Bringing a 5 year old

[MandiC]

I am hoping the age difference isn't too big of a deal, at the time we go our kids will likely be 5, 7, 10 and 12. Our older two are girls and younger two are boys so I figure worse case we could split 2 kids per parent and do what the boys/girls are interested in if they disagree on things or need a break. Also, our next trip we will likely be traveling with my husband's parents, which might help if a break is needed for the littles.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I'll tell you how it is here at our house
Our triplets needed a stroller until their 6th b-day at Disney. They would share a single stroller between the 3 of them throughout the day and we are not the type of people who go go go all the time. We go back to the resort mid afternoon and all. When their baby sister was born, I told them that was it. for the stroller. They were 6yo and even that trip they would steal a ride here and there when I was wearing the baby. Last November the baby was 18 months and I went again with my 4 kids alone and brought a single stroller. the toddler barely used it. She was too busy walking around and wanting to push the stroller herself. She only sat a few minutes here and there but the other sooo wished they could sit just for a minute LOL I seriously will not bring a stroller for anyone this August. My toddler will be 2 but hates the stroller and I seriously will not push a stroller around for nothing.

As you said it depends on the kid. If you think your kid could use one, then by all means bring on. I know my triplet needed it at that age but not my 2 yo LOL

 

[Malibustyle23]

We took a cheap umbrella stroller on our last visit in September when my dd turned 5. It was her first trip. We were there for 6 park days plus MNSSHP. Each day we were in the park by 10 am if not before and we were in the parks past the evening show/fireworks. Our stroller stayed in the trunk of our car the entire time. It was nice to have if we needed it but she managed happily without it.

 

[Malibustyle23]

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.

I don't know. Depending on the time of year that you visit and the politeness of the people around and in front of your path, using a stroller could mean that you are moving at a very slow pace.

 

[nono]

When my younger guy was 5. I was just totally done with strollers...but even though he walks a lot in real life, WDW is a bit more than his usual. So for the month prior, I had him in training for WDW. We started with a mile stroll, and worked our way up in length and down in pace. Both kids enjoyed prepping, and no we never needed a stroller from that point forward. Since your guy is sturdy, he might enjoy a similar work up to the vacation.

 

[squirrel]

I've taken both nieces each two times to WDW. I bought a stroller the first year as it was a bit more money than renting for the 2 weeks we were at Disney. We go in Sept and the weather is still quite warm. It was nice having a place for my niece to sit out of the sun and I knew she wasn't getting stepped on. They both took naps in it almost everyday. I like to spend the whole day in the park.

I tried going back to the resort for a nap when I took the oldest niece and it was a waste of time. After trying two or three times I gave up and told her to sleep in the stroller if she got tired. That worked way better for both of us. I could wander around the park and in the shops while she slept. Collecting FP was also great so that when she woke up we had some rides to go on.

Do what works for your family. I liked having it to hold our water bottles and I'd hang my backpack on the handles when we were with the stroller (gave my back a break). My niece always had a shaded spot for her head when we were waiting/watching for the parade/show.

 

[ajwolfe]

We are the type of family that spends an entire day in the park. We stopped doing strollers at age 4. Our kids never really needed them that much and it was too much hassle to back track for them. Now with the boys being 10 and 6 I do ocassionaly miss having somewhere to put my crap, but not enough to have had to push a stroller around. When the kids whined we would just ask them if they wanted to quit for the day and go back to the resort or keep walking, they always happily agreed to keep on moving so they could ride more rides.

 

[chekhovgirl]

My kids are just shy of 5 and 7 and we'll be leaving this Friday. DH is adamant about not bringing a stroller. We never use one at home, but I did hold on to the Maclaren Triumph, just in case. The main reason I never use one and think maybe we shouldn't do it at Disney is that my tall 7 year old will complain that he can't get pushed around! This is a kid who never wanted to be in a stroller when he was younger He's definitely to heavy to be pushed around now. My dad will have a scooter and the kids can probably hitch a ride with him from time to time, but I'm thinking maybe we should bring the stroller just in case. If we don't use it, we don't use it, and I might even just give it to someone at the end of the trip! Maybe someone will find it in out Bonnet Creek "Pay It Forward" bin.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Honestly, this wouldn't even be on my radar with the trip 3 years out. By then, you'll have a much better idea. My oldest still took the occasional ride at 4 and probably would have at 5 had we permitted it. Our youngest was DONE with strollers by 3 and US trying to keep up with HER has been an issue ever since

 

[Cadbury]

We didn't bring a stroller but got one for 12 dollar at the Walmart (the one near disney). Best money spend during our trip (17 nights).
It was a small cheap thing and folded great!
We left if at the concierge of the resort, they said they would make an other family happy on their trip.

 

[mco65]

I think the twins were 6 when we stopped bringing a stroller. I do remember our first trip without the stroller, I thought it would be a great convenience to not have one and it was but then there are times when they come in handy and not just to roll kids around in...

 

[Sheaboys]

I have not brought a stroller since we had only 2 kids, and they were 3 and 1, and it was just me.

Fast forward to our 2012 trip and 5 kids deep. Our youngest were 3 and 6(just turned 6 while there). We were going to without using a stroller. We went to DHS first day, it was August 25th. DS5 (3yrs), was moving in slow motion, not complaining, we weren't moving fast, but he face was butt level with everyone, dragging a little behind. We felt like he was being dragged which he was not. This is a kid who does 6 flags all day long without a stroller. But with the heat of the ground under his feet, the heat of the air, the crowds, we decided to rent a double at Epcot. We did it for length of stay, we hopped everyday, so when we hopped we would give our stroller to another family upon exiting, and pick up another at the next park. Both the 3 and 6yr old were it.

What was best, was that August is hurricane season and yes Ivan hit while we were there. It was easy to get around quickly during a down pour, they stayed dry and happy. With 5 kids, 2 were in the stroller, the oldest often pushed while the other 2 walked along side, and dh and I would hold hands behind them, admiring all our boys! They were easily located that way too.

You will know what will be best for you and your little ones. When we go this year the youngest will be 5 and 8 (just turning), so we will try again to go stroller less.

 

[tazadd0420]

Rule for us is 5 before Disney. Of course that was with my own kids, grandchildren may be a different story.. We never had an issue with either of our DD's (Now 18 and 11). We walked the whole time. TS for at least one meal. Made sure to hit some sit down shows (Philharmagic, Laugh Floor, Indiana Jones, Belle, Lion King, etc.) We just planned make sure we were sitting for a few extra minutes about every hour. As you said all depends on the child. Both of mine rarely used strollers after 4. Good luck either way.

 

[sturowski]

We brought one last year for my 4 year old because he insisted... It never was used, he had more energy than mom,lol. We are going again this year with my 5 and 7 year old without a stroller. Yay!!!

 

[MandiC]

Now the problem is waiting almost 3 more years to go back!! LOL I might try to convince dh that we need to go back next year, they'll be 3 and 5 next winter, so we'd probably need a stroller. It's hard to say though. I don't bring strollers anywhere at home now (they are 2 and 4), including our zoo but obviously Disney is bigger.

 

[sturowski]

Now the problem is waiting almost 3 more years to go back!! LOL I might try to convince dh that we need to go back next year, they'll be 3 and 5 next winter, so we'd probably need a stroller. It's hard to say though. I don't bring strollers anywhere at home now (they are 2 and 4), including our zoo but obviously Disney is bigger.

Yes, hard to wait 3 more years, lol I swore to my husband I was going to take a few years off and here I go again and just booked this year! I have to say last year with my boys ages 4 and 6,it was the best year, so magical for them

 

[kam1011]

When my oldest was 5, she went without a stroller. We honestly never gave it a thought and she never complained and never tired out. Last summer we went two weeks before my son turned 5 and we kept him in a double stroller with my youngest because I knew I'd hear complaining and we had the double stroller, so why not. This year, he will be 6 for our trip and will not have a stroller, but my youngest will have a single (she will still be 4). Worst case, he can take a "break" in it.

 

[mom21princess]

We stopped bringing a stroller when my DD was 4. We do stay on site and take a mid day break and we never had a problem. After the first trip we spent so much time parking the stroller and then looking for it we decided it was so much work.

 

[OasterP]

I've never done Disney but we will be going this September, right after my son turns four. I'm definitely taking a stroller, even though he doesn't use one here. I think it will be easier to have that than to deal with having to either carry him when he's tired or having him get super cranky. When we go to Hershey Park we do use one, and he's great about it.

It helps too that we have a City Micro and it is incredibly easy to fold up. He gets out, make sure we don't have something in the basket, pull one strap in the seat and it's done. I love it.

 

[DahliaRW]

We did it with a 4yo and no stroller. A few times she got tired, and dh carried her on his shoulders, but most of the time she was fine. I should add that she's very active and does gymnastics, so it's not like she doesn't have the physical stamina.