4 y/o walk or stroller?

[disneygeek]

Hello,

We leave for WDW in 1 month. We have a 4 yo DS and a 2.5 yo DD. We usually rent a stroller so they don't get tired. Is my son too big for riding in a stroller in Disney? I say he'll get pooped walking all the time. He's too big to carry ( 45 lbs).

Thanks

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

Definitely bring the stroller - my boys are 4,7,9 and they all took turns using the double strollers at Disney. I will be bringing my own this December!

 

[Disneyrsh]

definitely bring the stroller, if you search the threads there are a TON of posts about pro/con stroller. Almost all of them are pro.

We walk 15 miles a day while at disney, we've always got the stroller...

 

[solferino]

When we went last year DD was barely 5 and we opted to take the little umbrella stroller with us. I'm so glad we did for a few reasons- we were there Presidents week and it made managing the crowds easier. She did do a lot of walking, but when she needed a rest, it was there and ready for her. If she wasn't using it we just put our backpack in the seat part and pushed that around, LOL.

She'll be turning 7 on this upcoming trip and we definitely won't be bringing it, but have no regrets for the last one.

 

[susykt4]

We took DD almost 5 and DS2 in April. DD hadn't used a stroller for YEARS but we bought a cheap umbrella stroller for the trip. She used it every day in every park as well as for getting to the bus stop and food court at POR. I think it saved us TONS of whining and allowed us a lot more touring. She'll be 5 1/2 when we go back in January and I plan to take a stroller for her again.

 

[AUDramaQueen]

Our kids are about the same age and we've always rented a double stroller for them. They stay in it a lot and my daughter usually falls alseep in it. We also have a baby and bring his umbrella stroller to have with us for the walk back to the buses.

 

[gonemousin']

Our DD5 wasn't too big for the rental strollers. She is a big 5 too...50 pounds. She hadn't ridden in a stroller in two years, but the poor little chickie needed it by mid day!

 

[pixiepower1971]

I always disagree on this one! I haven't used a stroller at WDW since my youngest turned 4. But since you need one for your youngest I would suggest renting the double-that way you have it.

My girls never get tired in the parks and we go from sun up to park close most days. It will be cooler next month- he may surprise you if you give him the chance! The walking is so good for them- makes them sleep well at night!

 

[cillakat]

i guess it depends on how fast you move. i haul a** so the stroller is not only helpful, it's critical. i also bring a backpack full of ponchos, water, handsanitizer, snacks, change of clothes for the girls, my whole Unofficial Guide 2 WDW (2006).

So not only does it help so that we can move faster, but it carries all of my stuff. We sure got our money's worth on our double last year. My sil's were both with us, and between the 3 families we had 2,3,4,5,5,6,12,15. One sil had her own double for her 2 and 4 yo (though he rarely rode with her), i had my double (the rentals) and in it were a 5 and 6 yo next to each other with their feet hanging out the side or tucked up, the other 5 yo where the 'feet' should go, and my very light 3 yo sitting on the hood of the stroller. it was quite the site but man could we hustle. the next days, sil with one child got a single b/c my then 5 yo doesn't like to be in such close proximity to people.

anyway, i don't *ever* use strollers at home with my kids, and haven't since my youngest turned three...usually i just walk slow enough for her to easily keep up. but for disney the week between xmas and nye, time was of the essence. we had to get as much as possible done by 10 am and the strollers made that happen.

also fwiw, i tied a bright pink shawl to my stroller so i always knew which was which and i had been alerted to the fact that CM's are always moving strollers around in an effort to tidy.

katherine in atl

 

[shaylahc]

We just got back from Disney with 8, 6, 4 and 1 year olds. The 1 year old rode in a backpack and the kids walked. They never complained once! Even my 6 year old, who was hospitalized with pneumonia 2.5 weeks before the trip, made it all over Disneyworld on her own 2 feet and never complained once. And it was hot out!

I think your average active 4 year old could make it around the park on their own 2 feet, especially if you take the afternoon break and don't tour heavily (we usually don't stay more than 5 or 6 hours at a time without going back to the hotel for a rest).

GL!

 

[Hope73]

My kids were 4&5 last year and the stroller was a lifesaver. We were able to get from place to place quicker. The ones you rent are easy to push. I am planning on getting one again this year as well.