Storing strollers

[DharmaLou]

I know you can rent strollers, and I know that each ride has a stroller drop off, but we are planning on staying off property but walking to the parking tram from our hotel. My daughter will have just turned 4, so she won't need (and we don't want) a stroller in the park, but I am thinking we could make the walk from the hotel to the tram (about a 15 minute walk) easier if we had the stroller for her.

I know there are lockers when you enter the park, but are any big enough to store an umbrella stroller, or if not is there someplace you can check the stroller for the whole day?

 

[kailuagirl]

This doesn't answer your question, sorry, but it's something to think about. My DD is 4.5 and we just got back from DL last month. At home, she NEVER uses a stroller, well except the zoo and that's usually just to haul our stuff, but at DL it is a must for her and she rides in it alot. I feel having the stroller also helps her not to get so tired so fast in the day and therefore we get longer park time before we need to go back to the hotel for an official break. It is alot of walking, especially for a 4 year old. There is no way my daughter would be able to last at DL without one. Even when we go at 5 next year I'm taking one for sure. It also helps out when she falls asleep at night and we don't have to carry her back to the hotel, and sometimes she would even just fall asleep in the day in her stroller and that was a great break too and it allowed us to do some shopping or just stroll around or people watch. And she didn't have to hold our hand the entire day, although that would be wonderful, I think she would have gotten tired of it. And a stroller is great to store her change of clothes, a small soft cooler with drinks and snacks for her, etc. I honestly don't find it difficult to use a stroller at DL, it's easy to park everywhere and just leave it (just don't leave valuables inside).

I'd really reconsider your decision to not use one. I don't know your child or anything, but personally I could not do DL with a stroller for our 4 year old and I don't think I'd want to try, I'd be carrying her all day.

Have fun! Whatever you decide, I know it will be perfect!!!

 

[SFMommy]

I agree with kailuagirl! Our daughter was 5.5 on our last trip and we used it for her every day, but would never even consider using it at home. The only reason we are still keeping the stroller is for our next trip. She will probably be 6 by then, but we will still use it!

It is very, very handy for keeping snacks, water, sweatshirts that we shed when it warms up, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, etc.

But also, it gives my daughter some down-time when we are moving from one area of the park to another. She's happy to hop in and eat some goldfish crackers or a granola bar and rest for a while as we walk from Tomorrowland to Critter County, for example. I can't imagine how long it would take to get around if I had to carry her or let her walk.

We usually park the stroller in each "land" while we do the rides there, then she hops in for the long distances.

I'm sorry that I didn't answer your question, but just wanted to make a case for keeping the stroller with you in the park!

 

[DharmaLou]

actually your replies are super helpful - being that you've been there with kiddos her age. I think leaving them in one place in each "land" is a great idea. I'm so used to NEVER using it with her I didn't think about the fatigue factor. Thanks!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Triple ditto! I have a very active 7 1/2 year old... and our next trip she will be 8 1/2 and I don't want to look like a total doof with a stroller--but mine goes up to 55 lbs, and dd will be right at 55 lbs next year, and we just may bring it. The amount of 8-10 year olds you see resting in or taking a turn in their siblings rented strollers is why we might bring ours anyway. I figure its a half mile alone to get from the DLH to the gates of the park--and we tend to walk and criss-cross and go back for naps... one year i brought a pedometer and we did 12 miles a day of walking... dd could probably handle the 1st day of that sans stroller, just on adrenaline alone... but by day 6--omg... we'd all be exhausted! lol

Add to that... we also usually only use it from to and from the hotel and the park, and then on long stints (like going from Splash to Aladdin or something)... so we just park it in the land we are in, or somewhere easy to get back to. But it makes a great place to stuff a sweatshirt and couple water bottles, so you aren't lugging stuff around--never anything $$ of course... hate to have anything stolen.

 

[Paulakoala]

Yet another vote for the never-uses-a-stroller-except-at-DL situation! My boys will be almost 5 and just turned 6 when we go in July, we're renting a double stroller while we're there. The only time we use our stroller any more is for something like Stampede - matter of fact, that's the only reason I haven't gotten rid of it yet, as we are diehard Stampede goers and their little legs tire after all that walking. Plus, six of us going means water bottles and sunscreen and all that kind of stuff...why carry it if you can toss it in the stroller?

We decided to rent a stroller this trip rather than bring our own as we're driving down - oh boy, one heck of a road trip, total of 5000 km round trip - and I need the space the stroller would take up.

 

[KaitlynandTaylorsMom]

My daughter is 6 and we bought an umbrella stroller solely for using at Disneyland for her. She just can't walk it from opening to close and uses the stroller quite frequently. It also was helpful at night since she had a tendency to fall asleep around 9 or so. My 7 year old even kicked her little sister out a few times because she was tired of walking and wanted to ride for a bit. I would definately consider bringing a stroller for a 4 year old even if you don't use any other time.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We also find strollers handy in navigating crowds. Its so much easier to keep them from getting ran over when their in the stroller. I've been known to tell them to hop in so we can get through a congested area easier.

 

[CandMmommy]

Can u rent a double stroller there and what does it cost?

 

[millerette]

I would also add that having your own stroller comes in handy when your child is asleep at the end of the day. Our stoller fully reclines flat, dd sleeps on the walk back to hotel and goes straight to bed. No need to fold it up or wake her . ;0)

 

[DharmaLou]

I'm sold Discussed it with DH and the stroller is a go.