Magical Express with 2 Car seats and a big stroller?

[phillytwins]

We are going to WDW in April and hoping to use ME. We have 2 yr old twins, so we'll have 2 car seats and a BIG but foldable jogging stroller. For experienced ME users, 1) will we have any trouble strapping/fitting the carseats into the ME bus; and 2) will there be room for the big folded stroller? Or will this be a hassle, and should we consider renting a car?

Also, is there a # to call for detailed ME information?

Thanks!

 

[seashoreCM]

All that stuff goes under the bus.

If you needed to use it on the plane or in the airport, you have to schlep it to the ME welcoming area with you.

You don't need to (and cannot) use the car seats inside either the ME bus or the Disney park buses so if you are not renting a car and don't need them on the plane, then you don't need to bring them at all.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[phillytwins]

I CANNOT use the carseats in the ME bus from the airport to the resort?? But don't they travel on highways, and isn't it a law that you have to use car seats for 2 yr olds? I guess ME has their own car seats?

 

[jenkh]

There are no car seats on the ME busses. I know other DIS'rs will have more detailed info for you, but car seats are not allowed to be used because I believe of a saftey issue. There's no seatbelts to attach them to, and busses are designed to be safe as are.

I know someone will have a more detailed and comfimed answer for you...

 

[Tissa]

The laws are different for Busses. There are no seatbelts so no way to strap the car seats in.

 

[CleveRocks]

I CANNOT use the carseats in the ME bus from the airport to the resort?? But don't they travel on highways, and isn't it a law that you have to use car seats for 2 yr olds? I guess ME has their own car seats?

That's not the law for buses.

My wife and I are VERY much into safety. In both of our jobs, we see the tragic results of bad accidents and injuries. All this being said, we are very comfortable with taking our little ones on buses. Unless you're talking about a rollover accident, occupants of a bus are safer than occupants of smaller vehicles due to the mass and size of the bus.

Consider an example. You're an adult. If a toddler runs full steam right into you, you'd notice it but it wouldn't topple you or injure you, not like if someone your same size ran into you. If a car and a bus are in an accident, the car will get the worst of it because it is smaller and lighter. The bus will absorb much of the energy and won't be tossed around like a car would. As a result, the occupants of the bus aren't tossed around like the occupants of a car.

If you are not comfortable with taking your 2 year olds on DME buses and Disney Transport buses (the buses that take you to and from the parks), then your only alternative is to rent a car at the airport.

We all have to make choices that we feel are best for our families.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[Melrosgirl]

Right - no car seats on ME.

honestly, I would not even take the car seats on the plane for a 2 year old. No debates, LOL, but my 2 year old is fine with just the seatbelt.

 

[Lewisc]

Unless you're talking about a rollover accident, occupants of a bus are safer than occupants of smaller vehicles due to the mass and size of the bus.

That's the question. Is the possibility of a rollover accident high enough to warrant seat belts in buses? Some people think industry lobbying is the reason seat belts aren't in buses. Others think buses are so safe that seat belts aren't required. The auto industry was able to block safety measures like seat belts for years. The tobacco industry insisted cigarettes were safe long after research showed that not to be true.

That said DME buses;like most school buses, city buses and motor coaches don't have seat belts.

 

[phillytwins]

One of the 2yr olds just turned the computer off in the middle of typing my last post. OK,..

Thanks for all replies. I was thinking the ME "bus" was more like a van. But I guess that's why they call it a bus. I've used the resort buses before, is the ME bus similar to that?

I'm brand new to travel with the little ones. I thought it was a requirement to have a car seat on the plane too. Some of you don't use them? Is it recommended?

Thanks!

 

[bdklein]

That's not the law for buses.

My wife and I are VERY much into safety. In both of our jobs, we see the tragic results of bad accidents and injuries. All this being said, we are very comfortable with taking our little ones on buses. Unless you're talking about a rollover accident, occupants of a bus are safer than occupants of smaller vehicles due to the mass and size of the bus.

Consider an example. You're an adult. If a toddler runs full steam right into you, you'd notice it but it wouldn't topple you or injure you, not like if someone your same size ran into you. If a car and a bus are in an accident, the car will get the worst of it because it is smaller and lighter. The bus will absorb much of the energy and won't be tossed around like a car would. As a result, the occupants of the bus aren't tossed around like the occupants of a car.

If you are not comfortable with taking your 2 year olds on DME buses and Disney Transport buses (the buses that take you to and from the parks), then your only alternative is to rent a car at the airport.

We all have to make choices that we feel are best for our families.

GOOD LUCK!

Looks like you have yours with you at all times!

 

[CleveRocks]

One of the 2yr olds just turned the computer off in the middle of typing my last post. OK,..

Thanks for all replies. I was thinking the ME "bus" was more like a van. But I guess that's why they call it a bus. I've used the resort buses before, is the ME bus similar to that?

I'm brand new to travel with the little ones. I thought it was a requirement to have a car seat on the plane too. Some of you don't use them? Is it recommended?

Thanks!

The resort buses are like city buses, only cleaner. The seats are hard molded plastic or something like that. The DME buses are plushly upholstered motor coaches.

Car seats aren't required for 2 year olds on airplanes, but they are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as by the airlines (well, I'm sure of the first, not positive of the second). When our daughter was 2.5, we chose NOT to use her car seat. We knew it was recommended, but we reasoned that seat belts on airliners are, for the most part, to keep you vertically in your seat in case of turbulence; we felt a lap belt was sufficient.

 

[goofy4tink]

One of the 2yr olds just turned the computer off in the middle of typing my last post. OK,..

Thanks for all replies. I was thinking the ME "bus" was more like a van. But I guess that's why they call it a bus. I've used the resort buses before, is the ME bus similar to that?

I'm brand new to travel with the little ones. I thought it was a requirement to have a car seat on the plane too. Some of you don't use them? Is it recommended?

Thanks!

Nope, no requirements on the plane. The requirement you may be thinking of is that only airline certified car seats are usable on the planes. But, they are not mandatory.
The DME buses are just like a luxury tour bus. Nice comfy seats, two across. A video screen that drops down every few rows so they can show you the 'going to WDW' tape. (or the have to leave WDW one). It really is a nice way to go.
The resort buses that will be taking you to the parks are as stated already...formed hard plastic seats, either two across or bench like that runs sideways. If the bus gets full of seated passengers, the bus driver will ask those still getting on to move to the back and hold onto the bars.
So, if this is something you aren't comfortable with, you may want to consider renting a car. I really like to see people here, asking questions. That way, there won't be any big nasty surprises when they get to WDW.
Let us know if we can answer any more questions for you!!

 

[chamonix]

(inappropriate comments removed)

I believe this is referring to the title of bdklein's previous post which reads: "Air Bags in case of accident"

Really really poor taste, bdklein, and definitely worthy of an apology. Moderators?

 

[goofy4tink]

I believe this is referring to the title of bdklein's previous post which reads: "Air Bags in case of accident"

Really really poor taste, bdklein, and definitely worthy of an apology. Moderators?

Taken care of!! I have to say that I have never had to delete so many posts on one thread. Either stay on topic or this one is done!!!

 

[Kae]

I know this is always a hot topic. But I have not used carseats on a plane since my kids could sit up on their & out of the carrier style seat. And the my kids did fine.

Kae

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

One of the 2yr olds just turned the computer off in the middle of typing my last post. OK,..

Thanks for all replies. I was thinking the ME "bus" was more like a van. But I guess that's why they call it a bus. I've used the resort buses before, is the ME bus similar to that?

I'm brand new to travel with the little ones. I thought it was a requirement to have a car seat on the plane too. Some of you don't use them? Is it recommended?

Thanks!

me bus--

we had our huge 10 yr old dbl stroller and car seat for the 2 yr old- all was stored.My Katie is a bigggg girl and could have went w/o it on the plane but she was very calm about the whole thing as long as she had her "char" as she calls it.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

We are debating about the car seat for our 2 yr old for the plane. We took it in September. He falls asleep in it, which is a bonus. If he was small and couldn't hold his head well, I would DEFINITELY take it. But he can and I think the seatbelt would hold him in turbulence. So now the issue has become whether or not one of us wants a back injury carrying it. It is a monster.

It does go under the bus, there is no way to secure it in the motor coach. The motor coach seats are forward facing, and they are tall....like a school bus seat, where you have to stand a bit to see over the tops. I am paranoid and even I was okay with him not having the car seat on the bus. I was more concerned with it sliding and bumping around down in the cargo hold.

 

[phillytwins]

We are debating about the car seat for our 2 yr old for the plane. We took it in September. He falls asleep in it, which is a bonus. If he was small and couldn't hold his head well, I would DEFINITELY take it. But he can and I think the seatbelt would hold him in turbulence. So now the issue has become whether or not one of us wants a back injury carrying it. It is a monster.

It does go under the bus, there is no way to secure it in the motor coach. The motor coach seats are forward facing, and they are tall....like a school bus seat, where you have to stand a bit to see over the tops. I am paranoid and even I was okay with him not having the car seat on the bus. I was more concerned with it sliding and bumping around down in the cargo hold.

DS falls asleep in the car seat sometimes, but DD does not. Lugging two monster car seats through the airport is not something I want to do! So we may forego them. DH is all for it. The twins will be 2 1/4 at the time of our trip. They sit up fine and are good on long car trips.

Do the airlines frown upon NOT using / or using a car seat?

I'm OK with no car seats on the bus. It will be strange, but it's good to hear that people here on DIS have done it many times before and are OK with it.

 

[disneymomof6]

as a mom of 6 kids... their safety is of the upmost importance to me and my husband BUT you all have to remember that a car seat is called a car seat for a reason.... it aids in the safety of the child while riding in a car. An airplane is different.... have you ever heard of a airplane crash where someone said.... you know if the child had been in a car seat they would have been saved? Not to sound morbid but the fact is that on a plane your either coming off from a safe flight or a crash and a car seat doesnt make the difference.

Same true for the motorcoaches.... Not much can happen where a car seat will make a difference when you look at physics of it all.

The poster that said if it was a small infant that couldnt hold his head.... yes thos are nice for a variety of reasons but then again if I had a child that small I would probably just use a front carrier.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Do the airlines frown upon NOT using / or using a car seat?

I honestly think most flight attendants could care less, as long as you don't block the aisle while you strap it in or unstrap it.