Recommend a stroller for a larger child?

[msdroz]

Ok I'm embarrassed but I'm thinking about taking an umbrella stroller for our son who will be 5 1/2 at Disney. I just want to have the option in case the walking becomes too much. Can someone recommend a cheaper stroller that will also hold a heavier kid (45+ pounds)?

Again, a little red faced for posting but to each his own right?

 

[deegack]

I would just rent one from the park if he needs it. You may be surprised at how well he does

 

[TXPyroMom]

Don't be embarassed. We are going at the end of January and are renting a stroller for our 5 1/2 y/o.

She hasn't used a stroller since she was 3, but a tired kid is no fun. We figure that if we are gonna spend all this money on a trip, a few extra bucks for a stroller is worth it to keep her happy and rested. She may need it, she may not, but it's a good insurance policy.

We are renting from Orlando Stroller Rentals.

 

[flortlebap]

My 5.5 yo twins are also having a stroller. From what I read, a Maclaren Volo may do the trick!

 

[disneysplash]

We rented the "City Stroller double" from Orlando stroller rental. It folded easily and we picked it up and dropped it off right at our resort, Bonnet Creek.
It was rated for 50 pounds for each seat.

 

[HalloweenNut]

We're in the same situation. Our daughter will be 6-1/2 in April when we go and we are renting from Kingdom Strollers for the week. Like others have said it would be better to have it and be glad than not to have it and be sorry. Our daughter is a super energetic kid with a ton of energy but when she crashes she's down for the count. At almost 50lbs I certainly don't want to be carrying her too far and don't want to have the vacation ruined with constant "UPPIES!!" when she gets tired!

 

[michiml03]

Don't be embarrassed so many people use strollers for older kids my 4 1/2 old twins will be in a stroller I am just undecided to bring or rent last year we bought our side by side and it was a bit big on the buses so not sure might bring front and back this time

 

[jenandkam]

We are not taking or renting one for my 3 1/2 year old this trip because twice we have rented the ones from WDW and they have been taken while we were on a ride. We have never rented from an outside company. I'm sure they have some sort of insurance or something in case the stroller is taken, but it's just something to think about discussing with them before signing on the dotted line.

Have a magical trip!!!

 

[i12go2wdw]

We used a stroller when our daughter was 5 and it was great. Not only for her but also to put our junk in the basket on the bottom.

We had the Maclaren Volo and it was wonderful. Nice and light but still rolled really well with the larger child. The best thing is to just bring your child to the store and try them out.

Have a great trip !!

 

[babydovesx2]

Don't be embarrassed. We brought a stroller for DD last year when she was 6.5 and we will be bringing it again this year at age 7.5. She is very tiny for her age (only weighs 35 lbs and is 42 inches tall). As long as she can fit in a stroller will will continue to bring it. I would bring would for my 11 year old if she could still fit in one. Kids and adults get tired at WDW however kids do not know how to handle it the way adults do. So by all means as long as your kid will fit in a stroller bring or rent one.

 

[blessedby3]

Yep...dont be embarrassed. We used one for our 3rd...until she was 7. We bought a Mac Volo as those hold up to 55 pounds. It is a great stroller for an older kid to jump in and out of. DD didnt sit in it all the time, but it came in handy when the crowds were crazy and we needed to get from point A to point B quickly, or late in the evenings when she would give out and no one wanted to carry her to the busses. We still have that volo (had it for 7 years now) and will be using it for our 4th child next trip. DD will be 5 then, and has used the BJCM for the past 3 trips. We can finally move into the lightweight Volo for her. Its so light and pushes so easily with an older child

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It's been a long time since we've rented a stroller, but as I recall those Disney rental strollers are hard to beat for accommodating larger kids. DW and I used to joke that she could hop in the double stroller with our two kids when they were little and I could push them all three around the park.

 

[AJA]

We took our Maclaren Volo for our 5 year old.

I def would go with the Volo (or something similar) you do not want to haul a big stroller around.

Eta the Volo weighs 8 pounds, perfect for the bus!!

 

[LuLuO]

The First Years Ignite stroller. Goes to 50 pounds, reclines enough for my son to nap, nice parent cup holder with zippered pocket, small side pockets that fit my kids' cups and/or snacks, easy to maneuver, folds/unfolds quickly, my DH at 6'3 is comfortable pushing the stroller as am I at 5'6".

http://www.google.com/search?q=igni....,cf.osb&fp=7c78db9b9cd0660e&biw=1025&bih=528

ETA: Also has a decent size basket for an umbrella stroller.

 

[distherapy]

We also rented from Orlando Stroller Rentals and were impressed. If I recall correctly, a couple of years ago they downsized the size of the park rental strollers fairly dramatically.

It was great to not have to bring one from home (we didn't have one anymore) and not have to lug through an airport.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Have not rented a stroller since my kids were 3 but my opinion would be rent a stroller in the park if needed. The strollers at WDW are very sturdy and I have seen kids way past stroller age in them and they woked fine. That hard plastic can told a lot of weight.

IMO - I bet your child will be fine without one. A 5 1/2 year old is school age and if you plan your day (don't push harder than he can take) I bet he would rather walk. Kids are oflten strolnger than adults give them credit for.

Personally my kids are 6,7,8 years old and have gone to WDW 2x a year since age 2. At age 3 they all started walking. They preferred it. My school age boys would not be caught dead in a stroller.

If your WDW stroller does get stollen all you have to do is take the receipt to the stroller rental coutner and they will give you a new one (same day of course). I learned this the hard way once (did not save the receipt).

 

[laughinplace199]

The First Years Ignite stroller. Goes to 50 pounds, reclines enough for my son to nap, nice parent cup holder with zippered pocket, small side pockets that fit my kids' cups and/or snacks, easy to maneuver, folds/unfolds quickly, my DH at 6'3 is comfortable pushing the stroller as am I at 5'6".

http://www.google.com/search?q=igni....,cf.osb&fp=7c78db9b9cd0660e&biw=1025&bih=528

ETA: Also has a decent size basket for an umbrella stroller.

I bought this stroller for DS5. We used it on our Thanksgiving trip to WDW. It was perfect for him, although he only weighs 36 lbs. I think it goes to 50 lbs. DS even fell asleep in it a few times. I think it's a great stroller for the price.

 

[Schmeck]

Ok I'm embarrassed but I'm thinking about taking an umbrella stroller for our son who will be 5 1/2 at Disney. I just want to have the option in case the walking becomes too much. Can someone recommend a cheaper stroller that will also hold a heavier kid (45+ pounds)?

Again, a little red faced for posting but to each his own right?

I'd only get red-faced after pushing 45+ pounds around all day, so I'd take a lightweight, uncomfortable, cheap umbrella stroller. That way, I'd know the kid really needed to be in a stroller if he'd be willing to be scrunched up and very uncomfortable! Also, it would be much easier to haul on and off buses, wouldn't take up too much space in the room, etc. We used generic ones from Walmart, but my youngest (the only one to use a stroller at WDW) didn't weigh 45 pounds until she was 8-9 years old, and wouldn't have used a stroller at that point.

Most of the lightweight, cheap strollers say they go up to 40 lbs. If the child will not be in it all that much, it will be fine for 45 lbs. They cost about $15 at Walmart, and they have Disney ones.

 

[pixarmom]

Have not rented a stroller since my kids were 3 but my opinion would be rent a stroller in the park if needed. The strollers at WDW are very sturdy and I have seen kids way past stroller age in them and they woked fine. That hard plastic can told a lot of weight.

IMO - I bet your child will be fine without one. A 5 1/2 year old is school age and if you plan your day (don't push harder than he can take) I bet he would rather walk. Kids are oflten strolnger than adults give them credit for.

Personally my kids are 6,7,8 years old and have gone to WDW 2x a year since age 2. At age 3 they all started walking. They preferred it. My school age boys would not be caught dead in a stroller.

If your WDW stroller does get stollen all you have to do is take the receipt to the stroller rental coutner and they will give you a new one (same day of course). I learned this the hard way once (did not save the receipt).

Hello from the BC/YC thread!!! As the mom of three boys, currently ages almost-5, 11 and 12, I think this is great advice. We've been taking our kids to Disney since our oldest was a year old. The boys have all walked since age 4 (except for our youngest - we kept him in the stroller a little longer, mostly to keep pace with the older boys.)

We've been stroller-free on vacation since February of last year. I'm going on my own with our 5-year-old in April and I'm not taking a stroller for him. Not having the stroller helps us to slow down and take breaks when he needs them. And most of the time, he wants to walk, so I don't want to chase him and the stroller. The good news is that Disney rents them, so if you really need it, you can go get one.

But don't feel bad about your post or your question! It's hard to know what will happen, but maybe see how it goes! (And we love the Maclaren Quest)

 

[msdroz]

All great recommendations, thank you! I can see my son dozing off to a nap in one too. Since we are staying within walking distance to Epcot and HS it might be helpful on the way back to the hotel. He still naps every day and we plan on taking breaks every day, but would rather him not reach that breaking point while walking!