At what age did you...

[mytwotinks]

I agree with the use it as long as you can theory. My dd7 used one just at Epcot and at MK when it was busy on the girl's trip we took w/ my sister and her daughter. I had both my girls so when we were by ourselves (dneice got strep and got stuck in the room) I used it because that way I knew exactly where both my girls were in a crowd. I am going to buy a Maclaren for our Sept. trip for my 4 (&3/4) yo. I hate to spend the $ when she is so old, but I figure we'll use it for a couple of years for trips and then give it to whichever of my sisters turns into a grandma first!

I would also depend on how long of a trip you are taking. We don't go for less than 8 days and by day 6 I am ready for a stroller myself! My dd will also sleep in hers so it makes it possible for us to have a lot more park time than we would have without it.

 

[Phalene]

I'm bringing a Mac double stroller when we go, my kids will be 5 and 2. I expect that the 5 year old will walk frequently, but this way when he's tired he can sit in the stroller and rest.

I'll also use it in the airport and put the car seat in it until we board the plane.

 

[daisyduck123]

The last time DS8 wanted to sit in the stroller in WDW was in Kindergarten.
We brought the stroller back again the next year & he did not want to use it at all during that next trip.

 

[ReadingMama]

Do the stollers at WDW have any underneath storage? We are flying down with DD(6) and DS(2) and will not bring a stoller, but are thinking about renting a double for MK. Not sure about MGM...

 

[LuvOrlando]

No underneath storage but I've always been able to rest some lightish stuff on top of the stroller roof. Also, since the kids often take turns resting and walking there is usually room in the double stroller to put down my backpack & waters and give my back a break.

 

[Schmeck]

Only time we used a stroller was when youngest was 2 1/2. Oldest daughter was 5, and did fine.

 

[alicenwonder99]

On our last trip, my youngest were 5 and 7. I rented a double stroller for them. They really didn't use it too much at MK (except for during MVMCP), nor did they use it that much at MGM. The used it at Epcot. I didn't rent one at AK because we were only staying there for about 4 hours, and they complained they were tired.

They will be 6 and 7 1/2 this next trip and I probably won't rent one. We are staying at CR and plan on going to MK for the mornings, back to CR for a rest, then another park for the evenings. Unless they complain alot, we probably won't get one.

Mary

 

[3princesses+aprince]

When we went last year My 1 year old obviously had her stroller, but did not think to bring my umbrella for my 3 and a half year old. ( what was I thinking)
So we had to rent one, actually we had to rent a double, because my 5 and a half year old needed the seat too. And of course I couldn't have done without the storage space also. I will keep bringing my stroller until they absolutely will not sit in one. I actually think if we would have rented another that day in MK my ds 8 at the time would have sat in it too. Like others said it all depends on your kids.

 

[Nienor]

I haven't been able to get my 6 year old DS into a stroller since he was two. We went to Disney when he was 2 1/2, rented a stroller for him. He refused to get in it all day long and I spent the day looking for where the CM's moved it to. Luckily for us he's always been good at walking all day, cause he's been too big to carry since he was 3.

 

[Nynaeve]

We're planning on putting our almost 4 year old (she'll turn 4 when we're there) in a stroller. She's a super slow walker though, and tends to rubberneck all the time. And make a mad dash towards anything that interests her if she's not in one. In our case, it's worth it to save our sanity.

 

[plutolovr]

First and last time I used a stroller in DW was 17 yrs ago when my oldest was 4. Our next trip included all three kiddos (7 and 5yo twins), and never even considered a stroller. I figured they didn't use one at home, they didn't need one there. I was right. The kids did great, no whining or complaining of being tired. We took it fairly easy and took breaks when needed. That said, I feel it's important for parents to realize if their kids are going to walk to make sure their shoes fit well, are well broken in and that they are comfortable. Bring moleskin. I always put it on the backs of their heels just in case. Take them on walks at home in their shoes, if they're going to blister you can tell when you take the shoes off if there was rubbing anywhere on the foot.

 

[ToriLammy]

My kids haven't used a stroller since they were 3, although my daughter traded her stroller for a wheelchair then and still uses a wheelchair today at age 20. Our last trip to WDW (Jun 2003) included my neice and 5 nephews, Daniel was the youngest at 2 years old and the only one to use a stroller. The next two youngest where 5 and both did fine without a stroller. We're going back in Jan 07 and Daniel will be 5, my SIL is really debating the stroller, not because she thinks Daniel needs it but because she doesn't want have to carry all her stuff

 

[PA Princess]

About 5 seems to be the age when most no longer really need a stroller, but of course that various with each child. On our trip with ds6 and ds5 we had dd infant in a stroller, but we did not bring anything for the boys. At the end of the week long trip at Epcot we did end up renting a double stroller because the boys were dragging, and I have to say they did enjoy the novelty of it. We have been to WDW pretty much every year since that trip and neither boy has ever needed or expressed an interest in a stroller.

Last trip in 2005 we had the 2 boys ages 8 and 9 and dd 6 months (in a stroller) and dd who turned 5 on the trip. We debated prior whether to have a stroller for dd5. After several trial runs at the zoo and other events, we did decide to purchase an inexpensive umbrella stroller with a sunshade - just in case. At the very least we thought the stroller would be handy in the airports with 4 kids. By mid week dd5 did ask to ride in her stroller and we did use it for about half of that trip in the parks.

We are returning to WDW in September and DD is 6. We have the umbrella stroller, so we will probable bring it (driving this time so no biggie to stow it in the van), but we do not think we will need the stroller for her. If she is weary, we can carry dd 1 or let her toddle a bit (in an appropriate area) so big sis can take a rest.

 

[taximomfor4]

I can only share my experience. Last year in April, dd2 rode in a stroller. DS5 and dd6 walked all day every day and were fine. Actually, none of them have been in a stroller since they were 3. That said, I bought a Maclaren (Fits up to 55 lb child, and is MUCH easier to push, even with heavier kids in it!!) for dd (just turning 4) for this August's WDW trip. I figure, ds6 and dd (just turned 8) can take a little break in it periodically. They are both still way under the weight limit . DD8 has some special needs, and might need to crawl in there in the evenings sometimes.

 

[dementia412]

Well there is no way I'd be pushing my older two around. Our family walks alot, and if they are really tired, likely my dh and I are too. The youngest... I supose it's possible, but she hasn't used one since she was two, and didn't like it then, so the only realy reason to get one for her is so she doesn't wander off.

 

[Tantor]

My daughter was 6.

 

[Barak's Disney]

I love those double strollers for rent in the park. I plan to use them as long as the kids fit!

 

[disneymom06]

Bring the stroller. Better to have it and park it then need it and regret the day. We have a double McClaren stroller. Last year the two little ones were 6 and 3. Needed for the 3yr old, even though she loves to walk, she gets tired and can't keep up. The 6yr old is like the energizer bunny but when he was tired, that was it ,he needed to rest.

This year we decided to bring the stroller again. If we don't need to use it, we decided to park the stroller in each land and retreive it later. The suggestion of my oldest who does not want to carry anything but wants the storage possiblilites. We never use the stroller at home but know that when the younger two have had enough, it won't slow us down.

For us, it seems to make everyone happy.

 

[ladyelle]

We stopped using a stroller at age 4.

 

[puddleduck]

When we went in Dec. we rented a double stroller for our 3 boys, who were 2 yo, 3yo and 5 yo. We had to force the 2 youngest into it whenever we were going from place to place. They actually spent more time walking beside it than in it. My 5yo would not get in it at all. All through out the day we would tell him to get in the stroller if he was tired (heck, we just wanted someone to use the stroller we rented for 5 days). They all did fine walking and we spent all day in the parks. It was nice however to have when going through crowds and at park closings. For our Nov. trip we are bringing a backpack carrier and a small but good quality umbrella-type stroller for when we want to go somewhere in a hurry and when we are in large crowds. Our youngest loves the backpack carrier, my dh carriers him in it everynight when we go walking and our middle child will probably just have to forced into the stroller at those times. The oldest is good at holding our hand in crowds. We haven't used a stroller at home in almost a year. It wouldn't hurt to bring a small stroller even if you just used it once or twice.