Is a stroller really needed?

[kohlby]

I normally use a sling. My DS will be barely 3 and has never been a stroller baby. It's amazing how far the child can walk without getting tired. We've brought the stroller to the zoo before and just pushed the empty stroller around for hours. He stopped talking naps recently. (He's currently 28 months). He fights sleep - to the point that he stays up past midnight when we go to the drive-in! So, I seriously doubt he'll nap in a stroller. (As a baby, he wouldn't even nap in a stroller!) DS is no longer carried at all in a sling but has more energy than me these days!

However, we'll have a 2 month old with us as well. My DS was a sling baby. I carried him in the sling from birth until 33 pounds constantly. He cried with the stroller so he had to be in the sling. The plan is to bring a sling - like a Maya Wrap - for the baby. Then DS will walk. Since we're going at the end of May, I'm thinking we might have to go back to the room to cool down mid-day for a couple hours anyways. (We're not staying on-site, but not too far away).

So, can I get away without the hassle of a stroller? I'm worried about navigating the stroller, worried about it being stolen, and worried about pushing an empty stroller. We will be driving down to Disney so we do have enough car space. Thanks to the sling, I've never had to rely on a stroller.

Do I really need to take a stroller?

 

[tjmw2727]

Since you are driving anyway I would take the stroller. Better to have it if you need it than pay the $10.00 per day if you end up wanting one. Not only that but the rentals will not be an option for the 2mo so you will be stuck.

WDW can be overwhelming and your 3yo may just ride as there is sooo much to see. Your baby may also fall asleep and the stroller will be handy to lay him down for comfort (his and yours). My two were very different, my oldest would not nap in the stroller but my youngest would sleep on a log so you never know.

If you drive to the parks and don't want to deal with it the first day leave it in the car and see how it goes. I think it will be handy, even as just a place to store your things and a seat for parades and shows for your older son.

I am thinking better safe than sorry - since you already have a stroller and are driving no worries. FWIW I have never had a stroller stolen nor anything I have left in the stroller touched.

Considering the number of 5,6,7 and even 8yos who use a stroller at WDW it is alot of walking and at the young age of 2/3 your older child will probably welcome the break.

TJ

 

[gopack]

I just returned from Disney with my 6 yr old. We rented a stroller for him and he refused to get in it the first day. By the second day he was thrilled to go in the stroller. He is also very high energy and has not used a stroller for years (except Disney trips). It will be a lot easier for you to keep up with your child in a stroller. He may resist at first, but I bet he will eventually want to use it. I don't think it is a hassle at all to have a stroller and actually they are handy to carry around diapers, etc. for your younger child.

 

[egoldber]

My DD4 can easily go one day at Disney without a stroller. Its the second, third, fourth, etc. days that she really NEEDS the stroller! Since you're driving, take it.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Bring the stroller! It is so worth it when tired legs rule!

 

[rjthkids]

My kids are sling babies too. Oh my gosh, both the four year old and the 17 month old would throw *fits* if I tried to get them in a stroller. My suggestion for you--- do you have a backpack carrier that you could put older DS in? Either a frame or a soft carrier like Ergo? My four year old can stil easily be carted around for hours in the Ergo, and it doesn't cause me any strain. For some reason, she'll hang out in the Ergo for *hours* but will scream if I even attempted to put her in a stroller. Don't ask me why!

That being said, Ergos and hardshell carriers are pricey. I just bought a new Ergo a few months ago and it was 85 dollars new. I think you can get some on ebay for slightly cheaper, but I have never seen one for less than sixty, even used. So, if you have a stroller already, you might find it makes more sense to take the stroller any try it out. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but you are not out any money, so no harm in trying right?

Personally, we are not taking a stroller. We don't own one, it's not convenient to travel with one any way. We do plan on taking our hotsling and our Ergos and I assume when the four year old gets tired my husband will carry her while I carry my son in the sling.

 

[tjmw2727]

My kids are sling babies too. Oh my gosh, both the four year old and the 17 month old would throw *fits* if I tried to get them in a stroller. My suggestion for you--- do you have a backpack carrier that you could put older DS in? Either a frame or a soft carrier like Ergo? My four year old can stil easily be carted around for hours in the Ergo, and it doesn't cause me any strain. For some reason, she'll hang out in the Ergo for *hours* but will scream if I even attempted to put her in a stroller. Don't ask me why!

That being said, Ergos and hardshell carriers are pricey. I just bought a new Ergo a few months ago and it was 85 dollars new. I think you can get some on ebay for slightly cheaper, but I have never seen one for less than sixty, even used. So, if you have a stroller already, you might find it makes more sense to take the stroller any try it out. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but you are not out any money, so no harm in trying right?

Personally, we are not taking a stroller. We don't own one, it's not convenient to travel with one any way. We do plan on taking our hotsling and our Ergos and I assume when the four year old gets tired my husband will carry her while I carry my son in the sling.

ITA - except at WDW, for us the backpack carrier just dosen't work as it is in and out in and out and there really is no where safe to leave a backpack carrier while on the rides (we loved our kelty) and I would not leave it with the strollers. Unlike a hike or other outing the kids are hopping in and out of the stroller at WDW. My dd's are 2 years apart so we would usually rent a stroller and use a sling as well. Then we would park the stroller in each land and use it to move between the lands. The 4yo will probably be fine except for evenings, animal kindgom (very hot and lots of walking) and maybe the last few days. Perhaps if you need to rent you can call it a cart or something other than a stroller so your older child can feel free to rest.

If you don't need it then great but please don't rule it out as I think even your 4yo will need a rest. My rule of thumb is "whatever works" so I want to warn you that you may want a stroller, perhaps throw an extra few $$ into the budget just in case.

TJ

 

[kohlby]

Thanks everyone for your input.
I'm set on a sling for the baby. I just feel better with wearing a baby that young. I looked up the Ergo's and am not going to spend the money on the chance that DS won't sit in it. They do look helpful though in most cases! Also, the height on the Ergo for the adult is for over 5' to 6'4" and under. I'm barely over 5' but short-waisted. My husband and 6'5". So, I'm not sure it would fit either of us.

I do think I'll throw an umbrella stroller in the car on the off chance the toddler will ride in it based on your suggestions. It was a freebie so it's no big deal if anything happens to it. It's never been used so might as well try! I'll be wearing a backpack so I don't really need a spot to store our stuff. (Plus the extras like more diapers than needed, extra outfits, etc. can be in the car instead of on me! I'll be breastfeeding so I won't have to mess with bottles or anything).

 

[crisi]

I'd rent one if you need it. My son was a walker, and we pushed empty strollers around the zoo as well. We rented one at Disney, but he mostly walked.

You may want a stroller for Epcot. You probably won't use one at MK (ours got parked most of the day.)

I'd rather run to the front of the park for a rental than push around an empty stroller. But I'm not a stroller person.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you end up taking the umbrellas and are concerned abou tit getting taken...you can fold it up and carry it in most places.

 

[rjthkids]

ITA - except at WDW, for us the backpack carrier just dosen't work as it is in and out in and out and there really is no where safe to leave a backpack carrier while on the rides (we loved our kelty) and I would not leave it with the strollers. Unlike a hike or other outing the kids are hopping in and out of the stroller at WDW. My dd's are 2 years apart so we would usually rent a stroller and use a sling as well. Then we would park the stroller in each land and use it to move between the lands. The 4yo will probably be fine except for evenings, animal kindgom (very hot and lots of walking) and maybe the last few days. Perhaps if you need to rent you can call it a cart or something other than a stroller so your older child can feel free to rest.

If you don't need it then great but please don't rule it out as I think even your 4yo will need a rest. My rule of thumb is "whatever works" so I want to warn you that you may want a stroller, perhaps throw an extra few $$ into the budget just in case.

TJ

TJ-- thanks for the heads up...I appreciate it. To be honest, I had never really thought out the hard backpack, simply because we don't have one. The Ergo is a soft shell carrier and it's very quick and easy to get a child in and out, and it folds up and stores in a small bag without a problem, so we wouldn't need to worry about leaving it some where. My four year loves being in it and we regularly hike 10 miles roundtrip every two weeks in good weather, so we are well used to long walks with her in the Ergo and my son in the sling.

That being said, I appreciate the advice and of course, my child's needs come before any pre-formed opinions on strollers. So, if it happens that she really wanted a stroller and was willing to sit in it, I would definitely rent one.

kohlby--- I just make the height requirements for the Ergo, so that's not a problem, but I agree that it is very pricey if it is not something you would use on a regular basis! It sounds like you have workable plan...if you already own the umbrella stroller, what's the harm in bringing it?

 

[kohlby]

Just checked- the umbrella stroller is only for up to 35 pounds. So it won't work for our son. We do have a Combi stroller which is up to 45 pounds, but not an umbrella one. Guess we'll throw that in the car.

 

[meghan74]

Just my two cents, I think that you will be happy to either have your own stroller or the funds set aside to rent one, should the need arise. My dd is 4 1/2 and still uses a stroller almost all of the time at WDW. Usually we do not need it much at MK. On those days, we just park it next to the first attraction (usually the Pooh ride) and leave it there until we need it. I have left it in the same spot for more than 4 hours without anything happening to it. I wouldn't leave anything valuable in it, but the actual stroller should be fine.

I noticed that you mentioned leaving the diapers, etc. in your car. You might want to bring everything that you will need for the day into the park with you. You can always rent a locker if you need to. It can take quite awhile to get to your car and you probably won't want to make a trip to the parking lot unless you are ready to leave for awhile.

 

[flminivanmama]

hi fellow baby wearers

we love having the stroller even when we are wearing the baby because we stick all our stuff in it LOL

the patapum is a little less than the ergo...

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks everyone for your input.
I'm set on a sling for the baby. I just feel better with wearing a baby that young. I looked up the Ergo's and am not going to spend the money on the chance that DS won't sit in it. They do look helpful though in most cases! Also, the height on the Ergo for the adult is for over 5' to 6'4" and under. I'm barely over 5' but short-waisted. My husband and 6'5". So, I'm not sure it would fit either of us.

I do think I'll throw an umbrella stroller in the car on the off chance the toddler will ride in it based on your suggestions. It was a freebie so it's no big deal if anything happens to it. It's never been used so might as well try! I'll be wearing a backpack so I don't really need a spot to store our stuff. (Plus the extras like more diapers than needed, extra outfits, etc. can be in the car instead of on me! I'll be breastfeeding so I won't have to mess with bottles or anything).

ITA about wearing baby but Just FYI in regards to leaving diapers and "stuff in the car' it will be a LONG way away. There is no parking at the Magic Kingdom you will have to park at the Transportation center and take a boat or monorail to the MK. This can take as little as 15 minutes and as much as 30. The other parks are closer but you still may have to take a tram to the car. I would bring what you need for a day at the parks into the parks with you. Even a locker will be a hike if you are at the other corner of the park. I would not leave anything in the car that you may need, just FYI.
TJ

 

[kohlby]

I wasn't talking about all diapers, just the extra emergency ones. I always overpack stuff like that since I worry what-if the poop number multiply by 3 and we run out of diapers. I'll pack what I think we need in the backpack, but that shouldn't be all that much since we're planning on going back to the room early afternoon for a couple hours and then heading out again. Though I will leave the stroller in the car since I hate the idea of pushing an empty stroller if not needed.

 

[Lesley]

Definitely bring the stroller. Maybe you'll find you don't need it, but its likely you will. My oldest was a stroller hater from the beginning (probably because I didn't wear him nearly as much as have with my younger ones) and BEGGED for a stroller our first day of our first trip to WDW. He was about 4 1/2. I almost didn't bring it with us and hadn't brought it to the parks that day....we rented. He was desperate to get off his feet within a hour.

I've taken a variety of carriers plus the stroller for my girls....Maya Wrap (fits easily in the backpack/diaper bag), Baby Trekker (like the Ergo only uglier) and a didymos. I usually pick the carrier by what we'll be doing that day.

If you keep your visits to the park short, you might also be able to get by strollerless....we've found a couple hours to be the limit on that before our youngest was born and when she was still tiny. Sure was nice to go cargoless for a bit! I think in another 2-3 years we'll be back to that again. We did miss the stroller as a place to stash stuff.

Also, I wouldn't leave the stroller in the car....if its empty just park it somewhere and come back for it later. It'll be a lot easier than having to trek all the way back to the car for it if you find you need it. The chances of it being stolen are very slim. And you can easily get diapers in the park if you run out....so don't worry about bringing too few.

 

[Bird-Mom]

You could push the stroller in and leave it in a stroller parking area.

My dds are both sling babies. The older one is 3.5 and she takes long hikes (several miles) without complaint. On our second day at Disney, she was begging to ride in the stroller. We ended up renting one for the evening because it was too much of a pain to go back to the car. I slung the younger one-14 months-most of the time. Next trip we are going to rent to avoid dragging the double monster stroller around.

 

[egoldber]

You could push the stroller in and leave it in a stroller parking area.

This is what we do. We bring the stroller to Fantasyland, leave it parked somewhere central (like the Carrousel), and then do a bunch of stuff in Fantasyland. When we leave Fantasyland, we then take it to the next place and do the same thing. That way we have it close by, don't need to move it from attraction to attraction (which is a pain), but still have it when we need to move large distances quickly.

 

[IwannaseeMickey]

Does anyone get nervous a left stroller might get stolen? We leave in a few days, and have it set to borrow my sis in law's double jogger. It's nice, has a front swivel wheel and a breeze to push. We are taking it w/ the understanding that we'll replace it if something happens to it....about $160, or we can rent one for $16 a day for 5 days.

While it's easier to rent, I'd like to save the $80 and bring ours!