Stroller age

[Claire-Bear]

Update: Thanks, I've decided to take a double stroller. Our youngest (4) will need one, and where we will be at the parks all day (due to lifts) and it'll be the middle of summer, it'll give them both a place to rest and escape.

Hi all

For what ages would you recommend strollers are used in the parks? Does it depend how long you will be there? Depend on the park?

My eldest will be 7 and I'm thinking won't need one, but it's been over 10 years since we last went and I can't remember the walking distances.

Thank you

 

[Princesca]

I once read somewhere that the average distance walked per day at Disney is 11 miles. It depends on how you tour the parks, and also I gather that using G+ tends to increase walking distances if you want to maximize it as a tool.

 

[RoseGold]

We were very glad we had one for a 7 year old when they were fast asleep at the end of the day, and we just rolled on the GF boat.

 

[sponica]

My friend rented a double last year for her 7 year old and 3 year old. The older one doesn't use one at home, but she liked having the double during crowded times (after fireworks).

 

[juxtapose]

We stopped with both kids at 5, and they've been able to do week long trips at that point. There was very little, to no complaining from them. If they did complain it was while we were stopped waiting in lines where you can't have a stroller anyways. From an adult point of view, it's so much easier to navigate the parks, buses, etc without a stroller.

 

[unrequited23]

We took a small sit & stand stroller when our kids were just turned 7 on the trip and 4.5 years old. The oldest took a handful of breaks, but both kids did fall asleep on the long walk from France to the front gate.

 

[Willow1213]

We have an 8 yr old and infant on our next trip. Finding a stroller that can fit our older son height and weight wise was tough! We have a City Mini GT that he can sit in if he needs a break, but I'm not bringing it for him. He stopped using one at 7, the year before we had to last minute order a rental from an offsite company after our first day

 

[crisi]

Our kids are adults, but we stopped before seven (I think the last stroller was five and six). They had plenty of energy to get through the day, attractions broke up the walking with sitting. I think we didn't do a whole lot of World Showcase that year (that's a lot of walking) but the other parks were fine.

It does get difficult to find strollers for older kids (and do be careful of the weight limit - the neighbor kid needed stitches when he fell through my kid's stroller - he was four years older than them - a hospital trip is not what you want at WDW) AND its hard on you to push that much weight - especially if you are loading multiple kids into a stroller.

 

[Dulcee]

Our oldest was 7 on our last trip. We consistently used a double for the baby and the 3-year-old. He would occasionally hop in for a break but could easily do a full trip without a stroller.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I think it depends on the kid but I would rather have it than not have it. Our kids are 2, 4, and 6, so we’re still at double stroller age but we also have a buggy board attached that helps a ton. The 6yo is typically the one that ends up wanting to sit in the stroller at the end of the night, while the 4yo is often still bouncing around full of energy so she ends up on the buggy board. We tried going without the buggy board last summer at WDW and we really missed it. One kid would often end up being carried at the end of the night. The other nice thing is it would keep their shoes dry when it was raining.

 

[NJlauren]

This is really going to be dependent on the child.

I had one for my kids when they were 2/6, and it was impossible to push when the 6 year old was in the stroller she was a giant! I took her back at 7 solo and did no stroller and told her we go at her pace, she was a trooper! At 8 we had a stroller for the then 4 year old and thought the 8 year old might hope in once or twice and she never did ….

So for us 6 was the last time I got a stroller for her. Now my younger one I have a feeling may hang on longer.

 

[jo-jo]

I had a friend who used one for her son long after not using one at home. It was a pretty basic one, and at end of trip, gave it away. She figured if she rented one, she'd be out money anyway.

I'm of the thought even if child doesn't ride too much, it's still great to carry a few jackets and a couple bottles of water.

 

[Claire-Bear]

Thanks all. We will definitely need one for our 4 year old (we have a City Mini) but wondered about our 7 year old.

Out of interest, is the walk around World Showcase similar to the walk to the various areas of Animal Kingdom? I really can't remember

 

[SLThomas318]

Like other posters have said, it depends on the kid and how you plan on touring. Last trip my boys were just shy of 6 and 8... I was going to rent a single, but got nervous and went for the double. The 7 year old used it more then I thought he would, but it was a week long trip with lots of late nights. I'm in the camp of "rather have it and not need it, then be stuck without one." I feel like time of year makes a difference too. Summer is hot and rainy. The stroller is nice for them to grab some shade or stay dry under the cover. We also like having a place for our extra stuff so we aren't carrying it. I'm not looking forward to the days when we don't have at least a single stroller!

 

[jo-jo]

Thanks all. We will definitely need one for our 4 year old (we have a City Mini) but wondered about our 7 year old.

Out of interest, is the walk around World Showcase similar to the walk to the various areas of Animal Kingdom? I really can't remember

Can you add one of those glider boards to your stroller? I've never used one. Don't know if they are pain to walk with a kid standing under your chin.

 

[sponica]

Thanks all. We will definitely need one for our 4 year old (we have a City Mini) but wondered about our 7 year old.

Out of interest, is the walk around World Showcase similar to the walk to the various areas of Animal Kingdom? I really can't remember

I think it's less walking than AK, but honestly I usually have a drink in hand, so I don't remember how long it is. There are some benches around Germany (?). I just remember stopping there with a beer and pretzel in hand.

My kids are about the same age as yours (a little younger but not much younger), and we're renting a double but flying with our single. The plan is in the first part of the day to use the single and when we head back out to the parks after pool time, we'll switch to the double.

If we have the double all day, the older one isn't allowed into it until after lunch time.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Rent a double. Your 7-year old will probably walk most of the time but have the option to hop into the stroller for a while to take a break.

 

[Micca]

I think strollers are a hassle, but compared to carrying a child who has conked out? In the blazing sun and heat? Def get the stroller if you can.

 

[GoingSince1990]

I think strollers are a hassle, but compared to carrying a child who has conked out? In the blazing sun and heat? Def get the stroller if you can.

Every trip I see miserable parents struggling to carry their children at the end of a long and tiring Disney day. Even if you end up never needing the stroller, it’s good insurance and a handy place to put your stuff.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We had one when our kids were 5 & 7 and that was the last time we used the stroller. The next trip at 6 & 8 was stroller free and they did fine. This will depend entirely on your child and the type of day you have in the parks. If you know you'll be burning the midnight oil and they'll be tired, bring a stroller. I don't know if you fly/drive, but you could pack it and see if you need it or not. Or, if you are flying, go sans stroller and if you get a lot of complaints, buy a cheap umbrella stroller at Target or Walmart or even pay a little more and get one at the parks. In my opinion, an umbrella stroller is so easy and it holds your stuff you really can't go wrong since they're so easy to fold up.