Should I bring a stroller for my 7 yr old daughter?

[lauritagoddess]

When were there a few weeks ago I was pushing my DS from Future World to World Showcase at Epcot. Walking next to us was a family with two kids about 7 and 9. The 9 year old looked at my DS and said to his mother that he wished he could ride in a stroller and the 7 year old agreed with him. Hey I wouldn't have minded if someone would have pushed me, lol. I plan to use a stroller with DS at WDW for as long as he needs it. If he still needs one at 7, no problem. And I actually hate the days when he won't need one and I won't have the stroller to store things.

 

[Schmeck]

I dunno - it was kind of liberating the first time we went without a stroller, when our youngest was 5. It felt great not to be toting all kinds of junk around, we just took in what could fit in our waistpacks, and mini backpacks. The girls had their autograph books and pens and stuff in these really cute backpacks that were just the right size (10" X 8") and I had the camera and sunscreen in my waistpack. Hubby had his wallet, full of $$$, so he was set too! We had all of our purchases sent to the resort, which worked out great.

 

[ErinInCT]

My dd6 is kind of lazy. It seems like whenever we go anywhere that requires a bit of walking either dh or I ends up giving her a piggy back ride half way through our activity. She is 50 lbs & this is going to have to stop!! I think we will get her some walking shoes a few months before our trip & start taking walks every evening to start getting her into shape. Start slow and work up to longer walks. This will also help her to break in her shoes! That being said, I think we'll probably bring a stroller anyway (if I can find one to hold her weight) or rent one (hate to pay that money!) just to be on the safe side. I would rather spend the money and have the stroller for that ONE time she needs it, then listen to a complaining child who is holding up our progress in the Happiest Place on Earth!! Plus, like many others have said, it is a great place to store all of the stuff we bring with us! I would rather be too well prepared, then not prepared enough!

 

[Tinkabella]

I am going in May. I plan on bringing my Volo (for 4 year old DS) with the buggy board attachment for 6 year old DD. She is usually great with walking and I dont expect any problems. If I were you, I would pass on bringing a stroller and rent one if you are DESPERATE. I find that as long as you take some breaks, the kids can usually outwalk the grownups !

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If you will have to carry her back to the room at night--then consider it. My 6yo still used one when we went to DC for the 4th of July. They stayed awake for everything--but dead weight on a long walk back is just miserable.

At 7 though--she should be just fine in the parks without it.

 

[Sabrina90744]

We are bringing a stroller for our 3 yr old and not sure if we should with our 7 yr old. Does anybody bring strollers for kids that age. She is pretty slim, only about 60 pounds so I think she would fit in one. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

I wouldnt bring one, but I rented a double one for my 6 yo DD last trip. Some people think its inappropriate, to bad for them. The first day she was miserable w/o the stroller. I rented it the next day for the length of stay. My 8 yo DS even got in a few times when he was tired. I might get one for her again this year.

 

[dbmarie]

I found that a stroller at MK or MGM for our DD7 was unneeded but at Epcot and AK if its really hot you may need one. We brought a small umbrella stroller for DD4 and at Epcot we sometimes rented a stroller. You can bring your umbrella stroller and leave at the stroller rental place until you bring the rental back.

 

[deedeetoo]

We did use one this past trip for our 5yo but our 7yo (turned 8 on the trip) didn't need one at all. She never requested it and never even considered it as far as I could tell. Even the 5yo walked most of the time. We found the stroller to be more of a pain this trip than a help. It seemed kind of silly to be dragging it all over the place when most of the time ds was walking anyway. Next year we won't bother with it.

 

[Allison]

I would rent one if needed. It can be a really long walk around Epcot World Showcase after you have already had 3 other park days for example.

 

[Allison]

There have been many posts regarding this issue and I have hesitated to respond...however.....my DS (6, at time of next trip) is a big boy - not heavy, we have rented the double stroller for him since going to WDW in 2004 for his first trip. He does use the stroller, if we stop for a snack, etc. To be honest, we also make use of the stroller more that he does. Camera bags, shopping, etc. I have seen children older/larger than my DS in the strollers and it doesn't bother me in the least. If the parents/chaperone are willing to pay for the rental and push the thing, who cares??? I find humor in the fact that people can say what age kids shouldn't be in strollers anymore. With the money that people spend on a WDW vacation, I think parents want to be sure kids can keep their stamina up and let them rest when needed. Just my opinion but I had to respond - strollers are quite a bone of contention on these boards at times - We also do not use the stroller as a means of "clearing crowds" - I can't stand when that is done!!!

I completely agree. We also end up using it for the backpack, video camera, shopping bags, etc.

 

[disneyandme]

Have you thought about using a kiddyboard or a buddyboard. They attach to the back of a stroller and the older ones can ride on it when they are tired and then it hooks up out of the way when not in use. My DD7 loves hers. I'll attempt to post a link to their website.
http://www.regallager.com/products/la/buggyboard.aspx

 

[noodleknitter]

I'm in the group that says a 7 year old should have the stamina for walking, if you take a rest on occasion. It is kind of weird to put a kid that age in a baby stroller, imo. It just shows how little excercise kids are getting now a days.

But if yours can't make it, I'd just rent for the day.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I was in the mind set that my DD6 could and should be able to walk because of the riding and sitting in the attractions.

however we went for a short trip and I wanted to cover as much as I could. The main thing for us was the distractions, she would get caught up in the shops and would take forever to get moving.

So the second day I rented her a stroller and it made a big difference. We could really move between attractions. We were both happier.

I liked renting because if you hop you just show your receipt at the next park and get another stroller.

I was also able to leave the big bag in the stroller (no valuables) while we did the rides.

 

[ejmom]

We are bringing a stroller for our 3 yr old and not sure if we should with our 7 yr old. Does anybody bring strollers for kids that age. She is pretty slim, only about 60 pounds so I think she would fit in one. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

I was kind of wondering the same thing. My DS's are 2.5 & 6. We are only bringing 1 stroller for our youngest. But the more I think about it, I wonder if DS6 will have the energy to stick it out through 2 of the longer days we have planned. Because we are going right in the middle of the school year, he will be used to an 8:00 bedtime. My son is far from lazy & has boundless energy. But this is our first trip to WDW and I really don't know what to expect.

I do have one question that may help the OP as well. If DS6 does seem to be tiring out, we may decide to rent a stroller once we are at the park. If we would prefer to consolidate & rent a double stroller, will there be somewhere to park the single stroller we will already have with us until it's time to go? Thanks! --- Lisa

 

[dbmarie]

We did this on trip in May. You just leave your stroller with the rental place and you can pick it up when you return. MK has a train that goes to each of the different areas and honestly with our DD4 and DD8 it was just easier to have them walk. But in Epcot and AK it was alot of walking and extremely hot so you may want a stroller.

 

[chobie]

I agree with all those who say rent one if you need one. MY dd who was chubby when little, and was/still is lazy has always had unblelivable stamina for walking through the parks. My skinny, active son, gets worn down easily in the parks and we rented strollers for him up until his 8th b-day (he rather smallish for his age so he fit). So, from my expereince its not about health and fitness so much as how much your child may or may not get worn down by all the walking, heat ect and how much you want to balance out the rest of the families enjoyment of the trip based on one child's stamina.