Age for no stroller needed?

kam1011 · Apr 1, 2013

My answer to what age is "6" - so you could probably go either way. I'd probably not bring one and try to do without (it is easier to just walk then have to get a stroller everywhere) and if he needs it then rent in the park.

wallawallakids · Apr 2, 2013

My twins will have just turned 6 when we go to DL this summer. I am bringing our single stroller with the standing board on the back. I would love to go without but I know we can't yet. Just walking back to the hotel at night after a long day at the parks, I can see them falling apart. I am really hoping it is our last time though.

I think it is hard if you have older siblings in your group. If it was just our younger two I would slow down with them and take more breaks (like we did with our oldest two) but with an 11 year old and 10 year old wanting to go, go, go I know that is unreasonable. The twins can't be expected to keep up with them and it isn't fair to ask my older two to constantly slow down. Of course, we could split up, but in my mind that defeats the point of a family vacation. Sooo...stroller is coming, again.

laughinplace199 · Apr 2, 2013

It really depends on the kid. We just got back yesterday. My youngest is 6 and he has low muscle tone, so he tires more easily than most kids his age. That, combined with the very large crowds of Easter week, made us decide to use the stroller. Sometimes the crowds were so large that I had a hard time keeping track of my 13 and 11 yr olds, so I was happy to have my 6 yr old in the stroller where I knew he couldn't get lost.

Since he will be at least 7 by the time our next trip rolls around, we knew that this was the last time we'd be using the stroller. Yesterday, as we headed out of AK to go to the airport, I found a stroller-less family with a little girl heading into the park. I went up to them and asked them if they would like our stroller and they were thrilled! So they got a free stroller and we didn't have to lug a stroller back home with us. :thumbsup2

curlybop · Apr 2, 2013

We rented last year because we knew our youngest would be tired from walking. (she has just turned 4). One of the biggest benefits for us was the rain cover. Last June we arrived at WDW at the same time a hurricane hit on the west coast of FL. It was rainy off and on for a few days during our visit. Our daughter loved getting in the stroller, being protected by the rain cover. She would get out and walk for a while, but she actually preferred the stroller most of the time. We were incredibly thankful to be able to push her instead of carrying her around the parks! We will be getting a stroller again this summer, but that will probably be the last time.

FlightlessDuck · Apr 2, 2013

Last time I went to Disney with children younger than 6, the family we traveled with brought their stroller and half the time the children didn't want to use it. Personally, I dislike them. Too bulky and hard to navigate through crowds. I'd rather carry my children. Of course, my children are 16 and 13, so it's been a while

CanuckTraveller · Apr 2, 2013

Our first trip to WDW was March 10-13. Our boys are 8&5 yrs and well travelled. We did not bring a stroller, often arrived at the parks near or at rope drop and even stayed one night for fireworks at MK. We took breaks as needed or sought out a quiet or seated attraction to recharge. Honestly, the boys did better than DH and I, and I ran the Castaway Cay 5K in under 28 mins (to give you an idea of my endurance

)
I could not imagine bringing a stroller, but that's me. We haven't travelled with a stroller since DS2 was 2 yrs old and still made tight connections in major US airports with children, carry on bags and a car seat strapped to DH's back. We've also done 7.5 hr cruise excursions without a stroller when DS2 was 4 yrs old.
I think it all depends on your child and your expectations while at the parks.

DuckyMommy · May 4, 2015

My son will be just shy of 6 when we visit WDW and I am trying to decide if we need a stroller. I am hoping that the cooler weather will make it easier on him but I am also wondering if the crowds will make it necessary. I think I will likely just rent one at the park if we need it.

Coconut8473 · May 4, 2015

DS will be 5.5 when we go in August and DD will be 1.5. We were originally going to bring our umbrella stroller for DD, but have been contemplating renting a double. 90% of the time I know that DS will not be in the stroller (he's a commando, has gone at least once a year his whole life, and we live in a major city so he is more than used to walking everywhere!), but we're staying at Beach Club this trip, and (perhaps selfishly, per some of the posts on this thread) I love the idea of being able to stroll back to the hotel slowly and quietly after a long Epcot or DHS night (both of my kids can nap/fall asleep anywhere, including strollers). Disney's a lot different than "real life" (he hasn't ridden in a stroller at home for 2+ years) and we make some exceptions/concessions for late nights, and snoozing in a stroller sounds like a great way to end a day without any exhausted meltdowns (DS) or sore backs (mom & dad, having to carry one of the kids).

ELSA711 · May 4, 2015

I think it depends on time of year with weather and every child is different.
We go in October/early November and haven't brought one since the youngest was 2. Last year she was 4 and we didn't take one and this year at 11/8/5 we won't either.
Our days are typically short though. My middle one, boy can't hang for late parades, fireworks so we usually cut our days short at 7pm/8pm at the latest and we are not RD people.

DaniMoon · May 4, 2015

My son had just turned 5 when we went in 2013. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do, he would complain here at home when we would be somewhere "Carry me". I kept going back and forth, to rent or not. Finally, I just decided we are going to be there for 10 days, we would give it a day or two and see how it went. I could always have a rental delivered to the hotel. He didn't complain once and the only time my husband carried him was the night we did the Electric Parade and it was very crowded and it was just easier.

Now, we toured at our kids' pace. We did rope drop every morning, did mostly late character breakfasts, and toured til 1-2 pm and went back to the hotel to relax. We did different evening things, but only two later nights (after 9). I know my kids. My youngest needed to be in bed by 9:30 or the next day would not be pretty.

So, you know your kids. If you are going to be at the parks open to close, a stroller may be needed. And if you want to wait and see you can always change your plan when you get there. I'm glad I waited because it was an expense we didn't need.

Lilliputian · May 4, 2015

I can't imagine using a stroller for a 6 year old, but we're unique because we have 6 children ages 12 and under. If 6 year olds in our family sat in a stroller, I'd need a triple or even quadruple stroller, and that's not happening.

It's a good idea to know your child's tolerance before you go. Spend a long day at the zoo or local amusement park. Go hiking the next day. See how everyone does. Based on what you find, you may decide to rent a stroller, or you may decide to keep on hiking and going on daily walks to improve stamina.

Lavitz · May 4, 2015

4-5 is the age my kids usually want to walk instead of being pushed around. And I don't blame them. Who wants to be tied down to a stroller when you're at WDW. It's like taking them to Toys R Us and expecting them to sit in the stroller, it's really not going to happen.

TempleOT · May 4, 2015

Last year when my daughter was 7 and my son was 4, we rented a single at MK for my son. Well, my daughter spent half the day trying to get in it and the other half lying on top of it, so from the next day on, we got a double and boy did we use it. We'll see how this year goes now that she's 8....but I'm guessing it will be more of the same, lol.

cadawson · May 4, 2015

I'm afraid if I rented one at MK, my 10 year old would beg to ride in it! She's TALL for her age - so no way that's happening!
We bring our Maclaren Triumph with us for our 4 year old. Most of the time, he's out walking, but it sure is nice when he's exhausted and needs some break time while his older sister is still going! We used an older model Maclaren when she was 6 at Disney - again, she's tall for her age and she hung off the end, but she still had a few days when she fell asleep in the stroller. I love my Maclaren - studier than an umbrella stroller but lightweight and compact for getting around Disney transportation.

luvmy2babies · May 5, 2015

My son will be approaching 6 when we go next. He probably could walk most of the trip. He’s been walking more and more each of the last 3 trips. He’s stroller free at home unless we go to the zoo (really big with a lot of hills). Sometimes though at Disney he gets over stimulated and he needs a space to retreat and the stroller does that for him, especially the Baby Joggers with the big shade. I go at my children’s pace and we take frequent breaks as we usually go in the summer. But he had also given up naps last trip and we like to be out at night probably 2 nights of our trip. He does great and loves MSEP and Wishes; but at the last pop he is out cold. Literally falls asleep while we are applauding at the end. I was grateful I had the stroller to get him out to the bus and from the bus to the room. Just the two children and me and I’d never make it carrying him in that crowd, especially with that heat.

DopeyDame · May 5, 2015

We're heading down in June with a 3 and 6 year old and bringing one umbrella stroller. We were there in January when they were 2 and 5, and mostly the 2 year old sat in the stroller but the 5 year old rode a few times.

njmom76 · May 5, 2015

I did not use one on my trip with DD who was 6 last September and she was fine, but she is a very active kid. We will be renting a double this summer, but will have my 2 year old with us as well and she will want to ride with him occasionally.

Kbee · May 5, 2015

We stopped using a stroller when my kids were 4 so I don't think a 6 year old needs a stroller. I think the parents of a 6 year old who want to stay at the park when its obvious their child is exhausted need a stroller.

keepswimming76 · May 5, 2015

I really wish people wouldn't judge others on this, and any other issues. You can never know someone's situation just by looking at them.

We rented a double stroller on both past trips for our two children. Last year my son was 7 and my daughter was 4. My son has high functioning autism and can get fatigued very easily. He does karate twice a week, but he just does not have the stamina of other boys his age. We do not use a stroller at the local amusement park or zoo, but we are typically only there for a few hours. When the kids get tired we can only carry them a little bit because they are getting heavy. A week at WDW is a whole other story.

The kids did not spend the entire day in the stroller at WDW but definitely needed it as a retreat. They enjoy being at the parks but do not have the stamina to keep up, especially in the heat. My son also would sit in the stroller and pull the shade down when he was overstimulated. And my daughter who still naps fell asleep a few times.

So it all depends on YOUR situation, not any one else's opinion. When we are touring a park five out of seven days a week at a high price, it is worth it for us to just bring the stroller for them. That way we are not dealing with cranky, overstimulated children who are exhausted after a morning at the park.

mom2AidanAndEli · May 5, 2015

My kids were 5 and 7 on our first trip. Never occurred to me to get a stroller. They did fine.

But if you read the posts on DIS, you've probably got a good 5 or 6 more years of renting strollers for Disney!

:rolleyes1

Age for no stroller needed?

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