Renting a minivan with 3 boosters?

[Treysar]

we are still deciding if we will drive or fly to Florida for our trip in October. My 3 children are still in booster seats. We definitely can't carry on 3 boosters, it simply isn't possible for us to get through the airport like that. Not an option.

Can we rent a van with 3 boosters? Any other ideas? We definitely do need a vehicle.

If we drive, we have everything we need, just less vacation time. (Coming from CT). The flight is worth the money but I can't wrap my head around the logistics of how to get booster seats.

Thanks for your input!

 

[GrnMtnMan]

we are still deciding if we will drive or fly to Florida for our trip in October. My 3 children are still in booster seats. We definitely can't carry on 3 boosters, it simply isn't possible for us to get through the airport like that. Not an option.

Most, if not all, airline will allow you to check the boosters for free. You can check them at the regular check-in desk, and not lug them all the way to the gate.

And I think the advice to check car seats at the gate doesn't really apply for boosters. Regular car seat are designed to absorb impact, so if they get unseen damage from rough handling it could impact their performance in a crash. Belt positioning boosters just position a car's seat belts to better protect a child, so unseen damage isn't an issue.

Can we rent a van with 3 boosters?

Sure, though vans are expensive. The rental companies will rent the boosters too, but the daily rate usually adds up to the same as buying a low-cost booster. And that's the quality you'd be getting too, so it doesn't make much sense to rent it versus bringing your own.

 

[Treysar]

Brining isn't an option. Darn it, I'm going to have to drive. Im don't see any other way. It really would rather spend those 4 driving days vacationing.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Brining isn't an option.

Why? People might be able to offer alternatives if you provide some details or constraints...

Like leaving for the airport a little earlier so you can pull up and have a sky cap help with the luggage while you park the car.

 

[Treysar]

Most, if not all, airline will allow you to check the boosters for free. You can check them at the regular check-in desk, and not lug them all the way to the gate.

And I think the advice to check car seats at the gate doesn't really apply for boosters. Regular car seat are designed to absorb impact, so if they get unseen damage from rough handling it could impact their performance in a crash. Belt positioning boosters just position a car's seat belts to better protect a child, so unseen damage isn't an issue.

Sure, though vans are expensive. The rental companies will rent the boosters too, but the daily rate usually adds up to the same as buying a low-cost booster. And that's the quality you'd be getting too, so it doesn't make much sense to rent it versus bringing your own.

Unfortunately bringing seats is not an option.

It looks like driving will be our best bet unless anyone else has suggestions. Darn. It would have been nice to have those 4 extra days as vacation time!

 

[tjmw2727]

You can definitely rent booster seats with your vehicle and if you reserve them in advance they will guarantee them. I would budget $10/15 per day for each one and the cost will be on the reservation page I just don't have time to look it up.

You could also use a travel booster or "bubble bum" inflatable booster like this:

http://www.walmart.com/search/searc...wl2=bubblebum booster&wl3=15081899887&veh=sem

If your children are old enough to ride without by law you could also rent the car and head to the nearest Walmart/Target and purchase the booster seats for less than the cost to rent and then bring them home or donate to charity such as GKTW.

Finally if your staying on site WDW does provide complimentary transportation from the airport and between all the resorts and theme parks.
We just carried ours onboard but I only needed two, they fit in the overhead or under the seat in front of the kids. Most times we could fit the booster and the child size backpack on top of the booster under the seat.

Just throwing ideas out there as I am really not sure what your situation is

 

[Treysar]

Hm.....maybe I can fly in to Orlando, take Disney transport to the park, stay for the 4 nights we have planned,mand then rent a car! Is there car rental right at Disney itself? Hmmmm this might solve my problems! Then I can rent boosters for only a few days and save $!! Or maybe rent them independently and have them delivered to my room, as opposed to a car rental. Or even buy cheap ones and have them delivered!

 

[Paigesmom2013]

Are you talking boosters with the 5-point harnesses or the backless boosters that you use with a seatbelt? If it's the backless booster, each kid could carry their own and check it at ticketing.

I assume you're staying off site or else you'd use Disney transportation?

 

[tjmw2727]

Hm.....maybe I can fly in to Orlando, take Disney transport to the park, stay for the 4 nights we have planned,mand then rent a car! Is there car rental right at Disney itself? Hmmmm this might solve my problems! Then I can rent boosters for only a few days and save $!! Or maybe rent them independently and have them delivered to my room, as opposed to a car rental. Or even buy cheap ones and have them delivered!

Yes - there are two car rental agencies on property, you can price out renting on property and returning at the airport. You could also just ship your own boosters to yourself at the resort instead of purchasing new ones.

 

[Treysar]

Are you talking boosters with the 5-point harnesses or the backless boosters that you use with a seatbelt? If it's the backless booster, each kid could carry their own and check it at ticketing.

I assume you're staying off site or else you'd use Disney transportation?

High back boosters. Kids carrying them isn't an option for us, unfortunately. We are staying at contemporary but we plan on doing other things besides Disney while we are in Florida which will née quire the use of a car.

 

[Treysar]

Yes - there are two car rental agencies on property, you can price out renting on property and returning at the airport. You could also just ship your own boosters to yourself at the resort instead of purchasing new ones.

Oh! Hadn't thought of that! Good idea! This is why I love this board. You guys are all very helpful!

 

[Treysar]

High back boosters. Kids carrying them isn't an option for us, unfortunately. We are staying at contemporary but we plan on doing other things besides Disney while we are in Florida which will require the use of a car.

 

[tjmw2727]

High back boosters. Kids carrying them isn't an option for us, unfortunately. We are staying at contemporary but we plan on doing other things besides Disney while we are in Florida which will née quire the use of a car.

Ok this is helpful ! I wouldn't bother to ship high back boosters I think that would be to expensive. In your case I would either rent with the rental and bite the bullet price wise or purchase low backed boosters or bubble bum boosters and have them shipped to the CR. This would also mean checking them or carrying them on for the flight home however if you do return the car to the airport.

If you rent the car for daily trips instead of to/from the airport you may be able to get away with a smaller vehicle at a cheaper price since you won't have to deal with luggage, this could also make up for the difference in renting 3 boosters.

Honestly if it were me I would purchase 3 bubble bum boosters or at least low back boosters and check them through with your checked bags, most airlines allow car seats and boosters to be checked for no charge. Then you have what you need with you when you need it and you can be flexible as to if and when to rent a car.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......
Honestly if it were me I would purchase 3 bubble bum boosters or at least low back boosters and check them through with your checked bags, most airlines allow car seats and boosters to be checked for no charge. Then you have what you need with you when you need it and you can be flexible as to if and when to rent a car.

I totally agree. We carry a Bubblebum when we travel with our grandson and it works very well. It's inexpensive, is safe, and lightweight.