5 Year Old....To Stroll or not to Stroll??

[Mom2Rae]

This post's main purpose is to get advice from other parents of children around the ages of 5-6! Hoping this doesn't stir the pot for "lazy kids" vs. kids that walk!

We're taking our first Summer time trip to the World as a surprise 6th B-Day present to my dd in late July....she's never had to endure the intense FL. heat. We do live in Virginia so we're somewhat used to heat/humitity, but nothing near the FL type!

Any way, our game plan is to swim all day..."park" in the evening, but she may want to do the parks when the sun's out. I'm worried about her getting tuckered out and was wondering if any other parents out there has some words of advice as far as getting that stroller out for ONE LAST TRIP! We have a jogger one that still works great. I imagine me fastening a mister/fan type thing to blow right on her and other things to make the hot days more pleasant. AGAIN, her dad and I have the nights reserved for the parks to avoid the hot sun, but she may have other ideas!!! After all, it's her 6th Birthday present!

TIA!

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

I say stroll. I have a DD6 and it is so much walking and she asks to get in the stroller. The disney double strollers are very roomy and accomodate a 6+ year child IMO.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I really believe that when a kid can't walk anymore, there's one of two things going on. 1.) The kid just doesn't feel like walking anymore, or 2.) the kid really is tired

In either instance, I don't think a stroller is the answer. In the first scenario, if the kid was given a choice between keeping walking, and going back to the hotel, the kid would change their tune and keep going.

In the second scenario, the stroller is a quick fix. The kid gets a break, but is still probably tired. That'll show up in some other way - probably a meltdown.

Unless it's an umbrella type, lugging a stroller around Disney World is a pain in the hooha. I would personally skip the stroller.

And I'd just like to add that I'm not judging, nor do I care whether or not parents decide to use strollers for older kids. This is just my own opinion.

 

[PreppyPolyMom]

In the first scenario, if the kid was given a choice between keeping walking, and going back to the hotel, the kid would change their tune and keep going.

Not my kids, they would say whoo whoo, lets go swimming!

 

[Belle1111]

We used a stroller with my kids until last year (8 & 6). Lots of time they just took turns in the double stroller. My 8 year old would still prefer a stroller if she could - she has some medical issues that affect her left leg, so she wears out more quickly- but it's also her personality!

You know your daughter best- if you think it would help make the trip more fun and enjoyable I say go for it- and besides then you have a place to tuck extra things you don't want to carry all day.

 

[carone0318]

Ok, my dd rode in a stroller until she was 7 only at Disney. She's really petite, so we didn't get any strange looks, but then again I really wasn't looking to see what others thought.

My ds (5) will have a stroller this year. We are always talking about Disney and he will even say himself that we are bringing his stroller so that he can sit and take a break if he wants. Will he ride in it the whole trip, no probably won't for most of the trip, but we will have it.

One thing to consider though with older kids in a stroller, they weigh more and make it much more difficult to push/maneuver an umbrella stroller. I still bring ds's stroller with big wheels because it is much easier to push and get around when he is in it.

Whatever you decide, don't worry about what others will think, it's your child. Maybe you could even ask her if she wants to bring a stroller. Also I have heard many who with kids this age, just a rent a stroller on the days that they need it or for evening. I would consider that, but I'm too cheap to pay the rental costs and would rather have my own stroller, with storage space. I'm still not ready to carry a backpack for the entire trip, much rather push a stroller and store my stuff below.

 

[Hannathy]

I agree with SnackyStacky. We didn't take one for our 5 yr old and he did great. and we were there for long days.

 

[POOHDRMR]

I think if you don't mind pushing it around whats the harm in having it. It helps you hold everything and gives the kids a place to have a little downtime if needed. Even if your daughter wants to walk most of the time which my dd,4 does it gives her a place to sit while enjoying a snack or waiting for you or dh in bathroom or on a ride she can't go on.I am going back in Sept and she will be 5 then and I will still take my umbrella stroller-I also like having her in it while going from bus or monorail into the park.I wish I could have one for a place to sit once in awhile!

 

[Ardenne]

Since you have a jogger that really works well, I'd just take it along and play it by ear -- if it folds up small enough that it's easy to travel with, anyway. That way if you end up needing it you have it. Otherwise, you could always just do a rental if you needed it; the advantage to those is that you wouldn't have to fuss with folding it up on Disney transportation.

Re: SnackyStacky's 2 possibilities, I'd agree with those two points, but in my experience possibility #2 doesn't necessarily mean they're done *for the day* -- sometimes the kid just needs a break and will then be revitalized and ready to go again. That could be done without a stroller by just sitting down somewhere and having a snack and a rest break, but if parents would rather not take time out for such breaks, a stroller is a handy alternative.

Personally, I tend to plan the indoor shows around times I think our family will likely need a rest break. After a snack while waiting and then 30 mins or so sitting down in the cool, we're generally all ready to go again

 

[investgirlmd]

We just got back from Disney and my DD turning 6 in May. Didnt have a stroller and she did awesome.... somedays we were at the park from 8apm till 10pm or later and she never once complained that her feet hurt or she was tired. The excitement of seeing the characters and riding the rides I dont even think she thought about her feet.

Of course we went at a busy time Easter but, I think lugging a stroller looks like a hassle. When the parks are crowded it seemed like the strollers were hard to push around all the people.

Just my thoughts!

 

[DiznEeyore]

I really believe that when a kid can't walk anymore, there's one of two things going on. 1.) The kid just doesn't feel like walking anymore, or 2.) the kid really is tired

In either instance, I don't think a stroller is the answer. In the first scenario, if the kid was given a choice between keeping walking, and going back to the hotel, the kid would change their tune and keep going.

In the second scenario, the stroller is a quick fix. The kid gets a break, but is still probably tired. That'll show up in some other way - probably a meltdown.

LOL -- no offense, but I'm guessing by your signature that you're not yet a parent!

A stroller can be a beautiful thing. We bought an inexpensive umbrella one for our first trip when ds was 5-1/2. We were so glad we had it! We were able to keep up a nice, brisk pace that a little one could never match on his own two feet. It PREVENTED him from tiring out!

He spent a lot of time out of it, too; in those cases, it came in really handy for lugging all of our stuff, LOL!

And as far as the thought that if a kid needs to sit in a stroller, they're too tired to be out -- well, sometimes I'D love a stroller, just for a little break on my tired feet, LOL! Doesn't mean I need to go back to the room for a nap!

 

[JennyW]

I'm considering one of those ride on strollers for our almost 5 year old (we also have a 2 year old). She should have the energy to walk most of the time, and should be expected to, but will need a place to rest when we want to keep going.

jenny

 

[Skylarr29]

This may not be much help but I say to do whatever will make your trip go smoother.. weather it be to drag a stroller or to just have them walk. Vacations are normally the exception to regular life so just because your 5 year old has a stroller there doesnt mean that they always use one or that they are lazy.

 

[wdwlovers5]

use the stroller. I have been taking my now 5 year old nephew to Disney since he was 1. This year we will again take the stroller. It is very tiresome to walk around Disney all day - we go to the parks and stay until closing. Adults get tired so certainly a 5-6-7 year old would also. My nephew loves to walk around Disney and does much of the time, but when he gets tired he hops in the stroller. Much better than having a tired cranky child, after all we are there to enjoy Disney not just for ourselves but for our nephew also. If he takes a nap then we just sit and take a brake ourselves and people watch and sit down and eat and relax for awhile. We try not to go in the summer months and generally go the first week in December. When we have gone in the summer (and once he gets into 1st grade we will have to arrange the trips accordingly) it can be brutal with the heat, and between the heat and excitement, it can get overwhelming. I vote for taking the stroller. It's no big deal to me to push the stroller around and it is used for us to put stuff in also. Have a great time.

 

[Jennifer_Jayhawk]

You will know after the first day whether or not you made the right decision. On our last trip I thought I could go without a stroller for my 5 year old son. After the first day, I decided to rent a stroller for the remainder of the trip. I don't mind taking it around the park but he did get tired of walking around--most 5 year olds do. In fact he would take a quick nap whenever he wanted and believe me, it was nice when he did.

 

[Chester's Mum]

When they had the old metal strollers, I once saw a 50 plus year old man use it while he watched the parade.

Its vacation, but it can be tough, do whatever gets your family through without ruining your day. She needs the stroller? Bring it, or go get one, better than carrying her, I say.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

It just depends on the child. The first time we went, DD was 4-1/2yrs & DS was 15 months. We had the bigger stroller for DS & an umbrella stroller for DD. She rode in it everyday - even took a couple of naps in it! But she stayed refreshed & ready to go. And this was the first week of December, not even dealing with the heat that you will be! On our second trip, DD was 6-1/2yrs & DS had just turned 3yrs. Again, we took a stroller for each, but DD never used hers. She walked everywhere & did great. This was in October, so it was still hot, but not HOT like the summer. We're going again this October -- DD will be 8-1/2yrs & will not even consider needing a stroller. However, DS, who will have just turned 5, told me that we need to take the umbrella stroller, because he might get tired. If that keeps him rested & happy, I'll do it. He may get there & not use it at all, but I want to be prepared with whatever I need to make this a fun, melt-down-free trip.

 

[kddlm]

I say let her stroll! My DD is 6 as well and we have gone to WDW for the last 2 years and brought her stroller (I'm too cheap to pay the rental price, plus hers is much more comfortable). She is small for her age too. When I told her that I didn't think we would be bringing it this year, she had a fit! Personally, I think it is just easier all around. It has a basket underneath where I store the bags we bring into the parks with water, etc...., plus, I like the fact that I am able to walk at my usual pace (which tends to be fast). There have been times when going attractions in the same vicinity, we just leave it parked at the first attraction and I have her walk anyway. I like the fact that she is just able to look around and enjoy everything around her without having to get tired or complain!

Hope you find this helpful with your decision!

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

We were in Disney the week after DS turned 6 & it was his first trip without his own stroller. He did however have use of little sister's if he felt he needed a break. Which ended up not being much of the time. Dad also gave a few rides.

It was January though & the weather doesn't compare to the heat of summer. We'll be back in August & I'm concerned how he will do then. Luckily, we have a local amusement park (& zoo) that I know we'll be at this summer before our trip & I plan to see how he does there.

If it seems he might benefit from it -- even if for just part of the trip -- I would bring a second stroller along from him. I would rather have it than not. But, he is also at the age he says he doesn't need a stroller anymore ... and I while it has been that way for awhile around home, I think he means anywhere now.

Have fun on your trip & hope your daughter enjoys her celebration.

 

[pdarrah]

As many others have said - you know your own kid best. It really isn't so much a matter of age but of size and stamina. My DS used a stroller until he was 6.5 for WDW trips. He stopped using it at home around 4, but the WDW trips were just too much for him. He is VERY small for his age - he will be 7 in less than a week and is only 44.5" tall and around 40 lbs - he didn't get onto Space Mountain until he was 6.5 years old! So although he may have been "old enough" to not need a stroller - he couldn't have managed all the walking on his little legs. When he was 6, there were 3 year olds bigger than him and no one questions a 3 year old in a stroller! His first stroller-free trip was last fall at 6.5 and we were only there a couple of days. This June will be his first REAL trip without a stroller and if he needs it, I'll rent one for him in the evenings!

pdarrah