Mini Vans with Integrated car seats?

[momofbgtwins]

We will be tarveling to Orlando 2/26-3/5 with our 3 year old twins. We have always rented from Avis because their mini vans usually have integrated car seats, but their prices are still way up there for the time period. Does anyone know which other rental car companies (onsite at MCO) have integrated car seats in their mini vans?

PLEASE don't turn this thread into a "you should bring your own car seat" debate. I will not bring my own car seats!

 

[snubie]

I am curious why you don't want to bring your own car seats? I only ask because we are going to be traveling soon with our own little one and are planning on bringing her car seat. It is safer for children to be in car seats on the plane, right?

Please don't be offended. I am just curious. Plus I never knew minivans had integrated car seats. I would love to see a picture.

 

[allonte]

I just traveled with my Daughter and her carseat. I can say that I will bring her car seat however, I will check it. We brought it on the plane last time and it was a Grade A HEADACHE. I will be holding her this time. I didn't know they made vans with built in car seats. I'll have to look into that. I will however be checking my stroller at the gate.

 

[CapeCod95]

This is a good question - Does anyone know if there are any rental car companies that can guarantee integrated car seats? Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, I realize it's easier to check online - but this specific question would probably be better addressed by calling the rental agencies' reservation numbers, and maybe even requesting the telephone number for the MCO location.

 

[dcgrumpy]

The minivan we rented from Dollar this past May had 2 integrated car seats. We rented from Alamo in November. DH looked at a few minivans before he picked one, some of them had them some didn't.

ETA
I totally understand not wanting to deal with carseats. I have a 1yo, 2 1/2 and a 5yo. The biggest hassle in travelling is getting through the airport and on and off the plane. Between kids, carseats, strollers...We stopped using DS's carseat on the plane when he was about 3 1/2

 

[gw_lit]

This is a good question - Does anyone know if there are any rental car companies that can guarantee integrated car seats? Thanks!

I don't think any rental car company will guarantee integrated car seats. We rented from National (Emerald Aisle) at MCO and just looked until we found one. Most of the Chevy Ventures at that time had the integrated seats.

 

[momofbgtwins]

Snubie -
Integrated car seats aren't really car seats as you know them. They look like seat belt harnesses which are hidden in the back cushions in the seats of the mini van (in the second row). Sometimes you have to really look for them. The cushion folds down and becomes the seat for the children, then they are strapped in using the harnesses. They are a lifesaver for us because we have sooo much else to carry (suitcases, strollers, toys, etc.) that we don't want to worry about car seats, too!

My kids (twins) are 3+ years old, and big for their ages. We have rented with integrated car seats since they were 18 months, with no problem. The only downside is that the children sit up straight. If you plan to do a lot of driving, and they sleep in the car, they may be uncomfortable. Another plus though, is you will save the $$$ you would've spent renting car seats because there is no extra charge for the integrated seats.

We have rented actual seat belts, also, with no problem. We've never taken our own car seats with us, for the plane or the rental car.

I was finally able to do a search yesterday, and from what I gleamed Alamo, Dollar, Avis all have cars with integrated car seats. It's just a matter of getting one!

 

[biggroofy]

I was surfing on the web last week, and I found that National Cars have car seats available, but they will charge $9 USD per day for rental. I heard from travel agency that Alamo can rent car-seats for free, but require a $50 USD deposit.

I am also thinking if I should bring car-seats, since I am taking my 2-year-old daughter on Air Transat flight in March. There is no doubt that it is safer with a car seat, but it is too much hassle to bring a baby stroller, diapers pack, baby food + a car seat on board to a flight.

Someone in this forum suggested me to take a taxi in Disney, and request for car-seat. This is also an option for me, if I am not going to rent a car.

 

[sb4k]

We had two in car seats last year and bought a portable car seat (totally different than regular) and then borrowed our friends luggage bag specifically for checking booster seat onto the airplane. THen found out that the van had integrated car seats. One has probably outgrown his booster but we're still going to pack the Safety First Tote n Go DX car seat. It's only about 3 inches thick and will easily fit into her luggage. Just curiously does anyone know the age and weight limits for FL. Ours if 4 and 40lbs but next door in Indiana they've raised it to 6 and 60lbs.