How does a metal frame baby backpack work getting on/off rides?

[Mom of 6]

I'm thinking of taking a metal frame baby backpack for my 15 mo. I'm wondering if anybody has any tips for using it, getting on and off rides. I'm taking a double stroller for my 3yr., and for the 15mo if needed. I'm trying to figure out if the backpack (metal frame) would make it easier and more managable waiting in lines. I guess I just invision that a 15mo would want to walk around and have a hard time staying in line--I was hoping that a backpack may be helpful. Any tips on loading on rides? Can I keep the backpack with me? Is a metal frame backpack to bulky? Any idea would be great. I'm trying to make it all work, as I have children ages 12, 10, 8, 5, 3 and 15mo and want everybody to enjoy this vacation!

 

[NotUrsula]

I've never used one at a theme park, but I'm imagining it wouldn't be too easy, b/c there usually is not space in the ride cars to accomodate such a bulky thing. With some rides, like perhaps Small World, it probably wouldn't be an issue, but I don't think you could do it on Pooh, for instance.

I seem to recall occasionally seeing them left at the loading area of some rides, I don't know what the deal was with that, though.

I used a hip-carry sling to help prop DS at that age; I found that to be fairly effective.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

We saw one family with one on our trip. We saw them on several rides and it looked like they undid the waist strap, sat in the ride and just let the backpack hang over the back of the seat. In other words, it was on their shoulders, they sat in the seat but when they did they pulled the backpack out so it was behind the seat. Of course the baby was NOT in the backack at the time! It didn't look too comfy to me, but it seemed to work for them and the cms didn't stop them from doing it.

 

[BevS97]

I think you would find a sling more convenient, any style that will let you do a hip carry would work great

 

[Kate-n-sam]

and welcome!

Just wanted to share what I have done in the past with my toddlers and plan to do with our 14 month old on our upcoming April trip.

Here is a link to a product that I purchased mostly just for Disney, it is a very light weight small hip carrier. Basically you just carry baby on hip like usual, but it just gives you that extra help to keep your arms from tiring. I just bring it with me in line if I know it may be a long wait, and I have found it to be very helpful. I wouldn't recommend it for carrying baby all day, but certainly for 15 or 20 minutes at a time it works great! Also it can be easily rolled up and worn like a hip pack when not in use.

http://store.yahoo.com/babyant/bv022068.html

To answer your question, many of the rides have an automatic bar that comes toward you for safety, I can't imagine having a backpack would be very comfortable

Hope this helps!

 

[Mom of 6]

Thank you all for the ideas. I feel better with your experience! I did check out the EZ Pack Baby Carrier - It looks like a better option than a metal back pack. It is less expensive than the other hip-style carriers I have seen. Thank you so much!
It's great to have your help!

 

[frannn]

for our DD1. She was heavy at 20 lbs, so I didn't want to have to hold her in long lines. Turns out that the lines were moderate, so we only used the carrier a little, and didn't relieve the weight as much as we had hoped. It was also a pain to unstrap the thing or restrap constantly (maybe easier if you use it before trip), so DH and I switched off carrying her in our arms. This was last Oct.