Paying for vacation

[mirage0306]

We're using super shuttle--do I need a booster for my 8 yo? He is usually in one at home, but I honestly wasn't planning on bringing it (he's almost 70 lbs and not too far from 4'9"). Thanks!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We're using super shuttle--do I need a booster for my 8 yo? He is usually in one at home, but I honestly wasn't planning on bringing it (he's almost 70 lbs and not too far from 4'9"). Thanks!

Not legally. The law in CA is up to age 8 or 4'9". So if he is over 8, he's fine.

 

[mirage0306]

Not legally. The law in CA is up to age 8 or 4'9". So if he is over 8, he's fine.

Ah, ok, so it's an either/or thing. Thank you! We may still bring it, but this is good to know.

 

[disneychrista]

We're using super shuttle--do I need a booster for my 8 yo? He is usually in one at home, but I honestly wasn't planning on bringing it (he's almost 70 lbs and not too far from 4'9"). Thanks!

Unless it has changed buses/shuttles are exempt from the car seat laws (most do not even have seat belts).

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Unless it has changed buses/shuttles are exempt from the car seat laws (most do not even have seat belts).

That is true of ones like the DLE. However, something like Super Shuttle, which is just a large passenger van, would still be required to follow all car seat/booster laws. And they always have. FWIW, taxis (in the state of CA at least) must follow them also.

 

[Aladora]

Ah, ok, so it's an either/or thing. Thank you! We may still bring it, but this is good to know.

I'm trying to find a way to post this without sounding preachy but here goes nothing...

I try not to parent by minimums, which is why my 9 year old is still in a high back booster in my car and a backless one in DH's. Even though he is old enough to not legally have to use a booster, he is small enough to need one. He was also in a 5 point harnessed seat until he was 6 years and a few months old. Could I put him in a car without a booster? Legally yes but as I said, I try not to parent by minimum standards especially when it comes to safety.

Here is a really good set of guidelines for when a child is ready to not use a booster:

Is my 8-year-old ready for a seat belt?

Once a child reaches 8 years of age, parents should use this simple 5-step test to determine if their child can safely ride in a seat belt.

5-Step Test:
1. Can the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend naturally over the seat cushion edge?
3. Does the lap belt cross the top of the hips/thighs, not the tummy?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
5. Can the child stay seated in this position for the whole trip?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, your child must remain in a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly. Weight is not a determining factor.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Um ..... back to travel costs! Our trip breakdown is as follows for 3 (2 adults and one Disney adult (13) costing about $2800:

Costco travel package: $1340 - includes four nights at the Anabella, free parking, $20 gift card (quick CS meal) and 3 premium meal vouchers (which we'll use for three meals) plus 3-day PHs
Transportation to/from LAX: $80 (great rental car deal from Costco)
Airfare: $700 (I used a companion ticket, so cost of 2 airfares)
Food: $500 (plus the four "free" meals we get from the Costco package and including some groceries)

Edited: We don't usually spend much on souvenirs, and will usually buy snacky-stuff to take into the parks with us (string cheese, fruit/nut packs, fruit and we buy a few flats of water).

 

[Pastalady]

How much did you spend on your disneyland vacation? How many days did you stay & what hotel? How much for food or overall cost???

First trip : 3300 Canadian. Broke down like this:
Flights, hotel and taxes : 1400 incl. taxes which was a crazy deal! Stayed at carasoul inn wouldn't again lol!
Park tickets : 4 day park hoppers times 4 equals about 900
Food/souvenirs : 800
Transpiration : 200

Second trip : disney package 5 nights paradise pier plus park tickets : 3200
Airfare for 3 : 900
Food/souvenirs : 1000
Total : 5100

We are doing our third trip in February, got dapper day rates at paradise pier so hoping to keep our total to about 4000.

 

[VicMom]

I would recommend a cab if you are OK with your child not being in a car seat. It's so simple and you would be at your hotel within 20 minutes.

How did you get your DLH rate though?! That seems like an amazing price. Have a wonderful trip

We'll have his carseat as he's sitting in while on the plane (he's 3.5 and has autism and there is no way that he could sit in a regular seat and keep the belt buckled-and he knows how to sit in his carseat so we're lugging it with us). Definitely why I'm thinking of changing those plans otherwise we land just after 2pm and I don't think we'd be ready for the 2:30 shuttle which means the 3:30 and that just gets too long.

And for the hotel? Dapper days! I'm so excited!! And thanks. I'm sure we're going to have an amazing vacation.

 

[KLK622]

That is true of ones like the DLE. However, something like Super Shuttle, which is just a large passenger van, would still be required to follow all car seat/booster laws. And they always have. FWIW, taxis (in the state of CA at least) must follow them also.

I agree - I am pretty sure the Super Shuttle website says you must have your own car seat if your child is required to be in one.

 

[mirage0306]

I'm trying to find a way to post this without sounding preachy but here goes nothing...

I try not to parent by minimums, which is why my 9 year old is still in a high back booster in my car and a backless one in DH's. Even though he is old enough to not legally have to use a booster, he is small enough to need one. He was also in a 5 point harnessed seat until he was 6 years and a few months old. Could I put him in a car without a booster? Legally yes but as I said, I try not to parent by minimum standards especially when it comes to safety.

Here is a really good set of guidelines for when a child is ready to not use a booster:

Is my 8-year-old ready for a seat belt?

Once a child reaches 8 years of age, parents should use this simple 5-step test to determine if their child can safely ride in a seat belt.

5-Step Test:
1. Can the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend naturally over the seat cushion edge?
3. Does the lap belt cross the top of the hips/thighs, not the tummy?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
5. Can the child stay seated in this position for the whole trip?

If you answered “No” to any of these questions, your child must remain in a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly. Weight is not a determining factor.

Thanks...I actually do know all this. My 11 year old remained in a booster until he was 4'9" (which was last year, long after almost everyone he knew was out of a booster); we didn't take him out until he was tall enough and the seatbelt fit him properly. My 8 year old is in one at home--a backless one with me, and a high back in DH's car. I'm honestly not even sure what the law is here, but I know it's not very strict. The only reason I was considering not bringing it is because of the fact that we are not going to be driving much at all; while I know accidents can happen at any time, he does meet the legal requirement.

I do appreciate your help, though. Now, back to vacation planning!

 

[XMom]

Thanks...I actually do know all this. My 11 year old remained in a booster until he was 4'9" (which was last year, long after almost everyone he knew was out of a booster); we didn't take him out until he was tall enough and the seatbelt fit him properly. My 8 year old is in one at home--a backless one with me, and a high back in DH's car. I'm honestly not even sure what the law is here, but I know it's not very strict. The only reason I was considering not bringing it is because of the fact that we are not going to be driving much at all; while I know accidents can happen at any time, he does meet the legal requirement. I do appreciate your help, though. Now, back to vacation planning!

My almost 11 year old would love to be 4'8"!! He just hit 4'2". I told him he will be in a booster until he gets his drivers license!

 

[mandeblu]

As much as I would love to stay on site. We go every year so we book through Costco, stay at one of the Best Westerns and usually go for about 5 days in parks, do the 1 park per day passes for a family of 4 (we are not the park hopper type), our packages cost 1,940.00, we head to Target and buy bread and a jar of peanut butter and jelly and bring snacks and sandwiches into the park and eat 1 meal in park and a few snacks.

We drive from Washington state. I drive a Jetta Diesel so it costs us 160.00 in Diesel round trip.

We bring a cooler of food for the trip down and stop at the grocery store on the way home to restock our cooler.

We make it work Hope this helps!