What brand of car seat (cheap)?

[suzydisney971]

So I wasn't going to bring the car seat since we are using Disney transportation but after talking to a friend of mine who just came back from a trip with her 2 1/2 yr old, she thinks it would be better if I used one also with my toddler. He'll be 27 mos when we go in August. What car seat does everyone recommend? I need something light and easy to install. I've already purchased a seat for him on the plane. I was going to use CARES but he's an active child and might try to get out of the seat, whereas with the car seat, he stays in it when we are in the car.

We don't leave for another 3 months and I'm stressing out. I've never traveled with a small child before and I want him to be as comfortable as possible without him having a breakdown. Help!! TIA!!

 

[MyDizneyBoyz]

No need for a carseat unless you're renting a car. If you're using just Disney transportation, carseats aren't permitted on the buses or Magical Express.

If you are renting a car, then I'd recommend the Cosco Scenera as it holds a toddler up to 40lbs, is very lightweight so good for traveling, and is inexpensive and readily available at Walmart or Target.

ETA - Just reread your post and I think you're looking for something for the plane? In that case, the Scenera is a great choice. We had one just for traveling as they are so lightweight.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I think you're saying that you want to know what car seat to purchase to use on the plane, correct?

It would be helpful to know how much your son weighs, and what his height is. Also, what car seats do you currently own?

The Cosco Scenera the pp suggested is a good, lightweight, low cost seat. If you watch for it to be on sale you can get it for under $40. Keep an eye on Target and Kmart ads.

But I might have other suggestions based on the answers to my questions.

CARES is great IF you have a kiddo who will refrain from unbuckling the plane seat belt (easy to do). If he's a wiggly worm, you're smart to follow your friend's advice and bring a car seat.

 

[suzydisney971]

Thanks. My son is currently 22 lbs and 31 inches. Yes you are correct in that I only need the car seat for the plane. I was thinking of doing the CARES harness but am afraid, he'll start trying to get out of it and have tantrum because I won't let him out. I think he may be a wriggly worm since he's very active at home and always wants to run around on his own. So I'm thinking to try to keep him calm and in some sort of control until we are back on the ground, that a car seat maybe the way to go. I'll definitely check out the Cosco Scenera. (I'm hoping he'll fall asleep like he does in the car)

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't understand. You already have a carseat. Why can't you use that?

 

[msmama]

My DS is pretty active and he did just fine in the CARES. I made him wear the harness part just for take-off and landing but let him sit with just the lap belt on during the flight. We had the tray table down for food and other stuff to play with so he couldn't really get to the lap belt as well to buckle/unbuckle.

If you still decide on a carseat, I also have the Cosco Scenera for traveling. I'm actually going to check the carseat though and use the CARES. We're going to have a car so we'll need it.

 

[blessedby3]

We also have the Cosco Scenara for our 2nd seat/airplane seat. We use the Britax Marathon for our main seat, but would never want to fly with that heavy thing. The Cosco one is very light and easy to carry with you.
My dd is 2 1/2 and there is no way she would sit in the lap belt of the airplane seat. She would want to be up and running around, so we take the car seat for now. She knows that means she will have to sit still.

 

[suzydisney971]

My current car seat is a Graco huge one that stays permanently in the car. I'll definitely check out the Cosco Scenera since that seems to be the popular choice. Thanks everyone!!

 

[Fall1]

We also have the Cosco Scenara for our 2nd seat/airplane seat. We use the Britax Marathon for our main seat, but would never want to fly with that heavy thing. The Cosco one is very light and easy to carry with you.

Us too

 

[Mommee]

We have the Cosco Scenara, too. Ours came with a travel bag with handle, which was great for carrying it through the airport! At home it's the "back-up" seat installed in DH's car (since he rarely drives her in his car).

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

I just went to WalMart and purchased the cheapest seat they had that had an FAA sticker on it. I think I spent $35. Don't know the brand off the top of my head. It is just used for the airplane. Really light compared to either my marathon or the radians we have - those are 50lbs a piece.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

We always used the Cosco Scenera for travel. Just the Scenera has a 40 pound weight limit and the harness slots are not very high, so also look into the Cosco highback booster (is actually a 5-pt car seat forward facing to 40 lbs, then you can remove the harness and use as a booster when they exceed the weight limit or are too tall for the harness slots). DD outgrew her Scenera just after she turned 3, her torso was too tall for the harness slots.

http://www.coscojuvenile.com/usa/en...tails/468-22209WAL-High-Back-Booster-Car-Seat

Forward-facing car seat 22-40 lbs.
Belt-positioning booster 40-80 lbs.
5-point harness with up-front adjustment
Removable cup holder
2-position shoulder belt guides
LATCH equipped
Meets or exceeds Federal Safety Standards

EDIT- this also comes in the clear travel bag

I am also a big fan of the cares harness. When DD was 26 months old, she went ballisitc on the plane having to stay in the scenera, and this was about her 20th take off, so she was an experienced flier. It was horrible and totally unexpected! We got the cares harness after that and she was fine! It kept her safe but she was able to move a little.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

The Scenera is a great travel/2nd seat ~ I was a little sad when DD got too big for her's. PP ~ carseats (harnessed) that turn in to boosters don't make great boosters generally ~ the Graco Nautilus would..... I bet the top harness slot on the one you linked to isn't that much higher if at all than the Scenera.....

 

[thebeesknees]

Just used our Cosco high-backed booster on the plane with my 2-year-old this week. Worked great! It was lightweight, easy to carry with its travel bag/handle, and he even fell asleep in it.