Do I stroller or Not?

[kristinmajor]

The last time the 5 year old was in a stroller was exactly two years ago in WDW when he was three and we stayed at AK all day (every other park we stopped and napped mid-day). He kept up with us fine all day-- it was only when grandparents took the then-18 month-old back for a nap that we let him sit (after 2 p.m.).

By about 3.5 years old, my kids AND I are done with strollers. I've seen them swim and play all day long. When the whining about walking starts, I just look at them and ask if they want to go back to the room and nap. Whining stops.

Having them walk gets them exercise and helps me keep the amount of touring we do in a day reasonable. My youngest-- who is now 40.5 inches and able to ride everything at MK, so we're heading back to WDW in a week!-- hates strollers. I might take an umbrella for Epcot.

Will a carry a tired child this trip? I bet at some point.

 

[Donalyn]

I'd bring it - nice to have options. I'm planning on bringing it on our next trip when the DDs will turn 8 and 5.

Other than the bus issue, I think that they are great to have in the park. You can throw hoodies in the basket underneath, keep water bottles there, etc.

We aren't big stroller people, but when we go to Disney or the MN State Fair we always bring it. My little one usually rides, but sometimes walks and then the big one rides for a while.

On our last Disney trip in June, we had 2 6 year olds and 2 3 year olds and two strollers. The 6 year olds were in them some, but not too much.

I will say that the complaints (I'm tired, etc.) usually come when they are standing in line or having to do something that they don't think is fun. We try to keep it mixed up (kid ride, mommy ride, character encounter, etc.) and we have lots of snacks in the backpack (which also goes very nicely on the stroller).

 

[minniefan65]

Remember...strollers are not just for children anymore. Our youngest was 7 on our last more than one day trip. He is poky and doesn't keep up with the rest of us very well. We rented a stroller for him, and the water, and any packages, and in some cases spare shoes.

 

[RMulieri]

By what you said I think she will be fine without one. My daughter is a very petite, active child and has been going without a stroller at WDW since age 4.It is alot of walking, but also plenty of sitting for rides, shows, attractions and meals.

 

[robinb]

My youngest will be six this year on our trip. I am torn about the stroller issue. She is a tiny thing. 42" to be exact. I am concerned that she will get tired of walking all day and need a stroller to help her make it through the day. However, she went on a hiking trip this past spring and hiked miles up rocks without a stroller. Should I take a stroller and just push it around in case we need it (hate dealing with those things on the bus). Or should I just rent one if needed. I've never rented one and I don't know how comfortable they are. Suggestions?

My DD loved her stroller . She's a lazy little thing and she would jump at the chance of being pushed around in a stroller to this day. When she was 6 I limited the stroller to evenings and at Epcot. She got to ride in a stroller at Epcot because it is so big and she would easily get tired and cranky. She rode in a stroller in the evenings because she tends to go-go-go-go until she crashes and I would push her asleep in a stroller rather than go back to the resort at 8:00 PM.

 

[maxiesmom]

We had a simliar delimia for our week shy of 5 yr old DS in May and I decided to take an umbrella stroller just for AK and Epcot b/c of thier size. I was dead set he was walking the other parks b/c he is a big kid now and not in a stroller ever at home. Well that plan went out the window day 1. it wasn't an issue of tired legs and needing assistance as much as it was a speed issue. He is notoriously SLLLOOOOWWWW even when he 'hurries'. Imagine the slowest 100 yr old turtle you have ever seen with a walker and look for the kid slower than him, that's our DS. He gets distracted by everything on the planet and slows down to look at it (gets this annoying habit from his father), so we had to stroller him for our sanity.

Hi! We must be related somehow, because I have a niece that is the same way. She just wants to kind of amble thru the parks and look at everything. We too rented a stroller for Epcot and the Animal Kingdom, just to keep the rest of us from going crazy!

 

[Got Muchness]

I've read everyones advice and I think I am going to go with the rent one if needed idea. My DH read my post and started laughing. Apparently I get the height of my children confused. My six year old is not 42" she is 38". Anyway, she is still pretty tough. However, she is the baby of three and has been known to be dramatic. I am thinking after a few days she may need a stroller but then again she may not. We rarely make purchases in the park until the day is over. Most of our buying happens at DTD so the stroller isn't really needed for carrying bags. Also, she may have a fit on me if I take a stroller in the park before she is tired enough to use it. The whole "I am a big girl" thing. Thanks for the advice. I think my mind is made up

 

[badblackpug]

I think you will be fine. In general, I think if they don't expect to use a stroller they won't ask for one. At least with my kids, that is. I also head off drama like a PP. If someone starts complaining I usually offer to take them back to the room for a nap. It stops immediately. Like the PP usually the only complaining I get is when there is a kid that doesn't want to do something that another kid wants to do, and at the end of the night when we announce we are leaving. ..... can't threaten the nap then!

 

[shburks]

We had a simliar delimia for our week shy of 5 yr old DS in May and I decided to take an umbrella stroller just for AK and Epcot b/c of thier size. I was dead set he was walking the other parks b/c he is a big kid now and not in a stroller ever at home. Well that plan went out the window day 1. it wasn't an issue of tired legs and needing assistance as much as it was a speed issue. He is notoriously SLLLOOOOWWWW even when he 'hurries'. Imagine the slowest 100 yr old turtle you have ever seen with a walker and look for the kid slower than him, that's our DS. He gets distracted by everything on the planet and slows down to look at it (gets this annoying habit from his father), so we had to stroller him for our sanity.

We have one of those 100 year old turtles, too! We had a stroller for our ds (recently turned 5 at our December trip) and have one for our trip next week even though he's almost 6. He's slow and whines about walking...just saves our sanity!

 

[rie'smom]

Play it by ear. My daughter was a tiny little girl too and ended up walking me into the ground when she was 4. You might wish you had a stroller for yourself by the end of the trip.

 

[baw]

Several years ago we went to the World w my Niece (6 at the time). She is healthy, energetic, etc, but after a LONG day, she was happy to have the option to sit. We had an umbrella, so it was easy to fold and light enough to keep with us all day. On our way out of the parks at night, after many hours and many miles, it was nice not to have to prod her along or CARRY HER the long distance to the bus area or parking lot.

Also, if you want to get somewhere in a hurry, it can be a great timesaver. We didn't use it a LOT, but probably a little every day. We also went in early June, it was hot, and it was good for her to sit and have a drink and rest every so often.

We are going next week with my one month shy of 4 y.o. daughter and we are bringing a full size stroller. She will probably use it very little, but we like having it for storage (water bottles, rain ponchos, bags, etc) and if she does fall asleep it will be nice not to carry her. You can gate check the stroller for no extra cost with most airlines, so I think it is less trouble and expense to bring one than to rent one