Transportation with Kids

[Angela2784]

Hello!

This will be my first trip to DL. We are going out for a conference for my husbands work, so we've decided to make it a family trip!

We are REALLY hoping to not have to rent a car, but I am unsure if we will be able to use public transportation, such as a shuttle bus or taxi since we will have our kids with us, ages 3 and 10. Is DL like WDW where car seats are not required for shuttles/buses? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

TIA!

 

[lwilkison]

Hello!

This will be my first trip to DL. We are going out for a conference for my husbands work, so we've decided to make it a family trip!

We are REALLY hoping to not have to rent a car, but I am unsure if we will be able to use public transportation, such as a shuttle bus or taxi since we will have our kids with us, ages 3 and 10. Is DL like WDW where car seats are not required for shuttles/buses? Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

TIA!

When we took a shuttle we were told that the law in CA is that all children (From the CHP: California Law (Effective 01/01/2012):
Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children under the age of 8 who are 4' 9" or taller may be secured by a safety belt in the back seat.) have to be in proper child safety seats. Never mind the fact of the speed those shuttles go on the freeway...if we were ever in an accident I wouldn't want my DD (4yrs old) to be in the shuttle WITHOUT her car seat.

 

[KateDrake]

I think you'll need to bring a car seat for your little one, but it's not too bad. We did this last year when traveling with our BFFs and their two kids and our DD3. The older kids were big enough to use booster seats, and they weren't too hard to bring along. And the baby just came in her carrier. Car seats or boosters are considered "special items" by the airlines, so they don't charge for them! You can use it in the taxi or shuttle, and then just leave it in the hotel and walk to the parks(assuming you are close enough). Just be sure to bring a stroller too, there's a lot of walking for 3-year-old legs!

 

[nikkislaght]

If you do not want to travel with awkward boosters you can get an inflatable one.. called BubbleBum

"The award winning BubbleBum is a portable, lightweight, inflatable car booster seat for children ages 4 - 11. It deflates easily and rolls up into it's carrying bag so that children or caregivers can carry it in their backpacks, handbags or carry-on luggage. It is constructed of durable material similar to that of life vests and other life saving products. Inside the air chamber cushion is memory foam with creates stability and in the event of a puncture keeps the BubbleBum structurally sound. The cusioned seat is also much more comforable than the rigid boosters. The cover that goes around the air cushion consists of seat belt webbing, belt positioning clips and an energy absorbing material cover. Also included with the BubbleBum Booster is a convenient carrying pack and a shoulder belt positioning clip. The cover is surface wipeable. BubbleBum meets and exceeds all US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as set forth by NHTSA (FMVSS213) and it also meets the European EEC regulation R44/04. It's narrow design makes it perfect for tight seating configurations in back seats and 3-across."
They cost round 40 dollars. there are a few different sites that sell them, target being one..

 

[lisachrystine]

If you do not want to travel with awkward boosters you can get an inflatable one.. called BubbleBum

I second this - the Bubblebum is amazing! We got one when we went and it's so convenient. Just packed it up in the carry on and it fit my 6 year old in the backseat of a Camry between my two younger ones' carseats. The thing is super lightweight, but not flimsy at all. Now that my 4 year old is big enough for one, we were thinking about buying a second.

 

[Angela2784]

Thank you for all the responses! I know in WDW they are not needed, so I wasn't sure and wanted to double check. We will be located right across the street almost from the park, so we really didn't want to have to rent a car just to drive from the airport to the hotel and back again. Thanks!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thank you for all the responses! I know in WDW they are not needed, so I wasn't sure and wanted to double check. We will be located right across the street almost from the park, so we really didn't want to have to rent a car just to drive from the airport to the hotel and back again. Thanks!

If it is a bus like WDW then no you will not need or be able to use a car seat. I think you will want the Disneyland Express shuttle from the airport which is a bus like DME in WDW. To get to the parks (if not walking distance) you can take ART like the WDW buses.