Does a 6.5yrs old need a stroller

[philliesflyers]

I will be taking a stroller my my 3 year old but I wasn't sure about my 6.5 year old. I have the days broken up pretty good but wanted suggestions.

Thanks.

Amy

 

[CatesRDisneyFans]

We took our DS when he was 5 and again when he was 6.5. He didn't use a stroller either time. I was expecting him to be exhausted from all of the walking but he never complained once about being tired or not wanting to walk. I think all of the Disney magic kept him going!

 

[ameraumi]

It totally depends on the child. Some that post will say heck no, but me, do what you think is best. My DD has a foot issue (high arches and her feet turn inwards) so I know a full day of walking will tire her out. I plan on renting a stroller if needed but I hope she will be fine without one.

 

[WeDisney4]

I would say no, Unless you are planning late nights. Otherwise, I'm guessing your 3 yo may want to walk every so often anyways, & at that time your 7 yo can jump in a take a little rest. )

 

[sunnyday123]

better to be safe then sorry! I would like get one for myself, and am seriously considering one for DD when we go in September!

 

[Chartsy]

I wouldn't bring a stroller with me, but I would certainly be open to renting one at the parks. In fact, I would forgo a stroller entirely and rent a double stroller - that way, you have room for your bags and souvenirs and stuff and both kids can take a load off if they need to.

Something I never considered before bringing my own very expensive stroller was that I couldn't keep the stroller intact with a kid in it on the buses (apparently federal law but I'm not American so I didn't know that) and the fact that I had to park my stroller outside every attraction before entering.

Next time, I'm renting only!

 

[daisyduck123]

My DS used a stroller (only in WDW) when in Kindergarten. We brought it along again the following year & during the enitre 8 day trip he never sat in it once!! We got rid of it after that.

 

[wifey1220]

We took one stroller for our 3 and 6 year olds last summer. They just took turns. Neither one of them sat in it all day.

 

[prplcrzy]

I think another thing to consider is the weather. If you're going when it's really hot, then having the stroller would conserve some energy and keep the whining to a minimum.

I know I would like a stroller at times because I'm exhausted. I don't want to make it worse by having a child overly tired and miserable.

Good luck and have an nice trip!

Nancy

 

[JillHM7]

My middle son was 6 1/2 during our early May trip and yes, we did end up renting a stroller for him! He got really tired and he just can't take the heat. It was that or carry him and he's big for age so that wasn't an option! I did have a stroller for my baby but he was in it most of the time. I would just see how it goes, you may not need it and those strollers aren't cheap.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

My girls are the same ages. My original plan was to rent a double. I know that my older DD will want to ride in a stroller on occasion. My little one honestly prefers to walk! But there will be times when we will insist she be in the stroller - to speed things up or when it's clear that she needs a nap.

But with the increase in the rental rates, I think we'll end up bringing our Zippy for my little one and renting a single for the older one as needed. We may appreciate having our own stroller anyway, since we'll be at the Contemporary and will be able to walk directly to MK.

 

[dizneychik]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been pondering that for some time as well. I have a 5year old DD. She consistently complains that she is tired if we walk more that 30 minutes.

 

[Louisianafive]

We took 5 and 8 year old and rented a double stroller and they took turns and sometimes rode together when tired. It also helped with water bottles, purchases, etc.

 

[TiggerStac]

We took our DS when he was 5 and again when he was 6.5. He didn't use a stroller either time. I was expecting him to be exhausted from all of the walking but he never complained once about being tired or not wanting to walk. I think all of the Disney magic kept him going!

Same exact situation here. once he hit 5 no more stroller. we were expecting complaining, as well...nope, nothing.

I even expected, but why can my brother ride in one and I can't?? Brothers trips were at 8 weeks adn 13 months

 

[TiggerStac]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've been pondering that for some time as well. I have a 5year old DD. She consistently complains that she is tired if we walk more that 30 minutes.

My DS who will be 7 in Sept. Is the same way...but not at disney...

Grocery store, forget it. Target yesterday, I thought his legs would crumble they hurt so much

 

[Elmo888]

I wouldn't bring one, but I would consider renting one as needed (but I wouldn't tell your 6 yo).

My 6 yo didn't need one, but it was January. (August might have been a different story.) I think that she didn't need one for two reasons (three if you count the cooler weather in January).

First, I conditioned her with walking. Kids can be physically conditioned just like adults. Start early with short distances three times per week and build up two 2 or 3 miles. My 6 yo was in better condition with walking than DH. We walk almost a mile to school every day in any case, but we did additional walking in the days leading up to our trip.

The second reason was the afternoon breaks. We took them mainly for my 2 yo to nap, but my 6 yo napped the majority of the days (I think that she swam one day). Since she wasn't walking all day, she was fine without a stroller.

So, if you aren't taking naps and/or are going in the hotter weather, I would consider renting one as needed. Otherwise, condition your 6 yo, and skip the stroller.

 

[sunnyday123]

My DS who will be 7 in Sept. Is the same way...but not at disney...

Grocery store, forget it. Target yesterday, I thought his legs would crumble they hurt so much

Don't you love it when they can't walk just one more step?? It's the grocery store for pete's sake, not the boston marathon!

 

[hildarumpole]

We didn't need one for DS5 in 90 and above degrees plus oppressive humidity. He was a real trooper. DH probably could have used one, but my son was usually ahead of the pack telling everyone else to get a move on. It's the Disney magic. I can totally relate to him not being able to walk any place else. We went to the grocery store today, and the second we walked in he was whining about being tired and needed to ride in the cart.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I will be taking a stroller my my 3 year old but I wasn't sure about my 6.5 year old. I have the days broken up pretty good but wanted suggestions.

Thanks.

Amy

Mine would have died of shame if I'd tried to put him in a stroller once he was out of preschool.

ETA: I asked my buy what he'd have thought if we'd taken a stroller for him on his first trip to Disney at age 5. Here's a direct quote.

Per DS:

"I'd have thought- wow, do they think I'm three or something? What are feet made for?"

 

[DVCsince02]

Just back from a trip with our 5yo and before we left, we asked her if she thought she would need a stroller. She said no, so we didn't bring one and never rented one. If you get there and they complain, rent one.