Age you ditched the stroller?

[yankeefan46]

Hi! I'll be taking my nephews and niece to Disney in December. My nephews will have no problem walking - they're pros. My niece will be 4 in late February. We probably will do breaks on most days, but we will be staying for all of MVMCP. Just wondering, at what age did you find your kids were able to do Disney without a stroller?

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

We took umbrella strollers all the way up to last year, DS and DD were 7 and 6. It was the last year we will use them. We only used them to hurriedly get somewhere, such as at rope drop. But then, we parked it for the rest of the day until leaving time. Only DD complained slightly about walking so long.

 

[treehugnmama]

my daughter was 4.5 in feb and she needed the stroller. We are returningin 17 days ds 3 dd 5 and we are bringing a stroller for each. I hate strollers BUT I hate having to walk at a tired 5 yr olds pace even more lol

 

[lady_hlh]

The last time we brought it along was when our DD was almost 6. We barely used it that year and she was also getting way too heavy to push.

 

[michellev]

My son was 4 1/2 last time we went and he didn't need the stroller. We go to the park at opening, stay until around noon and then take a break until dinner.

 

[JUJU814]

We got a double at the parks last year..the kids were 4 and 6. 6 year old didn't really need it except to plop in now and then to take a rest. It was more for my 4 year old.

I'll be getting a double again this year. I think this will be the year we decide maybe to ditch it. I tend to think she'll still need it part of the time. Ds, 7 definitely would not.


Those park strollers sure are pricey! but I like the way they steer and the roominess and shade etc.

Julie

 

[antsss]

My youngest child just turned 6, but we've been going to Hershey all summer (we invested in season passes this year!) and we're still using our umbrella stroller - mostly to carry our "stuff" - refill cups, change of clothes/towels (for waterpark), water and snacks, etc. We clip the park map to the sunshade. I hate to carry a bag all day and this works for us. We ditch the stroller and take valuables with us when we go on a ride. My DD6 sometimes hops into it at the end of the day if she's tired. We'll be going to WDW in Nov and I'm debating whether or not to bring the stroller. We're 3 kids and 5 adults so there will be plenty of adults to keep track of it.

 

[Poohbug]

I think you can start leaving the stroller behind around age 5. However, Disney is a unique situation. If you want to keep moving and get on all kinds of rides and shows-then I would bring the stroller, just so the little ones can keep up. Also-sometimes kids are sloooowww walkers and it drives me crazy when we need to get somewhere. A stroller can save you some sanity on the trip.

In your case, I would take an umbrella stroller. It is small and if you don't need it-then just leave it in the room. Or you can just plan on renting if she needs it.

 

[Hannathy]

We took it at 4 for my DD but she really didn't use it or need it so we didn't take it for my DS and he was fine.

4 would be the last time I would think about using one and even then it is more of a pain than really worth it. It is so liberating to not have one to deal with.

 

[KAMKIM]

We just got back last week and took an umbrella stroller for DD5, by day 3 DN(nephew) 7 and DD8 and DD5 were fighting over that stroller...we splurged and got them a single stroller (rented) for the rest of our trip. It was nice because we had someone to put all our bags/drinks etc...and we knew where the kids were especially right after a parade. In that heat they would not have lasted all day without the stroller and am glad we took the extra money just in case. Now if it was a lot cooler DD8 could have def gone all day without the stroller and probably my nephew to....and honestly DD5 could have walked alot more than she did lol...but all in all I'm glad they were in strollers...3 kids 3 strollers 3 adults...worked out nicely actually.

 

[momtoleasawav]

no stroller for my 6 year old last year. I felt like a free woman. The only people who missed it were "other" family members who used it for their stuff and then asked me to retrieve it every 5 minutes! I did not miss that!!

 

[PilotWife]

We went in May - my youngest turned 4 in July - so about the same age your neice will be....mine still needed the stroller. She walked a lot but she also got tired, especially in the evening. She probably could have gone without it in the morning, and then use it after our afternoon break...
We even took our double...which we never use at home and my 5 year old also used it later into the night. I guess what I am trying to say is...is that the stroller allowed us to stay in the parks later and longer than if we did not have it.

Jennifer

 

[mommyof2princesses]

We are bringing it to Disney this year but hoping not to use it. DD will turn 6 while we are there so I know she doesn't want to sit it in, but she is still quite small for her age and I think having it there will at least give us th option to use it if we need it. Especially for the evenings.

 

[May05 preemie mom]

We used our stroller with our dd the last time, she was only 2. We haven't even pulled out our stroller since last summer, if then. She walks everywhere we go now. We went to BG and WC in Williamsburg in May and she did fine, never needed to carry her and didn't have alot of stuff either, just backpacks for each of us. When we go to Disney in the fall, we are going to go at her pace so if she gets tired or wants to take it at an easy pace, we'll accomodate that. So I think the way to decide is to figure out how much you actually use your stroller now for everyday activities, the mall, other amusement park type places. If they are still dependent on a stroller then definitely take it with you, if not, try going the first day to the first park and see how your little one does and then rent the next day in the next park if you have to.

Although having a stroller might help in the airport, if only to have a safe place for your little one while you handle business.

 

[mareed]

We ditched it at age 8. We loved the stroller basket for storing things (extra water, jackets, etc) so I admit that we hung onto it as long as possible!