Ever bring a stroller for "sometimes", "maybe"

[Angel Ariel]

DH and I are bringing DGDs to WDW for the first time. DS does NOT want to have a stroller-kids are 2 and almost 4. He just says "They can walk-they LIKE to walk-they're very active". Well, I think we should rent a stroller just in case, like when someone gets super-tired, Disneyed out, and also so that DDIL doesn't have to lug all the necessities (snacks, wipes, juice boxes, etc., etc.) BTW, DDIL is keeping out of this argument! As grandparents, we're paying for our grandchildren's tickets and have offered to pay for the stroller. So who'd being (un)reasonable here? Any tips of what to say to change his mind? Or is he right and we're just being softies?

With a 2 and 4 y/o, there is no way I wouldn't bring a stroller.

 

[ancestry]

At their ages they absolutely will need a stroller.

 

[TChappy]

I would no doubt bring a stroller! We are going this fall and the kids ages will be dd3, ds7 and ds9. I am actually most worried about ds7 walking, bc he always complains his legs hurt. We are taking a stroller that is a heavier duty umbrella that can hold ds7 if he gets tired too. I may actually bring a sling to carry dd3 too.

 

[dsneygirl]

For 2 and almost 4 absolutely! If they were like 5 and 6 maybe. But I have a 2 year old and there is no way he could walk all day.

 

[houseofduck]

I know I am in the minority here, but we did it, many times, without a stroller. Yes, we did have to carry them occasionally, but I preferred carrying them every once in a while to having to stroller park, get them in and out of the stroller, getting the stroller on/off the bus or boat, and just dealing with a stroller in general.

I just wanted to put another point of view out there. While most feel a stroller is mandatory, it can be done without one with a 2 and 4 year old. And, it must not have been that bad because we chose to do it on more than one trip!

 

[Simba's Mom]

why exactly does he not want a stroller? Does he think it is "babying the kids"?
Has he been to DW as an adult? Is he aware of the average 5-7 miles walked a day?

I would have him read this thread, unless that would cause some huge drama. You could search on google for similar threads & have him read those. Actually I like this link: http://blog.touringplans.com/2013/10/30/frequently-asked-questions-strollers-disney-world/
I would not take a 2 & 4 year old to DW without a stroller. What about renting one (from an off site company- i wouldn't rent a stroller onsite from disney) & just having it as a back up? Will he allow that?

interested to see what decision is made. please come back & update

Thanks-that touring plans article was very useful. Yes, DS thinks strollers are "babying" them. We went to WDW when he was 7, and his brother was 4. No stroller and they were fine. He's also been as an adult. What I think will help is if, as someone referred to, one of the kids gets a cold, twists an ankle, etc. I just wanted to be able to tell him that lots of people take a stroller planning NOT to use it every day, but to have it handy "just in case".

 

[Sugardimples]

I think you gave him information and now you should back off and let them decide. If they decide to not bring/rent a stroller, OK. If they change their minds after a day or two, help them with a solution.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks-that touring plans article was very useful. Yes, DS thinks strollers are "babying" them. We went to WDW when he was 7, and his brother was 4. No stroller and they were fine. He's also been as an adult. What I think will help is if, as someone referred to, one of the kids gets a cold, twists an ankle, etc. I just wanted to be able to tell him that lots of people take a stroller planning NOT to use it every day, but to have it handy "just in case".

There is a bit difference between a 2 year old walking all day and a 4 year old walking all day. Plus, how long ago did your DS go when he was small? Were there 4 parks? I'm guessing there is much more walking involved now then when your DS was a child.

If you can't change his mind and the kids end up needing a stroller then they can rent them, or even buy umbrella strollers in the gifts shops. You don't have to figure this out ahead of time, though it would be much much cheaper to.

 

[brockash]

There's no way in the world I'd go to Disney with a 2 & 4 year old without a stroller. For those ages I'd def. bring a double stroller.

 

[wallskm]

I wouldn't take a 2 year old and 4 year old without a stroller. But not being the children's parents I think you will just have to let it be their mistake if they choose not to take one. I wouldn't be the one to carry them when they get tired though or pay for a more expensive option once they decide to get one .

 

[Angel Ariel]

I know I am in the minority here, but we did it, many times, without a stroller. Yes, we did have to carry them occasionally, but I preferred carrying them every once in a while to having to stroller park, get them in and out of the stroller, getting the stroller on/off the bus or boat, and just dealing with a stroller in general.

I just wanted to put another point of view out there. While most feel a stroller is mandatory, it can be done without one with a 2 and 4 year old. And, it must not have been that bad because we chose to do it on more than one trip!

Personally, what I would do with a 2 and 4 y/o is bring a stroller, but then park it in a land (say Fantasyland) and leave it in one parking spot until we were ready to move on to the next land.

Best of both worlds, IMHO. You have it if/when you need it, but you're not taking it from ride to ride and getting them in and out of the stroller constantly.

 

[lvillotta1]

As a single mom with 2 girls now 6&10 I always had a stroller with me at all times when they were younger when visiting WDW. There was no other way to do it. My oldest is now and when we go later this year I will take my lightweight Maclaren umbrella. Kids get tired period. I could not agree more when the Wishes parade gets out I would have been terrified if my kids had not been in strollers at these young ages. I find it amazing when parents say "my child refuses to sit in the stroller at 1 or 2 years of age." it was never a choice to not sitting in one. My kids just did it.

 

[JillShari]

As the grandparents... I would totally butt out of this discussion entirely. Your son and DIL will find out the hard way and will rent one... if not on day 1, then on day 2!

My 4 y/o son walked most of HS, but I carried him quite a bit there. So... for EPCOT and MK we got the stroller... was great.

I think you have to let your son and SIL figure it out themselves! And it will be obvious once they are exhausted and being carried for miles!

 

[prettylittlelady]

Personally, what I would do with a 2 and 4 y/o is bring a stroller, but then park it in a land (say Fantasyland) and leave it in one parking spot until we were ready to move on to the next land.

Best of both worlds, IMHO. You have it if/when you need it, but you're not taking it from ride to ride and getting them in and out of the stroller constantly.

This is what we do and it works out pretty good! I would definitely bring or rent a stroller, just in case. And doing something like Angel Ariel suggested is really the best of both worlds because you can leave the stroller in one of the stroller parking spots, walk around and then come back to it when you need it!

 

[Crystal824]

There's no way in the world I'd go to Disney with a 2 & 4 year old without a stroller. For those ages I'd def. bring a double stroller.

This especially if you plan to be at WDW more than one day. While the kids would probably be able to last one day, day after day of walking will wear them down. Plus, it can get very crowded at times. It is nice to stick them in the stroller and know where they are while navigating through crazy crowds.

 

[Anthony1971]

Day one: they will be carrying kids
Day two they will rent
Next trip they will bring

Sit in your chair on park day one have a drink and a good laugh...

 

[lillykat]

Don't mention it again. If he is stubborn it will only cause arguments. He will have exhausted and melting down kids and will be hot and tired carrying them all day.. Put the number of 2-3 places like magic and kingdom strollers in your pocket and when he breaks hand it to him and you can get it the next day. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way. He can pay to rent in the park day one if it is horrible, then get one delivered the next morning.

Otherwise you could say hey, can I rent one and if it sits in my room all week no harm no foul bc I will pay for it. But if you change your mind....it will be in my room.

 

[Ginny Favers]

My husband was SO anti-stroller it was ridiculous. He said he would carry the kids and it would be no big deal and that they needed their exercise and blah blah blah.

I rented one without him knowing and you should have heard the crap I got when I had to wait a few minutes at the front desk to pick it up when we arrived. He kept saying it would be left in the room and it was taking up all this space and what a waste of money and all that stuff. Our kids were 5 and 2 and the time.

Then DD5 got sick. We wouldn't have been able to go anywhere without the stroller. With the stroller, we rolled her around and let her rest as we enjoyed the parks.

Since then, for the past 2 trips, we've gotten a stroller. Even though the oldest is too old for it now, our youngest loves to rest in it. And we learned it's not that big a hassle, and it's very nice to have someplace to stow stuff.

For THIS stay, my husband actually said to me, "Did you book the stroller rental yet?" This will probably be the last year we use it, as our youngest will be 5. But I say, milk it as long as you can!

 

[ilovebassets]

I'm pretty anti-stroller, but a two year old? You would be miserable without having a stroller for a two old. I assume the child is still in diapers. Just carrying around the diaper bag is reason enough to bring the stroller when you have kids that young.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My husband was SO anti-stroller it was ridiculous. He said he would carry the kids and it would be no big deal and that they needed their exercise and blah blah blah.

Gee, it sounds like he went to the same school of "stroller opinions" as DS. I think I'll do what a PP suggested-tell him Grandma's getting one and paying for it and if it never gets used, that's fine with me.