Hiya Monica,
Welcome to planDisney! Are you excited about Halloween?! Who am I kidding? You are probably way more excited about your upcoming vacation. I know how important getting those last-minute details squared away is, so I'm honored to be a part of your planning journey.
As a new mom, I am amazed and slightly overwhelmed by the number of items I need just to go to the grocery store, let alone to Disney. Not worrying about a car seat can save you the wait for oversized luggage at the terminal. Typically when I visit Disneyland Resort, I prefer to rent a car, but since you mentioned not wanting to bring your little one's car seat, that is probably not the best (or most cost-effective) option. While I wish Disneyland Resort had transportation that could get you to the parks, they do not offer transportation from John Wayne Airport. The only
option that would allow you to leave the car seat at home is the Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA). While the OCTA is cost-effective, and you wouldn't have to pack the car seat, I don't recommend it in this scenario. There are quite a few transfers and walking involved to get from the airport to Disneyland Resort using OCTA, and with a 1 ½ year old, that can get quite cumbersome, especially after flying. The better choice for you would probably be the Karmel Shuttle or rideshare. They do require a car seat for your little one, but it would save you the additional walking and transfers.
I wish there were a better choice, Monica, but I hope this was still helpful. Please come back and see us if you need anything else!
Happy Planning,
Ashley F.