Car seats on DME and Delta (if needed)

[Julieh22]

I am flying for the first time with DS (will be almost 4) from Knoxville, TN to MCO. As far as car seats are concerned, it is my understanding that he should not need a car seat on the airplane, DME, or any of the disney resort buses. We are not renting a car (mom and son only trip), and will rely totally on Disney transportation! Just nervous and wanting to feel better about leaving the car seat at home (it's against what I have always done).

THANKS!!! Counting the days till...... "baby & mommy" trip!!!!!!!

 

[ParrotBill]

Yup, leave it home (or in the car at the airport) and enjoy!

If you are strollering, gate check the stroller so you have it for the long walks at Orlando airport.

 

[Julieh22]

check the stroller? when I check my bags (you will have to forgive me for not knowing)? I hadn't even thought about the stroller! I have a small one that would be perfect for the trip...

 

[franco]

check the stroller? when I check my bags (you will have to forgive me for not knowing)? I hadn't even thought about the stroller! I have a small one that would be perfect for the trip...

Yes, take the stroller all the way down to the airplane door and then fold it up and leave it. The luggage guys will stow it away and you retrieve it when you get off the plane. (the airline will give you a tag for it when you give them your boarding ticket.

 

[CleveRocks]

Yes, take the stroller all the way down to the airplane door and then fold it up and leave it. The luggage guys will stow it away and you retrieve it when you get off the plane. (the airline will give you a tag for it when you give them your boarding ticket.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU BOARD TO TAKE CARE OF THE MINIMAL PAPERWORK! It'll unnecessarily delay you and everyone behind you.

Even if you don't need to check in at the gate (with most airlines, you don't need to since you already have your boarding pass in-hand), go to the counter at the gate well ahead of the boarding time, and tell the gate agent you wish to gate check the stroller. The stroller will be tagged at that point, and therefore you won't have to stop to ask questions and sign something and affix tags and generally act as a bottleneck for everyone else trying to board.

HAVE FUN!

 

[djmeredith]

As a former Delta flight attendant, the person above is absolutely correct. Always approach the desk before boarding begins to have your stroller tagged. This will make the process quicker for everyone.

You also asked about the car seat so I will again post my own 2 cents worth. The government does not require car seats on airplanes, so most parents assume their precious child will be safe without one. However, those same well intentioned parents would never dream of allowing their child to ride in a car without being properly restrained.

An airplane goes @ 200 mph on the ground for takeoff and landing. Would you want your child riding in a car going 200 mph without being in his/her car seat? I know it is a hassle to carry through the airport etc., but your child's safety is worth it.

Keep in mind, the car seat must be government approved. Most booster seats (backless and those with backs) are not approved for airplanes.

 

[twinspluscade]

As a former Delta flight attendant, the person above is absolutely correct. Always approach the desk before boarding begins to have your stroller tagged. This will make the process quicker for everyone.

You also asked about the car seat so I will again post my own 2 cents worth. The government does not require car seats on airplanes, so most parents assume their precious child will be safe without one. However, those same well intentioned parents would never dream of allowing their child to ride in a car without being properly restrained.

An airplane goes @ 200 mph on the ground for takeoff and landing. Would you want your child riding in a car going 200 mph without being in his/her car seat? I know it is a hassle to carry through the airport etc., but your child's safety is worth it.

Keep in mind, the car seat must be government approved. Most booster seats (backless and those with backs) are not approved for airplanes.

If most booster seats are not approved for airplanes, then what the heck is her kid supposed to ride in?? A 4 year old is going to be too big for most car seats.

Kelly

 

[CleveRocks]

If most booster seats are not approved for airplanes, then what the heck is her kid supposed to ride in?? A 4 year old is going to be too big for most car seats.

Kelly

My 4.5 year old is in a 5-point harness car seat right now (well, not right NOW, but you know what I mean), and my 7 year old didn't move into his booster until about age 5 or so.

 

[djmeredith]

The police officer that installed my carseat for my nephew told me to keep them in a 5 point restraint as long as possible because the booster seats are not as safe. A lot of people don't realize that carseats, depending on the brand, can accomodate large children (they go by weight of child). Specifically, the Britax brand has a car seat that holds children up to 80 lbs. My nephew is almost 4, and still rides comfortably (and safely) in his Britax.

 

[Edd]

As a former Delta flight attendant, the person above is absolutely correct.
You also asked about the car seat so I will again post my own 2 cents worth. The government does not require car seats on airplanes, so most parents assume their precious child will be safe without one. However, those same well intentioned parents would never dream of allowing their child to ride in a car without being properly restrained.

An airplane goes @ 200 mph on the ground for takeoff and landing. Would you want your child riding in a car going 200 mph without being in his/her car seat? .

But they will allow their child to ride, without a proper child seat or a seat belt, on a bus going down the road 65 miles per hour because it is a free ride.

 

[CleveRocks]

But they will allow their child to ride, without a proper child seat or a seat belt, on a bus going down the road 65 miles per hour because it is a free ride.

You're referring, of course, to the Disney Transport buses that, between some resorts and some parks, ride on the highways during much of their routes?

Can't have it both ways ... if you are saying having unrestrained kids in DME motorcoaches is unsafe, then you also agree that having unrestrained kids in Disney Transport buses (many of which also run on highway) is equally unsafe.

By making this argument, you argue that a rental car would be the only safe alternative, in your opinion.

 

[Edd]

That is affirmative. Unrestrained children as well as adults are subject to getting hurt in a crash. I have witnessed several crashes at Disney involving their buses. They do not release injury statements. Rental cars is not the only option. They could use a car seat equipped taxis or car service to get to the resort and the same option to get around the resort, unless the responsible people put seat belts on the busses, allow child seats and required all passengers to be in seats. They have seat belts in many of the theme park rides, many of the rides travel slower than the busses, why not the busses that travel around the resort.

Maybe the argument, if it is smaller than it should have seat belts is still good in that case.

 

[CleveRocks]

Rental cars is not the only option. They could use a car seat equipped taxis or car service to get to the resort and the same option to get around the resort

I was prepared to disagree with this notion based on the exhorbitant cost it must incur.

But then I did the math ....

Let's say an average taxi ride is $25. If, on each day, a family went from resort to park, then back to the resort mid-day, then back to the same or another park, then back to the resort at night, that's 4 rides per day. At $25 each, that's $100 a day. Multiply that by 7 days, and that's an extra $700 for a trip.

So at first I thought, "No way! Who but the wealthy would do that???" But then I realized there have been many people on this board, including me, who have asked questions like, "Is it worth $600 or $700 more to stay at a deluxe instead of a moderate?"

So a swing of that kind of expense IS something that a lot of people consider, but for a different reason. Perceived increased comfort (a deluxe resort) versus presumed improved safety (seat-belted rides). Interesting ....