How old is too old for a stroller?

[squirrel]

I'll be bringing a strroller for my almost 6 yr old niece. It's just too hot and too long a day walking for her.

 

[bookgirl]

Too old for a stroller is when they are too heavy to push or the stroller wheels turn out from thier weight.


Honestly we kept umbrella stollers for my nephews until they were 6, because after a few hours at the fair or mall or festival they were too tired to keep up. Thier legs are way shorter and it's 3X as much work for them to keep up with the adults. We got rid of them because they were too heavy for them anymore.

But for a year or less before getting rid of them we hardly ever had that same problem. They both grew a few inches that summer they were turning six and it seems like their legs had finally "matured", and they no longer lagged behind, so since we had been using them less and they didn't seem to mind anymore so we just got rid of them.

 

[cuppycake]

I have 2 girls ages 4 and 6. Last year, when they were 3 and 5, we brought our Maclaren umbrella stroller and they shared it. For the beginning of the day, they didn't really care about it, but by the end of the night, they were taking turns.

We loved being able to stick the older one in it to leave the parks (we usually stayed for the fireworks/shows). We would give the little one a shoulder ride, and we could walk pretty stinking fast that way!

We will do the same this year.

 

[Poohbug]

It's so subjective. How hot is it going to be? Do you go commando in the parks? Is your kid a slow walker? So many variables.

If you are undecided then I would take a stroller or at least be prepared to rent if needed. You can always leave it in the room if it turns out your little one can handle the walk. ( or not rent)

 

[DINKDisneyAddict]

I'm 31, and if I could find someone to push me in a stroller around Disney, I would be all over it!

 

[mom2princessj]

We used one in January for our 5 yr old dd and will bring it again in December...she will be 6 by then. I agree its up to you. My kids are skinny as rails but dd gets tired and will complain alot...just her nature so I'd rather have a happy kid with an umbrella stroller to rest her legs than deal with complaining all day or dh putting her on his shoulders and then hurting himself or whatever. Our 4 year old is very rambunctious so he's in a stroller for sure...he probably could walk but I feel much safer keeping track of him in a stroller

 

[natnelliesmom]

My girls are 4 and 6 and we'll be bringing a double stroller for our trip in October. They are small for their ages, but even if they were big kids.. I wouldn't care!
There is A LOT of walking in WDW. It starts with a walk to the bus early in the morning. and ends with a walk to the resort room late at night. Sometimes they walk, sometimes they ride. But we NEVER have tired legs, whiny voices, or unhappy kids! The stroller keeps them well rested and this allows everyone to enjoy the trip.
It allows us to bring in a soft-side cooler, larger camera bag, and rain coats too! I'd never carry that stuff around without a stroller!
I also like to have them in it for thick crowds, like after Fantasmic, and for navigating quickly from one side of the park to the other.
-Sarah

 

[RahRah573]

Last year I hadn't even considered a stroller for DS4 since he hadn't been in one for years.....he's just non-stop energy so it never crossed my mind to bring a stroller or prepare to rent one! We wound up renting a stroller for one evening when he really was just tuckered out.....even though he's a very active kid, Disney walking was really much more than he typically expends, energy-wise, each day and he asked for a stroller, so we got him one - next day he didn't ask, so we were stroller-free for the rest of the trip. I still wonder if it was that he really, really needed one, or just that he saw other kids in strollers and wanted one too? Who knows - all I know is I was tired by the point he asked, so I'm of the opinion he needed it - heck, I would have liked one too, but couldn't find any volunteers to push me around!! LOL

 

[cheap traveler]

I second the use of the sit-n-stand stroller. My DD will be 5 1/2 on our trip this year, and the stroller will be a lifesaver I'm sure. She hasn't used a stroller at home in over 2 years, but really likes it at Disney. This stroller will make her feel more independent, and I can ask her to stand on it if we need to hurry someplace - image: dashing out of the rain

Don't worry about a set age to stop using it, just do what feels right and makes your kids happy!

 

[taymacsmom]

Heck yeah!! If you are pushing a stroller anyway for the younger one you might as well have a seat for the older one. I will be going with a 4 year old and never even considered not using a stroller. I am beat at the end of the day, heck I am beat in the middle of the day! I can only imagine what kind of madness would ensue if my son was expected to walk all day. Plus I find it invaluable for carrying snacks, water, ponchos, etc. I am not sure where I would put all that stuff if I didn't have a stroller!?!