Do I need carseats?

[AngieWin]

DS1 will be 2 years 4 months and DS2 will be 3 months when we go in Nov. We have a direct flight from KC to Orlando and then are staying in All Stars Sports for 5 days. We are not renting a car and will be using the Shuttle to the hotel and the buses to the parks. Should I bring the car seats? DS1 will have a seat on the plane and we can use his car seat then but DS2 will be on my lap/baby bjorn/sling. Are they required for the shuttle/buses, or can they even be used?

 

[pooh4evr]

We took out almost 2 DD in May and had no carseat for her or our DD4 we flew from STL to Orlando without any real problems! -Yes the both had their own seat and are very tall girls. We were also on shuttles during the trip- no carseats on those- and they were fine. We brought plenty of coloring books, small figurine type toys, sticker books, snacks and juice (starburst to pop ears) The were both awake for the trip down but were asleep on the way home. I guess we did not really think much about taking one espically when we thougth about carrying it through the airport. Of course that is just our experience and opinion others on the board swear by bringing carseats but we did not find them necessary.

 

[stacy6552]

If you absolutely cannot afford to buy the precious baby his own seat, bring his carseat anyway. If the flight is not full, the airline will let you use an extra seat for the baby, in his carseat.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

we have an early flight and know dd will be sleeping so we are bringing the car seat/stroller combo because when going through security you have to take the baby out of the stroller..just a thought if you will be using a stroller and DSs may be sleeping...

 

[EthansMom]

we have an early flight and know dd will be sleeping so we are bringing the car seat/stroller combo because when going through security you have to take the baby out of the stroller..just a thought if you will be using a stroller and DSs may be sleeping...

FYI, you also have to take the baby out of the car seat and put the car seat through the scanner at the security checkpoint. It's a pain. Take car seat out of the stroller -- fold stroller and put it onto the scanner platform. Put car seat onto the scanner platform. Carry baby through security. Get and reassemble everything. Ugh!

One thing really making me lean towards taking DME for our Dec. trip is not having to take a car seat for DS4. We will be taking one for DD1.5 since she has her own seat on the airplane. But I'll take carting one car seat over carting two any day.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

when we flew out of Ohare, we did not have to do this. They let us walk DD in her seat through the metal detector (actually DH not me she's too heavy! haha). Thanks for posting this! now we better be prepared!!..

 

[adisneymama]

We are flying tomorrow morning with DD3. We are not renting a car either, using DME and the shuttles. We will not be taking her car seat. You can't use it on the DME busses or the shuttles at Disney. More trouble than what it is worth to only use it on the plane. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

If you absolutely cannot afford to buy the precious baby his own seat, bring his carseat anyway. If the flight is not full, the airline will let you use an extra seat for the baby, in his carseat.

Will they let you do this with a pumpkin seat? It looks like OP's baby will only be 3 or 4 months old, so I would assume he/she would still be in a pumpkin seat. I know the airlines will let you use the bigger car seats, but I didn't think that the pumpkins "would fly".

Mrs. PB

 

[tjmw2727]

Will they let you do this with a pumpkin seat? It looks like OP's baby will only be 3 or 4 months old, so I would assume he/she would still be in a pumpkin seat. I know the airlines will let you use the bigger car seats, but I didn't think that the pumpkins "would fly".

Mrs. PB

Never heard of a pumpkin seat LOL but they absolutely do allow infant CRS's (including rear facing) of any kind as long as they have the sticker on them stating FAA approval. Actually FAA and AAP recommend the use of a CRS for airtravel for infants and children under 40lbs.

So yes, if there is a seat available and the OP has a CRS the baby can use the seat.

To the OP - no you can't use a CRS on the buses or shuttles and FYI you can not wear baby in your sling or bjorn on the aircraft. In the event of turbulance or worse wearing baby will case the baby to act as your "airbag" so to speak.

Here is a great link on flying with children:
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/5/1218

TJ

 

[stacy6552]

The carseat has to be FAA approved for flight. There should be a sticker right on the seat addressing it.

 

[Skroops]

Car seats are always safer on flights...but no, you are not required to have one on the WDW buses.
Have a great time!

 

[Zoesmama03]

I just flew here to Orlando with my dd who is 2 and used a carseat. Someone even helped me install it. And when we got there another flight attendant helped carry it to the end of the walk way it was a great help.

Anyway my dd sat calmly in her carseat the whole direct flight from AZ to FL without any problems. I'm betting the buses won't have seatbelts to fasten it in so my guess is you wouldn't NEED it but it would be nice on the plane since he's used to it already. BUt it also would probably be a hassle to carry/tote to and fron the hotel when coming and going. I say if you got enough room take it.

 

[Gillian]

I would want my infant to be in car seat on the plane. If you don't have an infant carrier but your child is still small enough to use one, see if you can borrow one for the trip. I know a lot of my friends have them around but no longer use them.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I just got back from a trip with my DS who is 4 1/2 and just under 40 lbs so he still uses a seat with a harness at home. I did NOT have a car seat for him and he did really well staying belted in during the flight. I will be going in October with DS, DD(6) and DD(who will be 33 months). I hadn't decided if I would take a car seat or not until the flight with my DS. We will be using a limo service who will provide car seats but on that flight the little girl in front of us reminded me a lot of my 2 year old and she would not stay in her seat. I think the effort of taking the car seat will be less than the effort required to keep her seated in the plane and she will be safer. And I'm hopeful she'll did what she did the last 2 trips in the plane in her carseat-sleep.

 

[dcgrumpy]

when we flew out of Ohare, we did not have to do this. They let us walk DD in her seat through the metal detector (actually DH not me she's too heavy! haha). Thanks for posting this! now we better be prepared!!..

I think it depends on the airport. When we flew JFK-MCO in May, they let DD stay in her seat one way and we had to take her out the other. I can't remember which was which.

 

[CleveRocks]

We flew with our 2.5 year old daughter (and 5 year old son) for the first time in May when we went to WDW. My wife is a pediatrician, and I am a therapist who works with people after motor vehicle accidents, so you can imagine we're both VERY into safety, ESPECIALLY with our kids!

Our 2.5 year old sat in a normal airline seat with a seatbelt. She was fine. She moved a couple times between sitting with my wife and sitting with me, but she was just fine. We brought activities for both kids to do, so they were mostly occupied during our flights to and from Atlantic City.

As far as once you're in Florida, it's important to keep in mind that NONE of the buses have seat belts, and since there are no seat belts, using a child safety seat ("car seat") would actually be MORE dangerous. Even for those opting to use a town car rather than DME, realize that Disney Transport (the buses to and from the parks) do not have seat belts, either. We felt completely safe the entire time.

Enjoy your precious little ones, and enjoy your vacation!

-- Eric