stroller for 4/5 yr old ok? opinions?

[daisylove]

Hi guys
My DD is almost five. (she will turn in Disney in 10 days! Yea!) She is also tall for her age so everyone thinks she is older. I always bring a stroller for her in the parks. Yes her knoees stick out and she really could walk but she is still a kid and gets tired. I find with the crowds and etc that it isn't just a tired kid thing but a safety thing as well. I intend to bring a stroller for her until she just doesn't fit anymore. Is this wrong. I hear people muttering about strollers are only for babies and how bad it is to have one for her. Am I missing something? I am always a careful driver and close it up and prepare ahead of time for busses so no one is ever made to wait for us. What do you think?



:Pinkbounc 9 days until Disney World!!!!

[sam1971]

You know your child best... take the stroller if you think you'll need it.

I'm just back from WDW with my 3 year old DD. With the amount of walking we did, the stroller was a necessity. The heat also made her tired. And no matter how young or old people are, a nap can sometimes be needed.

One thing I would mention though, and this is only my opinion - the rented strollers might be best for older kids. As you say, your DDs knees stick out of your stroller ... but the rented strollers seem bigger and longer to me. It might be more comfortable for her to take a break in.

Have a great time!

[llp479]

Take your stroller. DD will be 7 in April and we're taking her stroller for one last trip. DH is 6'2", I'm 5'8", and her twin sisters are just about 5', her little legs just can't keep up! Heck, half the time I'm walking 2 steps behind DH. Plus, I can no longer carry her. It also makes a handy place to keep the water bottles and various things.

Have a great trip!

[sbrown]

I don't like the hassle of getting your own stroller on the busses - if you are using them. My 3 yr old walks unless we're in the parks - then we rent one, and I will continue to do that until she's at least 5 or 6 - there's a lot of walking for little legs. I would recommend just to rent as needed, but you know your daughter best, and if she needs one other than when you're at the parks, I would bring your own.

[tjmw2727]

I agree with the others that you know your family, child and park touring stye best and if the stroller works for you go for it!

The only thing I might add is that by 5 my youngest really only needed the stroller for the parks and primarily at the end of the day. So rentals worked best for us after about age 4. I found it great not to have to deal with the stroller on the bus and the rentals easy to push and more comfy for a bigger child. The added plus is not having to worry about keeping it dry as you could easily wipe off or exchange for a dry one.

We would usually start the morning off without a stroller - and pick one up after lunch or early evening when her legs started to tire. Fantasyland IMHO is so much faster without having to worry about backtracking and parking the stroller.

Epcot and AK are the parks we were most likely to rent the stroller as well as an evening at MGM.

HTH
TJ

eta - its also nice to have during parades and fireworks etc.!

[disney4evr]

I would agree. My DD was 6 when we were there last year and I got her a stroller (rented). It was perfect. I always knew where she was and if her legs got tired she had a place to sit and we could keep moving. I would definately recommend the stroller, maybe renting one, they are a little bit bigger and her legs could stretch out better. Either way do the stroller and have a great time.

[HappyMommy2]

Do whatever you think will work best for your family. Just be courteous with your stroller, as I can tell you are.

I think some people who see older kids in strollers at WDW automatically assume that those kids also ride in strollers all the time at home. My friend was pushing her 5-year-old in a stroller at WDW and a man said loudly, "No wonder kids are so fat these days--they ride around in strollers all the time till they're teenagers!" Of course this 5-year-old rarely, if ever, rode in a stroller at home (nor was she overweight, BTW), but a week at WDW in the summertime is an extreme experience physically and her little legs needed a break!

Have a great trip!

[Hillbeans]

Happymommy2, wow, that was a very rude thing that person said. I had my just turned 3 YO in a stroller for parts of our trip and he got so much exercise this trip, probably even more than he would at home since we had snow on the ground.

Many of the rides are "exercise" for a 3,4,5 YO and making them walk on top of that is insane. People like that obviously don't have kids and should mind their business.

[dmonroe]

Our oldest ds will be 5 1/2 for our next trip, and I'm taking the stroller! He hasn't ridden in a stroller at home since before he was 3; but WDW is a different story. That is a lot of walking for little legs! Last December he did walk in Sea World, and by the end of the day he wanted to be carried. We'll just keep strolling him until he can walk the parks without getting so tired that it takes away from the "magic"!;)

[laughinplace199]

I would bring the stroller. You are obviously very considerate of others (careful driving, folding your stroller up ahead of time, etc.). If you feel that your DD will need the stroller, you should bring it.

Our DD will be one month shy of her 5th birthday when we go to WDW in May. If she still fits in the umbrella stroller (she's on the small side), we will bring it with us. If she is too big for it, we will rent a stroller in the parks. There is so much walking to do in the parks. Little legs need a rest sometimes. Also, I like knowing exactly where she is as we're walking through the parks. It's hard to get lost when you're strapped into a stroller!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and happy Bday to your DD!

[daisylove]

Thanks everyone. I am going to take the stroller this time and until she grows out of it. So "nah" to those who mumble. :p Between her well being, safety and my back (for when she would want me to carry her for miles to the bus stop) I am decided. Thanks again!

[chrisn]

That's too many steps for those short little legs! My DS was 5 1/2 last year and "rode" the entire time. I had a comment made to me too. "isn't he a little old to be riding in a stroller?" I just replied "would you like to carry him?". We are park commandos. Arrive 45 minutes before opeing and close the place down. We don't leave for pool breaks or naps so he needs this. As a matter of fact, I am renting a WDW stroller for him next February and he'll be 7 1/2. I've seen a lot bigger kids riding in them too. I don't care what others think as long as he's happy and I'm ok with it all is right with the world.

[cyiland]

The Unofficial Guide to Disney probably sums up most of the opinions expressed here. They basically say to rent a stroller for any child that can still physically fit into one. My 6 yr old daughter was 4 last time we went. She isn't the least bit self-conscious about the stroller this time. She KNOWS how far we went, and how TIRED she was at the end of the day, and SHE wasn't even WALKING that much. I'm SURE I'll have a pointed comeback to anyone who decides to offer their opinion on our decision to use a stroller! (I'll hope not to run into anyone so bold, though...).

[lentesta]

Daisylove, unless those muttering folks are willing to lug your DD around Frontierland, ignore them. I brought a stroller for my DD5.5 this past January and wouldn't even dream of doing otherwise. Heck, she can ride in that thing as long as she fits.

BTW, the stroller we got specifically for Disney was a Maclaren Volo (in iris - it matches her eyes :P). It's an umbrella-type with a mesh seat. It weighs around seven pounds and has a nice carrying strap, folds quickly, too, and is durable. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Hope this helps!

Sincerley,

Len

[wdwnutze]

I rented a stroller for my dd a month after she turned 5. She started out saying she was too old for a stroller and didn't want to ride in one but after a while she gave in. She never rides in a stroller at home but the amount of walking at WDW is too much for the little legs. I really don't care what other people think of my dd in a stroller. They aren't the ones dealing with her or having to carry her. Do what is right for your family and your child. Have a great time.

[Desnik]

On our trip this past Nov. DD was 5yrs almost 6yo. My DS was 8mo and I had his stroller. I didn't even think of having one for DD. Well, let's just say thank God I had the Baby Bjorn for my son! At night DD was so tired and never made it back to our resort awake! We usually went to Epcot at night to watch Illuminations. We would then walk back to our resort, BWV. She would be dosing at Epcot. Also, it was a seat for her to watch Illuminations. The baby fell asleep on me and DD in the stroller! She fit perfectly too! She is petite, but the stroller was great. It is a Peg Perego Pliko, love it!

So if you feel your DD needs one, go for it. On lookers aren't going to offer to carry your sleeping child for you so who cares what they think!LOL!!!!!

[momof3disneyholics]

my son is seven and we always rent a stroller for him, because that much walking is just so hard on little feet.

[carone0318]

Just wanted to add that when we went last year in May we brought a stroller for our dd (6), she turned (7) in Sept. This Aug/Sept trip will be her first trip without a stroller and the one who is not happy about it is her, she will just be shy of (8). She doesn't want to walk. Realize that my dd is a half-pint, she is 47.5" and weighs 42lbs, so she is smaller than some 5 yr olds. If I had a stroller that could accomodate her still, I would bring it. Disney is different, it's not like home. Besides, I don't want to hear her whine the whole time because she is tired :rolleyes: See deep down the stroller really would be for me, not her, but I'd never tell her that!!

[BevS97]

we did the same as Desnik -took the stroller for the baby, and had the 6 year old walk - late in the evening the baby went in the sling, and the 6year old in the stroller.

i don't thing a rental would have worked for us, the main time we needed the stroller was after we left the park, she had tons of energy in the park, but as soon as we left, she just collapsed and slept all the way back to the hotel

[KevinFSU]

Our youngest (she'll be 6 in June) hasn't used a stroller in a long time. I miss mine being that small, but one thing I don't miss is the stroller.

Rides are exercise??? Come on now..........

[disdreams]

Definately take one, or rent one. My 6 year old still sits in one if we are at a theme park. No one ever says anything. I let my two youngest take turns....whoever needs some rest at the time. At WDW last time we rented a double and it was great....no problem at all. Don't worry about what anyone thinks. I really dont think that age is too old and no one will say anything :)

[disdreams]

PS: It's definately better than lugging the kids around!!! My back and shoulders can't take it. Also, we use it to carry our backpack, drinks, jackets, etc...etc.... Believe me, it is WORTH every second!

[Roemama1]

I guess it all depends on what park you're going to. We just got back from WDW in Feb. My DD's are 5 and 8. We only rented a stroller for MK and Epcot just because of all the walking involved. We didn't get one for AK or MGM. We did 2 days at MK and the second day we even rented a double stroller so that DD, age 8, could ride wtih her sister if she got tired. It was also great so we didn't have to carry the backpack, etc.

[my3princes]

Bring your stroller. I have 3 boys (16mths, 6yrs and 8yrs). We have brought our double stroller on all 5 of our previous trips and will bring one in July. The 8 yr old doesn't need to ride anymore, but it comes in handy if he won't listen. It is also great for carting around all of the items that are required with young kids. Don't worry about what people think, in fact I have had many adults comment that they wish they were made large enough for them.

[bubbasmom99]

My son turns 5 next month and pretty much gets along without a stroller now, but I know he would definitely get tired out at the parks. Last trip to DL in November, we took DD's stroller and rented one for DS when he got tired. I plan to do the same thing when we go to WDW in December. We do have a Combi umbrella stroller for DS but he's really too heavy to maneuver in it. At least the rental strollers are made to hold a bit more weight....

[DisneyMomx7]

We went last August with a 2, 4 and 5 years old. We brought the 2 year old's umbrella stroller and rented a double for the girls. It was a life saver, especially in the MK in the August heat. We are going back in July and I'm in the process of buying a double umbrella stroller for the 5 & 6 year olds just because it will be easier and less expensive each day. My girls are on the small side and I'll keep them in the strollers until they absolutely refuse. By the way they don't use strollers anywhere else but WDW and believe me when it's hot the they're tired they are quite happy to be pushed around.

[molliesmom]

I was told by a friend to bring a stroller for my DD (who turned 5 at WDW on 3/22). It was the best advice I got. I have not used my expensive Peg Perego Umbrella stroller in alittle over 3 years. My husband got it out of the garage, cleaned it up and she rode it in from the time we checked in at the airport until we landed back home again. When she was tired at night and wanted to rest/sleep while the rest of our party went on rides, she could and was comfortable. Much better than trying to carry a tired sleepy sweaty child! LOL.

I found walking in the parks with the stroller fine. The only thing my DH and I commented about was that if we were in the park after a parade, we would wait until the hordes of people passed by. Trying to walk with everyone in a big pack is hard - and don't even think about trying to go across the the flow!

I had an unfortunately experience with a mean person in a scooter that cut me off and ran up the back of my 13 yo son after the parade one night at MK. The nasty woman had the nerve to yell to my son (whom she ran over) to "go back to your mother". We just laughed at her - she didn't get to us or ruin our mood.

[momof4boys]

Take the stroller and don't worry about what others may think.
Our last trip was in December and we ended up renting a double stroller along with our own double stroller. Our kids are 9, 6, 4, and 17 mos at the time. The older ones were tired of walking and it worked out the best for us. Good luck and have fun!!!

[my3girlstoo]

Take the stroller! When my dd's were 18mo. and 5yrs., we found that for safety reasons of my 5 yr. old not getting trampled after leaving the parks after fireworks , I would carry 18mo. old and put 5 yr. old in stroller. Just to scary. People seem to think its a space opening not a kid and after the first night of her being pushed and shoved we put her in the stroller.

[TripletsMom]

Didn't think I would need a stroller...but maybe I do. I need 3 strollers:( and I no longer have mine. Can anyone tell me what the WDW rental costs are for single and a double? Any tips on doing the parks without a stroller?

[tink2]

Tripletsmom- i think the single rentals are $8/day, not sure about the doubles- maybe $15? Check allears.net- I'm sure it's on there.

My DD will be 5 when we go in Dec. We are definitely renting a stroller for her! I don't think she could make it without one! Besides, if they ride in one they don't tire as quickly. My niece was 6 on one last trip. She didn't get a stroller until the last day- 5th day. Every afternoon around 4:00-5:00, she became very cranky and ill. She was tired. Finally my brother broke down and rented a stroller. The next trip she was 7. Though she didn't need it as bad, by the third afternoon he rented her one for the night. She lasted much longer that way.
Don't worry about what others think. Most who have comments like those have never taken a 5 year old to WDW. Or, they don't stay in the parks all day like my family does! Have a great time and rent the stoller! princess:

[lailah]

Can anyone tell me what umbrella stroller would be good for a 5 year old who is about 50 lbs.? I rented a stroller for my granddaughter last December and it got rather expensive for 10 days (only because everybody said 'don't bother with the stroller'). Ha! Not this time! ;) I needed that stroller more for the trek from the bus to the gates and back. Of course she was sleeping in the evening and got real heavy. So any ideas??

[MrsMud]

I put my Dds in a double "carriage" for Hershey Park and both of our Disney trips, the last one when they were 5 1/2 and 7 1/2. I don't really care if anyone thinks they're too old! I feel secure in knowing where they are every second, and the walking is a lot for adults, it must be very difficult for little ones. I guess everyone's situation is different, but I know that for our family, the stroller made for a much more pleasant time for everyone.

[daisylove]

Thanks to everyone for their info, support and opinions on this one. we are taking a stroller and we leave tomrrow!!!!:bounce: :Pinkbounc woo hoo. Now does anyone have an opinion on gatechecking with SWA?:D