Using kiddie leashes at WDW

[Pinkdiamond816]

My parents put me on a leash and I turned out fine...I think....
Remember it's your vacation too, and you don't want to spend it freaked out about losing your kid. As long as you're comfortable with it, and your child isn't shreking about it, making it seem like you're abusing them, then it's probably the best thing to do.
Heck, I'm considering putting my cousins on one in August, and they're 11 & 15.

 

[kikiq]

I was gonna say you forgot the duct tape but I read on ... What is worse, the dissapearing husband or the over active kids? I'll take the kids anyday. I swear I spend more time looking for him or telling him to "come on....we are done in this aisle and I want to get home soon as I have to still make dinner. You dont need to play with every little toy that makes noise." then I ever do chasing her little butt around the store.
What is it with guys and buttons that they have to press them? I would never pass a display of annoying toys and set off every single one

You are talking about my DH aren't you? I gave him a Pirate's bank that says "Dead men tell no tales" for Christmas and his boss made him put it up because he kept pushing the button. (He works as a sub contractor for DLR and loves it) AND we're going w/o kids in Aug, he'll be going places to see "how they do it" and get his hand slapped<G> should book the behind the scenes tours.

ANYWAY, back OT...both of my DDs had to have some type of leashes because they hated to be in the stroller. My oldest was a stroller escape
artist, I even had to buy some extra harnesses to keep her IN the stroller. When she started walking, we bought her a backpack harness. My youngest hated the car seat and stroller...sighhh, she was fine with the wrist leash. They are 19 and 23 now, total Disney fiends and turned out just fine.

 

[Snowysmom]

I have not read the whole thread so this may be duplicate info. We just got back from Disney and I saw alot of little ones with small stuffed animal type backpacks on and one of the animals legs or arms was a lead (or leash) that attached to the parent or stroller. I thought that was a nice way to keep the toddler near without being an obvious leash.

 

[zaxmom]

We used a stroller with my then 16 month old. But, I used the wrist leash thing for when we were in lines. He was too big for us to want to hold him the entire time and it gave him a little freedom without constanty pulling him out from under bars, ropes or other people's legs. They can take off on you pretty quickly!

 

[Cass]

I like the harnesses, I think all kids should have one. (1 - 14)

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have never used them and wont start this trip either... My little ones will be turning 3 and 2 during the trip.

 

[LUVMYTINK]

I used to be one of the people that the "leashes" were stupid and I had 2 kids at that time. They would sit in the stroller and hold hands with me or DH. And then we had our 2nd DS. He does not like to hold hands all the time and if in his stroller too long throws a fit. He can even, in an umbrella stroller, get his feet behind the foot rest and walk it around while still strapped in . We decided for our trip to WDW we are getting one for him cause he does in fact like to "take off". I even showed him 2 different ones at Walmart ( the monkey & the puppy backpack types) and he picked the puppy. He thinks it's cute and he loves wearing backpacks. I agree with the others that say it is totally up to you what you want to do and to make you feel safe.

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

I actually got a kick out of playing with the stuffed dog that wrapped around my wrist. I remember asking for it still when I was like 6, because I thought it was a special Disney toy, not a leash. So they can be quite enjoyable for some kids!

 

[gullyf]

We found the Elmo harness type leash extremely useful in managing our twins in Disney a year and a half ago when they were 2 1/2. It simply made managing them a whole lot easier, especially one of us had to deal with them alone. Never had a problem with people tripping over the leash... just kept them fairly close to us. In fact, because they were the harness type, they allowed us to save them from many falls. We did the whole trip without a stroller, using rebozo slings for carrying them when they didn't want to walk on the leash. If we were in a less crowded area or if they wanted to go play in one of the water spots or playgrounds the leash simply detaches and they have free run.

Fast forward to this year, and they are 4. We went again in May, and while we took the leashes with us they were unnecessary. We did rent a stroller for 7 out of the 10 days we were there (they are getting too much for the slings), but never felt the need for the harnesses. They were free to get in and out of the stroller as they wished (they can operate the buckles anyway, so no stopping them for the most part, just slowing them down).

So you do whatever you feel is necessary to keep everyone safe and happy and enjoying themselves and don't worry about what someone else thinks... they can't think for you, they don't know your kids, and they aren't the ones who will be panicking if your child is not in sight. Let your experience be your guide.

 

[winterman]

I haven't read all the posts here but I do want to add my 2 cents. I have no problem with the concept of 'leashes'. It is far preferable to allowing little ones to wander at will. However WDW is a very crowded place and as soon as they go 2 feet away from you the leash is going to get somebody else caught. And I don't think its right to inconvenience other people. I like to see kids in strollers or holding the hand of an adult.

 

[steen995]

Haven't read all the posts....

Just wanted to recommend the harness type over the wrist type. DS was always happy as could be with the harness type but put anything around his wrist and he had a fit.

I also wanted to say that first DS never needed a leash. #2 DS would not hold hands or do the wrist restrainer without a fit. He loved his harness however. He seemed to feel much more independent that way. Go figure..... He still sometimes sleeps with the puppy backpack one. (Yep, we have more than one. )

Good luck!

 

[minijeanie]

have 2 kids now 16 and 17.. been to wdw 13x and I have never ever considered using a leash. both my kids were different. one a wanderer and another one who wouldn't leave your side. They never strayed or if they did one eye was always on them.

I just don't understand this whole leash thing

just my opinion though

 

[BunBun]

I have to say, I was once one of those people who was secretly angry at parents who put their children on leashes.. Well, now I have 5 and 6 year old girls I'd like to duct tape to the wall/stroller/me..lol

Everyone needs to do whatever they feel they must for their own peace of mind and protect those babies!

 

[lizardqueen]

I'd like to ask all those people that have been inconvenienced by tripping over a child "leash". How close were you following behind this person and child to have been tripped by them? Why were you that close or not paying enough attention to what was going on around you to actually walk into someone and their child? The wrist leash that we had only had a little bit of leave to it. It's not like it is a retractable leash that one would use for walking a dog, so there is not that much space or string for another person to get caught up in unless they are trying to squeeze between my child and myself.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

We've always been OK with keeping a firm and purposeful hand-hold on our three sons, especially when they were younger. However, I'm not posting here to jump into the leash discussion, but rather to pass along a good idea. A wonderful thought for anyone with even a remote concern of having a child wander off is to give them the handy, dandy temporary arm tattoo...I'll explain.

Our older sons knew our cell phone numbers, but our youngest was five during our last trip and didn't know either number by heart. While a parent might simply write their cell phone number and name on a piece of paper, and trust that it would remain in a child's pocket, we found inspiration one day with an "on the fly" idea (especially since he was wearing pocketless shorts that day!) We rolled up his t-shirt arm and wrote (yes, of course, gently) our cell number there with a ball point pen. He was then instructed to show this to anyone IF he became lost. Thankfully that didn't happen, but it's a quick and easy piece of parenting "insurance!" The number was refreshed every day and was above the bottom of the sleeve, well out of sight. However, water parks and sleeveless shirt days might require something more creative...

 

[GlendaO]

Hi OP,
I do agree with the others who said, your kid(s), your choice on how to keep them safe. That being said, I owned the chest safety harnesses when my girls were smaller. They're a bit over a year apart and it made me feel safer, even when they were both in a cart, the safety harnesses were on.
My oldest didn't use it after 3 yo, but the youngest had it on when we were out til she was 5 -- oldest is a clinger and the youngest is a wanderer.
I've seen both and I do think the chest safety harness is more comfortable and less likely to come off. Also, the wrist one is extremely easy to come off, at least in my opinion.
We got ours at B**** R Us (sorry, don't know if I can say it!) but they were easy to put on but not so easy that someone else or a child could get it off in a few seconds!
Glenda

 

[silverarrowknits]

I haven't read all the posts nor do I have any children; however, I do have something nice/useful to say. I have been to Disney several times in the past couple of months and noticed that the restrainer/leash/harness of choice seemed to be the animal backpack one. If you end up using the animal one you have, your little one shouldn't feel embarrassed or out of place, since it was the one most kids were sporting (at least in my line of sight).

In addition, if your child is a "runner" use the leash. On my last trip to WDW I saw a bunch of kids running from their parents (for all sorts of reasons, mainly due to excitement). It was early May and not too crowded, so the parents could see the kids for several feet. In the height of summer, though, I can't imagine having to deal with the stress of a child getting lost in the crowd.

Have a great trip!

 

[corgi_monster]

In addition, if your child is a "runner" use the leash. On my last trip to WDW I saw a bunch of kids running from their parents (for all sorts of reasons, mainly due to excitement).QUOTE]

Agree - I know many 3 year olds who can outrun me, and I'm a pretty darn healthy 20-something female!


As long as parents aren't tying their children to a pole on Main Street while the parents shop, leashes don't bother me at all.

 

[castleri]

Having had a child lost at Disney I say do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about what others think. DS then 3 got out of the store at EPCOT crossed the walkway and went into the other side where they had basic computer type dislplays. When DH and I realized neither one of us had him it was panic time (he started with DH who thought he walked over to me in the nearly empty store- we covered every inch of the store, asked for help from a CM who insisted on checking every inch of the store again while DH went to security who told him to check every inch of the store again. Just as CM called security after realizing he was in fact not in the store , DH went across the walkway and found DS happily playing one of the computer games. His answer when we told him we were so worried about him being lost - "I wasn't lost - I knew where I was".
He had run off while I paid for a hot dog in the time it took to get my change earlier in the week at Clearwater Beach and we spotted him rounding a corner down the street. People who saw him take off never said a word when I looked around and started calling him and looking everywhere so it could have turned out quite differently if we hadn't looked down the street just as we did.

Next trip he had a leash. This coming trip in September we will have grandchildren ages 15mo, 2, and 5 with us. The 5 yo is not adventurous at all, the 2 yo will hold your hand, The 15mo (just 1yo at present) goes as fast as his little legs will take him and has no fear. We will fortunately have 8-9 adults to keep these little ones in sight but I may get at least one harness just in case.

 

[Tikicampers]

As long as parents aren't tying their children to a pole on Main Street while the parents shop, leashes don't bother me at all.