Should we bring one?

[samgminov]

We are going to WDW for 7 days in April. My DH is dead set against bringing a stroller for our 3-year old DD. I get his point. However, she's a terrible walker....she whines when we have to walk across the soccer field for my DS's games and I can't even imagine what Epcot will be like for her without one. For all of you that took your 3-year olds, did you use a stroller? Was it more hassle than it was worth? If you didn't bring a stroller, do you wish you would have? Were your kids good walkers?

*I don't want to start a debate about the appropriateness of strollers. We do not use a stroller for our 3-year old at home. However, she's tiny for her age (still wears 18 mo. pants) and walking this much might be a physical stretch for her.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[lucyem]

Strollers are a hot topic on here You will get all kinds of opinions on this one. So to get things started here is mine:

Yes bring one. It's cheaper then renting. Even if you do not need it to start with, you will find that most small children really start getting tired and having that comfy spot to hang out will make all the difference for you and your family. We found that even at 5 by the end of the week my son would take naps in his stroller at WDW. And he was long past naps and strollers at home. We also found it VERY helpful in crowds and at night to keep our DS contained. Like after illuminations for example.

 

[momfeez]

My kids were all good walkers, but we used umbrella strollers until they were about 3 1/2 - 4. They were too tall for me to carry around when they got tired, so the stroller worked for us. The umbrella stroller was easy to fold, get on/off the tram etc.

Do what works for you. I've seen 8 and 9 year olds in disney strollers. If you aren't used to walking, it can be rough. My legs even get tired by the end of the day!

 

[funcinderella]

Yes, yes and yes!! I did not stop bringing a stroller until my twins were 10! And even at 11 my daughter still wants one by nighttime! There is NO way a 3 year old will not want/need one at some point. Not to mention its a great place to store all the "extras". I would not even consider not taking it. They gate check them at the airport, its not considered a piece of luggage. so I would go with the line, "let's bring it and I promise NOT to use it unless we really need it!" by Day 2 your husband will be saying, thank god you brought it!

 

[~Kristina~]

Disney is not like at home. Bring the stroller, you won't regret it. 3 year olds need a break at Disney.

 

[disykat]

I don't think there's even a question until age 5. Even on the DIS there's probably an agreement on this.

In my experience, most people use a stroller until about age 3 at home and until about age 5 someplace like WDW.

 

[bonjourmickey]

My DD was 3 when we went to DL two years ago and she fell asleep towards the end of the night. It would have been no fun carrying her, especially while the adults were still trying to go on rides. Plus, there is no way she would have walked around the park all day without a stroller!

We are going to DW for the 1st time next month and we'll be renting her a stroller and she's now 5. There is NO way I'd go without one! For DS who will be 11 months, we are bringing a nicer umbrella stroller. You can get a decent one for under $50. They fold up nicely and are lightweight. If your DH is concerned about having to carry one around, go that route or rent a Disney one but I suggest you definitely use one!

 

[crl]

At 3, I would expect that you would want a stroller by the afternoon. We always have one with us until the kids are 6, at 6 they certainly don't need one, but at 5, we were happy we had one along since ds caught a cold which left him more tired at the end of the day.

 

[rachel76]

i just came back with a 4 and 6 year old. none of them use a stroller at home but we rented one there. The pace would have been too slow if we let my 4 year walk all the time and at that young it would be far too tiring. They got to rest during the day and they were never so overtired at disney which made our trip amazing. Disney is not home. you could be at a park for 9-12 hours.. days in a row.. they really need the break. even my 6 year old used it a fair bit!
I wouldnt even contemplate Disney with a 3year old without a stroller. Now is not the time to play tough and make them walk.. have an enjoyable vacation and let them rest during the day when they can!

 

[MSSANDRA]

You absolutely, without a doubt will want a stroller for a three year old at WDW.

 

[Crystal824]

There is no way that I wouldn't take a stroller for a 3 year old at WDW. No, she probably doesn't use a stroller at home, but I don't see getting rid of the stroller for us at WDW until DD is at least 5. You are walking miles and miles a day. I just don't see a 3 year old keeping up with the amount of walking that is required. If you have to carry her, that is a burden on you or your DH and you two will also be TIRED. Plus, she may want to nap or may get tired in the evenings and go to sleep before you are ready to leave the park.

 

[owl0306]

our rule is after 4 years old No stroller every but def for a 3 year old

 

[SweetMissy]

Oh my gosh....I would definitely bring one for a 3 year old! Heck, our kids are much older than yours, and we even rented one. It's a lot of walking for those with little muscles and especially since you already know she's a whiner with walking across a soccer field, lol. You could always rent one from a stroller company instead of bringing your own. That's easier IMO. We've rented from magicstrollers.com and kingdomstrollers.com and both companies are great! You don't want a whining child to ruin your vacation....do what's easier. Have fun!

 

[mm1971]

We are going to WDW for 7 days in April. My DH is dead set against bringing a stroller for our 3-year old DD. I get his point. However, she's a terrible walker....she whines when we have to walk across the soccer field for my DS's games and I can't even imagine what Epcot will be like for her without one. For all of you that took your 3-year olds, did you use a stroller? Was it more hassle than it was worth? If you didn't bring a stroller, do you wish you would have? Were your kids good walkers?

*I don't want to start a debate about the appropriateness of strollers. We do not use a stroller for our 3-year old at home. However, she's tiny for her age (still wears 18 mo. pants) and walking this much might be a physical stretch for her.

Thanks for your opinions.

Stroller? Check! You know your daughter better than anyone else. If you feel it could be a struggle for her it will make everyone's day much more magical. We rented a stroller when DD was 6 because she didn't want to walk the whole time (she is athletic and plays 6 sports so she is not lazy, would just get tired and overwhelmed at times). If it is a packing and carrying issue, just rent one there. It's a little expensive, but well worth it when DD gets tired.

Just Sayin'

 

[HulaHoopy]

I just got back from a trip with my small three year old. She definitely needed a stroller! I felt much safer with her in the stroller then walking through the crowds because she is so small.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

For a 3 year old? Yes. Definitely bring a stroller.

 

[Paxton's Mom]

YES! It is so helpful and you'll be so happy when/if you need it. Even if your little one ends up not needing it (not likely!) then it is a great place to stash extra stuff like sweatshirts or whatever. My only child is 13 now and I still wish we had one just to carry our junk! I'm afraid that you might discover after the first day that you wish you had one and then you'll have to pay big bucks to rent one.

 

[bumbershoot]

Apart from a jogging stroller that I used *when jogging*, we never used a stroller at home. But we did for Disney.

The property of WDW is bigger than my town. Would your husband set off on an all-day walk around a medium sized city and expect her to walk all day? Would he set off on an all-day walk around a quarter of a medium sized city and expect her to walk all day? He almost certainly would not.

My goodness, bring the stroller.

IF she doesn't need it, then great, that's awesome, and you can join the ranks of "my 3 year old is fabulous and doesn't need a stroller" (try not to join the ranks of "NO 3 year old needs a stroller", though). But if she does need it, you've got it.

My husband once convinced me to leave the Disney stroller (purchased for Disney trips because it was cheaper than renting all the time) at home when DS (then 3) and I went to Disneyland ahead of DH. The first night I ended up carrying him all the way to our hotel, and my hips have not been the same since. I should note that I wore him quite often, I can still carry him *if necessary* for short distances (he's 8 and his head is above my shoulder, but if he's injured or dealing with a bad headache, sometimes you do what you gotta do), so I'm strong and capable, BUT that was a long walk that night. DH was thinking about an hour's worth of annoyance at airports, and forgot all about the long long days going to, walking around, and getting from, the parks. (and that was just Disneyland!)

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

I wouldn't even CONSIDER trying to maneuver DW with a 3-yr old without a stroller. That would = Big-Time Parental Misery for us. At 3 her little legs simply could not handle that much walking & you never know when/where you'll be delayed. Sometimes DD did her best napping waiting for buses, lol.

YES & YES & YES bring one or rent one!!!

We brought our own until she was about 4 because she needed the collapsable model so that she could nap at times, liked having storage & cup holders & wanted to be able to use it to/from the buses/hotel.... & then we rented them for the next couple of years because we just needed something for her to ride in & weren't so worried about storage, etc.. (everywhere - Sea World, Universal, etc.)

 

[samgminov]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I'm happy to hear that I'm not completely nuts for thinking we should bring one. My DS is 5 and I have no doubt he can (and would want to) go without a stroller. But my little diva....I'm afraid her favorite ride would be mom and dad! I'm going to print out your responses to show DH and cross my fingers that he changes his mind. (or that he doesn't notice when I try to sneak a stroller onto the plane)