Does my 6 yo really need a stroller?

[shayronnie]

I planned on bringing our single stroller for our 3 yo. But a friend told me I should really just rent a double stroller there. Because she thinks my 6 yo will need to ride, too. I was thinking if my 6 yo got tired she could take turns riding in the single stroller. What are your thoughts? BTW - We are just going for one day at MK. Thanks

 

[My2Girls66]

Depending on your child- he/she may need a stroller. I brought a stroller for my DD when she was 6 and was very glad I did. Saved a whole lot of whining! By the time she was 7 she could walk a whole day in MK w/out too much complaining. My older DD- had a hard time walking all day at MK when she was 7.

 

[minnie's mommy]

Last year I rented the double stroller for my 4 year old and my 7 year old. I also brought our own single stroller for our 2 year old. It was the best thing I ever did. There is absolutely no whining about being tired, they enjoyed being pushed around and we also got around the parks much faster this way. If they do want out, it always comes in hander to store things. I am going back this year with my now 8, 5, and 3 year old and I will do the exact same thing.

 

[Balgeman]

We don't rent or bring a stroller, my DD is now six and we didn't even rent one when she was 5, she kept up fine with DD 9 & DS 11. We never had to carry her either. Just MHO. we liked saving the money. Daily charges for stroller rental really adds up and I'd rather spend the money on something else.

Robin

 

[peg2001]

I think you will fine with ONE stroller. We went when one DD was 22-months and the other DD was 4, turning 5. We used ONE stroller and were just fine. Older DD walked most of the time but occasionally got to use the stroller while younger DD was being carried or wanted to toddle along.

Your DD3 will not want to ride all the time. Plan to switch off.

Peggy

 

[shayronnie]

Thank you for your replies. Dh and I have decided the girls can share a stroller. I think I am also going to let my 6 yo walk w/ me in the evenings to build up her little legs a bit! LOL

 

[Augustheather97]

my 6 year old has gone with no stroller the last 2 years.....she did fine walking....just take a few breaks during the day

 

[DeDixie]

We figured our DD5 would need one when we went on our first trip, and I had a daily budget to rent one. Never once did we rent it, and she was carried only twice. Once when we were leaving Epcot after Illuminations and DH put her on his shoulders so she would not get knocked down and once (also leaving Epcot) DH scooped her up and carried her to the bus as she was tired -- she never asked.

FUnny thing is, this kid HATED to walk -- would want to be carried walking to our neighbors down the street. LOL We also took daily walks and talked about all the walking we would have to do.

We went to Disney in Oct, so the crowds were light and it was not summer heat, I think that helped. We also geared this trip TOTALLY around the kids interests.

We walked at the kids pace, took daily naps/breaks. Since we did not use the stroller money, I had her treat the last day for ice cream using the money we saved. I made a big deal out of her saving us the money, she was so proud.

We are not into the whole bribe thing, we just took things as the came. We would ask her if she wanted a stroller, not making her feel bad if she did. There is just so much more to be experienced if you are walking.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

When my daughter was 4 she didn't need a stroller. We were going to get her one when she needed it but she never complained of being tired. I think it depends on how active the child is and how you tour the parks.

Lori

 

[gary4jenn]

We were there in Jan with our 3 kids: 17 mo, 3-1/2 and 6-1/2.

I bought a double umbrella for the trip since I would be easier to get on and off the buses with.

My two younger kids used our stroller most of the day, but by mid-day my 6-1/2 yr old was getting tired.

We did find that she did not fit in the single disney stroller well. she was to long and she couldn't strecth out.

SOOOO, I would recommend that you either rent a single and have your younger child use that so your older one can rest in your stroller if he/she can still fit in it or rent a double so your older child can strectch out/semi recline.

Also, the disney strollers are hard plastic so I would also recommend bringing a towel from your resort to use as a pillow and/or blanket or to use when it rains to wipe of the stroller, or some type of light blanket ( I bought a yd. of buzz lightyear fleece for a blanket for $5 at Hancock Fabrics).

Don't forget a stroller cover in case of rain.

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

My son who will be 6 this june hasn't had a stroller since he was 4.

I have to admit we don't spend a whole day in any one park. We are major hoppers.....and we ususally go back to the WL for a few hours in the hot afternoon.

 

[Esmerelda]

strollers...?

My boys quit using those at around 3 or 4.....even at the parks..they wanted to walk and did just super! We had a much better time not having to worry about parking the thing because it always got moved at every attraction....LOL (personally I was glad to get rid of it myself)


happy planning,
Esmerelda

 

[shayronnie]

Originally posted by gary4jenn
Don't forget a stroller cover in case of rain.

Any idea where to buy a stroller cover for rain? I checked at Wal-mart. All they have is an insect net for strollers.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

When our youngest grandson was four he was headed to DW for his very first trip, with us also. When I got out his old stroller he was insulted that I thought a big boy such as he would need a stroller. I explained that DW was a very big place and his legs would hurt and that his parents and older brother would be so very jealous as he would get to ride instead of walk. He smiled and jumped in. He still talks about getting to ride instead of walk and his parents were able to keep an eye on their very active young man. LOL

A stroller is as much for the parents as the child IMHO and also makes it easier to carry backpacks and such.

Hope you have a magical trip and accumulate many special memories.

SG/Linda

 

[Gomez Gang]

NO NO NO NO NO

Last year my kids were 4, 5, and 7 and we brought ONE stroller. The 4 year old used it 80% of the time, and took turns with the 5 year old the rest of the time. The 7 year old NEVER used a stroller that trip!
This November we are going and they will be 5, 6, and 8 and we are bringing ZERO strollers!!!!!!!! If we need one we can always rent one.
My kids are used to walking. We go camping and hiking. Most importantly though are the "training" walks we take about a month before we go. We will start by going about 4 blocks and increase it to 2 miles. We will talk about what rides we want to go on, restaurants and of corse play Disney trivia games while we walk. Not only does it get them ready, but it gives us GREAT family time!

YOUR STROLLER DAYS ARE OVER!
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tink2dw]

THE WORST THING IN WDW....

 

[tink2dw]

THE WORST THING IN WDW.... is to here an older sibling who is too tired to keep walking plead for a ride in the stroller only to have the parents bark out you are too old for a stroller and the baby needs it, your in for a crisis of tempers then!!

Take the strollers!! Give the kids a break this isn't your normal walk in the neighborhood park. MK is 46 miles!! and it is the smallest park!! And none of the parks are flat ground either!!

Cut the kids some slack for the sake of FUN Family time and take the strollers!! And let them enjoy WDW.

 

[My2Girls66]

Originally posted by tink2dw
THE WORST THING IN WDW.... is to here an older sibling who is too tired to keep walking plead for a ride in the stroller only to have the parents bark out you are too old for a stroller and the baby needs it, your in for a crisis of tempers then!!

OOooo! Does that sound familiar! I did that to my DD- she was 7 at the time and we figured she was plenty old enough to walk all day w/out complaining. She got tired- we got mad at her cause she was 'too big' to not walk. My other DD(3, at the time) had a stroller. I still feel bad about doing that to her because a few years later my younger DD was 5- we thought she was old enough to walk- she wasn't a baby anymore. She started getting tired- we rented her a stroller. Same when we went back when she was 6- only this time I brought a stroller from home. My older DD said- Hey! You made me walk! You didn't get me a stroller! She's right- I shouldn't have made her walk. Its along day and when we go to Disney- we go from morning til night.
The other reason I like having a stroller, especially your own from home,- is you can use it to hold everything and not have to carry stuff.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

My son turns 6 while we are at WDW this year. We'll be taking both strollers - one for him and his 20 month old sister. They are both normally asleep when we leave the parks, so the strollers are a must.
Don't feel embarassed about having an older child in a stroller. We made that mistake last year on our trip, and only brought a stroller for the baby. We ended up renting the entire week. Both strollers are packed in the Pilot now, waiting to go!
We find that it is easier for us to ride what WE want to (that the children are too small for) if we wait until they are asleep to ride.

And ditto on having a place to store your stuff in the cubby beneath the stroller seat. What a back-saver!

 

[shayronnie]

Originally posted by wanna-b-Tink

We find that it is easier for us to ride what WE want to (that the children are too small for) if we wait until they are asleep to ride.

How does that work? Do you ride single and then swap?