Pushchairs or walking and resting?

[milomummy]

So sorry if this post has been done before but have looked and not found anything similar...

When we go to Disney, ds will have just turned 5. Generally he is a pretty good walker, but we don't do the amount of walking here that we'll inevitably end up doing there, and I wondered what other people with similar aged children did? My friend went with her twin girls of 6 and took along a basic stroller. She said 9 times out of 10 it was used to dump coats and bags in but it was a godsend for the odd occasion when one of the girls was tired and really needed to rest.

I have a real thing about seeing older children in pushchairs, but then I also have an even bigger thing about seeing parents dragging tired and unhappy children around! DS is too heavy to be carried for any extended length of time (either that or I am just weak and feeble!)

We still have a plain basic pushchair which slightly reclines and I was wondering whether to take it 'just incase'? Or would it be more sensible to leave it, try out a day in the parks and if needed, buy a cheapy one there?

The other thing that is making me sway towards using a pushchair is the fact that I know all parks are going to be heaving (we're there 23rd Dec to 4th Jan) and I feel that DS would possibly be safer in a pushchair....like me, he is very wary of throngs of people.

I don't want to start a massive debate on how old children should be to walk/go in a pushchair or whatever, just really would like some input from others who have experienced it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tashasmum]

When we went in July we had a child of 2 and one that was 5. The 5 year old never got out of the pushchair, except to go on a ride and the 2 year old never went in hers. She was more than happy to stroll round the parks. It was at a slower pace than we are used to but it was nice not to be rushing round.

Could you maybe hire one for the first couple of days and then take it from there.

 

[alisonbestford]

The last time we had a pushchair, for Eve, was when she was 7 and we bought one from 'Walmart' ($20)

I found it invaluable for storing things when we were in the parks and would have sat in it myself, on the odd occasion, if my bottom would have fit

 

[milomummy]

I found it invaluable for storing things when we were in the parks and would have sat in it myself, on the odd occasion, if my bottom would have fit

LOL!! That sounds like a plan to me

I suppose buying a pushchair there is just like buying one here, bog standard ones are dirt cheap but flimsy and don't recline? We'll hopefully spend a few evenings in a park (providing they don't close early due to being full) to take advantage of the later opening times which I am sure I have seen posted somewhere, so I think a reclining function would be best for DS. I loathe the thought of buying something there that we already have, but I know that dragging a pushchair along with our luggage will annoy the hell out of me too.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Excessive walking around the parks is difficult for everyone, especially young children.
Our son cannot walk long distances due to his autistic condition and we have always had a buggy or small wheelchair.

I think you need to take your own stroller, you see children of all ages in them and I don't blame the parents at all, it's a lot of walking after all.

As for the debate, there isn't one - if you feel you need a stroller and it makes your life easier and holiday more enjoyable then so be it - if anyone disagrees send them my way!
Let's just say one or two CM's have had more than a telling off from me over unkind comments about my son.

*strollers/wheelchairs around parks - a subject I have strong opinions on*

 

[DjdBrit]

We went in april and at the time my kids were 2, 4 & 7. I brought the umbrella stroller for the airport and to the parks the day we were hopping. On the days I knew we were going to be at the park ALL day I rented a double. I actually have a picture of the 2 and 7 year olds asleep in it at AK!!! I never thought the oldest would sit I figured he was WAY too big but you know they were all VERY tired at different times and it really worked out. Good luck!

 

[alisonbestford]

The one we bought reclined a little and had a sun shade/'roof thing' too

 

[jns]

That is one of the things I miss now that the kids are older
pushchair was great for carrying all our stuff in
used one until DS was about 6 I think
think the last time iused one at home when he was about 2

 

[The Fetherstons]

Our DS is 6, but we are taking an umberella style stroller from Mothercare, he never uses one here, but it comes in usefull in WDW for him in he needs an afternoon nap or in an evening after dinner he tends to go to sleep and he is too heavy for us to carry around parks, through the day we park it up in a stroller park or put or baggage in it and push around.

I would say take one

 

[Snowy-girls]

Dd3 no longer uses a buggy,but we have kept her's to take with us next year.She hated being in her buggy,but i believe she will deffinatley need it in the parks only.Don't worry what anyone else thinks-the wellbeing+happiness of your child is what matters not someones hot headed opinion on what age a child should be out of using a stroller(have i been reading too many stroller threads on the US boards ).
On our last park day-i will wait to see someone entering+will happily pass it over to them(if they want it),as we have no call for it back home.x.

 

[Haworthfamily]

When our DD was 5, two years ago, we hired a stroller, I know it can add up to lots of dollars $$$'s but we didn't always need one, so glad we didn't take or buy a pushchair.
But I totally agree they are great for storing all your bits when on the move.

 

[jmagla]

Our son is 5 and hasnt used a pushchair for about a year and a half at home, but we took one last month and it was invaluable. All children are different but Alexander struggled a bit with the heat in the parks and used the pushchair quite a lot. We are back at Easter and will also be taking it then, its no bother putting it in the aircraft hold as an item of luggare.

 

[minkzebell]

The last time we went DS was 3 and DD was 1.... so they had a pushchair each, what a pain, we had to leave them outside alot of attractions, fold them down for the trams etc. This year DS7 DD5 didn't even think about taking one, it was great not having it I would suggest trying not to have one and buy a cheap one there if necessary

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We didn't need one for DD last year (who was 5 at the time) except for at MNSSHP when she was just tooooooooooo tired to walk until Midnight. (So was I but still.........)

 

[wilma-bride]

We rented a stroller at Disney about 3 times on our last trip (Daniel was 5 1/2). Once at MK in the evening, for Spectro and Wishes (partly to give him a place to sit while we were waiting around and partly in case he wanted to nap). The other times were at Epcot and HS towards the end of the trip when DS was getting tired - again, this was more for my benefit as his constant whining and dragging his feet was getting my goat

 

[paulh]

would take it with you,if its an old one dont bother bringing it back with you
Paulh

 

[alisonbestford]

would take it with you,if its an old one dont bother bringing it back with you
Paulh

 

[Dimplenose]

We never even thought to use one even on our first trip when DD was 4. We slowed down to her pace (which helped us all in the August heat) and only occassionally did DH need to carry her.

 

[joemo]

DS was 5 when we first went to Disney and was highly entertained by all the 'big kids' getting pushed around in buggies (I know, some might have actually needed them due to health).

DS is like the duracell bunny never runs out of steam......in fact if he was playing up we would threaten him with a buggy and he soon behaved!

All kids are differnet though - you know yours best.

 

[bob6sims]

Having a buggy is handy and definatley a Godsend when the kids are tired .

We found it a bit of a pain having to park the buggy, get the kids out for the rides and then locate the buggy once you come off the attraction but it was still worth having, ideal for keeping jackets (raincoats) and some goodies on - without the hassle of carrying them .