Carseats on Magic Express

[5 blind mice]

Our trip is not until February, but I'm wondering if people bring carseats to use on the Magic Express bus/van that picks you up from the airport? We're not renting a car, so the only reason to bring carseats would be for the trip to and from the airport. Does the Magic Express even have seatbelts? I'm not sure what type of transportation it is...bus or van?

Thanks!

 

[Ariel8676]

NO you can't use car seats on the ME. It is a big bus that has no seatbelts...
We have used it about 4 times with my girls' and have had no problems...they sit nicely and watch the video they play for you!!!

 

[GraysMom]

We knew we wouldn't be able to use the carseat on ME, but still wanted it for the plane. We just made sure to take 2 heavy duty black garbage bags (with drawstrings and labels I made w/our name and cell phone #) and put the carseat in the bags under the bus. It worked out fine.

 

[twob4him]

Its funny you mention this cause I find it so weird that we spend our lives buckling our children in all types of carseats yet when we go to Disney, no seats "needed". I joke that its a magical place so there will be no accidents. But truthfully I am uneasy the whole time we are on the buses including Disney transportation around the property and ME. Is anyone else uneasy holding your children??

 

[disneyjunkie]

Its funny you mention this cause I find it so weird that we spend our lives buckling our children in all types of carseats yet when we go to Disney, no seats "needed". I joke that its a magical place so there will be no accidents. But truthfully I am uneasy the whole time we are on the buses including Disney transportation around the property and ME. Is anyone else uneasy holding your children??

It's normal for those types of buses not to have seat belts.

The ME buses are charter/tour buses.

The Disney transportation buses are the same types of buses most major cities use for public transportation.

 

[all4fun]

Its funny you mention this cause I find it so weird that we spend our lives buckling our children in all types of carseats yet when we go to Disney, no seats "needed". I joke that its a magical place so there will be no accidents. But truthfully I am uneasy the whole time we are on the buses including Disney transportation around the property and ME. Is anyone else uneasy holding your children??

I know exactly what you mean however console myself with the thought that the busses used for DME utilize "compartmentalization" to keep passengers safe and busses in general have sheer size/mass on their side. They are statistically safer to ride in than regular size passenger vehicles.

I love your tag btw!

 

[overthemoon4mickey]

This really makes me nervous too! I have been thinking about this a lot and thought I was the only one! When we went in Sept. 05' we saw a accident between a car and a MK bus. The bus had a bent front/side bumper and the car which I think side swiped the bus was really messed up. even though the bus has weigh and size on it's size it's still scary.... I was thinking of packing my sling and making my 22mo old ride in it while on the bus. At least that way he would be straped to me and would not become a projectile in the event of a collision. I wish everyone safe and happy bus rides....

 

[jodifla]

This really makes me nervous too! I have been thinking about this a lot and thought I was the only one! When we went in Sept. 05' we saw a accident between a car and a MK bus. The bus had a bent front/side bumper and the car which I think side swiped the bus was really messed up. even though the bus has weigh and size on it's size it's still scary.... I was thinking of packing my sling and making my 22mo old ride in it while on the bus. At least that way he would be straped to me and would not become a projectile in the event of a collision. I wish everyone safe and happy bus rides....

But what do you think people who live in cities do? Those who ride buses, trains and subways everyday??

This is one area where everyone is just become brainwashed in, IMO. It is a statistics game...buses are so big, you are unlikely to be hurt in a collision. Not that it never happens, but the costs to add seat belts to every commuter bus are so great that a whole host of other factors kick in...like the fact that buses get expensive or too full, so people take cars, that they are MUCH more likely to get killed in.

 

[tlbwriter]

Its funny you mention this cause I find it so weird that we spend our lives buckling our children in all types of carseats yet when we go to Disney, no seats "needed". I joke that its a magical place so there will be no accidents. But truthfully I am uneasy the whole time we are on the buses including Disney transportation around the property and ME. Is anyone else uneasy holding your children??

Technically you do not need a carseat on a bus, whether it's at WDW or anywhere else. A bus uses compartmentalization rather than restraints, as a previous poster mentioned, to prevent injury. But the biggest factor is that you're simply less likely to be hit while riding on a bus.

 

[Scuttle]

I have to agree that not using a car seat does make me VERY uneasy. I am not looking at the whole idea that you are "safer" on a bus, but more so what it is teaching my young children! For seven days they go completely car seat free, and then when we get back to "reality" they want NOTHING to do with the car seat again! It's more the annoying factor that bothers me

 

[disneyjunkie]

Would I be correct to assume that those who are worried about car seats, don't live in an area with public transportation?

Millions of kids ride subways and buses every day without car seats.

 

[abirdd]

Having grown up in a city (Toronto) where public transit was the norm, I am not at all phased by "no need" for carseats on the DME or Disney Resort Transport. If you're really worried and traveling with an infant, I would suggest using your sling/Bjorn/carrier while on the buses.

 

[tlbwriter]

If you're really worried and traveling with an infant, I would suggest using your sling/Bjorn/carrier while on the buses.

I would definitely not wear your baby on a bus. If there's a crash, the baby becomes your airbag. Compartmentalization again... the seat in front of you is meant to be your restraint. If there's a crash, you will be thrown into that seat, and your baby will be crushed between you and the seat. If I had an infant on a bus, I'd take an infant carrier ("baby bucket") and place it on the seat next to me.

 

[jessica52877]

I too am uneasy about having my child on the bus. We drive for this reason. If I am not going to allow it at home, I am going to allow it on vacation. I am able to do this though.

 

[abirdd]

I would definitely not wear your baby on a bus. If there's a crash, the baby becomes your airbag. Compartmentalization again... the seat in front of you is meant to be your restraint. If there's a crash, you will be thrown into that seat, and your baby will be crushed between you and the seat. If I had an infant on a bus, I'd take an infant carrier ("baby bucket") and place it on the seat next to me.

Not to disagree, but I wanted to point out...
Our last trip saw us on the buses where the seats face into the aisle. While I had been taugh to hold our little one in either the burp position or face forward on our lap - it turns out the recommendation made by most cities with municipal transport is to use a carrier (like a Bjorn), to allow a parent the option of sitting or standing on a bus.

Infant car seats are not recommended on seats, as they can not be secured properly and are at high risk for tipping, falling or becoming a projectile in an accident.

Cities like New York, Toronto, Arizona and Chicago (etc) have wonderful documents online for parents who need to use public transport with suggestions for securing an infant/child. If you run a quick search, you're bound to find a list of informative literature.

 

[5 blind mice]

I'm actually really happy to hear that the Magic Express is a big bus and that carseats are not required. It's one more thing that we can leave at home and not have to deal with on our trip. We are adamant about using carseats and booster seats at home, but we live in a suburb and drive everywhere. If we lived in a downtown area and used public transportation, I'm sure it would be a different story. But for us, not lugging carseats to the airport is going to be wonderful! I'm sure the kids will understand that things are different when you're on a huge bus, as opposed to a small car.

 

[PA Princess]

I too have felt concern about having a child on a bus with no restraint system, but for me I first really came up against that when our oldest ds went to K and rode the school bus. My mil is a bus driver and she told me all of the things that others have stated here about buses and statistics, etc. I have to say that those things did not completely console me, but I accepted the situation. We had only made 2 Disney trips before that and we drove.

Now I still do not love the idea of no restraints on a bus, but I sorta just do like I do on a roller coaster and I just disengage that worry when we are riding...isn't like my worry is going to change any outcome. It is liberating to travel without carseats and such, and the last two trips the bus rides have been the favorite of our youngest dd (1 1/2 and 2 1/1 on those trips).

 

[tlbwriter]

Not to disagree, but I wanted to point out...
Our last trip saw us on the buses where the seats face into the aisle. While I had been taugh to hold our little one in either the burp position or face forward on our lap - it turns out the recommendation made by most cities with municipal transport is to use a carrier (like a Bjorn), to allow a parent the option of sitting or standing on a bus.

You're right; I was thinking of the seats that all face the same direction, where the parent would be thrown into the seatback in front of them in a crash. It's different if you're facing the aisle.

 

[sahm1000]

It is so nice not to have to lug carseats everywhere so take advantage of it.

I also hate the idea of them (or anyone else for that matter) not being restrained but they are made to be safe and like other posters have said, they have better safety records than a normal car. Just keep an arm on your little ones and I'm sure you'll be safe.

I do believe that legislation to make busses have seatbelts is a good idea. Especially on a school bus. I know that it is expensive but they are our children, what better way to spend our money is there than to make sure they are safe?

 

[jodifla]

It is so nice not to have to lug carseats everywhere so take advantage of it.

I also hate the idea of them (or anyone else for that matter) not being restrained but they are made to be safe and like other posters have said, they have better safety records than a normal car. Just keep an arm on your little ones and I'm sure you'll be safe.

I do believe that legislation to make busses have seatbelts is a good idea. Especially on a school bus. I know that it is expensive but they are our children, what better way to spend our money is there than to make sure they are safe?

Because there are serious safety concerns about having safety belts on school buses....

The NHTSA estimates it would cost over $100 million a year to add safety belts to school buses. It would save on average one person a year.

It would also drive down school bus use....there would be less room on each bus for occupants. And then they'd walk, ride their bikes or go in a private car...all which have MUCH mortality rates.