What car will we need?

[Tink78]

Hi,
There will be 4 adults and 2 kids (aged 2 and 5).
What size car will we need?
Will prob be 4 suitcases.

Do we need to hire car seats for the little ones?
Does that cost extra?
Thanks
Karen

 

[disneyholic family]

in your situation, i would take a 7 seat mini-van (chrysler voyager and similar)..

the 2 year old needs a car seat for sure -
as for cost, depending on how long you'll be renting the car, it's usually much cheaper to bring a car seat from the UK, or buy one at walmart in orlando than to rent one from the car rental company...(they'll charge you a daily fee for the seat)

 

[wayneg]

Would need to be 7 seat Minivan or a 7 seater SUV, Minivan would be far cheaper, I am renting one for 2 weeks in August costing £353 incl tank of gas and extra drivers. We are taking car seat with us, they cost appox $6/day to rent.
If you rent from Virgin I believe they still do a deal which includes car seats, check all options.

 

[Tink78]

it's usually much cheaper to bring a car seat from the UK, or buy one at walmart in orlando than to rent one from the car rental company...(they'll charge you a daily fee for the seat)

Just wondering, can you put the car seat through with your suitcases then and does that come out of your luggage allowance?

If you buy one from Walmart, how do you get your child from the airport to Walmart?
Do you just rent a car seat for day 1 and then return it once you have bought your own?

Thanks

 

[WicketsMom]

We bring our carseat on the plane for our 4-year old son. It is not counted against your luggage allowance and helps to keep them in their seat, in addition to raising them up enough to see out the window. Then you'll have your own seat that you are comfortable with when you arrive to use in the car.

 

[dixonsontour]

Most airlines carry a carseat for free - who are you flying with. We always take DD's. The rental ones i've seen on the floor of the office you wouldn't want anyway.

For older kids just needing a booster you can buy a backpack called a boostapak by trunki that turns into a car seat. There is also something called bubblebum - seen at halfords an inflatable booster. Not used either so not sure if anygood.

 

[lin85prest]

We have always rented car seat when we got there, though they say it is a daily rate if you are renting for a longer period it is usually $50 max that they charge. the seats have always been fine, newly cleaned and sealed in polythene when we have picked them up.

 

[disneyholic family]

by the way, i just checked the florida seat belt/car seat regulations regarding your 5 year old..

your 5 year old will NOT require anything (other than the seat belt - which is required for all by law)..

a car seat is only required up to and including 4 year olds...
5 year olds are not required to use a car seat..

so if your older boy is actually 5, only the younger one will require a car seat...

 

[wayneg]

by the way, i just checked the florida seat belt/car seat regulations regarding your 5 year old..

your 5 year old will NOT require anything (other than the seat belt - which is required for all by law)..

a car seat is only required up to and including 4 year olds...
5 year olds are not required to use a car seat..

so if your older boy is actually 5, only the younger one will require a car seat...

Do you have a link to provide correct info Beth? I just looked at the Florida Highway Patrol site which says upto the age of 4 in a seat, Children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/html/floridalaw/fllaw.html

 

[disneyholic family]

Do you have a link to provide correct info Beth? I just looked at the Florida Highway Patrol site which says upto the age of 4 in a seat, Children ages 4 through 5 must be secured by either a federally approved child-restraint seat or a safety belt.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/html/floridalaw/fllaw.html

you're right - the site i read said through age 4, but all the other govt sites say through age 3 in a car seat and four and up in a seat belt....
(though the child can be in a car seat if the parent wants and it's recommended, but not required)..

 

[dixonsontour]

I know car seat laws are a lot more lax in Florida but I go by what DD uses in the UK. She is 5 and 122cm but legally needs a booster here so will take with us.

 

[peteg87]

Whenever travel with my kid, take a car seat along with as generally the car seats provided by the car rental companies may not be of good quality and comfortable for the kids.

 

[alibeau]

Hi,

Last year we took two 'proper' booster seats, we packed them into a sports bag, not sure if the bag counted towards our allowance..... bit of a pain having yet another bag to lug around though

This year we took the Bubblegum inflatable ones. They were fine for our girls (7 & 5) as they are very tall for their age but the bubble gum boosters are not as tall/substantial as 'proper' booster seats so they don't give the child as much of a 'boost' which I could see being a problem if your LO's are little!!
I would definately recommend them though, we just packed them into one of our cases

HTH.

Ali