Four year olds and strollers

[dreamer03]

Hi, I am a mother of 3 kids. They are ages 8, 6, and 4. My 4 year old is very independant and absolutely wont stay in the stroller for our daily walks. Do we really need one for our trip to Disney? I would prefer not to take one but I would like some advice from people who have taken these ages.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

After a long walk, do you have to carry or piggy-back rides? After 8 hours of walking, even my 8yo will want to ride in the stroller. If you think you will use it, bring it. If you don't bring it, you can always rent them there.

 

[LWatson]

I'm in a similar boat as you. My 4yr old is also very independent and didnt stay in the stroller much this past trip unless we told him to. We got rid of our Double and now have 2 singles. We are bringing both, but we are going to see how it goes the first day to decide if we are going to keep bringing it with us. I will say though we know that we will use it in Epcot because that is a lot of walking and going in and out of countries. He was really worn out last time we went.

We are testing out the walking thing this coming weekend at the zoo though. We are just taking 1 stroller and letting him walk to see how he does. Have you thought about (if you have one near) going to the Zoo (or other attraction) and seeing how your 4yr old does?

 

[Kat&Dom]

I think for my son - it is more the heat and humidity that makes him tired rather than the walking. He is a very active child and loves to run the perimeter of the park when I take him. He has not used a stroller at home since he was 18 months old but I have taken umbrella strollers to Disney and he definitely uses them. The 1st day, he is pretty independent and not wanting to have it but by the middle of day 2, he is pretty happy to sit in it.

When I take him to the Calgary Zoo - he walks the whole day and I don't bring a stroller but there is not the heat and humidity factor here in Canada either.

It is a tough call. He is now 4 1/2 and I am taking a stroller to Disney next month for him and I expect he will use it quite a bit especially in the evenings when we are doing Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic - I feel it is safer to have him in a stroller and not have to worry about him getting caught up and lost in the crowds leaving the park. We plan on doing a park in the morning then heading back to condo to have swim time and when we return in the late afternoon, I will be bringing his stroller to the park then.

 

[brymolmom]

Coming up on my first stroller-less trip and I will MISS it!

But, when my kids were 4...they were similar and didn't use it at home. But at WDW we had a rule - pretty much when mom/dad says it's time for the stroller - it is. My dd was such a pokey walker we MAYBE would have gotten to 5 rides the whole day if not. And, I honestly felt safer with them/her right in front of me. I would promise them to bring them to a place to 'stretch their legs' at some point during the day (Ariel's Grotto or similar).

Once or twice they tested it...and put up a fuss about getting in the stroller. All it would take was mom/dad stopping and saying we're not going to do anything else until you're in the stroller/you have 60 seconds to get into the stroller or you're missing the next ride/ or whatever punishment is appropriate for your family - and they would hop in. After day #1 of the trip - no more questions, they knew the rule!

Anyway - if you're comfortable having your 4 year old walk and everyone's trip won't suffer for it - let him/her do it. I definitely think that some 4 year olds can handle it. But if you think it will be better for the greater good for the 4 year old to use one - then lay down the law. But make sure to go over it BEFORE you go. And it can be a mixture, like 'I'll let you walk in the morning' but after lunch (when he/she is likely to be a lot more tired) it will be time to use the stroller.

I am a big believer in the wants/desires of one person in the family not dictating how everyone's vacation ends up. So figure out what will work best for everyone!

 

[Elmo888]

I would bring a stroller. There are just going to be some "only at Disney" circumstances that you don't have elsewhere. Even if you don't bring it with you to the parks every time (maybe you don't need it at MK or some mornings but need it at Epcot or afternoons/evenings), you will have it when you do need it.

Here are some things to consider (from another one of my posts)...

There are some times that you will be happy that you have it - at the end of the day when everyone is tired and you have to walk from your bus stop to your resort room after Epcot's Illuminations (at 10:30 pm), in the heat and humidity (when are you going?), in crowded areas (safety), in Epcot in general and when you are trying to get across the Epcot in a timely manner for an ADR (a lot more walking at Epcot than MK), at the later end of a week long trip (no stroller might be fine for days 1 - 4, but days 5 - 8?).

 

[pilotwife_02]

Yeah, that's a tricky age. My (almost) 4 year old hasn't used a stroller since he was 18 months but used one last fall when we went and I know he'll probably use it again this May when we go again (we will have a double for him and his 2 year old brother).

I think all that walking with the heat plus it's a longer day than normal for him equates a need for a stroller even though he doesn't normally use one.

 

[humboldthny]

The first time we went to WDW our dd had just turned 4 and we didn't take a stoller - she was a trooper, rarely complained and was happy with a piggy back from dh on occasion. We also don't have a big plan for our days at Disney, so if we feel like taking a rest, we do...no rush...
I should also mention that I'd already pretty much stopped using the stroller with her about a year earlier, so she was used to walking.

 

[sohappy]

I can count on one hand the number of times my youngest used a stroller with the exception of Disney. He hated it as a baby and refused to sit in it. He will ride in it on vacation though (he will be 5 next week). Both of our previous trips, he has used the stroller- and his brother used it some too. They don't always use it, but it is great to have as previous posters have mentioned. Late at night- lifesaver! How else could I get two kids that feel asleep on the bus to the room by myself??!! We will usually park the stroller in an area and explore the area. Then we will use the stroller (sometimes) to get to the next area. It really just depends on how the kids are doing. We have left the stroller in the park while we have gone to an ADR at a resort because they had enough energy-other time, notsomuch! Good luck and have fun!

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

The stroller also comes in handy as a shopping cart / storage if has basket underneath. We were thinking next year spring break would be first trip w/o a stroller...looks like that is all changing now.

It is amazing how the excitement of this happy place keeps them going and going and going...

 

[LWatson]

I can count on one hand the number of times my youngest used a stroller with the exception of Disney. He hated it as a baby and refused to sit in it. He will ride in it on vacation though (he will be 5 next week). Both of our previous trips, he has used the stroller- and his brother used it some too. They don't always use it, but it is great to have as previous posters have mentioned. Late at night- lifesaver! How else could I get two kids that feel asleep on the bus to the room by myself??!! We will usually park the stroller in an area and explore the area. Then we will use the stroller (sometimes) to get to the next area. It really just depends on how the kids are doing. We have left the stroller in the park while we have gone to an ADR at a resort because they had enough energy-other time, notsomuch! Good luck and have fun!

I had not thought of that honestly. But, that would make sense for us. Like Park it in Fantasyland and do the rides there, then load up and go to Tomorrowland and park there...etc. Wow that was a good idea (and a DUH moment for me).

 

[squirrel]

I used one for my niece the past two WDW trips she was 4.75 yrs and almost 6 yrs. She is a very slow walker, and I have been told I'm rather fast. It would have drove me crazy to walk at her pace when I want to get to another area of the park.

The first year she slept in the stroller when she was tired. Last year I don't think she slept in it.

I will be taking the stroller again this year when I take the younger niece, she will be 4.5 yrs. She moves quickly, but this way I can put her in and make sure she doesn't get lost. Maybe she will nap in it. I don't want to have to pay the rental prices.

The stroller has more than paid for it self. The rental prices for 20 days (2 trips) is more than the stroller cost.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

I would take it. My DD & DS do our local amusement park and zoo's fine at ages 4 & 6.

When we were at disney they were both wanting to ride, which leaves a parent to carry the other one. DD fell asleep in the stroller walking to the monaral(sp) after the fireworks and DS was so sleepy Dh had to carry him, and we passed him back and forth. That is a very long wait when everyone is leaving at the same time and holding a child. There were kids a lot bigger than ds that were being carried by parents when we were waiting, then you have to get to the car (if u drive).

We did park in once we got to a section, rode the rides, then someone rode to the next section, repeat. It is also nice to carry your stuff as a PP has mentioned. Think about carring a kid/s and all of your stuff, expecially if you have 3 kids.

My kids will be 5 & 7 and I am going to borrow a stroller from someone when we go. DS also got sick the last day from the heat, so I would have had to rent one if I would not have had mine, and is my main reason for taking one again.

 

[tjmw2727]

It depends - on the kid, the weather and the type of touring you do.

My neice is 5 and is a go, go kid, always outside playing riding bikes and hikes mountains with her parents and brother. Has not used a stroller since age 3 at the most!

Day one in AK - she was fine, we didn't even think about a stroller.

Day 2 Epcot and she was fine in the AM but totally done after the pool break and a little more Epcot touring so my sil rented a stroller.

Day 3, blisters and one tired kiddo at MK thankfully my sil did have an umbrella stroller in the trunk. We did the park the stroller in one "land and tour" strategy but between the three long days and the blisters dear neice really needed the stroller after day 2. Not constantly but enough so we were glad to have one and not have to pay the rental fees.

 

[DisneyDarling212]

I would get a stroller but keep it parked near a ride so if he got tired you could get it.

 

[djp0630]

I'd rent a stroller. DD is the same way at home, and I told her when we went to WDW, she had to ride in the stroller or walk, no way was I carrying her. I would definitely have a stroller for a 4 year old. WDW is a busy place, and it can be exhausting carrying a little kid.

 

[dreamer03]

I'm in a similar boat as you. My 4yr old is also very independent and didnt stay in the stroller much this past trip unless we told him to. We got rid of our Double and now have 2 singles. We are bringing both, but we are going to see how it goes the first day to decide if we are going to keep bringing it with us. I will say though we know that we will use it in Epcot because that is a lot of walking and going in and out of countries. He was really worn out last time we went.

We are testing out the walking thing this coming weekend at the zoo though. We are just taking 1 stroller and letting him walk to see how he does. Have you thought about (if you have one near) going to the Zoo (or other attraction) and seeing how your 4yr old does?

I have never thought about a "test run". That is a great idea. Thank you for your response.

 

[dreamer03]

thank you for all the responses. I do think we will be getting a stroller for the parks. If not for him, maybe is older sisters will use it as well.

 

[puffkin]

My just turned 4 year old will only use a stroller at Disney. We also park it in an area until we are ready to head to the next area. It is funny, he used to hate the stroller but know he realizes how nice it is to get a rest and will just hop in on his own when he is tired. We like have a place to store drinks, coats, ponchos, etc when we go.

I do make him sit in the stroller when it is extremely crowded like after a parade or fireworks. It is much easier to keep track of him that way. It is also worth its weight in gold at the end of a long day to haul a sleeping very heavy dead weight kid back to the room down the neverending hallway at Kidani

 

[MNT568]

What type of stroller do you have for your 4/5 year olds? My sister is bring my nephew who will be a month shy of 5, what are good strollers for bigger kids? He looks stuffed into the stroller she already has! She was thinking of renting a Disney stroller but I think she will need her own stroller at night leaving the parks.