Age for no stroller needed?

[kensethfan]

We've never used a stroller in the park. That goes all the way back to our first time, when DSs were 2 and 4. Then again, both our DSs were big enough that they rode Space Mtn on that trip, so our experience is probably not typical. Of course, that means I've always had a backpack, too.

 

[sbeaulieu]

We just got back from a trip and had a stroller because we have a 6 month old. Our 4.5 year old only rode in the stroller once and, in his defense, had had a fever for the past 3 days. It was our first day in the parks and we had made it halfway around world showcase and he was not acting like himself. We insisted that he ride in the stoller, even though he was refusing. I had the baby in a bjorn. 4.5yo fell asleep within 2 minutes.

So, I would say that we didn't "need" the stroller for the 4.5 year old...but I'm very thankful we had it during an emergency. I would say walking the world showcase is the most difficult for kids. There aren't any "rides" past norway.

However, the first time we went my oldest was 5. She rode in an umbrella stroller the whole time. The following year, she rode in her brothers stroller when he decided he wanted to walk. This year, as a new 7yo, she finally walked the whole way.

It really depends on the child. You know yours best. I knew my 4.5yo would be fine this year, just as I knew my 6yo daughter would need to use the stroller sometimes last year. Every kid is different

 

[luv2go2disney]

Glad to see the responses to this. My DS is 6 and I had decided our last trip was his last with the stroller but the heat and humidity had his asthma acted up the whole trip. if we didnt have the stroller then he never would have been able to survive the parks. I am thinking now we might just have to bring the stroller again in case we need it. How much does a Disney stroller cost to rent?

 

[princessmerida]

I work at a summer camp and we had a field trip to WDW last year. I had a group of four 6 year olds with me and obviously did not have strollers for them. They were perfectly fine and I never heard a complaint. IMO if they are old enough to be in school then they shouldn't need a stroller.

 

[worm761]

Took DS for his first trip at 5 years old in July for 7 park days. He walked. It never occurred to me to get a stroller for a school aged child. At 6, we went in May for 10 days. Again, he walked.

Took DD for her first trip at 22 months for 8 park days. She spent more time out of her stroller than she did in. At 2 months shy of 3 years old, we went for 3 days. She did not use a stroller until the last half of the last day because she picked up some bug. We weren't the only ones in the baby center buying meds. Our next planned trip is October 2014, she will be a month or so shy of 5 and I have no plans to put her in a stroller. We regularly go walking and on long nature walks/hikes. She can currently walk for 3 miles before she needs a break.

I think your DS will be fine without a stroller as long as you are willing to go at his pace and take breaks when needed. We save Ellen's Energy Adventure for when a break is needed. It is a long ride. Or we will just watch a few shows and eat a snack in a shady spot for a break.

We also go on Disney Walk's starting a few months before the big trip so get our legs used to all that walking.

 

[calnmace]

My daughter was 6 on our last trip and did need a stroller. She was exhausted half way through the day the first time we did Epcot, and I was thankful to have it. I have seen really hurtful comments on other threads regarding this subject, people almost taking shots at those who choose to use one for their older children, but honestly every child is different. My daughter was not "too cool" to ride in one, she was not the only 6 year old in a stroller. She was grateful for a rest when she needed it and I was grateful for the storage. This topic comes up all the time on these boards so clearly there are a lot of parents who do choose to use them. Saved us a lot of time and I knew where she was when I was rushing off to catch a parade or show through the large crowds.

 

[Mama Who]

Glad to see the responses to this. My DS is 6 and I had decided our last trip was his last with the stroller but the heat and humidity had his asthma acted up the whole trip. if we didnt have the stroller then he never would have been able to survive the parks. I am thinking now we might just have to bring the stroller again in case we need it. How much does a Disney stroller cost to rent?

While our standard is that school-aged children do not go in strollers, a health concern changes that. If a stroller is the best tool to handle a medical issue, I'd use it. I believe WDW rents strollers for $15 a day for singles and a modest discount if you rent for multiple days.

 

[mikegood2]

Glad to see the responses to this. My DS is 6 and I had decided our last trip was his last with the stroller but the heat and humidity had his asthma acted up the whole trip. if we didnt have the stroller then he never would have been able to survive the parks. I am thinking now we might just have to bring the stroller again in case we need it. How much does a Disney stroller cost to rent?

Also glad to see the responses in this thread. Probably the most level headed stroller thread I've read on this board. To often they break into name calling and get nasty quickly. Like others have said you know your children, go with your gut feelings. Also, time of year and crowd levels can also be a factor.

We're currently trying to decide what to do for our trip in June, my nieces will be 6-1/2 and 3-1/2. A double stroller is out of the question because my oldest niece is too large for one. She is currently tall enough to ride everything (49") and will probably be wearing size 9 by the time we leave. She's also to tall to fit in most strollers so our rental choices are fare more limited. Also because she hasn't grown into her body yet, in her current growth spurt, she can get tired quicker than usual. As far as the youngest, she has a tendency of running off, so I think a stroller makes my brother and SIL more comfortable.

Also, selfishly, I like the added storage space to store my tripod or monopod!

 

[xipotec]

When they can walk and don't need diapers anymore.
But you cannot be a commando then. I am not in support of doing commando with ant child under 7 or 8 .

 

[Mom2six]

We're currently trying to decide what to do for our trip in June, my nieces will be 6-1/2 and 3-1/2. A double stroller is out of the question because my oldest niece is too large for one. She is currently tall enough to ride everything (49") and will probably be wearing size 9 by the time we leave. She's also to tall to fit in most strollers so our rental choices are fare more limited. Also because she hasn't grown into her body yet, in her current growth spurt, she can get tired quicker than usual. As far as the youngest, she has a tendency of running off, so I think a stroller makes my brother and SIL more comfortable.

Also, selfishly, I like the added storage space to store my tripod or monopod!

Have you considered one of those boards that attach to the stroller for big kids to stand on? I haven't used one myself but I've seen them an they seem like a good place to rest if you do not fit the stroller.

 

[mamabear0222]

Can wagons be used at WDW in place of a stroller? I hadn't considered taking one for our 5 yr olds when we go because they go on hikes daily. But a long hot day like wdw....who knows. They won't go.near a stroller but maybe a wagon?

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[bumbershoot]

No you cannot use a wagon.

 

[scoutie]

My five and seven year old did fine in the parks without a stroller.

 

[mikegood2]

Have you considered one of those boards that attach to the stroller for big kids to stand on? I haven't used one myself but I've seen them an they seem like a good place to rest if you do not fit the stroller.

I think they have looked, or are looking, into them, but most have a 50lbs limit, which the oldest is over. They are looking into other options like some that are designed for larger kids, or children with disabilities and see if the youngest could use that and switch out with the oldest if needed. The youngest could then stand on the glider board. They even talked about renting two strollers, but I think that would be a bigger pain to deal with.

 

[sk!mom]

My two never used one past age 5. We took a family reunion trip to WDW a few years back and our group included two 4.5 year olds and a 2.5 year old. All three walked more than they rode. Yes, even the 2.5 year old. He preferred to be out and around with the big kids. He did like to shoulder ride some. We had two umbrella strollers and they would sit some. Mostly if we were trying to cross a park in a hurry or were out late. We took afternoon breaks for all of us to cool off and rest.

You'll get every response from 8/9 year olds in strollers to 3/4 year olds that never ride. When we took our kids at 5, we waited and rented in the park as needed. We didn't want to lug a stroller around when neither of them ever used one anymore at home. We rented a few days when they seemed tired.

 

[Suzanne74]

You will get all responses and it is based on your kids AND your family needs. I already posted that we don't use strollers anymore but I can see how a family with one 4-5yr old and the rest older kids may consider it. It isn't fair that the older kids ALWAYS go at a 4-5yr old pace.

That said, it seems wrong to go commando with young kids and just throw them in a stroller to get to point a to point b quickly. It is a shame that so many parents don't stop and smell the roses with the young kids instead. My younger ones love fountains, playing with other kids, pretending to be Cinderella near the castle, look for hidden Mickeys etc..

We sometimes split up to give everyone their choice but for the most part siblings AND parents have to make sacrifices to have a fun family-filled vacation. And the older ones actually get into the goofy nonsense that preschoolers and young elementary kids love. I think it is the most magical time for a child to go to Disney. Most of it shouldn't be in a stroller and missing it. I think a stroller can occasionally balance a vacation but encourage your child to walk and enjoy too. Hollywood Studios is the perfect place to try that.

 

[bumbershoot]

When they can walk and don't need diapers anymore.
But you cannot be a commando then. I am not in support of doing commando with ant child under 7 or 8 .

And therefore, if the adults in the family WANT to be commando, or who naturally walk so briskly that even, say, their husbands have a hard time keeping up, then a stroller is perfectly fine. I made plenty of sacrifices while DS was little (and even now), and it turned out that walking incredibly slowly was just too much for me. It actually hurts me more than walking briskly (if I could jog everywhere, I would...I'm not made for walking) so we used the stroller. Laughing at the diaper thing...DS was done with dipes at 2 (I was willing to do the final wash&fold half a year later). Had NOTHING to do with his walking-briskly abilities.

That said, it seems wrong to go commando with young kids and just throw them in a stroller to get to point a to point b quickly. It is a shame that so many parents don't stop and smell the roses with the young kids instead. My younger ones love fountains, playing with other kids, pretending to be Cinderella near the castle, look for hidden Mickeys etc..

That stuff is awesome. But not for the ENTIRE vacation. There is a middle-ground.

 

[mamabear0222]

No you cannot use a wagon.

Boooo thanks for the info though

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[mamabear0222]

And therefore, if the adults in the family WANT to be commando, or who naturally walk so briskly that even, say, their husbands have a hard time keeping up, then a stroller is perfectly fine. I made plenty of sacrifices while DS was little (and even now), and it turned out that walking incredibly slowly was just too much for me. It actually hurts me more than walking briskly (if I could jog everywhere, I would...I'm not made for walking) so we used the stroller. .

My dh says the same thing. Leisurely walking hurts him. He is very much the brisk walker...

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[Suzanne74]

And therefore, if the adults in the family WANT to be commando, or who naturally walk so briskly that even, say, their husbands have a hard time keeping up, then a stroller is perfectly fine. I made plenty of sacrifices while DS was little (and even now), and it turned out that walking incredibly slowly was just too much for me. It actually hurts me more than walking briskly (if I could jog everywhere, I would...I'm not made for walking) so we used the stroller. Laughing at the diaper thing...DS was done with dipes at 2 (I was willing to do the final wash&fold half a year later). Had NOTHING to do with his walking-briskly abilities.

That stuff is awesome. But not for the ENTIRE vacation. There is a middle-ground.

If you read my entire post I actually said that