Have you ever used a toddler harness in Disney?

[chipper10]

Of course on all of our previous trips, DH and I swore that when we had kids we would never put them on a leash. But now that we have DS we are thinking differently. I don't think DS will like/tollerate being in his stroller all the time, and he loves to run. So we were thinking that this harness thing might be a good idea. If we do get one, I want to try to find one the is more like a backpack for DS.

Have you ever used one in Disney? How was your experience with it? DS will be 21 months when we go.

 

[wifey1220]

We used one when DS was 1, 2, and 3. It made it very easy to keep track of him. he didn't want to hold hands because he wanted to touch everything. Touch the characters, decorations, and stuff in stores. when he was 3 we weren't going to use it but he wanted it on. I am not taking it this year. There were lots of people in disney w/ their kids on a leash and alot of people said " I need one those, can I buy one on prperty" We bought ours at walmart. I even used it for my older son when we did the parks alone. DS 5 was on leash and I carried DS2. I needed 2 hands to carry the 2 yr old so the leash made it easy to keep track of the 5yr old.

 

[dani blaski]

My DS's babysitter has a harness for her little boy, 1.5 yrs old. She swears by it because he will try to run away and not hold hands when they are out. And the kids get frustrated sitting in a stroller all of the time. Although she has never been to WDW, she says it is helpful in public places. Hope this helps!

 

[LisaNJ25]

nope,not even on my trip last year with 2 toddlers

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Nope. We don't use them. If it makes you feel better to use one then go ahead. I think though with 2 adults and one child you will be fine without one though. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Minniemouse07]

When we went to the parks w/ dd (now almost 7yo) at 17mo and 28mo she never needed one. She was quite happy to hold our hands when not in the stroller and content to hang w/ mom and dad.

Ds...he is a totally different kid. We knew before we even left that he was just wired differently and would absolutely need a harness.

We picked up one of those monkey backpack ones at Walmart (~$10) and it was a godsend. Ds had all the freedom he needed w/o us having him bolt at the drop of a hat. He turned 2yo during our trip in December.

It really depends on your child. Like I said, we didn't even think of using one w/ dd but it was essential for ds.

 

[NJtoATL]

YES!!!! A few years ago, I was trying to get my cousin to buy one for her son. While we were discuss the very issue at the mall. Her son managed to run away from us. We were none the wiser that he had left us in Victoria Secret's and he was in the mall wandering around. Another customer informed us that he was out in the mall. She saw him leave us. His actions warrant a need for a harness. He was about 18- 20 months at the time.

 

[ADAMANDLISA]

I just purchased one from Toys R Us...it's a small backpack. We bought it specifically for Disney, but pulled it out for a walk the other day to "practice". My 2 year old LOVED it. He keeps asking to wear his backpack and hands me the leash. I've already been made fun of by my brother-in-law, but then again, they don't even strap their 3 and 18 month olds into car seats.

 

[Jajone]

We just returned from out trip over Easter with DS21 months. I knew from the start he would not like his stroller and he likes to be very independent. We purchased the "monkey" from Walmart and is was a godsend. He used it exclusively except for a few forced into the stroller kicking and screaming moments. We never needed it with my 2 older kids, but he was different. It is so easy for them to let go of your hand (even with 2 parents). He would not have been happy holding our hand either. The harness allows them to get exercise and feel independent by not holding hands. We use it all the time now.

 

[stacy6552]

We used the Hands Free Harness when both our boths were about that age.

 

[b.head2008]

My mom put me in one when we went when i was a baby, and i hate it for her now (i dont really hate her) pictures looked horrible, so i do not recommend it...

 

[Minniemouse07]

My mom put me in one when we went when i was a baby, and i hate it for her now (i dont really hate her) pictures looked horrible, so i do not recommend it...

Yup, ds looks like he is wearing lederhosen (sp?) in all our photos...but we also didn't chase him all over property which would have been the alternative w/o the harness!

 

[dogodisney]

It has to be your personal preference and what is best for you and your son.

I had one for my DGD when we went to Dusney in "06. She was 2 1/2 at the time and I was afraid of her getting lost in the crowds. We only put it on her once though because when we did she started barking.

 

[marieNJkitty]

We used one last year when our son was 18 months. I liked that he had the freedom to move around and we didn't have to worry about him running in the crowds.

 

[PrincessRora]

My sister swore she would never use one when my niece was first born. However, she started walking at 10 months, hates being in the stroller for too long, cries or drops to the floor when she has to hold hands, and when she doesn't want to be carried, she wriggles until you put her down. Last night was my graduation party. She made dart after dart towards the door whenever it was open and there were tons of adults around to watch her. No, she never got far, but it was frustrating to have to continuously run after her. We will definitely be purchasing a baby harness before we go to Disney. We're thinking about either the walmart one or we saw one at babies R us that was a purse and when she's older, the leash detaches and she can use it as a toy.

 

[eisforpants]

When we go, we are going to leash our child. We will still make him hold our hand or get in the umbrella stroller, but I consider the leash as a second line of defense. I don't really like it when people leash their kids and then the leash is stretched out as far as it can go, and the child is pulling on it like a dog on a chain. But, what happens if it is very crowded and he's holding our hand looking at something, I turn to Daddy and say something to him and our son lets go and bolts? I can either have a momentary panic, or know that he's only going to get a couple of feet before I have to reel him in? I'll take the stares over losing my child, even for a second, anytime.

 

[caroline1851]

I wouldn't think you would need one with 2 adults to one child. I had one for my son when he was 2, it wasn't that usefull because if he started to run off, i didn't want to tug on it, because he's not a dog, so it was kind of pointless for me, i guess.

 

[turtlegirl1]

I bought the monkey style for my DS for our trip in August, he'll be nearly 2. DH is completely against "putting a leash on our kids", but I know that DS will not tolerate being strapped in the stroller all day - he'd rather be pushing the stroller!! And when he's free in a place wiht lots of stuff going on, he runs. We've been "practicing" with it, in the hopes he'll be completely used to it by August. The way I look at it is I'd rather have my child on a "leash" and safe than lost. I cannot imagine the terror I'd feel if I lost my child...

 

[Avonlady1001]

YES! YES! YES! We used one in Disney when DD was 2. She is a VERY well behaved child, and usually will hold hands...but IN DISNEY, there is too much going on. Too many distractions that make her pull her hand away & run off. We used it as a backup...a "just in case."

This year, she's 3 1/2, and refuses to hold our hands...she's very independent. We're bringing it w/ us this time, but we'll see how she is. If she won't stay w/ us, she'll be wearing it & don't give a HOOT about other people's opinions.

Some people in other threads mentioned that the backpack ones may be too hot for Disney. Just a thought. We got ours at Walmart. It's red & has Elmo on it. Just a harness, no fluff. The backpack ones are really cute, though.

We've only ever used it at Disney, Busch Gardens, and the aquarium. Places w/ lots of people...it only takes a second to lose a child. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure it's not my child.

 

[frtchr]

My DD is too short to hold hands with. I would be bent over and shuffling if I had to hold her hand when she walked. I wish I had had one of the "leashes" for our trip last month. I say do whatever makes YOU feel comfortable about your child's safety. Have a great trip!