backpack baby carrier or stroller??

[annabelle]

We're going to WDW this June (myself, DH and our 9 yo, 4 yo and 19 mo).
We're not sure how to transport our younger kiddos around the park though. We have a Combi Ultra Savvy which would be nice, light and compact for travel - great padding, large canopy and full recline for naps too. I was thinking we'd use the Combi for the baby and rent a stroller for the 4 yo (who gets tired after an hour walking around the mall).

DH wants to bring the Combi for the 4 yo and put the baby on his back with a hiking backpack baby carrier. We're looking to purchase this one:
http://store.babycenter.com/product/gear/carriers_backpacks_slings/backpacks/4923

It's pretty heavy, complex and has lots of nooks and crannies (great for storage though). I have mixed feelings about it... LOVE the concept, but not sure it's great for WDW. DH is used to hiking with 45lbs on his back... so the mountain boy comes out in him when I dispute his abilities to carry our daughter around all day on his back at Disney World. Mind you, it would be our daughter PLUS other gear stored on the carrier too. The carrier alone (empty) seemed pretty heavy to me. I can't imagine on a hot humid day how one would deal with that. I personally would rather PUSH that weight vs have it on DH's back. Our daughter would be able to nap better laid back in a stroller anyway. I will admit though that she DOES love to be a monkey on
daddy's back with our other carrier (which is basic - no canopy or storage).

But I was also thinking about praciticalities... when our daughter isn't in it, we'll have to lug the baby carrier into rides or shows with us whereas with a stroller, you just "park it". Also, our daughter won't want to be in it ALL day, she'll want to walk some or maybe ride in the stroller... then what do you do with the carrier? It's too big to attach to the stroller... and so I guess Dh will have to carry it around empty.

Has anyone used one of these at WDW? I know they're great for hikes... but WDW??

Thanks...
Annabelle

 

[Boo Mc]

I can't imagine carrying a 19 month around in that all day. It'd be way to hot for me and I would think uncomfortable for the baby(for long periods or long naps). Just my opinion of course. Plus you're right about carrying it around empty. Do you hapen to have a double stroller or can you borrow one? I think that would be your best option. Then if both kids aren't in it you can put your purse/backpack/souvenirs in it. We still take a stroller for our DD (just turned 6). We spend long days at the parks and it's just easier to let her ride in it for a bit here and there rather than have her exhausted and cranky. Plus when it's crowded I just feel better knowing exactly where she is. Good luck!
P.S. Welcome to the DIS!

 

[maja36]

My little guy is now 14 mos and we're going to wdw in february. DH is staying in hotel area (pop) with him, while I go with dd (6 yrs) into parks. When dd was small, I carried her in backpack all over b/c she hated the stroller. If your little one doesn't mind the stroller, then do it that way instead. If you really consider a backpack, then look into Kelty backpack carriers. I have one which is good for up to 45 lbs, and they are great on the back. They have hood attachment if wanted and backpack for storage right on the carrier which zips off. What I do when I carry both backpack and stroller is I attach the b.p. to the stroller handlebars when baby is in stroller. Sometimes kids fuss and if your little one doesn't mind the stroller, then do it that way. Plus, June is pretty hot. Your dh would probably enjoy the trip better with out the added weight. And without the added expense.

 

[tjmw2727]

When the girls were young both dh and I loved to walk and hike with them in the backpack. That said, I can't imagine using one at Disney simply because of the "in and out" factor. You walk a few yards and then onto a ride or attraction, not much long walking before stopping for something so do or see. I personally would not be happy taking baby on and off my back that many times and they really don't offer many good places to do it.

When my youngest was 15mos and oldest was 3 we used a double umbrella side by side but I also used a sling for baby. This was nice as dh or I could carry the baby in the sling even in the lines and on some of the rides. A stroller or packpack would not be allowed in the lines.

MY sil has a nice umbrella side by side with a canope that reclines about 3/4 of the way. Its easy to fold and get on/off the bus and both kids are comfy. Check out a sling or front carrier for when baby dosen't want to be in the stroller or getting through lines. That combination was ideal for us.

HTH
TJ

 

[DisneyPhD]

OK, our very 1st trip to WDW with a baby we took a back pack stroller by Instep. It wasn't very expensive, (around $50). DD was 9 months old. It was GREAT for us. It was the only stroller we had, but it was fine. She loved being it, and when the need arose we just converted it to back pack and strapped it on. (we even got rather good at doing it with baby in it, but it took both us of to be sure her feet didn't get caught in it.)

We also took it to the beach when she was 15 months old and walking. It worked good then too. She was a tiny short baby though, I don't think it would work as well with a older baby who was very hevey and had long legs. (they can drag.)

Our next trip DD was too big for it (almost 2 years old) and we invested in a combi travel savy DX. DD loved this stroller and called it her Disney World stroller. We loved it too. We got 3 more trips to WDW out of it and countless ones around town and other vacations.

So now we are aproching the same problem as you. We know what to do with one child, but 2 is a whole new story. We bought a peg pergo aira twin and I really like it. The plan was to bring it to WDW for both the baby and almost 4 year old to use.

However I am wondering if we should bring the combi and the back pack stroller instead. Either way I am condisdering brining the back pack stroller in addtion since it doesn't take up much room. Haven't decided yet. However baby right now is that age that she likes being upright, but can't do it herself so great so the back pack is perfect, it holds her up and she can see great.

(It would be a shame to spend the 300 on the peg and not use it, so I am guessing it is coming with us too, however I think the combi and back pack stroller would work fine, don't tell hubby, he will kill me for getting the $300 stroller.)

So to sum up, I would do a pack back stroller, but not just the carrier. Too big of a pain to deal with when you aren't using it. I am going to try to find a link for you to see what the Instep stroller looks like.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Here is a link, I got it at burlington baby deopot, but you can get it at many places for around $50. We really loved it. Infact it was our very favorite baby thing. The more I think about it, the more I think we will bring it, along with either the combi or the double.

http://www.tinyride.com/InStep-Stroller-Backpack-P122.aspx

 

[annabelle]

I'm so glad there are others who agree that the backpack carrier thing would be a pain. I need to send this link to DH!

I love the Aria Twin... actually having a double stroller period would be nice. But we've gotten away w/o one for so long that I'm not going to spend lots of $$ on one now - just for Disney.

I think we'll end up bringing our Combi Ultra Savvy and renting a single for our 4 yo.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I'm so glad there are others who agree that the backpack carrier thing would be a pain. I need to send this link to DH!

I love the Aria Twin... actually having a double stroller period would be nice. But we've gotten away w/o one for so long that I'm not going to spend lots of $$ on one now - just for Disney.

I think we'll end up bringing our Combi Ultra Savvy and renting a single for our 4 yo.

I really thought we could get away with out a double stroller. I really don't like the ever popular duo gilder, so big and bulky. After all DD was walking everywhere before the baby was born. However everytime we get the single stroller out for the baby DD wants to ride too. And there is so much walking around WDW we couldn't do it with out one. What gets me is she wants to stroll going from the car to the store and other small places. Oh well.

Good luck.

 

[mkutch]

I've tried the baby carrier and the stroller. TOO HOT for the carrier - I sweat like a pig. We have the graco double stroller and it was great! Yes it is big but both kids could take naps in them AND it wasn't much bigger than our single stroller folded up. I have seen people with the carrier you are talking about - I just don't get its practicallity Less is more at Disney world with kids. You have enough stuff to lug around!

 

[wfloyd]

We always use a backpack right now. DS is just over 20 months old. We have found that it gets him up high enough so that he can see everything going on. As for him sleeping, he seems comfortable and he has no problem sleeping.

We don't have any problems on the rides. Normally we keep him in the backpack and put it on the seat next to us. That also puts him up higher so he can see the rides as well.

I usually don't have any problems carrying him around. I just make sure to drink alot. Although running is a little more difficult.

Carrying him in the backpack also means that we don't keep hitting other people that stop in front of us.

 

[henrylovespooh]

Skip the carrier. Your DH's back will be killing him and it will be a pain to repeatedly take the baby in and out of it. Go with stroller and you won't be sorry.

 

[estherhead]

When we took two kids to wdw we did a double stroller and a carrier. It did take dh and I to do it but it gave us total freedom. When walking about we had the carrier, when going on rides we put it in the double stroller. If you're afraid of it getting stolen, just take a bicycle lock and lock it all together. There are lots of times at Disney you are doing straight walking (parking lots/getting to World Showcase) and it is awfully nice to move quickly. A carrier helps with that.

 

[annabelle]

Yes... we were thinking about bringing the comfy stroller from home for the baby (it's small and lighweight).... then ALSO having the carrier for when our 4 yo wants to ride - she could ride and the baby would go in the carrier.

I just don't know what to do with the carrier when the baby's not riding in it. Keep it empty on DH's back? Somehow attach it to the stroller? The big one we were thinking of getting is about the same weight as the stroller itself - so it wouldn't be feasible to attach it. But the light one we have at home, which is bare bones (no canopy, pockets, zippers, storage, etc) could be attached with some amateur rigging. Maybe that could be the route we take. If we have the stroller w/us, we won't need the storage space since we'll have the stroller basket plus a big pocket on the canopy.
I just need to sell this scenario to DH. He's a backpacker - trail kinda guy. I think he was needing an excuse to "upgrade" his backpack collection. If we just used what we've got, I think we would save some hassle PLUS $100 for the new carrier!