Okay, I know I'm going to open up a can of worms here, but I have to ask! In Oct. we will be in WDW with DD8 and DS6. They have been long out of strollers, but I'm feeling anxious about not having one for WDW. I know DD8 will not want to sit in a stroller, but I was thinking a single with one of those standing boards might work. Am I crazy to get a stroller for an 8 yo and 6 yo? Here are my thoughts........ My kids have to be the worlds slowest walkers. I'm afraid that they will never be able to keep up with our fast walk pace at RD to make it to that first ride. I'm concerned about my peanuts trying to wade through the RD rush of a crowd. At least if they are in/on a stroller they are contained. A whole day in a park is exhausting. I'm thinking taking a ride in/on the stroller every so often may be a good break for them. Maybe if they get those little breaks they will have more stamina to make it through our 10 day trip.
Keep in mind this is just what we have done, but I am sitting here looking at pictures of my kids at various ages in WDW ranging from 4-teen and none of them have ever used a stroller. I know thats not common anymore for people on the DIS, but when my kids were that age, it just never occurred to us to use a stroller and they always did fine. I think your kids will be fine. If there is need once you get there, you can always rent one.
Not crazy to me! We are going in 2 weeks and my kids are 6, 6, and 8 and we are definitely using a stroller. I just like the thought of having one for when the kids need a break
Eh, that's really at my "threshold" for age for a stroller at WDW. That said, my 7 year old is REALLY slow and tires easily and we ended up getting a stroller for her because she couldn't keep up with our pace. I'd consider getting an umbrella with a higher weight limit (cybex ruby comes to mind-55 pound wt limit, weighs 13 pounds has a HUGE adjustable canopy). You could always try it out for a day or so and then rent one later if needed.
So if you're going for 10 days, what's the urgency to get to a ride at RD? You've got all the time in the world to let your two slow-walking, but able-bodied kids walk and enjoy their visit. Geez, Louise, they're 6 and 8! They can walk; you can slow down. It's Disney World, not the Bataan Death March.
Why the rush? I don't think you need a stroller, just take your time and enjoy your visit! Sometimes rushing makes us miss out on the moment.
It never occurred to me that I should bring a stroller for my 5 yr old on our first visit...and it's going to be his 4 yr old brother's turn this year and there is NO WAY I'm bringing a stroller for him. He's a slow poke, likes to rest and that's ok! I've brought a stroller twice when younger son was 11 mos and 25 mos, never again! It's too much of a hassle IMO.
IMHO, I would not feel comfortable with my 6 and 8 year old able bodied children in strollers. I know other people are. If I am walking too fast for my kids I slow down. This is not non-stop walking. If people are tired we go on a ride like the People Mover, sit on a bench and enjoy a snack or go watch a show. Exercise is good for the children. We usually go in October around Columbus Day and I have not experienced throngs of people at rope drop. When we go next year my DS will be 6 and I am greatly looking forward to the freedom we will have without strollers. There would be no way I would consider a stroller for my son that has been out of strollers for 2 years. YMMV.
Ultimately, it's your family and only you can decide what is best, but if it were me I would not use a stroller for those ages. Maintain a pace that is fitting for little legs, trying to set an adult pace when you are with children is absurd and ridiculous. If you're worried about a stampede at RD, then don't do RD or go during a lower crowd time. You have 10 days, relax, take in the sites. It's a vacation, not a marathon. Right now, I think you may have some pretty unrealistic expectations and you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If this is you first trip, I wouldn't even plan on doing a ride for the first half hour you are there. The kids need a chance to let their surroundings sink in and adjust to the stimulation. Running into the park and jumping on a ride seems too invasive to me.
I wouldn't use a stroller for those ages. The best thing you can do is to go at their pace. If they need a break, grab a drink or a snack, find a bench or table to sit at and just people watch. If they want to stop to look at something or take something in, let them. If you're worried about rope drop crowds being too hectic, get there a little after park opening or stay at the back of the rope drop crowd.
I don't know how big your kids are, but I'd think it'd be really hard to push 2 those ages (even with one standing). Also it might be hard to find one that will hold that much weight. I am totally pro strollers and will be using one for my 5 year old in 2 weeks but he also has some sensory issues and uses the stroller for some decompression/down time (to me, the biggest benefit of strollers). He's also going to outgrow his stoller any day now, too! If it were me, I wouldn't take a stroller for those ages (especially a long trip where I could go slow) but I wouldn't hesitate to rent one if I needed to.
I would not bring one personally. If you find they can't keep up or they are dropping at the end of the day you can always rent one from Disney. ETA - You may also find a stroller is more of a hindrance than a help at the rope drop "race". You'd have to park it, get both kids out then go in line. I'm a DL local and I take my 3 yo for six-eight hours without a stroller. There's a great freedom to not having them.
I would take a cheap umbrella stroller for a 6 year old, but I would not bring a stroller for an 8 year old. 6 is the limit for strollers in my family.
I didn't at those ages. I grudgingly made the rule for our family early -on 'no stroller after age 5'. And honestly with hindsight I wish I had made it 4. Could it make it easier and less whiny? YES! But I decided I needed to do not what was easiest but what was best for the kids. And teaching them that they need to do their own walking for health and other reasons is a good thing! Kids got used to it after one trip....They knew if they wanted to go on rides - they need to walk it. And if they didn't - we could go back to the room (they have never opted for that). We do occassionally take a break on a bench with a mickey ice cream bar. Also - since we have been without stroller - it is AWESOME! Especially nice if you're going at a busy time. Getting through crowds without that encumberance is SO NICE. I would never go back. So my best advice is to go without it!
Okay! Let me try to address most posts. Sometimes I need a little push to get past my kiddos being as old as they are and I don't always give them enough credit for what they can do. Thankfully, DH is great at making me face these things. He is anti stroller. Our kids are exposed to a very healthy lifestyle and have even run 5K's and have a Mama who runs 5K's, 10K's, and 1/2 marathons. My original plan was to get them more active prior to our trip with more hikes, bikes, walks/runs, to build up stamina. I'm not an insane WDW mad person who feels she has to Dash (no pun intended) to each ride/attraction. I just get worried about things like ETWB and if we don't get there right away we'll end up waiting in an hour line. I don't like waiting in lines that long, so how can I expect my kids to wait in those lines. Given all the wonderful feedback here. I need to give my kiddos a bit more credit. I'm not going to rent a stroller. Is there some sort of "not going to rent a stroller anonymous" support group out there, because I might need it? I'm going to hope for the best. Worst case scenario.......we rent a Disney stroller. Thanks for all your feedback and for making me face reality!
We just got back yesterday from spending 4 days in Disney. That being said, since it was 4 days....we crammed as much as we could (including a trip to Sea World yesterday). We obviously used a stroller for our 2 year old...but there were a few times that I contemplated renting one for our 6 year old. He was doing a pretty good job of keeping up, but there were SO many people, I was so afraid he was going to get lost in the shuffle. It also didn't help that he's at that age where he doesn't want to hold my hand for very long, so he kept pulling away. There were also a few times that I could tell he was starting to fade, and I wish I had somewhere where he could just take a break for a bit. I guess it really depends on the crowd levels and how comfortable you are with your child keeping up and not getting lost. I do STRONGLY suggest taking midday breaks at the hotel. Give your kids a chance to rest, recharge....whatever they want to do that's a break from the madness of the park. We took advantage of break time every day and it was a God send.
You're making the right call. The last time we brought a stroller, the little guy was 3 years 9 months. We went back at his 4th birthday for five days and he trooped all over the world along with his 5 and 6 year old brother and sister like a champ. They are 8, 7, 5 this time and I wouldn't even remotely consider strollers for neurotypical able bodied kids of that age. Too much hassle.
I agree, right call on no stroller. The ONLY reason our 6yr old will get to use the hitchhiker board on the buggy is b/c she gets annoyed when she's the only kid who has to walk. Though that being said, we've contemplated no buggy at all for our next trip - kids age 2, 4.5, and 6 - and one pregnant mama. I figure I'm only going to waddle so no rush, and if the big kids need to take a break, then no rush (i get a break too), and if the big kids are walking, there's no way the little one will ride (we'd have a carrier with us for Dh to put her on his back). Your kids might be slow, and they might get tired, but enjoy the pace - there's so much to notice - take time to find hidden mickey's while enjoying a dole whip
Good gracious! Why do y'all keep saying "able-bodied children"? It's not like the OP is saying she wants to put them in a wheelchair. Strollers are not intended for non "able-bodied" children. Even a pediatrician will tell you that a full day, walking, at Disney can be too much on a child. It's not "a little exercise", it's MILES and hours of standing still. There is nothing wrong with letting your kids use a stroller if you feel it's what's best for them. I'm sure non of the PPs who are against the idea have ever let their kids do something that wasn't "ideal" for their age though.
