Infants, strollers, and Disney

[mjstaceyuofm]

...Also, do not think twice about taking a harness. They are everywhere and the people who are rude enough to make comments clearly haven't been somewhere like WDW with a toddler.

OK - my position is probably not a popular one in this thread. I don't like those harness things AT ALL. I have kids and managed to navigate many trips to WDW without using a harness on them. Plenty of other people have as well. I DO AGREE with you that an objection to a harness does not give me license to make rude comments to you or your children or others. WDW is no place for rude comments - it's a vacation!

Some others have offered good advice on how to deal with kids in lines, avoid lines altogether, etc... but you may have to come to the reality that you will only be able to do what your child will allow you to do while you are there. If that means you miss seeing the Playhouse Disney show because the kid can't stay in line - oh well... Just enjoy the fact that you're on vacation with your family.

Please don't take my post as criticism... consider it more as constructive advice.

 

[brymolmom]

OK - my position is probably not a popular one in this thread. I don't like those harness things AT ALL. I have kids and managed to navigate many trips to WDW without using a harness on them. Plenty of other people have as well. I DO AGREE with you that an objection to a harness does not give me license to make rude comments to you or your children or others. WDW is no place for rude comments - it's a vacation!

Some others have offered good advice on how to deal with kids in lines, avoid lines altogether, etc... but you may have to come to the reality that you will only be able to do what your child will allow you to do while you are there. If that means you miss seeing the Playhouse Disney show because the kid can't stay in line - oh well... Just enjoy the fact that you're on vacation with your family.

Please don't take my post as criticism... consider it more as constructive advice.

Matt - Very well stated and a good way to present a differing viewpoint. I want to counter with one tidbit for thought...perhaps you never had a child whose personality warranted a harness as the best option (safest, easiest, best way for the whole family to see as much as is feasible) for your family.

Just wanted to try to get you to think from the other side of the fence. I consider you lucky that you can dislike them and never had to change your feelings due to the way your children happened to be. But, keep in mind that all kids are different - I could see that it might be a good option for some. And consider myself lucky that I've never had to resort to it.

Karen

 

[DisneyPhD]

OK - my position is probably not a popular one in this thread. I don't like those harness things AT ALL. I have kids and managed to navigate many trips to WDW without using a harness on them. Plenty of other people have as well. I DO AGREE with you that an objection to a harness does not give me license to make rude comments to you or your children or others. WDW is no place for rude comments - it's a vacation!

Some others have offered good advice on how to deal with kids in lines, avoid lines altogether, etc... but you may have to come to the reality that you will only be able to do what your child will allow you to do while you are there. If that means you miss seeing the Playhouse Disney show because the kid can't stay in line - oh well... Just enjoy the fact that you're on vacation with your family.

Please don't take my post as criticism... consider it more as constructive advice.

I think brymolmom said it well, just because your child did not need a harness (and many do not) does not make wrong for anyone who an harness is a safe and good option. That doesn't sound like constructive advice, because you never really had to deal with the same situation.

My DD is 21 months right now. She was a very late walker (17 months) and for now is very content to hold my hand and walk. (or be carried in our arms or hip carrier.) Great! As long as that works for us that is what we will do. IF we had a situation where she didn't want to hold my hand and I felt it would be safest and she would be the happiest I would use an harness in a min.
They can be very cute, like a little teddy bear hugging your back.

When I see a kid in a harness (especially in setting like WDW.) I don't think Woof Woof, I think there is a kid who gets some freedom, with out his or her parents compromising their child's safely.

Parenting can be so tricky. You never know until you are the parent of THAT child. Every child, every situation is different, just becasue you never needed something, doesn't mean other parents might not.

 

[Tiger926]

Just something to think about as a few of the above comments about harnesses rubbed me the wrong way. Don't assume that just because a child is in a harness, that he/she is hyper, bad, or any other words people may want to use to judge a child. I have Osteoporosis - diagnosed at 31 yrs. old. That means that I can't hold my 35 lb., 3 year old daughter for fear of hip or back fracture. Sometimes she has to go on a harness when navigating a big crowd such as in WDW - no offense, but some adults are rude, ignorant and plain unaware of their surroundings, so, if I my hubby and I have had to separate (which is very rare, but happens occasionally), then I may have to place a harness on my daughter for her safety!

It bothers me that people assume that kids in harnesses are 'bad.' As a Special Education teacher I am very biased on this topic, but as a mother with a difficult bone disease, I am even more biased. People need to think before they make rash judgments in these types of situations! If a parent is using a harness, then that must be the best decision for that family situation at the time, and they shouldn't be ostracized or judged for it in any way shape or form.

I wish I could hold my daughter up for the parades, or on my shoulders like my hubby, but my disease will not allow me to do that - and there are people in this world who have way worse health issues than me, so harnesses may be necessary for a variety of reasons for both parents and children.

Just something else for people to think about when discussing child harnesses, Tiger

 

[brymolmom]

Tiger-

Not sure whose post you are talking about, but I, for one, of course do not consider kids in harnesses necessarily 'bad'. I consider those children to be those of the type of personality that they will not (at least not willingly) hold the hand of a parent through big crowds or they are exceedingly curious and therefore tend to walk away.

I don't even have a medical concern but I can tell you there's no way I'd want to wait in a line at WDW holding either of my 30 plus pound kids. So, like you - that leaves some options - having the kids stay near enough to me, hold their hands, or a harness.

We've never had to resort to the harness but have one child with a rebellious personality (and no, she's not 'bad' - she's two. All that assertiveness is going to be a huge asset later in life!) - so as I've stated I can certainly see where a child's personality can lead into that decison. And I can see where it might be the best option for a family.

 

[Schmeck]

Please don't even consider using one of those long 'telephone cord' leashes in WDW, especially during big crowd times - I've seen two nasty accidents involving kids on those long tethers. Both kids ended up getting knocked down and scraped up. One time it was a stroller catching on the cord, the other time it was an adult coming between the child and parent.

 

[Tiger926]

brymolom - Nothing to a specific poster, just a feeling I got from reading about harnesses - like you mentioning that most kids in harnesses (not the arm/wrist types as those really aren't safe, but a chest harness) must be of the personality that they won't hold their parents hands or are curious. I just wanted to mention that even though my daughter will hold hands, and doesn't run away, there are still times where I must hold her for her own safety (adults bang into her, step on her foot), and so the harness is necessary for me, and not necessarily for her, but I can't hold her, so that's our only option.

Just wanted to give another viewpoint as to why harnesses may be necessary.

Thanks, Tiger

 

[Contrariwise]

I think if the rude harness comment people later ran into me and my 2 yr old in line they would come to understand the necessity LOL. I haven't bought a harness yet, and we literally have to DRAG him through the line at times. As much as we try to explain waiting in line he still wants instant ride gratification and will periodically throw fits (involving him flailing about on the ground). And if he sees something interesting across the way he will find a way to zip over there when I turn my head. Disney is exhausting (yet somehow, still worth it) with him.
I know I now look really bad as a parent, but my two older girls were not at all like this!
Yes, a stroller in line would be a lifesaver (esp. when he's asleep) but I understand why they aren't allowed.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I just wanted to mention that even though my daughter will hold hands, and doesn't run away, there are still times where I must hold her for her own safety (adults bang into her, step on her foot), and so the harness is necessary for me, and not necessarily for her, but I can't hold her, so that's our only option.

Just curious, with a harness she is still on the ground walking next to you the same as holding her hand. How is that any different, someone could still step on her foot and bang into her with a harness on, right??

Either way she is next to you on the ground walking whether holding your hand or on a harness, I just don't get the difference.

Andrea

 

[KimberlyC]

OK - my position is probably not a popular one in this thread. I don't like those harness things AT ALL. I have kids and managed to navigate many trips to WDW without using a harness on them. Plenty of other people have as well. I DO AGREE with you that an objection to a harness does not give me license to make rude comments to you or your children or others. WDW is no place for rude comments - it's a vacation!

Some others have offered good advice on how to deal with kids in lines, avoid lines altogether, etc... but you may have to come to the reality that you will only be able to do what your child will allow you to do while you are there. If that means you miss seeing the Playhouse Disney show because the kid can't stay in line - oh well... Just enjoy the fact that you're on vacation with your family.

Please don't take my post as criticism... consider it more as constructive advice.

Before I had DS I didn't understand the need for a harness but NOW I definitely do. Sometimes he just won't hold our hand and stand cooperatively no matter what we do. I could stand on my head to entertain him but that wouldn't necessarily keep him from bolting (even with a short line) if he see something else that interests him. For some kids its not an issue. It sounds like you were lucky in this manner but my experience with my DS has made me want to be safe rather than sorry. Case in point: we were at Fox Hills for Mother's Day Brunch a few weeks ago. I don't know if you are familiar with the setup but we were at a large table in the SE corner. DS was playing musical chairs visiting with each set of grandparents, my DSis and her family. He got up to walk around the table (I thought to my FIL seated across from him) and for absolutely no reason whatsoever and without any warning he bolted toward the door (about 20 feet away). 10 adults had their eyes on him and we hopped up but he still reached the door to the lobby before we caught him. I don't even want to think about what could happen if he were able to get 20 feet away from me in a crowded area of WDW. The mere thought is simply unacceptable to me.

I can't reason with my DS; he's not yet 2 and still too young to understand the potential danger. So like it or not, as a parent my first priority is to keep him safe. If that means using a harness and perhaps dealing with some derogatory comments or dirty looks from people, so be it. At least I know I'm not alone. Many parents choose to be safe by using harnesses at crowded places like WDW. In fact, there are really cute harnesses available these days. I just bought DS a little monkey backpack harness. The tail is the leash and he really likes it. He's been wearing it all around the house. To him its a stuffed animal and a backpack for his Weeble. To me its peace of mind that he will be safe while celebrating his 2nd B-day at WDW.

 

[Tiger926]

I guess I can understand why my post is a bit confusing. Our harness (which we haven't used too much) goes around her chest area, and has small straps for parents to hold - very safe as the 'leash/wrist' harnesses are dangerous and with this one, our daughter is very close to us. Someone can still step on her toes, so the harness doesn't protect from that, but I'm talking about once we are out of that situation, I can't hold an agitated child, so a harness works. There have been a few times where my hubby and I had to separate and there were issues such as I mentioned, once I was able to negotiate out of the crowd (sometimes I do have to hold her for safety's sake!), then I can place a harness on. When a child has been stepped on, or pushed, he/she may become nervous or agitated and then the situation changes, so a harness may be necessary from then on in.

It's probably still confusing, but I guess I know what I mean - lol! It's too early for my brain to work right now, sorry!

Tiger

 

[taximomfor4]

Please don't even consider using one of those long 'telephone cord' leashes in WDW, especially during big crowd times - I've seen two nasty accidents involving kids on those long tethers. Both kids ended up getting knocked down and scraped up. One time it was a stroller catching on the cord, the other time it was an adult coming between the child and parent.

Thanks for the heads up. We bought, before last year's vacation, a doggy back pack harness. It's a little stuffed dog harness, the kid can keep a few small treasures inside (like a backpack). It has a removable long tail for the parent to hold onto. We didn't need it, but in a crowd like WDW I wanted to be prepared. We will bring it again this year...dd is now 3 1/2 and will probably want to walk more. It's not a fear that she will run away (she's a quite cooperative little girl) ...it is more that the crowds often do push through families, and we could get accidentally separated that way, It happened at the mall, and she was missing for almost half an hour. I will NEVER forget the feelings of sick torment.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

You guys are a tough crowd....

For clarification:

1) I simply stated I don't like harnesses;
2) I DID NOT say that you were a bad parent if you used one;
3) Nor did I say that your child was bad/poorly behaved/etc. if they are on a harness.

I apologize for the misconception. Sometimes we do things we do not like to do (i.e. use a harness) for the health, safety, welfare of our families. As a parent, that's your duty. I may not agree with that tactic and I personally may take a different approach, but far be it from me to make a rude comment to you about it or to judge you about it.

The whole point to my post was that there has been some good advice given by posters in regards to dealing with children and lines at WDW. Try to employ some of those tactics prior to using a harness. If it works, great - if not, do what you feel is necessary.

The other major point I was eluding to in my post has to do with the way some families approach their WDW vacation. I've been coming to WDW for years. As a child w/ my parents & sibs, later w/ my girlfriend who became my wife, then the 2 of us w/ other couples, and later as a growing family (multiple trips with 1 & 2 kids). Now our kids are growing. Each trip has required different strategies. The kids drastically altered how we vacation at WDW. I see so many families try to "push" an agenda and stand in line or force their kids to do something because they think/know their kids will like it. Just don't be one of those parents. If that means missing Playhouse Disney or Dumbo - oh well.

Again, I'm not trying to get people's ire up.... I'm simply offering an opinion with some differing advice.

 

[taximomfor4]

You guys are a tough crowd....

For clarification:

1) I simply stated I don't like harnesses;
2) I DID NOT say that you were a bad parent if you used one;
3) Nor did I say that your child was bad/poorly behaved/etc. if they are on a harness.

I apologize for the misconception. Sometimes we do things we do not like to do (i.e. use a harness) for the health, safety, welfare of our families. As a parent, that's your duty. I may not agree with that tactic and I personally may take a different approach, but far be it from me to make a rude comment to you about it or to judge you about it.

The whole point to my post was that there has been some good advice given by posters in regards to dealing with children and lines at WDW. Try to employ some of those tactics prior to using a harness. If it works, great - if not, do what you feel is necessary.

The other major point I was eluding to in my post has to do with the way some families approach their WDW vacation. I've been coming to WDW for years. As a child w/ my parents & sibs, later w/ my girlfriend who became my wife, then the 2 of us w/ other couples, and later as a growing family (multiple trips with 1 & 2 kids). Now our kids are growing. Each trip has required different strategies. The kids drastically altered how we vacation at WDW. I see so many families try to "push" an agenda and stand in line or force their kids to do something because they think/know their kids will like it. Just don't be one of those parents. If that means missing Playhouse Disney or Dumbo - oh well.

Again, I'm not trying to get people's ire up.... I'm simply offering an opinion with some differing advice.

Matt, I apologize -- I left a detail out of my post. I wanted to say that I understand your point, as well. I don't prefer harnesses either. Once upon a time, to tell the truth, I HATED the sight of them in use. I had 3 children. A friend had 3 also, and her 3rd NEEDED a harness. I was relieved when we were at the zoo and she put it on him. That was a wake-up call for me. And actually, after using the harness for a few months when they were in busy places, she was able to just bring it and offer her son the choice to stay nearby without it, or wear it. He learned that way.

Anyway, I respect your opinion. Just wanted to let you know that. You definitely don't sound like the type of anti-harness person the PP referred to. It's one thing to not like something, it's another thing completely to sneer or make derrogatory remarks at someone who has a different opinion.

 

[SueM in MN]

The only problem with this is that there would be no space for people to actually exit the ride if everyone with toddlers lined up with strollers at the exit to get on. As I stated before, most rides don't exit at the entrance area - you'd have to go in the exit, as the wheelchair riders do, and get on there. At PoC, you can't even board at the exit - (no head room between the exit and entrance) - someone has to bring the wheelchair around, or you have to use the manual one there. There'd be no way to board with the stroller. There are hundreds of toddlers in strollers in the WDW parks - can you imagine them all trying to get on attractions with the strollers right there? Fire hazard, big time!

Glad you found a solution that worked for you!

Many of the attractions don't have much room for the few wheelchairs that have to be parked there, so a bunch of strollers would not fit there.