Stressed about Transportation

[SaraK]

I'm not sure what my best option is for traveling from the airport to HoJo. We are bringing our son who is 5 years old and 50 lbs. I'd like door to door transportation (in other words, not stopping along the way at other hotels). My primary concern is my son's safety and it appears that door to door shuttles (such as Super Shuttle) don't provide carseats (and we'd rather not bring a booster along with us). Any ideas on transportation options for us?

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Supershuttle work out just fine for us my 4 yr old did just fine without a carseat

 

[SaraK]

Did he have a booster?

 

[wannagoback]

If you really want your son to use a booster, you could just check one with your luggage. A booster wouldn't be too bad to carry around. When I took DD3, I didn't even think about a carseat and she just rode with the belt.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Check out this thread for all the information you will want to know about ground transportation to Disneyland:

Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information

If you are flying into either LAX or Orange County (John Wayne Airport - SNA), I would recommend looking at the Disneyland Express. It's a bus service operated through Grayline and since they are tour style buses, you don't need carseats. Hope that helps!

 

[haydeecm]

I am in the same exact boat as you. But I cant tell for sure if SuperShuttle requires carseats (looks like some posts say they do and some they dont ) so well have to lug ours. If we knew for sure they would let us go without a carseat, I would probably risk it and go without on the trip to Hojo and then take back Disneyland Express. We get there too late in the day to use Disneyland Express (it looks like it stops running at 10pm, so well just miss it)
I am mainly afraid of the airline will damage my Britax Boulevard by throwing it around, so well probably have him sit on it on the plane.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

No no booster she just put the seatbelt on and we went. I'm sure you need a carseat for little kids infants but if the are 4 then I would say no. They never said anything from the airport or to the airport.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

The California car seat law is as follows:

"Children MUST be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) IN THE BACK SEAT OF A VEHICLE until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds."

http://www.chp.ca.gov/community/safeseat.html

 

[MG3G]

Sorry some probably won't like what I have to say... BUT a vacation should never be an excuse to take a step down in safety. Especially with shuttle vans which are well know as being one of the least safe vehicles on the road. I know it's a HUGE pain to travel with carseats (we have 3 kiddos who all need a seat of some kind) but personaly I would never forgive myself if I didn't use a seat "just this once on vacation" and that happened to be the day things went wrong. BUT the good news is you could always use a cares harness if you don't want to lug a seat!!! -- We can't use them here in Canada but I would love one!

 

[Amy and kids]

Sorry some probably won't like what I have to say... BUT a vacation should never be an excuse to take a step down in safety. Especially with shuttle vans which are well know as being one of the least safe vehicles on the road. I know it's a HUGE pain to travel with carseats (we have 3 kiddos who all need a seat of some kind) but personaly I would never forgive myself if I didn't use a seat "just this once on vacation" and that happened to be the day things went wrong. BUT the good news is you could always use a cares harness if you don't want to lug a seat!!! -- We can't use them here in Canada but I would love one!

I couldn't agree with you more! My oldest is 9 and she STILL rides in a booster because I know it's safer, on our vacation she won't be using one though but we will be lugging two around for our 6 and 4 year olds. Backless boosters are not very heavy and it won't be much inconvenience to bring them, I wouldn't dream of not bringing them though.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I believe you can have your own personal Supershuttle van to get to/from the airport. The price is more though. Just a thought.

 

[Shelebeen]

If you are concerned about your booster... go to target or walmart and get one of those low backed ones for less then $20... really easy to stick in the luggage.

I wouldn't count on just seatbelting your child in - many of the shuttles we have been on don't have seatbelts and are scary rides (I think).

We always rent a car now... you have the control of times and how the driving happens...

 

[geekypeach]

We too were worried about this, as I wouldn't consider taking my 6 yo w/o her seat. She is 37 lbs, and is still in a 5 pt harness. We are renting a car (priceline, $17 for Alamo). Depending on how many days you'll be there, it can be just as economical and maybe even safer than any shuttle service. And, you can take your own seat.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

If you are concerned about your booster... go to target or walmart and get one of those low backed ones for less then $20... really easy to stick in the luggage.

This is what I would do in this situation. I definitely wouldn't go without anything, but a cheap booster seems like an economical and easy way to go without compromising safety. Regular seat belts really aren't safe for smaller children (you're really even taking a risk at 6 or 60).

 

[onelilspark]

Just an FYI, this is what's at the bottom of my Super Shuttle reservation (that I just placed.)

If you are traveling with children, SuperShuttle strongly recommends the use of child safety seats. While laws vary from state-to-state, we at SuperShuttle support the strongest safety standard by recommending that small children 5 years and under be secured in a child restraint seat for transportation. Additionally, SuperShuttle does not provide child restraint seats. It is the responsibility of a child's parent or caregiver to provide the Child Restraint System when transporting children in a van, sedan or taxi cab

(bolding is mine.)

 

[SaraK]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I will end up buying a booster that we can bring with us; it's worth it and we'll use it again in the future I'm sure.

 

[bumbershoot]

Yeah, it's a good idea.

People vary on what their opinions are about the law as it concerns hired transportation, but physics are physics. And SuperShuttle drivers scare the pants offa me (have the hands free laws stopped them from talking on their "cricket" (blue tooth earpiece) while texting on a different phone while driving 70 mph yet?), they go SO fast, and of course driving in so cal is a hairy experience b/c everyone is extra-defensive in the way they drive.

It's one thing if you're on a coach bus like Grayline Disneyland Express; I have great trust for coach buses as long as the driver isn't falling asleep, they are designed to cushion things if there's an impact, and frankly they are BIG and not likely to get the worst in an accident.

But in a vehicle with seatbelts, heck, I want a 5 point harness!

 

[SaraK]

Well jeez, now you're scaring me about the shuttles!! Is a towncar driver more safe than a shuttle driver, or is it all about the same?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

People ~ seat belts are made for adults so until a child is the size of a small adult they need more then just a seat belt to be safe in a moving vehicle! My DS @ almost 10 is just now big enough to be without a car safety seat in most vehicles ~ a 3-5 year old definitely need something. Busses don't require seat belts because of compartmentalization* http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/sit...CM1000002c567798RCRD&overrideViewName=Article *but that doesn't really work for young children. For little ones ~ under 4 please consider a harnessed seat on your vacations ~ DD's was *she's now too big* a Cosco Scenera ~ great 2nd seat/travel seat. Now I gate check a back less booster and will for several more years. For more info visit ~ www.car-seat.org

~ Shannon
Who was a CPST, my cert. expired but I still have interest in keeping kids safe in cars.