Re: Should I bring a stroller for my 6 year old?

[Malela9]

We have decided to go to Disney and have Disneyland Annual passes. My 6 year old complains walking around there, so I can just imagine the drama not taking a stroller! (She has always ridden in one at WDW.)
My family does not want to take one, but I think she needs one to rest in from time to time. Hey, I get tired with all the walking! Has anyone ever taken a stroller for a child this age? Am I off my rocker?
Help!
PS. We are going in late July/ early August.

 

[frkymcky]

Last year we travelled with our DD6, we did not bring a stroller and she did fine. We did have to sit alot and take it slow because I had an injured foot and was wearing a boot. This year, actually in 2 days, we are travelling with DD (now 7) and DS3, we rented a double stroller. Do I think she will be in the stroller? NO. Do I think she will argue with DB just because it's something else to argue about if I had a single? YES

I don't expect DS to be in it much, but I'd rather have it and not stress. I rented our for the week total cost was $90 with tax and they deliver to the resort as well as pick up.

I can tell you that you will get many opinions, my opinion is to do what is best for YOU and your DD.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This is something you have to decide for yourself. But, you have to consider this: Do you think your child NEEDS a strollers? Or would you bring it just so you don't have to hear complaints?

Personally, I wouldn't do it, but then again, I hate strollers. I'd rather carry a 2 year old around all day than bring a stroller.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My DD strolled *Mac Volo at WDW last Oct. ~ it was miserably hot & humid *we had a great time ~ I can only assume that when you're there it'll be much worse + crowds! Bring the stroller!

 

[nmmom95]

If you think she needs it, bring it. My DS was 6 on our last trip. He hasn't used a stroller at home since he was about 2 1/2, but he needed to sit sometimes at WDW. We rented one and he did use it when he got tired.

 

[monkeybug]

I just bought a double stroller to use with my 4 year old and the baby that's due in September. It's what I'm taking, and I'm sure my 7 year old daughter will want to ride in it. Normally I wouldn't let her ride in a stroller, and normally she wouldn't want to, but Disney world isn't our "normal" by any means. Florida is hot, and if you aren't acclimated to it, it's really, really hot! That kind of heat can really zap a kids energy, and we find that a little break in the stroller with the clip on fan and some cool water goes a long way in preventing meltdowns, and it's just easier to have fun and enjoy yourself if your comfortable! I also like the fact that it's easier to navigate and keep track of the kids if they are both seated, so if I'm trying to get somewhere relatively fast, I ask the kids to sit in the stroller.
Both my kids are fit, healthy, and active, and I don't see any reason why it's inappropriate to allow them use a stroller for the few days we are at Disney. Plus it's where I stash all the stuff I buy!!!

 

[morrismhs]

We have always taken a stroller. My DD7 will use it again this July. Last year she only wanted it for Epcot. It just makes life easier when she gets tired especially with the summer heat. If you think your child will need it, bring it.

 

[stewpette]

We have always taken a stroller. My DD7 will use it again this July. Last year she only wanted it for Epcot. It just makes life easier when she gets tired especially with the summer heat. If you think your child will need it, bring it.

What type of stroller did you use for your 7 yr old? Our daughter is 6.5, and we want to have a stroller available for her - we rented one for her last year via orlandostrollers, but she has grown a bit since then and is now slightly over 50 lbs.
Thanks!

 

[Malela9]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I am going to copy some of this to my dh's email so he can see it.
I still think that she needs the stroller for the occasional sit down. (I agree, not all the time. ) I am trying to tell my family- hey! We can bring drinks into the parks now! LOL!
This would definitely her last stroller trip though!

 

[FLAgirl73]

When we spent two days at the MK last May my oldest son was a month shy of 6 and he opted to ride in the stroller vs. walk. I have no prob. with using a stroller - as previously mentioned WDW can just sap you (especially in the heat) and it's also a GREAT way for keeping track of your children in crowds. I also liked that it gave us a spot to stash our cooler which held water bottles and snacks (also important for preventing meltdowns!)

 

[Taja]

Who is the stroller wrangler in your family--folding and loading it on and off vehicles?

That could be influencing opinions.

Overall, what is important is your DD's well being.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our son stopped using a stroller when he was five. Could you take it easy the first few days and move at her pace instead of the grown-up pace? Sometimes it just take slowing down, taking a rest now and then or having a sit down snack just to get a little more energy. Then take a break after the morning - a nap or a swim - and head back to the parks in the evening. It would get you past the heat of the day as well.

Just try it slow the first day without a stroller and see how it goes. Then you can always bribe her to make it through the first day with a special treat.

One of the nice things about DL is that it is so compact and easy to get around. You don't have a hike between attractions.

 

[Mommie2two]

Wow, you guys have given me a lot to think about. My kids are 3 and 5 and I wasn't planning on bringing a stroller. May be re-thinking that now!

 

[squirrel]

I also brought a stroller for my niece who was one month shy of being 6 yrs old.

She used it quite a bit. The temperature in FL is different than up here and she isn't use to walking that much. She walks slow and I walk fast-apparently very fast. So she would have driven me crazy if we had to walk at her pace the entire trip.

The previous year she even slept in the stroller when she was tired.

You don't have to use the stroller the whole time. You can park it in an area do the rides and attractions in that area, retrieve the stroller and move to another area.

 

[gillenkl]

I'm going to vote NO to bringing a stroller for a 6 yr old that is an otherwise healthy child. You can take a rest as needed and find a seat. Just slow down a bit. If worse came to worse you could always rent one. At some point you have to break the stroller habit anyway, why not at Disney. I'd offer a small trinket as a reward daily for being stroller-free.

 

[2DisPrincesses]

We are bringing our sit and stand incase DD(almost 5) needs a break. It get so hot she might want to rest a minute.

I would rather bring a stroller and not need it much than not bring it and wish that I had. Or worse yet, have a grumpy DH because he has to carry her.

Every child is different and handle's things differently. My DN(6) would make it 1/4 of the way down Main Street before she would be crying that the backs of her knees hurt (nothing wrong with her- just high maintenance and dramatic).

 

[thebeesknees]

My DH and I have joked that we are still going to bring the stroller, even when our kids are teenagers because it's a great place to stash our stuff! We stuck all our jackets and water bottles in the bottom and then didn't have to schlep them all over the place with us. We didn't use it very much at MK this year, but parked it in the stroller parking, do all the rides in that area, then pop the kids in it to move to the next spot. We mostly used it at night, when even my 7-year-old asked a few times to ride because he was so tired and it was a long walk back to the bus stop, way past his bedtime, and his feet were getting sore. I say, if in doubt, take it. You can always leave it in your room after the first day if you decide she doesn't need it, but if she needs one after you get there, you'll be stuck paying those outrageous rental fees.

 

[El&Asmom]

I vote no except for EPCOT maybe. Dd is 6.5 and hasn't used one for our last two trips, (both while she was 6). If it's not there, she won't even think about it. We also have a 4 and 1 year old, and were not going to bring 3 strollers. Dd6 didn't even want to sit in dd4s stroller. She did just fine. I almost wish I hadn't brought one for dd4, but it was nice for the evenings when she was tired. Next trip when she is will be a month shy of 6, she will be walking too. Each child is different though, so it's a question only you can answer.

 

[PixiePlanner]

We were there last June. First day in AK, DD (6.5 at the time) was fine. Day 2 in Epcot... a whole other story. DH, who had insisted that we didn't need a stroller and that I was absolutely crazy to even suggest it before hand, was overheard saying, "If we get you a stroller do you want to look around some more?" It was only 10:00 AM but we had rushed to Norway for breakfast and then to Soarin for FPs. She was overjoyed. We didn't hear one more complaint from her.

 

[PiXieDuStGuRl]

I would say bring it, but see how it goes the first day without it. We found that with some breaks on benches, shoulders or at lunch/dinner - we were okay with out the stroller. Always to be prepared. The alternative is don't bring one and rent the single stroller if need be?