Am I crazy? 3 & 4 year old... no stroller?

[Picabo]

My girls are going to be 2 1/2 and almost 4 when we go and while my older one (here at home) refuses to go in a stroller, I plan to have a double stroller so that it's available to them if they get tired of walking. It will save tons of energy for them if it's possible to get them into the stroller. That being said, if you join a stroller swap (here's the one I'm in: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1992277 ) you pay very minimal amount of money to share a stroller with other Disers and if you DON't use it much, you haven't wasted your money.

 

[2disneyboys]

Forget the stroller for the kids -- I want a stroller for ME! LOL

You know your kids best, and you also know what pace your family walks. We took a stroller last time (2007) DS was 3 at beg of trip and turned 4 during the trip and older DS was 6. DS3 is Very Very small for his age (always in the less then 5% size at the ped's office) Anyway, we do parks commando style -- trying to squeeze in as much as we can as fast as we can -- 1st 4 days DS3 & DS5 were fine - walked 100% of the time (Stroller was parked or being pushed empty) last 3 days, DS6 still fine and DS3 still walked over 90% of the time but did actually use the stroller some. Thankfully did not have cranky crying kids by eve ... however, they slept like STONES every night. Didn't even MOVE from the position they layed down in!

I'd say either bring yours & leave in room, just in case, or just put some extra room in the budget to rent one if he /they need it and with that said, I'd only rent a single... for the most part, you could let them take turns using it.

However, if you CHOOSE not to rent or bring one, then make sure you & DH are understanding that thier stride is shorter then your stride, so you have to take it slower and take more breaks then if you had a stroller for them. They will be tired which in some cases can be good - a little physical exertion never hurt anyone! Just be understanding and not fussy toward them if they are tired. G/L & have Fun!

 

[mommy4]

I vote not crazy!!
Last year my kids were 22 months and 3 1/2. My 22 month old screamed when we put her in the stroller and my 3 1/2 year old hated it too. However, we are a family that takes it easy and takes frequent breaks. We also don't stay out too late.
This year our dd will be almost 3 and the youngest boy will be 4 1/2. We are bringing 1 umbrella stroller that way they can take turns.
I just bought the evenflo x sport plus and it folds up like an umbrella and has a basket underneath. I can't wait to try it out!

Good luck on your decision and have fun!!

 

[DISHUD]

I vote crazy too!. This June is our next trip and I'm second guessing a stroller for my 7 year old. We're going to try it without but if it gets unbearable.....we're gettin' one. It does shield them from the sun a bit and the walking I guess might get to them but I would definately get one for those little ones......or your trip could turn on you in a heartbeat!
Have a safe trip!

 

[chicagoshannon]

I vote NOT crazy! Strollers are over used nowadays. Seriously when I was 3-4 years old I wasnt' in a stroller anymore. When I got tired we either took a break on a bench or my dad threw me onto his shoulders for a bit.

I think you'll be fine!

 

[CantWait2009]

Think its a good idea to bring one of those cheap umbroller stroller from walmart with us, I have never travelled with the girls. Our firts disney trip, can I keep them in it until we board the plane or chould I check it, or is it better to jsut rent one there ? Anyone know how much it is to rent strollers at disney ?

 

[jcemom]

Think its a good idea to bring one of those cheap umbroller stroller from walmart with us, I have never travelled with the girls. Our firts disney trip, can I keep them in it until we board the plane or chould I check it, or is it better to jsut rent one there ? Anyone know how much it is to rent strollers at disney ?

I'm not sure if airline policies differ, but we have always been able to check our stroller at the gate just before boarding the plane (US Air, SouthWest, and AirTran).

Disney raised the rental prices last year and I think it's close to $20/day to rent strollers now -- I'm sure someone here will chime in with the correct prices. That's way too expensive for me. For the cost of one or two days rental I can buy my own then pass it on to someone else or donate it when I'm done with it, whatever. With smaller children it's nice to have around the resort too, getting to and from the bus stops, or in the airport. My DD doesn't need it in those places any more, but when she did if we'd rented from Disney we wouldn't have had it outside the parks.

There are plenty of stroller swaps here on the DIS if you'd prefer not to have to travel with the stroller(s). I've never used one but they seem to be pretty inexpensive.

 

[Kellytn]

I'm in the same boat. I'm pretty sure my older dd, will be almost 5 when we go, would be ok but not so sure about my 3year old. An 8 day rental from orlandostrollers is 115. I'm probably going to do that.