not bringing strollers for young kids...your thoughts

[disney funseeker]

We are planning our 4th trip to WDW. and most likely staying on-site for the first time.

If we do stay on-site, we are considering not bringing the strollers for our 3.5 and 5 yr old kids.

Last year neither one fell asleep in the stroller like they normally did in the past. We parked the strollers for extended periods at certain rides and ended up walking without them a lot. One rainy day, we even left them (the strollers) behind at the hotel. If the kids got tired we carried them on our shoulders.

I'm more inclined to bring strollers but it would be so nice this year not having to bring 2 car seats and 2 strollers as well. Plus we can easily go back to the resort to rest if necessary. Our 5 yr. old is very petite, only 30lbs and a great walker but she can still be easily carried on our shoulders if it had to come to that.

Anyone ever tried going without a stoller for young children? Did it work out or not?

 

[Danemom]

Yes, I have gone with young kids and not used a stroller! It worked out fine for us. We hadn't been using them for the mall, etc for quite a while. My kids were 3 and 5 also.

We went in October (less lines!) and tried to alternate sitting rides and meals after long periods of walking. We also went back to the hotel most days for a swim/rest time. We did have tired kids at the end of the day - of course! - but we didn't have any feet related problems like blisters.

From reading other threads it seems like most people do rely on strollers until their children are much older, so it really depends on your kids. If you think your children are ready, I'd try it! You can always rent a stroller if you need to!

 

[BevS97]

we used one with our 4 1/2 year old last year, and I found it useful for carrying stuff as much as anything else. One day it got soaked in the rain, and my dd had no choice but to walk all around Epcot WS and she did fine.
This year we are going in December when she will be just 6, and we will not be taking a stroller for her (although we will still need one for the new baby). I think if we really need one for her we can rent one, but I don't think that will be very often, maybe just if we stay out for a late night.

I have to say, I am missing the stroller in everyday life - it is so nice to have somewhere to stash the shopping, the cooler bag, the coats etc, I don't know how we will cope at Disney with no stroller at all!

Bev

 

[beattyfamily]

For us, there's no way we could go without a stroller for our 3 year old. She doesn't like walking much and will end up always on my DH's shoulders and that will get old fast.

If I were you, I'd bring at the very least a light umbrella stroller for the younger one for DTD or Epcot or even AK but you probably won't need it for MK and maybe not MGM.

We also enjoy having them to hold stuff, for our DD to nap in and get in when she's tired and even to hold a parade spot that no one can steal when we're not looking!! It's harder to steal a stroller-held spot than a spot my DD standing in...she's easier to push over...it's happened where she gets edged out.

Good luck!

 

[peg2001]

Kudos! What a refreshing post. As long as you are willing to go at the children's pace and take breaks as needed, leave the stroller at home! I rarely post a response to these but all the posts about needing strollers for 5, 6, 7, and 8 year olds really has me rolling my eyes.

People even post about insisting on using a stroller so they can go much faster. I guess if their vacation is this hectic, they'll need the stroller.

Peggy

 

[luvaladdin]

We used strollers for both our boys. It was a pain taking everything out and folding them up to get on the bus, but my boys would not walk that much without fussing. We did find it helpful to stash all our stuff in the bottom of the strollers. We even used it for DS6 because he doesn't like to walk much. The walk from the bus stop to the first attraction in the park is a long walk already and if you are going from the bus stop at MK to Dumbo, for instance, you will have a long walk before you even get to go on the first ride. Obviously people have different opinions and you know your children best. Using strollers definitely helped my family.

 

[perpetualplanner]

I think you'd be fine without one. I personally have taken one for my boys but we usually just store stuff and use it at the very end of the evening for the kids. It really came in handy on our last trip though since we went through the stomach flu and my kids couldn't last as long on foot. If they are used to walking at the mall, etc. then they should be fine - just remember their legs are shorter so a little walking to us may be a lot to them.

 

[laceemouse]

I would go without and then rent if you need to. We prefer to rent anyway, no hassling with the strollers on the tram, monorail, etc... Good luck!

 

[deb305]

OP,
We usually rent a stroller in the park for DD 5yrs, and probably will till she 7 or so. The reasoning is we spend so much on the vacation, I'd hate to have the day ruined with an exhausted child. The stroller allows us to keep going, and to have a child less prone to temper flare ups that result from extreme exhaustion. We noticed from touring local amusement parks lately that she goes increasingly further and longer with out needing one. Usually by 3:00 she collapses in it. Since we pay the same weither (sp) we get it first thing in the morning or late in the day, we just go ahead and get it early. Having the extra space for our stuff (cokes, food etc) is nice too
In the end, you know your kids the best, do what makes you and them feel good.

 

[dijid]

It sounds like you can go without them. My kids are great walkers and I can spend almost 3 hours at the zoo without a stroller for my not quite 4yo DD and 23mo DS. That's right - my DS who isn't even 2 can walk for almost 3 hours. I carry him 3 times for only a couple minutes and he does all right. We take it his pace, and keep his harness on, and it seems to be fine. My DD didn't use a stroller at WDW, but then again we never were at the parks for more than 4 hours at a time before heading back to the hotel for a break. DH often carried her on his shoulders to the parking lot, but that was the only time and they both enjoyed that.

I say go for it! Enjoy your freedom. If you don't have to access lots of stuff constantly, try renting a locker and really feel free!

 

[LKS]

We stopped taking a stroller once we didn't have an infant, but rented them for a number of years longer just at Epcot. Really, walking around that world showcase is quite a haul. Renting a double stroller that the 3 kids could take turns in really saved their legs. At the other 3 parks, the attractions are so close together that we found the strollers more trouble than they were worth.

 

[Stimpy]

It really depends on your kids. My DS never liked his stroller. We took a stroller on DS first trip when he was 1....he wanted to push the stroller the whole time rather than ride in it. It became a pain in the neck, slowed us down alot and stressed me out b/c I was afraid he might hit someone. (He didn't )

We took it the next year when he was 2, thinking, maybe he'll get tired. Nope, he wanted nothing to do with it. Again it was more of an inconvenience b/c we kept having to drop it off and then go find it again.

The last 2 x's we went, we left it home and it was so much easier! It "forced" us into leaving all the non-essentials in the room. We didn't have to hunt it down, especially helpful after shows. We rented a stoller at Epcot, called it his "spaceship" and kept him contained while we went through World Showcas

We're going again in Sept '03, he'll be almost 4 and have no problem leaving it home.