Does a 4 yo need a stroller in Disneyworld???

[rosetravels]

Hi, we are looking at returning to Disneyworld this year, having had such a fabulous time back in October 2005.

My DS will be over 4.5 years old by the time we go and hasn't used a stroller since we went to Oshkosh July last year. My concern with not taking one is that the days are long and hard on little legs! He weighs about 42 pounds and even though he still fits into his stroller (which I have to say had fabulous storage capacity), it is no longer a simple thing to push when he is in it!!!

Does anyone have any advice? Also, if you think it makes sense to take one do you have any recommendations for a bigger child? Thanks a million!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Honestly, you know your child best. My girls (oldest being 6) still get really tired. If you don't want to bring one, I would just rent one in the park, but know that at the end of the day, you may be carrying your ds to the bus. I think you will probably need one.

As far as a stroller for a bigger child, I love my Maclaren Volo and find it really easy to push. HTH.

 

[Luv4Mickey]

We will be renting a stroller at the parks for our 4 yr old. Not that he will be in it a lot, but for those times that he needs one I want to be prepared. It also helps to keep track of him so that he doesn't wander off.
We rented a double back in Feb. and occasionally my 7 yr old hopped in as well. The rentals are constructed so that the wheels are larger and are easier to push.
Also, a stroller rental is good for all day. So, if you are park hopping you can get one at the next park without having to pay again.

Hope this helps!

 

[AlyLynn]

Our DS was the same age as your child when we went at Easter. He was exhausted by the early afternoon. We didn't want to bring our large stroller on the plane, (we have 4 kids) so we bought a cheap umbrella stroller for under $10. It worked beautifully, instead of renting and exchanging at each park, etc.
We threw it out the day we left--after looking for someone who might be able to use it!

 

[sunlover13]

Yes, bring a stroller. My DD (4 1/2) never uses a stroller at home. After reading all the suggestions on the DIS, we bought a Maclaren Triumph. They are pricey, but it was the best purchase I made. Lightweight, folds like an umbrella, holds up to 55lbs, EASY TO PUSH. DD was 45lbs, 43 inches and fell asleep at night a few times at Disneyworld. It was so nice not having to carry her along with all our stuff to the bus stops and throughout the resort. I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but I bought my Maclaren Triumph for $119, free shipping from babydealz dot com. The Volo's are a little cheaper, but I heard they do not recline as much and the seats are mesh compared to fabric for the Triumph. I'm not sure if you have a babies r us by you, but we went there and tried some out before looking on-line for the best deal. I'm soooo glad we brought our stroller instead of renting b/c there is a lot of walking once you get outside the park back to your resort too. Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[Creekermom]

Hello! We are planning on going Sept 18-25 and I too have an already 4.5 yr old who will be 5 in December... the thing is that is is as tall as a 5 to a 5.5 yo already and weighing 48lbs... she is weight and height appropriate but none the less, I am seriously considering budgeting the stroller rental into the budget. I have a Peg Perego Pliko but I don't want to take that for fear of someone taking it or lugging it around.

This way I can get one in the evening if need be.. and no lugging... I am still tossing the idea around....
We also have been walking more in order to strengthen our legs and get used to walking longer distances.

I am interested in this thread as well.

Anyone else out there full of Disney wisdom?

thanks for the great thread.

Valerie~

 

[pha1226]

It's a LOT of walking. We rented a double stroller for our 7 and 5 y.o. for the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and MGM. They are both big girls but the stroller was very easy to push and gave us space to carry stuff.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

when we went, the girls were almost 6 and almost 8, I didn't plan on renting a stroller. by the end of day 3, they were wiped out. We ended up renting a single every day from then on, they took turns riding in it. If your child is big for his age, consider renting as needed, the Disney strollers were very easy to push, even with a 50-60 pound child inside.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Being in the parks all day is alot of walking for ANY of us, let alone a small child(with or without a midday break). My DD will be 4 in two weeks. I brought her own stroller with us until this last trip. I made the decision to rent one in the parks and it worked out well. She has always wanted to walk most of the time when we were there, only sitting in her stroller for short breaks. Even at that, I'm more than sure she wouldn't know what to do if that stroller weren't there. Regardless of whether or not you bring your own, I do think he needs something to take a break in. I don't recommend bringing a cheapie umbrella stroller because it will probably be very hard to push. I rent because I'm not going to spend the money for an expensive stroller that will rarely get used(I'm cheap and my youngest is our last child).
BTW, the park strollers are very easy to push!

 

[samanthacatangel]

We went in December, DD was 4.5. I brought my Maclaren with us. I had bought it when she was 2, and spending top $$ for an umbrella stroller was the best decision for us. It made going through the airport a breeze (except for Security, as it must be folded and put through the machines).

She was in it every day, although she is capable of walking very long distances. I have no problem with her being in it, especially at Disney.

We just came back from Dutch Wonderland, and didn't even think to bring it. Disney is just a different animal. Way bigger, and I tend to be a bit commando, so it made it easier to get places faster.

Also, as the throngs of people were leaving, I was much more comfortable pushing her in the stroller, than either carrying her or holding her hand in a sea of people. So, I highly recommend a quality umbrella stroller.

It was also nice to have storage capacity, and having my own stroller stood out from the masses of park strollers, so it was easy to pick out of the bunch. Cast members rearrange them, so they are not always where you left them.

We will be bringing it again in April, for our next trip!!

Hope that helped!

Samantha

 

[Girly_Qs]

My DS will be over 4.5 years old by the time we go and hasn't used a stroller since we went to Oshkosh July last year.

Any chance it was the EAA Fly-In that had you in Oshkosh at that time of year? Ah . . . it brings back memories of my childhood!

That said, we just got (through an *amazing* deal) a Phil & Ted's w/ doubles kit for our September trip for my (then) 16mo and my (then) 4.67yo. I know my older dd won't be too interested 'most' of the time, but I also *know* we'll need an option for her. She also hasn't napped in well over a year, but I fully expect her to there - all that walking and excitement!

HTH!

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

Hi, we are looking at returning to Disneyworld this year, having had such a fabulous time back in October 2005.

My DS will be over 4.5 years old by the time we go and hasn't used a stroller since we went to Oshkosh July last year. My concern with not taking one is that the days are long and hard on little legs! He weighs about 42 pounds and even though he still fits into his stroller (which I have to say had fabulous storage capacity), it is no longer a simple thing to push when he is in it!!!

Does anyone have any advice? Also, if you think it makes sense to take one do you have any recommendations for a bigger child? Thanks a million!

I say bring the stroller. Disney is a totally different experience. I plan on bringing one in January for both kids and they will be 3 and 6. If it cuts down on the whine factor at all, its well worth it.

 

[kmulherin]

I guess if you're asking...you'll probably need yours. We are going in December with ours (6 & 8). It's their 3rd trip, and we've never used a stroller. Get them out walking, get them used to walking. That's just our experience anyway...

 

[The GREEK!]

Yes!When we went to WDW I was 7 and my brother was 3 and we rented a stroller.It was GREAT!My brother mostly used it,but I would sometimes hop in.I really l LOVED that stroller!

 

[earthfaries]

It's a LOT of walking. We rented a double stroller for our 7 and 5 y.o. for the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and MGM. They are both big girls but the stroller was very easy to push and gave us space to carry stuff.

I agree with PHA1226 and other posters. There is alot of walking no matter the age of your children, esp. younger ones.

5-15 miles is what you supposedly walk in one of the WDW parks a day !!!!!!!
My kids use it off and on, inc. my 11 year old. It is also great for the big ol' backpack
Also, we prefer the rental strollers because they are lightweight and easy to push even with 120 pounds in them!

 

[blessedby3]

We have used a stroller for youngest DD everytime we go (she was just turned 8 last trip). Of course she never uses one at home, but for Disney we go commando and DD couldnt make it all those hours without one. She is small for her age and a few years ago we invested in a Maclaren Volo only for Disney trips. We paid $68 for it and have gotten our moneys worth many times over. Look at how many days you will be in the parks and add up the rental fees. For us it was much cheaper to buy the Volo (even for that one trip) than to rent. We like having it for when DD is asleep and we are still catching rides and shows late at night and for when we are walking to the busses. No one would want to carry her. The Macs are great for older, heavier children. They still push like no one is in them when you have a 50 pound kid in them (as DD is now at 9). I dont think we will take it for her on our next trip in Jan., but a 4 1/2 yr. old would surely need one in my opinion.

 

[rosetravels]

Thanks everyone for your very useful and helpful advice.

To be honest, I am also wondering whether it would be good to have one for Oshkosh (and yes, I do mean the EAA Fly-in) in two weeks time. Part of the beauty of having a stroller was being able to put our "stuff" in there - camera, video, lenses, water bottles etc, etc. The thought of carrying it all on our backs is somewhat distressing .

I'll have a look at the strollers that have been mentioned and see what I can find. And I guess as many of you have also pointed out, even if I don't take one, I can always rent one at the parks...

Thanks again. This is truly a fabulous community!

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I am bringing a double stroller for my 2 and 4 yo. There is no way I want to be worried about her walking off or getting caught up in the crowd. I also think she will be happy in the stroller, with the heat and all the walking we will be doing.

 

[tink1969]

I'm all for strollers! Back in 2004, I nearly had a heart attack when I couldn't find my almost 3 year old. We were shopping along Main Street in Magic Kingdom and in a split second she was gone. I was running around like a babbling fool shouting for my baby!
We will back this August with our 6 & 10 year old DS's. I will be renting a stroller for my 6 year old who can get excited and distracted easily and run off. Boy, their little legs sure are fast!
I know some will complain that a 6 year old should be walking.....but I don't care!

 

[kldmom2000]

On our last trip Sept/Oct. 2006, my younger DD turned 4 while we were there and my other DD was 6. They fought over who would ride in the Maclaren stroller... though my girls are very active at home, all that walking will wipe them out. We ended up renting a stroller some days so that they could each ride it them when necessary. My then 4 yr old who had given up naps at 18 months, would end up falling asleep in the Mac EVERYDAY for 2 hours in the afternoon from sheer exhaustion We are going back next month and I'm sure the heat/humidity will also be quite taxing and if my soon to be 7 yr old needs one, I will most certainly rent a stroller for her and we are bringing the Mac for our soon to be 5 yr old
Besides, what a better way to help you carry all that stuff around that you need!