Bringing a 5 year old

[MandiC]

I know this is highly dependent on each individual child/family. No debates just personal opinions. I *really* want to avoid bringing a stroller but trying to plan out when our next trip will be. This trip we only brought our older kids (7 and 9) and honestly bringing a stroller just did not look fun to me so I am hoping to avoid that on our next trip when we bring all 4 of our kids. Our younger two are currently 2 and 4 and I was thinking in 3 years when they are 5 and 7? Anyone bring a 5 year old without a stroller? Good experience or do you wish in hindsight you had brought one?

 

[kimbe21]

As you said it depends on your child. We will be going to WDW in May and my boys are 4 (1 month from 5) and 6 1/2 and I am bringing a stroller for each of them. We go every year and I can't imagine not having a stroller. As you know, there is a lot of walking and they do get tired. Another reason I always bring the stroller is that I know where the boys are- especially in a crowd or after the parade. And the stroller is a great place to store our stuff (back pack, water bottles, etc). For us a stroller is necessary.

 

[kP72]

When DD was 5, we bought an umbrella stroller just for that trip since we knew she would tire easily with all the walking.
It proved to be a lifesaver!

And since the stroller was so inexpensive, we bestowed it on a family in Epcot on our last day. They were so grateful, as were we since we didn't want to deal with it at the airport.

 

[brekken1]

I agree. We will be going in November and will definitely have sit and stand stroller for son, then 5, and daughter, 2.

 

[MissMaryQC]

My family spans generations; sisters are 7, 17, 26 and I'm 29. When we last went as a group BabySis was 4, almost 5. Dad said no stroller and we ended up renting one the first day. Between BabySis being passed from arm to arm, the bag of water and snacks, not to mention the zillion souvenirs my dad always gets us; he spoils us so terribly, that stroller came in great handy!

 

[sets14]

We stopped with the stroller when DS was 4. We took little breaks when tired, planned our day so that we had minimal walking (no backtracking), and had all packages delivered to resort on-site. It was so nice to not worry about the stroller. This trip we had one for other DS who was 2 and it was a pain to push, park, find, etc. I am a firm believer in a backpack with necessities and walking!

 

[powellrj]

We started going to WDW when our oldest was 4 and we never thought to take a stroller, it became standard that no stroller at 4 or older. It was never a problem. When they were tired, we rested. Its a personal decision and if you want to take a stroller, take one. We have a little one in our family that just turned 5 last week and we are planning summer trips and won't be taking a stroller. I don't want to deal with it. We travel lightly and don't take much to the parks, so we don't need to use it to carry things in, which I know many people do.

 

[horselvr77]

We bring an umbrella stroller. Easy to carry and small. So easy to fold to get on and off if transportation. We also bring a backpack. That way we have a place to put our water bottles and extras. So much easier. We swap the backpack through out the day. But I think a stroller is dependent on your children.

 

[kitntrip]

When we went in sept. 2012, my son was 4. After a lot of back and forth, I decided to bring the stroller. We used it for 2 days and then just left it in the room. It was a lot of hassle and he did awesome. Just took a lot of breaks or chose slow rides/shows to take a break in. There were a few times we forgot we had the stroller and had to go find it lol.

 

[msmama]

My son was 5 our last trip. He has outgrown our stroller so that will have to be his last stroller trip (because I'm not spending hundreds on another one) but I'm not happy about it. That said, he is a pretty sensitive kid and he needs the downtime in the stroller. He can shut the canopy and have some chill out time. It's different than just "taking a break" and sitting on a bench or something. He can shut out the craziness of Disney while he is in the stroller.

Our next trip is Disneyland so I'm anxious to see how he does there. I figure worst thing that will happen is that I'll have to rent a stroller.

I have to say though that, granted I don't know any different, but I've never found it difficult to take a stroller. I think disney makes it very easy for those with strollers, actually. I'd much rather have the small inconvenience of a stroller than a cranky child.

Sounds like you will also have to worry about an age gap. Will older kids want to wait while siblings rest?

 

[phewms]

Last year, DS was 2 months shy of 5 years old. We rented a stroller and as it was nice at times (he fell asleep in it one day) it was mostly a burden to fold and unfold for busses and most times on the monorail. You have to park it at many places to go on rides. He did quite a bit of walking and generally hopped in the stroller because it was accessible. We did not go back to the resort during the day to break.

This trip, he will be 6 but his sister will be 13 months so we are bringing a stroller and a carrier. And we have planned to return to the resort every day for rest/naptime. I figure if he gets tired (which I doubt) I can carry DD in the ergo and let him hop in the stroller.

 

[worm761]

My kids are very spaced in age. DS is 17 almost 18 and DD just turned 4.

DS's first trip he was 5. It never occurred to me to get a stroller because he didn't use one at home. We walked, took our time, and took breaks when needed. This was in July.

DD's first trip she was 22 months old and it was October. She walked more than she rode in her stroller. We went back 11 months later so she was 3 months shy of 3 years old. Didn't bother bringing a stroller at all. We did get one the last day because she got started a cold in the park. We are planning to go for 3 days this year at the end of July/beginning of August. She doesn't use a stroller now so I have no plans to bring one. I don't even own one. But she is active. We hike nature trails and she can go as far as 7 miles on her own in the Florida heat.

It really is up to your kids. If you walk with them before the trip then they should be fine. Also, don't make a stroller an option. If they don't know it is an option then they won't ask for one.

 

[Lilliputian]

We've never used a stroller for anyone 4 or older and have been just fine, including with one who went just one month after his 4th birthday. We do rope drop, leave by 1:00, and then go back for a few hours in the evening.

We have always had a stroller with us because there's always someone under 4 (and usually two under 4's). I like having the stroller to carry all my stuff, but I'm sure we'll find a way to carry everything when they all grow up. Water is the heaviest, so I'll probably buy a bottle strap for everyone.

 

[MSSANDRA]

DS never used one after 4. We went when he had just turned 5 and he did great for a week walking. Crowded but cool/cold days. We budgeted to rent in the parks if needed but only once did I think we needed it and he refused to ride in a baby stroller so that was that. MOST of our friends do take a stroller for 5 year olds so take that into consideration as well.

 

[Tasmen]

My DD will be turning 6 right before the trip. We are going to try our first strollerless trip. That said, I'm still bringing one just in case. I would rather have it and not need it, then find myself sorely in need of one and having to rent the Disney strollers each day.

 

[arizonacolbys]

My girls are almost 4 & 5 1/2 - we took two small umbrella strollers in December & I will bring them again this upcoming December when we return - they will be 4 1/2 & 6 by then. Biggest reasons for me to bring them are to keep them contained in places like the parking lots of the parks (we drive ourselves in from the resort) and after parades/fireworks let out & there are just huge crowds. They don't ride in them all day by any means, but by the end of a long day walking the countries at Epcot, they're always happy to have a place to sit. I'll miss the strollers greatly when we don't take them since I keep a bag with a change of clothes for them, snacks & waters at the stroller. It's too much to want to carry around all day on my back.

My girls don't really use the strollers anywhere else at home at this point, but it was worth the $15 umbrella stroller with canopy for WDW use.

 

[deserrai]

Our upcoming trip will be the week DD4 turns 5. I think I'm going to skip the stroller this time. I'll just carry a backpack for our necessities and have all purchases sent to the resort. She doesn't want to ride in it about half the time and I hate having to backtrack to get it after rides. I will probably take it and leave it in the car in case I figure out it was a mistake not to have it.

 

[maxiesmom]

I know this is highly dependent on each individual child/family. No debates just personal opinions. I *really* want to avoid bringing a stroller but trying to plan out when our next trip will be. This trip we only brought our older kids (7 and 9) and honestly bringing a stroller just did not look fun to me so I am hoping to avoid that on our next trip when we bring all 4 of our kids. Our younger two are currently 2 and 4 and I was thinking in 3 years when they are 5 and 7? Anyone bring a 5 year old without a stroller? Good experience or do you wish in hindsight you had brought one?

I would bring a stroller, or at least have money set aside to rent one if you find you need one. Keep in mind that if you don't have a stroller you are going to be moving at a very slow pace. Meaning you are going to have to keep your then 10 and 12 year olds happy moving at the pace of a 5 year old. Which is not that easy.

 

[MandiC]

Thank you all for the responses! It's reassuring to see people can get away with no stroller. Our youngest also just so happens to be a very 'sturdy' little guy so I'm not quite sure he will even fit in an umbrella stroller at 5 (he is already only 2 inches and 2lbs smaller at 2 than his 4 year old big brother). It is a good idea to bring it just in case though, lots to think about!

 

[Gillyrose779]

I say rent a good stroller that folds up with one hand when you go. As long as you have that the stroller can be great for carrying extra items- a soft cooler, extra clothes in case anyone gets wet, water, etc...

Or- if all else fails and you find out you need one just rent one from Disney. It may cost you more money in the long run but it is easier that bring one along.