At what age did you...

[zookeeper]

...stop bringing/renting a stroller for your kids? I know every child is different and I'm not looking for any criticism towards those that used them with older children. I'm just really curious to know when I can reasonably expect to be rid of the hassle of bringing strollers on airplanes,bus,etc. Last trip we lugged 2 full size strollers out of necessity. This summer I'm returning with my older kids only so I'll be stroller free, but I'll probably take the younger ones back within a year or so. Thanks for your input.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'll give you my story.

I have two girls now ages 6 1/2 and 10.

The last time my 10 year old regularly used a stroller at WDW was 6. She still whines from time to time that she'd like to be in one, usually toward the end of the day if we stay late like for the Halloween or Christmas party and she frequently borrows her younger sister's stroller.

My 6 1/2 year old is another story. She's in her own little world, getting lost easily; I've lost count how many times she's almost gotten lost in a store, at the mall, on the cruise etc....and she has had many health issues in her few years so she was in a stroller on our last trip and I think she'll be in one once again this August.

You do what you think is best for you kids; every child is different too. I'd say the average age for a child to be out of a stroller at WDW (home is a different story entirely) is around 6.

Have fun!

 

[slo]

Last year my oldest was 7 and she walked at the airport, but she sat in a rented double stroller at WDW. This year, at the age of 8, she is not sitting in a stroller at WDW either - her stroller days are done.

My youngest is now 3 and she will be in a stroller at WDW and the airport.

 

[Stephres]

I have a six and a four year old and bought a stroller with a step on back and the six year old still enjoys standing on the step every now and then for a break. It is very hard to push with both of them in it though!

I think it really depends on the kid and the pace you go. If you are a go, go, go family your younger kids might need it. If you take a slower pace and take lots of breaks you might not.

 

[justplaingoofy]

I do not have any children. However, it is a ton of walking and you can only go as fast as the slowest member in your party. If you bring one/rent one, they can sit in it when they need a break.

I wish it were socially acceptable for me to go in a stroller... I would love to take a rest!

 

[pixiewytch]

My four year old has been twice now this year without a stroller. The first time he went with some friends (without me) to EPCOT. They said he seemed to be fine but I know once he got home at the end of the day he was complaining about his feet and legs hurting so I felt kind of bad about that.

Last week we went to MK and I decided to opt out of the stroller as well. I'm 5 mos pregnant so I knew I wouldn't be rushing around the park. Pushing him in the stroller as heavy as he is would have been such a burden on me. Plus, it is always such a pain to take them in and out of the stroller for every attraction, then come back to find the stroller.

Honestly by the end of the day and after several tantrums I was wishing I had brought the thing but it definitely has its pros and cons. He was so sleepy but when DH and I brought him earlier this year with the stroller he didn't even fall asleep in it until 10p.m anyway.

Personally I can't imagine pushing a 6 yr old around in a stroller just because as they get older they get so heavy. It is definitely a great way to keep them moving and self contained though if you will.

So I don't know, tough decision. We live in Fl and drive there quite a bit but I can tell you that if I was flying in and dealing with that hassle I would not be bringing strollers. If anything I would just rent them when I felt it absolutely necessary. In fact, this reminds me that if I was staying on property (and I assume you are if you are flying in) then to me that makes it even less necessary to have a stroller because you can jaunt back to your resort when the kids get tired. I don't have that option when I just go for the day.

 

[Oceana]

i have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. My 1 year old is happier in a carrier so we intend to not use a stroller at all. While we do have some flexibility and can rent one and have it budgeted I think in 10 days we can really take it easy.

 

[Holly]

We stopped renting strollers for my older sons when they were five.

 

[Hannathy]

When we went at Easter 2 yrs ago my son was 5 and we did not take or use a stroller anywhere. He did fine! We didn't exactly take it easy either there from opening till midnight or close most nights. He was the youngest and had to keep up with a teen and a college student plus Mom and Dad.(and we are fast walkers) It is so FREEING to not have to bother with a stroller you will love it!

 

[ch1103]

I'm still debating with myself on this issue for our trip next month. My youngest is 5 (well, a month from being 6 by the time we go). I was planning to not take a stroller this time. However, this summer is the first time we've gone to our local amusement park without the stroller. While I love the ease of not having it, I miss the storage. And when my DD gets tired, she gets VERY, VERY whiny and drags herself along, begging to be carried, refusing to walk. It really sucks the fun out of our day.

So I'm now thinking that I will take a stroller (probably just an umbrella) with us and leave it at the resort in the mornings. But after our afternoon break, I'll probably take it to the parks with us and let her ride. It seems like a good compromise.

I also notice that my hands don't swell so much when I'm pushing around a stroller (and I can stash my junk in the basket or hanging from the handles), so it's not entirely unselfish of me to bring the stroller for her.

 

[stczt]

I stopped using strollers when my kids were 2. They walked everywhere we went. I did keep an umbrella stroller just in case. My friends ds boke his leg when he was 4 and she barrowed mine. So I decided it didn't hurt to have one, so I wouldn't have to buy 1.

 

[glass slipper girl]

My kids are 4 and 6. They've been in strollers for every trip. I've brough strollers from home for all but the last one where we rented a double for them. When we go in January we will also have a baby with us so 4, 6 and infant. For that trip I plan to bring a full size stroller for baby so we have one with full recline, good sunshade etc. that I know baby will be comfy in and can sleep (hopefully! He will be 4 months old). We will bring a Mac umbrella stroller with a kiddie board on back for the older kids. They can take turns walking and riding on the kiddie board. We know that at the end of the night, after the last ride they both want to "stroll" out of the park (and the 4 year old, who is 45.25" tall and 53 lbs usually falls asleep - neither DH or I want to carry a heavy kid like that out ). When that happens will just put baby in a front pack and they can both ride. If it becomes an issue, we'll rent a double for them but I think we'll be fine with the stroller with board.

Renting the double worked, but not well. My kids are big...the 4 year old is 45.25" tall and 53 lbs and my 6 year old is 49.5" tall and weighs 60.5 lbs. So they are basically the size of an average height 6 and 8 year old. They fit...but not with a lot of extra room! They were not too thrilled to be sharing the double. My mom was with us in her ECV and they much preferred for one of them to "hitch a ride" with her (as in standing behind her seat...her own ECV, not Disney's so it was a different style that this does work with) and one in the stroller. My 6 year old fit comfortably alone when he was in there by himself. I think we'd have been fine if it wasn't 95+ degrees! They were sticking to each other and had lots of "he's touching me!" and "his leg is in my space!"

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Because we'd given up the stroller when DS was 3, we did not have one to take to WDW when he was 4. The only time we really could have used it was at Epcot - biggest park to walk, and on the fourth day of our vacation - we all were dragging by that point, and even DD (then 8) whined that she wanted a stroller too! It was a commando trip, and looking back I'm impressed at how well their legs held up!

 

[Jennick]

I think it all depends on how much walking your little ones can handle. You would probably know best. I have to add, we saw a mom taking a break at Epcot in one of those double strollers you can rent, she was all by herself. I assume another member of her party most likely had the little ones on a potty break or maybe in a gift shop. I gave her a thumbs up as we walked by and she laughed. I guess she was all tuckered out and that was the closest seat. I say whatever works go for it

 

[mamacatnv]

DD has not used her stroller since she was 5, except for WDW.

We took our MacLaren for DD who was 7 1/2. She had 2 days where her tummy wasn't feeling good and the stroller allowed us to keep going and she could rest when she needed to.

The same stroller will be going with us in January when she is 8 1/2. She is just barely 60 lbs and the MacLaren accomodates her well. It is a little hard to steer, but it does the trick.

Even tho kids have abundant amounts of energy they do not necessarily have the stamina or the will to keep going, if a stroller for a bigger kid can aleviate some of the fatigue, I am all for it. Sure beats a whiny intolerant worn out child.

 

[Tink561]

We stopped using the stroller when my youngest was 5. We haven't used a stroller in 8 years. Our stroller days are about to return again!

We always took our own because I don't like to rent them.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My son was 4 the last time he used a stroller at WDW. We're great break takers every day. Go to the parks when they open, eat lunch go for a swim, go back to the parks about 5 or 6.

 

[eeyoregon]

My youngest son was 6 1/2 when he last used a stroller at WDW. He is 10 now and would still ride in one if he could fit (he is 5 feet 2 inches)!!

I would much rather push my kid around all day than hear whining about how tired they are, how much their feet hurt, etc. A vacation to WDW includes miles, miles and more miles of walking. Think you get tired as an adult? Imagine taking twice as many steps in order to keep up?? Plus the stroller doubles as a "seat" at parades and a storage unit for coats, water bottles, bags, etc.

 

[klineyqueen]

Personally I say to use it as long as you can! I told my DH that I will miss the stroller when those days are over! I love having the bottom to put stuff. Although, I guess when they are old enough to not need a stroller then they should also not need a diaper bag or change of clothing in case of an "I forgot to go to the potty" accident. Our next trip we will have a DS 3 and DD baby. We are taking 2 because I think that will be easier than one really big one!

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

My youngest son was 6 1/2 when he last used a stroller at WDW. He is 10 now and would still ride in one if he could fit (he is 5 feet 2 inches)!!

I would much rather push my kid around all day than hear whining about how tired they are, how much their feet hurt, etc. A vacation to WDW includes miles, miles and more miles of walking. Think you get tired as an adult? Imagine taking twice as many steps in order to keep up?? Plus the stroller doubles as a "seat" at parades and a storage unit for coats, water bottles, bags, etc.

I feel the same way! My DD was 6 on our last WDW trip, turned 6 while we were on the trip. She is 47" and 47lbs and I took the stroller for her. She walked most of the time, but when we needed the stroller, particularly at the end of the night going back to the resort, it was invaluable. During the day it was great to have something to throw our stuff in. I will take the stroller when we go to DL next June because it's a Maclaren umbrella stroller and doesn't take up much room. With her being a year older and DL being a smaller area than WDW, I don't think we will need it, but I'd rather have it just in case! If we find we really don't need it, it can stay in the hotel room, but it's still going with us!