Disney, carseats and strollers

We are possibly going to Disney in the fall. DH and I have been there once before, and used the bus system to get around and the magical whatever transportation from the airport. I have a few questions in general about the airline travel and transportation part of the trip.

First, I have a Britax Marathon, which I don't think will fit in the plane seat. I think I read that if DS meets the weight limit, I am not required to use the carseat, but think I would feel more comfortable with him in one. The other thing I am trying to figure out is if we take that Disney shuttle bus from the airport, would I have to use a carseat on that? What about on the bus system inside the park? I don't remember noticing any of this when I went the last time, because I didn't have any kids.

I am trying to figure out if I should just get a second carseat for the plane, and if so, can anyone recommend one that will fit those seats?

Also, I know they rent the strollers in the park, but does anyone know the weight limit for them? I am thinking about taking my own stroller, but by that time, I think DS will have already outgrown it for weight. The park ones look pretty heavy duty - can a child over 45 lbs ride in one?

TIA!!

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I can't answer specifics because I haven't gone yet, BUT I am going in the spring and am planning to take a carseat for DD (she's 18 months, we're not buying a ticket), and we also have a Britax. I think I'll just be checking it at the gate because its big. We're renting a car down there so I'll put it in the car to drive around, back to the hotel. I am planning on bringing the citi mini stroller for DD in the parks...can you get an umbrella stroller your DC will fit in? I don't know anything about the disney strollers....

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

IMO I wouldn't bring your Britax. You can't use them on the shuttle buses or Disney transportation. The strollers in Disney are expensive an made of hard plastic. Not very comfy IMO...There are companies down there that rent jogging type strollers and are much cheaper then getting one in the park..They drop them off to your hotel and pick them up when you are done...So much easier and they hold up to 50 pounds...

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I have used a Britax Marathon on a plane, no problems.

I have never used the transportation from the airport, so I can't answer that question.

About using the buses around Disney...you do not need a car seat...I have never seen one on their buses. But do know, if using a stroller, you have to fold it up before getting on a bus.

About the stroller...hmmmm....I have never used one of the Disney strollers, but have used my own. I would try and go that route if you can Do you really need a stroller??

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I think a stroller is a necessity for any child (under 6) who is going to spend all day in the park. I know I get tired when I am there. It is easier to get around the park with one IMO..

Check out this website:
http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I didnt bring down any carseats for my 3 yr old and almost 2 yr old!

You didnt need them on the bus to and from airport nor on the bus to and from the parks!

My kids did fine on our laps! I wasnt worried at all! It was actually a relief that is was one less thing to lug down there and through the airports!

I brought my own jogging stroller and it was great, my DS (almost 2 yrs old napped right in it...at the park every day....and we bought an umbrella stroller for when my 3 yr old wanted to sit, glad we did it this way bec it was easier on the buses and if we ever needed to separate one could take each kid!

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Thanks for the replies! A little more info - my DS will be almost 4 when we go, so I think we will need a stroller at least part of the time. He does like riding in his umbrella stroller, but he is already over the maximum weight for that, so I don't know how much longer we have on that. I do have a Peg Perego that I may use (goes up to 45 lbs.) but he never really loved riding in that one.

Actually, now that I know we don't need to use them on the buses, I may leave the car seat home altogether.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I would not take the carseat. You cannot use it in any of the buses/resort transportation. We use an FAA child restraint for DC for the flight. He was just under 3 yo.

As far as the stroller, the strollers in the park can only be used in that park. You cannot take them out from park to park.

Message edited 1/31/2011 1:40:11 PM.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Like BAM said, you don't need a carseat for any of the Disney transportation. We had DD in her infant seat when we went and the bus driver on the bus from the airport to the hotel put the carseat under the bus. They don't let you use carseats on any of the Disney transportation.

If you don't think you will need a stroller before you get down there I would rent one through the website mentioned above. SIL rented a city mini through that website and raved about it the whole time. I brought mine because it went with the snugride.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

The stroller rentals are not taht cheap. In your situation, I would buy a cheap umbrella stroller and take it with you and not take a car seat. JMO.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Not to hijack this thread but I should bring a car seat correct? We are renting a car down there....(sorry it sounds like a stupid question I know!) DD doesn't have a seat on the plane, but we'll have the rental car to drive from hotel to parks

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

How old is your DC? The car seat is nice for the little ones b/c it keeps them in their seat but by 3 most I think don't want to sit in it. I used our comfortsport for DD#1 when she was 15 months and for DD#2 when she was 12 months (going down - she sat in the regular seat coming home). It worked great for DD#1 but not for DD#2 - so I think you have to know your child.

You cannot use a carseat on any of the disney buses - the regular buses between parks nor the Magical express ones. For magical express they had us put the car seat under the bus with our stroller and any carry ones we didn't bring onto the bus with us. It is a coach bus without any seat belts which is why they don't allow seats.

The regular buses between parks are like NYC type buses - so again there is no where to put a seat.

As far as whether you should get a 2nd car seat - I didn't buy a seat I used the one that goes in DH car (our recaro is too wide for the plane). I wouldn't buy a second seat just for the plane - but again how old is your child? I think under 2 it is nice but not required. My 3 year old is petite and she wouldn't have fit well in her seat (the bigger they are they will be too close to the seat in front of them so that they can kick the seat easier.

If you are going to rent a car - then I would get a second seat.

We had no trouble on either Delta or jet blue with our comfortsport. You should look at the airline you are flying to see how narrow the seats are - they do change by plane and by airline -

buy yourself a cheap one - do NOT rent they are so expensive to rent that if you can buy cheaper for a week than it will cost you to rent. They are very uncomfortable as well with no storage - and you can't remove it from the park.

I would say the other option if you look on mousesaver.com is that they list the name of one or two companies that rent strollers (the city mini for example which goes to like 50 lbs or more) they deliver it to your hotel and pick it up from your hotel that might be a great option - cheaper than buying and then renting from disney.

Message edited 1/31/2011 1:46:21 PM.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Posted by brownie

Not to hijack this thread but I should bring a car seat correct? We are renting a car down there....(sorry it sounds like a stupid question I know!) DD doesn't have a seat on the plane, but we'll have the rental car to drive from hotel to parks

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Posted by JKinCT

Posted by brownie

Not to hijack this thread but I should bring a car seat correct? We are renting a car down there....(sorry it sounds like a stupid question I know!) DD doesn't have a seat on the plane, but we'll have the rental car to drive from hotel to parks

For a rental car you will need a carseat. There are places where you can rent them, I just don't have any personal experience with any, so I can't suggest anything. Sorry.

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Posted by brownie

Not to hijack this thread but I should bring a car seat correct? We are renting a car down there....(sorry it sounds like a stupid question I know!) DD doesn't have a seat on the plane, but we'll have the rental car to drive from hotel to parks

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

Re: Disney, carseats and strollers

I would skip the carseat if you are using Disneys magical express. Most people just carry the kids on their laps. The Britax car seat is a beast and I would be annoyed carrying it in and out of the magical express bus. Also you would only use it to and from the airport...car seats are not allowed on the buses to the parks.

As far as the stroller I would definitely bring my own. IMO a stroller is a must for any kid under 5 or even 6 at Disney. The Disney strollers are hard, don't recline and IMO better suited towards older kiddos.