Hey, howdy, hey, Kelli! Welcome back to planDisney, and thanks for bringing your question to me today! It looks like you'll be visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth early this summer, so be sure to take advantage of the
complimentary water park admission for Disney Resort hotel guests on your check-in day! It's a great way to splash into the magic of vacation without any additional costs!
Kelli, navigating the parks with little ones takes some planning and strategizing, and vacations are always more magical when everyone can keep up with the pace of the magic! I looked into the
Walt Disney World Resort park rules, and as long as your backpack rider does not exceed the dimensions listed for backpacks (24" long x 15" wide x 18" high), you should be fine to bring it into the parks with you!
While I've never personally used one of these in the parks, I have noticed other guests carrying kids this way to give them a break from the walking (and to help them keep up with mom and dad!) I also reached out to a few of my panelist pals;
Christina confirmed that she frequently uses a backpack rider to help her little one piggyback through the parks and
Jeremy also shared his memories of carrying his kiddos years ago on their family vacations! I would recommend avoiding the hiking-style carriers that lift the kiddos above your shoulders, but other than that, you should be good to go!
If you do decide you'd prefer to
rent a stroller during your visit, single and double stroller options are available for rent at each of the four theme parks. You can also have a stroller delivered directly to your Disney Resort hotel for pick-up upon your arrival if you'd prefer not to travel with your own. These are some options in case you decide the kids need a little more support to get through your park days!
Kelli, before I let you go, your visit falls during the
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, so be sure to spend some time exploring the character topiaries, outdoor kitchens, and the newly unveiled
Playalong Bay Play Garden while you're there! I had a peek at the festival this past week and I know your kids are going to love seeing EPCOT in bloom, chasing butterflies, and learning about different types of plants! It's such a wonderful event!
I hope this helps, Kelli, and if you have any other planning questions before your visit, feel free to come back and
let me know! You've got a friend in me!
See you real soon,
Alison