Using the "leash" on children at WDW????

[klo289]

We used a harness on my 3 year old when we went. I loved it so much, that I also bought one for my younger daughter when she got a little older. We used them any time we went to carnivals, zoos, conventions (anywhere there were large crowds that they could get lost in). No one ever made negative comments to me. Actually, everywhere we went people commented on how smart it was, and people were always asking where we got them from. With so many children being snatched up, it provides you with piece of mind, knowing that yours will not be able to wander away. Have fun and don't worry about what anyone thinks!

 

[cutienibbler]

I have never used a harness... never had the need. If you have the need for one, then use it. If it keeps your child safe, who cares what anyone thinks?

 

[WDWFAN9]

Mom of four here.....I used a harness with a dog leash extension for my DD then 16 months old while I was pregnant with my youngest when we were at the older kids summer ball games. I could sit on a blanket and she could safely explore about a six foot radius around me. It was a real life saver! However, I am not so sure that a harness would work well at WDW. As other posters have mentioned it would be easy to trip over.

 

[ABWTmom]

I appreciate the feedback on this thread. We are leaving on May 17th with our twin DD's who are 25 months old and aren't happy in a stroller and don't always like to hold hands. We have the slings for when they want to be held, but have been thinking about the harnesses for when they don't.

Thanks again!

 

[adisneymama]

I have the elmo harness too. We have only used it a few times, but loved it. I have never used it at Disney, but am seriously considering taking it in Sept when we go. DD will be 3 and is now starting to like to wander outside the stroller a little. I have never heard any negative comments when we used it. I have heard many positives. The way I look at it, I don't care what other people think. There are too many child molesters, etc out there. It is our job as parents to keep our children safe and if I have to use a harness to do so, I will.

 

[susandklein]

I never wanted a harness so desperately in my life until a couple years ago my in-laws brought our niece(then 8) and nephew(then 6) up to visit and we went to Dolloywood. The ENTIRE day all you could hear from my DMIL was "stop, come back here, ok now lets go" over and over and over and over. My nephew was rarely more than 8 foot in front us and we could always see him, but my DMIL was so paranoid that he was going to be kidnapped that I searched every store at the park, praying that I could find a lease if only to get her to hush.
Now, that I've typed this I need to clarify my meaning. I know that children can be kidnapped and they should not be allowed to roam away. The problem that day was the way that my DMIL was handling it i.e. making him walk back to us only to have the whole family walk straight to where he was when she yelled stop. Poor kid retraced his steps too many times to count and I don't think my DMIL relaxed the entire day worrying about him and his sister.

And for anyone who thinks putting a child on a leash is treating them like a pet I would consider that a compliment simply b/c I put my dogs on a leash b/c they only listen when they want to and I don't want them to go running off into the street and getting hit by a car. My dogs are my children and their safety is of number 1 importance. Plus, I'd rather have the leash than having to yell at my child every five minutes to "stop, come back, ok now lets go" It wouldn't take too long before that parent lost that magic feeling.

I know how you felt on that day. I bought harnesses for my two girls when they were 7 and 5 on our trip to Washington DC.

We went to Disneyland the following year. I still had the harnesses and took them along just in case. It was the best thing I could have done. The scenario was much similar to what you descibed. "Don't run, Come back here","Girls wait".
It's not that the girls were disobedient as that they were so excited. Once I put their leashes on,they had the freedom to walk and be at ease.Their enthusiam was still there,but they had their limits. They actually liked wearing them. I know some will criticize me and remark that girls this age should be able to control themsleves and that I am a poor parent. But we were all at ease and enjoyed the entire 3 days without worry. The leashes made for a wonderful vacation and a very positive memory of the trip. They still talk about it when we bring up going back to Disneyland.