DS2 is 4, should I plan on stroller?

[Jesika]

We are headed end of Sept, 4 Adults - We are taking my parents- and our 3 children. DD-8, DS1-6, DS2-4..would be 5 in December. We have not used a stroller in years, but not sure if I should plan to bring one for him. I absolutely don't want to be stuck carrying him since he is 43" and 40lbs!! Any input would be great, personal experiences etc! Thanks!!

 

[party-of-five]

The question I would ask is: if you had the stroller with you, would DS ride in it?

I ask because my first two were more than happy to be pushed in a stroller. The last two... Not so much. When #3 was 3 years old I took the kids to Wash. DC for a week while DH was in a class. We walked and walked and walked. He refused to ride in the stroller. I pushed an empty stroller all week. We went to DL the next year and still, he refused to go in a stroller. My youngest is the same way. We have a trip coming up in Sept and we're planning a day at Legoland and a night at MNSSHP. I'm not bringing the stroller this time. He will be a few weeks shy of 4 and is 40", 37#. He may need a piggy-back ride out of the park, but I know he will keep up before agreeing to go in a stroller. I think for the last 2 they see a stroller as being only for babies and they have such a desire to be like their older siblings.

If your guy will ride in a stroller, then I say bring it. You'll be happy to have it. But if he isn't keen on the idea of going in a stroller, then forget it. Just one more thing to lug.

 

[jcarwash]

I agree with the above...if you think DS4 will accommodate riding, you will definitely want the stroller for a four year old. Heck, you may find DD8 and DS6 wanting to use it if they can fit, or even if they don't fit!

 

[kboo]

Totally agree - DD was 3yrs 8 mos when we last went, and we brought the umbrella stroller. She rode in it maybe 3 times - she is not a stroller rider AT ALL. All 3 times were when we were in a hurry to get somewhere - once to get to BOG for dinner, and twice to get to Soarin', which she loved, so we told her we were going to "miss our turn" on the ride if she didn't get in and let us push her. But all the other times in the parks, we just didn't bother even bringing it.

 

[SanderMC]

I think it really depends on the child. We just took our daughter to WDW this past June. She is 2.5. Now I know that is much younger than your son but my daughter NEVER wants to ride in a stroller and hasn't since she was proficient at walking. My husband and I were concerned that we were very likely wasting a lot of money renting a stroller. I have never so glad to be wrong in my life. My daughter rode in the stroller most of the time we were in the parks. For us it was well worth it to have a stroller.

 

[Jesika]

I am not even sure he will. Since we will be driving I will pack it, this way, as you all have said just in case. Who knows after the first day he may be asking for one! Thank you, I will go pull it out of storage and clean it up HA!

 

[Pesky]

I would play it by ear but be ready to rent one from a local company quickly. DS didn't like the stroller but when we went to DLR, heck, both the 4 YO and 6YO wanted to ride in the stroller because they were so tired with all the walking.

 

[stormer]

We found they needed it at Epcot. We enjoyed WS and liked taking our time, so the stroller helped. It was so much walking and it gave them a place to relax while we looked around. The other parks, my kids were more an happy to walk.

 

[my2lovedisney]

Personally, I would. I would rather be safe than sorry, and would hate to carry my 4 yo in the hot September weather. We too are going in September and my son turns 5 in January. You bet I'm bringing a stroller bc without it he will be melting down telling me his legs hurt and I will be sweating too much to carry his big butt around. Not to mention I'm sure his sister (8) will hop in for a ride here and there. The stroller is a real pain in the butt, but in the end it may make or break a day.

 

[Crystal M L]

I'm so glad to have found this thread. I was just about to question whether we should consider bringing or renting a stroller for our DD 4. Our trip is the third week of October and she's likely to need a break. Everyone tells me that it depends on the kid but I think she would be more than happy to ride in it and look around. Is the stroller a huge problem trying to get on/off the bus and/or in the resorts?

 

[my2lovedisney]

I'm so glad to have found this thread. I was just about to question whether we should consider bringing or renting a stroller for our DD 4. Our trip is the third week of October and she's likely to need a break. Everyone tells me that it depends on the kid but I think she would be more than happy to ride in it and look around. Is the stroller a huge problem trying to get on/off the bus and/or in the resorts?

Nope. Not a problem. Just make sure your stroller is folded before your get on the bus. It has to be. However, if you ride the monorail you can roll it right on. They're a pain when it comes to traveling on and off buses but really, in the end of your child end up being tired it pays off.

 

[Minnie121]

I am bringing the umbrella stroller for DD who is 5. She hasn't been in a stroller for a few years but even she asked me to bring it because she says she knows her legs will get tired!!

 

[sug78]

At that age my kids both rode in strollers while at Disney even though they didn't use one at home. It was especially nice to have during evening hours at Epcot WS while my husband & I shopped around and had a glass of wine

 

[nobellybutton]

My DD was turning 5 on our last trip. When I suggested a stroller she was appalled lol. BUT when we explained its not because she's a "baby" he stressed because there's lots and lots of walking and long days with no where to sit especially when we leave the park and EVERYONE is exhausted. She agreed that she can be a bit cranky when tired and I was a super happy mom because I purchased a used pink jogger stroller which worked miracles.

 

[2nd Time Bride]

We are going in December and plan to rent a double stroller for our DD (4) and DS (1). That way, if the 4 year old decides she "cannot walk another step", like she does at the zoo, we will be ready with a seat for her. But she has always been a stroller riding sort of kid...can you rent one for the first day and see his response - if he hates the idea of it, send it back?

 

[canadiandisneynut]

Bring it! Our daughter is 7 and for the past 3 trips we have brought ours. It is always used and when it isn't it is a great cart for our belongings
We have a super light stroller, not an umbrella but an easy fold up one. Bring one along and worst case scenario it stays in your room.

 

[missbrooke06]

I'm bringing a Sit n Stand even though I've been told on these boards it's the worst possible idea. My 4 year old has hated strollers but when I showed him the cool bench on one in the store, he got really excited. It doesn't fold up great but we have 6 adults and 2 kids so hopefully we can wrangle it good enough on the buses.

 

[Crystal824]

I personally wouldn't go to WDW without a stroller for any kid under the age of 5 possibly 6, but that is just me. It is just so much walking especially if you will be there for a week or so. I know my DD who just turned 5 gets tired after a day in the parks. During our last trip she was 4, and while she walked much of the day, it was very helpful to have the stroller to push her out of the parks in the evening. Also, it was nice to have her contained during the crowds after the night shows. I knew exactly where she was instead of trying to hold hands and stay together while navigating the crowds. Plus, I find a stroller handy to hold our stuff. We have another child who is much younger so we needed a stroller anyway, but we got the double. It definitely came in handy.

 

[jerseygirl82]

I'm bringing a Sit n Stand even though I've been told on these boards it's the worst possible idea. My 4 year old has hated strollers but when I showed him the cool bench on one in the store, he got really excited. It doesn't fold up great but we have 6 adults and 2 kids so hopefully we can wrangle it good enough on the buses.

Intrigued by the negativity surrounding the Sit n Stand. Can you elaborate?

 

[Dizlvr]

My personal experience is that we did not bring a stroller for our 4 year old (he was 3 months shy of 5). He was done with strollers at age 3, I suppose he wanted to walk like big bro and sis did. He's a pretty stubborn kid.
He did fine in the parks, but we do not tour commando, and if we saw he needed a rest we'd rest. I honestly don't know if he would have gotten in one there but at that point I didn't own one and I wasn't going to rent/buy one and get stuck pushing it around empty.
Since you are driving, if you have the room you can bring it, that way you will have it if you find he needs or wants it.