Baby carrier ?

[robinsegg]

Hi!
We're planning to go to WDW after Thanksgiving, 2010. We'll have our (then) 10yo, 8yo and 17mo children with us. We're currently not using our stroller much, instead using an all-cloth baby carrier. If we continue using the carrier between now and then (and I'm comfortable carrying baby in it for a number of hours, when needed), would you recommend planning to use the carrier or getting a stroller?
Thanks!

 

[malibuconlee]

How big is your little one? I never did have one of the carriers you are talking about. We did finally start using our front to back carrier, but even the last time we used it DH was talking about how heavy she is. I think sometime soon we are going to invest in one of the backpacks he can put her in for hiking when we are camping and things like that.

Our daughter was at 25 lbs at a year tho, so on the big side (95%).

I'd go with a stroller especially because otherwise you'll have to carry the baby and a diaper bag all day.

Have a fun trip!!

 

[Dawncala]

I say a stroller. It gives you a place to carry more than just your toddler. (diaper bag, purchases, possibly the 8 year old) Personally, at 17 months, my daughter was too heavy to carry around for 10 to 12 hours of heavy Disney walking.

Another thought is to consider... you'll be taking your toddler in and out to go on rides. How easy is it to load and unload that soft carrier?

The plus to a soft carrier is that your child will not have to look at butts all day. ;-)

Have a great trip!

 

[Erica09M]

I have a Beco Butterfly II carrier and I absolutely love it! It's so comfortable and I can carry my little one for a long period of time. It distributes the weight soooo well, and I can be hands free. I'm not hands free when I'm pushing around a stroller!

I'd maybe have a plan for doing both? You don't want to get down there with only one option, so having both options available might be better for you.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

I'd also agree with both if you can. We do the Ergo and our stroller and it works great for us. The stroller is wonderful because it can carry things (including stuff for your older kids), and it's also wonderful because if we can get our baby to sleep in that instead of the carrier, it allows DH and I to take turns on other rides during the nap, rather than the one carrying the baby being more "out" during naptime... at least for riding things with a height restriction. When DD1 was 15 months and we were at Disneyland, we'd Ergo her for the first hour or two while we went on LOTS of Fantasyland rides... one then the other then another one. We left the stroller in one spot during that time and didn't have to waste time moving it around. Once our frenzy was over, we'd do the stroller so that she could hop in and out and walk around a bit, and then switch later as the day went on.

 

[bumbershoot]

We've only been to DLR with a wearable kidlet, but since we never owned a stroller until he was about 2.5, and that was only for exercise or disney, I think I can sort of speak to this.

At 17 months I used the meitai, and that was great at DLR. Sure, I had a roll of fabric at my waist when he was out, but oh well. We did have a rental stroller at the parks we went to on that trip.

The following year, I used the Ergo with a back carry, and that was brilliant! Love the Ergo. Not as easy for me to pop him in and out (my joints went to pieces during pregnancy and he was probably 4 by the time I could trust elbows, wrists, knees, hips again) but I had people with me to help with that. We also had the rental stroller along.

Since then we've had things taken from our stroller...so we leave NOTHING in the stroller anymore, so using it as a packmule isn't something we do.

But still, I'd have a stroller and either a nice mei tai or an Ergo/Beco, and bounce between the two, based on kidlet's and your needs!

 

[Keri]

I'm planning on both. Even last year when DD was 8 months I used both, but primarily the Ergo -- I just kept her on me on the rides & that was FANTASTIC. I loved that she couldn't squirm away so I could relax more. She rode in the stroller some, but mostly my 4 year old used that.

This year my darling husband managed to DONATE our Ergo (So.Freakin'.MAD.STILL. I was going to use it AND I could have sold it!!!) so I'll be borrowing one from a friend and taking the stroller. I'd agree w/the previous poster I'll likely use the Ergo more in the am when we are busy and later pm when she is tired, but I feel like I'll still need the stroller as well (but she's a BIG girl, like 33" and 27 lbs at 17 months). Last year she was about 17 lbs & I wore her 10ish hours a day. I don't think even in the Ergo I can manage 10 lbs more that much!!

 

[DentalDana]

I agree with those that said both. I'm brining my Ergo carrier and my double stroller. YDS will be almost 8mo old when we go and it will be great for bringing him onto rides and for the bus rides to and from the parks.

 

[Vility]

i totally agree with the ergo and our stroller.
i loved having a place to keep my crap.

 

[robinsegg]

Thanks! I have a Mobywrap and love it! I may plan to have a back-up plan to rent a stroller when we feel the need. As far as carrying things . . . I'm planning to have each older child have a small pack, hubby and I have a small pack each, and we can get a locker. However, since we plan to stay on-restort, we'll plan to send any purchases on to our resort.

Thanks again for all your answers! Will keep an eye out for more replies!

 

[robinsegg]

I forgot to answer about "how easy is it to take child in/out of carrier" question. It's actually *very* easy! I basically need to move the fabric once and lift her out
Thanks again!