Disney with 5 year old

[Kaz65]

Hi - has anyone recently done Disney with a 5year old? We are going 20th May and wondering if we will need a buggy. Although sure he will consider this for 'babies' I am concerned re amount of walking involved. Also do you have to walk far back to carparks?
Thanks in anticipation

 

[CHEK]

My youngest DD was 5 last year when we went and we didn't take a pushchair, but it really depends on the child!, mine is an independent little Miss , if you don't take one, and find you need one you can always buy a cheap stroller from Walmart. Have a great trip

 

[Kaz65]

Thanks a lot. I guess with so much to keep him interested hopefully he wont notice the milage! (if I can only persuade him to walk instead of run everywhere !!!)

 

[JohnnySharp2]

There are hundreds of children in strollers at all the theme parks, many older than 5 years old.
Due to the amount of walking involved it can be difficult for them to walk for long periods, all the parks are massive and can sap the energy very quickly.

 

[wilma-bride]

I think it depends but my (almost) 5 year old had difficulty walking to town and back on Saturday and that's only just over a mile so, for him, we will definitely be getting one when we go next year

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

If you are going to be at the park for the whole day and want to stay for the evening entertainment then I would hire a buggy for that day.
Our Little 'un (4-1/2 last year) was great walking everywhere apart when we stayed at EPCOT for the fireworks, so for that evening we hired a buggy.

However, there are many BIG children who really do not need buggies using them (or as trollys) so it all depends on how yours is going to lag as the day goes on

 

[princess jackson]

Our DD is 5 and we take a push chair, but we have a rule it only comes out at night time, just to make life a little easier, especially on our backs lol

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

I would get a buggy as children get tired so quick in the heat.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

There are also a lot of children , like our son, who maybe older and considered too big for a stroller who are unable to walk long distances.
Joshua's autism just prevents him from doing this, despite the fact he is fully mobile.
We have had a few comments from stupid cm's or looks from other people in the past - we just try and ignore on the whole.
Just because a child is too big for a stroller doesn't mean there is not a genuine reason why they need one.

Josh has out-grown all his strollers now and uses a small wheelchair instead, to be honest we rarely use it other than in Florida around the theme parks.

 

[Kaz65]

Thanks for all the great advice. I agree every child is different and I suppose it also depends how long into the holiday we are as I imagine there is a cumulative effect with combination of tiredness and excitement. Sound advice re the length of day intended and will certainly look into hiring a buggy on those days when we want to stay into the evening.

 

[wifey]

Or borrow one before you go, an umbrella one will be fine.. .. very light weight easy to fold.. and you can save money by not hiring one (I think it was $7 a day or you can prepay for the week etc at Guest Services)

Like the others have said the kids get very tired in the heat and they often don't let you know how tired they are so keep a close watch for any mood swings.

Hydration is a must to keep the troops going so make sure they drink water often, it's often why some of us get headaches too we don't drink enough water keep a couple of sachets of Calpol or somthing similar in your bag for the kids and headaches pills for the parents too.

 

[PoppyAnna]

Although she has only just turned four we are taking an umbrella stroller for our eldest DD. I didn't consider it at all until I read many threads on here on this subject and although I consider my daughter a good walker I think it will help when we need to get somewhere fast (to get to an ADR) or just the hike to/from the car parks.
I was going to buy a cheapy one out there then I saw one here for 20.00 and it's better for a bigger child as it has a parasol rather than one of the those flip over shades that would have just banged her on the head. I've heard you can get them for as little as $10 at walmart but I really wanted something with good shade and also I thought it might come in handy at MCO airport on arrival when we are (probably) queing for car hire etc. She could still be sleepy from flight and from experience I know this is when she is at her ratiest (sp?) and wants to be carried by her daddy!
Good luck.

 

[stephensmum]

My ds was 8 & we hired a pushchair when doing full days in the parks. He is slim & fit & would just nip in & out of it. It was great for the shade as we went in Aug. I would take a stroller for a 5 year old. I think it's such a shame that people make comments or give looks to older/bigger children in pushchairs, like in Johnny's case. Shame on them.
Sharon

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

My ds was 8 & we hired a pushchair when doing full days in the parks. He is slim & fit & would just nip in & out of it. It was great for the shade as we went in Aug. I would take a stroller for a 5 year old. I think it's such a shame that people make comments or give looks to older/bigger children in pushchairs, like in Johnny's case. Shame on them.
Sharon

I would not say its shame on them Sharon, they quite rightly might wonder why such an old child is not sufficiently excercised by their parents in daily life not to need to be pushed around like a baby, rather like older children still sucking on dummies.
But then again, they also see many adults who do not need electric buggies, jumping in and out of them throughout the park.
If a child or adult is disabled, that is indeed a different point however.

 

[stephensmum]

I would not say its shame on them Sharon, they quite rightly might wonder why such an old child is not sufficiently excercised by their parents in daily life not to need to be pushed around like a baby, rather like older children still sucking on dummies.
But then again, they also see many adults who do not need electric buggies, jumping in and out of them throughout the park.
If a child or adult is disabled, that is indeed a different point however.

We will have to agree to disagree on this one. I would not have thought many 8 year olds were sufficiently excercised to walk the parks for 12 hours in the August heat, no matter how fit they are. Disability can not always be seen.
Sharon

 

[kieras nana]

we went to disney in oct,last year,a week after our grandaughters 6th burthday.
we joked with her,about hiring a pushchair & her answer was a firm no,as we knew it would be.
however on the 31st oct,she had breakfast in the castle,at 9 & that night we had tickets to,the halloween party.we decided to stay all day,which was great fun,as the rides were practically walk ons,but come 9p.m,she was literally crying for a pushchair,as her legs were that tired.so i would say,age doesn't come into it,as much as the length of the day,if an older child wants one,i wouldn't hesitate.
tracy

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

We will have to agree to disagree on this one. I would not have thought many 8 year olds were sufficiently excercised to walk the parks for 12 hours in the August heat, no matter how fit they are. Disability can not always be seen.
Sharon

I think this is where the difference of opinion starts Sharon.
There does seem to be a tendancy for many parents to try and cram seeing and doing everything within the 14 days holiday which leads to 12 days.
Whether this is down to them thinking they will never come back, the once-in-a-lifetime scenareo or they are just enjoying themselves too much.
No child can operate at the pace of the parks for 12 hours, as you say in the high humidity high heat, with many rides only the adults can enjoy.

the better ruke would be a few hours per day and if you do not see everything, your holiday is not ruined, you have something to come back for and a less fractuous child who is not exhausted plus the child will enjoy playing by the pool more than waiting for their parents taking turns to come off rides.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Part of the 'problem' we have is that Joshua looks and is in many ways a perfectly normal (very bonny!) little boy.
Same can be said for many children with Autism, hence he doesn't look like he has any disability, and he doesn't in a physical sense.

It's a whole new issue really - against the topic of the thread - the majority of people do understand, you are unfortunatley always going to get some who don't (Autism is a complex issue).

At the end of the day we all have to do what is best for our child, and WE know best.

Thanks for the support Sharon (many on here support Josh).

 

[stephensmum]

Obi - we did the parks commando style due to us not knowing when & if we were able to return. The best option, in our opinion, for our family was a buggy when necessary. In retrospect, I wish we'd done it differently because we return in 5 weeks. The point I was trying to make was that we don't know why others choose buggies or not (or need to know) so why judge?
Johnny - You're welcome & I agree Josh is certainly a goodlooking little chap.
Sharon

 

[Kaz65]

oh god - I wish I hadnt posted such a question resulting in so many upset responses. I honestly asked in all innocence the opinions and experiences of individuals with youngsters. I hadnt expected judgemental postings and will be VERY CAREFUL about future enquiries (if I make any)