Leash or Harness (I know, I know)

[curiousgeorge]

I read around for quite a bit before asking and I feel silly for doing so:

I do not want to upset any one and I know there are some people who do not believe in them, however, I have 2 boys(2 & 4) who just curious as ever and I NEED either a Leash or a Harness. Does anyone know a big chain who carries them?

P.S. I hope that PETSMART is not the answer.



Also, do you recommend me taking a double stroller, or just rent two strollers from the park.

THANK YOU

 

[disney-super-mom]

Hi Curiousgeorge,

Boy, that's a tough one. I have seen child harnesses for sale at some larger chain stores like WalMart, Target, Shopko, etc... and there used to be a type of leash which you put around the child's wrist, but I think those were recalled because the coloring on the leash came off on children's wrists, and the coloring was toxic.

I know where you're coming from because we have a 17 month old little boy who loves to run around, but is too young to know that he should stay close to mom and dad. In other words, if we were to put him down, he would be off like a rocket! We don't use any type of leash or harness though. We just look for a quiet, grassy little area to let him run around in for 15 minutes or so while we all take a break from the rides and enjoy an icecream treat, and then back into the stroller for more rides and sights. You'll be surprised because there's so much to see, the kids probably won't even get restless in the stroller. They're too busy watching everything!

I wouldn't worry too much about your four year old wandering off unless he has a tendancy to still to that. However, the two year old is a little different story. Sometimes in unfamiliar areas when there are a lot of people around, kids have a tendancy to stick closer to mom or dad. But I've seen some kids just run off regardless of their surroundings. You know your kids best and what to expect.

If you opt to use a child leash or harness though, I wouldn't let anyone make you feel bad. Just say, "Hey, I love and care about my kids so much that I don't want to lose them!"

As for the stroller, I would take my own because once you leave the front gates of the DL or DCA, which is where you have to return rental strollers, you still may wish you had a stoller to use between trips from your hotel to DL/DCA and back again, and strollers are also handy at airports. Plus, with your own double stoller, you always have somewhere to strap in the kids so they don't wander off.

Good luck with this.

 

[disneychrista]

Walmart Target Kmart. they should all have them. IMO, who cares what others say or think about them. It is about doing what you think is best to keep YOUR child safe.

 

[almostGoofy]

Also try Babies R Us. Choose a harness over a wrist leash. Wrist leash can cause some damage to young developing wrist.

I also vote for taking your double stroller because you'll regret having to carry those kids from the park gates to the parking lot or hotel. If you take the tram, you can leave your stroller open and a cm will help you load it in the very front. Wheel chairs will take priority over strollers. You can also go to the last tram car and in the front of that will be enough room to load your open stroller as well. You will need to load it yourself back there.

 

[lulubelle]

I'd vote for the double stroller. Hear those are lifesavors.
As for the wrist/harness/leash, I would say don't do it. Just my opinion, we all are entitled to one

 

[curiousgeorge]

Thank you all for your comments. I am buying a harness and double stroller today and I am going to be a first time guest at The Grand Californian tommorrow.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Way to go! Hope you have a magical time! Give us a trip report when you get back.

 

[Amberle3]

We took my nephew to DL when he was about 18 months, and his mother provided a harness for us. I was one of those that never thought I'd use one, thought that it always looked like parents were walking their kids (like they would a dog). Besides I've looked after kids before, it shouldn't be all the difficult to keep up with one 18month old at DL.

Man, after 30 minutes the harness went on the boy. He fussed for about 5 minutes, then got distracted and everything was fine after that.

It was especially handy when we were at the store after it's a small world, and he took a liking to those little push-pop-pop toys (I don't know how else to describe them! They're plastic bubbles on wheels with little balls inside, you push it and the balls pop around inside the bubble). He loved it. He loved it so much he grabbed *2*, and had one in each hand. And then suddenly like a shot he was bolting out of the store pushing 2 of these things along. Thank goodness for that harness!

You know, maybe if I took naps during the day I too could have that much energy to expend.

Nah. It's a kid thing.

 

[djm99]

curiousgeorge,

I can tell you are new to these boards. You don't know how many "discussions" or better said fights have gone on about the "leashes" over the last few years. I personally understand the need for them and trust me, I have respect for those parents that are "extra" careful for that toddler that needs to run on somebodies track team. I'd rather see them on a leash than crying their eyes out in lost and found. So you know your child better than anyone - feel comfortable about your choice. Go for both!!! Sounds good to me!!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes the leash thing can get pretty heated. When I read this for the first time I thought, Oh no this woman will be sorry she brought this up! I am happy to say that all of the responses have been nice, common sense approaches! There was a simliar thread over on the WDW section awhile back that got about 10 pages long I think and it was nasty! Anyway, be comfortable with your parenting and enjoy your trip!

 

[amwhitaker]

Woof! Woof!

Sorry - couldn't resist!

Have fun!

 

[luckeylasvegas]

I don't know if they are available yet, but there is a new "fanny pack" system that connects the childs fanny pack to the parents.

Luckey