7 and 5 - stroller??

[lillygator]

7 yr old will turn 8 on the trip. We haven't been for a while and I am debating on whether to rent a stroller or not. The little usually gets carried.....but I am not sure Samantha would even fit in the double she is so tall.

 

[Kat&Dom]

I personally don't think that I would pre-rent a stroller. I would play it by ear and rent if you need it when you get to the park and can see if she would even fit. The stroller thing is a tough call. My son is 4 1/2 and he will be in a stroller next month and another single mom is coming with me and she bought a lightweight stroller from Costco that her daughter who is 6 just fits in. I think the weight limit is up to 55 lbs and her daughter is 50 lbs but tall for her age. She decided to buy a stroller here for $60 that she plans to resell for $40 when we get back from Disney. With Disney rentals being $15 per day, it makes more economical sense for her to do it this way. I know it is a tough call. Good luck on your decision.

 

[brymolmom]

The rule in our house was after 5 - no more stroller. Last trip they were 7 and 5 so that was our first trip with a single only for the 5 year old. The 7 year old was jealous a couple of times but overall it went well. I found that everyone in the family knowing the rule about when we stop using them has helped overall. The 5 (almost 6 at the time) year old went into that trip knowing it was the last trip with it.

I would figure out what you're comfortable with as mom and dad...Are you comfortable having an 8 year old in a stroller? Are you comfortable having 1 walk and 1 not? And just discuss it with them upfront so they know exactly what to expect.

The way I look at it is that it would be way easier on ME if we had a stroller for years to come. But, there is an age and 6 was it for me, that I think that the kids need to learn to walk on this type of trip....that mom and dad aren't going to cart them around (in stroller or carried) and that they're well able to do it on their own. I had to take the crutch away from myself...without any medical or other considerations, most 5 and 7 year olds are capable of walking - so IMO by that age it's really for mom and dad more than the kids.

 

[Riviera510]

My kids will be 5 and just turned 7 when we go on our trip.

One of my 5yr olds will definitely need the stroller (tires easily and complainer) and I figure the other 5yr old and 7yr old can take turns.

We plan on renting the Disney double stroller.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Do you mean you will carry the 5 year old around?? That would get old very quickly!!

I doubt the 7 year old will need one very often though we begged DS to ride in one when he was about that age and we wanted to stay at Epcot late one night!! He refused

I would certainly want something for the 5 year old so if renting is in the budget, I would rent one for that child and the older child could nab a ride once in a while if he needs it! If you thing your trip would be better if you have a stoller for the older one as well, go ahead and get a double. Might save fights over who gets to ride!!!

 

[Hannathy]

Mine never used a stroller past 4 and we do long days. There is no way I would waste money on an 8 yr old and a stroller. Kids have more energy than adults and if this middle aged lady can walk it I'm sure a fit, healthy 5 or 6 or 8 yr old can!!! There is a lot of sitting in Disney.

Plus it is so much more enjoyable and freeing without dealing with and lugging a stroller around all day in the crowds.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

If you really think you'll need it, I'd rent one of the Disney single strollers and have them take turns. But I don't think you'll need it much, if at all, truthfully. My oldest mostly walked the year he was 5, rode a little on the sit-n-stand stroller but we had no dedicated stroller for him. The next year when he was 6, he walked the whole time. My youngest is 4 and mostly walked on our last trip. I can't wait to be stroller-free!!

 

[lillygator]

....and I don't mind strollers, just hate briging our own and lugging it around, but they come in handy to hold the back packs and other goodies we purchase.

I'll probably just see how day one goes and take it from there. We usually open the park, come to the resort for swimming after lunch and then head back to a park for dinner.

 

[Hannathy]

....and I don't mind strollers, just hate briging our own and lugging it around, but they come in handy to hold the back packs and other goodies we purchase.

I'll probably just see how day one goes and take it from there. We usually open the park, come to the resort for swimming after lunch and then head back to a park for dinner.

You'll also find that once you quit bringing the stroller you really look at what you are bringing and cut out all the truly unnecessary things you have been lugging around and then that is when it is truly liberating!!

 

[Elmo888]

I would have one for the 5 yo, whether you rent from Disney or Orlando Stroller Rentals. Actually, I would go with Orlando Stroller Rentals so you don't have to carry the 5 yo from the bus to your room. I didn't see exactly when you are going, but if it is during the hotter months, I would definitely have a stroller for the 5 yo.

For the 7 yo (older DD was almost 7 on our first trip and almost 8 on our first second), I would start a "training" program and get her fit for walking. I did this on our first trip when older DD was 6, and it worked great. Start 6 or 8 weeks before your trip (or immediately) and start with a short distance and work up to longer distances. My older DD never needed a stroller. (I didn't tell her, but when she was 6, I would have rented one if she needed it.)

I agree with the others - make it clear that 7 year olds don't need strollers. Really, when our older DD was worn out, everyone was.

 

[Schmeck]

You can check over on the disABILITIES forum to find a link to places that rent strollers for larger kids.

 

[Serling126]

I am definitely bringing a double stroller... my girls will be just turned 7 and almost 5 but they are both petite and they still fit in the stroller. It will be nice for them to have somewhere to sit and use the sunshade. When they get tired, just pop them in the stroller and head for the exit without a fight It will also be nice to have somewhere to put our food cooler and backpacks that we are bringing with us into the parks- don't have to carry them around all day!!

 

[jodim]

My youngest two are 7 & 5. I bought a Mac Quest (we'll use it later for my nephew when he's here) to take with us for the 5yo. I figured if the 7yo gets tired they can take turns if necessary.

I read somewhere that a mom was in one of the WDW strollers nursing her baby. (I think in the Unofficial guide maybe?)

 

[lathamary]

Mine are 7 and 2, and I'll be renting a Baby Jogger City Classic from Orlando Stroller Rentals. Cheaper, much more comfortable than the hard plastic ones you rent at the parks.

I'm sure DS7 won't ride in it a whole lot, but I'd like to have the option for him if he gets tired.

Here is a thread I started a few weeks ago that you might be interested in - someone posted pictures of their eight year old in a Baby Jogger stroller:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2405045&highlight=stroller+seven