I need feedback on my carseat dilemma solution!

[Minniemouse07]

My dd started using a booster seat occasionally when she was 4.5yo.

Now a few things to consider. I'm a car seat technician and am ADAMENT about both children remaining rear facing until the limits of their seats and remaining harnessed as long as possible. Dd (at 6yo) sits in a Husky in my car which we use for about 80% of our car trips.

That all said when ds was about to arrive, dd was 4.5yo. I picked up a high back booster for my best friend to use in case she need to pick up dd somewhere if I went into labor. I used the seat in our car for two weeks so dd could "practice" with it. She used it successfully (they picked her up in the middle of the night) and eventually we switched out her second Husky w/ the high backed booster in dh's car and she uses it about 2 or 3 short trips a week.

Now, I can't bring her Husky on the plane for our December trip... so dd will be taking her first plane trip (she took 5trips between 17mo and 3.5yrs, all in car seats) using just the seat belt.

We talked about possibly renting a car when down in WDW, but we've decided against it... we are just going to use DME and Disney transport on property. BUT, if we end up finding that we want to get a car... then I'll send dh to Walmart and pick up a low back booster for her.

If we were going to rent a car, I would have taken the BASE to her booster seat (she has a Turbobooster that can separate) w/ us on the plane as a carry on. I wouldn't want to lose it in luggage nor would I want to gate check it.

This way even if the airlines lose everything...you still have something for your child to sit in.

So that is what I would do in your position. I would get a low back booster or a turbobooster and practice at home. Then bring it with you and use it when you get there.

 

[WDWorBUST]

This whole dilemma has just given me such a headache. I think we have come to the conclusion that we will just not rent a car this trip and hope for the best. If we do decide we want a rental we will go buy a booster there and I'll sit in the back with her to make sure she is sitting up correctly for the seat. If we don't have a reservation before we leave though we just won't rent a car - I know us. And besides the money it will save by not having a rental car it will save us money because we won't be able to go to the outlets

Thanks for everyone's help.