Do we really need a stroller?

[twinmommy4]

Hi,
First WDW trip coming up this Nov. I have 4 year old twins (they'll be 5 in January), they're both pretty big for their age. Bigger one is 46" and over 50lbs. I've seen people posting on some other sites that a stroller is absolutely necessary, even for kids as old as 6-7. The thought of a stroller hadn't even crossed my mind.
My kids haven't ridden in a stroller in about 2 years, and I actually gave their strollers away, so don't even have one anymore. If I have to I guess I could borrow an umbrella stroller from a friend that they could take turns in, or rent one at the parks. Has anyone survived the parks WITHOUT a stroller?

Thanks!

74 days and counting until my family's 1st WDW vacation!

 

[KristiMc]

It depends on the kid. My 5 year old hasn't used a stroller at home in over 2 years either, but a week at Disney is a lot of walking and he needed one. We rented a single stroller and even my 8 year old sat in it a few times.

Have a great first trip!!

 

[Hannathy]

We have done it without a stroller at 4. My DD was fine and she was a little petite thing. My son had just turned 5 and we didn't use one for him either and he had to keep up with 3 adults and 2 older teens.

It is so freeing and liberating to not have a a stroller to deal with!

If they don't know about a stroller option they won't even think about it because they haven't used one in ages, they will just walk like normal.

 

[nexttripdisney]

I have a four year old, (5 in January also). He's been out of the stroller for quite a while. I will go buy an umbrella stroller just for our November trip. I will leave it behind when we leave our resort, just as I did last January.

1. The stroller is a backup to have available when the kids get tired. Disney is incredibly stimulating!

2. Disney strollers are expensive and they all look alike (if you use one, take the advice I read in the Unofficial Guide..... take a bright scarf or other flashy marker to tie onto your Disney stroller).

3. You can park it somewhere and leave it until you need it; you don't HAVE to drag it everywhere.

4. You can hook your bags on it or under it with your jackets, water bottles, etc. Otherwise you have to carry that with you all the time.

5. Strollers don't have to be folded up for the monorail but must be folded to put on the busses, that's why I find it easier to go with the umbrella stroller.

I will be bummed when the kids are too old for a stroller.

 

[mjkacmom]

We rented a double when my twins were 4 (and dd was 6), and we needed it. However, I'm a fast walker, and we walked many miles. I'd rent one from an offsite company - wish I had known about that option before renting from disney!

 

[Ela1972]

Took stroller this year when DD was 4. Am takeing it next year too even though she hasn't been in it since we got back.

They are great for getting anywhere quick ie, at rope drop also you can take water, jackets, jumpers waterproofs etc, without having to carry them around.

Also if it is a long walk back to your hotel room it is much easier to push a tired child than carry them!!!!!

Whatever you decide have a great trip

 

[Laurabearz]

I think you will find that both you and your kids will be happier in a stroller for many reasons.

First, it's a lot of walking. A lot. And there is a lot to look at... I even prefer to push a stroller so I dont fall down while looking up at all the kewl things all around me.

Second, Sometimes its nice to not have to worry about where your kids are, and you can make good time if needed. At night I really do like my 6 yo in the stroller so he doesnt get lost.

Third, it holds all your junk, so no backpack carrying.

Forth, understand that they are a pain on the buses at times, but in the whole scope of things, please, get over it lol

And lastly... Strollers extend your day/ postpone meltdowns.

 

[TwinsinCA]

My kids were 5 when we went to WDW. We started taking them to DL at age 4 and have been there dozens of times since. We've never taken a stroller to the parks and the kids have been fine. If they get tired, we just take a break.

Honestly, one of the reasons we waited so long to bring them to DL was that I did not want to deal with a stroller.

 

[LexisAuntieLala]

We are going to rent a stroller for my 4 year old niece when we are there in Dec. When we went in March, she used it to take naps while in the park. It was great while waiting for parades and shows...she would nap and we would wake her up when they started. Also, sometimes when crowds were too much or she was feeling over-whelmed she would get in the stroller under the covering to take a break from the crowds. NO MELTDOWNS AT ALL...definitely worth it!

 

[squirrel]

I bought a stroller last year for my niece who was 4.5 yrs. She slept in it most days. She liked sitting in it and if she had to walk all the time, it would have driven me crazy-she is soooooo slow.

I will be bringing the stroller again this year. It cost me a bit more for a stroller than a rental last year, but it has way more shade cover and storage than the rental and I have it for this year.

I bought the Perego P3 from www.albeebaby.com and had it shipped to the resort.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

A few things to keep in mind. If your kids are not used to walking all day in the heat you can bet they will be looking to rest. WDW is not like a trip to the mall. It can be a very long day. As an adult that walk to the monorail sometimes seems like the length of the NYC marathon. When they are simply beat from so many days of endless walking they can take a break in the shade and you can still tour the parks.
We hardly ever use a stroller at home but in WDW all bets are off. The kids simply cannot take the heat and have any stamina. It makes everyone happy to have a place to sit if they need to.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[twinmommy4]

Thanks everyone for the advice. We're going to AK our first day there, so it will be a shorter day and maybe a good test as to how the rest of the week will go. I'll probably just rent a stroller if it seems like we will need one. It's probably the same cost as if I went out an bought a cheapie stroller that we will never use again. I was actually more worried about the stamina of my in-laws than the kids!

 

[3_disprincesses]

My DD is a dawdler (spelling?). When I took her last year at 4.5 i had no intentions of not taking a stroller. She had not ridden in one in a couple of years but the main reason I took it was I didn't want to be carrying her out of the park at the end of the day and I knew she would fall asleep on the bus and I knew I couldn't carry her all the way back to the room even though she weighed only about 38 pounds. It worked great for us each day. The stroller held our little cooler with snacks and water, a bag that contained a change of clothes, wipes, etc. in case of any kind of accidents. She would only ride as we went from one section of a park to the next and we would park the stroller, with the rain cover in place, until we were ready to head over to the next area. She could ride and take in all the sights without me having to worry about waiting for her or her wandering away. I have however told her I am not taking her back to WDW until she is at least 8 y/o and ready to make it the full day walking - I HATED getting on and off the bus with that thing!!!

 

[twinmommy4]

We will have a car, and won't be relying on WDW transportation, so not sure if that makes things easier if we do end up with a stroller. I guess I'll keep an eye out for inexpensive stroller that can handle a 50+ lb wt limit. Don't think I want to get involved with a double stroller though- I hate those things.

 

[mejkjj97]

We just got back from Disney and we took a stroller for my DD whose 4. For us it worked great and she actually liked being in it. She didn't like trying to walk in the crowds and plus it was 90+ heat so she got tired from the heat much faster. I also found at specific parks we didn't need 1 (Animal Kingdom) and others where it came in handy.
My friends went in Feb and didn't need one for their 4 year old but it was comfortable to walk around.

 

[waynesgirl]

It is up to you. My son is going to be 4 in Nov. when we go, 50 lbs., and about 45"- I am still taking a stroller. He is ONE heavy kid to be carrying around with me. We have taken him twice so far and I did take strollers both times. He ran and played but it was SOOOOOO much easier with him to get around with the strollers when he was tired. We always went back to the resorts to let him sleep but the slight aggrivation I had with the stroller on the buses was more than made up for when going from place to place in big places like EP and AK.

Hope that helps.

 

[sarsah]

My youngest is 6 and I am taking the stroller 'just in case' for our trip in November. I haven't used the stroller much since he was 4, but he often complains about walking long distances. I don't anticipate using the stroller much -- probably mostly at night when he's tired, but I'd rather bring it in case I need it rather than spend the money to rent one or have to buy a cheap-o from WalMart.

 

[Dad_Z]

We just came back and rented a double jogging stroller for DS4 and DS6 from Orlando Stroller Rental. It worked at great, and for about a third of the cost of Disney rentals (and we could use them outside the parks). I was a little suspect about using strollers, but DW "convinced" me, and I am very glad she did. The boys probably could have dealt with it, but (1) we would have had to do far less each day, and (2) we would have had to go at an uncomfortably slow pace.

That being said, it appears that you will be going well before Thanksgiving during one of the slowest times of the year. Your kids will probably fair better with the much reduced crowds you will encounter; and with more comfortable temperatures and less rain. If it were me I would probably still get a stroller, but more for my own comfort in walking speed (and it would save me from carrying the kids after evening shows). However I think you can get away without it if you are a patient walker and not pushing too full of a schedule.

Have a great time!

 

[mechteach]

Thanks everyone for the advice. We're going to AK our first day there, so it will be a shorter day and maybe a good test as to how the rest of the week will go. I'll probably just rent a stroller if it seems like we will need one. It's probably the same cost as if I went out an bought a cheapie stroller that we will never use again. I was actually more worried about the stamina of my in-laws than the kids!

Just FYI, our local Walmart sells super-cheapo single umbrella strollers for $12.50. They don't seem to have them on-line, so I don't know if they are the same price everywhere, but that is a lot cheaper than the WDW daily rental price of $15.

 

[estherhead]

My opinion? Yup, you still need stollers. My girls are 7 & 8 and clearly do not need strollers. We just did Williamsburg & Busch Gardens and it was 106 degrees and they did great without strollers. Seriously, they don't need strollers.

But I'm still worried about Disney just a touch (this will be their first year with nothing.) And the reason why is because of the night-time shows. We are early morning people, and early to bed. But Disney's night shows are worth staying up for. Unfortunately, my girls are EXHAUSTED by the time they are over, no matter how easy we've taken it. They are way past an afternoon nap (they normally swim while the toddler is napping.)

Anyway, even at their ages I bought a high end umbrella stroller that would hold one of them. It's the toddler's normally. But we'll be taking our Ergo back pack carrier so that on Wishes & Illuminations (Fantasmic is at 6:30 while we're there so it shouldn't be a problem) nights if a big kid is having a melt down we can wear the toddler and let a kid ride. I dislike vacation "death marches" as I like to call them and the reality is sometimes at 10:00 p.m. with 5,000 other people marching from France in Epcot to the bus stop it feels exactly like a death march to my kids. Actually, it sometimes feels that way to me, too. I REALLY don't like carrying 50 lbs at 10 p.m. about a mile or two after I've already walked 14 miles that day.

Also, kids & parents do get sick while at WDW. And sick kids are cranky kids. It seems like EVERY time we go to WDW a kid or two gets sick and me. And they don't tell you because they are at WDW and don't want to be sick. So you find out at 1 p.m. when they puke or you feel their forehead and realize they have a fever and they start crying. Boy are strollers nice then. Ha, ha, who wants to go to WDW with me?

At 50 lbs you probably could get away with two $15.00 Wal-Mart strollers that you just take into the parks when you'll be doing evening entertainment or a kid is seeming a bit of their normal energy level.

That's my two cents. Hope it helps!