From MCO to Disney without carseat

[RachelEllen]

I'm driving to Disney next month for a conference and DH is flying with the kids a few days later to meet me. I'd love for him not to have to lug the carseat on the plane. (We have a second for his car to get to the airport, and he can always use the CARES harness on the plane) We are staying at the Swan, so no DME (?correct). Can anyone help with other options, other than me driving over to pick them up, that don't require a car seat for a two year old?

 

[ccudmore]

I don't know what the laws say but common sense says that safety of your child should out-weigh any convenience issue. So yes, take the car seat. You don't have to lug it on the plane. Every airline will let you check it with your luggage for no charge. Many even will wrap it in a plastic bag for you to keep it clean and the straps contained. No 2-year-old should be in a car without a car seat.

 

[happymommy]

Have him take a towncar service and request a carseat. I forget which one I used once that had them, but I think they all do. Just make sure to request it. It's about $50 or $60 one way.

 

[laughinplace199]

You can also purchase a ticket for the Mears shuttle bus from MCO to your resort.

 

[RachelEllen]

I don't know what the laws say but common sense says that safety of your child should out-weigh any convenience issue. So yes, take the car seat. You don't have to lug it on the plane. Every airline will let you check it with your luggage for no charge. Many even will wrap it in a plastic bag for you to keep it clean and the straps contained. No 2-year-old should be in a car without a car seat.

This is not a safety vs convenience issue. Two year olds can ride in buses without carseats (you cannot use a carseat on DME). Other modes of transportation (like some taxis) can come with a carseat. I'm lookng for safe options, as I know there are alternate options.

 

[Lewisc]

You already got the answers. You can book a car service and request a car seat or you can take Mears (shared shuttle service) which doesn't require car seats.

Mears (one way) costs $21 for an adult, $17 for a child 4-11 and is free for a child under 4.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Or the Lynx 111 bus from the airport to Downtown Disney.

$2 per adult, the OP would need to check the golynx website for the child rate; no car seat needed for the bus, she could pick them up at DtD or they could take the Disney bus to the Swan (again, no car seat needed) - problem solved.

 

[RachelEllen]

Thanks for the suggestions. We've never used the Mears Shuttle, although I've heard of it many times on the board. There are so many options on the Mears site. Is the shuttle (the $24 option) a bus or a van? Does it go right to the Swan?

I'm going to give DH the option of bringing car seat and getting a taxi vs the best bus option I can find. Unfortunately, I can't miss the conference during the time period they are arriving, or I'd just pick them up.

 

[ccudmore]

Just thinking outside the box here... Drive the car to the airport and leave it for them, and then just you take a taxi back to the resort. That way when they get there the car is waiting for them. It's a lot less hassle for one adult in a taxi vs. a whole family.

 

[RachelEllen]

That is a fantastic idea....except for the fact that I'm going to be driving a rental car. But, maybe someone else will read this and make use of the idea. I love outside the box thinking!

 

[suemom2kay]

If you're looking to save some bucks than a 1 way car rental may be cheaper than a towncar until you figure the cost for the carseat (they will probably charge a lot).

Otherwise, just get the towncar and rent a carseat. I looked up a limo service in Orlando (can't share the link here, I think its against the rules) and they charged $5 for a carseat. And as PP's have said, $50-60 one way.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

How is this child getting BACK to the airport? Are you driving the car at Disney? Are you renting a carseat for your car? If so, you are going to paying for those days where DH and your child are not with you. Might save you money just to have him haul the carseat... as others have said you can check it so it's not that big a hassle.

 

[RachelEllen]

I know its a wierd situation, but, basically, because I don't /need/ a car for this conference, my company will pay for my plane tickets or a rental car + gas or IRS mileage rate if I drive myself. Because we would like to have a car and I don't want to put all the miles on my car (plus, my car is a very tight fit with all four of us in there), I am renting a car in Atlanta, installing the car seat before I leave and driving to Orlando. DH will have his car, in which I have installed our lighter, travel car seat to use for two days. He will then fly down Friday after work.

I was going to pick them up at the airport, but the timing on that fell through. After the conference, we will all drive back to Atlanta together on Monday.

The only car seat gap is getting from MCO to Disney. So I was hoping to find a safe, affordable, non carseat option.

That's totally TMI, but, I wanted to answer the question. Thanks for all the advice. It looks like I can tell my husband his options are

1) More expensive: towncar with carseat (highest cost, lowest hassle)
2) Cheaper: Mears shuttle (but slightly more hassle than towncar)


I'll also suggest to him that he can just check the carseat, and take a taxi. However, since I'm taking all the luggage, he may not want to check it, as he won't be checking anything else.

Honestly, I hadn't thought of checking it. We're very much of the mindset that you don't check anything that you can't live without or replace for 48 hrs. Very few things fall into that category, but the carseat does! So, normally we take it on the plane. However, since I will have a car seat with me, it would just be inconvienant. (There's always the hang out at the airport for 2 hours option until my dinner finishes. I'm sure he will be all over that one!)

 

[ratmaster]

I know its a wierd situation, but, basically, because I don't /need/ a car for this conference, my company will pay for my plane tickets or a rental car + gas or IRS mileage rate if I drive myself. Because we would like to have a car and I don't want to put all the miles on my car (plus, my car is a very tight fit with all four of us in there), I am renting a car in Atlanta, installing the car seat before I leave and driving to Orlando. DH will have his car, in which I have installed our lighter, travel car seat to use for two days. He will then fly down Friday after work.

I was going to pick them up at the airport, but the timing on that fell through. After the conference, we will all drive back to Atlanta together on Monday.

The only car seat gap is getting from MCO to Disney. So I was hoping to find a safe, affordable, non carseat option.

That's totally TMI, but, I wanted to answer the question. Thanks for all the advice. It looks like I can tell my husband his options are

1) More expensive: towncar with carseat (highest cost, lowest hassle)
2) Cheaper: Mears shuttle (but slightly more hassle than towncar)


I'll also suggest to him that he can just check the carseat, and take a taxi. However, since I'm taking all the luggage, he may not want to check it, as he won't be checking anything else.

Honestly, I hadn't thought of checking it. We're very much of the mindset that you don't check anything that you can't live without or replace for 48 hrs. Very few things fall into that category, but the carseat does! So, normally we take it on the plane. However, since I will have a car seat with me, it would just be inconvienant. (There's always the hang out at the airport for 2 hours option until my dinner finishes. I'm sure he will be all over that one!)

On your way through Orlando from ATL, stop at MCO. Leave the car with the car seat in the parking garage. You take a cab/shuttle/bus...to Disney. When you DH flies in, he gets the car that's in the parking garage and drives to Disney. I would imagine that the company you rent from at ATL will hold the keys for him at MCO.

 

[HomerHog]

I would get a town car. A few more dollars, but it is private and efficient. If you book through Mears, they could be in a van or a bus. They will almost definitely be loaded with other passengers, have to wait for the van or bus to fill up, and probably have multiple stops.

 

[happymommy]

I would get a town car. A few more dollars, but it is private and efficient. If you book through Mears, they could be in a van or a bus. They will almost definitely be loaded with other passengers, have to wait for the van or bus to fill up, and probably have multiple stops.

Me too. It's only a slight difference in cost, and simpler.

Leaving a car at the airport involves paying for parking, so that doesn't make any sense. Taxis don't require car seats, so just book a towncar. It's the quickest and easiest way.