To use a harness or not.....

[brownie_17]

Has anyone used one of the little animal backpack harnesses before?
If so, how did they work out in the park?

I'll have a 2 year old, who is very independent already at 14 months, and was wondering about to buy one or not.

 

[Jedi]

im neither for or against them BUT if you do use one, make sure you keep it rather short....little kid running with a rope on them=a "trip" hazard

 

[Sandy Mouse]

I used one for my almost 3-year-old granddaughter on our trip this March, because she's a runner! I'm forever chasing her in stores and in parking lots. I used it as backup to a stroller... if she was out of the stroller, then she wore the harness/lion backpack. We bought this for use in airports, because it's so inconvenient to pick up all your carry-ons and stuff to chase a toddler. I used in WDW because it was just she and I alone for the first 2 days of our trip, and it would be too easy for her to slip away from one person alone. Keeping up with her is a full time job for multiple people!
It worked well, but she was so insulted that I only had to use it part of one day, then she behaved pretty well without it.

 

[carrie6466]

My SIL used one for my niece. They were great. The only problem she had was they made my niece very hot. As in when you took it off, my niece's back was all wet from sweat. I don't know when you are going, we were there together for once in the end of June/beginning of July and then the following year in October.

 

[Aliceacc]

If it keeps a child safe, then I'm all for it.

I used them once or twice when my kids were young. They loved the independence!!

 

[lsenquiz]

We have never used one but saw plenty of people using them when we were there over memorial day. I saw no issues with it and none of the children seemed to have a problem with it(and it was really hot). If you are going at a busy time I think it would be recommended unless you think you can convience your child to stay in the stroller. It just takes a second for a child to get sucked into a crowd.

 

[pigletto]

I have never used one as the kids were a bit older when we went to Disney. I saw the backpack harnesses all over Disney on our last trip though. If we had gone when the kids were younger I would have used them for sure. DD really never would have needed one. She liked to hold my hand and was always by my side. But when DS was 3? Oh my.. I would have used it in a heartbeat. That one wanted to go go go as soon as his feet hit the ground in the morning

 

[cel_disney]

We used the Monkey one when my DS was 2 - he was a runner - it was a safety necessity - I would recommend it to anyone who needs it!

Safety is way more important than any of the nasty things people will say to you on this subject!!

 

[djblu883]

I used one on my son almost 30 years ago becasue he was quick to see something and take off even if it meant running across a busy street! We were going to DC and I truly believe its a life saver! Kids want to pull their hands out of yours and take off at times. I help his hands but the harness kept him going further than it allowed so he lives to tell the tale lol. We used one with my DGD when she was 3 and she didn't mind it at all.She didn't HAVE to hold Mommmy's hand and she could wander a little bitsafely. I have seen parents who used them and they looked like a dog pulling hard against a leash . It's not made to keep your child in control when you can't or don't, it's a safety harness! They are hot but your cvhild won't get grabbed and run off with or go hide where you can't find them! I do reccommend them!

 

[Selket]

I tried one on my son our first trip to Disney (he was 2.5 yrs old) and he thought it was the most awesome thing ever. However this is because he would put his full body weight onto the strap so that I was holding him up (he would lean over like the was going to fall). This was some sort of fanny pack style - and it was over 10 years ago.

So - obviously didn't work for us! It was amusing though. I think we ended up with the stroller and having a death grip on the back of his collar when walking through stores. I think it is a great idea though.

 

[DisneyBum303]

Safety is way more important than any of the nasty things people will say to you on this subject!!

AMEN to that!!!!

 

[TisBit]

Some people will give you looks, etc for having your kid on a "leash"...but as others said, you know your child. I never felt my kids needed something like this, but that was my kids. They were content to stay in the stroller and are not runners.

If you have a runner and there is a safety issue for others or your child, it is best to use the harness. As others said, just be considerate of others and make sure you don't create a bigger issue using the harness in crowds, etc.

 

[TheDisneyBunch]

I seriously have used these for years when we go to WDW. My kids being safe is MUCH more important than what anyone may think but to be honest I have NEVER seen anyone give us a bad look for them. What has happened has been quite opposite. I have had people come up and ask where I got them and how much they were as they would love to have one. I had a couple of ladies come up one day during lunch at the resort and tell me how great they thought it was. They said so many children just run around doing anything that they wish and they were happy to see that some people made sure to keep their children close by.

Really though, my 4 year old is autistic. He is fairly good about staying close to us but he does not like to hold hands for a long period of time so we either have him in the stroller or with the backpack all the time. He loves wearing it though. He puts buttons and stickers in it and thinks it is really cool.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

forget what people say about a "kid on a leash"..

I will just say this.. your child on that leash.. is a much better sight to see as opposed to a parents frightened look when they discover their child is not with them !!!!

 

[juliebug1997]

My brother was a runner and my mom always joked that she wished they had the harnesses a little more readily available when he was young.

In a place as busy as WDW (especially those ultra-crowded days at MK), you need it in the crowd. I can't tell you how many little ones we nearly tripped over when they were looking for mama or papa last summer.

 

[gullyf]

We used them (harnesses, non-backpack style) for our twins when they were younger. Easily detached when necessary, but was wonderful for keeping track of them. Glad we did it and would do it again. Made it a much easier experience. They are just a bit over two years old in these pictures... they are now 8, and we are heading back in just a few days. Am considering leg irons...

 

[Reddy]

I have a runner too
he is also non-verbal austic & 14 now
they don't make them big enough for him
so I got a dog training leash put the handle thur his belt loops then the part that is suppose to attach to the dog thur the handle loop. then wrapped the other side around me so we were attached (it was a little big so we tied a knot in the middle & that gave my Dh something to grab onto for after fireworks so we stayed together)

Dh said we got some looks but only one person said something (3 year old & his mom shhhh him)

this also freed up my hands so I could take pictures

 

[MsPeggySue911]

I never used one with my kids but I have never been to WDW. My kids are 26, 10 & 11. None of them were runners. But if I had a kid who liked to run away from me I would use one in a heartbeat. However if you are going when it is very hot outside like now, July or August and even into September, I would maybe go with one of the non-backpack harnesses like in the picture up above with the 2 kids in a harness. They will allow the kids to be cooler than having that backpack up against their back all day.

If you know you can't make your kid stay in the stroller then I would definitely do it. All of the ppl who may give you a sideways look for having your kid "on a leash" would also be the one making snarky comments and mumbling under their breath if you were to just let your kid run wild. And of course nobody wants to lose a kid. But it happens every day at WDW.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

I have a very independent and strong willed 2.5 year old. We use one of these with her lots. Especially when it is just me and I also have our 6 month old. I will take any look or comment because I feel it keeps her safe. I don't use it in lieu of keeping an eye on her. But it saves me when she decides to bolt.

 

[grandmadebby2]

We used them (harnesses, non-backpack style) for our twins when they were younger. Easily detached when necessary, but was wonderful for keeping track of them. Glad we did it and would do it again. Made it a much easier experience. They are just a bit over two years old in these pictures... they are now 8, and we are heading back in just a few days. Am considering leg irons...

Let me know where you find those leg irons. My 6 year old grandson has us a bit concerned as the trip gets closer. To old for a harness, he would plant his feet or jump over something to get away and we would be all tangled up. I'm pretty sure leg irons are illegal but a nice thought.