Transfer to Port Canaveral with young kids - car seats needed?

[TheMaxRebo]

We have our first cruise coming up in February and I am still trying to decide the best way to get to Port Canaveral from MCO

We have 3 young kids (will be ages 3-8 at the time) and I am wondering how things work with various transfer methods with them as far as car seats - ideally I'd like to avoid having to bring 3 car seats with me just for a transfer and then would think I could fit them all in the state room, etc.

If we use Disney transport would they need car seats on that?

If we do something like the Fly, Snooze, Cruise package, would car seats be needed for their transports?

Is there a way to do a one way car rental and rent the car seats just for that trip - and it not be crazy expensive?

We will have 3 adults along with the 3 kids so paying for the Disney transport per person I know isn't the cheapest - so trying to balance cost with convenience

 

[TrishaK]

There's no need for a carseat if you use Disney's Magical Express (coach buses) between MCO and Port Canaveral.

 

[lanejudy]

Above is correct -- DCL transfers are coach buses and no car seat is needed.

As to fly/snooze/cruise packages -- it may depend on the transportation vehicle each respective hotel uses. Most are vans. I'm not sure if such shuttle vans qualify for not needing a car seat. Your best bet is to call the hotel directly (not the 800-number, but the local number) and ask.

Most if not all car rental agencies will also rent car seats. Last I paid attention, the cost was in the range of $10-$15 per seat.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Capang]

You would only need at most 2 car seats, fewer if in one of your children is 6. Florida law is way more lax than my home state (http://www.dmv.org/fl-florida/safety-laws.php) but 5 and under only need car seats.

 

[cadien]

Apart from the 3-year old, look into Bubble Bum too.

 

[cscream13]

I've been using DCL transport the last few years so as to avoid the need to either bring carseats with us or rent them -- in your case, you might want to price private transport since that may be less expensive than 5 roundtrip DCL transfers. I looked at one company, Southern Elegance, for our upcoming cruise in October and they told me they did not charge extra for carseats. I have not used them myself, but they were recommended on this board.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thanks everyone ... I did check with the Fly, Snooze, Cruise company and they indicated that per Florida law car seats are not needed for shared transportation and they use either 50-seat buses or 14 seat vans, neither of which would require car seats

Now, not sure how comfortable I am with not using one (particularly in the van) but maybe we will at least bring the Bubble Bums we have (thanks @cadien for that though)

And my mother is coming too - so actually 6 people so I am also looking into other private transportation since it should be less than 6 DCL transfers - thanks for the company suggestion @cscream13