Ode to the Tushbaby - Reviewing Our Favorite Toddler Carrier for Disneyland (and Beyond)

As parents who love to explore, we've put our fair share of baby carriers to the test over the past year. Our collection (so far) includes an Ergobaby, an Osprey Poco backpack-style carrier, and several Tushbaby carriers – all excelling at their own role. But if we had to choose just one carrier for a trip to Disneyland? The Tushbaby wins, hands down. In this post we'll dig into why the Tushbaby is the best toddler carrier for Disney Parks.

So why do we like the Tushbaby hip carrier so much? It basically comes down to its affordability (we paid around $85), ergonomics, functionality, and just general versatility.

Versatility

A trip to Disneyland is very different from a linear, multi-mile hike (where our Osprey backpack carrier truly shines). Sure we still walk a lot, but it is a lot more "stop and go." You'll be dashing between rides, pausing to chug some Blue Milk in Galaxy's Edge, and inching through some long lines. Stopping to strap your toddler in and out of a traditional baby carrier gets old quick.

The Tushbaby's true strength at Disneyland is its adaptability. We can swiftly pop our daughter on to navigate crowded areas, then just as easily set her down when she wants to walk or when it's time to (finally) board a ride. Beyond carrying, it's a multi-purpose tool: a makeshift seat for snacking in line, a booster for a better view of parades, a stable platform for nursing, and even a comfy spot for an impromptu nap.

Ergonomics

Let's be frank, we're not ergonomic experts and the Tushbaby may not be comfortable for everyone. But on our two recent trips to Disneyland with a one year old this hip carrier was definitely the right call for us. We were able to survive three nearly twelve hour days without significant back pain. We'll take that small victory! 🙂

That said, a full day at the parks can definitely take a toll. To stay pain-free, proper adjustment is crucial. A loose Tushbaby can lead to back pain, so make sure it's snug and secure against your body. Remember to take breaks throughout the day to give your body a rest from carrying – your back will thank you!

Functionality and Storage

The Tushbaby has a lot of pockets – and we mean a lot. It's got five main pockets and a small water bottle holder. Jessica was able to use it as her main purse for our entire trip. She managed to pack in the following:

• Hand sanitizer, baby wipes, a couple diapers, sunscreen, and some miscellaneous purse stuff in the large front pouch.
• Wallet and phone in the zippered side pouch
• 9 oz bottle or sippy cup in the water bottle pouch
• And more...

When it's not being used as a hip carrier the belt portion can be folded up and you can attach a shoulder strap to it. This lets you use the Tushbaby more like a purse or crossbody bag. Although they sell a strap meant for it, we just bought a generic one on Amazon for around $10.

Long story short, we did not find the Tushbaby lacking in the storage department.

Beyond Disney

These days we've got two of them. One heather grey that gets the bulk of the use and a "fancy" silver metallic one that was invaluable on our trip to Vegas. Jessica has even started using it as a purse day to day – basically any time we bring Emmy somewhere out and about. We use it at the park, at the zoo, at the grocery store... everywhere!

With its ample storage, adaptable design, and ability to quickly spring in to (and out of) action, the Tushbaby was clearly the right baby carrier for the job on our recent trips to Disneyland. And since it supposedly supports up to preschool age children (I'll believe it when I see it) it will definitely be coming with us on our next trip.