Stroller decision...

[The4bits]

I can't decide if I should deal with a stroller this year at WDW. My kids will be 6 and 5 when we go in September. They are so cumbersome and we rarely use one at home anymore, but Disney is a LOT of walking. So do I rent a single at WDW and make them share, do I rent a double one at the parks or do I rent a double one from Orlando Stroller Rentals? Can't decide. I am making so many other decisions I feel like my head might explode.

Thanks.

 

[jimandami]

I would probably just rent a double from Disney bc then you can just pick one of in the parks each day and leave them there at the end. You won't have to worry about carrying it on the bus/monorail, etc...

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't rent one at all!!! Mine never used one past 4. I think with 2 kids the same age you will be fine without one, it won't be like 1 little one trying to keep up with all adults. It is a lot of walking but it isn't a marathon. It is walking, sitting, standing, a little walking, more sitting, standing, repeat.

will they be tired? yep but so will you!

 

[thepeach80]

For just 6 and 5, I'd probably just do a single. I think we're renting from OSR, but I can't decide which one, a double of course. Then we'll have a single we'll take w/ us as well. I want one outside of the park for when we do DTD etc. Plus it'll probably be cheaper. How much are strollers in the park?

 

[Native NYer]

I would just rent a double in the parks if your kids need it. You may not need one in every park. DHS doesn't require as much walking as Epcot. If you think you'll use it at the resort, then go with Orlando Stroller rentals.

 

[The4bits]

For just 6 and 5, I'd probably just do a single. I think we're renting from OSR, but I can't decide which one, a double of course. Then we'll have a single we'll take w/ us as well. I want one outside of the park for when we do DTD etc. Plus it'll probably be cheaper. How much are strollers in the park?

Off the top of my head I am not sure how much they cost in park.

I've seen kids sharing the park single strollers so maybe we'll try that one day.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[MaumeeMom]

I agree with the PP who said to skip it altogether. I know that this is not a popular opinion but it worked for us. Both my kids were 4 for their first trips to WDW and we never used a stroller. We were fine.

Save your money.

 

[jimandami]

I think the decision of whether or not to get one just comes down to knowing your kids. My DS, who turned 6 yesterday, would never make it all day without one, especially at MK or Epcot. We are going next week and will probably just rent one for the week so we have it. He just tends to tire out very easily, but all kids are different and I'm sure some would be fine at that age.

 

[nrod]

I'm having a similar issue...mine will also be 6 and turning 5 when we go. I know we're going to bring the single stroller, but I'm trying to decide whether to borrow or buy a used one for my 6 year old. He actually spends more time in the stroller than my little guy. During our last trip in 2008, he rode in the stroller most of the time and we carried our little guy. But he's starting to get a little heavy for carrying through the parks. I think we'll only need the 2nd for MK and EPCOT and the other parks they can share. I'll be interested to know what you decide...

Also, If memory serves the rentals in the park are pretty steep, so if you decide to rent Orlando Strollers are probably a better deal.

 

[ZPT1022]

It really depends on your kids. I have three kids and am expecting a baby. Ages at the time of our trip will be 6,6, 9 and four months. Baby is obviously getting a stroller. The six year old girl will be fine, no stroller needed, no problems. The six year old boy has developmental delays and motor problems. He goes to physical therapy weekly, etc... He will need a stroller, maybe not the entire time but I'm concerned about his ability to make it on his own, especially at the end of the trip when he's worn down a bit. Yes, we will be taking plenty of breaks but still, WDW is generally a vacation that you come home tired from. The nine year old, should be able to make it on her own. If it weren't August and she didn't have bad asthma, it would never occur to me to consider it, but I'm curious to see how she does with the heat and humidity. I'll probably wind up bringing the baby's stroller and a Maclaren for DS. We can always leave it in the room if we don't need it and if we do, then it will be there. I can't bring myself to pay WDW's outrageous stroller rental prices.

 

[mom2mek]

My girls are 6 and 5 (same ages as OP) and I will be renting (for the 2nd time) a double stroller from OSR. They are fabulous to deal with, the strollers are great, and I know my girls will need one especially at parks like Epcot. They can truly be a lifesaver and I always feel like it's better to have one and not need it, then need one and not have it! Their strollers are so easy to fold and we just put a big ziploc bag (like the XXL one with handles) in the bottom for ponchos and jackets and other stuff I don't want to have to carry in my bag, in the bottom of the stroller and it's easy to get it all out when we have to board something. I'm sure this will be my last trip using one, but we certainly like having it for their little legs to get some rest!

Sara

 

[design_mom]

We just got back from WDW with DS9 and DD5. We decided to do days 1-2 of our 6 park-day trip without a stroller. (My parents were meeting us on day 3 and said they could bring one if we needed it, but we didn't end up needing it.)

It was *so* nice not to have a stroller and DD did fine for all 6 days. (She slept well at night, too!) I suspect if there had been an option of riding, DD would have accepted, but she never once asked about a stroller, nor did she ask to be carried or complain about being "too tired." And it was so nice not to have to search for it after every attraction, load it on the busses, etc.

I miss when my kids "were little" but strollers are one part of being little that I *don't* miss.

 

[Happiest mommy]

I would say just rent a single for the park, bottom line you know your kids I have a 4 yr old and at the time of trip an 8 month old and we are renting a double from Magic Strollers.

 

[Native NYer]

My girls are 6 and 5 (same ages as OP) and I will be renting (for the 2nd time) a double stroller from OSR. They are fabulous to deal with, the strollers are great, and I know my girls will need one especially at parks like Epcot. They can truly be a lifesaver and I always feel like it's better to have one and not need it, then need one and not have it! Their strollers are so easy to fold and we just put a big ziploc bag (like the XXL one with handles) in the bottom for ponchos and jackets and other stuff I don't want to have to carry in my bag, in the bottom of the stroller and it's easy to get it all out when we have to board something. I'm sure this will be my last trip using one, but we certainly like having it for their little legs to get some rest!

Sara

Did you find the City Mini double from OSR large/wide enough for a 6 and 5 yr old? We were thinking of bringing two Volos for my 6 and 2 yr old nephew. We figured the one for the 6 yr old can stay in the room if he doesn't need it. A double would be easier, but am wondering if it would be a tight fit for a 6 yr old. And my nephew is on the smaller side.

 

[Perditamarie]

I can't decide if I should deal with a stroller this year at WDW. My kids will be 6 and 5 when we go in September. They are so cumbersome and we rarely use one at home anymore, but Disney is a LOT of walking. So do I rent a single at WDW and make them share, do I rent a double one at the parks or do I rent a double one from Orlando Stroller Rentals? Can't decide. I am making so many other decisions I feel like my head might explode.

Thanks.

Consider doing a family walking program to get into WDW shape. You have plenty of time to walk over the summer.

From experience, you will thank yourself for not pushing 100+ pounds around in sweltering, steamy September....your kids will be fresh as a daisy in the stroller and you will feel as if you have been dragged through a bush all day and will be too tired to keep up with them!!!!

 

[mom2mek]

Did you find the City Mini double from OSR large/wide enough for a 6 and 5 yr old? We were thinking of bringing two Volos for my 6 and 2 yr old nephew. We figured the one for the 6 yr old can stay in the room if he doesn't need it. A double would be easier, but am wondering if it would be a tight fit for a 6 yr old. And my nephew is on the smaller side.

It did fine. We used them in Oct 2008 and my girls were 5 and 4 at the time and fit just fine. My son was 7 and he even climbed in a few times when the 4 year old wanted to walk.

Here is us at the beginning of our Epcot day:

Here is a pic of my son (7) and daughter (5) asleep at the end of that Epcot day! It was pouring out and they did not rest during our break back at the resort like the 4 year old did, so walking back from the middle of the World Showcase after Illuminations was NOT happening. I was very grateful to have the stroller. The 4 year old, well rested from her nap, was splashing her way around the WS.

Yes, he is a little tall for it, but it worked! And it was still a breeze to push! Those things are fabulous - the handle bar is high enough that you never feel like you are hunching over, and the stroller rolls and turns so easily...even at max poundage!

Hope that helps!


Sara

 

[southtexasmom]

We have rented from OSR three times and already have our reservation for our trip in July. I love the stroller, it pushes and turns easy and folds up quickly.

 

[Native NYer]

It did fine. We used them in Oct 2008 and my girls were 5 and 4 at the time and fit just fine. My son was 7 and he even climbed in a few times when the 4 year old wanted to walk.

Here is us at the beginning of our Epcot day:

Here is a pic of my son (7) and daughter (5) asleep at the end of that Epcot day! It was pouring out and they did not rest during our break back at the resort like the 4 year old did, so walking back from the middle of the World Showcase after Illuminations was NOT happening. I was very grateful to have the stroller. The 4 year old, well rested from her nap, was splashing her way around the WS.

Yes, he is a little tall for it, but it worked! And it was still a breeze to push! Those things are fabulous - the handle bar is high enough that you never feel like you are hunching over, and the stroller rolls and turns so easily...even at max poundage!

Hope that helps!


Sara

Thanks! I'm thinking of renting it in August.

 

[The4bits]

So many good opinions and perfect points. You are all right, only I will be able to decide. I do know that I will not be renting from the parks. They are really expensive.

I checked out Orlando Stroller Rentals and I really like the orange and gray one that mom2mek showed us in pictures. Thanks for those by the way.

Still no concrete decision. I think I may do the family walking program that perditamarie mentioned. She's right we do have all summer to get that going.

Ah, can you believe this... all the Disney decisions we have to make and this is the one holding me up.