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

[carrie6466]

DD turned 4 on this trip. I went out to babies r us about 2 weeks before and got a MacLaren Triumph. It was the best thing I ever did. She fell asleep quite a few times and it was great. Plenty roomy and comfy for her. She's about 41" tall and 38lbs.

 

[rosetravels]

Well I bit the bullet and ordered a MacLaren Triumph online yesterday from Allbeebaby (found a 2006 model for $109.99 with free shipping!). I also saw the organizer for about $20 and nearly got it, but then spotted a virtually identical one (except for the brand) and it was reduced to $9.99 so I ended up ordering that too. Now of course, I can't wait to receive it!

 

[SalandJeff]

Our dd will just turn 4 before our October trip. I am definitely bringing a stroller for her. I know she will fight going in it, but when she gets really tired, it will be worth having pushed it around empty for most of the day.

Last year we brought her large stroller and it was great to have the storage for the backpack. I don't think we need to bring her large stroller this year, so I will look for a lightweight smaller one. I hate having to wait in line to rent one at the parks...it seems like such a waste of time when we could be moving.

 

[rosetravels]

Our dd will just turn 4 before our October trip. I am definitely bringing a stroller for her. I know she will fight going in it, but when she gets really tired, it will be worth having pushed it around empty for most of the day.

Last year we brought her large stroller and it was great to have the storage for the backpack. I don't think we need to bring her large stroller this year, so I will look for a lightweight smaller one. I hate having to wait in line to rent one at the parks...it seems like such a waste of time when we could be moving.

I have to say that I loved our large "SUV" type stroller - absolutely fabulous for carting everything around, but I too wasn't keen on bringing it again. People generally recommended the Maclaren strollers as good lightweight strollers for larger children (Volo and Triumph being the ones mentioned the most). Triumph was a bit more expensive, but as I found it for such a good price (the 2006 model is normally $159 and the 2007 is $179), I just went for it.

Enjoy your trip! I plan to be there in October too - provided I can get a reservation.

 

[mousebymarriage]

We just went to WDW at the end of April and my son (who was a month shy of turning 6) sat in the stroller for part of the time everyday. He hasn't used a stroller at home for almost 2 years but it was a God send in Disney, he even napped in it a few times and my little maniac gave up napping a LONG time ago! We brought a cheap umbrella stroller from home which was super easy to carry on buses and other transport.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If they made adult sized strollers I would get one for Disney. I'm really not that lazy but Disney is a LOT of walking. You absolutely need one for 4 yr old...even if you don't use one at home.

 

[rootbeerkid]

DD was 7.5 last trip and the stroller was very helpful. She will be 8.5 next trip and a stroller is planned. My opinion is that it conserved energy and increased the quality of the overall experience for DD.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

we didn't think our DS4.5 would need one on our last trip, but if he couldn't be in his sisters stroller he had a fit. Luckly we brought a front pack to carry DD in and gave the stroller to him.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Mine does. My 6 year old does for that matter. She is small and will take a free ride anytime she can get it (and no she is not over weight in anyway at all.)

It might depend on the child, but mine sure still need it. That is a lot of walking for little legs.

 

[pooh4evr]

Short answer--YES!!

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I think a stroller would be a great thing to have. You can put your stuff in it too. I used strollers for my kids up to about 7 years old in disney. They get tired. Plus they can't get away from you in a crowd of people. My kids always napped in their strollers too.

 

[Schucraig]

My DS is 4.5 and I have a Maclaren Volo. I love it, it is so easy to push.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My DS will be 6 in October and I am DEFINITELY bringing my Maclaren Twin Techno for him and DD 2 when we go in August. Even if he won't sit in it the entire time, he WILL get tired and I will have the stroller when he needs it. If he's tired, he can even fall asleep in it!! The Maclaren folds pretty compact as far as doubles go. DH doesn't have a problem folding it and taking it on the busses and trams. I take the kids, he takes everything else. Yes, you can rent one in the parks...but what about for the end of the day when the kids are EXHAUSTED? I love the fact that I don't have to carry them. Having my own stroller works out best for all of us.

 

[Creekermom]

I have a question and I hope you can help.

As I too have a 4.5 DD and this will be our first trip to WDW.
I have a Peg Perego Pliko, and I was considering renting a Disney stroller at the parks...
Are you not afraid of someone taking your better brand stroller?
I guess that is why I am hesitating bringing the Peg....

I am considering getting a MAC volo or a triumph but don't want the added expense since I already have a peg perego.

I had a full size stroller which DD outgrew by the age of 2 as she is tall, most people think that she is already 5 or 5.5 yrs old. I think she is about 48 inches tall and weighs just about a pound for every inch she is. (weight proportioned to height, she is in the 97%)

So tell me what do you think?
I just don't want to take my stroller and someone take it. That is why I considered renting but if the lines are long... or they run out of strollers then I have a problem.

Give me your 2 cents

 

[blessedby3]

My oldest child is 17 now and we have been taking strollers to Disney since her first visit at 2 years old. We have never had a problem with one being stolen. There are tons of strollers in Disney- some much more expensive than yours. The CM's do move them around while you are on rides/shows, but they are close by. We have taken our Maclaren on our last 2 trips (a great stroller by the way) and have had no problems. We always tie a brightly colored ribbon (with a print) on the handle so we can recognize which one is ours quickly. There are so many strollers that are the same that you want to make sure you can recognize yours. We also never leave anything of value in our stroller. I have heard of things being taken out of them.

 

[antree]

YES.YES.YES.
My son had just turned 5 when we went in March and he told me he did not want the stroller, but I took it just in case, well 2 hrs after being there he anted his stroller. The bad thing was I sent it with my Dad and I wasn't seeing him until the next day. So all day he whined he was tired and couldn't walk. So I would take it no matter what she says. Your little girl will need it and so will you.
We are going back in Nov. and I will be taking my stroller.
I used it with my DD until she was 6 yrs old.

 

[ToInfinity]

That reminds me of the time that I got mad because my stroller was gone and I couldn't believe that someone would steal such a cheap stroller. Then I looked about 25 feet away and saw a 'parking lot' of strollers and it was moved to there.

It made me think that it might be smart to have one of those flags on a stick attached to the stroller like some old school bicycles used to have. At least that way it would be easy to find if a CM moved it. Although my husband would probably be embarrassed by it.