LA with 1yr old

[fitnfortyone]

We're going to LA in Feb, will be based at the airport so at the moment don't plan on hiring a car as I know we can get places by public transport from there.
However, not having been there with child before, what are the rule re public transport and babies/car seats etc? We may be going on a group minibus outing to Disney - but have heard that car seats won't fit here due to lap belts? How about cabs?

Is there anything worth doing at Disney with a 1yr old? HAve tried to look on the website but tbh, it's so unuser friendly for age/height restrictions I gave up after 3 or 4 browses. Is Universal any better (have only been to the Florida ones and that was 8 yrs ago so memory very vague!)

Also, is there an Americanisation for Travel Cot or is that the same as the UK translation?

Warning that LAX is a ghastly airport and make you queue for hours. One tip we were given was to ask the staff if you can go to the front because of the baby. We were embarrassed to do it but were encouraged to by our fellow passengers. The staff don't bat an eyelid.

Thanks Elvira, won't get the chance to do San Diego this trip, did it a couple of years ago and loved it, but really really really don't want to hire a car to do the drive down there - am fine with the car, just hate having the panic at knowing where to take the exits on freeways! DH only passed his test this year so I wouldn't trust him to drive on the other side of the road yet

catweazle, do you mean the check in queues or to get through security? Checkin shouldn't be a prob as have preallocated seats and BA pushes everyone towards online or self service, and from memory few other airlines use that terminal so hope it isn't too busy. Thanks for the tip though, I may play pushy mom if things get fraught

I think your last paragraph referred to Heathrow. The UK end should be without too many problems, LAX airport on the other hand can be awful.

I've been through LAX a number of times - both the arrival into and departure from can be an endurance test. Long queues at check in and unsmiling security staff who all have shouty voices seem to be the order of the day.

I have seen immigration staff take pity on mums/families with babies in arrivals there, you may be lucky and get escorted by them to the front of the immigration line.

Have you completed your immigration forms online?. The US are starting their new ESTA (electronic travel authorisation) scheme from January 12.

TBH I would also consider hiring a car (you just need a decent roadmap outlining the exits on freeways; all exits are numbered so you need to remember those. Public transport in LAX does exist but you'll go a long way in a long time).

You may find reading this website as well useful (and its quicker than the bus):-

www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/images/rail_map.pdf