Car seats??? To take or to rent?????

[TSirgey]

We are going to WDW for 9 days in April 2005 with another family. We are staying at SOG and have 4 adults, one teenager (nanny) and 3 kids ages 4,4, and 2. We are renting a 10 passenger van when we get there. Has anyone taken their carseats? Last time we went with just our daughter and we rented a carseat and it cost over $50. Is is worth the extra $$ to not have to drag 3 carseats through the airport?? Any suggestions?

 

[mrsschlep]

Just wanted to let you know that Florida car seat law is that after turning 4 kids don't need to be in a car seat. I know that some people feel safer with their kids in a seat anyway (myself included) but just wanted to throw that option out at you.

 

[TSirgey]

We certainly do not need the seat for the plane. Just for when we have the van. Thanks for the info. I had no idea about the age requirements. I do feel safer with the kids in a seat.

 

[behappy]

Car seats are expensive to rent (you could practically buy 3 new ones for the cost) and the ones available from rental companies are not typically in very good shape (that is being kind...they can be very 'icky'). If you check-in curbside it won't be that big a hassle. Are you picking up the van at MCO??

 

[safetymom]

I would take your own seats. You are familiar with them. The start of a vacation is not the time to be learning how to use a different car seat. You also don't know the history of the car seat you are renting.

 

[TSirgey]

We are picking up the van at MCO. I agree, when we went to WDW in Feb. we rented one car seat. It was not the best seat we have ever seen, and we kicked ourselves for not buying one after we got there, or taking our seat with us. I guess we could just rent a cart when we get there and stack all of them on the cart and check them.

 

[beattyfamily]

I bought a car seat bag for $20 at Babies R Us and it was the best investiment! It was such a pain lugging 2 full size car seats through the airport.

Well, now I have those small booster seats AND I bought the carseat back which can fit one big carseat or at least 2 small booster seats.

I put our 2 booster seats in that bag and then check it with our luggage. Don't need to worry about it again till we get our luggage and our rental car.

It's also big enough to fit a couple of other bulky things like I'm going to put DH's Goofy costume in it for our upcoming trip!

 

[mm6mm6]

Yes, bring your seats!

Just check them on the plane.

Then YOU can secure YOUR child safety seats in the rented van so that YOU will know YOUR children are safe!

Just for info, the NHTSA recommendation is that every child up to age 9 or 4'9" tall use a child safety restraint system of some kind (including boosters).

Most states are upping their respective laws to better reflect this recomendation. All vehicle manufacturers also recommend the NHTSA rule because seat belts are only meant to work on people 4'9" tall and above.

Here in Illinois, the law was inadequate at 4 years of age and has now been changed to 8 years of age, which is closer to the recommended 9.

I am a certified installation technician and a police officer. My daughter will be 8 in January. As of right now (and she's tall for her age at 53") she will be in her booster if that seat belt doesn't cross her chest where it needs to, no matter how old she is.

The problem with age restrictions is the exceptions. My nephew is very short. About 46" and he is 10 years old. No matter what I say, his parents won't use a booster for him. Because it will "make him feel bad for being short." Not as bad as he'll feel being launched through the windshield in a crash of course....

Anyway, bring your seats, use your seats, be sure they are properly installed and fitted to your children.

Most crashes (notice we don't call them "accidents" anymore?) occur blocks from driver's homes at speeds of under 45 mph.

Good luck and have a great trip!

-Steve

 

[TSirgey]

Thank you for the information. There is no way I would consider not putting our kids in a van without a seat so it seems we will be lugging 3 seats on our journey. I am also glad to hear that the carseat bag is only $20 at Babies R Us. I checked online and most of them were double that price. I'll have to check our local store.

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by mm6mm6
Just for info, the NHTSA recommendation is that every child up to age 9 or 4'9" tall use a child safety restraint system of some kind (including boosters).

Most states are upping their respective laws to better reflect this recomendation. All vehicle manufacturers also recommend the NHTSA rule because seat belts are only meant to work on people 4'9" tall and above.

Here in Illinois, the law was inadequate at 4 years of age and has now been changed to 8 years of age, which is closer to the recommended 9.

I am a certified installation technician and a police officer. My daughter will be 8 in January. As of right now (and she's tall for her age at 53") she will be in her booster if that seat belt doesn't cross her chest where it needs to, no matter how old she is.

The problem with age restrictions is the exceptions. My nephew is very short. About 46" and he is 10 years old. No matter what I say, his parents won't use a booster for him. Because it will "make him feel bad for being short." Not as bad as he'll feel being launched through the windshield in a crash of course....
-Steve

My kids are 9 and 7 and are still and will continue to be in boosters. About a month ago, I had to use my husband's truck while our van was in the shop. He has only one spare booster and I used that for my 7 year old. I forgot to grab one for my 9 year old. I wasn't concerned because the seat belt fits her much better then in our van. Our van seats sink in making the kids lower and the belts don't fit as well. Anyway, we drove the truck for three days. When we got the van back, my dd went to sit in her booster and I made the comment "sorry, it is back to a booster for you." She said "I am so happy. I hated not having the booster. I don't care what other kids think. I feel way better being in this." I was glad she felt that way. She has had friends ask "why are you still using a booster," And she replies with "Because my parents love me and care about my safety." It pretty much puts an end to the conversation!

Lisa

 

[mm6mm6]

Lisa,

Sounds like you have a very smart child there! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

-Steve

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by mm6mm6
Lisa,

Sounds like you have a very smart child there! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

-Steve

Awwww, thanks! But, I am afraid she got her smarts from her dad and her sarcasm from me!! lol

Lisa