Another Stroller Q - Kids 6, 6 and Infant - Single or Double?

[aimeebarb]

Hi all! We will have two 6 1/2 yr olds and an infant for our first trip to Disney this winter. Should I rent a single or double stroller? I was originally planning a single, because I figured the girls could take turns in the stroller if they get tired while one of us put the baby in a carrier.

But now I'm wondering if we should just go ahead and get a double. I hate dealing with them (we did for so many years when our twin daughters were young!), but what if the baby hates the carrier? And how many fights will I break up if the girls both want to get in the stroller?

Hmmm, thoughts?

 

[butterfly71076]

For healthy, active 6 year olds there is no way I would put them in a stroller. My DS was out of a stroller, at almost 5. That being said, you know your children best. If you honestly think they are going to want the stroller, go for the double. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[castleri]

I would opt for the double - having the option for the girls would be my reasoning. We traveled with our DGD in February and had a stroller which she happily rode in much of the time. She is a very healthy active 6 yo and not having her tired and cranky with sore feet was wonderful. When she wasn't in the stroller we used it for packages or jackets. Have a great trip.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I would either get a double, or get a single with a rider board. We went with my nephews when they were 3 and 6 respectively, and I honestly thinkthe 6 y/o spent more time in the stroller, with the 3 y/o on the rider board (this was mostly later in the evening). neither of them used it much during the day, but it was very helpful to have the rider board at the end of the night.

 

[Mrs Green]

I am renting a double for our upcoming trip in august. we have dd6 and ds1. my thoughts on it are yes, she can and will walk a lot of the trip. yes, the double stroller is going to be big and sometimes annoying BUT if dd gets hot and cranky she will have a spot. if she gets nervous over the crowd at wishes or when exiting the park, she will have a spot. Neither my dh nor I want to have to carry her. We really don't even want to have to carry the baby in that august heat! If there is even one moment where our vacation is spared a giant meltdown because we had that double, it will be totally worth it for us!

 

[Muskrat191]

I don't have advice regarding the stroller, but make sure you get a good quality baby carrier that is comfortable for you and baby. My younger DD was 7.5 months on our trip last November and she spent most of the trip in our Boba 3G. The baby could nap and I could still be in line/on rides with our 2.5 year old. The baby can ride most rides while still in the carrier (she did have to come out of the carrier on the carrousel).

I know some people are concerned that the baby faces inwards in most of the "good" baby carriers. We found our daughter could still see what was going on around her by looking out the sides, and could face me if she was overstimulated.

 

[HotMama]

In my experience your 6 year olds would still like a break from walking the parks at times... I would go for a double.

My 6 year old is very active & healthy and she still wanted breaks.

Have fun!

 

[Fleok9]

We went in May w/ my 7 and 5 yr olds....both are extremely active and healthy....we run regularly, both play soccer, etc. Yet, we needed a stroller! It was hot and our days were long and honestly, it was easier in the end--my DH and I could get where we were going w/o a hitch.

Honestly, I cannot stand the people who imply that anyone past the age of 2 shouldn't be in a stroller and/or that they are unhealthy. That is ridiculous. Only YOU know your child/children and only YOU can make the choice. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Just saying

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would take a stroller for the baby and let the 6.5 year olds walk. Neither of my kids would have used a baby stroller at that age even if it had been offered (it wasn't).

 

[andiraye]

We live in NYC and have two sons, 6 and 3. My kids walk everywhere and probably walk at least 2 miles a day, everyday. But on the weekends, when we are out from morning until dinner, and log 3-5 miles in addition to playground and park time we still take the stroller, and our 6 year old still rides. I find that the stroller helps avoid meltdowns and keep our day moving - kids just get tired sometimes and need a rest, but if we have the stroller they can rest while we are in transit. The stroller also makes carrying a days' worth of supplies easier. Yes, getting on and off busses with a stroller is a pain but it is worth it. And we city slickers are used to it.

 

[andiraye]

Btw, I don't mean to imply my kids ride everywhere - they walk far more than they ride - but it does come in handy when they are tired. And they are super active kids.

 

[ibela]

Last summer my kids were 4 and 7. I almost got a single but then got the double and this summer will do the same. I haven't owned a stroller in years and we don't use one anywhere else, including Six Flags, Hershey Park, etc. There's something about Disney that's just exhausting, so much walking and we go late August so it's super hot, by evening I'd get in a stroller if I could! If you order 1 from off site it's very reasonable and good to have as a backup.

Caveat: this is the first time we're going to try midday breaks to the hotel so not sure if we'll need it anymore but $70 for a week is worth the peace of mind for us.

 

[DYOBL0305]

We're using a double stroller on our trip, my girls are almost-6, 3.5, and almost-1....the stroller is really for my 2 youngest since my oldest can and does run laps around dh and I all day every day lol, BUT I have a feeling that at some point, or several points, during our trip she'll want to take a break, and I'd rather have the room for it if she needs to just in case.

 

[timandjanl]

Are you renting from disney or an outside company? I guess I would say either way I would consider 2 singles. We did that on our last trip and it allowed one of us to stay in the park when our youngest wasn't feeling well. Also we could split up if we wanted and each take one stroller. I also think single strollers are much easier to navigate and on the bus.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I would rent the double, but tell the girls it is only for emergencies during the day. Pushing even 1 six year old around the parks will tire the adult out pretty quick. The stroller also gives you the ability to stay in the parks a bit later then you might since you can hold the baby and let the girls nap in the stroller while waiting for fireworks or the late parade. You may even get lucky and they fall asleep in the stroller and you can stay out and enjoy the parks at night without worrying about a melt down from a over tired kid.