To stroller or backpack carrier???

[hannah03]

We would like to know your opinions as to whether we should use a stroller or one of those backpack carriers. Our DD will be 2.5 yrs and 35 lbs. With so much being posted lately about alot of NO STROLLERS ALLOWED in much of WDW I was just wondering??

Forgot to add that DS(11) will want us to switch off on rides and such.

TIA

 

[meandtheguys2]

I would stroller it and allow your DD2.5 to walk when necessary, unless you are really used to carrying her on your back for so many miles. There are very few areas in the major theme parks where she can't remain in the stroller. Even if you are a hiker, WDW walking is hotter and rougher than most hiking trails! Perhaps a lightweight sling or such if walking is an issue for her. ( A runner)

 

[Clare D]

Hi Tia
My DS is also 2.5 and personally I would vote for the stroller. I could not imagine having to carry him in a backpack, nor for my DH.
Strollers are everywhere in WDW and there are regular parking spots for areas that do not allow the stroller. We took our stroller last year and it returned home safe and sound with us but I would advise from what other parents have said to maybe take a cheap lock so that it doesn't get pinched.
DS will be nearly 3 when we visit again in October and again the trusty stroller will accompany us.
Have a great holiday
cLARE

 

[KristinU]

I agree - we're a hiking family and use our backpack carrier quite a bit but I don't think I'd want to travel with it or use it in the parks too much. If I lived locally I'd maybe take it on cooler days and to AK (it would be great on the Jungle Trek and on the Forest Trail) but most of the time I'm more than happy using a stroller. And my DS is only 16 months/26 lbs, I don't know how long I'll last when he's 2.5 years old with him in the pack. Also, while my DS will fall asleep in the backpack, it is nothing like he does in the stroller when it is reclined. Like Clare D said, strollers ARE allowed so many places at WDW and where they are not there is ample stroller parking.

HTH!

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

Another vote for the stroller! You can take the stroller just about anywhere in the parks except on the rides/shows.

 

[hannah03]

Okay, I thought I was making the right decision about taking our COMBI foldup stroller but after reading another thread about the stroller issue and others talking about ALOT of the park not allowing them, I just wasn't sure! It's our 1st trip and I just want to make the trip as PERFECT and PAINLESS as possible

 

[adisneymama]

Use your stroller. There are very few places that you can't use them. We are about to take our 3rd trip and have had our stroller both times previously. We will be taking it again as DD is just 3. It will come in very handy. I have never had a problem with not being allowed somewhere with my stroller. There were a few exceptions such as the land, but there is parking places for the strollers. Enjoy your trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

To clarify a little:
The places where strollers are not allowed are most lines and in theaters/shows or the waiting areas for them.
Some of the places with long lines have a stroller parking area partway thru the line (examples I can think of off-hand are the Kilamonjari Safari, It's Tough to be A Bug and Fantasmic). For those attractions, the parking area is off to the side of queue at some point before boarding/entering the show. The exit line goes past the other side of the area so you can get your stroller when you leave.
The Land in Epcot doesn't allow strollers because the building has only one small elevator. This means that anyone who can't walk or ride the escalators down to the main floor and back up needs to use the elevator and there are long lines. I don't know why they didn't address this when they renovated the building, but they didn't.

 

[Mobly]

I can't imagine not using a stroller. I put a fold up cooler in the basket with H2O bottles and juice bags. The staff always replace my ice when asked (with a smile). Plus I can put a bag over the handles with sweatshirts, cameras, etc. I suppose I will have to adjust once my kids are too old, but my youngest is 4 and I still bring one along.

 

[rt2dz]

I vote for the stroller. It's easier on your back, it's cooler, very few places is it not allowed (and in those cases I used a sling as a hip carrier if the wait was going to be very long), it gives you someplace to stash your other stuff (diaper bag, fans, water bottles, snacks, etc), it can be made shadier for a napping child, children can climb in and out of a stroller by themselves, It can be hard to stash a backpack carrier for certain rides/attractions, and I'm sure there are other reasons to boot.

 

[wfloyd]

Just to be different, we use the backpack only while at Disney. We don't find it difficult and we can get DS in and out fairly quickly. It also keeps him above the crowd level and he is able to see everything better. We also found that he would sleep better in the backpack than he does in the stroller.

 

[tjmw2727]

With a 2 1/2 yo I would use a stroller - I don't know what thread your referring to but you can use a stroller almost everywhere at WDW. The exceptions are lines, shows, table serve restaurants and one of the indoor pavilions at Epcot. At 2 1/2 your child should have no trouble walking the short times you can't use the stroller. If it were a smaller baby or non walker I would recommend a snugli or sling over a backpack carrier.

Honestly, even though my dd's LOVED the backpack I couldn't imagine using it at Disney. The few places you can't use the stroller the backpack carrier wouldn't work well either, especially the queues.

Have a great trip.
TJ

 

[mickeyminnie]

When we took our 18 month old son we did both. We used our backpack for travel, can't beat it at the airport and getting around the resorts and downtown Disney. We rented a stroller for Magic Kingdom, MGM and Epcot, but used the backpack at Animal Kingdom. We loved that pack, he loved to ride in in and would fall asleep. If you don't have a high quality pack (like Kelty or llbean or rei, a real hiking type pack) then I would not suggest using a cheapo but the good ones are great, and you can always rent a stroller when you need one

 

[KristinU]

mickeyminnie, can I ask what you did with your pack when you got to the gate at the airport? Do the airlines gate check a pack like they do a stroller?

 

[ncrinkrat]

We have a Kelty Expedition and DH think's it's the way to go for our DD who will be 2 weeks shy of turning 1. But I've been worrying about what to do with it. I haven't been in years and paid no attention to how people handled kids then. I assume we have to take it off for all the rides and such and I'm worried about it disappearing. The stroller I don't worry about. Our other DD will be almost 4 so we're not doing a lot of the "grown-up" rides anyway. But would taking the pack on and off be more trouble that it's worth?

 

[ksmarper]

I'm not sure when you are going, but at this time of year, a backpack would be awfully hot...

 

[DisneyPhD]

Stroller.

However when DD was 9 months old we took a back pack stroller by Instep. I doesn't cost much (around $50) and was very comfortable for her and as small and easy as an umbrella stroller. However in places that the stroller was an issue we just converted it and walked around. It was great for the parade because she could see great.

However by the time she was 2 years old she was too big for it (and she was a tiny kid). So I don't think it would work for your situation. If anyone going with a baby ages 7 to 18 months or so it is great!

So take the stroller. When she got too big for it we got a combi travel savy DX and that did well for us. However I have my eye on a peg pergo Pliko3 right now. Hubby says no, 4 stroller is enough.