How old not to need a stroller

[alexandra uk]

At what ages have your children been able to spend a day at the parks without a stroller ?

When we go, Ds's will be 4 and 6 and I'm hoping they'll be ok without them

 

[robinb]

My 5 year old did fine in August, but we were rarely in the parks late at night. In December, however, we used the stroller for night time only since we were in the parks much later.

 

[matdamom]

We just got back, and both my girls liked to ride in the stroller. My oldest will be 6 in March, and she still used the stroller quite a bit. I was glad I brought it, especially at night.

 

[aec]

Last trip DDs were just turning 4 and 7. We did not use strollers except we rented one at EPCOT for the 4 YO. Lots of walking at EPCOT.

 

[Amirah95]

My sister's children (2 and 4) still use the stroller and they plan on taking the strollers this year. I doubt they will lose the stroller in 2007. Kids tire easily...rent or take your stroller. That's my advice.

 

[Mama2jasminANDcaitie]

We will be taking a stroller and leaving it in the car for night time use for our dd4. She is pretty energetic and minds very well. I just want to have it just in case she is pooped about dinner time.

 

[Red71]

At what ages have your children been able to spend a day at the parks without a stroller ?

When we go, Ds's will be 4 and 6 and I'm hoping they'll be ok without them

I used one last year for almost 5 and 6. We really needed it. I brought mine with me because it was $16/day for a double and we had a longer trip. This year we are only giong a couple of days, so will rent rather then have to deal with the stroller in the airport. I would think you would need it for Epcot at least.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

We still rented a stroller on our last trip....DS was 2 months shy of 5; DD had just turned 7. Of course, it's been years since we've used a stroller at home....don't even use it at the local amusement park. But Disney entails multiple days of walking. I think it'd be possible to go without it in MK and MGM if you see the attractions as you wander by them; however, if you go from one end of the park to the other repeatedly during the day to take advantage of FastPass or hit major attractions at 'slow times', it adds up to lots of walking. EPCOT is a lot of walking no matter how you do it! The strollers also come in handy for staking out a spot along parade routes. Now that the kids are older, we always rent.....the little bit of walking to get to the parks and in the minor parks is no problem....and they wouldn't fit in any stroller I've ever seen that I could buy anyway. You could always give it a try without and then rent later if you need it.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Children can really surprise you. We just got back this past friday from a wonderful eight day trip. My twins are 4 1/2 and we only rented a stroller the last day we were in the parks. We made ourselves slow down to their pace and stop to enjoy the little things. If DD was in a stroller, we wouldn't have seen her waddling around after a duck and quacking (she was cracking everyone up). They did great, even at night. Our last day in the parks was thursday and on wednesday we had a late night at MK. We went to AK on thursday and I knew they were too tired to enjoy the walking. I guess to summarize, be open to renting a stroller if you find your children really need it, but give walking at their pace a try first. Have a great trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

A lot would depend on WHEN you will be going. If it will be hot, it is likely that your 4 yo might have difficulty. If your kids regularly walk long distances (several miles at a stretch) they might be OK, but do remember to take the climate difference into account.

 

[JennsBabySky]

My almost 5 year old has been consistently riding in a stroller at Disneyland for the last year and a half. She outgrew her stroller at age 3. So, we stopped bringing it to Disneyland and she did just fine. Then I bought a new stroller for my newborn. She never walked again....

I would think it would depend on your kid(s). My daughter used to be fine without one. Now I wouldn't dare leave it behind! If one rides in the stroller, will the other one need to ride too. If this is the case, I'd bring either two singles or one doubles. Or what I used to do with my daughter was plan to walk knowing that I could always rent a stroller as a back up plan. But, if you think you might need the stroller(s) often, it might be less expensive to bring your own.

I think it would also depend on how many days you are going and for how long. Also, how much walking do your kids do now? I'd think you might be okay without one if you have only a few, shorter days planned. But if you have many packed days, it might be asking too much, even for well behaved and energetic kids. Some days, I'd like a stroller!!!

Good luck,
Jennifer

 

[Del]

We just got back from our trip last month and we did not rent one or bring one for the first time since the kids were born (dd 5 and dd 7). The trip before dd then 4 needed one. This time, we just said we'll walk it, take it easy, go at their pace and it was wonderful not having a stroller. I thought i would miss it that it would be easier to have it, the opposite is what happened to me. Good luck in your choice.

Del

 

[robinb]

My almost 5 year old has been consistently riding in a stroller at Disneyland for the last year and a half. She outgrew her stroller at age 3. So, we stopped bringing it to Disneyland and she did just fine. Then I bought a new stroller for my newborn. She never walked again....

LOL, Jennifer! My 5 year old DD begged me every morning to take the stroller. The same 5 year old who didn't use it once the previous trip. She would even hop into it in the morning as we were getting ready to go. We held fast to the "night time only" rule ... even though the thing we miss the most in it's non-child carrying capacity. I was very, very glad we used it at night. I think she fell asleep in it almost every single night which enabled us to stay out longer. It may be just me, but I wouldn't want to carry a dead-weight sleeping 45 lb kindergartner back to the busses and then up to my room when all I have to do is pack my stroller!

 

[calena]

A stroller is nice to have to keep a backpack in with bottled water, a few snacks etc. We rented one at MK for our 4-year-old even though he doesn't use one at home and it was worthwhile. He wasn't grumpy and enjoyed the day. At Epcot we walked and he was exhausted by the time the fireworks started. We are going this year, he is almost five, and looks big, and I would rent one again. We also never had anyone take anything from the stroller - hats, backpack, but I would not leave anything valuable there - just water, snacks, a jacket etc.

 

[cricket429]

We are renting one for dd who will be 6 in april.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Kids who haven't used strollers for years back home may still need a stroller at WDW. It's an awful lot of walking and we figure we'd move at a snails pace if we waited for 2 dds and ds. Plus we like being able to store our stuff in the stroller. Last summer the kids were 6, 5 and 4. We still plan to use one this summer. I'll keep them in it as long as they'll ride!

 

[Tinky]

Ours our 5 & just turned 7 so we kinda play it by ear. Most of time they hardly ever want one except for Epcot, its so much walking.... I'm usually whinning for a ECV for myself half way around WS
Your in sync with your kids, you'll know if they need one!

Have a great time!

 

[LovePug]

On our large family trip in December 2005, my nephew will have just turned 6. I think he'll need one because he's...how shall I say it....pampered being the youngest child and the only boy. I think my sister will regret it if she doesn't, at least, have one available for him.

 

[daisylove]

DD is 5 1/2 and still had stroller in Dec. I will also bring it in June when she will just be 6. I love the convenience and safety and she loves the ride.

 

[mom23boyz]

We rented a double for our DS's (8 and 4). As soon as DS8 saw it for the DS4, he wanted to ride too. It made our nights so much smoother!