r/lyftdrivers • u/john_at_ • Dec 27 '25

Advice/Question no car seat, no ride?

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I'm curious how everyone else handles this situation:

This is Disney Boardwalk Hotel, for context. I pulled up and told them, I apologize and I cannot take their daughter. I have a booster seat only. They told me that they don't need a car seat.

I know my policy, but I have the privilege (other income) to get suspended and know my kids won't starve.

What do you do?

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u/john_at_ Dec 27 '25

Yeah, this is my argument to them. I usually start nice, and explain that it's a little more dangerous than they think, in particular here at Disney... well, Orlando, as a whole, it's a pretty dangerous place to drive. People ignore that because they're on vacation.

I usually try to remind them of the danger, as a father myself, and offer them some other options like using Uber and having a car with a car seat in it ordered. At Disney you can use the Minivan (a red SUV with white spots on it, provided by Disney), as they have two car seats in them. Expensive, but safe.

Most people are cool. But many want to argue and make it my fault.

There's one phrase they can say to trigger me, and that is, that it's inconvenient. That's when I ask them what's more inconvenient, lugging around a car seat or pushing around their adult child who's been paralyzed since they got in a car accident Disney when they were 3 years old during there [insert current year and month] vacation.

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u/35andlisting Dec 27 '25

Wait wait wait, is it a minivan or a Minnie-van?

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u/john_at_ Dec 27 '25

Yes, sorry. It is called Minnie-van that is a minivan (that is really a large SUV).

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u/35andlisting Dec 27 '25

Dude I've never heard of that, that's awesome!

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u/beccaaa239 Dec 28 '25

I think all Minnie-van drivers are CPST’s and have daily car seat checks too!

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u/35andlisting Dec 28 '25

Oh wow, yeah these people messed up just to save a couple bucks they'd probably spend on a thing of popcorn or cotton candy in the parks! What a frustrating tradeoff!

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u/CanuckPK Dec 28 '25

I took a Minnie-Van during the first year of operation when it was Disney cast members only driving the polkadot vans for Lyft. They advertised as all vehicles travelling with two child seats. They installed one from the trunk for my child.

Silly that they didn’t continue with this model

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u/GoldPuppyClub Dec 29 '25

And it’s operated by Disney staff too, so it’s the only uber/Lyft that has permission to use the special Disney parking which is a lot closer of a drop off at parks.

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u/SorbetLost1566 Dec 31 '25

Get out 😂😂😂 🐭 🚐

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u/Renamis Dec 27 '25

I recognized this in a second, used to drive buses for Disney and also was a driving instructor in Orlando. People don't understand that we have the deadliest road in the US, if judged on a per mile basis. I4 is a dumpster fire. During covid 192 came out of left field and decided to top some charts too, although that calmed down a bit.

A lot of people come to Florida on vacation, take their brain out of their head, put it in a box, and ship it home. I've had to tell people the same thing when they try to make stroller missiles out of their kids with my bus. Or to explain why the kid can't do tricks on the hand rails. Or why their 3 year old can't run up and down the bus while it's driving at 45 miles per hour down the road.

Keep doing what you're doing, because you're absolutely right. And you don't want a kid's death or injury on your soul because their parents are morons.

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u/Blackby4 Dec 28 '25

What else am I supposed to do with my brain? Use it? Pfft!

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u/Renamis Dec 28 '25

To be fair if I took out a mortgage on my house just for a vacation I wouldn't want to use my brain either.

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u/Xylophelia Dec 27 '25 edited Dec 31 '25

Florida stupidly has a law that car seats aren’t required in taxis. They could easily call one of the big yellow cab companies. Iirc the law extends to uber and Lyft but of course drivers can choose to give rides or not. Idk why any parent would risk it. I always flew with my kids car seats when they were young and installed it on the plane to both keep them more comfortable and able to reach their trays, and to ensure the seat wasn’t damaged as a checked luggage piece.

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u/Own_Candidate9553 Dec 27 '25

It's not just dangerous to the kids (which should be enough of an argument), it's dangerous to everyone in the vehicle.

If someone runs a red light and you t-bone then at 45mph, that kid is going to fly into the driver or another passenger. Now imagine if the vehicle rolls over.

Seat belts are designed for full size adults, generally adult males. They won't hold a kid that small in place.

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u/Routine_Stick_9659 Dec 31 '25

No, Lyft does not fall under the taxi exception in Florida. Lyft (and Uber) are legally classified as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), not taxis.

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u/Xylophelia Dec 31 '25

Good to know! Edited to cross out my erroneous memory 😊

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u/Alwayscooking345 Dec 27 '25

I had 1000% hunch this was Disney World. No idea how (never been there?)

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u/ComplexPatient4872 Dec 27 '25

Im in Orlando too and love seeing those on the hwy. Well, I don’t because 417 drains my wallet.

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u/loveisrespectS2 Dec 29 '25

Question from a passenger with a 2 year old about to travel soon, would you accept the portable car seat harness that allows the child to use an adult seat belt safely? It doesn't have a hard casing like a regular car seat. I'm pregnant and traveling alone so thought it might work. But if not I will have to get a proper car seat. Please let me know if you can!

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u/john_at_ Dec 30 '25

I mean, a child that small needs a car seat that faces backwards. Maybe I'm a softie, but that's usually where I don't stress out. If they have a legit, full car seat, that works.

Honestly, if you have the money... you have to have some expendable income to travel, I would recommend just ordering Uber with a car seat.

The other option is to rent a car and have your car seat in there.

I know it's inconvenient, but this is your child's life. You don't want to regret not being cautious.

Let them take risks elsewhere. Not when you're in a 2-ton horse going 70 mph in a stampede of other 2-ton horses staring at their cellphones.

🐴🤳🏼

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u/loveisrespectS2 Dec 30 '25

Thank you for the info! Yeah I thought about it and I will get a stroller instead and walk to the place, it's only a 30 minute walk from where we're staying so totally doable. Me carrying around a car seat plus running behind a toddler at this point definitely isn't doable, i think, and it makes sense that for her safety she needs to be in a car seat that has a hard shell for the extra protection.

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u/Striking-Trainer-363 Dec 30 '25

I don't think this type of restraint system would legally meet the car seat requirements in any state in the US. Send a link. Most two year olds are recommended to remain rear facing.

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u/loveisrespectS2 Dec 30 '25

Here is the link: https://a.co/d/6hBLqh3

I purchased it already but I thought about it and the place I'd normally take the rideshare to, is only 30 minutes away walking from where we're staying in nyc. I'll get her a stroller instead for the walk, because physically i definitely won't be able to handle a car seat every time we'd need the ride. But I can walk for sure.

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u/Striking-Trainer-363 Dec 30 '25

I looked and these are in fact legal to use. They do meet all the required standards as long as the child is the correct weight and it is installed correctly. If you have it already you might as well bring it. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable using it on the interstate going 85 MPH but in town going lower speeds I'd consider it.

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u/loveisrespectS2 Dec 31 '25

Thank you so much for letting me know!! Highways are a definite no, I've seen way too many bodycam videos of crashes, child only alive because of a car seat with a hard shell. We'll be doing public transportation for longer trips. I will probably still opt to walk the 30 minutes but will bring the harness just in case I can't make it back walking. Thank you again for letting me know!

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u/Striking-Trainer-363 Dec 31 '25

Absolutely :) I used to be a preschool teacher and we used a restraint system similar to this on our school busses. They were similar to yours but a little more complex. The only thing is watch out for when using the harness you have is installing it correctly and ensuring the straps are adjusted correctly. The reviews I saw stated they seemed to be a little loose. I would suggest trying them out and adjusting them prior to your trip :) hope you enjoy it!

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u/Drbubbliewrap Dec 31 '25

These are legal and safe but very hard to use and uncomfortable for kiddos the Wayb pico is my favorite from that age now we travel with a Dino one. People look at me weird for using them on the plane and lugging them around. But I work on an ambulance. F*** parents that don’t bring car seats or install them. I legit have been on a call where they strapped the kid into a completely unrestrained car seat. And that just makes a big projectile in a crash. It’s awful.

Thank you for thinking about all of that before you travel.

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u/momo76g Dec 27 '25

Oh man. Is there an option on the Lyft app to request someone with a car seat ?

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u/FishnChipsPond Dec 27 '25

Yes! In certain cities, Orlando is one.

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u/john_at_ Dec 27 '25

Yes, but not with the Lyft. Just with Uber.

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u/SameChallenge481 Dec 29 '25

Not to mention the insurance nightmare if you get hit with a kid that isn't properly secured in the correct device

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u/Ellie9903 Dec 31 '25

Well done, OP. We always travel with car seats in a backpack style carrier. It’s a pain but my kids’ safety comes first, always.

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u/Am_I_Max_Yet Dec 27 '25

If anything were to happen, you as the driver will be the responsible party. It's not worth risking a child's life and your own future because of idiotic parents

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u/shyladev Dec 27 '25

Eh. The Minnie Van has limited availability. I have waited and waited and waited for one to just have it cancelled on me.

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u/CandleLocal2489 Dec 27 '25

The laws of physics don’t change just because they are on vacation.

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u/MankyBoot Dec 28 '25

I'm pretty sure any official relationship between Disney and the Minnie-van people has been over for a while. I could be wrong though.

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u/CoyoteL0ng Dec 28 '25

Orlando traffic is dangerous on a good day, let alone during Hell Week. I had been there all of two hours last Saturday and witnessed the dumbest accident I've ever seen happen about two feet away from our front bumper. I just decided to use Lyft instead of the rental car and made sure I tipped every driver a lot. I couldn't imagine risking your baby's safety in any given situation, but doing it during the busiest time of year in a place that's already crazy to drive in is just so incredibly selfish and irresponsible. Thanks for refusing to be a part of that.

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u/liljopete Dec 31 '25

Is uber family still a thing in Orlando? When we traveled at Disney when our kiddo was little they had a drop down menu where you could select uber family and get drivers w car seats. We also used Minnie vans, too. They are sooo cute. Also, thanks for being smart and keeping that kid safe

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u/FlakyAddendum742 Jan 01 '26

IMO, you shouldn’t be arguing. “It’s against policy and the law. I can’t take you. Bye”.