Using a hiking kid carrier vs stroller

[heidica]

Does anyone have experience using a hiking child carrier in the parks instead of a stroller? We have a big family trip to DL Resort in August (21st-26th) that includes my niece and nephew. My niece is 3 and does better when carried by her Dad in the hiking kid carrier (large with metal frame). We think it has a lot to do with how high up it places her and she can see soooo much more and be more engaged with her surroundings. When the stroller is used, she is more restless - she is more fussy, constantly wants out, then back in, then back out and so on. When talking about our DL plans, we've toyed with idea of using the child carrier but feel like at DL it would be more trouble than it's worth. Here are the concerns we have:

1. What to do with it while waiting in line for rides? Keep it with the strollers? I have always felt safe leaving my stroller but I don't think I would feel comfortable leaving this kid carrier (it's about the size of a small umbrella stroller)
2. At DL there IS more in/out with a stroller and getting in and out of stroller is much quicker than this child carrier. So we would naturally be having her get in and out of the stroller as we go from ride to ride. This would be a little more difficult with the child carrier. Takes longer to get her in and out of the carrier.
3. The child carrier is actually more comfortable on the back then being hunched over pushing a stroller. So that would be beneficial for long days at the park.
4. Her Dad will have to hold her high or put on his shoulders for any shows or parades anyway, so the carrier would help with that.

Thoughts? Opinions? Have you ever used a hiking child carrier instead of a stroller? What was your experience?

 

[Speechphi]

Personally? A carrier would be a PITA to get on & off each ride. And during parades, shows, etc., it's pretty rude to have your child up on an adult's shoulders (and thereby blocking everyone else's views).

Have you looked into handle extenders so you don't have to hunch? We had a Mackaren Techno back in th day, with extending handles that my 6'3" dh used (I'm 5'9") & didn't need them. We also found the DLR strollers to be fine in handle height.

 

[BellsFam]

I love my carrier, we used it to climb many a trail. While it worked great for that purpose, I personally would never bring it to Disney.

My fears is how hot the child is going to get in it, how hot the person carrying it and it's not a stroller, there is virtually no place to store that in the parks, the stroller wrangling CMs would not be happy re-parking this...

At 3 yrs old my DD did great with a stroller and it was helpful to carry her bags, etc that she required.


Get a longer stroller if hunching is an issue for walking, id much rather have DD on my shoulders for 30mins a show vs 6 hours in a park

 

[Malcon10t]

Her Dad will have to hold her high or put on his shoulders for any shows or parades anyway, so the carrier would help with that.

Just a heads up, it is considered rude to put a child on your shoulders, thus blocking the view of those behind you. The way we handled it is doing it "piggy back", where the child's head is even with yours.

 

[D1sneyfam1ly]

Definitely a stroller. Taking it on and off for rides would be awful. The walks between rides are relatively short. My kids didn't have time to get restless plus they were entertained by what was going on around them and looking forward to getting to the next ride. Also if they were tired and fell asleep for a little nap then it was easy to take turns sitting with the stroller to ride big rides (Splash, RSR, Space etc) without waking them up. We have a double stroller, so on our last trip, my 1 year sat in the front and my 4 and 6 year old took turns riding in the back as they needed it. I would take a stroller 100% of the time.

 

[whjensen]

August with a backpack in Anaheim? Ugh. Agree with all above. The comfort will not be as much as you think. And other may perceive the additional foot and a half as rude during shows.

 

[bumbershoot]

You don't want to deal with the hiking carrier.

Get an Ergo! Same back carry, same view for kiddo, but it's cloth and soft and can be worn on rides. With her out of it of course.

If you get hot, hand her some ice water. I guarantee some will end up on your back.

Please don't put her on shoulders for parades or fireworks. Unless you are all the way in back with no one potentially behind you. Just put her on a hip (she will likely be at your head height that way, which is all she needs) or in the Ergo looking over your shoulder. Don't turn yourself into a giant. That's absolutely not necessary to see parades and especially not fireworks.

 

[NannyBeBe]

It seems to me that this would be equivalent to carrying a huge backpack, and I cannot tell you how many times I have been bonked by one of those and the person has no idea his backpack hit me.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I agree to do either a cloth carrier that can be worn empty on rides or use a stroller. Way way too much hassle getting a framed hiking carrier on and off...all...day...long.

 

[ehrawn]

I'm anti-stroller because of my low tolerance for crowds, but there's no way I could use a full hiking child carrier in the park. My 3 y/o did fine without anything. We just moved at his pace, and I carried him when I needed to. Alternatively, I would get an ergo or similar which can be worn with the child on your back.

 

[agamble]

I say stick with a stroller too. We used a small baby carrier with our kids, worn in the front, when they were really little, and even that was a pain sometimes. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a large one with a 3 y/o in it all day/week. You said one problem is the constant I want in/out of a stroller, but I don't think that should be a big problem. At 3 you should be able to park the stroller in a location near several rides and do everything you need to before moving to another area of the park. She should be able to walk between rides and just use the stroller when leaving lands and/or walking long distances. If you take the backpack you'll probably have to carry it on all the rides if possible, or have someone stay off and watch it each time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I will add that even though I was an avowed baby/toddler-wearer when DS was that age (and would be again should we have another opportunity), at Disneyland (and SeaWorld) we ALSO rented a stroller. And later when we did longer visits, we *bought* a stroller specifically for Disney (didn't have a normal stroller otherwise, and the jogging stroller was for jogging). Options are good.

 

[lovebug33]

Please don't put your child on your shoulders. It is a huge danger. My friend's dad is an er doctor and he called kids put on shoulders organ donors. When a child falls off a person's shoulders, they go headfirst. Think about hitting the concrete from 5 + feet up.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Unless the rules have changed the large hiking backpacks with the metal frames are not permitted in the parks, that was the rule before, not sure if this has changed. I would check the website because it used to be listed on there under the items that were prohibited.

 

[TechGuy]

I would check with the park to see if you can even get a metal framed pack into the park.

My DD has been to DL/DCA every 2-3 years since she was born and we only used a stroller one trip. My SIL took her's that last two trips with us and it was like a commando stoller with all the stuff they packed in it. We carried our DD when needed (until she was too big to heft) otherwise she walked.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

A carrier like you're talking about would be a hassle (besides likely not being allowed). We have used front carriers like a mei tai with a 2-3 year old and that worked okay, but the metal ones take up a lot of space and it's not easy to take a kid out of them quickly for lines.

You would have to leave it with your stroller. It might get stolen, but more importantly, are you using it for much if it's sitting with the stroller most of the time? Also, there's not necessarily any reason to have to hold her on your shoulders. Most parades have quite a bit up high. Plus, it's fairly easy to get a spot near the front. My oldest has been going since he was 2 1/2 and has always been able to see everything he wants. The only shows you might have trouble with are Fantasmic and WoC, but I think unless you're in the back row, it's sort of frowned upon to put kids on your shoulders since you'd be blocking other peoples' views. Also, have you ever carried a child in a carrier for a prolonged period in the August heat? I personally think a stroller is easier, especially if you have one that doesn't require you to bend over. I've taken quite a few strollers to Disneyland and most of them are fairly easy to push. (As a side note, my son, at 3 years old, actually wanted to walk most of the time. Someone held his hand and he was fine. He let us know when he was tired and ready to ride in the stroller for a while, so that may be an option, too.)

 

[heidica]

Thanks everyone for all the input. I really appreciate it. I will pass on the information to the father of my niece, my brother. I'm sure glad I don't have to deal with this kind of stuff any more since my kids are past the stroller age.

 

[todzwife]

We used a ring sling more than any other carrier because it was quick on/off. It's nice to have in line to hold them. We still bring a stroller though. I highly recommend citystrollerrentals.com if you need to rent.

 

[Goose&mavie]

My LO who is 3 yo usually hates the stroller and never wanted to be in it in the real world (outside of DL), but, at DL, guess what, she wanted to go into the stroller. It was so hot and tiring for her, plus she saw tons of other kids in the stroller, she absolutely had no problems being in it! We rented a stroller at DL and used it all the time.

 

[buddhaluvthemouse]

We used one of those umbrella type strollers
that folded up with one snap, kid could get in and out on her own, and it was manageable and when we exited grabbed the kid folded up the stroller. Whatever you do, do not let your kids push the stroller heels have been so damaged at exit and parades because kids pushing strollers.