How old is too old for a stroller at WDW?

[cmaee]

Our trip is coming up and I was starting to think about strollers for our next trip. When we were at Disney last time, we rented the double stroller and used it everywhere. Our kids were 5, 4, and 15 months old at the time. Our 5 and 4 year obviously did not use a stroller at home, but we thought it would be easier for them to ride. I do not want to rent a stroller now because they are so expensive, but am wondering if I should. I was concered on all of the walking that they would be doing and how tired and cranky they might get. I wondered how old is too old for a stroller at WDW? I know if I got one of the double jogging strollers, my 6 year old would want to disown me for making him ride in a baby stroller, but would still probably ride in the Disney one since it isn't so "baby looking". I also thought about attaching a buggy baord to a sit n stand stroller. Does anyone know if that is possible? I could buy a sit n stand stroller and buggy board for a lot less money than I would spend on renting one at Disney and then could sell it at a consignment shop when I return.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Not sure how old is too old for a stroller, but I know how much is too much whining about being tired and sore feet! My DD is 3 and DS is 5. Originally we were going to rent from orlandostrollerrental.com, but had to cancel due to our circumstances (totally bummed). We have a sit and stand we are bringing. The kids helped me "decorate" it. DS says he's fine with riding on it...& it will be a good way to keep them confined in the Christmas/NY crowds.

 

[daleswife]

My 5 yr old (will be 6 on our trip) was told last night that she didnt get to ride in her stroller this time and she was bummed but eventually got over it for the simple fact that we are going to disney!!!

Those Sit and Stands, How much weight will they hold? May consider getting one of those for them.....

 

[ilandrazdsw]

They say 40 lbs in the seat and 40 on the bench. My ds is closer to 50 and no prpblem with him. I did quite a bit of research and all that I read said the stand/bench will hold more than the suggested 40 lbs. It also has a decent size storage underneath with access from both sides.

 

[daleswife]

my ds is only 30lbs and my dd is about 54lbs. maybe I should just go with a different model?

 

[crisi]

When it is no longer safe or comfortable for your child.

The Disney double rentals will hold something like 100 lbs and while the average sized seven year old looks a little silly - they'll usually fit ok. At some point the kid is too tall to fit and then you don't have options.

Don't go over the recommended weight limit - especially on an older stroller - yes, you will probably be fine - but metal stresses over time and you can get nasty cuts falling through a stroller when it gives way. I watched the neighbor kid do that years ago with his sister's stroller....just goofing off in the garage. Needing stitches is no way to enjoy a Disney vacation.

 

[livndisney]

When it is no longer safe or comfortable for your child.

The Disney double rentals will hold something like 100 lbs and while the average sized seven year old looks a little silly - they'll usually fit ok. At some point the kid is too tall to fit and then you don't have options.

Don't go over the recommended weight limit - especially on an older stroller - yes, you will probably be fine - but metal stresses over time and you can get nasty cuts falling through a stroller when it gives way. I watched the neighbor kid do that years ago with his sister's stroller....just goofing off in the garage. Needing stitches is no way to enjoy a Disney vacation.

FYI-MK has new strollers that are much smaller than the blue ones. http://www.wdwinfo.com/tips_for_touring/StrollerRental.htm

 

[mickeysmyboy]

We rented a double when we went in March, DD was 7 DS was still 5. DD really didn't ride in it much and it was pain to push sometimes because both of them combined weigh close to 100 lbs! AK was a killer!

When we go in 2 weeks we're going to rent a single. DD doesn't need it. DS, who is 6 now, only needs it because I'd be affraid he'd get lost! If DD needs to ride in it at any point they can trade!

You can get a piece that connects 2 umbrella stroller to make it a double or buy a double umbrella stroller. I had a double umbrella stroller that I bought specifically for our trip in 05 because the seats reclined so the kids could sleep if they wanted. It was great!!! Well worth the $50 I paid for it, much cheaper then renting and I gave it to someone who was in need after I was done with it!

I can't wait for the day we can go to WDW without a stroller and a whole boat load of stuff!!! But, my youngest is 18 months so we still bring his stroller from home!

 

[RMulieri]

It depends on the child.My 4 yr old kept up with our pace and did not need a stroller once in Sept, nor would she have wanted one.We started out 6 months before the trip doing nightly long family walks.I have seen 4 yr olds do fine( like mine), and my 8 yr old niece needed a stroller.it just depends on your kid.

 

[cmaee]

Has anyone attached a buggy board to the back of a sit n stand or an umbrella type stroller? How big are buggy boards? Is there anyway two kids could squeeze onto one?

 

[koolaidmoms]

My children used a stroller up until our last trip this month. For my 5 yr. old it was just too much walking for a week. Think that each one of your steps are equal to 2 of theirs. If you walk 10,000+ steps at WDW and are tired think about their little legs! But we prepared this time walking quite a bit ahead of time and making sure that we took it at their pace not ours. It all really depends on your kids. I will tell you the new strollers look like they will not comfortably hold more than a 3 yr. old.

 

[skuttle]

We just went for Thanksgiving with our 5 year old DS and he didn't use a stroller this time. This was his 4th trip, but the 1st without a stroller. He did great. Not once did he ask for a stroller. When he'd get tired, we'd sit down and get a snack. It was great not having to worry about the stroller! I only missed it because when we went, it was cool in the mornings and evenings but warm in the middle of the day, so I had to carry our jackets around!

We went earlier this year in February when he was 4.5. We rented a stroller for that trip but he hardly sat in it.

I also agree that the new strollers look a lot smaller.

 

[lntsmom]

7...unless your child is particularly tiny and tires easily.




Here's the deal...if you can stuff your kid in a stroller and want to...DO IT!!!! Ignore anyone who comments. Or, if it makes you feel better, stick your tongue out at them and walk away. .

Seriously...it is nobody's business but yours!

 

[5 for WDW]

Our daughter just did 8 days in WDW without a stroller for the first time last week. She is 5 and did so well.
It all depends on the child.
I will say though, I could not believe how small the new rental strollers are. We overheard people complaining about them quite a few times. The new double looks like the old single! Just something to keep in mind.

Have a great trip!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

It's up to you actually. Some kids just can't handle all the walking that WDW entails.

We decided that my kids should be done with the stroller at 5 years old. They did great walking at WDW - we just rested more often than usual.

 

[las3888]

7...unless your child is particularly tiny and tires easily.




Here's the deal...if you can stuff your kid in a stroller and want to...DO IT!!!! Ignore anyone who comments. Or, if it makes you feel better, stick your tongue out at them and walk away. .

Seriously...it is nobody's business but yours!

ITA!!!

Really, it all depends on the child...some kids tire easily and are stroller kids and others just don't really want to be in the stroller. I'd err on the side of caution (having a stroller) and I wouldn't think twice about what anybody else might think or say if they are on the big side...

Good luck!

 

[dismom9761]

Our first trip my older three kids were 6,7 and 9 yrs old and did not use strollers.Only my youngest who was 13 mths used one.

My second trip I took the girls who were 18 mths and 6 yrs and rented a stroller one day for the oldest so that I could tour WS without her getting too tired.

My next trip we have had a hard time deciding on wether to take a stroller or not.My youngest will be almost five.I think she could do the walking but I like to take my stroller to put the cooler in. We will probably take it and if she doesn't use it, we will just leave it in the car.

I think it all depends on the child.If my DD is happier in a stroller then she can definitely sit in one.

 

[belledreamer]

Me personally, I rode the stroller until I was 7, but after that, my mom refused to push me anymore because I was too heavy...

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

it really varies. You know your children best. We got in on the double jogger swap and put it to good use. My dd age 7 used it in the evenings when she was getting tired, dd 3 used it all the time between rides. Now, next year when we go back 7 yr old dd will be ALMOST 9 and I will not let her ride the stroller so we will be in on a single swap.

 

[becca011906]

I agree it depands on the child when my kids were 5,3, 13months we took 1 double stroller and ds who was 5 walked 95% of the time. he did great. Last year my kids were 7,5,3 and we took a double and dd the 5 y/o sat in the double stroller 95% of the time. She's tiny for her age, she get tired easily when walking, so she rides, at home no she doesn't but at home neither does my now 4 y/o. So my double just sits in the shed till disney. and the kids will be 8,6,4 this time and we were thinking of getting a single to take just b/c it'd be so much easier to push around one stroller then the double. but we know our middle child and she couldn't handle walking around all day long for days at a time.