Does a 5 year old need a stroller?

[WantToGoNow]

Our trip when dd was 5 was the last time she used one - however, I was glad we had brought one. She walked the first 5 days of the trip - my cousin's dd4 used the stroller. Right in the middle of Fantasyland she dropped to the ground and said she couldn't walk another step. We pretty much went from opening until early evening every day and only took a break one day. My cousin just put her dd4 in the child wheelchair with their dd2 and we took over the stroller. Their ds5 as well as my ds8 and their ds8 walked the entire 9 days.

 

[chris31997]

We are going in Sept. We won't have one for our 5yr

 

[taitai]

Of course not.

We stopped using strollers for our boys when they were 3. Not in airports, not in malls, not at Disney. No where. They walked. If they got tired, we stopped and rested. Makes it much easier.

 

[grafxgirl]

We took one for DS4 last year because we thought he would need it. Turns out we were wrong. He wanted to walk the whole time like his DD7. Now that they will be 5 and 8 this year for our trip, we will not be taking one. In fact, we just got rid of it recently.

 

[mouse2mouse]

We used a stroller for our DD5 because I also have teenagers and they moved quickly. Most of all it was for my piece of mind moving through the crowds. It was nice to have the water bottles in and snacks too

 

[Hannathy]

Nope. A 5 yr old does not need a stroller. None of mine used a stroller at 5 and we don't take it easy. Will they get tired? of course they will, everyone gets tired at Disney!!!!!


PS and you won't be writing one of the how do I get my kids to sleep at Disney threads!

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

We still bring our stroller for our 5 year old She gets tired and sometimes my older boys don't want to sit and wait for her to rest. Being teenage boys they want to see and do it all...so yes I still bring the stroller for everyone's benefit

 

[FloridaPixie]

I vote yes, but it ultimately comes down to personal preference. My daughter is 5, and we do not use a stroller anywhere except for WDW and New Orleans during Mardi Gras (since we're walking all over the city). At WDW, it gives her a chance to rest as we're walking around, have a snack and drink, and just relax. We stay onsite but don't go back to the room for a mid-day break, so having the stroller is super important! If we didn't have the stroller, our daughter would be worn out in no time, especially in the heat.

 

[lucyem]

Totally depends on your child and your touring style etc etc etc.

We brought a stroller twice last year for our 5 yr old. We use it mostly in the evenings and a lot more by the end of the week. Being at WDW is very exhausting. It is hard to compare it to a day trip to the zoo. By the end of the day an exhausted child is no fun. Add that to 5 exhausting days and you can have a very cranky child. On our last trip my 5 yr old was falling asleep in his stroller for naps by day 5.

And then you have the crowd factor. There are times when the crowds are overwhelming. Just for safety sake we want a stroller with our 5 yr old in it. Leaving Wishes for example.

We also like to wander through Epcot in the evenings. Having a stroller gives our 5 yr old a comfy spot to relax and doze if needed.

And then of course my DH is going to be sad when the stroller goes - he likes his cup holder

 

[laughinplace199]

It depends on your kid and your touring style.

One of mine was fine without a stroller at 5, another one needed it at 5 (although he ended up getting sick at the end of our trip, so I think he may have been feeling weak and that's why he needed the stroller).

On our next trip, our youngest will have just turned 5. We will be bringing a stroller for him. He has low muscle tone and he tires much more quickly than other kids his age do. He also still naps and will most likely nap in the stroller.

 

[dragonfly08]

DD #2 did just fine back in April without a stroller. If one of us got tired, we stopped for a rest and/or snack. When the girls (#1 is 7) were done for the day, which was usually at around 3:30/4PM, we left the parks and hit the pool before getting dinner at a resort or DTD (so yes, that means we skipped all of the night time parades/shows, and I was totally fine with that).

Things might be different if you're planning to go commando, or even to take an afternoon break but return to the parks for a late night. I found that as long as I was flexible and didn't mind calling it a day early, that worked well for my girls and they were able to make it through. And honestly, knowing them, even having a stroller wouldn't have made late nights pleasant for us so I didn't even bother trying it.

 

[Svhadden]

My son will have just turned 5 when we go back in a couple of weeks, and I'm most DEF bringing a stroller. It's sort of a fancy umbrella stroller, but still light, with a carrying strap when we need to fold it up.

I agree with a pp about not wanting to go at his pace lol. We move pretty quickly sometimes, and having him in the stroller in large crowds is comforting to me. We go in early Sept, so it's still quite hot/humid. Also, he WILL tire out by the end of the day after a few days, and I don't want to spend the last 3-4 days of our trip carrying him. He never rides in a stroller at home, so if he wants to walk some of the time, no problem. But I'd rather have it and not really need it than not bring it and DESPERATELY need it toward the end of our trip.

 

[squirrel]

If you decide not to bring one or rent one you can purchase an umbrella stroller at WDW, it will cost about $60. No storage, small sun canopy and no recline.

It's not as nice as the Britax one I posted on the first page which is only a bit more than the one Disney sells.

I decided to buy one in 2008. I figured it was a bit more than renting from WDW and I could always sell it after the trip and make most of the $ back. I have since taken it 2 more times and it's coming again this year. I have saved a lot over renting and since I bought a good brand I can still make most of my $ back if I decide to sell it. I don't think I will, I love it too much.

 

[indimom]

On our first trip, our kids were 5 & 7. We did not use a stroller. We stayed 10 days and they did great. Never asked to be held, never asked for a stroller or a rest. I do know that there was one night we stayed late at MK for the fireworks. We found a spot to sit for the parade and our 5yo fell asleep. My husband held him for the entire parade/fireworks/exit/wait for bus/bus ride back to Pop - probably a total of two hours. There was no way he was going to wake up, if we had put him down, he would have been sleeping on the sidewalk. So, consider that a possibility. For us, dealing with a stroller for 10 days would not have been worth it for that one night.

When my sis took her two boys at the same ages, we suggested no stroller but being open to renting if they planned to stay in the parks all day, every day. (Since we had a longer vacation, we took daily breaks for a nap.) They did end up renting one day while touring the World Showcase. The boys just wore out after a full week of walking the parks.

Have a great trip.

 

[ALittleDisneyFan]

Oh my gosh! Hi! I remember reading your blog (and you from adoption . com) How are you??? Your little girl is 3 now?? Wow!

I am taking one for my 5y/o but this is probably the last yr for it!

 

[RainK]

My initial response is yes! It makes for a more pleasant trip for you....

We are not taking a stroller this year for our just turned 6 year old and 8 yr old...but, I anticipate renting one when the 6 yr old start to complain. We used one from magic strollers last year and are sooooo glad we did!

We leave in 10 days and it's hot and humid, so I want them ( and us too) to enjoy the trip! I'll rent a WDW stroller if needed.

Good luck!

 

[marymac123]

We leave in 12 days & I am wondering the same thing. Last year DD who just turned 6 this year-just turned 5 last year before our trip & refused to walk. Poor Dh was carrying her till we bought 1 of those red umbrella strollers for $50. She & I have been walking every day conditioning her and she is doing great, actually running circles around the kids we walk with. But, I think I still may bring 1 for any EMHs or late nights.

 

[marymac123]

Oh I forgot to mention, she just got a hair cut & now looks older than 6-so I have to get ready for the "looks"..."that kid is too old to be in a stroller"

 

[Silvermist999]

When we went last year, we rented the double stroller for our kids - ages 6.5 and 3.5. I highly recommend it. It was great for them to rest in the stroller and have snacks, and handy to weave in and out through the crowds. The stroller also served to shield them from the hot Florida sun!

 

[autismgoesdisney]

Oh my gosh! Hi! I remember reading your blog (and you from adoption . com) How are you??? Your little girl is 3 now?? Wow!

I am taking one for my 5y/o but this is probably the last yr for it!

LOL! Hi! How in the world did you recognize me??? I'm doing really well! Kids are keeping me busy to say the least!