At What Age Did You Stop Using a Stroller in the Parks?

[luvmy2babies]

I am at that place now where I will be thinking about this. If we go next year, my son will be 5. So many variables. Time of year, number of days in the trip, how you like to tour…all of these have a significant effect on needing a stroller. The first time my son went after he learned to walk he was 2.5. He never spends all day in his stroller. We do a combination of walking and riding, but we are always there in the heat. He actually walked the most at 2.5 when we had Tropical Storm Debby rain on us for 4 days, but the wind kept blowing the cover off of his stroller so it was soaked a lot.

I’m really not sure when we’ll ditch it. He has some sensory issues and there were times he climbed into it to escape. I could tell because while he would be fine most of the time in his hat with the shade back, there were times he would get in and pull the shade all the way out. It was a city mini and the shade has 2 stops before it is completely extended. He also wore his ear muffs almost the whole trip.

We did just rent this time and go through the airport without one. Almost backfired on me when he fell asleep on Magical Express 5 minutes from the airport. But we made it through.

We do all kinds of walking, especially on nature trails, but it isn’t 97 degrees with 90% humidity. We do the trail stuff in the fall. I may try a stroller free trip if we go back in March next year. It’s going to depend on whether they are showing MSEP and Wishes at 8 and 9 or 9 and 10. This year, I swear, it was amazing. He watched Wishes sitting half on the stroller handle and leaning on me. Wishes ended. I put him in the stroller, made the 180 degree turn for us to leave and that is how long it took him to fall asleep. He doesn’t nap at Disney and that was one of 2 nights he conked out like that. The other he asked for one more ride on the Carousel. He was fine, but when it started, he started nodding off. I had to keep him awake through the whole ride. He was out the moment I got him off of his horse. He is so heavy when he's sleeping, I would have had a lot of trouble carrying him off the bus. We had a standard room at All-Star Movies. We were in the back in the Herby the Love Bug section and it was quite a walk. We aren't the “break in the middle of the day” type of family and he doesn't nap, but we are the tour slowly, take breaks and stay in the parks 9 hours type so far.

I laughed when I read the comments about the 14 year-old. My 11 year-old would get in one if I was willing to push her. I actually have a funny photo of her from our trip just 2 weeks ago. She had her last BBB makeover and we were taking a break in Tomorrow Land. She climbed into the stroller I had for her brother. I told her I was going to take a photo and text it to her BFF back home. Well to her mom’s phone. The little stinker said go ahead and posed. If you’re there long enough you’ll see older kids in the plastic ones Disney rents.

 

[ccgirl]

Oh wow....this thread is making me re-think my plans.....I was going to rent a double-stroller for my 2 yr old twins (they will be almost 3 when we go), and was going to have a 5 yr old walk. We were going to bring our cheapie twin umbrella stroller for the airports (for the twins) but now I'm wondering if I should rent a single one for him as well. He hasn't used a stroller in well over a year and I'm not concerned about a long walk in the airport but 8 days at WDW might be too much for him since we don't plan on going back to the hotel for breaks.

My 5 year old walked okay. Only you know your child though. Disney also sells (or used to) an inexpensive umbrella type stroller at the gift shops in the parks. It was a Kolcraft for around $50 the last time I was there. That would be cheaper than renting one.

Just a thought.

 

[harrisb1964]

We didn't take a stroller when son was 5 and regretted it. Ended up carrying through the park at the end of the day. The next year at 6 we took a stroller and it made such a difference.

 

[asmit4]

So--- if I posted a poll on this with ages.....it looks like the magic #1 number is 6....6 is the last year a stroller was used for most families....with the age of 5 being a very close runner up....

 

[Meldev]

We're renting a double stroller, kids are 2-6-8-10
2 will definitely need stroller and 6 will appreciate not having to keep up with us all the time...I can even see 8 taking turns with 6 (as 8 is taller but weight is only about 2 lbs difference - she's the tiniest build of the crew)!

We'll travel with our regular single stroller and when kids were 2-4-6 we took that and double jn but i look forward to just one stroller on the buses this time!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

DD was 5 on our first stroller free trip. We went when she was 3 and she used the stroller.

We went on a 7 day trip. We debated on taking a stroller. Decided not to take one since she never used one anyway. We actually didn't even own a stroller anymore. We came to the agreement that IF she needed one we would just rent one in the parks when she needed it.

We did midday breaks, some ADR's, a park everyday and she never once complained. Never once asked for a stroller.

It was a magical trip.

 

[kohlby]

Oh wow....this thread is making me re-think my plans.....I was going to rent a double-stroller for my 2 yr old twins (they will be almost 3 when we go), and was going to have a 5 yr old walk. We were going to bring our cheapie twin umbrella stroller for the airports (for the twins) but now I'm wondering if I should rent a single one for him as well. He hasn't used a stroller in well over a year and I'm not concerned about a long walk in the airport but 8 days at WDW might be too much for him since we don't plan on going back to the hotel for breaks.

The only reason my youngest needs one at 5 is due to his sensory issues. The other two kids didn't need them at 5. Is there any chance the 5 year old would fit into the double if one of the 2 year olds is out? At times, one of them may want to walk. My oldest happily walked the first couple of days of our trip at barely 3 years old. He did need the stroller later on during the trip though. Or, if you stay late, then the 5 year old could go in on the way out while one parent carried a 2 year old. Better to carry a 2 year old than a 5 year old in most cases! (Says the petite woman who had to use a sling all day/week long with her 2.5 year old since he refused the stroller AND refused to walk).

 

[kohlby]

I’m really not sure when we’ll ditch it. He has some sensory issues and there were times he climbed into it to escape. I could tell because while he would be fine most of the time in his hat with the shade back, there were times he would get in and pull the shade all the way out. It was a city mini and the shade has 2 stops before it is completely extended. He also wore his ear muffs almost the whole trip.

.

This alone is reason enough to bring one. It also makes it harder to rent one in the parks - since one from home can have a nice big shade to pull down. And the child is used to the feel of it. I am just hoping my stroller holds up long enough to last through the sensory issues! It beats carrying a freaked out kid. He relaxes so much more having the stroller.

 

[Phillips Family]

My kids are 5, and we still use it

Saves their legs for when we are waiting in line

 

[swanprincess06]

Does anyone have experience with a double stroller verses 2 single strollers? It would be for a 15 month old and almost 4 year old. The rest of the group is adults (grandparents and aunts and uncles, plus mom and dad of course) so people to push isn't a big deal unless we go off by ourselves for a little bit.

Is it hard to get around with double strollers in the crowds because of the width?

Thanks!

 

[quakechicago]

Does anyone have experience with a double stroller verses 2 single strollers? It would be for a 15 month old and almost 4 year old. The rest of the group is adults (grandparents and aunts and uncles, plus mom and dad of course) so people to push isn't a big deal unless we go off by ourselves for a little bit. Is it hard to get around with double strollers in the crowds because of the width? Thanks!

Our trip in Feb there were only double stroller rentals left and we only have one (then nearly 3 yo) kiddo. I wasn't even sure she would use it because at home? She wants to walk EVERYWHERE! Last minute because I was so worried I ordered a riding board delivered to the hotel to add to the stroller (thanks amazon, stroller rental place was out). But not only did DD ride in it, a Disney miracle happened -- SHE NAPPED IN IT! Daily. And she never EVER naps -- unless she's sick! And the double worked out great. Easy to push, I threw our bag and any junk we had on the other seat, and the riding board was a hit too. I could push while she stood tall riding next to me! It was so great I ordered another double for our next trip in November even though there were singles available!

As far as crowds rarely a problem and no difference from having a single in yielding to ppl walking. My single at home is a BOB jogging and our rental double was not as obnoxiously long in the front (we walk our dog a LOT so I needed one that could handle many miles of often torn up with construction city streets but now DD walks so we never use it anymore).

The double of course is a bit wider but less than 2 people walking next to each other. I live in Chicago and would NEVER use a double here. You couldn't walk into most stores! But in WDW the only time it was a tight fit was in Japan's stores (not a big deal as DD wanted to walk and shop! We left it outside). I'd get the double with the running board if I were you. Even active kids like mine aren't walking 10-15 miles a day (pedometer) and then your kids can walk or ride as they need. Also great to put "stuff."

 

[buzznina]

I used one until my youngest was 6. I think strollers are great Gives us somewhere to hold all of our stuff. Sometimes the older ones would hop in it if they were really tired. We just did our first theme park without a stroller (non Dinsey) and I hated it. My DH ended up carrying around a giant backpack all day, it was such a pain! I have no idea why people are so eager to get rid of the stroller. If my youngest (now 7) wanted one on our next trip I would gladly bring one for him. It's a ton of walking & he has little legs. And we love to go commando. Just makes everything easier for us.

We totally agree with you about having a stroller is great Our DDs are 4 & 9 and we take a sit-n-stand, the oldest will walk 90% but it has been very nice when she gets a bit tired to still be able to walk places with her on the stroller instead of stopping. We just got back from DL and we took our umbrella stroller that has a basket, well there were times that we really missed our sit-n-stand I do not like carrying a backpack and have been knocked around by other people that do not realize how far they stick out behind them. So, it will be a sad day when we no longer take a stroller. We have been taking 1-2 strollers for years and rarely have an issue with them for trains or buses etc.

 

[tcherjen]

We used it up until just this year. We took it when she was 6 and more or less let her rest if she needed it. We did not take it this last trip and it was difficult. We did have to adjust our pace and she did get cranky a couple of times. But in the end she did fine. I also didn't bring all my stuff with me to the parks. I just used my magic band and that was very different for me.

 

[sbecker517]

My kids were 5,7,9 last time we went... No stroller and it was great!! They can do it and mine didn't whine at all... It's Disney!

 

[mamatobbg]

My kids will be 10, 7, and the youngest will turn 5 on our trip. I considered foregoing the stroller completely , but I may bring an umbrella stroller for the turning 5 y/o.

Last trip we had a 7, almost 5 and 2 year old. I brought a double stroller and have several pics of the younger two napping in the stroller. At one point on a particularly hot day in Epcot, my husband wore the two year old in a carrier, and pushed the boys in the stroller to give the 7 y/o a break, too.

 

[quakechicago]

The running board (you can rent them too) was awesome to add to the stroller. It let DD see, me walk faster, and gave her legs a break.

We do a lot of dog walking at home -- but not 10-15 miles a day!

 

[emskyrooney]

We go on Friday (7/11) for a week and my husband and I have debated it for quite a while. Last time DS was 3.5, I was pregnant, we went in April. We took an umbrella stroller and used it a ton- DS is NOT a good walker. This time DD is almost 2 and DS is 5.5 He's still a terrible walker- complains that his legs hurt just walking around the grocery store. I think he needs the stroller, DH thinks he's too old. Ended up ordering a kickboard on Amazon that we'll attach to our single stroller- that way at least he can hitch a ride from time to time and we can maneuver through the crowds a little better...

 

[Pookasaurus]

I was wondering this for ourselves - Our last trip our boys were 4 and 20mo so we rented a double and it was really nice to have. The next trip we are looking at the boys will be just turning 5 and 8 so I was debating on a single for my (will be) 5yo but will def plan on bringing/renting now. It is nice to have a place to store things and have the option for him to take a rest, plus I like having him strapped in and close by in high crowd situations. I have doubts how much he'll actually be willing to sit in it, but it will be nice to have the option.

 

[monorailsilver]

Our kids were 12, 9 & 7 when we went last. No stroller. They were fine they hated carrying. Their bag with just their water in it but too bad!

The time prior they were 7, 4 & 2 so yes we had a stroller. Even the 7 yo sat in it.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Both of my younger kids were 5 when they last used a stroller at Disney. Dd made it half of a 9 day trip before we had to use it (it was used by a 4 year old cousin the first half). She went again at 6 and didn't need it. Both kids have asthma and dd has a heart problem but we always go in the fall where the crowds/heat aren't as bad. My oldest was 10 on her first trip, taller than me and we never even considered a stroller (now she's 30 and has to use a ECV).