Getting a 3yo from airport to WDW in rental car

[slug]

My daughter will be just shy of 3 when we go. I was wondering if the rental car companies had car seats for kids or if I have to bring my own. I'm not sure what the law in Florida is. Does anyone know?

 

[fabumouse]

This was in a post from last year:

Straight from Florida's DOT website:

All children 5 years of age or younger must be properly restrained no matter where they are sitting in the vehicle. Children through age 3 must be secured in a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child safety seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child safety seat, or a safety belt may be used. (FL Statute 316.613).

316.613 Child restraint requirements.--

(1)(a) Every operator of a motor vehicle as defined herein, while transporting a child in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall, if the child is 5 years of age or younger, provide for protection of the child by properly using a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. For children aged through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer's integrated child seat. For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a seat belt may be used.

My experience has been that some car rental companies will claim to have loaner kids' car seats - but the seats are not always available (even after "reserving" them) when we arrived.

 

[jayhjay]

Most companies seem to be able to provide car seats for kids, but you need to reserve ahead. Usually only forward facing ones, which shouldn't be an issue for your DD but is something to note (also no infant "carrier" types). The only question is whether they will guarantee one. Some places seem to offer them, but won't guarantee they will have one when you need it which is sort of a problem, b/c then what do you do? So be sure to ask about that when you call to make a reservation.

What will you be doing on the plane? Just curious b/c for us, we will have our seats with us anyway b/c DDs will use them on the plane. But if not, you should be able to get them. JJ

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

When our ds9 was 3, we rented a car seat along with the car. It was so disgusting esp. the straps. Also instead of soft fabric it was plastic/vinyl covered which got very hot while the car was parked. Now I think they charge about $10/day so after a week you've almost paid for a new one. Since then we've gone back 7 more times and always brought our own. ds6 is only about 40 lbs. and we're just used to NJ law which requires a booster seat until age 8 or 80 lbs. We bought a car seat carrier bag at Babies R US for $20 and check it in like reg. luggage. IMHO I wouldn't bother using it on the plane unless I had a baby/toddler that wouldn't otherwise stay seated. good luck!

 

[robsmom]

I would check your own. it is cheaper then paying to rent and you know that you are getting a clean seat, etc. We used to tie ours up in a grean trash bag and put our name, address on it. We never had a problem checking it.

 

[Wendi2000]

I would definitely bring her own seat. Is she still in a restrained seat or is she in a booster? If she is in a restrained seat, you should use it on the plane. If she's in a booster just gate check it or check it with your luggage.

 

[slug]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'll be best served checking our own carseat (I don't think she'll need a carseat on the plane seat, right?) and using that in the rental car.

It's one more thing to pack but if it's checked I won't have to worry about lugging around an airport.

 

[Wendi2000]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'll be best served checking our own carseat (I don't think she'll need a carseat on the plane seat, right?) and using that in the rental car.

It's one more thing to pack but if it's checked I won't have to worry about lugging around an airport.

It sounds like she's smalll enough that I'd use the seat on the plane. The only seats not approved would be a booster (or possibly a very large special seat). Most carseats are FAA approved. She will be much more secure (and better able to see out the window) in her carseat on the plane. She'll probably be a lot more comfortable too. We just moved up to a booster last year and flew for the first time w/o a carseat to WDW, but I always used the carseat with restraints for all of our flights prior to that.

 

[helencw]

I started bringing my own after bad experiences from the car rentals. Once they had no car seats available even though I reserved, and another time the seat was old and flimsy looking. I baggage check the seat, and the airlines have been putting it a large clear plastic bag.

 

[jayhjay]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'll be best served checking our own carseat (I don't think she'll need a carseat on the plane seat, right?) and using that in the rental car.

Personally I'd take it on the plane if you can deal with dragging it in the airport. My DD always sits much better in a car seat than a plane seat as that is what she is used to. It is more comfy for her, especially for dozing on the plane. She never even complained about getting out, I think b/c she is just used to having to be in a car seat. My younger DD was a lap child last time we flew and made me insane with all the wiggling around. I think I would have been better off buying her a seat b/c she would have sat much better. THis time they both need to have seats purchased so I will be carrying on the car seat for DD3.

 

[tinasquirrel]

I'd never rent one from the car rental place. Who knows what kind of seat you would be getting (safety wise as well as cleanliness). I would bring it on the plane also. Your DD will be much more comfortable and safer. If however, you'd rather not bring it on the plane, then I would gate check it, not check it out front. Has the airline ever lost your luggage? Trust me, you don't want them to lose your car seat. I've always rigged mine to the back of my stroller and I've never had a huge problem carrying it through the airport. A bit annoying if you are changing planes en route however. They also have special things that you can attach to it and swing it on your back. Check onestepahead online for options.

 

[num1tigerfan]

I have travelled quite a bit with our 2 toddlers. I abosolutely HATE dragging 2 toddlers, double stroller, all of their carry ons and toys PLUS 2 carseats through the airports. I am not an octorpus with eight arms or a pack mule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since we began checking our own carseats with our baggage everything has been great without any issues. If you do not have a bag, they will usually bag them for you. It works out great, then when you collect your bags there are the carseats. Our DD was 3 on our last trip and she sat just fine in the airplane seatbelt without a carseat. She is also a bit on the small side. We nhave also rented car seats from the car companies, but as others have mentioned, most of the time they do not guarantee them plus at $10/day, it adds up rather quickly to the price of a new seat. So checking the carseat is what I would reccommend!

 

[flynnibus]

Avis wants $9/day for one.

We brought our own on the plane on the recommendation of flight attendants (our neighbors..) because the kids will not squirm around as much and will be comfortable in a familar seat.

 

[Neelloc]

I flew with my then 3 year old last November, and I took her carseat on the plane for her. She loved being high up and being able to see out the window. Plus, it was comfy and familiar for her.

I'm taking her carseat with us again as we'll have a rental and I'm going to have her sit in it on the plane. I'm too worried that it would get damaged or delayed and then we wouldn't be able to leave the airport. :lol:

 

[slug]

Thanks a lot again. We'll definately bring the seat instead of renting one now. Now we'll just have to figure out whether to check or carry on the plane. I guess I'm just thinking the seat is too big for a plane seat but I think I'm underestimating the size of the seat on the plane.

 

[slug]

Thanks a lot again. We'll definately bring the seat instead of renting one now. Now we'll just have to figure out whether to check or carry on the plane. I guess I'm just thinking the seat is too big for a plane seat but I think I'm underestimating the size of the seat on the plane.

 

[orion7096]

Hello all. I was just wondering, my wife and I and our 4 child are going in late September. It will all be their first trip as I have gone before. My two little ones are 1 and 2. I wasn't sure if we should bring our car seats or not. We will be using magical express from the airport. My question is if we don't have our car seats, how would that work out on the bus? My 1 year old is sitting on my wife's lap on the plane and our 2 year old has her own seat, but like I said, I wasn't sure if we were bringing the car seat. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[orion7096]

Hello all. I was just wondering, my wife and I and our 4 child are going in late September. It will all be their first trip as I have gone before. My two little ones are 1 and 2. I wasn't sure if we should bring our car seats or not. We will be using magical express from the airport. My question is if we don't have our car seats, how would that work out on the bus? My 1 year old is sitting on my wife's lap on the plane and our 2 year old has her own seat, but like I said, I wasn't sure if we were bringing the car seat. Any advice or suggestions would be http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=12933922#
http://www.disboards.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=12933922#greatly appreciated.