We are planning a trip to DisneyWorld (flying) with our three small children ages 1,4,and 7)and I am terrified of my little one not wanting to stay in a stroller thru the parks. Any tips/ideas? My sweet angel weighs about 30 lbs. and is far too heavy to carry for long distances unless there is a backpack like crrier someone may know about. Please give me any advice you can!

By Tripletmom on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 09:43 am:

Maybe you can alternate between a stroller and a harness.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:17 am:

They have nice rental strollers at WDW. We went when my kids were 5 & 7, and they actually preferred to ride in a double rental stroller. Disney is a very busy place with lots of sights. They liked sitting back and soaking it all in, besides the fact that it didn't take long for them to get tired from walking. LOL!

I've never owned one, but there are backpack carriers. There are hip carriers, too.

By Sunny on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 10:17 am:

Do you have a problem keeping your little one in a stroller now? I'm not sure why you would be so worried about Disney. There is so much to see and so much going on that it's a lot for adults to take in!
I don't think you'll have too much trouble keeping your little one in a stroller while walking through the parks. There are out of the way places inside the parks that you could let them out of the stroller to stretch their legs, you can let them out for pictures with the characters and you can't use the stroller while waiting in line, so it's not like they are in there the entire time. Another thing is the time of the year you plan to go. If it is during the hotter months, your little one might prefer being in the stroller. But if it's off-season and not as crowded, there might be more time to take it slow and let him/her explore. Depending on how much you want to carry around the parks, bring something that will keep them occupied if you think they're getting antsy.

I have twice taken a one year old to Disney and have never had any problems with them not wanting to be in the stroller. We did give them chances to run around, so that might have helped. Have fun!

By Melanie on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 12:13 pm:

Our youngest was 21 months when we took her to Disney. I brought along both the stroller and the harness, but she was always in the stroller. She had no issues staying in it, and it was wonderful that she could lay down and fall asleep whenever she felt like it. I was amazed at some of the things she slept through! Be sure to tie a scarf or something unique onto your stroller as they can all look alike when you come out of a ride and they are often rearranged to keep sidewalks clear when you are inside a ride. Make yours unique (and it is easy to find in the sea of stroller if you tie a balloon to it) so no one mistakes it for theirs.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 12:34 pm:

The strollers that I've seen for rent @ Disney are really nice, and since there is SO much walking involved, I think your little one will probably end up being content staying in one. And ditto Melanie's suggestion! The last time I was there a few years ago, when we came off of some of the rides, we were immediately lost in a sea of empty strollers, and on this particular day, they very nearly DID block the walking area, there were so many of them. Definitely tie something easily identifiable to it. And have FUN!

By Debbie on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 01:51 pm:

We took my ds to Disneyland when he was 18 months. He was not one that normally liked riding in a stroller, but he did at Disney. He got tired quickly and it was hot. He enjoyed sitting in his stroller with the shade and a drink! With the ages on your children, I would recommend renting a double stroller at the parks. It is a lot of walking, even for a 4 and 7 yr. old. Our last trip, when my boys were 5 and 7, was the first time we didn't rent a stroller while we were there.

By Dandjmom on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 02:49 pm:

The last time I visited Disney,I took my dd and dc( dear cousin) who where 5 and 6 at the time , and I had to rent a stroller for the two of them , they tired very quickly. so I'm sure your 1 year old will like the welcome of a stroller ride with time out to stretch and explore. I'm jealous, I want to go this year, But we will have to wait until next year. Have fun.

By Ynkeegrl3 on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 12:23 pm:

THANK ALL OF YOU LADIES FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND ADVICE. I FEEL MUCH MUCH BETTER NOW HEARING HOW YOUR LITTLE ONES COPED. GREAT IDEA FOR THE SCARF, I NEVER WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED THAT!