MCO to USO to WDW with 2 carseats. Advice needed!

[smellyia]

We are going for 11 days to USO & WDW in October and I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach this. Last time we only did WDW and time before we drove ourselves (never again!).

Flying SWA Me DH DD4 DS1. Will have 4 airline seats so bringing car seats definitely option. DD in a Graco Nautilus and DS will be in a Britax but probably use our cheaper lightweight Evenflo for DS. I'm hesitant to not bring them as I've heard that some rentals can be sketchy and services don't always have the seats like they say.
We will arrive MCO and go to USO for 2 nights then WDW for remainder staying on site split Wilderness Lodge & Poly.

I'm torn about renting car vs town car/limo/taxi. Or is there a shuttle? What would be best with needing the 2 car seats? Any company recs?

My biggest downside to rental is return because we won't need the car once at WDW and I don't want to pay for it to sit parked for 8 days. I also am not sure about tolls and don't want to get stuck with a ton of fees. I'm willing to pay for convenience with least liability to us. Any help is much appreciated'

 

[happymommy]

I know one town car service I used once years ago had car seats, so if it were me, here is what I'd do.

I'd find a good town car service to get you from MCO to Universal. Then taxi to Disney - I don't think you need car seats in cabs, but if you do, also book a town car with car seats to do that route as well. They don't charge for them, just make sure they know you need them in the car.

Are you taking ME back to the airport? Then you should be set.

For the flight, though, do you plan on bringing any seat for your one year old son? It is a bulky pain in the rear to bring them (been there, done that), but when my DD was 1 1/2 we did fly without one before. She was fine on the plane.

 

[smellyia]

We will be using ME back to airport. I've never had to bring a car seat on the plane before as I've previously had DD as a lap child or just sat her in the seat normally with a car seat at our destination. With DS now he will have a seat as well since we have a voucher I need to use and tons of points. I could use a harness or just sit him in. Not a fan of the car seat on the plane at all. So maybe a town car service can get me two car seats. I believe the taxis require the car seats? But I'm not sure. DH would be adamant though we use one in a taxi or smaller vehicle versus a shuttle though.

 

[smellyia]

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

YOu know you can rent a car at MCO and there are many rental car company right by DTD that you could return the car when you start the WDW portion of your trip.. Avis, Dollar - which are about 8 minute walk to the DTD bus stop. And we have done it and its easy. oh and there is Alamo at the Car Care Center outside of MK. National is at the Dolphin hotel. Both of these locations have a shuttle van that will take your DH back to the WDW resort.

Plus you don't have to worry about making sure you didn't forget to pack something. With the car you will have the freedom to go to the store should the need arise!

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

Omg, I would rent a car. That is a long trip without a car. We've had dental and medical emergencies, plus waiting on buses, trying to get to US, it's too much.
Disney has ME to get people to stay on sight and spend onsite. Just stopping for drinks, snacks or running for forgotten items, plus dinner offsite is worth it.

But realistically it's a lot better to have the car.

 

[eangel12]

I would rent a car too...and take your car seats! The kids fly SO much better in their carseats! We purchased this:

[/URL][/IMG] which was a HUGE lifesaver. Very easy to navigate through the airport. Boys stayed with us because they are strapped in. When we get to the gate, we pop them out of their seats, they run around and play (get tired out), eat breakfast and then we board. Easy! We then board plane, pick seats, pop carseat off the wheels, board and we are good to go.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would bring the lightweight car seat for the 1 year old to use on the aircraft - IMHO the 4yo should be fine in the airline seat.

Transportation - I would probably hire a town car for the Universal leg and use DME back to the airport, they will provide the 2nd car seat no charge.. I have actually booked a r/t with Tiffany just over $100 plus tip with a free grocery stop; the first leg to Universal hotel & 30 minute grocery stop and then the return trip was Universal to Disney instead of the airport. They had no issue giving me the r/t discounted price for this. I would check a few town car companies and look for discounts and coupons as well as reviews here.

Alternately, rent a car with 1 car seat to use at Universal and return to Downtown Disney or the onsite location at the Car Care center or Dolphin. Keep in mind though that Universal hotels charge a nightly parking fee, I think its @ $18.00 per night and a carseat can run $10+ per day.

I would cost out both options but since I don't like to drive on vacation the town car/DME option was a good fit for me.

 

[bamor]

Omg, I would rent a car. That is a long trip without a car. We've had dental and medical emergencies, plus waiting on buses, trying to get to US, it's too much.
Disney has ME to get people to stay on sight and spend onsite. Just stopping for drinks, snacks or running for forgotten items, plus dinner offsite is worth it.

But realistically it's a lot better to have the car.

Yes! and honestly, a rental car even for 11 days will likely cost you less than the town car. Add in the savings of a case of water, etc the rental car pays for itself. Paid only $135 TOTAL for a full size with Budget last June/July for a 10 day rental.