5 year old in a stroller???

[ThreeMusketeers]

We will have an almost 2 year old in our party and a 5 year old. Should we get a double stroller so the 5 year old can rest? I know it's not customary for a 5 year old to be in a stroller, but for Disney purposes..I'm wondering if that's a good way to go?

Thoughts?

Personally, I think my 10 year old, myself and my husband will all be wishing we were in a stroller by noon.

 

[katibosch]

We're not taking or getting a stroller for DD who's 5. At least I'm not planning on it -- I guess we could once we got there if we needed to. I really just don't want to deal with it -- hoping to take very little into the parks. DD is very athletic and strong and I imagine she'll be running circles around me and DH!

 

[catdance23]

YES! On our first trip with my DD she was just two months shy of her 5th birthday and she definitely needed a stroller.

 

[brockash]

I would. It's a lot of walking, and it's nice to have somewhere for them to sit when they get tired. Much better than dealing with a tired cranky kid. When my dd was 17 months, my ds (who's very active, plays sports year round, will run a mile just for the fun of it ect.) was 6, I bought a sit n stand stroller just for our Disney trip. It was worth every penny. He didn't use it often, but it was priceless for when he used it. It was nice when we had to go across the park for something, just to have them both sitting in the stroller and we could just go. It's much easier to navigate through the crowds (didn't have to worry about losing one of them) and really great for at night when it's dark and the crowds can get so bad that it's almost impossible to move through main street, and at closing ect. I'd absolutely do it again if I had kids that age.

This year my dd will be 5, and for us, it'll be our last year with a stroller I think on our AK day, I'm going to try to not take the stroller (it's always a shorter day for us, and it'd be nice not to have to deal with it on the bus.) I'm also considering not taking back to Epcot for EMH's, since the monorail won't be running, but I'm really not sure about that one yet.

 

[ruthfamilyvacationer]

DD is 5 and we are going next month. We are renting a dbl stroller for her and my DS (4). We don't go back to the room during the day so the kids tend to nap and ride when they are tired.

 

[MyCathryn]

My kids will be a little over 5 and a little over 2 when we go. We plan on bringing a stroller for the 2 yr old (who won't want to be in it) and the Maclaren with us for the 5 yr old who would love to be pushed all day. We attached the Maclaren to the Chicco Cortina with a bungie so we have it if we need it. But we don't leave it open all day for her to sit in.

 

[ccgirl]

For us, 5 is the age when we stop bringing the stroller. When any of us are tired (adults included) we take a break. We grab a drink, snack, go to a show etc. Honestly, I get frustrated pushing a stroller through the crowds, parking it and then trying to find it after the rides. It is such freedom without one.

 

[kohlby]

I wouldn't but I would make sure your single will hold the older child if needed. You can get by without a stroller for the 5 year old. If it's the end of the night and the 5 year old is too tired, then you could carry the 2 year old and let the 5 year old have the stroller. Or, if the 5 year old needs mini-breaks, then the 2 year old could walk or be carried.

We took a single on our last trip. Our middle child was 5 and our youngest 2.5. The idea was that the youngest would use the stroller mainly and the 5 year old could use it if really needed for short breaks or the end of the night. However, the 2 year old refused the stroller so I ended up with the 2.5 year old in the sling - which let the 5 year old take more breaks. It would have worked fine with no stroller for the middle child, but it meant the petite child could keep up with the two adults and tall big brother much more easily.

If you really think the 5 year old needs it but don't want to use a double or two strollers, using a carrier/sling and a single works well for the 2 year old. Our first three trips involved one child being 3 years old and the other a baby so the stroller was essential for the 3 year old. (Who did get kicked out for the baby's nap one year. The other years, the baby napped in the stroller better).

*On one trip, our oldest was 6 and normally complained about walking. Our single has a limit of 50lbs and he was way over. (Plus, we had a 3 year old and baby so the single was taken). He did great! Kids can surprise you!

 

[mothergothel]

We took the double until DS was 5 - then we said a single would suffice (we figured that if he really did get burned out then we'd have him & our 3yo take turns). Turned out that he only sat in the stroller once during our whole 11-day trip - it was at night walking out of EPCOT after IllumiNations. Other than that he walked and never complained. We always go in the fall and the crowds are light so nobody's on their feet for too long waiting in lines - perhaps that makes a difference.
Alll that being said, I think it depends on your child - my SIL still brought 2 single strollers for her 5, 8, & 9yo children to take turns sitting in.

 

[Disneyforus]

Last year we had our 5 yr old use a stroller and it worked out great. He fell asleep in it everynight, and we could keep going with the other kids...otherwise I think we would have had some early nights or a whiny kid. I'm really concerned that even this year is going to be tough, we may end up renting one halfway through the day. It's harder when you have older kids with bigger stamina then the youngers.

 

[ratlenhum]

Don't worry about what other people think or say is the "norm." Whatever is going to make your vacation best, do it.

We got my son a double stroller for himself at Disneyland when he was 7 and at Disney World when he was 8. It allowed us more park time without him wearing out. He also has autism and when we were at Disneyland he was going through a phase where he'd just drop to his knees for no reason and not get up. We were at Knott's Berry Farm on a freakishly hot 104 degree day and his knees turned purple after 2 drops. Thats when we got the stroller there and then got it on following days at Disneyland. It allowed us to move faster, get more done and not worry about where he was.

If other people have something to say, that's their problem. They don't know your kids,and they're not the one pushing the stroller. I miss having the stroller because now I have to carry our stuff. LOL I miss being able to just leave stuff in the stroller.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

DD's last stroller visit to a Disney park was when she was 7 & a 1/2 - so yes a 5 year old IMO needs one! DD hated strollers at home and was out of one by age 2 but had no problem strolling around Disney.

 

[disykat]

No one will blink an eye at 5, and there will be DISers who might suggest it for your 10 year old!

 

[brockash]

.

 

[CaFeeney]

For our past 3 trips we have rented a stroller from Magic Strollers. Our stroller was broken by the airlines when she was 5 and there was no way we were looking at buying a new one as we never would use it outside of WDW.

So, we are heading down in 2 weeks and DD will be 6 in May and we were on the fence but ultimately decided to go with the rental. Even though your child is fit, the activity level at WDW is a whole other story. Walking 5 or more miles per day, after day 3 we tend to hit a wall and the stroller comes in handy.

I also like having it for rope drop, I can get where I need to be a lot faster with her in the stroller. Also like it at night when we are leaving the parks after fireworks, really don't want to carry a 45 lb child from the World Showcase to the front of the park.

We also like having a place to keep raincoats, drinks, purchases, etc. We decided that this is our last trip with a stroller - I am going to miss it!

 

[DisneyGal24]

I recommend it! DD4 rode in one last February and it was wonderful. It kept her from getting worn out. This June DD who will have just turned 6 and DS3 will be in a double stroller. It will make getting through parks alot easier. Having the stroller on that long walk to the bus after a busy day is priceless!

 

[JenCintron78]

I rented a double through babywheels for my 6 year old DS and 4 year old DD. I figure if DS doesn't want to stroll we can always use the stroller to hold all of our stuff. If he needs it it's there.

 

[Hannathy]

For us, 5 is the age when we stop bringing the stroller. When any of us are tired (adults included) we take a break. We grab a drink, snack, go to a show etc. Honestly, I get frustrated pushing a stroller through the crowds, parking it and then trying to find it after the rides. It is such freedom without one.

I agree. It is so freeing not to have a stroller. We never took one for a 5 yr old and they did fine. Kids have a lot more energy than a middle age parent!

So no I wouldn't take one for a 5 yr old.

 

[scootch]

Even though the cost is more, I like renting them in the park. The wheels are great, no lugging on and off bus/monorail, covered for some sun protection too. I took a stroller the first year when my kids were 2 and 5 and so wished I would have just rented the double.

 

[Svhadden]

I think it depends on how you attack the parks (commando, or return to the resort for a mid day break?), and your kids energy level and personality, which you know best.

Our youngest will have just turned 6 when we go back in Sept, and I'll have a stroller yet again. He doesn't ride in one at home, but he does in WDW for several reasons. We're park commandoes and I don't expect my 6 yr old to walk 10-12 mi/day (yes, I've measured it!) for 6 days straight in mid to upper 90's temps. Disney is not like an hour of recess, etc. Depending on how you do it, it can be quite exhausting lol.

Personally, I don't give a rip if ppl think my kid is too old to be in a stroller. None of their business. We're doing what we feel is best, and what we feel will help everyone make the most of our week in WDW. So that's my suggestion...do what you feel is best. I'd rather take it, and leave it in my room all week than get there and discover I needed to rent one everyday (which isn't the end of the world, but...). And I just find the stroller convenient. When my son isn't in it, we throw bags, backpacks, etc into the stroller for a bit. It's a great place to stow all of our stuff!