cabs have carseats makes it a whole lot easier!

Still wanting to hear from someone who has actually done this... and what their experience was.

 

[all4fun]

If your ds is at least 35lbs you might consider purchasing a Ride Safer Travel Vest for travel. It is perfect for situations like this. We have one for ds, and it only weighs a couple of pounds, and can be stuffed in a bag when not in use. Their site is www.safetrafficsystem.com and they have a video that shows how it works, and videos of the crash tests as well. I am extremely safety conscious when it comes to children and cars (because car accidents are the #1 accidental killer of children under 14) not to make you feel badly, just point being, I trust this product. It would be ideal for this situation. You could stuff it in a bag under the stroller or rent a locker at the park to put it in, if you didn't want to carry it around. Just a thought.

 

[jkstewart1800]

If your ds is at least 35lbs you might consider purchasing a Ride Safer Travel Vest for travel. It is perfect for situations like this. We have one for ds, and it only weighs a couple of pounds, and can be stuffed in a bag when not in use. Their site is www.safetrafficsystem.com and they have a video that shows how it works, and videos of the crash tests as well. I am extremely safety conscious when it comes to children and cars (because car accidents are the #1 accidental killer of children under 14) not to make you feel badly, just point being, I trust this product. It would be ideal for this situation. You could stuff it in a bag under the stroller or rent a locker at the park to put it in, if you didn't want to carry it around. Just a thought.

We have an older version of this - but man the new ones look pretty cool too. THanks for posting the link - I am sure this will help a lot of mommies who are headed to WDW. Renting a locker sounds like a pretty good idea!

Any one else? Has anyone else actually taken a cab to a park WITH a cab car seat in it?

 

[dhardawa]

I'm actually a CPST so I'm totally biting my tongue here.

I haven't used the Mears service (other than their busses), but typically car rental/taxi places can't be counted on to have good car seats. The drivers aren't trained at all in child passenger safety and you run the risk of them showing up with a seat that is inappropriate for your child's age/weight/height, is damaged, is expired, is filthy, etc. Not to mention, you have no way of knowing if the seat has been in a crash. I have heard way too many horror stories from people who decided to rent a seat from a car rental place to put any trust in a taxi service having a safe seat. Odds are, they will show up with a backless booster that isn't appropriate for your child.

That said, I'd pack a car seat for both kids.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I'm actually a CPST so I'm totally biting my tongue here.

I haven't used the Mears service (other than their busses), but typically car rental/taxi places can't be counted on to have good car seats. The drivers aren't trained at all in child passenger safety and you run the risk of them showing up with a seat that is inappropriate for your child's age/weight/height, is damaged, is expired, is filthy, etc. Not to mention, you have no way of knowing if the seat has been in a crash. I have heard way too many horror stories from people who decided to rent a seat from a car rental place to put any trust in a taxi service having a safe seat. Odds are, they will show up with a backless booster that isn't appropriate for your child.

That said, I'd pack a car seat for both kids.

I am no sure what a CPST is -but please don't hurt yourself....

I am totally aware of the crappy car seat stories.... I guess I was having higher hopes for Walt Disney World....

A backless booster wouldn't be so bad... would it? He is 38 lbs and 37 inches....

Isn't there anyone out there that has taken a mears cab with a car seat? Anyone Anyone Anyone!!!!

 

[dhardawa]

I am no sure what a CPST is -but please don't hurt yourself....

I am totally aware of the crappy car seat stories.... I guess I was having higher hopes for Walt Disney World....

A backless booster wouldn't be so bad... would it? He is 38 lbs and 37 inches....

Isn't there anyone out there that has taken a mears cab with a car seat? Anyone Anyone Anyone!!!!

A CPST is a Child Passenger Safety Technician.

A backless booster would be illegal (and extremely dangerous). He doesn't meet the minimum requirements for it and Florida has a correct usage clause in their law (as do most states). At 2 1/2 he should still be in a harnessed seat. The backless booster might be an option for your six year old though.

Have you considered something like a Safeguard Go? That would be easy to pack and is a very safe seat. I'd call Mears and verify they have tether anchors in their vehicles. I'd think they would, but it is always good to check. The Go requires tether anchors.

http://www.safeguardseat.com/go/index.htm

Another option would be to just bring his seat from home and use it on the plane. If getting it through the airport is an issue, you can get something like a Go Go Kidz Travelmate. They are great. Just double check your seat at home to make sure it is FAA approved. Almost all harnessed seats are.

Also, just because someone else had a good experience with Mears (which I think is what you want to hear) doesn't mean you will. When you're standing at the airport and they have an infant carrier, you're pretty much screwed. Better to pack a seat and know what you're getting.

 

[jkstewart1800]

I'll take any experience on mears.... good or bad. I just don't want to get to the GF taxi area at 8:30am and get in the taxi and have them kick me out because we have no seat.... I want to be legal and appropriate.


I wonder why buses don't use them... wouldn't it be just as bad if we got into a wreck while we were in a bus?

I have a travel car seat that looks like a small rectangle with padding and lots of straps... I guess we can store it in a locker when we get to the park... we are only using a cab for a day - between AK and back - everything else is monorailing it....

If we bring our own then we won't need Tiffany Town Car's either...

Am I wrong to think that car seats regs are based on weight and height NOT age???? I am a bit confused on that.

I am glad to have an expert to ask my questions to...... sorry if my joke was in bad taste....

 

[dhardawa]

I wonder why buses don't use them... wouldn't it be just as bad if we got into a wreck while we were in a bus?

Am I wrong to think that car seats regs are based on weight and height NOT age???? I am a bit confused on that.

Busses don't use car seats for a few reasons. One, they are HUGE. They more or less just run over anything in their way. That drastically changes the crash forces. Also, busses have high, padded seatbacks which allows them to use a passive restraint system called compartmentalization. Busses are actually VERY safe.

On the second, I'm not sure if you mean car seat laws or what is actually safe. Those two can be drastically different. If you're asking about laws, they are based on weight and/or height and/or age depending on where you are. As for what is safe, a child should remain in a harnessed seat until he outgrows it by height and/or weight. A child under 4-5 should never be put in a booster. If he outgrows the harnessed seat before then, he needs to move to a higher weight limit harnessed seat. A child should remain in a booster until he can pass the five step test.

http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm

There is good information on staying harnessed here too. Be sure to go to You Tube to watch the video as well.

http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/

This is kind of to everyone:

I've been a tech for seven years now so this is something that is near and dear to my heart. If I can help you in any way make the safest decision for your kids, I'm more than happy to. Making safe decisions isn't something you can do after a crash, unfortunately. And, yes, I practice what I preach. My kids are:

9 1/2, 54 lbs, 50" in a backless booster
22 months, 26 lbs, (not sure of his height right now), in a rear facing convertible seat.

 

[jkstewart1800]

My 6 year old is in a booster
My 2 1/2 old is in a 5 point harness with latch system...

I think I moved my oldest into a booster when he was 4.

 

[dhardawa]

My 6 year old is in a booster
My 2 1/2 old is in a 5 point harness with latch system...

I think I moved my oldest into a booster when he was 4.

And that is what I'd recommend at that age.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Good Good Good ....

Okay - well it is locker rental for us....

But still I am looking to hear of any one else's experiences with the cabs at Disney.....

 

[snoopy5386]

Are you going to AK for one day? Just take the bus, it is so not a big deal. Bus service may or may not be slow but if you are really worried just get there a bit earlier. Then you don't have to worry about any of this.

 

[all4fun]

Are you going to AK for one day? Just take the bus, it is so not a big deal. Bus service may or may not be slow but if you are really worried just get there a bit earlier. Then you don't have to worry about any of this.

ITA

 

[tartemis]

I'm from Chicago, where you aren't required to put children in car seats in Taxi's. When I took my DD to Disney for the first time at 6 months, I erroneously thought that was the law in Florida as well.

One night we did take a Taxi from the GF to the Boardwalk for dinner -- without a car seat. The cabbie didn't say anything to us, but I really regreted it. I felt totally unsafe and didn't realize how much "highway" driving there was to get to the Boardwalk to the GF. I had taken a cab in Chicago a few city blocks before with my DD when we were caught in the rain, and I didn't think it was a big deal. Highway driving, or what we did at Disney, was in an entirely different league -- and I would never do it again.

All that being said -- one of the reasons I like Disney trips is to not have to deal with carseats. We have gone twice since my DD was born -- once at 6 months and once at 18 months. Both times we stayed at the GF, took ME and took the buses (except for the 1 incident mentioned above). (She was also a lap baby on the plane -- I know some think that is a big no no as well.)

In my opinion, I would definitely just use the bus. We have gone from GF to AK multiple times and it was never a longer wait than going to any of the other parks. Again (in my opinion) it is silly to bring a car seat just to avoid the GF to AK bus.