Does a 6.5yrs old need a stroller

[Tnkrbelle565]

We bring one because although we may not need it...I would rather not put up with the meltdown if we don't have it and she decides to she's too hot/too tired and doesn't have a place to rest (plus I like being able to throw the bags in the basket underneath...we have a Maclaren Triumph). I would not advise "just renting one" if you need it strictly from a budget point of view. Strollers rental prices at Disney are outrageous. It's cheaper to buy an umbrella stroller and throw it out at the end of the week then pay for Disney's strollers.

 

[disprincessmama]

We just got back from WDW yesterday. I brought 2 umbrella strollers for my 10 month DS and 2.5 year old DD. When DS was in the Baby Bjorn, 7 year old DD would hop in the stroller (she is small). She didn't complain (much), but was happy to be able to have a little rest from time to time.
I wouldn't bring one in your situation, but would plan on renting one if needed.

 

[Aardvarks]

We have boys and it may be different.

On our first trip they were 6 and 8. We went at Easter break and stayed off site down on the 192.

Both my lads did full days in the parks with us sometimes returning to base after 10pm.

We did a park day followed by a water park day.

Only twice did I carry our youngest on my shoulders, both times were to exit the parks after the final show of fireworks, once from MK and once from Epcot. He fell asleep both times. Once in the car, often the only one awake on the run back to the hotel was me, even Mrs was worn out.

Best holiday we ever had

 

[gottalovethem]

It truly depends on the child. My 5.5 year old needs the stroller - he'd be miserable (as would I) otherwise. Others have 3 year olds who can walk the whole thing.....good luck!

 

[eeyoregon]

YES!

My youngest son used one until almost age 9 and he is very tall for his age so it was sort of humurous how he spilled out all over! I never brought one but ended up renting one after hours of begging/whining.

After the 2nd day I got smart and we started out the day walking and when he got tired in the afternoon we snagged one of the "dumped" ones that you see all over the parks come late afternoon (only take it if the name card has been removed, it is completely empty and is parked in an out of the ordinary place i.e. not in a designated stroller parking area).

It sure made our trip more pleasant! Age really doesn't matter. The fact is that you walk an average of 15 miles in one day at WDW starting at your resort. Little ones take twice as many steps to equal an adult stride.

Do whatever is going to make your kids comfortable...that's what's it's all about.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

We're only taking one for the 18month old, our 4 year old and 5 year old walk everywhere at home (several mile in a day as we don't own a car) if we do need a 2nd stroller we'll be buying one of the $40 ones from the parks (i think epcot sells them?) there's alot of adults in our group so if we have to have 3 singles it won't bother us- and at $40 each it's cheaper (for the length of our stay) to buy the cheap umbrella folds than it is to rent.

I'm really only expecting to need a 2nd stroller late evening though- in which case we'll probably throw ds5 in the mac and carry ds18m and dd4 (we're babywearers- we only bought a stroller for dis!)

 

[abcboys]

My 6 year old is a very lazy child. I never thought he'd be able to walk the parks but he did great. It's nothing like walking at home. He did hop in the 2 year olds stroller from time to time but walked most of it. By the 4th day of walking we did rent a single stroller for 2 days to give him a break and they push wonderfully. Even the 9 year old hopped in sometimes. If you are gong for just a few days they will probably be fine but if staying for longer just play it by ear and rent like needed for a couple days like we did.

 

[belle&beast]

I have a 4 yo and 6 yo and we will have one stroller from home. ( I just bought a Mac Volo on ebay) I really debated getting 2, but I think we will be ok, and if we find we need another, we will just rent a single stroller as needed.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Our kids were ds - 2 (during the trip) and dd - 6.5 during our December trip and we only took one stroller. The plan was to rent a single if we needed to for dd.

Well, I had a Beco carrier to carry ds in when he was sleeping and dd would hop in the stroller. Late at night when we were leaving the parks she would crash in the stroller. We never ended up renting one.

Dd and I are returning next month for her 7th birthday and I don't plan on having any stroller for her.

 

[_queenie_]

I can't really put in my opinion on strollers because it's a real personal thing, plus mine stopped, even at WDW, at 3. We only still have a jogger for my DD almost four (which she can barely fit in) as I walk almost every morning and can't leave her alone. That's just my kids, they could do it (being carried a few times) and it was so much easier for us.

However, in general, I say no strollers by kindergarten. Though again, no two 5/6 year-olds are alike so I couldn't say.

 

[LovingtheCastle]

I'd bring one that reclines.

The BIG problem with renting is that you may be stuck carrying your kid that night. We relied on the rentals before and had to wake up both our kids to hand them back in that evening.

They yelled and fussed as we woke them and refused to walk, hence we carried them for the next hour! The worst was waiting for the bus with no where to sit or lay them down. Then we had to carry them through the entire resort (PO) to our room. My back hurt the ENTIRE trip from these nightly hour-long 35lb & 45lb kid carrying marathons.

This whole ordeal could have been omitted with a simple stroller from home. We took a double stroller next time, LIFE SAVER!!

Bring the stroller, even if it only saves you the nightly "Whaaaa, I'm sooo tired mommy, Carrrry meeee! I just wanna go to bed!! Carrrrry Meeeeeeee!"

 

[Couturier]

When we went we took 1 stroller since both of my kids were a little older. DD was 9 and DS was 4, well guess who rode in the stroller, exactly....the 9 yr old! LOL My son said that people would think he was a baby, and my DD was like so what, I'm getting a RIDE! The only time we would have liked to have two was at night getting back to the resort. It turned out DH carried 4 yr old and I pushed 9 yr old and all the goodies we accumulated throughout the day. So I think as long as you have 1 you will be fine, and just if you get in a bind purchase one of the cheap ones from the park, or rent one, if they have any left.

Have a GREAT time!
Dana

 

[Jennabeth]

We didn't plan on getting one, but after one day I knew we needed a double. Now, my girls are small and fit with no problem. I liked that they were confined. It was crowded when we went and they kept stopping and looking. I liked that we could move a lot faster and that I didn't have to listen to them complaining about how tired they were. It also gave them a place to nap. They don't normally nap during the day but Disney is not normal.

The other thing is it gave us a buffer zone between people and helped us save spots for parades and fireworks.

 

[whogirl'smom]

We rented a stroller for dd only at Epcot when she was 5.5 and 6.5. This way we had a nice peaceful day in World Showcase, which is my favorite place in all the parks.

 

[Wendy5055]

UUUUGGGGGHHHH!!! No way...my dd6.5 would rather stick a hot poker in her eye than be caught dead in a stroller. She totally gets that strollers are for babies NOT her because she is "a big girl".

Now, this child has stamina (we're talking HIKING stamina!!!!) so strollers went out the door last year. She is not the type to sit still (body or mouth )...not sure where that comes from.

We did rent a stroller when we were there 2 years ago. They are good, but watch the high speeds as they can tip easily (singles, not doubles). Happened to me...LOL...thankfully DD is not emotionally scarred, because I am!!!!

Just do what you feel is best for your family.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My kids are the exact same ages (6 1/2 and 3) and I ALWAYS bring my double Maclaren. Even though DS won't sit in it all the time (heck, DD even wants out of it!), it's always there when he gets tired...and he DOES get tired! So I will be bringing that double until he reaches the weight limit! He's only 46 pounds now, so we have some time!