Airport Parking/Car Seat Issue

[jkl2000]

We're bringing DS4, but not his car seat (will be using Disney transportation the entire visit), so the only issue is getting to the airport (Laguardia in NYC). I'd like to drive our car there so we can use our car seat for the ride, but it looks like the parking will cost about $150 for the week.

We have a booster seat we COULD use in a car service car, although DS4 isn't officially big enough for it yet. Also, we'd have to gate check it which is a bit of a pain.

Haven't found any reasonable car services that provide car seats (there's one outrageously expensive one).

Getting to the airport via public transit IS an option - I've done it often, but usually just when travelling alone with one carry-on.

Anyone else have the same situation, and if so what did you do or what are you planning to do?

 

[Weather_Lady]

Do you have a local relative or friend who could give you a ride to the airport and pick you up (and hold onto your carseat in the meantime), either in your car or theirs? I think that would be the simplest and least expensive option for you -- it's what folks often do in my family.

I was thinking of airport lockers for the carseat, but I googled it and as far as I can tell Laguardia doesn't have any.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Does your son weigh (or will he when you travel) 30 pounds or more and is he at least 34" tall? If you want to bring a seat with you, you can get a small, inexpensive, AND well-rated (in terms of safety) backless booster. They are small enough that you could throw one in your personal item or carryon luggage if you save room for it. We have four of the Graco models sold at Walmart (2 in each of our cars, for our 2 kids) and I can attest that they're a terrific, easy-to-move seat -- the year we bought them, that particular model was also among the highest-rated boosters in terms of safety, and they cost less than $20.

Safety ratings for boosters here: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/10/iihs-names-47-booster-seats-best-bets.html

A well-rated and inexpensive example here:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Harmony-Juvenile-Youth-Booster-Car-Seat-Chocolate/16939671?action=product_interest&action_type=image&placement_id=irs_top&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=52514884077&category=0:5427:91365:1101434&client_guid=84bf5911-792a-4095-85be-dade7be8ba5c&config_id=2&parent_item_id=21192346&guid=8c0b01de-3e59-47ba-ab91-71b0f969f44e&bucket_id=000&findingMethod=p13n

 

[jkl2000]

Thanks - I've pretty much decided we're going to go with parking at the airport. If we took cabs there and back, with tips it would come to about $80 or $90 (I think) so it's worth the extra cost to me to take our car, which is the safest and probably quickest way to go.

And my plan is to have the car loaded up with our bags the night before we leave, so we can get out on time the next morning. We'll see how THAT goes: Coming from someone who never gets to bed before 2am on Christmas "eve" because there's so much to do to help Santa...

 

[Weather_Lady]

Thanks - I've pretty much decided we're going to go with parking at the airport. If we took cabs there and back, with tips it would come to about $80 or $90 (I think) so it's worth the extra cost to me to take our car, which is the safest and probably quickest way to go.

And my plan is to have the car loaded up with our bags the night before we leave, so we can get out on time the next morning. We'll see how THAT goes: Coming from someone who never gets to bed before 2am on Christmas "eve" because there's so much to do to help Santa...

Sounds like a plan! If you want to be sure to get to bed early, I recommend a good LIST! (Make it ahead of time, check it twice, and be sure everything you need to pack is on it. Then you can pack a day ahead, check off each item on the list, put everything in the car, and not lie awake or rush around worrying that you've forgotten something.)

 

[jkl2000]

I know that works - I'm going to try! We'll see...

Thanks!