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

[mjaclyn]

How old were your kids when you stopped bringing a stroller to WDW? I think my kids are getting close to not needing one during the day, but they both almost always fall asleep right before Fireworks, so it's still convenient for us to bring it even though we may not use it until around their bedtime. Thoughts?

 

[TempleOT]

Well, we have a 4 year old and a 7 year old. We rented a single stroller the first day thinking the 7 year old wouldn't need it. By 2pm that day, she was figthing with her brother for a chance to sit in it. So, we got a double every day after that. And honestly, I think we got around the parks faster because of it, LOL!

 

[puffkin]

We have a high end umbrella stroller and a very tall kid. We have always done Rope Drop to lunch, break, then evening in the park for fireworks and stuff. We go 2x a year. By 4.5 we pretty much only needed the stroller for the evening. Although it was cold that trip so we still took it as a place to drop coats and stuff as the day warmed up. By age 5 we only took it in if we were doing fireworks or something like that with large crowds. I felt better having him contained during the mad rush to exit the parks. We were so excited when he was 5.5 that it was our last trip with the stroller. Got home and found out 2 weeks later I was pregnant.....so we are back to strollers again

 

[Happyjen27]

My twins were 6 and 3/4 when we went 6 months ago, and we used a double stroller about half the time. I didn't bother with it on AK day, or when we went to MK for just a short morning (RD to noon). That will be our last time renting a stroller. From now on, they will walk, and we will take breaks as needed.

Our first trip at 5 and 3/4, they needed and used the stroller every day. I have very active kids who are athletic and eat a very healthy diet. But, the standing and grueling walking of Disney was too much for them at this age.

 

[Nicnic]

My DD was also 6 closer to 7 when we last used a stroller. You know your kids stamina , mine had none, she was and still is like a sparrow. She can swim and swim but walking is another thing!! It wasnt worth the distress and unhappiness of not taking one. And no one looked at us any different for pushing an almost 7yo in a stroller. I wouldn't have cared if they did actually, like I say, we know our kids and we will do whats best for them and our family. Do not worry about taking one.

 

[BellsFam]

I have very active kids who are athletic and eat a very healthy diet. But, the standing and grueling walking of Disney was too much for them at this age.

This...

DD will be 5 when we go, we will have a stroller... I know she could hack it, IF we made her, but I'm making it easier on all of us and having it there just in case...

Plus it's a really good way to bring "extras" into the parks... jackets, ponchos, cameras, food, etc.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our oldest was 6 and our youngest was 4 the last time we used strollers in the park.

 

[Hannathy]

By 5 we never brought a stroller. So I guess 4 and most of the time we didn't bring it to the parks. Took it, found she was never in it and didn't want to bother pushing an empty stroller so it stayed in the room.

And we go from rope drop to close, never had a problem and I DON"T carry kids have a very bad back. They have more energy than we do! If they are getting tired then we are to and we go see a show or stop and have a snack.

It isn't a marathon, it's walk a bit, ride a ride, walk a bit more, sit and see a show. repeat as needed.

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

My oldest is 5 and we still bring a cheap umbrella stroller for her. We just park it in stroller parking when we get to the park and pick it up of/when we need it. It's definitely nice to have after a long night in the park or if we have to walk somewhere fast. Otherwise, she walks and is fine.

 

[henry72]

Last time we went DS had just turned 7 and DD was 4. We took one stroller and they shared riding in it when they were tired. This June they will be 9 and 6 so no stroller. I am looking forward to not having to deal with it in the crowds. We will just take breaks when they are tired.

 

[DznyPrnces]

Dad was 4 the last time she used a stroller in the parks.

 

[mm1971]

How old were your kids when you stopped bringing a stroller to WDW? I think my kids are getting close to not needing one during the day, but they both almost always fall asleep right before Fireworks, so it's still convenient for us to bring it even though we may not use it until around their bedtime. Thoughts?

It was around 8 for my DD. She finally outgrew everything and it didn't make sense anymore. I would say as long as they fit, having it is a good idea. Even at 7/8 they get tired and the bonus is it gives you a place to store things and not have to carry them.

We tried to go without one when she was 6 and it was a mistake as by early afternoon she had had enough and was exhausted. We used one at 7 and then stopped after that.

 

[mickeymousemom]

My youngest was 5 the last time we used a stroller. As a 6 yo she was fine walking on her own. She didn't miss it. At that point though, she had been to WDW 14 times and knew the drill. I missed the stroller more than she did because I could put STUFF in it..LOL! We had no problem with her. We rested when any of us needed to, and between sitting down on rides, meals, etc., we did fine.

 

[worm761]

Never used one for DS. He had just turned 5 before his first trip.

As for DD, we stopped when we realized that at 2 she was out of the stroller more than she was in it. So at 3 we didn't bother taking one. Didn't own one at the time either. We did get one on the last day as she came down with a cold and was just feeling under the weather. We are going again at the end of July/beginning of August this year. She is 4. I have no plans to get a stroller for her. She is active and is used to walking since we don't own a stroller and I don't carry kids that can walk.

 

[Disneylover99]

Under 7 was our age for strollers.

 

[EMode]

My kids were not using strollers by the time they were 4.
You are going to get alot of different answers, and most likely alot of judgment but only you know your kids. You can't really go by a number you need to go by what they can handle

 

[ccgirl]

How old were your kids when you stopped bringing a stroller to WDW? I think my kids are getting close to not needing one during the day, but they both almost always fall asleep right before Fireworks, so it's still convenient for us to bring it even though we may not use it until around their bedtime. Thoughts?

My DS was 4 when we stopped. He doesn't have disability issues and we are an active family. We had no problems. It's not like you walk non stop. We stop for shows and rides and bench/snack breaks if needed. Ymmv.

 

[kohlby]

Eldest two didn't need one by 4. However, the youngest is 5 and still needs one. It's not due to endurance though, it's due to his sensory issues. He needs a place to escape to.

 

[asmit4]

Disney is still that ONE place where it is not weird to see a 6yo in a stroller. My son will be almost 3 and we are nowhere near stopping the stroller usage. I'd bet he won't be ready til at least 5yo- probably 6.

 

[WantToGoNow]

The last trip any of my children rode in a stroller was age 5. But you will see kids but in strollers that appear to be old enough for Jr high.