:) Obviously, I know a carseat is a necessity for a car, but those of you that have 3 or 4 year olds - what do you do when you travel to Disney?

Our DS is 3 going on 4. He's tall - 40.5" at the moment, weighing about 41 lbs. We weren't planning to travel with his carseat, as I think he's big enough now that it won't be needed for his seat on the plane - when we arrive in LAX, we will be taking one of the bus or shuttle services to Anaheim (last time we traveled, when he was 1 1/2, we had the carseat on the plane, but it couldn't be used on the bus anyways). Once in Anaheim, we won't be traveling by car anywhere - we're staying right across from DL and are spending the week there. Am I correct in thinking that lugging the carseat would pretty much be a waste of time? I (of course) want DS to be safe - but if it's not needed on the plane, and the bus/shuttle might not even be able to accommodate it, then I just can't see the point.

I guess I'm just wanting some confirmation that it's not necessary for this kind of trip.

Thanks!

We took the ART from the Marriott over to the park and back and DS who was 9 months at the time, sat on DH's lap.

I am a former flight attendant (my DH is a commercial pilot) and have to say of course they are safer in a carseat on the plane. That said, I do not put my 4yo DS in his carseat on the plane. If I am going to need his carseat, I bag it and check it. But it sounds like you won't be in a vehicle where it will be necessary to even bring it.

If you take the airport bus (Disney express) you will not need his car seat. If you take super shuttle or one of the other shuttle vans you will need it.

Maybe you just want to bring a backless booster?? At least that is smaller than an entire car seat/booster seat and you would feel just a tad bit better having it if necessary. Most shuttles, as far as I know, don't have seatbelts, so it would really matter anyway. Our BIG two year old has a booster (with a back) that we are bringing down to CA next month, but we'll have a car for other reasons than just Disneyland, so we need it. We plan on bringing it to the gate and checking it there (wth the stroller). Check with your airline. Alaska is always good about letting us do that and has everything ready for us just as we step off the plane - last time they even had the stroller set up for us! :) However, our son cannot use the booster on the plane because it isn't meant for just a lap belt and is not FAA approved. Most Britax regular car seats with a five-point harness are FAA approved but not boosters. Even when I gate-check a car seat, I bag it up last minute . . . it still can get messy/dusty in the cargo hold.

Anway, do what feels best in your gut - parental intuition is always the way to go! Have fun!!

Maybe you just want to bring a backless booster?? At least that is smaller than an entire car seat/booster seat and you would feel just a tad bit better having it if necessary. Most shuttles, as far as I know, don't have seatbelts, so it would really matter anyway. Our BIG two year old has a booster (with a back) that we are bringing down to CA next month, but we'll have a car for other reasons than just Disneyland, so we need it. We plan on bringing it to the gate and checking it there (wth the stroller). Check with your airline. Alaska is always good about letting us do that and has everything ready for us just as we step off the plane - last time they even had the stroller set up for us! :) However, our son cannot use the booster on the plane because it isn't meant for just a lap belt and is not FAA approved. Most Britax regular car seats with a five-point harness are FAA approved but not boosters. Even when I gate-check a car seat, I bag it up last minute . . . it still can get messy/dusty in the cargo hold.

Anway, do what feels best in your gut - parental intuition is always the way to go! Have fun!!

That is standard with most airlines, they load the gate checked bags last so it is ready for you by the time you deplane. Some airlines will provide bags for counter checked strollers and carseats, but if you tell them you want to gate check it when you check in, they can give you one to use then as well. I learned my lesson the hard way by checking my son's carseat with our regular luggage. It went to Kansas City instead of Orange County, on our flight from Phoenix.