For those wondering about stroller for 5 year old

[brymolmom]

Well - I'm excited! I have often commented on threads questioning whether or not to plan on a stroller for an older child. I have stated that my rule for my family is no stroller after age 5. I have this rule because with my youngest dd who is 5 and 1/2 now, I worry that she might end up in a stroller until age 20 if I allow it any longer than age 5. She is a strange one - a complainer and either acts 16 or 2 - no in between for her. And when it is 2 - it is 'pick me up Daddy'. ANYWAY, I have had a bit of worry in the back of my mind that when I institute the rule after she turns 6, that it would be a horrible result.

So yesterday we have a benefit walk for MS. It is about 3 miles long and in years past we have brought a wagon so that the kids can take breaks if they tire. Yesterday, we brought nothing. We kept saying that 'we're practicing for WDW' - and we said at the beginning 'we're heading to Splash Mtn'. Anyway - she made it the whole way without one single complaint!!!! I am so encouraged and confident that my rule is going to work and I'm actually kind of happy to be rid of the stroller. It was very freeing having nothing on wheels (other than my mom in her wheelchair) on the walk yesterday.

In Sept when we're on our next trip - she'll still be 5, and she knows we'll still have the stroller around. It will be used for late afternoons when she is beat but not used a lot. We'll get her used to not using it for most of the days. Then the next trip - AWAY it goes.

ANyway - just wanted to share my excitement and give encouragement for those with an older child who might not want to do the stroller thing. Go for it if it is what you think is best!! My dd is not the type - but I know now she can do it and we'll be fine.

 

[Ashlander]

That is very exciting. I find myself without a stroller more and more these days. I think it is good that you are still going to take a stroller to use just in case. I think it gets so hot down there that it really drains your energy. My kids love sitting in the stroller and since we still have a 3 yr old we need one. They fight over who is going to sit in it so most of the time I just take my Joovy caboose ultralight. Pretty soon though we'll be without a stroller there...and then I'll miss having my cooler of water in the parks as we won't be carrying that! (and by "we" I mean my husband)

 

[RMulieri]

My 4 yr old did not use a stroller once in Disney last Sept... For one she does not use one at home and I wasn't about to rent or buy one.Second, we started nightly family walks about 6 months out and it really helped alot. On most days she outpaced us and kept it up for 10 hrs, with breaks for meals .The one day she was real tired we went back to our pool and took a break and she was good as new.It can be done.