Best Strategy for Little Legs?

[twopeasonepod]

We have always used strollers at DLR (or anywhere else) for our twin boys. It just makes it easier. We even bought these awesome umbrellas that go up to 50 lbs. and have a basket underneath. But now the boys are 5 (and huge -- one is already 48" and 55 lbs. and not even 5 1/2 yet!) so when we return at Halloween, the stroller won't be an option.

We know about taking breaks, going back to the hotel to swim or nap, etc. But we also just spent two days at Kings Island, and found the WDW-style double stroller to still be incredibly useful. Even when the boys weren't sitting (which was often since it is a bigger park), it served as a nice carrier for all our stuff.

They just get so tired, and it's not fun trying to drag them around while their legs are begging for mercy. Also, they seem to just be wrapped up in the magic, and look all over the place -- everywhere except where they are going. So they end up bumping into people all day or getting run over by other strollers.

So what do you guys do with tired little ones? At what age do you start going stroller-free?

 

[usd2bmd]

My daughter was 6 on our first trip...and we still had a stroller. We used it to carry our back packs and purchases(on the first trip we stayed off-property) and when she got tired she used it to nap. We rented the double so we had stuff on one side and she napped on the other and used the "stuff" as a pillow. we didn't want to have to leave during the day, and neither did my DD, so the stroller was a small price to pay to keep her from being miserable when she got tired... I would rather have paid for the stroller than have her be unhappy.

 

[twopeasonepod]

My daughter was 6 on our first trip...and we still had a stroller. We used it to carry our back packs and purchases(on the first trip we stayed off-property) and when she got tired she used it to nap. We rented the double so we had stuff on one side and she napped on the other and used the "stuff" as a pillow. we didn't want to have to leave during the day, and neither did my DD, so the stroller was a small price to pay to keep her from being miserable when she got tired... I would rather have paid for the stroller than have her be unhappy.

ITA, but the doubles aren't available at DLR, since the walkways are narrower and the park is smaller. And even though the DLR strollers can carry more than the umbrellas, I just can't stomach renting two strollers for 10 days. How much would that be anyway? I could just rent a limo haha.

 

[CrystalS]

Is there a stroller rental company in Anaheim like there is in Florida?
You could rent a double from a company like that maybe?
Or if you have access to a double stroller to borrow? (I'd bring a bike lock to lock up the back wheels to the frame so no one can take off with it while its unattended...)

We will be bringing a sit n' stand stroller for our 4.5 and 1 yr olds. The one we have actually has a 2nd seat that can be put inplace of the standing area so if my 4.5yr old gets tired and needs a nap, he can lay down in it.

Not sure if any of those options would work for you, but worth a look.

 

[sonjaandsue]

I vote for strollers! Carrying around two 5 yr olds (or dealing with them being too tired) is a sure way to kill the magic for the parents! Our almost 6 yr old is on the opposite spectrum (41 inches, not yet 40#) and I think we will make him walk in the airports this trip, but we will bring along our beloved umbrella stroller for the parks.

 

[Gisele]

Stilts or roller skates...... peace out.....

 

[Dizneydaz]

I think DD was about 7 the last time we took our stroller with us to WDW. Luckily, for me, she was petite and could still fit. Even when she was 40ish pounds there was not way I could carry her for any length of time and since it's just me, DM and my DM71, we don't have a big strong guy to help. The stroller was also a big help getting the 3 of us, and assorted carryons, to the gate at the airport.

If you have a Disney Visa card you still (as far as I know) get 1/2 off stroller rentals. Used to be free-sometimes even when DD was 8ish I would get one of those free ones for her when she got tired and to carry our stuff around at DLR>

 

[DisSarahK]

Ahh, the perpetual debate! My daughter could handle walking with no problem at that age--my son is a different story though. His body just is constructed differently and his legs get exhausted so easily. It really amazes me how two children can be so different.

Anyhow, he is 5.5, 46" and 48 lbs. We are bringing a sturdy stroller (a single Phil & Ted's) from home. He hasn't ridden in it since last year at Disneyland. It is a bit of a pain to haul it on the plane, but it is the stroller that works for us at DL and having a stroller available for him makes for a more pleasurable trip for all of us.

 

[Hoku]

Have you tried those little cheapy $15 folding strollers? I think they're meant for bigger kids. In fact, my friend has one for her 3-year old daughter, that her 13 year old son enjoys sitting in. If a 13 year old boy can fit, I think your boys could fit, too. But I don't know if they make them in the "double" size.

 

[satorifound]

We used a stroller with our son up to I think 7 years old. We ended up renting one. They are pretty hardy. He is sort of small for his age though. He just couldn't do more than a day.

 

[gigi0902]

My daughter is 7 (almost 8) and her legs tire easily as well, so we bring a stroller with us every time we go. Have you looked into renting from Travel Babees dot com? Click on the Orange County link and you will see all kinds of rentals there. I haven't used them, but a quick google search showed their website.

The double jogging strollers sometimes aren't as wide as regular double strollers and is what we use with my 7 year old and 3 year old. I haven't personally noticed a big problem moving about the park with one either (and living in So Ca we go quite often, peak and non peak times).

 

[twopeasonepod]

Thanks everybody! We do have a Bob revo duallie, but they will be too heavy by the time we go (combined over 100 lbs.). That thing has gotten our money's worth though!

I guess our problem is that our kids are young, but one is really big, so the traditional methods aren't working. One twin is "only" 47" and 42 lbs. (still in the 95th percentile in height, but super skinny), so he can potentially still stay in the Ignite Stroller. The other will break it right in half haha.

They are just so tired and carrying them is so not fun. Perhaps we will do the Disney Visa route (even though we won't get any miles ) or rent one Disney stroller for the bigger one and keep the other in the Ignite that we already have?

 

[twopeasonepod]

Have you tried those little cheapy $15 folding strollers? I think they're meant for bigger kids. In fact, my friend has one for her 3-year old daughter, that her 13 year old son enjoys sitting in. If a 13 year old boy can fit, I think your boys could fit, too. But I don't know if they make them in the "double" size.

Please tell me which one you're talking about! I would love to have this as an option (basket or not!) No need to be double -- in fact we like the single option better at this point (double was better when they were little).

 

[rentayenta]

I would use a bigger stroller. People get all worked up over *bigger* kids in strollers. I never cared, still don't.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hmm, so now I am looking at single joggers that go up to 75 lbs. But really? $500 - 800? Mostly for DLR? I can't justify it to myself. But maybe that is better than renting?

 

[mrswh]

We wondered this same thing on our most recent trip with a 5 and (just turned) 7 year old. The first two days were fine - we did not rent strollers. On day three we wanted to do a longer day with a lot of park hopping so we rented two strollers that day (they are 2 for $25). It worked out well because they were tired from the two days before and also we could take them to fireworks and let them crash in the stroller if they were too tired. (The night before we had to leave WOC early b/c they were falling asleep and we wished we had rented a stroller for it!) The last day was a half day so we again went without strollers. If you plan to do a bunch of attractions/rides in one area in the morning, and then again in the afternoon, it is pretty easy to go without. (For example, we spent one morning entirely on one side of DCA - Soarin', Animation building, Muppets, Monsters, Aladdin; and another on the other side - Golden Zephyr, Goofy's Sky School, Symphony Swings, Jumpin Jellyfish, Little Mermaid, etc.) Since we stayed in one area for several hours it was not too much walking for them and it was in smaller spurts, so it worked out great! Maybe just rent strollers on those days that you really need them, like when you plan a long day or want to do a lot of parkhopping.

Have fun!

 

[Hoku]

I would use a bigger stroller. People get all worked up over *bigger* kids in strollers. I never cared, still don't.

Yes, in "normal life" people tend to frown at older kids in strollers, but at Disneyland, where people are on their feet ALL DAY, people expect to see it, so it's not as big a deal there.

Please tell me which one you're talking about! I would love to have this as an option (basket or not!) No need to be double -- in fact we like the single option better at this point (double was better when they were little).

There just the very basic stroller. The seat is essentially cloth. Here's a link to the first one I could find. I've seen others like it (not "Jeep" brand) at Wal-Mart for under $20. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Jeep-Wrangler-Sport-All-Weather-Umbrella-Stroller-Turq-Glow/16439811

The weight limit for this particular model is 35lbs. Don't know about the others, but not only have I seen this 13-year old sit in it, I've seen other older kids, around age 7, ride in them, too - quite a bit actually. My neighborhood has lots of tourists in it, which may be why I see older kids in them a-lot. So you'd have to make a judgment call on that one. You couldn't use the shade, but you could try it at the store and see how it feels to you. Chances are, it will at least last the few days you're at DL. They're small, light, inexpensive and could be what you're looking for.

And, oh my gosh! Just noticed you're in Honolulu, like me!! When are guys going? I've been hoping to make a meet up with families with other kids while we're there. You've got boys, but our daughter would love to run around Tom Saywer Island with them.

 

[abouley]

I feel your pain. My son is also large (now 7.5, 90 lbs and 53" tall). We used our maclaren umbrella stroller with a 55 lb weight limit until he was probably 65-70 lbs and it was fine. At that point, we bought a single jogging stroller for our now 4.5 year old and figured we could bring that and they could switch off as needed but it really ended up working ok with him walking (from about 6 years old on). You could always bring the umbrella for one and rent a single disney stroller as needed. Or look into a used single jogging stroller and have one in that and one in the umbrella. I found a used Bob Revolution for $200.

 

[rentayenta]

Yes, in "normal life" people tend to frown at older kids in strollers, but at Disneyland, where people are on their feet ALL DAY, people expect to see it, so it's not as big a deal there.

I think you misread my post. I am FOR the OP using a stroller. I have seen plenty of threads in the WDW section with folks all worked up about people using strollers. Check it out- pretty entertaining.

 

[nik76]

You can also rent equipment. This is what we plan on:

http://www.rentittoday.com/baby-equ...t-Anaheim-Double-Jogger-Stroller-Rentals-2513 $66/week

or

http://www.travelbabees.com/Locatio...-Strollers/Premium-BOB-double-jogger-stroller $96/week

They deliver to your hotel