Going to Epcot without Stroller First Time!! Nervous!!!

[Tink215]

So We are suprising the girls to a day at Epcot for Spring break.....My Girls are 9 and 5. We have been to Disney twice a year since the Oldest was born. And always take a stroller for the little one.....But she's about to be 6 and well she's going thru her big girl thing......Hubby and I were discussing plans and he asks are you taking the Umbrella stroller and i thought for a moment Should I or Should I just make the little one brave it.....With tons of resting in between.....

Can anyone Share there First times to the Parks without Strollers times.....I am nervous........

 

[Luvchefmic]

So We are suprising the girls to a day at Epcot for Spring break.....My Girls are 9 and 5. We have been to Disney twice a year since the Oldest was born. And always take a stroller for the little one.....But she's about to be 6 and well she's going thru her big girl thing......Hubby and I were discussing plans and he asks are you taking the Umbrella stroller and i thought for a moment Should I or Should I just make the little one brave it.....With tons of resting in between.....

Can anyone Share there First times to the Parks without Strollers times.....I am nervous........

OK I'm ancient BUT I do remember this same conversation 5 yrs ago when it came to my DGS and DD couldn't decide. Here's what we did & suggest the same, BRING it tell DD it is for packages whatever & she can be the big girl who can push it, this works, he felt so grown up.....guess who "begged" to sit in it & guess who was "out cold" when leaving ?

 

[catgirl]

My niece will turn 7 on our May trip and I still considering renting a stroller. We will be in the parks 9 days and I just feel that there is soooo much walking that our trip will probably be much better with a stroller. We like to do the late nights and if she gets tired, then it's no big deal she can ride.

 

[natashaandbrad]

We are having the same discussion now. My daughter is 5 and we are going next month. We will be there for 5 days. We were leaning towards not bringing it. I don't want her to be a big girl and push the stroller because I hate it when people let their kids push the stroller and run into people. It is just too crowded and I don't want to fight with her about pushing the stroller. On the other hand if she gets tired it would be nice to have it. Sorry I am not really any help.

 

[AirGoofy]

We did Epcot last year for the 1st time w/o stroller and we even did the countries (or at least a quick walk through). Our dds were 7 and 5. We did rope drop to Illuminations. We did plan two TS meals that day - 10:30 AM Princess Breakfast and Coral Reef dinner - to give children plenty of time to rest. They were tired at the end of the day, but had a great time.

 

[sharonabe]

My youngest is 6 and he's been to Disney TWICE without a stroller (first time he was just shy of 4). I personally think Epcot is a great place to go without a stroller because there is so much for them to "slow down" and look at. AND you're going during the Flower Festival, so there's even more. She'll do fine as long as you're not running all over the park trying to catch the next ride. Send Dad on the run to get FPs for what you want to ride and the rest of you just take your time and enjoy the views!!

 

[Perditamarie]

Our next trip is first w/o a stroller too! I will miss the storage but will NOT miss pushing gigantic kids while being poached in the Florida sun! We are walking around the neighborhood to prepare, and will have plenty of breaks in lines and during rides while in the parks. I don't plan on renting either...my days as a Sherpa are over!!

 

[Hannathy]

You will love it!! And wonder why you ever dealt with one. It is so freeing to not have a stroller to maneuver thru the mass of people and lug onto the buses, etc. My kids never used one past 4 and we are rope drop till park closes no break type family. there is a lot of sitting in Disney. If she doesn't want one why in the world would you encourage a big kid to use a stroller? She may get tired but guess what so will you!! Everyone does.

As far as the junk you bring, without the stroller you will really look at what you bring and realize you don't need 3/4 ths of it. Once you don't have a baby what do you really need? Also everyone carries their own stuff ( I did carry my 5 yr olds poncho but that was it) and it is amazing how much they can do with out when that rule applies!

 

[brymolmom]

I'm in the same boat - about to have our first stroller-less trip. Our rule here has been 'after 5 - bye bye stroller' - DD turned 6 in October.

Some things I am doing to prepare:
WAY scaling back what we bring. ONLY the essentials AND dh and I are going to wear a small, light backpack EACH (so we can divide it between us and have even less) - we used to bring one bigger one and would throw it under the stroller in between each ride. THis is what I'm thinking:
In my over-the-shoulder small purse - credit card, cash, tickets (in ziplock bag), camera, chapstick, tiny anit-bacterial lotion.
In my backpack: 1 change of kids clothes, 2 water bottles (will be gone in a couple hours anyway, so it won't be heavy all day long) sunscreen, hoping to get away with no ponchos - but if necessary, the dollar store small container of 4 ponchos.
In dh backpack: 1 change of kids clothes, small handheld video recorder in ziplock, small 'first aid' pack, 2 water bottles, some granola bars and/or animal crackers.

Another thing we're doing - going for walks (as soon as this snow clears) to 'practice' before we go.

Also trying to plan my itinerary with a lot of sitting 'shows' and stuff in the afternoon - I figure this will be good rest time.

Trying not to expect as much as in the past - going to try to bend to what the kids need - breaktimes, sit down and have an ice cream snack, etc.

I'm nervous but actually REALLY excited.

 

[RMulieri]

Don't be nervous..They can do it! My daughter was walking the parks at 4yrs old.

 

[dizneechic]

We just got back from our strollerless trip. My oldest was 17 days post cardio surgery, my youngest was turning 5. We brought the stroller with us because both of them may have needed it, but it never left the car. We slowed down when we needed to, had meal breaks scheduled, and never went commando, and not once did anyone ask for us to go get it. We started each day around 9, left the parks around 6-7 and only stayed late once for fireworks. It worked out great!

 

[RangerPooh]

My oldest turned 5 during our trip last month and she didn't need a stroller. We were there 7 days and she didn't ask for one once.

 

[mollybug2]

I am having this same dilemma... to bring or not to bring one for a newly 6 year old. I am leaning towards bringing a little umbrella stroller and if we don't need it day one, then leaving it in the room for day 2!

 

[MaumeeMom]

Both our boys were 4yo on their first trips to WDW and we never used a stroller. To me a stroller seemed like it would be more of a hassle than it was worth. We didn't use one at home so why drag one on vacation? We've gone during busy Spring break and tour from morning to night and we have never had a problem.

Go for it - ditch the stroller - you'll be glad that you did.