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

Simba's Mom

everything went to "H*** in a handbasket
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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?
 
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?

I would absolutely bring a stroller for a 2 and almost 4yr old.
 
Oh yeah, I would certainly bring a stroller - especially if the 2 year old still naps. I don't think he realizes the AMOUNT of walking involved. People walk 5-7 miles a day there. If you are going during the summer, the kids will also be hot and want a break more often. I would NOT rent one from Disney as those are not comfortable at all. (Though it could be your backup plan if he sticks to his guns about no strollers.) I would either rent one from the outside company or better yet bring their own stroller. We used a Mac Volo for our kids and loved it.
 
Definitely bring a stroller. By the afternoon they will be slow moving and when you are tring to get through crowds you wont have to worry bout losing them. Plus as you mentioned great for storage and naps.
 
Grandma knows best ;) - my son turns 2 in a few days and loves to walk also. We haven't used his stroller since November...however, I know how much walking there is at Disney World and there's no way he could do it. Even for the 4 year old it would be tough. They don't have to spend the day in the stroller, but I'd at least want one there for when their legs get tired.
 
Get the stroller. DDIL will thank you later. My 3 yo regularly walks a mile or two at a time, but walking all day at WDW is a whole other story.
 
getting the stroller also helps to keep the kids with you and not lost in the huge crowds!!
 
I wouldn't do WDW with a 2 year old without one!! No way!
 
There's no way I'd take a 2 & 4 year old w/o a stroller, "active" or not.

I don't understand what it has to do w/ your DDIL packing or carrying stuff, tell him if he doesn't want a stroller he schlepps the bag, and both kids when they fall asleep.
 
My four year old who is super active and HATED the striker used one a TON. It's a LOT of walking. A ton! 10-15 miles per day depending on how you do the parks. That's a lot to expect a little kid to walk.

I'm vindictive. I wouldn't rent one. Then, when the grand kids are crying to be carried or melting down, I'd let DS figure it out. ;) The kids don't get a prize for going without.
 
DD did not use one at 2 on a short trip until the last day when she caught a cold. Otherwise she would have been fine. She is now 4. We are going for 3 days at the beginning of August and have no plans for a stroller. Nor will we use one for the part of vacation before Disney. She does just fine without a stroller. We simply go at her pace and take breaks when her legs get tired. There are rides that last quite a while. I also tend to book lunch TS reservations giving us another break.

I think you should listen to the parents. They know their kids best.
But maybe be open to the possibility of needing to rent one at the parks. You never know with kids but they might just surprise you. DD can hike nature trails for 6 or 7 miles without a break.

Also, why does DIL have to carry everything? Isn't dad going to help carry stuff too? We always split among us.
 
My brother in law was one who insisted during our first big trip to WDW that my 4 year old nephew didn't need a stroller. Know what happened? He ended up carrying him on his shoulders a lot. And then he ended up whacking DN's head into a low hanging sign, making him scream bloody murder. Not good.:sad2:

Know what happened during future trips? Strollers were rented. Much easier on everyone, including the parents.
 
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?

Are you taking the DGDs with just you or are your DS & DDIL going as well? If it's just you and the grandchildren, then rent the stroller. If DS & DDIL are going, too, then respect your son's wishes since he & DDIL are the grandchildren's parents...EVEN THOUGH not renting a stroller for a 2 yr old at WDW is a dumb idea.

Heck, when we went to DL last year, my kids were 4.5 & 6.5. I rented 1 stroller. The first morning, they argued over who had to ride in the stroller. By lunch time, they bickered over who GOT to ride in the stroller. It was worth its weight in gold.

This is one of those things that your DS will just have to learn the hard way. Trust me, give it a day or 2 and he'll change his mind. :)
 
My opinion is to get DIL involved and get her opinion.

I wouldn't do a trip without a stroller at those ages, especially the 2 year old. And I would give him the ultimatum, unless he is going to carry two kids and all their stuff then he has to listen to other options.
 
I can barely function at Target with my 2 year old not in a stroller, no way at Disney!

My 2 and 4 year olds are both still in strollers when we go. We park it and explore a land then move on.

The massive mob we got stuck in last night before Wishes started is so dangerous I couldn't imagine my small kids not being in a stroller for that.
 
Voting for stroller! We took our 3 year old last year and rented a stroller because we didn't want to lug ours around the airport. But once our feet hit the resort she was pretty much in the stroller all week. She would get out and run and play but just when she needed a break, it was good to always have it with us. It's a great form of shade from the hot Florida sun too!
 
There is no way I would go to Disney with a 2 and 4 year old without a good double stroller. We brought ours when our kids were that age, and they both fell asleep in it every day.

Last trip, we measured how much we walked. We averaged over 10 miles a day.
 
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?

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 :)
 





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