Has anyone gone to parks w/toddlers and NO stroller?

[Minnie824]

Has anyone gone to the parks with either a 5yo or 2.5yo or both, with no stroller? We're going later this year, and staying at GF. Planning on bringing a single stroller. Last year (they were 4 and 1.5) brought double stroller and they both wanted to walk a lot, hardly riding at the same time. So, this time, we figured we'd bring a single, they'd take turns, and if they really really both needed to ride, could rent one. Anyway, I'm wondering if to MK, we should bring one at all? I mean, we go early, eat lunch, back for swim/nap, back in evening. Its so close, we don't need one to and from transportation, and again, could rent if needed. But even last year, they were content walking (moreso the little one even). My only issue would be I'd need to carry the backpack then. Anyone do this before?

 

[ChristusG]

Personally, I would probably just bring the stroller. I find myself putting all sorts of stuff in there......packages, backpacks, the map, souviners, etc. Plus, if they do want to ride at least you will have it. I ended up carrying my little one 90% of the time the three times that she has been, but we had the stroller to tote stuff and for when she fell asleep.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

One day on one of our trips we didn't take the stroller to the park. NEVER AGAIN!!! It was the only one morning and our DS (2.5) at the time no longer wanted to walk and DH had to carry him around. I would rather take it and not use it then have the kids exhausted.

 

[mjmcca]

The day hurricain charlie hit Fla we went to Epcot until it closed no need for stroller right? Wrong! We left the park long after it closed just trying to get DD who was 2.5 at the time to walk back to the entrance.The park was only open half a day we werent there too long and i and she were miserable.

 

[joeathome167]

my kids were 2 and 4 (almost 5) on our last trip in May. We had a stroller for the 2 yr old, but we made the 4 yr old walk (which we always do) and it was no problem, but we never push him in a stroller so he's not used to it.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I took my DS who was 4 1/2 for a spur of the moment 3 night trip last Aug. On the last day when we had to leave the park around noon I left the stroller with my luggage with the bellman. He complained the whole time. I think he was just too tired. We had a 7am flight on day 1 and had to leave the house at 4am and then we were out til at least 8:30/9:00 every night. I wish I had taken the stroller with me that last day.

I will say that when he was 3 1/2 and my youngest was 1 1/2 they both wanted to walk more than when the were 4 1/2 and 3 1/2.

 

[dreamalittledream]

Does your DH put the child on his shoulders? we found that easier to do at times than trying to navigate the stoller thru crowds. sometimes we brought it and other times we didn't, it depended on how long we were going to be out and what time of day it was. You know your kids, try it. You can also just park it and walk around for a while then go back for it when you are done in a section.

 

[Grendalynn]

We recently, well in October/November, went to WDW and on a 4day cruise... We were trying to be good about how many things we had to check, carry and what ever else... Made a BIG mistake by NOT bringing a stroller! We went to WDW when DS was 1 - and brought one that time; it was just your typical umbrella stroller; light weight and collapsed pretty "compactly". Thought he was big enough (2.5) this time to go w/o it....

Like you, our DSs were 6 and 2.5 at the time we went this past fall. We knew DS6 would be fine, and they could take turns or he could ride on the footrest as he does here at home with our jogger. I also figured we would just rent a stroller in the parks for our youngest... what we didnt realize was just how much walking there is to do other than at the parks... from the Hotel to the monorail and back to the hotel, around the resort (we stayed at Poly and it is pretty vast and spread out), at night when we park hopped - another line to wait in... Not to mention in the Airport! We rented at the parks and it worked out well while we were there, and rented a stroller once on the ship, it was our to keep the entir time we were aboard. And it was a babyjogger to boot, so it was a nice surprise!

But in summary, we will NEVER do Disney again without our own stroller. Fly or drive, it is a huge help to have that little one confined when you need to move fast, a place to snooze when they need a nap, or when its hot and/or everyone is just so tired that they cant be lugged around or ride on the shoulders any longer. You can always leave it in your room if you decide you dont need it, but its nice to have that option. We certainly wont leave home w/o one again. Just my 2 cents worth.....

 

[Grendalynn]

A last thought - The stroller is also a nice thing to have for that back pack, souviner bag, a drink holder, or place to stash the sweatshirts when you shed them.... .

 

[payneful]

We have been to Disney the last 5 years in May when the kids were 2 & 4. We have never brought a stroller and our kids did great!! They enjoy the walking and we enjoy not having to find a place to park a stroller all the time. There were a couple of times we threw them up on our shoulders, but not much. I'm sure everyone has their own opinion, but I think the kids need to walk. Especially when they get older - seeing some of these kids at 7 & 8 in strollers makes me realize why we are an obese society!

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Have to agree.... maybe our kids are just troopers, but at about 2.5 to 3 yrs old, they walk. They usually hit a lull in the afternoon, but that's when we sit and watch the parade and eat a character dinner at CP. Then we take in the country bears or mickey's philhar magic show. After a couple hours of down time in the park and a bite to eat, the weather is cooler and they are ready to go again.

 

[justhat]

My daughter is not a stroller kid either, but I have to say that when we were in WDW last week (she just turned 2 on 2/26) she asked to be held a lot more than she ever does at home. We walk a lot at home and try to avoid the stroller whenever possible just cause we live in a city so it's easier to go stroller free so while we brought one to WDW we'd park it in one place and walk a lot, but that meant us carrying her a lot too. At home she rarely asks to be held and loves to walk, but walking in WDW meant holding someone's hand (which we don't always need to do at home cause she loves her freedom) and also just walking a lot, and with all the excitement going on I guess she just got tired out. Oh, and on our trip last April when she was 13-14 months she wanted to walk all the time, was hardly ever in the stroller or asking to be held, but I guess now that walking is old hat it's just not the same thrill it is for a 1yo.