Bring or rent stroller for occassional use for 5 year old?

[JTandEmom]

When we decided to do this trip I was thinking we could go stroller free but the more I think about it I just don't think we will be able to do what we want without some stroller time for my just turned 5 yr old DD. I've been trying to go on as many walks around the neighborhood as we can, so I am hoping to build some stamina, but I still think she will get too tired. And it would be nice to have a place for our stuff instead of being a pack mule. So as I see it my options are bring the Chicco umbrella, which she still fits but I don't know how comfortable she is, rent from one of the services, or just rent as needed in the parks. WWYD? Is there a rental company anyone would recommend? And what stroller if we went that route? She is 42 in and around 40 lbs. Thoughts on the Disney strollers? We took the double bob last time (kids 3 and 7 then) so anything will be easier than dealing with that monster on the buses! Thanks everyone!

 

[EmilyS90]

I personally liked having a stroller just for the benefit of having a place to put everything. And I feel like we got around a lot quicker when DD was in it (she had just turned 5) as opposed to her walking, or being carried, so that was a bonus. I think bringing your stroller would be fine if you don't think she'll be in it often enough to complain about comfort. But Kingdom Strollers seem pretty reasonably priced. I just wouldn't rely on the park strollers. There's no storage space anyway, and if you end up renting one every day, you're probably paying more than if you rented one from one of the stroller rental services.

 

[Thing 1]

That was our question when DS was 5. He was a bit bigger than your child and I really did not want to spend a ton of money on a stroller to fit a child over 40 lbs. We decided to rent as needed in the park. In reality we never used that stroller. We only got one one night when I wanted to do WS late and was sure he would want to crash, but nope....he refused to get in that "baby" stroller. We did budget enough for one every day and would have been glad to get one at any point. MOST five year old do still need at least an occasional stroller break or one for a late night.

 

[kj2mom]

I took my twins for their 5th birthday so they were 4 half the trip and 5 half the trip. The reason I timed it for then was because I didn't want to have to deal with a stroller (or naps). We too did Disney training walks to build up their endurance and to also teach them how to walk within a reachable distance but not soo close that there was any concern for tripping (I know it sounds silly but I am soo glad we did that 'training'). Renting a stroller was obviously an option should the need ever arise but it never did. I will say that one night while sitting waiting for a parade we started chatting with the family next to us and their child invited my duo into their double stroller so all 3 sat in the double with no trouble. Of course they would have been fine just sitting on the curb like we were but it was more fun to be with their new friend. We stayed late every night for the nighttime entertainment and one night was a MNSSHP and even then they did fine walking. I don't remember them slowing us down at all because I had decided to make this trip 100% about them, what they wanted was what we did (happy children = happy mom LOL).

 

[CapeCodTenor]

For me this brings up a question, that my brain goes to because that's the way I think: What do you do with the stroller and stuff when you ride rides? Ok, let me put it this way: Say you don't have a lot of stuff to carry around, maybe something that can fit into a backpack, but what about the stroller? I'd be afraid someone would swipe it. I could, and would, use a permanent marker to put our names on it, but still, the parks are big. I'm just overly paranoid about theft.

 

[EmilyS90]

For me this brings up a question, that my brain goes to because that's the way I think: What do you do with the stroller and stuff when you ride rides? Ok, let me put it this way: Say you don't have a lot of stuff to carry around, maybe something that can fit into a backpack, but what about the stroller? I'd be afraid someone would swipe it. I could, and would, use a permanent marker to put our names on it, but still, the parks are big. I'm just overly paranoid about theft.

There's stroller parking all over. We left ours for 2-3 hours sometimes and it was fine. However, we did remove money or anything valuable. The only thing was that cast members would occasionally rearrange the strollers.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

There's stroller parking all over. We left ours for 2-3 hours sometimes and it was fine. However, we did remove money or anything valuable. The only thing was that cast members would occasionally rearrange the strollers.

This is good to know.

 

[blackpearl77]

We rented one on our last trip 2 weeks ago. My son just turned 5 2 days before we left. He's 45 inches 45 pounds and we rented the City Mini GT from a stroller rental company. He walked most of the time but it was nice to have it at night for the walk to the bus. Then for around the resort too. And to hold all the stuff! We parked ours in stroller parking and left it there for a couple of hours while we did all the rides in that section then would move on to the next area. He did take a nap in it 3 days (which was good since we were going to the halloween party 2 nights and he made it to the end of the party both nights). He fit with enough room for the shade to be pulled down but just barely! So if you rent from one of the stroller companies then make sure to get the larger stroller! The only thing we left in the stroller while on rides was the bag with the change of clothes, wipes, ponchos, sunscreen. The valuables went with us. It was also good for parade watching since we could save the spot and he could watch from sitting in the stroller - more comfy than sitting on the ground. I would def recommend renting or bringing a stroller!

 

[quakechicago]

It's been a must for us. We rent a double even though we have one kid. It's narrow enough to fit everywhere, my 45" 4 year old can sleep comfortably in it (disney magic -- she naps but only at WDW!), and I put a bag and any of her must haves (autograph books, jackets, a stuffed animal, etc next to her). I park the stroller in the space, toss on the rain cover, and take my bag. Easy peasie.

 

[threegirlsinNH]

We will be traveling with 3 kids this time (5,4,2) We are getting a double city mini. But now we are debating whether to get an additional single stroller for the 5 year old. I really hate to do that. Picturing the three girls getting on the bus and both of us with a stroller is anxiety producing. I am going to look at getting a boogie board for the double and/or a carrier for the 2yo when the 5 yo needs a seat. Does anyone know if you can rend the boogie board from the stroller companies?

 

[EmilyS90]

We will be traveling with 3 kids this time (5,4,2) We are getting a double city mini. But now we are debating whether to get an additional single stroller for the 5 year old. I really hate to do that. Picturing the three girls getting on the bus and both of us with a stroller is anxiety producing. I am going to look at getting a boogie board for the double and/or a carrier for the 2yo when the 5 yo needs a seat. Does anyone know if you can rend the boogie board from the stroller companies?

Simple Stroller Rental, Baby Wheels Orlando, and Orlando Stroller Rentals all offer a glider board attachment, with a weight limit of 45 lbs.

 

[threegirlsinNH]

Simple Stroller Rental, Baby Wheels Orlando, and Orlando Stroller Rentals all offer a glider board attachment, with a weight limit of 45 lbs.

Thank you Emily!

 

[leahgoogle]

DD was a little over 5 when we went last year. We rented a City Mini from Kingdom Strollers. It turned out to be a must-have. We tried to walk to prepare, but it was just too much. She napped in it (doesn't nap during the day normally) and even fell asleep in it when we had a late night at MK. It was worth it for her!

 

[spencerbomar]

neither rent or take

finally figured out to handle the stroller issue when ours were young
it became a huge hassle taking one- dealing with on airplane, transporting to and from disney, etc.
we started buying an inexpensive umbrella one, using it while we were there and then simply leaving it so we wouldn't have to transport it home. $25-30 for the stroller, not having to worry about someone stealing a very expensive stroller, knowing it was unlikely that someone would even take it since it was not expensive and not having to taking it on the plane- gate checking and wasting time waiting on it- both ways, priceless.
if you can get away with not carrying the kitchen sink on the stroller, this works great.
also, to ensure no one bothers it, put what looks like a "dirty diaper" somewhere on it. no one will touch it

also, look to put a "flag" on it like the one that the tour guides use for their group.
advantages- won't have problem identifying yours, hard to lose in the crowds, etc.