Help!!First trip w/out stroller

[kkheburn]

This will be our first trip without our stroller. I hope my DD will make it. She is to big for hers. How will we carry our drinks and snacks without carrying a giant back pack. We tend to put everything in the back of our stroller. Really do not want to lug a big bag around on rides and through DL.

 

[tracer]

You're brave. I couldn't imagine not having some kind of stroller for our 4 year old over the course of 4 days. I have no clue how you will carry everything - one day I too will be in your shoes. My only suggestion is, downsize on what you take and take advantage of a locker.

 

[DangerMouse]

Do you have a Disney Visa? You can get up to 2 free strollers a day if you have one. I think it's a great perk and one of the main reasons we got the Visa (well, that and the rewards points) ;-)

If not, the rentals are $11 a day I believe, and they will easily hold a 5 year old. My 10 year old still spends time in one when she can talk her little sister into giving her a rest time. I love having a place to stash my extra water bottles, coats, etc. and not having to get a locker. That alone is worth the price of the stroller, I would think.

 

[kkheburn]

We do not have a Disney Visa but may consider trying one if she fits. Are the lines long in the am to rent one?

 

[DangerMouse]

How big is your dd? The strollers are quite roomy. Like I said, my almost 11 year old can still take advantage of a rest time in one.

There can be a line in the mornings, so here is what I would suggest. If you think your dd and dh (or person carrying a backpack) can handle waiting for a stroller, don't get one first thing. Go ahead and head into the parks and do some rides. You will probably all be needing your jackets in the morning anyway. About the time you are needing to peel your jackets, you can head back to the stroller rental place and pick one up without a wait. Then you have a place to store your stuff and your dd will have a place to rest her feet.

Also, I have never found the DCA stroller rental area busy, so that's always a great place to pick one up.

 

[AndyLL]

This will be our first trip without our stroller. I hope my DD will make it. She is to big for hers. How will we carry our drinks and snacks without carrying a giant back pack. We tend to put everything in the back of our stroller. Really do not want to lug a big bag around on rides and through DL.

We are telling our 5 year old that the April trip will be without the stroller but my guess is we'll bring it.

We are at the Parks from opening to closing... he will not nap (or even rest) at the hotel but will nap in the stroller.

And like you we are very used to using the stroller for storeage.

Andy

 

[HonestAbe]

This will be our first trip without our stroller. I hope my DD will make it. She is to big for hers. How will we carry our drinks and snacks without carrying a giant back pack. We tend to put everything in the back of our stroller. Really do not want to lug a big bag around on rides and through DL.

Well - you could carry a couple of small backpacks and distribute the load. Also you might consider these things attached to the ends your arms. I call them "hands" as they are "handy" for carrying items like a drink. Heck - rent a wheelchair and use it like a shopping cart to push your junk all around the park in or tell your DH that it's Momma's Stroller and he's gonna have to push you around the park

 

[zukeeper]

My plan for this trip is to take our beater stroller across the street with my 5yo DS as a baggage carrier, and trade it in for a DL stroller as soon as the lines for strollers seem do-able. I will also get a stroller for my 9yo DD at some point in the day/evening. These strollers are great baggage carts! We do a lot of parking and take the valuables along on rides and when dining. We do get 2 free per day with the Disney Visa, but I would still get 1 for sure without the discount.

 

[dizzyami]

I would definitely rent a stroller - we decided to do our last trip in January with only one stroller (we have DD6 and DS4). The 2 fought over the stroller the whole trip, so on day 2 we rented one (with the free disney visa), and the whole trip was happier. DD is tiny, but the stroller was huge, I joked with DH that I could have easily fit in it

 

[tinkcollector]

It looks like I am in the minority here. I truly dislike strollers. My first reason is that ppl seem to always hit my heals or run over my feet with there strollers. My second, is the lack of space for parking strollers. I do believe with very small children a stroller is a necessary evil, I wish there were stroller lanes. I like the idea of using small backpacks and down sizing to keep it simple. When, way back when my Son was four he did fine without a stroller. If your children still nap, I find that my Husband would always be happy to volunteer to take them for a nap. Children can also help with carrying certain items, like the water bottle carriers are very easy for children to handle (there are several models). One of my friends (Dineyluvr2), taught me that purchasing a Disney gift card saves alot of space and keeps things easier as you do not need any cash. It can be kept in a lanyard along with your ticket. And finally if just can not down size enough the use of a locker is a great idea.

 

[kkheburn]

I have downsized my bag and plan to use a locker to hold extra drinks and coats. My youngeset will wear her monkey back pack w/ water bottle in it and the tail is a leash so it should be fine. Thanks everyone!

 

[LauraAnn630]

I would not even consider NOT renting a stroller.

I do not know many children that walk several miles a day, day after day.

This is vacation after all. Do not make your 4yr old and yourself miserable!

We rented one for our 5 yr old. He walked a lot! But we had the stroller when he was tired and we were not.

Its great for holding all your stuff. Perfect place for them to sit for the parades.

We walk over 8 miles a day. Some kids just cant do that day afer day.

Let us know how it goes!!

 

[kelmac284]

We got really spoiled with our strollers too but we learned to downsize. Now we just make sure that everything fits in what we can carry on our bodies. I use a fannypack (god forbid) LOL but that is because I can't stand anything on my back or over my shoulders (it gives me a migraine over time). In that I carry my camera, money, sunglasses, cell phone, credit cards and gum etc. It is just big enough for the essentials. When my mom goes with she usually brings a small cloth bag cuz she always has "stuff" that she likes to carry and we like that cuz then we end up stuffing jackets in it or park maps, water bottles whatever. We always drink water and just carry it or you can buy those straps for around your neck. Those work well.

For our jackets we get medium weight ones that we can tie around our waists if we get hot or just get a locker. It is just easier than trying to lug a bunch of stuff around all day. The lockers work well though if you need changes of clothes or more items and there is always the close hotels for a mid day break.

Our kids are 7 and 8 and we have been doing this since they were babies. We stopped bringing strollers since they were about 5 as well and have managed quite well. Sure they get a little tired and I miss having the space but I have also heard of all the thefts and we got to laxidazical (sp?) anyway.

It is nice to just have a small amount of stuff. The less the better for rides and just to carry.

 

[kellymom]

Last year we did not use a stroller at all for our 3 days there. My dd turned 4during our trip. I carried a backpack and when she wanted to be carried my husband just carried her. We are used to that anyway. Each child is different and has different needs. To us, strollers are a hassle and not worth our time loading and unloading it, parking it and then going on the hunt to find it again.

If you do rent a stroller, take a birght colored ribbon and tie it around the top handle. This way you can find your stroller easily in sea of Disney strollers .

 

[Oscar T. Grouch]

Where are lockers located in the park? Are they gone in a flash? Are they lock ones (bring your on padlock) or pay everytime you go into it?

 

[Husker Mickey]

The first time we went, our DD was 5. She did great without a stroller. You know your child. If he/she tires easily or poops out in the afternoon, get a stroller then. Our DD stayed the whole day and was still running and hopping up on the benches on the way out of the park. Have a great time!

 

[brenda1966]

The time when I need the stroller is that long walk out of the park and to the hotel. So as tempting as the free Visa stroller is, the fact that I can't take it to my hotel makes it a no go.

And unfortunately I don't have a DH who can carry her. So, we keep taking the stroller and I really dread the day when we'll have to give it up (and that day is coming...)

 

[AndyLL]

The time when I need the stroller is that long walk out of the park and to the hotel. So as tempting as the free Visa stroller is, the fact that I can't take it to my hotel makes it a no go.

And unfortunately I don't have a DH who can carry her. So, we keep taking the stroller and I really dread the day when we'll have to give it up (and that day is coming...)

We're the same. I'm the DH but with my back about 10-15 minutes is all I can take carrying him... and at the end of the day that might be pushing it.

Someone above had a good idea we might try. Use our old smaller stroller to the park but rent one at the park which would fit my son better. ( we have a Disney Visa)

Andy

 

[Jenn1116]

Hmmmm... I'm going with DD4, this will be her second trip. The first time she was 2 and we used a stroller. I was not planning on a stroller but if her feet hurt and she's whiny then I'll definitely rent one. However, I have heard in the past that they frequently run out in the morning. I am concerned that when DD4 needs one in the afternoon, there won't be any available. Does anyone know if this is a big problem?

 

[DangerMouse]

Hmmmm... I'm going with DD4, this will be her second trip. The first time she was 2 and we used a stroller. I was not planning on a stroller but if her feet hurt and she's whiny then I'll definitely rent one. However, I have heard in the past that they frequently run out in the morning. I am concerned that when DD4 needs one in the afternoon, there won't be any available. Does anyone know if this is a big problem?

I could only see them running out if you are going during Spring Break or the week between Christmas and New Years.

If DL is out, checking at DCA is always an option.