2nd Thoughts on Not Using Stroller

[WantToGoNow]

My kids are 8 and 5 and are quite capable of walking. However, yesterday we went to an outdoor mall with my cousin's family that we will be going to Disney with. They only had 3 of their 4 children with them - their ds8, dd4 and dd2. It was like herding cats. We were constantly stopping to move along one or the other. I'm afraid we are going to lose these kids. Has anyone ever rented the strollers just for the convenience of knowing where everyone is. Atleast if we rented a double and my cousin rented a double, 4 of the 6 would be accounted for.

At trip time the kids will be 9, 8, 5, 5, 4, 2. The 2 y/o has braces on her legs and must have a stroller.

 

[maxiesmom]

I rented a stroller last year for my 7yr old niece, because she walks so gosh darned slow that she always ended up way behind the rest of us. She just wanted to look around and see everything, bless her. But in a very short period of time it made the rest of us crazy!

Two, four, and five years old are not that old to be using a stroller at Disney World. You will see children who look much older in them. Disney World involves a ton of walking and can wear down many a older child.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't be afraid of losing them but let's face it with 6 kids that young you aren't going to make stellar time! I think it would be easier to keep them all grouped up rather than trying to deal with a group AND push navigate crowds with a group and strollers. If it were me I'd just take the 2 yr olds stroller because the 4yr could keep up with the 5 yr olds, but if you think they can't then a double for the 4 and 2 yr old.

One thing with a bunch of kids is they natural bunch up and stick together, just ask any beginning soccer coach!!

 

[Hannathy]

Another idea that works with kids is to "assign" one of the older kids to a younger child and they have to stick together. that would help them stay with you and not get left behind alone. the 4 yr old stays with the 2 yr old and the stroller. It will make the older kids feel very important to keep herding their charge along to stay with the group.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would take the toddlers' stroller and plan to rent one double. They can take turns and reduce your walking children. One thing that I would do with that many kids is to have a plan. Asking what you want to do next will be a disaster. Have a plan and set rules. Will you go in gift shops??? What about ice cream breaks, split -up/stay together??


We travel well with our best friends because we figure all this our ahead of time. When we went to WDW with my sisiter's family we did not and it was a lot more stessful!

 

[WantToGoNow]

My dd5 is playing soccer so I know exactly what the pp was talking about - but that is not what happened yesterday - they were all going opposite directions.

I have thought about only getting 1 double (for my dd5 and any other child that needed in it) and then letting my cousin take her stroller for the 2 y/o. But my dd25 said that I would pay for the stroller that my cousin's 2 middle kids would be riding in while my dd5 walked and I could clearly see that happening. Also, with the braces on the 2 y/o, she is not comfortable in her stroller as her legs do not bend at the knees. The rentals sit lower so her legs could go straight out and rest on the foot rest - but she will need her stroller when we are outside of the parks because she doesn't get around well on the braces and she's way too heavy and awkward to carry very long

Most of these kids have some medical issues as well that I won't go into on here but my dh suggested that we keep an open mind about the stroller.

 

[momto3dizkidz]

I think we will still need a double this time for my two and four year old.

Holly

 

[Darcy03231]

I've found that WDW is a lot of walking for little ones. We used a stroller for the kids until they were at least 6. While they didn't use it all day, it was great when they started to get tired/grumpy. It also gave a place to put our stuff.

 

[sskem96]

My kids were 8 and 5 the first time we went, and we rented a double stroller. The older one was always a slow walker anyway, and she was recovering from mono at the time of our trip, so she just didn't have the energy for all of the walking. The younger one kept up walking a lot of the time, but she did take a turn in the stroller when she got tired.

Just remember, a double stroller rents for $30/day, so you'd probably be better off buying one before you go or trying to get in on a swap. I would plan on keeping the youngest 4 in strollers if possible, otherwise you're going to be constantly counting heads and stressing over where everyone is. (Or at least I would if it were me!)

 

[eyor44]

I would definitly get one for the younger ones, but the 5yr olds would probably benefit also. Last year you could do a length of stay where you paid for a specific number of days up front and it was cheaper.

We took 6 kids in June and I made them matching shirts (and shorts) and that made it very easy to spot them in the crowds if they would wander away.

 

[kehlyrsmom]

Definately either rent the strollers or bring your own. We will be arriving in just 12 days and I plan on at least renting a double stroller for my 8 & 9 year old to take turns in. Last year I rented both a single and while my then 8 year old was a little to big for it I was able to keep track of both of them as they both tend to wander off and no complaints of tired feet. We usually take a break most days after lunch and go back to the hotel and swim or just rest; but some days we do end up spending the day in the park.

Both of my children on on Autism spectrum and tire out very easily. So it is a good choice for us. They are expensive if you rent them from Disney but worth every penny in my mind.