Babywearing in WDW?

[mommy-on-the-move]

I'm in the UK, visiting WDW in August with my 4 kids, DH and I don't use a stroller- we've always used slings and carriers for our kids. We're currently anticipating the need to carry DS1 and DD4 (DS5 and DD10 perfectly capable of dealing with the walking- we're a non-car owning family so they walk alot of miles in a week)

Just looking for other people with experience of babywearing in disney?

Any particular carrier or wrap you'd recommend (at present our 2 preferred carriers are a freehand mei tai and babyhawk mei tai) for in the heat?

(we carry them alot so the endurance part doesn't bother me- just the heat aspect as being Ukers we're not used to it!)

 

[becca011906]

I carried my dd when she was 13 months old while we were there in the Sept. heat it was HOT i used the stroller though when she was sleeping or getting to hot. If you don't own a stroller and you are coming from the UK i'd seriously think about renting a stroller probably a doulbe. the heat in FL is HOT and HUMID what time of year are you comming? There is NO way i could imagine going w/o our stroller for dd who's 3 1/2 now she's 34# and hasn't been in a carrier for almost a year... Also children at the age of 3/4 like to be able to get up and walk often while at disney... in and out of and trying to get them out of a MT quickly while in lines to get onto rides isn't goin to be easy either... have you looked at more struture carriers like a Ergo ...
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

also you can check out babywearer.com for some more ideas....

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Thanks for that!

I shall definately try over at TBW - I can't get along with structured carriers, the clips and everything, just never seem to get the right "fit" - which is why i prefer MT or wrap, more room for tweaking. I'm alot quicker with the freehand than with an ergo (actually I'm kind of like a circus act with a beco/ergo/connecta type carrier LOL)

The strollers I've seen pictures of look quite difficult to handle- are they difficult to manouvre around parks when it's busy?

We're visiting the first 2 weeks of august. DD4 is a teeny little thing and DH is still very used to carrying her (i on the other hand get DS1 who is quite the chunky little man LOL)

 

[chrisw127]

I second the Ergo, particularly for an older child. The Maya Wrap is especially useful in hot weather.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We were there last month and I used a Beco w/ my 2yo (he's about 30-32lbs) when he wasn't in his stroller.

We did bring a stroller and he used it as his primary transport. We used the Beco when he wanted to nap. I do have a Babyhawk Mei Tai but borrowed the Beco for the trip because if felt that I would be able to use the buckles on the go a bit easier than the MT...and I was right! But that is me...you've already said how you prefer the MT.

In addition to the stroller and the Beco we also purchased a monkey backpack that has a leash for a tail. This is not something that we needed w/ dd when she was ds' age... but ds is a bolter... and sneaky about it!!! It really was a lifesaver even though ds looks like he was wearing liederhosen in all our pictures.

All three options (carrier, stroller and leash/backpack) were definitely needed at different times...and between those three and ds' obsession w/ trains.... they kept him a happy guy while we were in the parks.

HTH

 

[ldo]

cheap umbrella--under $20 at Walmart, etc. (at WDW and Disney stores they are $45--so get one ahead of time). THey fold easily to hop on trams, boats, etc. Skinny, light, and easy to use, even in big crowds. Plus, you can hang a backpack on it. Also, you do have an option of putting baby in stroller, esp. if it gets too hot. I really think if you try a small umbrella--you will love it for WDW. I used one for my teeny 6.5 yr old!

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Thanks everyone for such swift replies!

I did wonder how overwhelming the heat would be for carrying- so by the sound of it the cheap umbrella stroller will be a consideration (we're doing 12 days in parks so hiring would work out alot pricier than buying)

I had a backpack w/leash for my eldest son- both girls never wandered but ds5 was like houdini LOL

thanks everyone for the replies.

Are the buses ok with strollers? (also, really paranoid question here, what happens if you miss the last bus at night- if it's full? Do they send more buses to get everyone to hotels? or are the hotels walkable safely? we're stayed at ASmo i think- family are booking as we're in a big party)

 

[GoinToDisney]

Yes, really I couldn't imagine going without a stroller. I think that babywearing is wonderful, but if it will make everyone uncomfortable, it's not worth it... at least not full time. I would still bring carriers so you have options. Even when you are carrying the kids, you can put your backpack in the stroller and get a break. Babies R Us has some cheap umbrella strollers. It's not just the walking that is exhausting at Disney. It's the heat and humidity and going in and out of air conditioning all day that really wipes you out. I woudn't be surprised if the grown ups wished they could ride in a stroller, let alone the kids.

You might look into solarveil carriers. I am not sure what is available and the weights that they can carry, but you should be able to figure that out on TBW. Those ladies are awesome. Personally, I am bringing my Ergo and a piece of fabric to tie into a sling for when my 3.5 yo falls asleep and I need to carry her. I like options, so we also got a Maclaren quest from albee baby for $120 which holds up to 55 pounds (I think) and will recline if dd falls asleep.

 

[bunnyscootles]

Have you heard of http://www.gypsymama.com/bali.htm ?
She's got a BBB (Bali Baby Breeze) that's super light weight and breathable. I know mom's that wrap all summer in those. It's pretty supportive as well.

TBW is excellent for advice as well, there are already a couple WDW threads there already

 

[solgent]

We took our youngest to WDW 6 times in her first 1.5 years. (We lived in Miami then.) I carried her (or sometimes DH carried her) in the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder sling that we used at home. For us the sling was lots easier than folding up and unfolding and parking and retrieving and steering a stroller.

Our older girls were 4 years old at the time and they walked throughout WDW. We carried them once, when we stayed out late for the fireworks. They fell asleep while waiting for the bus to the parking lot. So you might not need to carry your 4yo.

However, it also depends how quickly you're trying to move. We were OK with going at the kids' pace, but if you want to cover more ground, a stroller for the little ones can be helpful.

 

[Ariel8676]

In August it will be really hot..we go that time every year, but i still manage to get some babywearing time in..lol Although i used my babyhawk..it was really only at night. Last year i brought a babyhawk, a sloarveil ring sling and a solarweave Connecta ( which are made in the UK) It is a like a SSC with buckles..but doesn't have a stiff waistband, so more like a Mei Tei.
I also recommend TBW, and you can find some great deals on gently used carriers in the FSOT board.
As for a stroller, i would defintitely bring one..and make sure it has a sun shade, the sun in August can be brutal...I always feel bad when i see these little babies all sunburnt, or in a stroller with no sun protection..last year i saw a baby whose feet were so burnt they were swollen..ANYWAY ( i tend to ramble) you will be fine with a stroller on the busses!!

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

thanks everyone

I suspected august would be worst for weather heat wise- It sounds like it would definately worth bringing a shade-a-babe with me for a stroller then to keep the sun off when napping etc.

I shall have to get my backside over to TBW and do some research on lighter fabrics for in the heat then! (always a good excuse to sling shop LOL)

 

[iu97alum]

Good luck! It will be hot so remember that. Solarveil/Solarweave are good cool summer fabrics!

 

[nascar-j]

I would strongly recommend the unbrella stroller at Wal Mart. The heat AND humidity in August will really wear you down. I'm from the Midwest where we have similar summers. I have friends from the UK (Portsmouth) They have a very hard time with 95 degrees and 95% humidity here in August... One or the other is manageable. Both can be rough... especially for your kids.

j

 

[nascar-j]

I would strongly recommend the unbrella stroller at Wal Mart. The heat AND humidity in August will really wear you down. I'm from the Midwest where we have similar summers. I have friends from the UK (Portsmouth) They have a very hard time with 95 degrees and 95% humidity here in August... One or the other is manageable. Both can be rough... especially for your kids.

j

 

[lpoeppelman]

We were at MK on an unusually hot day in the upper 90's with an infant. We purchased a water bottle sprayer and it kept everyone from getting overheated. I never thought I'd own one, but it was lifesaving that day. Otherwise, I don't think we would have lasted. I would highly suggest one. They sell them in the park.

 

[lpoeppelman]

We were at MK on an unusually hot day in the upper 90's with an infant. We purchased a water bottle sprayer and it kept everyone from getting overheated. I never thought I'd own one, but it was lifesaving that day. Otherwise, I don't think we would have lasted. I would highly suggest one. They sell them in the park.