How old is too old for a stroller?

[jarendt]

Hi Everyone,

This will be my first trip with my kids (dds age 3 and 5). I was planning on having a stroller for the 3 year old. I am wondering about the 5 year old... should I be renting a double stroller?

Any thoughts would be wonderful!

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Might want to do a search of the threads-there was just a big thread on this exact topic.

And my quick answer to your question is, whenever YOU decide they're too old.

 

[LWatson]

Might want to do a search of the threads-there was just a big thread on this exact topic.

And my quick answer to your question is, whenever YOU decide they're too old.

I agree. Only you know your children. If you think they will get too tired to walk then I would say take/rent one.

 

[LauraP0409]

I agree with the other posters that said you know your child best. I will say that the last time we went My DD's were 5 and 14 months. We had a double stroller and I am glad we did. There is no way that my oldest would have been able to keep up with us.

I actually debated getting another double for them this year. They will be 3 and 7 (dd will turn 8, 2 months after we go). But I think she will be fine walking. We will just take it easy and take alot of breaks this time. But if I felt she needed the stroller I would get it for her in a heart beat.

I say do what you think is best, and have a great trip.

 

[kissy]

I agree with the op. You have to decide. I can tell you that we went to New Orleans for easter and did a ton of walking (through the zoo, the riverwalk, the quarter, etc). My dd (whose 5) did good for a bit but by the end of the 3rd day she was a wreck and exhausted so we ended up putting the baby in the carrier and her in the stroller. She'll be 6 1/2 by the time we go to Disney and I'm planning on borrowing a friends sit n stand stroller so she can use it if she needs to but won't be in the whole time.

 

[roscoepc1]

I would. I rented one one day for my 6 yr old.... By the 4th day she was dragging, so I rented on to give her a break!

BTW....I wouldn't worry about what anyone else thinks negatively...if it makes YOUR trip easier? Go for it!

 

[LauraAnn630]

Are your children used to walking 10 miles a day?

You spend a lot of money on your vacation. Why ruin it with tired, crabby kids because someone thinks they are to old for a stroller?

Do whats right for your family.

 

[richard430]

I hired a double stroller for my kids a few years back , my girl was 5 and boy 1 she loved not having to walk ,

 

[emh1129]

And my quick answer to your question is, whenever YOU decide they're too old.

Exactly.

They're your children. You're the one pushing the darn thing. It's up to you!

 

[princessmom29]

I have to agree with several PP's who said that you have to decide what is bst for your kids. This has been debated a lot on here as to wether kids really need them, and whether it is producing overweight kids ect..., but ultimately you have to do what is right for you and your kids. I think a lot depends on touring style. For us it came down to the fact that we wanted to stay at the parks 12 plus hours a day with our 5 year old and a stroller was the only way we could do that and not have a miserable child on our hands. We were prepared to go back to the hotel if needed for a nap ect rather than drag a cranky child around, but having the stroller for her to just "chill" for a bit ment that we never needed to do that. We probably could have made it without a stroller if we had taken park breaks midday, but we perferd to just take the stroller and not have to waste all that time traveling back and forth.

 

[karen624]

My 5 1/2 year old has not ridden in a stroller at home in 2 1/2 years. We took strollers for both her and my younger daughter. I am so glad we did. It is a lot of walking and a lot of people to deal with. She never complained about riding. There was plenty of time when she walked around and we pushed an empty stroller, but it was nice when we were trying to get from one end of the MK to the other, or around the World Showcase where there is a lot of walking.

 

[5 for WDW]

Like everyone else said, it depends on your child and your family. Every child is different.

For us, each of our three kids stopped using a stroller in WDW after they turned 4. We were there in December for 8 days and our 5 year old did great the entire trip without a stroller. We spend all day and most nights in the parks. The key for us is taking breaks when the kids need them. Finding a cool spot for some water and a snack and letting their legs rest. We loved not having to deal with the stroller. The buses were easier and not having to go back to the stroller parking areas (which are always busy) was such a plus! But, this is what works for our family, I know it is not the right answer for everyone.

It can be done. It just depends on the child and whether or not you think they can do it. Have a great trip!!

 

[LuvMy3Monkeys]

We have a double stroller ( the baby jogger city mini double) for our two youngest, who are 2 and 3 yrs. We will absolutely 100% use it every day no matter what in the parks.

We also have a mac quest that we took with us in Feb as a "just in case we plan a really long day" stroller for our five year old. Thank God we did!!!
Our daughter hasnt used a stroller in at least two years, and was even embarassed at the fact that I would suggest she sit in a stroller in the parks. After the first day of touring, she practically begged for it!

And regardless of what people will tell you about overweight kids, etc.... you have to make your own choice for your own kids. Who cares what other people think? And my kids are all in the 30% percentile in their weight for their ages, so obviously the stroller isn't having any effect there!

As far as naps during the day, my kids need them and I can't sleep during the day if you paid me... so the rest stop in the afternoon is strictly for the kids. My DH learned on our third day that we could save sooo much time during the day by NOT taking the disney transportation back to the hotel for the kids for a nap (not to mention they usually zonk out on the bus and then you have three sleeping kids, plus two heavy strollers to lug off the bus!!)

So what we did was when it got to be their time where crankiness set in... we reclined the seats on the strollers and headed to a corner where there wasn't much commotion, got them a drink and chilled for about 15 minutes. All three of them were OUT by the end of the fifteen minutes. We then would pull up the shades of the strollers, make sure they had plenty of shade, and we'd push them around the park and enjoy the adult things we wanted to see, without boring the kids. After walking for a while, we'd stop and enjoy some ice cream by ourselves and relax in the shade until the kids woke up. It was a relaxing and we didnt have any hassle at all!! And who doesn't love to people-watch in disney? It's entertaining to see what some folks wear/do/act like in public

Bottom line, a stroller works for our kids, the oldest being 6 when we go back... and I would just say if the kid can comfortably ride in the stroller then you're good to go

 

[MissNurse]

We went last June with a 3 and 6 year old. We rented the double stroller. I know with my kids that if one was in a stroller, the other would want to be too. I believe that it is completely up to you how to get yourself and kids around the parks. I know others have opinions otherwise, but do what works for you. If you change your mind on day 2 of your trip, there's nothing wrong with that! Trial and error is okay! Have a magical trip.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I agree, its a lot of walking so at their young age a stroller would be fine. Enjoy your trip.

 

[RMulieri]

It depends on your kid...that said my 4 yrr old last year did not use one at all and did fine. We are also going stroller-less this year too,.

 

[all4fun]

I agree, I think it totally depends on the child and the families touring style. We took a stroller to DW on our last trip when ds was 5-3/4yr old, and didn't regret it. DS didn't have the stamina for walking that far, he is by far too big for us to carry very much (he's 4' tall, about 45lbs now), and not only that, he is content to sit in the stroller and be pushed anywhere but when he's walking, he gets easily distracted (especially at a place like DW) and it just takes us longer to get places. Also, he's not big on hand-holding (just never has been) and so the stroller is a great way to keep him close in crowds. Btw, he hasn't used a stroller around home for a few years, but he certainly doesn't mind riding in one at DW. We have a jogging stroller that he still fits in that we will be taking with us on our next trip and will use it as long as we think it will be needed.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would recommend if you choose to use a double, that you either bring one with you or rent from an off-site company. Disney charges around $35 a day for their double stroller and I read that it's smaller than the older models.

 

[Ashlander]

We take a double and a single stroller just in case. The double is a sit and stand. Last year my 6 yr old hardly needed the stroller, but my 5 yr old definitely needed it as well as my 3 yr old. I just figure if I need a stroller for one I might as well bring the sit and stand and let another take a break as well. It certainly makes for less whining and wandering in my opinion.

 

[monorailsilver]

I used my Joovy on my last trip. My 2½ rode in front, my almost 5 year old sat almost the entire time in the back but my 7 yo dd fought him so we ended up with 2 kids in the back & one in front.

There were some grumbles because "He's/She's touching me" but we put that to a stop when they were offered to walk instead.