Anyone with a five year old NOT use a stroller at Disney?

[powellrj]

we started going to WDW when my oldest was 4 and we have never used a stroller for a child over 4. It just didn't occur to us to use one and they never asked. They did fine keeping up and we would do commando style touring.

 

[ParrotBill]

We'd made a lot of trips by stroller through age 3, but at age 4 we brought a stroller and I hid it in the closet in the room. We do not stay out all day - always take a mid day break, so we thought we'd see how she did without the stroller. She's small for her size and wilts easily in the heat... but...

She did not even miss it or ask for it to our surprise. On long walks or if we wanted to go quicker, I'd put her on my shoulders for a treat. No strollers ever since.

 

[Schmeck]

Only used a stroller once, when DD was 2 1/2. By age 5, both girls were very active and into sports (soccer, gymnastics, skating), and could outwalk me for days and days and days...

I'd start out without one - you can always rent one as needed!

 

[TJA]

Well, our twins aren't 5 yrs old yet, but last trip (last month) they were 4 yrs old and we still used our Dreamer twin jogger. We pay special attention each Disney trip to see if we still need a stroller, and so far the answer is yes. Last month at Disney, we found that we could go to parks in the morning without the stroller, but we normally also go to parks at night and stay for the night shows, etc., and by then the twins are dragging and we definitely give them a stroller ride back to the resort. To make things even easier, we normally stay at BC so we can walk back there after both Illuminations and also Fantasmic. The twins love to get cozy in the stroller and doze off. We normally go to WDW during seasons when it's hot out, so the twins also like to have a stroller ride with a mister fan to cool off. We plan to take our stroller for quite a while longer -- even if we leave it in our room more than use it in a park -- we'll just feel better knowing we have the option, especially at night when the kids are tired out.

 

[Microcell]

My 9 year old is so lazy we may need a stroller for her! Really, I looked in on this thread to see what the opinions are because my 5 year old DS is on the fence. He is kind of lazy, but he is healthy and if we take breaks, he should be fine, and if all else fails, we go to the front and get him one I suppose!

I know it would be cheaper to bring from home, but DH refuses to take them on a plane because he thinks it is a hassle, so I have to buget the stroller rental in.

 

[Microcell]

WE have never used a stroller for anyone over 4 and have never had problems. We also go commando so these kids are moving! The last time my DS was 5 we went over Easter and were there for 7 days and at the parks from opening till close and that was midnight many nights. I don't understand it, kids have more energy than adults and if I can walk it so can they. plus it is so freeing without a stroller that once you don't use one you will never go back to one. If kids can play in soccer tournaments and play 3 games in a day, why can't they walk from ride to ride? I also don't understand how a 5 and up even knows to ask for a stroller if it isn't offered, most kids consider strollers for toddlers and don't even think they need one and just deal.

Anyone remember how nice Disney was years ago when the only strollers were used for toddlers. Less jammed walkways, hardly ever getting hit in the ankles, no SUV's taking up whole aisles in stores, more room on the trams.

You know, I would normally agree, but we had to take my DD when she turned 6 in a stroller because 1 month before our trip she had Appendicitis and it burst and she had 10 days in the hospital, and almost died. So while you are probably right that most big kids are using it out of laziness, I always remember my sick little girl and promising her disney!

We got dirty looks (even with my DS2 there needing a stroller) and I would always say loud enough for people to hear," DD, you won the Appendicitis war, you get a stroller, kid!

 

[Tess'smom]

To each his or her own. You know your own children the best of anyone. Some children will be able to last longer if you have a stroller. If you are a commando style park goer, the stroller may really come in handy at the end of a long day. I probably would rent the double stroller just in case. There are those days that I wish I had a stroller!

 

[tjlovespooh]

I just wanted to say that although it's always a good idea to plan ahead, keep in mind that kids are completely UNPREDICTABLE! I never would have dreamed that my DS17mo would refuse to ride in his stroller - that little man walked ALL over WDW

 

[dijid]

We went without putting DD in a stroller when she was 4. We had a 2yo and 8mo with us at the time, and I think she rather enjoyed being the big girl that walked. Now the kids are almost 8, 6 and 3.5. We're considering going without a stroller as the 3.5yo hates it. She'll walk 5 hours at the zoo, to the grocery store and back, etc. I really think she'll be okay at WDW on her own two feet. The only issue I see is speed.

 

[Callalily6]

I went solo with my daughter when she was 5 for a girls only trip. We ditched the stroller. As long as you plan and WATCH your child's energy level, you wont need the stroller. We had to sit down and take a long lunch, rest on benches, and all that.

My biggest stroller-less mistake, was spending the whole day in MK on our last day in FL. We went in when they opened & stayed all day. Around 5pm, we were both knocked out, but she wanted to stay for fireworks, so we sat down for dinner. I made sure we took our time and sat for an hour. My legs were so tired, I was sure she was. We went back out at 6pm.

Around 8:30pm I could tell she was running on fumes, b/c the giggles took over. We rode Pirates over and over again with pirate hats on.

Yup - I fell for it! We stayed too long. She totally pooped-out, couldn't even stand up by 9pm. I ended up carrying her on my back behind the castle to the buses.

When people saw us coming they were giggling - #1, b/c we obviously had too much fun. #2, b/c I was wearing 2 pirate hats on my head. lol. Carrying kids from the back of the park to the parking lot is FAR!

 

[stepdisney]

My DS (6) was 4 our last trip (2005) He didn't have a problem at all. We enjoyed every park and stayed for extra magic hours. He was tired each night but woke ready to go each morning. I think strollers are more trouble. There are plenty of places to sit and rest (including the curb on main street ). I guess it depends on the children.

 

[WantToGoNow]

DS6 was 5 on our last visit and he did use a stroller. I knew if I took one for DD2 and not him, they would be fighting over it the entire vacation (like they do when I only take one to the zoo or amusement park around home - where he does have to walk). I just didn't want to deal with that at Disney. I bought 2 Maclaren Volo's and they pushed easily and stood out in the sea of strollers (I got orange and pink). We will probably go back when children are 7 and 5 and we will not plan to take strollers at that point -- we will just have to do slower/shorter days than we usually do.

If you think you're children will need it, then rent the double. I know most days at WDW, I would like to have a stroller by the end of the day.

 

[pednurse]

My DD is 5. We went to WDW last month and never used a stroller. There were a few times when DH or I would carry her for a few minutes, but even with all the walking there were enough times of sitting for rides and such that she did fine. The only time we had to carry her for more than a couple of minutes was after Wishes.....she fell asleep on DH's shoulder as we were waiting for the crowd to thin out a bit and she remained asleep there all the way back to the hotel (woke up the next morning in bed asking why were we there instead of still at the MK).

 

[mousescrapper]

we have diz twins too (now 8) in 2005 we went to celebrate their 6th b-day and only brought a stroller from home for our then 2 1/2 DD. This was our kids first time to WDW and we where there for 10 days with 1 break day and 1 WP day. The 2 6 yr olds did well till the end going through Epcot on day 8 and 9 of the trip Grandma rented the stroller so they could rest. My DD has some feet issues so she needed a break and it was worth the $10 to be able to push them through and not worry about them dragging behind.

We had the opposite effect for DD 2 1/2 at the end she was SICK of her stroller and kicked and screamed in pure exhaustion.

We are now going in 08 with our children turing 9, 9, 5 1/2, and 1 1/2. Obvously we'll need the stroller for our youngest but are in debation for the 5 1/2 year, will she make it or not the whole 7 days on her feet.

I know strollers can be a hassel at times, but for the mere sake of your sanity and not losing your cranky tired kids bring one from home, buy an umbrella and pass it along as another post said or do a coupon book for a few days for the end of your stay...

Good Luck!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

We bought 2 umbrellas before our trip in January. My kids were 2 and 4 at the time and needed them. We loved them. We used them at the airports and then at Disney. It was so nice knowing where our children were in big crowds. We also could put our backpacks on them and bring things into the park with no problem. It was nice when we got off the plane back home to carry our sleeping child to the stroller and not carry them around every where.

 

[taximomfor4]

We brought a stroller for dd on her 3rd-birthday-trip. She used it, but BARELY. (She was allowed to walk, as long as she held our hand and stayed RIGHT WITH US.)

Last year, we were there around her 4th birthday. We brought the stroller again...and pushed stuffed Meeko and stuffed French Minnie, with lots of water bottles, the WHOLE TRIP. DD never sat in the stroller, not for a single minute. (Same rule as before: she had to ALWAYS hold someone's hand, and stay RIGHT with us.)

This year, we are going for the last time in a loooong time. We might bring the stroller, but it will probably end up parked, with extra water bottles in the basket. Or we might leave it at home. We take it easy, mostly, so we don't exhaust the kids.

 

[louise']

We went with triplets that were four and did not use a stroller. It worked fine for us.

 

[Colleen27]

Has anyone had a five year old that did just fine walking the whole time? Or have a few pre-schoolers take turns riding in one stroller? If you were me, would you try to get by with the single, or splurge for the double?

DD was 4 on our last trip and we never used a stroller. She & I took some extra walks to the library and the park before we left, to get her little legs somewhat used to the extra mileage, and she did just fine.

 

[carrie6466]

I think that it doesn't only depend on the child, but the weather and the hours, as well.

We were there end of June/beginning of July. We hit the parks pretty much from 8:30 am until midnight every day. It was really hot and humid. DD turned 4 on the trip. She would walk in the beginning of the day, all day, but around dinnertime would just run out of steam. We brought our own stroller, which reclined, and she did end up taking naps in it every day. She is also one who really doesn't use a stroller at home anymore. But it had the basket underneath and when she wasn't in it, it was good for holding stuff

 

[disneyfreak74]

It seems like I am in the lesser group here. DD(4) used a stroller when we were there July 20-24. But we are the kinda family that goes from open to close. And it is EASIER to keep up with her when there are people ALL OVER YOU!!! That said. . .every night. . .even 2am leaving MK she left under her OWN foot power. I did not have to lug her 40 pounds AND the backpack that had ponchos etc in it. But then again she is also not a "heat" kinda girl. She wonders WHT her brother cannot play baseball indoors!!!!