Questions for the pros

[Dreameratheart]

I am repeat visitor to WDW my son will be 5 for our next trip and is on the tall side. I was wondering to stroller or not to stroller? If so should I go with a double or single? On our last trip we had our stroller stolen any tips on hot prevent that from happening this time around?

 

[kevschickee]

Hmmm I would rent or bring a stroller for him. I am renting one from a babies best friend. I am going to put a nike lock through the stroller wheel and onto the stroller that way the cms can move it but nobody can use it since it wont go.

 

[surfgirl]

this will turn into a hot topic... as it has in the past. v. strong opinions on this one.

How much does he walk now ? How does he handle being tired ? Are you a commando' type family or do you leave the parks early ? Will it be in the extreme heat of the summer or more moderate temperatures ?

All those are questions that impact the answer.

We personally were thrilled to not use a stroller this year - for our just-turned 5yo (and older sisters although they were never in doubt although I'm shocked at how old some kids are when they are still in a stroller). We go early and leave the parks early afternoon... it was *liberating* going w/o a stroller... no need to park it, find it, maneuver around people, stop and talk to the kids when they couldn't hear/I couldn't hear. Were they tired ? Absolutely. So was I. Was a good way to not push beyond our capabilities, too. also made my careful not to overpack the backpack!

ymmv.

(I apologize in advance if I've offended anyone. definitely not intended. this is just our personal experience).

 

[3_disprincesses]

I have only had to use a stroller on one visit and that was our most recent trip. I have already told my daughter we will not go again until she is 8 years old - that's so I know we will not have to take the stroller again! I hated having to fool with that thing last year! But I would gladly take it for her at age 5 if we could afford to go again. Take the stroller if you think your child will need it. I know I could never carry her from the parks to the bus stops or from the bus to the room at the end of the day. Of course you could do as others on here have suggested previously and start "training" your child for the trip. Short walks daily increasing the length of the walk each day. I did enjoy having the stroller for packages, backpack, etc each day so that is one plus for the strollers.

 

[jojo0612]

My dd is 5 and somewhat big for her age. I plan on taking the stroller but only since she has health problems (which no one would ever guess by looking at her). I know I will get strange looks at times, but I am doing what's best for her. There's no way she could walk the whole time. So I guess you need to do what's right for you and your son! Have fun!

 

[momma of 2]

we are going on trip #3 in 2 weeks and my husband and I decided not to bring the stroller. our kids are 5 and 4. we have to do the buses this year so we do not want to deal with that again. we plan on renting strollers at the parks (if needed). both my kids are little for their age but they seem to do better w/o because they fight over who gets what seat. last year we stayed at contemporary and the stroller was great because we walked to mk and used the monorail alot but with the buses it can be a pain.

 

[Tiger926]

Our DD who just turned 6 is very athletic, healthy and strong. Does not use a stroller at home, but uses it on vacation. There is so much activity on a WDW vacation, combined with growing pains, and she needs it. Plus, we go in July, and you are literally walking through walls of humidity, and that slows muscles down very much.

I always laugh at people on here who claim that their kids won't need strollers and so they put them on fitness regimens before they arrive - this is all fine and dandy, but once you actually get to the parks, all bets are off. We are DVC members and take a very easy pace, and she still needs a stroller, heck, I needed a stroller as we just came back from 14 days in the oppressive July heat!

I would definitely plan on a stroller as the body can only take so much activity - with changes in eating, sleeping, behaviour, and daily schedules, these all affect how our kids can handle the stresses of vacation at WDW.

As an aside, we got tons of stares, and comments from rude little children and adults who questioned why she was in a stroller - just be prepared. We are great at ignoring as it's no one's business as we are very kind stroller users (we never let our 2 strollers infringe on anyone's rights at all) and so it didn't bother us at all. Our DD and I talked about it one time as a child made a rude comment, and our very courteous and well mannered child said that each person needs help in different ways, and this is what she needed help with. From the mouthes of babes!

Good luck, Tiger

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't take one for a 5 yr old. Both my kids did fine at Disney when they were 5 without one and as a PP said it is so liberating to not have to deal with one! no maneuvering thru the sea of people and other strollers, no having to retrieve it each time! I don't know about you but my kids have a ton more energy than I do and if I can walk it they surely can.

 

[GoofyFairie]

No stroller here. We don't walk every day, but my 4 yr old did just fine w/out a stroller. We made sure to rest if the kids needed it and we didn't carry anyone because they were tired, but we don't go commando in the parks. DH was the only one who was tired. You know your family and what their stamina is and you know what Disney is like. Base your decision on that. Like a PP stated, I was glad that I didn't have to deal with a stroller. Have a great time!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I also am debating the stroller. DD will just barely be 6 when we go in December. I think that she should be able to make it without one and it sounds heavenly not to have it. We are going to start walking as a family to try and prepare her for it.....but depending on how she is doing we might still take it. She is just too big to be carried and if she truly is too tired to walk then I'm not going to make us all miserable because she is "too big" for a stroller. She still fits the guidelines for it's use so in my opinion she isn't too big if she needs it.

 

[tartemis]

I am repeat visitor to WDW my son will be 5 for our next trip and is on the tall side. I was wondering to stroller or not to stroller? If so should I go with a double or single? On our last trip we had our stroller stolen any tips on hot prevent that from happening this time around?

Do you have another child? I guess i'm wondering why you would even be considering a double-stroller. In full disclosure, I have a mini-mision to reduce the number of double-strollers in parks and society as a whole. I do think that they cause severe congestion issues in the parks and on transportation. (And yes, I am a mother.)

On another note, I know everyone on here that has a 5 or 6 year old in a stroller will claim this is not their child, but I can't help but see a correlation between the rise in obesity and the rise in age in which it seems to be societally acceptable to have a child in a stroller. My brother and I never used a stroller past the age of 2.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Do you have another child? I guess i'm wondering why you would even be considering a double-stroller. In full disclosure, I have a mini-mision to reduce the number of double-strollers in parks and society as a whole. I do think that they cause severe congestion issues in the parks and on transportation. (And yes, I am a mother.)

On another note, I know everyone on here that has a 5 or 6 year old in a stroller will claim this is not their child, but I can't help but see a correlation between the rise in obesity and the rise in age in which it seems to be societally acceptable to have a child in a stroller. My brother and I never used a stroller past the age of 2.

I won't argue that the two could be correlated....but just out of curiosity were you and your brother walking the distances necessary during a WDW vacation? DD doesn't use her stroller at home and hasn't for probably a year....we do the zoo, mall etc and she does just fine. She is in gymnastics and dance and is far from obese and is pretty active. But I'm not sure she could make it for 8 straight days of the amount of walking necessary at WDW. If your child(ren) can then I think that's great. I am sincerely hoping that DD can....but I'm not going to ruin a vacation over something that is easily fixed by a stroller if it is necessary.

 

[Tiger926]

Do you have another child? I guess i'm wondering why you would even be considering a double-stroller. In full disclosure, I have a mini-mision to reduce the number of double-strollers in parks and society as a whole. I do think that they cause severe congestion issues in the parks and on transportation. (And yes, I am a mother.)

On another note, I know everyone on here that has a 5 or 6 year old in a stroller will claim this is not their child, but I can't help but see a correlation between the rise in obesity and the rise in age in which it seems to be societally acceptable to have a child in a stroller. My brother and I never used a stroller past the age of 2.

This could be true, but everyone knows their child best. My just turned DD6 is as tall as a 7 year old, and weighs like 55lbs. She is so active and energetic, but at Disney in July with 100 degree weather and oppressive humidity, your muscles slag big time, BTDT for 9 years in a row. It is what it is...our DD decides when she needs her stroller and that is fine by us.

It's honestly a very personal decision, but is always heavily debated on these boards as so many people have decided that kids don't need strollers past a certain age, which is funny, because I have the same opinions about many behaviours that adults engage in, yet I keep my opinions to myself in this regard.

Like I said, it depends upon what time of year you go to WDW - if you go during oppressive summer months, all bets are off. The body is seriously pushed to its limits, and strollers help to prevent body meltdowns.

On a related note, I saw many parents trying to handle little babies/children without strollers - I saw some children who needed to be brought to emergency, I kid you not. Between the heat and humidity, and being forced to walk endless amounts of miles each day, these children were in serious need of medical attention, so please parents, I implore you to not make a stand against obesity, Disney's financial bottom line or your foolish pride, in the name of your child/chilren's health and wellbeing.

Good luck to OP in making this decision, Tiger

 

[momma of 2]

I agree on this point-my children by no means are obese-my dd is almost 6 and weighs 38 pounds (smaller than some 3 year olds) and she gets tired on a day to day basis. zoo trips-mall trips-especially wdw trips strollers are sometimes needed-thats just my 2 cents

 

[tartemis]

I won't argue that the two could be correlated....but just out of curiosity were you and your brother walking the distances necessary during a WDW vacation? DD doesn't use her stroller at home and hasn't for probably a year....we do the zoo, mall etc and she does just fine. She is in gymnastics and dance and is far from obese and is pretty active. But I'm not sure she could make it for 8 straight days of the amount of walking necessary at WDW. If your child(ren) can then I think that's great. I am sincerely hoping that DD can....but I'm not going to ruin a vacation over something that is easily fixed by a stroller if it is necessary.

Hard to say -- we never went to WDW. But we did do the zoo, hiking and other outdoor activities that I think would be equivalent. FWIW, my mom claims that if kids today had to endure the crappy umbrella strollers that were the only strollers available back in the day that they, too, wouldn't want to be in the stroller.

 

[badblackpug]

Okay, I will admit it. My kids are far from athletic, and 2 of them are on the chubby side. They have never used a stroller past age 3. They have walked all the parks, every day. Were they tired at the end of the day? Yes! Was I? Yes! They did not whine, cry or have a tantrum. They just never expected to have a stroller because they had long since given it up at home. I really think the average 5 year old (one without disabilities or delays) can walk the parks. I know a lot of parents use the stroller because it makes it more convenient for them. ie: "I don't have to listen to them complain." "It is easier to keep track of them." But I look at it this way, I am not wearing myself out pushing big kids in a stroller so that they are well rested by the end of the day and I am exhausted!

 

[jodifla]

5 was the last time we used a stroller for DS, now 7.

But ignore naysayers...if you feel your child will need it, then go ahead!

 

[Hannathy]

Okay, I will admit it. My kids are far from athletic, and 2 of them are on the chubby side. They have never used a stroller past age 3. They have walked all the parks, every day. Were they tired at the end of the day? Yes! Was I? Yes! They did not whine, cry or have a tantrum. They just never expected to have a stroller because they had long since given it up at home. I really think the average 5 year old (one without disabilities or delays) can walk the parks. I know a lot of parents use the stroller because it makes it more convenient for them. ie: "I don't have to listen to them complain." "It is easier to keep track of them." But I look at it this way, I am not wearing myself out pushing big kids in a stroller so that they are well rested by the end of the day and I am exhausted!

I totally agree!

 

[WDWorBUST]

Hard to say -- we never went to WDW. But we did do the zoo, hiking and other outdoor activities that I think would be equivalent. FWIW, my mom claims that if kids today had to endure the crappy umbrella strollers that were the only strollers available back in the day that they, too, wouldn't want to be in the stroller.

You are probably right about that one As a mom I probably wouldn't be willing to push one of those either

 

[mom2aredhead]

My son gave up the stroller at WDW about age 4, and we've been fine. It was very liberating to be able to get out of an attraction and just GO without having to search for where the CM moved the stroller while we were gone, and reload him and our stuff in it.

On a side note, giving up the stroller also meant I had to pare down my park bag since there was no more basket on the bottom to carry it.

Honestly, he did fine...even in AK, which is usually the park that is the dealbreaker for leaving the stroller home. There's plenty of time to rest while waiting on line...