Can a 4 y/o go to Disney World and not use a stroller?

[EvilQueen2018]

DD will be 5 and I know my son chose to use one at that age, so she will have one too. I also do wrist leashes. It is easy for adult members of your party to get cut off by the crowds but even easier for your child to get separated and I just don't like to have to focus on that. I'm the anxiety riddled type. I feel that pull on my wrist and she doesn't have to hold up her hand to put it in my sweaty one. My son also chose to wear one as opposed to holding my hand when he was walking around. I know they aren't for everyone but it worked for me once so I'll use it until it doesn't work. She hasn't worn one yet, we've never been in a crowd that big before.

 

[AZMermaid]

We just got back from a week in Disneyland with my 4 and 5.5 year olds. We were mentally prepared to rent a stroller (or two) if needed, but no-one complained at all! We went rope drop through dinner most days and used a two days on, one day off strategy. We also planned our days out to minimize walking. Disneyland was wall to wall people after 10:00 and we all did fine. I say go for it. You can rent there if needed!

 

[ktlm]

Bring it! My DD was extremely high energy and independent and refused to set foot in a stroller once she took her first steps at 12 months old. She would not get in it at the zoo, malls, or anywhere else that involved a lot of walking. Even so, on her first WDW trip when she was 2, she pretty quickly hopped into it once she realized how big the parks were and how much faster it would get her places. The only places we used the stroller after she hit 12 months were WDW and DLR and she rode in it a lot there. We used it when she was 3, 4 and 5 and were glad we had it each time. Using the stroller allowed us to get places faster if we were in a hurry for ADRs or FPs, allowed her to nap in it occasionally, allowed DH not to be injured when the tired child begged to be carried at night, and allowed us to stay in the parks pretty much from open to close every day. Our stroller had an unusual pattern, and even so, I can recall twice when we saw others just like it. We tied big bright colored ribbons on both sides so we would know which one was ours. It worked great.

 

[MeganMango]

No. I'm 22 and went to Disney world and felt like I needed a stroller

 

[Bethislucy]

We took my nephew when he was 4 and didn't take one. But we did things more at his pace than our own. We were there for a week and he did great. Now granted when he fell asleep on the bus home it was a little bit of a hike from the bus stop to our room.

 

[Hans Olo]

I would recommend one. I bought a double stroller off Craigslist for $20 and used it for my 4 and 5 year old. It's a ton of walking and my 4 year old would frequently fall asleep in random places so it worked great for us. When we left we just left it at Fort Wilderness for someone else to use it. We didn't want to have to bring it back with us.



I printed a Disney picture with our last name on it and laminated the paper. I then attached it to the stroller with zip ties. Worked awesomely even in the rain. I brought a clear shower curtain and these big clips from the dollar store in case of rain. Since it was see through the two little ones could ride in covered with no problem.

 

[Matti]

It would definitely be a lot of walking for them. I would bring one for when they get tired!

 

[marivigi]

I would recommend one. I bought a double stroller off Craigslist for $20 and used it for my 4 and 5 year old. It's a ton of walking and my 4 year old would frequently fall asleep in random places so it worked great for us. When we left we just left it at Fort Wilderness for someone else to use it. We didn't want to have to bring it back with us.

View attachment 175537

I printed a Disney picture with our last name on it and laminated the paper. I then attached it to the stroller with zip ties. Worked awesomely even in the rain. I brought a clear shower curtain and these big clips from the dollar store in case of rain. Since it was see through the two little ones could ride in covered with no problem.

so cute!

 

[MsMamaBear]

DD will be 5 and I know my son chose to use one at that age, so she will have one too. I also do wrist leashes. It is easy for adult members of your party to get cut off by the crowds but even easier for your child to get separated and I just don't like to have to focus on that. I'm the anxiety riddled type. I feel that pull on my wrist and she doesn't have to hold up her hand to put it in my sweaty one. My son also chose to wear one as opposed to holding my hand when he was walking around. I know they aren't for everyone but it worked for me once so I'll use it until it doesn't work. She hasn't worn one yet, we've never been in a crowd that big before.

Where do you get the wrist leash? My daughter had one when she was little (she went from being worn by me, to a backpack harness, to holding my hand. I hate strollers for some reason, LOL) It'll just be my daughter (5) and I and I'd like something for the airport so I feel a bit better.

 

[Barbara76]

She will be fine without a stroller, we never used them for our kids, and my dd started going when she was 4 (or just turned 5)

 

[Monykalyn]

We didn't when we went for the first time with our girls-the 6 year old walked and the 18 month old got the stroller-BUT--we went back when there truly was offseason/low crowds, we were able to go at kids pace and truly enjoy the scenery, and we did quick frequent shows so we could rest. Not sure same environment today-even my active 10 year old was tired last year! 'Course that was often an excuse for him and DH to head back to resort in afternoons for some pool time LOL

 

[HatboxHaint]

Does the 4 yr old have the legs of a 10 yr old?

 

[squirrel]

I think almost all 4 yr old will need a stroller, unless you don't plan on doing more than a few hours at the park.

Things to remember- it is hot and humid in Florida for the summer months and into September. I found it safer for my niece to be in a stroller at times it was crowded. She always had a nice spot to sit and watch parades and fireworks from. She could get out of the sun and have some down time by pulling down the canopy. She had a spot to take a nap, if she wanted.

Looking at garage sales, craigslist or second hand stores is a great way to find a stroller if you don't have one anymore. If the stroller doesn't cost that much you can get some fabric paint/markers and decorate it.

 

[katyjeka]

Our girls were able to do Disneyland without a stroller, no problem. WDW is much larger and stays are usually longer. By day four of our trip our youngest was dragging in Epcot.

 

[capeseal]

I'm always encouraging folks that Disney can be done, comfortably and enjoyably, without a stroller for your preschool aged child. BUT July-September, I think most families would be happier with a stroller. My kiddos did fine several times at/around that age without but those were late fall/winter trips and we always took a midday break and a mid trip no park day. We went in September once and the heat was too much and a stroller was used, on occasion, for my four year old (who had happily, very comfortably walked at 3 years old during a January visit.)

 

[alicat8]

Went with a 6 year old last summer who is super active with strong little legs. He needed a stroller. No way I'd go without having one as an option until at least 6. His poor parents did a lot of carrying...

 

[kj2mom]

I took my twins when they were 4 (they turned 5 on the trip) with no stroller. I did not carry them at all either. I specifically took them at this age because we would not need a stroller, they were done with naps and yet I wasn't taking them out of school to go (they did miss a day of preschool). Months prior to the trip we started walking every day. During the walks we would practice staying within arms reach and holding shirt/shorts/hand depending on the moment. I was not at all against renting a stroller should we need one but we prepared the best we could in the months leading up to our trip. They did great, never once complained and never asked to be carried. They actually did end up in a stroller while waiting for one parade. We made friends with the family next to us, they had a stroller and their child invited my two to join her in the stroller after my two shared their glow stick bracelets with her. It was adorable!

We just went again and my twins were 13. Starting a few months before we again started doing Disney training walks. Our schedule was a little tight now that they are teenagers but we made sure to walk at least 5 miles or so several times a week. Again, I am glad we did. We traveled with another family who had some challenges with all of the walking while we were good to go.

I know this is not the case for everyone, and the OP has decided to bring along a stroller, but just wanted to share our experience.

 

[Pesky]

Glad you decided to bring it. I meant to bring ours to DLR, which is far more compact of a resort, and forgot it. 'oh well,' I thought, 'we don't really use it anyway.' HUGE mistake. I kick myself for not picking up a cheap one at WalMart. We ended up renting one and both kids were drooping and sometimes used it. We are also starting up a walking schedule and go for at least a mile or two and that will help. That and getting some Epsom salts for them to soak some tired legs and feet in at the end of the day!

 

[happymommy]

I brought a double when my kids were almost 3 and 5. Single when they were 6 and 8. They shared. I was thankful to have it.

We walk sometimes 10 miles in a day at Disney, and that's walking casually.

Turns out my DD has a disability that was finally diagnosed this year, and now she gets a rented wheelchair at Disney. She can't walk more than a couple miles without pain or dislocating a joint.

I'm glad you're going to bring one! I'd rather bring it than wish you had!

 

[my3sons77]

Our 4 yr old is a wild child. He can go go go, BUT when we went to Disney in December, I took our stroller "just in case". Sure enough, he was always in it. It was his safe zone and took a nap in it every day. Very glad we took it.