bringing a toddler

[Pinkgirly]

We are going to Disney in Oct with DD. It will be two weeks before she turns two when we go, So I'm really excited to celebrate her birthday there! DD is not a fan of her stroller though. she barely stays in hers now, so I doubt she will ride in it much when we go. Does anyone have a toddler who just doesn't like their stroller? Do they walk a lot at the parks? Last year we went when she was 10 months and I wore her a lot, but she doesn't like it much now that she is older.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would suggest bringing a stroller along, just in case. Many little ones who do not use a stroller at home at all will use one at WDW. Not only because they get so worn out, but just for a quiet place to hide for a while. Or you can always play it by ear, and just rent one if you find you need one. That can get a bit expensive though.

Have you though about some kind of child leash? That may give you more peace of mind if your daughter simply won't ride in a stroller. I would use the leash, and plan on taking a break or two, and trying to mix in shows where you sit and rest in with all of the walking.

 

[Colleen27]

My youngest was 16mo on her first trip and even though she really didn't care for the stroller at home she didn't mind it at WDW. She did walk quite a bit but when she was tired or overstimulated she happily retreated into the stroller.

 

[sahmoftwo]

My son was 22 months when we went last. He also was not a fan of the stroller, but he wound up riding it in a good bit or had me carry him. I think she'll surprise you and use it more than you would think....if not it comes in handy for holding all the extra stuff you'll bring! Have a great time! We are heading back in Sept. and this time my ds will be almost 4 and my dd almost 7...sigh...time goes by too fast!

 

[Macduffy]

I'd definetly bring a stroller even if she's not a fan. If she's not liking it you may just want to use it while travelling to different areas of each park (fantasy land/frontier land etc.). I wouldn't be surprised if she liked her stroller at WDW. It's pretty overwhelming with alot of people so she might feel more secure in it! Good luck!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Just got back with a 25 month old who HATES the stroller. We brought it anyway and I stuck to my guns and ... I made him ride in it. He yelled the first day when I put him in it. EVERY time I put him in it he arched his back and did that whining yell that lasted like 3 minutes. I was patient and kept telling myself that it would be worth it in the long run. The second day he got in it like a champ. YEAH!! He learned that I was in charge and that he needed to do what I told him if he wanted to go on the rides and see the characters. In the long run the few tantrums the first day were short lived and definitely growing pains that were worth having as the rest of the trip was MUCH easier.

I also learned (the hard way) that if I put him down to walk.... there was no way he was going back in the stroller. So I had to plan well for when he was allowed to walk. I let him walk around the resort but at the parks he was either carried or in a stroller. It was just to crowded and on a "leash" was not an option either... he just drops to the ground if I don't let him go where he wants. (We tried before we left and it seemed like it might be more dangerous than it was worth!)

GOOD LLUCK! and have fun!

 

[Fall1]

My kiddos haven't used a stroller at home since they were just before 2, but they've gone on 3 WDW trips at 2.4, 3.4 and 3.8 and they use the stroller there no problem.

 

[Pinkgirly]

Thanks everyone! We are going to bring a stroller that way she cam rest if needed and we can put our stuff in it lol. I'm glad to hear that a lot of little ones who didn't like it at home still rode in the stroller at Disney.

 

[CluelessDisFan]

I also learned (the hard way) that if I put him down to walk.... there was no way he was going back in the stroller. So I had to plan well for when he was allowed to walk. I let him walk around the resort but at the parks he was either carried or in a stroller. It was just to crowded and on a "leash" was not an option either... he just drops to the ground if I don't let him go where he wants. (We tried before we left and it seemed like it might be more dangerous than it was worth!)

GOOD LLUCK! and have fun!

Our trip is planned for Dec and my daughter will be 22 months. I was hoping to use a leash and have the umbrella stroller for when she was tired. Now I'm little worried the leash may not work. I guess we'll try both and hope something works.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Our trip is planned for Dec and my daughter will be 22 months. I was hoping to use a leash and have the umbrella stroller for when she was tired. Now I'm little worried the leash may not work. I guess we'll try both and hope something works.

Maybe it will work for you... but my son is STUBBORN! He just got mad and sat down. (Not unlike what he tries if I were holding his hand and trying to go a way he didn't want to go.) If I worked with him it might have worked but I figured if I was going to have a fight on my hands I'd rather it be over the stroller . I had images of him sitting down in the middle of fantasy land and either being trampled or being a trip line for others! While we were there we saw many kids on the leash that did quite well though so don't worry to much about it.

 

[monkey30]

We had the same experince, at home not all for it, but in Disney the toddler seemed to be happier to go in. To much going on and to many strangers!