Carseat ? - Flying and taxis

[lighttech]

We'll be headed to Disney w/ DS 2 1/2 in November. He has a seat on the airplane, and I know you can bring a carseat on the plane and use it just like in a car. Has anyone done this? Recommend or not? Do you know any details about what carseats are allowed, or restrictions?

Second ? is: Can a toddler ride in a taxi? It didn't dawn on me until the other day. We have one ADR for an early breakfast at Chef Mickey's. We are at ASSp, and so have to rely on the buses. And, they may not run early enough that day. I know we can take a taxi and its not a big deal, but what about DS? Will I need to bring the carseat in the taxi? And, if so, what do I do w/ it after that? The whole ride will be on Disney property, so, although I'm always totally anal retentive about car safety, I don't think I'd worry too much about him riding w/o... uh oh, mom gene kicking in... now I'm worried about that too!

yikes! Any help would be great.

 

[tlbwriter]

Your carseat must be approved by the FAA to be used on an airplane. Most harnessed carseats sold in the US are FAA approved. It should have a sticker on it somewhere.

As for the taxi... that's a tough call. I can tell you that I would never allow my child to ride in a car unrestrained (and riding in an adult seat belt would be unrestrained at that age), even if we never left Disney property. And I wouldn't really have a problem taking my car seat to Chef Mickeys and asking them to stow it somewhere while we ate. But I sure wouldn't be willing to lug it around the parks for the rest of the day! What were you planning to do after breakfast? Could you perhaps reschedule your ADR for a later time so you could take the bus?

 

[tanyaandallie]

Your child must be restrained in a carseat in a taxi. It is a car and it's against the law and horribly unsafe to travel with a small child in a taxi without a carseat.

Staying on Disney property would give me no comfort at all. The roads there are just roads like everywhere else. They are big roads with high speed limits. You are just as likely to be in an accident there as anywhere else. I'd take the bus or take your carseat and as the Contemporary to hold it or send it back to your hotel. I'm wondering if they would do that!

 

[tinkandpan]

I could be totally wrong, but if the laws in Fl are anything like the laws in NYC, taxi's are exempt from carseat regulations. I'm not saying this is good or right- just that it is the law. There is a small travel carseat vest you could purchase and use.

As for the airplane, as long as your carseat is FAA approved, you can bring it on (and should bring it on) for safety reasons.

 

[MiniGirl]

We all know that our children are safest in a carseat. I don't think taxis are exempt here in Florida, but I could be wrong since I am from here and never have to take one. I know that hotel vans and such always carry carseats, and I am assuming it is because it is the law. Also, the roads at Disney can be dangerous. People don't know where they are going and pull out in front of you and switch lanes at the last minute and all sorts of crazy things. I, personally, wouldn't want my dds riding in a taxi around there without a carseat. Also, WDW is huge. From the All-Stars, it can still be a good 20 minute ride to the Contemporary.

However, I wouldn't worry about it. I know the buses run from the resorts to the MK early for guests who have early reservations at CRT and the KTTK tour and things like that. I would think you'd be able to take the bus to the MK and then walk to the Contemporary from there. I bet someone on the restuarant board could give you a more definite answer though.

 

[northriver]

I would never fly without a carseat. I've always purchased a seat for my children and used my own carseat. I started doing this in the early '90 and I was the only one, everyone thought I was crazy. But it is so much safer! Just check your seat for the sticker, should say it is approved. Aside from safety, I feel that my kids know that they are restrained in the seat, and they know they are expected to be quiet and behave just like in the car. They are also comfortable in their seat. Advice - don't tighten the belt too tight, it can be hard to get then undone. You can also rotate the airline seat belt so the clasp is backwards, so it opens to the back of your carseat, so it will come undone easier.

I've heard that some Taxis have carseats. You can call ahead and request that a taxi meet you at a certain time and place "with a carseat" now I'd bet my life it won't be the safest car seat you've ever seen, but certainly safer than NO carseat. I've never actually tried it myself. My sister has traveled by taxi often on Disney property without a car seat for her toddler with the excuse "Disney is private property". As others have mentioned, I would never travel in a taxi without a carseat!

Otherwise the busses should be runnnig early. Go out to your resort bus stop very very early, and wait. The busses don't come often and there is really no way to tell when they will arrive. The people at the front desk *should* know but never seem to have a clue. I've always felt it to be a huge leap of faith to stand out there alone at the bus stop in the inky early morning predawn, but at least for us, a bus has always arrived and delivered us to our destination!

 

[lighttech]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I'll check on the carseat for an FAA sticker.

And, I appreciate the info. on the roads at Disney. I've never stayed on property before, and only been once in the past many years. I guess I assumed it was more like a bunch of driveways than actual roads.

I think I'm going to call a taxi company in FL and ask what the normal policy is. I never even thought about the fact that they might HAVE a carseat that might be used.

Just a side note, now that I'm obsessing over safety. Why is it that we all seriously question putting a toddler in a taxi essentially unrestrained, but the solution a lot of folks offered was riding the bus? (I'm not criticizing, I plan on taking my toddler on the bus and allowing him to sit in a normal bus seat, but I'm starting to wonder at the safety of that situation... For years, I've questioned why we send our kids to school on buses w/ no belts.)

Anyway, thanks and I'll keep researching. I don't plan on not being safe just b/c I'm on vacation.

 

[lighttech]

Could you tell me more about this carseat "vest?" It sounds like something I might be able to put in a locker or something or under the stroller for the day. Have you ever used it? Or do you know the company name? Thanks.

I could be totally wrong, but if the laws in Fl are anything like the laws in NYC, taxi's are exempt from carseat regulations. I'm not saying this is good or right- just that it is the law. There is a small travel carseat vest you could purchase and use.

As for the airplane, as long as your carseat is FAA approved, you can bring it on (and should bring it on) for safety reasons.

 

[northriver]

The bus issue is highly researched. I haven't read the studies, WDW is the only place I have ever taken my infant/toddler on a bus since we don't have a bus route where I live. But my understanding is that the laws are based on extensive scientific studies that prove that bus travel is much much safer for infants/young children, therefore no need for child safety seat. Has to do with the structure of the vehicle and the physics involved in the crash. We had a school bus rollover in my community and amazingly, no serious injuries, bumps bruises scrapes but not even a broken bone. If you poke around the internet you can find links to the actual studies. I'd look but I'm on my way to a wedding!

 

[lighttech]

Thanks northriver. Makes me feel a little better about the buses. Although, I still think it wouldn't hurt to get school kids seat belts. I know how kids acted on the bus when I was young, strapping us in couldn't have been a bad idea!

Have fun at the wedding! I hope its not yours if your online dising!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Got back from Disney a week ago tomorrow and the taxis do have car seats. There are 5 of us, kids ages are 2, 5 & 8 so the 5 & 8 year old did not need carseats. The 2 year old of course needs a car seat and the taxis provided us one. We needed a ride to SeaWorld and the valet recommended Mears taxi van and actually ordered it for us the day prior so everything was all set - a taxi van w/car seat for 2 year old. I recommend asking at the front desk of your resort and tell them what you need for a taxi - the Poly referred us to valet who then asked ages of children, where we were going and when we wanted to be picked up. Very very easy.

We did take a car seat on the plane. DD2 slept most of the trip there - I don't think she would have otherwise. We have the Cosco Scenera which I bought specifically for our trip - its so light - not a big deal to carry it around.
have fun!

 

[praline3001]

I have traveled A LOT when my 3 kids were smaller...

Leaps and Bounds and one step ahead has some great travel seats:
This is the portable carseat:
Can't bring your car seat with you? Bring this 4 lb. miracle along instead! It turns any seat belt into an instant five-point safety harness. Perfect for city dwellers, Grandma's car, vacations, and carpooling — folds flat to fit in a tote bag or carry-on. Unlike other kids' travel vests, it has a dropdown seat for a more secure fit. Now featuring ultra-padded Eddie Bauer® upholstery. Supports kids 22-40 lbs. (34-43"H). Imported.

I used mine lots of times and its $40. but can't be used on plane. The best part is its easy to take in and out of the taxi and lug around with you!

 

[lighttech]

I have traveled A LOT when my 3 kids were smaller...

Leaps and Bounds and one step ahead has some great travel seats:
This is the portable carseat:

Thanks so much. This looks like a great thing to have around for traveling!

 

[lighttech]

Got back from Disney a week...

Great first hand info! Thank you so much.

And, thanks everybody for the help!

 

[roxannex]

I just thought I'd give my two cents. We have flown with our son with and without his car seat. Having the car seat was a MUCH better experience. He thought he was in the car, and he's used to chilling out in his car seat when he's in the car.

It made for a much easier flight.

...But not if you have a kid who hates his or her car seat!

 

[thepeach80]

Thanks so much. This looks like a great thing to have around for traveling!

In general it doesn't secure very well, definitely not like a carseat so it's not going to be as safe. What carseat do you have? We just flew last month and all 3 of mine had their carseats on the plane, 4, 2, and 10 mos. I won't fly w/out seats for the youngest 2 (we did one leg w/out AJ's and he wasn't comfortable at all IMO), they're used to being in them when moving and it keeps them restrained. Everyone told us how well behaved they were when we got off. I would check to see if you can take a bus that early, it was so easy to take the transportation everywhere for us.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

This is what we bought for our DD when we took a Disney Cruise last year and would ride a taxi in Nassau:

http://www.familyonboard.com/Ride_Safer_Vest.html

It works great for a taxi or a shuttle, but I would definetly not use it a full week, but it might work for you if you will only ride taxis once or twice. I think it is much safer than the one PP posted, because it can be teethered to the car.

 

[mdhkitten]

I'm in a similar situation as you. I will be traveling in November with my 3 year old and there will be times where we would like to use a taxi. From what I've been told, not many cabs typically carry carseats with them. I ended up talking to Martin at www.orlandotaxiservice.com , explaining my needs, and he told me to call his partner, Santo, at (407) 810-5221 , as he generally has a carseat with him. It sounds like he's one of the regular drives around WDW. Hope this helps!! Oh, and if you happen to be going before 11/26and do wind up using Santo, can you let me know how it works our for you? Thanks!!

 

[lighttech]

Just to clarify. I absolutely DO plan on having DS's carseat on the airplane. I just need to figure out if its FAA approved or not. (Still haven't looked for that sticker... )

Its really the taxi thing that I was trying to figure out. We'll only be taking a taxi once, and only if we can't get an early enough bus. The rest of the time, we'll be going to the parks and back, and that's it, so buses it will be.

At the end of the trip, I'll be heading to a convention, and DS and DH will be hanging w/ and old friend and will be in his car if anything, so we'll use DS's normal carseat (which we'll have since we'll have used it on the plane.)

Oh, well, we may need to take a taxi when we leave Disney property for the convention hotel and from the convention hotel to the airport, but we'll be carrying all of our luggage including the carseat then, so if we can't find a cab w/ one, we'll have ours. I wonder if I could just skip this convention and stay a few days... hmmm...

But, thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm glad to hear the carseats work out well on the plane.

And, mdhkitten, we'll be going mid-november, so if we give Santo a call, I'll let you know!

 

[all4fun]

Just to clarify. I absolutely DO plan on having DS's carseat on the airplane. I just need to figure out if its FAA approved or not. (Still haven't looked for that sticker... )

Its really the taxi thing that I was trying to figure out. We'll only be taking a taxi once, and only if we can't get an early enough bus. The rest of the time, we'll be going to the parks and back, and that's it, so buses it will be.

At the end of the trip, I'll be heading to a convention, and DS and DH will be hanging w/ and old friend and will be in his car if anything, so we'll use DS's normal carseat (which we'll have since we'll have used it on the plane.)

Oh, well, we may need to take a taxi when we leave Disney property for the convention hotel and from the convention hotel to the airport, but we'll be carrying all of our luggage including the carseat then, so if we can't find a cab w/ one, we'll have ours. I wonder if I could just skip this convention and stay a few days... hmmm...

But, thanks everyone for all the advice. I'm glad to hear the carseats work out well on the plane.

And, mdhkitten, we'll be going mid-november, so if we give Santo a call, I'll let you know!

Most car seats w/internal 5pt harnesses are FAA approved. It should say "approved for use in vehicles and aircraft" some where on the side of the seat (usually a white sticker with black and red print, nothing spectacular).

And yes, the roads around WDW are regular surface streets and drivers can easily hit 35-40mph on them. I (personally) wouldn't even consider putting ds in a taxi w/out a car seat around there. It's inconvenient for sure, but totally worth keeping your ds safe. I wonder if you were going to Chef Mickey's if you could get bell services to hold the seat for you for the day and then go back over after enjoying MK to pick it up and take it back to the resort with you? Might be something to look into, just as an option in case you can't find a taxi w/a car seat.