DS turning 5 at DL. Take stroller? Yes or No

[amycarter]

My DS is turning 5 while at DL. We will be there for 4 days. Part of me says to bring our BOB stroller, although he hasn't ridden in it for almost a year. I've read other posts but still can't decide. I know many of you have just returned and had little ones about the same age, so please let me know what worked for you or didn't work. I only have the BOB stroller (which I absolutely LOVE) and wouldn't consider taking any other stroller, if we take one at all.

Pros:

the walk to/from HOJO
having an extra set of clothes for DS (although we could take a backpack)
lots of walking, park hopping
able to stay out later in the eve with tired child
able to go faster, going with 6 adults and my DS (5)

Cons:

the stroller on the plane and layovers
the BOB is bulky, even when folded
have to take a booster seat for the shuttle already, one more extra thing
going with 6 adults who could take turns carrying and walking slow
having to park it during the day and keeping track of it

Thanks for your help! Two more weeks until we're there!!!

Amy

 

[Captain Hindsight]

How are you getting from the Airport to the Hotel?

If you are renting a car, I say swing by Target and pick up a cheap $30 stroller there then "accidentally" forget it in the room when you check out!

 

[DangerMouse]

Yes, absolutely yes, take your stroller.

 

[dmked]

At the very least take/buy an umbrella stroller. It is a LOT of walking for a 5 year old. I have a 5 year old and I'm bringing a stroller with me for her

 

[Anj]

We just finished 4 days at Dl (well, really 3 and 1/2 days) with our 2, 6 and 8 yr old. Our just-turn-6 year old could have used a stroller. On our last day, she did pop into the stroller with the 2 year old and was noticeably slower. Last year, she just turned 5 and we did need a stroller for her by the 3rd day.

 

[cheesemouse]

TAKE IT! Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. We are in the exact same boat. My DS turns 5 tomorrow (!!!) and we are going to DL in May. Sure he may not need it all the time, but no way could he make it walking all day, every day.

 

[M&C]

If you have Disney Visa Card, I think stroller rental is 50% off. It used to be free.

 

[todzwife]

Yes, without a doubt.

When we went in November we took 2 strollers for the 3 kids. I wore the youngest in a Beco Gemini 95% of the time and the other 2 (7 and almost 5) rode in the strollers. Not only was it nice to have a stroller for them to ride in to rest, it was a seat for parades, a way to keep them from getting lost in the crowds when we had to book it across the park and it was a place for all the "stuff" we brought.

 

[DisSarahK]

I think it depends on your child. My older child would have been fine at that age. My younger child--HA HA! Not so much. He was 4 1/2 during our last visit and definitely needed the stroller. We're planning on going this fall and he'll be 5 1/2 and he'll need the stroller then, too. *Never* would I ever have considered bringing a stroller for my daughter at that same age though! He's just a different child with different needs.

 

[jory29]

Our DD's first trip to DL was when she was 4 and a half, and she did SUPER walking around the parks all day... no complaints, no pain...

Had it been our son, it could have been a different story... (His first trip was when he was 9 years old.)

Only you know if your child is the 'hardy' type or the type to feel more pain.

I would opt not to take it - at 5, they are light enough to carry if NEED be, OR.... one can always take it more easy, go back to the room mid day for naps, and/or rent a stroller if needed.

This is a great age for DL! Have fun, whatever you decided to do!

 

[mystic_path]

Yes MOST DEFINITELY!!!!! Your child maybe energetic, but their legs are still half the size of yours. It is a lot of walking. As an adult on adult Disney trips we clock anywhere between 10-14 miles each day. Better to be safe then to hit that wall where you wish you had brought it. You can rent strollers at the park if you dont wish to pack yours around everywhere, and only use the stroller rental as an option if you need.

 

[Jana0326]

I'd take it. My kids are 4 and 6 and we always use our stroller at DL. I can't imagine even walking back to a hotel with an exhausted 5 year old that wants to be carried (let along walking around the park like that).

 

[DahliaRW]

I would take it. Unless you know you'll be fine carrying a sleeping 5yo back to HOJO every night.

 

[jernysgirl]

Absolutely! I wouldn't consider DLR without a stroller for my kids. Heck, there are times that I wish someone would push me in that stroller!

I would bring it, and if he doesn't want to then use it for all adult's stuff. I personally wouldn't want to carry a 40-50 lb. child AND a backpack around all day. I have personally curb checked a double stroller (which was a huge stroller!) on a plane and was glad that I had that in the airport just to carry our luggage and stuff in. So you could always throw your bags and booster seat in the stroller, carry your son, and everyone take turns pushing the stroller.

If you think your stroller is too bulky (even though I know you said that is the only stroller you would consider), I would seriously think about renting one in the park. That way you don't have to hassle with loading/unloading it everywhere if that is what your major concern was.

And for what it's worth, my kids stopped taking naps when they were both between 12-18 months old, but they still nap in their strollers at DLR. The days are long and exciting, and there are times when things settle down in the evenings that they will doze off and usually they zonk out in their strollers on the walk back to HOJOs.

Whatever you decide - have tons of fun!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Most definitely!

 

[bethy]

YES!!!! You will want some type of stroller. I rarely used a stroller for my kids ever - even as infants. But the one place I always used one without fail was at Disneyland. No question about it. Plus it's nice for carrying other stuff, too.

 

[Piglet99645]

Beware the umbrella stroller! My husband is 6'1" and those tiny umbrella strollers are too short for him to push, so I end up pushing the thing all the time!

 

[jimsocks]

For the love of Mike - YES

 

[Mama Who]

I suppose it depends on the child and how you raise them in this regard. Kids in my family would just about die of shame if you tried to put them in a stroller at the age of five. It simply isn't done.

 

[starshine514]

I would lean towards taking it. Theme parks are a lot of walking and (personally) I'd rather push a stroller than have to carry everything all day (face it, you'll have your sweatshirt, his sweatshirt, you water bottle, his water bottle, his snacks, his food, his souvenirs...him! Until you get him to carry his stuff, a stroller is easier). I wouldn't want to carry either of my girls, or all their stuff all day...My 6-yr-old is still attached to her stroller (I haven't gotten after her much for it; I don't like to introduce insecurity into my children if it isn't necessary. Plus, she should literally outgrow it soon, right?). I took a single to the desert museum (a few miles of walking) and my girls switched back and forth (with a bit of fussing). So, I'm fearing I may need to take the double to DL.

Have you asked him about bringing it?