Single Parent & Strollers

[dadofnicholas]

I'm looking forward to taking my 4 year old son to Disneyland for the first time in a couple of weeks. I'm not too concerned that it will just be him and I - I've been a single dad since the day he was born. But I do appreciate any advice in general or on things I should look into that will the experience more enjoyable for us. We are staying at the Grand Californian, hoping it will make things easier.

Also, I was wondering if the park strollers will be comfortable for my son. He is around 45" tall and 50 pounds. He won't mind walking but I can see him getting tired towards the end of the day. Of course, I plan on breaking up the day with shows, rides that allow more rest, etc. He doesn't use one at home but we usually don't go for such long walks. I don't mind the cost but will rent something if the strollers (single or double) will not fit my son.

Thanks for the help!

 

[skiingfast]

I wouldn't worry about a stroller. If DS is tired, are you going to stay in the parks anyway?

If he ends up needing a nap midday and you don't have a hotel to go back to, just rent one and walk him around for a while.

 

[Isatricia]

I don't know what the weight limit is on the rental strollers, but I saw large children riding in them. They didn't look uncomfortable.

 

[starshine514]

I read somewhere that the weight limit on the rental strollers is 65 lbs. I've seen a lot of older children in them also.

I think skiingfast is right. Since it's just the two of you (no siblings to try to satisfy and compromise with), you may very well just take it at his pace and not need one at all.

I hope you guys have an awesome time!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

From 2 on *and from 1-2 she detested the stroller* DD only strolled for Disney visits, from 3-7 her Disney stroller was a Mac Volo, her last 2 stroller visits *last one being 11/10 - she was 7 then* it was certainly used less, we'd park it in a land, she'd walk for a while and then hop back in for a long walk/stroll. 4 year olds have short legs, heck I'm sore a day and a 1/2 in at DLR.

 

[Skitheboat]

The joggers they rent at DL will accommodate your son comfortably & will make for a much more enjoyable day at the parks! Have a great time!

 

[Butterfly123]

When my son was 4 he sure didn't want anything to do with being confined in a stroller! But even though he wasn't napping anymore, we would go back to the hotel in the afternoon and lie down on the bed together to get some "rest". Of course he would fall asleep, then be ready for the evening. As long as we didn't call it napping, we were good! Four is such a great age at the parks...I'm sure you will have a terrific time!

 

[disneychrista]

In my opnion with a 4yo a stroller is going to be of a hassel than helpfull. In Disneyland the attractions are pretty close together so it is not like you will be walking long distances where a stroller is helpful. In DCA a stroller may be more helpfull as the attractions are a bit more spreadout but even then I would skip the stroller unless you find you need one.

I think it is much better to listen to your son and if he is getting tired, go back to the hotel for a nap. Staying at the Grand Californian, the hotel is going to be very close & convenient. And depending on the crowds & weather a mid-day break/nap is helpful to grown-ups too.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why not bring one from home/borrow one? If you don't need it, leave it in your room, if you do great.

 

[Geemo]

As long as we didn't call it napping, we were good!

Same here.... We do NOT call it "napping", we refer to it as "Resting Our Eyes".

See how the days go. If you find a stroller would be handy then rent one.

Staying at the GC is so nice for distance and convenience.
The two of you will have a fantastic time!!!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Hello!! I have a mini Hercules for a 4yo, too. We bring our stroller cause it reclines. Normally we don't use the storller at home. At the end of the day, we have to leave a rented stroller in the esplainade and I'm stuck carrying a sleeping Hulk plus his gear and anything extra we bought during our adventures back to the hotel. However, when we're in the park, we park the stroller in whatever land we're in and re-claim it after we're done exploring that land (and sometimes the neighboring one).

 

[kailuagirl]

We have a 4 year old DD who never uses a stroller at home, unless we go to the zoo. At DL it's a must for us, and we also stay at the GCH. I don't think she'd make it throughout the day without one and we'd end up carring her. She can also relax in it and eat her snack and drink water as we go from one land to another. Especially walking back from DL to the hotel at night. We also like that we can put our water and snacks, etc. in the stroller when needed. We also have "parked" our stroller and left it to go to other lands via the train and returned later to get it or when we got to a land we also just park it and get it when we are done there. Also she never naps at home, hasn't since she was 2 and if she is tired she just puts her self to sleep in the stroller (we never know when) and we go back to the hotel to nap. If we were to go back to nap not already asleep, it would never happen.

You are going to have a great time! The pool at the GCH is awesome and he is going to love the slide! So make sure you plan some time for that. There are also little tv's with old school Mickey cartoons in the lobby that I'm sure he'll love. We usually do that after the parks and DH and I can get a drink at the bar and enjoy it near the tv's watching her.

There are mini fridges in the room, so you can bring a case of water, juice, milk, fruit, yogurt, cheese, etc. We stock up before hand so we have lots of drinks, snacks and food. We usually have breakfast as we are walking to the park, muffins and fruit, etc. I'd also take snacks in the parks for him. It'll help keep him going so he doesn't crash, we bring granola bars, pretzels, trail mix, gold fish, apple slices, etc. kind of things and it really helps to keep us fueled and fresh. They are also a great thing to have while you are waiting in a long line. You can bring a soft cooler lunchbox to keep things cool. There is a mini freezer at the hotel so you can freeze ice packs.

Also, I recommend doing photopass so you can get pictures of the two of you together. Our photopass pics are the only ones that have the 3 of us and I love them. If you are going to do it, make sure you try to get alot of photopass pics done so you get your money's worth. The photographers are everywhere

Have fun!! Sorry this turned into a book....

 

[Isatricia]

I averaged 10 miles a day on my pedometer. My daughters would have been longer if they had been wearing theirs because they rarely walk in a straight line. It was a lot of walking and even though my girls didn't need naps, their feet were very tired - they at 6 & 8, so it would be even more tiring for a smaller child.

 

[starshine514]

I averaged 10 miles a day on my pedometer. My daughters would have been longer if they had been wearing theirs because they rarely walk in a straight line. It was a lot of walking and even though my girls didn't need naps, their feet were very tired - they at 6 & 8, so it would be even more tiring for a smaller child.

Good point. My DD7's steps are 14.5", mine are 29", so she has to take twice as many steps as I do to walk the same distance. I also clocked over 13 miles in a day on our last trip (my first trip with a pedometer).

 

[Jmaddog]

I was just there beginning of April and we stayed at the PPH. I was on the fence about bringing a stroller (DS3 and DD5) but it turned out to be THE SMARTEST THING WE DID!!! We went back to the hotel every day after lunch and took a good 2-3 hour nap, went for a swim, then dinner and back to the parks until closing. I wouldn't have beleived that my kids would be able to stay up that late but they totally did it and weren't cranky at all. The nap and swim each day totally refreshes you. Also, I beleive that reserving their energy by pushing them around in a stroller all day helped. It also allowed us to get places easily, quickly, and without loosing anyone in the crowd!
We borrowed a couple foldable umbrella strollers (which you will have to fold up if you want to ride the monorail or the train). Even from GCH, it is a walk to the DL entrance. Have a great trip!

 

[Liat]

Im a big believer of strollers at Disneyland. My two oldest never use a stroller at home (unless its a full day excursion to the zoo) but they will gratefully crawl into a stroller in the late afternoon at DL.

We had to use the DL stroller one time when ours blew a tire and couldn't be repaired and my kiddo thought it was comfortable.

But I would suggest bringing one from home if your considering using one just because the storage is minimal on the rentals.

 

[dadofnicholas]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the wealth of information and various pieces of advice! I want to maximize the experience for my son and I'm hoping a little planning goes a long way appreciating that things don't always go according to plan. Thanks again - it's given me good information to think about!

 

[dadofnicholas]

Just following up on this thread - I decided to go with the flow. So far, my son has been an energy bunny and not needed a stroller. Yes, there are times when he wants me to carry him and I do especially in the line-ups. But since he's a tall 4-year-old weighing over 50 pounds, I can't do it for too long. Sometimes, I think he's just imitating other kids he sees around him

We're also taking a daily hotel break in the early afternoon and also mini-breaks where necessary including shows like Tiki Room, which provides an opportunity for my son to rest his legs.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[perlster]

Some bigger kids have been seen in strollers at Disneyland: http://youtu.be/QJqx2k4mGm0

 

[dadofnicholas]

That's fun

I do see several larger kids in strollers and although I have my own opinions, I do believe to each his or her own. The parks are not small and I can see kids having a tough time if families are always on the go and lining up. I say do what is best for one's situation and no worries about what others think

Those look like really sturdy strollers!

Some bigger kids have been seen in strollers at Disneyland: http://youtu.be/QJqx2k4mGm0