Car seats with a rental car???

[twinsgg]

We're heading to Disney this week for the first time with our 3yr.old twins. Since, we're staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek we've decided to rent a car. I was shocked at the car rental prices (minivan) but even more surprised at the car seat rental price. At $9.95 per day per seat it will cost me an extra $140!!! Anyone have any suggestions, coupon code, etc. that could bring the price down??? I don't want to bring our seats from home but would love to save a little money. Thanks!!!

 

[la79al]

I have no experience in this as we took my DSDs seat along when we needed one. I think AAA members can get a free car seat rental with Hertz. Also, can you check with the rental place to see if they have any vans with the built in seats so you only need to rent one?

 

[Candy Apple]

If your seats are airline-approved, and most are, I would just use them on the plane. If not, most airlines do not charge a luggage fee for car seats, so you could check the seats. When my boys were younger, I always just brought our own seats.

 

[mejkjj97]

We always bring our car seats. We check them in at the gate and have never been charged additional for them.

 

[vallamen]

We always bring our own too. Not the most convenient, but less worry for me. You never know if a seat from a car rental agency has been in a previous accident or has been comprised. The price they charge is quite steep too. Could buy a new cheap (but safe) travel seat for each of them for that price!

Val.

 

[Edd]

You could use a car service and pay about $100.00 round trip from MCO-resort-MCO. Maybe rent a car for a couple of day trips. That could save you about $40.00 plus the car rental fee for the period. You would just have to figure out the transportation for the time at Disney. I don't know what you have planned there.

 

[twinsgg]

Thanks to all for your quick reply re: the car seats. I'm going to look into your suggestions, they were all great.

 

[NJ Kat]

Last year or the year before I bought car seat bags from Babies r us that have wheels. It's much easier to just pull those big car seats. Also there is lots of extra space in the bags to pack things, like diapers, etc. around the seats. Then we just check the seats.
We are going to be at DW from 11/12 - 23. I got a Dodge Caravan rented through carrentalmomma.com for $560.00 total cost. I thought that was a pretty good price. Kathy

 

[twinsgg]

Great suggestion on the rolling car seats, thanks. I'll zoom out tonight to Babies R Us and check them out.
It does seem like you got a great price via the web for the minivan. Way to go!

 

[prncess674]

Also you may just want to look at renting a full size car. Minivans can sometimes be a good bit more expensive. You will only be a little tight coming and going from the airport, but 2 kids and 2 adults should be fine in a car.

 

[Bernini98]

If your seats are airline-approved, and most are, I would just use them on the plane. If not, most airlines do not charge a luggage fee for car seats, so you could check the seats. When my boys were younger, I always just brought our own seats.

It is actualy easier to feed them etc. if u you can use them on the plane.

 

[carseats]

I have no experience in this as we took my DSDs seat along when we needed one.

 

[shocker]

When I took the high-back car seat on trips, I fed my forearm through the shoulder straps and grabbed the stroller handle, letting the seat dangle from my straightened arm, and gate checked it. When they got older, I took the backless booster seat, I packed it in the large suitcase with folded clothes placed in the seat and around the armrests. After we arrived and got the suitcase in the trunk, I popped out the seat and off we went. I also considered purchasing on arrival but never did that. I've also shipped large bulky items to my hotel that I didn't want to transport.

Hope this helps, have a good trip.

 

[mmmgood]

I would recommend using your own car seats. As previously mentioned car rental companies seat inventory is not the best, I have seen examples of missing parts, missing manuals and seats over 7 years old.

Here are a couple of sites for some good car rental discounts:

http://www.carrentalsavers.com

http://www.mousesavers.com

The full size car choice will save you some money and you could also look at SUV's. Sometimes they are cheaper than minivans.