New car seat law in Florida..?

[Madame]

Being the over-planner that I am I called Mears in February to verify the car seat policy in their cabs on WDW property. I was told that our 5 yr old twins would not need any type of booster. I just now read that under 6 yr olds are now required to be in a booster as of June 2014..? Ugh... I do not want to have to lug 2 boosters all the way to Florida & what would I do with them in the parks? We are planning to take cabs to several early ADRs & BBB appt. We will be a party of 6 and so will have to take a van. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am assuming that even if the cab had a booster in the trunk for these types of situations that they won't have two... Are we just going to have to suck it up & wake up early to catch a bus?

 

[kam1011]

I wouldn't put 5yo's in the car without a booster. The laws of physics don't change with the state lines. If you can't take the bus, maybe get two Bubblebums and you can deflate them and keep them in your bag.

FL has the worst carseat laws in the country

 

[kohlby]

Carrying two backless boosters aren't that hard in most cases. I could see how it would be a pain in the parks, so I'd likely just take a bus in that case or at least see if there a way to store them at the park. But not hard at all when it came to travel. I've even packed one in my suitcase before. Carseats don't count towards your backage allowance on the airlines I know of. We've even managed to pack extra this way - using a carseat bag with our carseat in it and then some additional clothes. (Backless boosters also fairly cheap - so another option is to see if you can order them from a place that will deliver them to your hotel). At 5, my kids were still in 5 point harnesses at home, but we did backless boosters to make it easier when traveling.

I'm not sure what easy-travel carseats are out there these days. I did travel with a travel-safe one once. It was more of a 5 point harness though. It was a pain to strap him in and out each time the way it was made - but that was years ago. It was very easy to carry around - taking up far less than half my backpack. So, also look into other options out there.

*Edited to add- I just noticed your children's ages. I'd definitely look into the easier to carry ones like the one the other poster mentioned because it looks like you might need 3 unless you have a very tall 8 year old.

 

[AngiTN]

We don't live where folks take cabs except for circumstances like drinking. What do folks who don't own cars do? Like in NYC or Boston? Never take a cab with kids? Haul a car seat with them everywhere they go? Maybe folks from someplace like that can offer up advice

 

[Welcome Home]

Duplicate post

 

[Crl1817]

Ride Safer vest or bubble bum will be the easiest to transport.

 

[Welcome Home]

You could make a reservation with a cab company or private driver and they will provide 2 car seats free of charge.

 

[Madame]

I wouldn't put 5yo's in the car without a booster. The laws of physics don't change with the state lines. If you can't take the bus, maybe get two Bubblebums and you can deflate them and keep them in your bag. FL has the worst carseat laws in the country

Yes I completely understand where you are coming from - however my 7 year old is the size of an 11 year old and my almost 5 year olds are the size of your average 7 year old - seriously, my DH is 6'4" & I am 5'10". At home they are all in boosters because Ontario law requires it.

I just find the age of 6 to be quite arbitrary. If you are going to write a law concerning car seats then, and I am no expert but, you'd think it would be for an age by which most children actually can make use of a seatbelt!! For most kids this would be age 8 (except us because we are giants ).

Does anyone know if this law takes effect immediately? I've come across at least one article suggesting it is effective Jan 2015..?

 

[bumbershoot]

We don't live where folks take cabs except for circumstances like drinking. What do folks who don't own cars do? Like in NYC or Boston? Never take a cab with kids? Haul a car seat with them everywhere they go? Maybe folks from someplace like that can offer up advice

For what I've read, some cities have different laws about boosters etc in taxis. I couldn't do it. As was said above. Physics doesn't change. It's a rare 5 year old who actually fits in a seatbelt. Boosters boost you up so the child fits.

 

[AngiTN]

For what I've read, some cities have different laws about boosters etc in taxis. I couldn't do it. As was said above. Physics doesn't change. It's a rare 5 year old who actually fits in a seatbelt. Boosters boost you up so the child fits.

I get that. I wouldn't do it either. But I don't ride a taxi regularly. Been in about 5 in my 50 years. So do folks who use them once a week or even daily really carry around a car seat? I honestly do not know

 

[Sleepy425]

From my experience, if you are planning on taking a cab call for one EARLY. We were sent a cab with no car seats, then a cab with the incorrect kind of car seats, and finally we got what we needed. Being that it is Disney, they are used to people needing car seats so the drivers do have them. It is just a matter of making sure the right cab gets sent.
Although I admit we gave up after that one experience and every trip since then we just use the buses.

 

[Madame]

My kids have never been in a taxi (& I spent my childhood riding around in my grandpa's pick-up bed - we're country .

I'm checking into the Bubblebum seats but it looks like they are only available in the UK..? They're available on Amazon but are $80 a pop!!! Target sells them on-line but not in stores & won't deliver to Canada.

I'm thinking this is more hassle than it's worth - we have early ADRs at MK, CM & Akershus - we should be able to make these coming from AoA if we are at the bus stop for 6:30 right? They are all for between 7:45 & 8am last week of Aug.

TIA!!

 

[disney1990]

Better to keep the twins safe.

 

[1stvisit0909]

My kids have never been in a taxi (& I spent my childhood riding around in my grandpa's pick-up bed - we're country .

I'm checking into the Bubblebum seats but it looks like they are only available in the UK..? They're available on Amazon but are $80 a pop!!! Target sells them on-line but not in stores & won't deliver to Canada.

I'm thinking this is more hassle than it's worth - we have early ADRs at MK, CM & Akershus - we should be able to make these coming from AoA if we are at the bus stop for 6:30 right? They are all for between 7:45 & 8am last week of Aug.

TIA!!

Should be able too.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

OP, I'm pretty sure whatever you read is wrong. Here is a link to the actual car seat law:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...ute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.613.html

Paragraph 6:
(6) The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation. It is the obligation and responsibility of the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for a child’s welfare, as defined in s. 39.01(47), to comply with the requirements of this section.

 

[kumimama]

We don't live where folks take cabs except for circumstances like drinking. What do folks who don't own cars do? Like in NYC or Boston? Never take a cab with kids? Haul a car seat with them everywhere they go? Maybe folks from someplace like that can offer up advice

In some jurisdiction carseat regulation does not apply to taxis.

 

[cel_disney]

My 7 year old is the size of an 11year old but still uses a bubblebum on travel because he is not ready to 5 step. My just turned 4 year old celebrated by getting her seat turned forward facing and will still travel with a harnessed carseat.

The laws specify an age that you may think is arbitrary - but it's not. It takes into account physical development (for example - rear facing is best because neck cartilage/vertabrate is not fused well enough to hold their heads attached - it has nothing to do with their size). Maturity (can they sit properly -not lean over etc), and their size.

Anyway - I would probably get one bubblebum or RIder safe travel vest and then ask the cab company to provide the second one (shouldn't be hard to do if you coordinate it in advance). You can store them in a locker at the parks easily. Alternatively - you can take the bus.

 

[Crl1817]

OP, I'm pretty sure whatever you read is wrong. Here is a link to the actual car seat law:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...ute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.613.html

Paragraph 6:
(6) The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation. It is the obligation and responsibility of the parent, guardian, or other person responsible for a child’s welfare, as defined in s. 39.01(47), to comply with the requirements of this section.

My understanding is that this means the ticket goes to the parent instead of the taxi driver. Still need the car seat/booster.

 

[Mfisc]

I Know my sister had some sort of Blow up booster and it worked very well (she got it from Amazon)

Couldn't you order one from Amazon and have it shipped to your resort?

Also just a curiosity question, How would a Bus be safer Then a cab if both were without a booster seat? I didn't think they even had seat belts on the buses and if one does crash wouldn't the same physics apply? Or is there something I am missing? (honest question that I was thinking when reading some responses)

 

[AngiTN]

I Know my sister had some sort of Blow up booster and it worked very well (she got it from Amazon)

Couldn't you order one from Amazon and have it shipped to your resort?

Also just a curiosity question, How would a Bus be safer Then a cab if both were without a booster seat? I didn't think they even had seat belts on the buses and if one does crash wouldn't the same physics apply? Or is there something I am missing? (honest question that I was thinking when reading some responses)

I can't cite the studies but those that do these things have determined that buses are no safer with car seats or seat belts. Which is why school buses have neither. Nor public buses