Should we bring stroller for 7 year old?

[Leelo]

I am planning a big family trip to Disney and my 7 and 3 year old nephews will be coming. I know we will need a stroller for the 3 year old but should we also have one for the 7 year old? He is very particular and sort of locks down when he doesn't want to do something or if something isn't going his way. I know it is a lot of walking and it will probably tire him. Would bringing one for him be the best idea?

 

[maxiesmom]

I've done it before for a child that old. We were on a quick 4 day trip to the parks and wanted to get as much done as possible. My youngest niece was walking the speed of a turtle. After trying to hang back with her, and having the other family members get very annoyed, I rented a stroller. I know she was physically capable of walking the parks, but we would have seen 1/4 of what we saw with her in the stroller. And I only rented at Epcot and the Animal Kingdom.

Are you planning on bringing a stroller for the 3 year old or renting one? If you plan on renting in the parks you can always rent a double. That should give the 7 year old enough space to sit if they decide they are done walking.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would wait until you get there to see if he needs or wants one and then rent one there if need be. The rentals aren't very comfortable (IMHO), but better that than lugging a stroller all the way to WDW that you may not need. We used a stroller for quite a while with DS (until he was 5 1/2) and then on one trip ( I had rented a stroller), he refused to use it and it just sat in our room! I was glad he didn't want it and wanted to try walking on his own, but wished I hadn't spent the money!

 

[Capang]

We waited until our daughter asked for a stroller then we rented one in the park for the last two days of our trip. We averaged a minimum of 8 miles a day for six days before the stroller. Chances are a 7 year old would only use it going from land to land so you don't really need to worry about comfort. I'd ask his parents their thoughts. If you are bringing one anyway would a sit and stand stroller work? That way the 7year old could just ride from land to land.

 

[Shanti]

I am planning a big family trip to Disney and my 7 and 3 year old nephews will be coming. I know we will need a stroller for the 3 year old but should we also have one for the 7 year old? He is very particular and sort of locks down when he doesn't want to do something or if something isn't going his way. I know it is a lot of walking and it will probably tire him. Would bringing one for him be the best idea?

No, a normal 7 year-old should be able to walk without a problem.

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, I would absolutely bring one. We had them for our kids until they were older than 7, and am very glad we did. If you don't need it, great. But if you need it and don't have it, not good.

 

[katyjeka]

I wouldn't with our 7 year old. I'd rather slow down our touring pace and allow for little breaks versus pushing a 7 year old around. Have a great trip.

 

[goodeats]

I wouldn't. I could see possibly renting one for the day at Epcot or AK , but I absolutely wouldn't fly with one or lug one on the buses for that age.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I would wait until you get there to see if he needs or wants one and then rent one there if need be. The rentals aren't very comfortable (IMHO), but better that than lugging a stroller all the way to WDW that you may not need. We used a stroller for quite a while with DS (until he was 5 1/2) and then on one trip ( I had rented a stroller), he refused to use it and it just sat in our room! I was glad he didn't want it and wanted to try walking on his own, but wished I hadn't spent the money!

This. OP, I was going to say something very similar. My DS just turned 7....I have at times rented one the day-of at the park if needed based on the overall plan, weather, his stamina/energy level, etc. Really more so at Epcot than the other parks. Some of it is selfish on my part because I like to slow down and enjoy World Showcase and I find we can all get more enjoyment out of an Epcot day if we have one. But I make it a game time decision when there.

 

[Kingdome8]

Definitely get a stroller. We rent the double one at the park all the time. Kids were 5 and 8. They love the stroller and I love the stroller. Makes everyone happy. And holds my stuff. Don't be the parent that yells at kids to hurry up when their hot and tired. Lol. Stroller is key

 

[jo-jo]

Reading these "should I bring a stroller for X age" threads, I was just thinking, when the kids are about 2, and we KNOW they need the stroller, we can't keep them IN it. They always want to climb out.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

In my opinion a 7 year old should not need a tstroller unless there is some medical reason.
Have you discussed with the parents on their thoughts on the whole thing?
I certainly would not bring one to begin with and just rent one if suddenly his parents feel he needs it.

 

[MudQueen22]

We went in March with our children, ages 7 and 23 mos. We brought a City Elite (max weight of 70lbs). This was primarily used by our 23-month-old, but the seven-year-old used it occasionally. It was nice having it to give her a place to rest that felt familiar. Occasionally, we she sat with the baby on her lab and we strolled them around, but not often. It was nice to have.

 

[LYSE]

No

 

[unrequited23]

I would not specifically bring a separate stroller for the 7 yr old...But if you were renting a stroller I would definitely price out a double or sit and stand option and see what the price difference will be.

 

[mom2rtk]

Some kids at 7 would rather poke their eye out than get in a stroller.

Some kids at age 7 will whine for a place to sit by afternoon.

None of us knows your 7 year old and can say. Waiting to rent one until you get there is a decent plan. Just be aware that the in park rentals are very expensive. Doubles are $31/day, which is nuts IMO. Take that into consideration as you decide.

Just know that it's not unusual to cover 8-10 miles a day at Disney. So if you want to give them a break with a stroller so your group can make the most of your time there, you'll get no judgment from me.

 

[Klayfish]

Some kids at 7 would rather poke their eye out than get in a stroller.

Some kids at age 7 will whine for a place to sit by afternoon.

None of us knows your 7 year old and can say. Waiting to rent one until you get there is a decent plan. Just be aware that the in park rentals are very expensive. Doubles are $31/day, which is nuts IMO. Take that into consideration as you decide.

Just know that it's not unusual to cover 8-10 miles a day at Disney. So if you want to give them a break with a stroller so your group can make the most of your time there, you'll get no judgment from me.

Yes

Yes

Yes

...and yes

Very well said and I couldn't agree more.

 

[Leelo]

Are you planning on bringing a stroller for the 3 year old or renting one? If you plan on renting in the parks you can always rent a double. That should give the 7 year old enough space to sit if they decide they are done walking.

Yes, we will definitely have a stroller for the 3 year old. Plus my sister already owns a double stroller.

I wouldn't. I could see possibly renting one for the day at Epcot or AK , but I absolutely wouldn't fly with one or lug one on the buses for that age.

We will be driving and will have our own cars for the trip.

Have you discussed with the parents on their thoughts on the whole thing?
I certainly would not bring one to begin with and just rent one if suddenly his parents feel he needs it.

Yes, I have asked my sister and they have never been to Disney before and she asked me to research it. That is why I decided to ask all of you. My mother thinks he will need one since he is very particular and is extremely difficult when he is tired.

 

[mom2rtk]

My mother thinks he will need one since he is very particular and is extremely difficult when he is tired.

I think you have your answer.

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

I have a 7 year old (he will be 8 in Sept.) and a 4 year old. We are going in October. We do not own a double stroller, but are planning to borrow or rent one for the trip. In my opinion, Disney is a TON of walking even for an adult, so it is definitely a ton of walking for a child. Can a 7 year old do all that walking, probably. But will it tire them out and possibly make them grumpy, probably. I'd rather have a stroller that he can get in to rest and save some energy than have a tired and grumpy kid who doesn't enjoy the trip as much.

I think given that your sister already has a double stroller, I would definitely bring it. If nothing else the 3 year old will use it and it can hold your stuff.