Harness My 2-Year Old at WDW???

[kittymarcy]

Hi. My 2-year old has started to boycott his stroller. I'm all for letting him roam free, but not in the summer crowds of disney - and not while I am also chasing his 4-year old brother around.

I don't want to start a debate on the rights / wrongs of using a harness, but has anyone had personal experience with this - good or bad? And which is better...the wrist one or the one that goes around their upper body??? Will this even work?

 

[flipflop]

I prefer the one that goes on the upper body. I would still plan on bringing the stroller b/c your 2 year old (and likely your 4 year old) will run out of steam.

 

[katieandallycat]

When we went our DD was 7, and we did a vest harness. She is autistic and doesn't always answer to her name and doesn't always want to hold hands. Worked great, and I didn't care what people thought, I didn't want the panic of losing my kid. Although I did feel better when I saw a couple other kids like Ally with harness' on.
I would definately bring an unbrella stroller, your 4 year old might need it and it's a lot easier to get your gear around (i.e. sippy cups, wipes, diapers, water, snacks).

 

[TinkerValkyrie]

My 1.5 year old won't tolerate a harness. He's very independent and likes to roam, but he doesn't like being restrained in any way.

I'd say if your son tolerates it, then go for it, but if he's like my son it's just not happening.

 

[kittymarcy]

Thanks for your input. Trust me, I'm bringing a stroller too! I almost was going to bring 2 umbrella strollers, but with my 2-year old wanting to roam around so much now, I think one will be enough. And if both boys fall asleep, then we should go back to the hotel anyway and let them rest properly.

 

[crisi]

We did it when our kids were 2 and 3. We were there during a fairly uncrowded period of time. I have one darter and one dwaddler, so keeping track of two when one daydreams her way through life while the other goes at a sprint is always a challenge.

Here is what we discovered. The first day we really used them - and needed to. By day three, our kids had discovered Disney is facinating, but it was also big and scary and easy to lose Mom. My kids do better hanging close at Disney than pretty much anywhere. I think they are nice to have, but you may discover you need it less than you think you will (but, of course, all kids are different, you may need it all the time).

Tip - use a "short leash" - don't think you are going to give your kid extra freedom via a "long leash" - someone will trip over it and you and kid and stranger will all end up in a pile on the pavement. Keep the leash short enough so someone running to get into the Splash Mountain line can't dart between you. This may make the leash less tolerable to your child (and may mean holding hands is actually what you do). I liked the harnesses.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

There is a long thread on harnesses/leashes on this board where you might get more opinions.

Personally I used them when my kids were little. I would rather keep kids safe than worry about what some stranger might think.

Oops -- I meant to include the link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1535173

 

[tidblgrrer]

Our boys liked the secure feeling they had with the harness. We gave them a choice : Stroller, harness or hand at all times Even at 2 they went for that. Of course as the day went on -- the stroller got more use.

We have used both kinds and found that the wrist one allowed them to twist and twirl around too much in the crowds and get too far away. I also second that "short" leash statement.

We told them when they exited the hotel room they had to make a choice and tell us when they wanted to switch options.

This strategy has gotten us through many trips and never a lost child on any vacation including Disney.

 

[all4fun]

Yup, we used one too when ds was 2 and 3. He was a runner and didn't like to hold hands (we're talking ultra resistant). He did great in the harness and go figure, would even hold our hand when he was in it! I guess he realized at that point he was't going anywhere. lol Oh, and we had bought it when he was about 1-1/2 and he didn't like it at all so I put it away for a while but after he turned two I decided to try it again just before a trip and for some reason it had become OK. Go figure.

Oh and I think the harness type are better just for the simple reason that if the child falls or pulls hard on it they aren't going to dislocate anything.

hth

 

[Hannathy]

Be prepared to only hear positive because everyone who is against them is tired of getting flamed for expressing our opinions. I hate them,have never and will never use them and hate seeing kids in them. I have taken kids of all different ages to Disney and many, many other busy places all over the country and never used them. So that is my opinion I wouldn't use one, especially for older non-special needs kids.

 

[kittymarcy]

There is a long thread on harnesses/leashes on this board where you might get more opinions.

Wow - I had no idea it was such a hot topic! Thank you all for your honest opinions. Please, no flaming here. I just want to know if it worked for you or not. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but let's stay "disney" about it all...like we have so far.

Thanks!

 

[snugglepeas]

I think that in a big place like disney world it's better to worry more about your children's safety than to think about the occasional rolling of the eyes from someone that has never been in your shoes, that being said I plan to bring our chest harness for my daughter when we go in october.

 

[disneyworldmom2]

We used the harness type when our DD was younger. I thought it was more important to give her a little freedom while keeping her safe, than to worry about what other people thought. The bottom line, do what's best for you and your children. (We didn't use the wrist one, because she knew how to take it off, and would do that, not to get away from me, but because she was 2 and she could!)

Enjoy!

 

[Michelle1123]

We use a harness on my 20 month daughter in busy public places. I feel if you love your dog enough to put it on a leash, why not do the same for your child?

I like the upper body ones better. They even make cute ones that look like backpacks!

 

[CruisinEars]

When my now 9 year old son was 16 months we took him to WDW in July, so busy time. We used a harness everyday. It was wonderful not to have to worry about him getting lost or taken. He had no problem with it and it is great peace of mind. I even used it in the airport during crowds. I never got any bad looks and I see nothing wrong with them. It is for safety. Btw, my son has had no lasting effects of wearing a harness.