Stroller for 5-year-old??

[JohnnySharp2]

It's not silly at all, a stroller is invaluable for a young child, it is very difficult for young children to walk around a theme park for hours and hours, you see kid's up to age of 10 in strollers.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I have 3 dds. I am definately taking 2 strollers for my dd2 and dd5, but after reading this post I think i'm going to bring 1 for my dd2 and rent a double for my dd5 and dd7, they are both small anyway, that's what I did last time we went when they were 3 and 5.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

We had a double stroller for our 5 year old twins last Nov and it was more for DH and I then them. We loved not having them hanging on to our hands (usually one boys on each of mom's hands ), we were able to get around easier, it was easier to keep track of both of them and thier big brother and we had a place to put all of our stuff. Next Nov. we don't plan on taking a stroller and are going to have to carry our camera, water bottles, rain coats.......maybe we will need a stroller

 

[cybrkitn]

Our DS4 is too tall for an umbrella stroller (he was out of his old strollers by 3 years old), so we rented a double stroller for him at the parks. And trust me, it was worth it! The double worked out great! It gave our son the extra room he needed when he fell asleep and gave us a bit of room to put our backpacks and sweatshirts (which DS used as a pillow and blanket a few times ).

The majority of little kids cannot do that much walking. Especially day after day. They get exhausted. My DH jokingly asked if there was room in the stroller for him because his feet were really hurting one day

Whether you bring your own or rent one at the parks, it's definately worth it with a young child. Just keep in mind one thing if you decide to bring your own - you will have to carry the stroller with you onto the Disney transportation.

What ever you decide remember - HAVE FUN!

 

[Got Quattro?]

We stoped using a stroller at age 4.

We walk untill she gets tired then sit and rest, or go back to the hotel.

Push your kids, you'd be amazed at what the can do if you let them.

 

[madelinesmum]

We have a 5 year old and if it wouldn't have been for the unbrella, she would not have made it at the bus stops and from the part entrances to the bus stops at night. I think they're so mentally exhausted that it wears on them physically as well.
She's getting too tall and too heavy for us to carry her, even short distances, so I would HIGHLY recommend it. We just got back, went it December with out one, and went last May without one..........handsd down this was the easiest trip physically.

 

[Chester's Mum]

Absolutely, we bought a cheap one with a canopy, dd used it sometimes, not for naps, but just for a rest, especially during parades. When she wasn't using it we used it for all the stuff we carry around, shopping etc. (before we figured out we can send packages back to the room for free). We once saw a 50 something man sitting in one at the parade. Buy cheap, take it, use it, junk it at the end if you don't need it at home. Its cheaper than renting and more versatile.

p.s. don't let the people who will say she's too old, get you down. She's your kid, and its your very expensive vacation. Not theirs.

 

[jdjbright]

Bring a stroller until the age they refuse to sit in one, then still bring the stroller so they can push you.

 

[Amy&Dan]

p.s. don't let the people who will say she's too old, get you down. She's your kid, and its your very expensive vacation. Not theirs.

Amen!

 

[sandymandr]

4. If you do rent form Disney, by all means get a multi-day rental ticket...you get a full refund for unused days and it saves you money and time in line to get strollers.

So, if I am there for 8 days, I can buy an eight day rental and get refunded at the end if we don't use it everyday?? I just want to make sure I understand that right because I assume we will need one for some days / parks, but am pretty sure we won't for other days (esp. AK day). We plan to take breaks in the afternoon and my Dsis loves all the shows so we may end up with a lot of breaks!!! I know the multi-day is a better deal cost-wise, but I was worried about spending too much if we end up not needing the stroller. Please confirm Thanks!!

 

[mom22boys]

I will be renting a double stroller for DS 6 and DS 3 on our next trip. If we were only going to be in the parks for 1 or 2 days I know DS 6 could walk, but since we will be touring the parks for 6 days I figure why push him? Remember, WDW is a marathon not a sprint. I want DS 6 to enjoy Day 1 as much as day 6, and I feel that renting a stroller is that little bit of insurance I am willing to pay for to protect the investment of the whole trip.

Best of luck to you! Hope you have a great trip!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I agree with you (OP) and everyone else, that is a lot of walking.

We always take the double for 2 kids (now 2 and 5 years old) and will again in Jan.

My advice is to make sure it is one you DD is comfortable in, is easy to push and small. It helps to hold things you don't want to carry too.

Have a great trip, we will be there in Jan too. pack for all kinds of weather just in case, you can get it all in one week.

 

[LoriBW]

Our DD was in a stroller until 6 or 7. I agree with kidd_freeper: bring a bandana or something so that you can designate your stroller (it's amazing how many are alike!). We also used a Disney rain poncho to cover the stroller in case of rain.

 

[zurgswife]

I used a regular stroller until my youngest was 7 at WDW. It was easier for her to keep up and I liked having a place to put all the crap 6 people took to the parks.

 

[Schmeck]

We have a 5 year old and if it wouldn't have been for the unbrella, she would not have made it at the bus stops and from the part entrances to the bus stops at night. I think they're so mentally exhausted that it wears on them physically as well.
She's getting too tall and too heavy for us to carry her, even short distances, so I would HIGHLY recommend it. We just got back, went it December with out one, and went last May without one..........handsd down this was the easiest trip physically.

If a child is parked in a stroller all day, how does she get too tired to walk to a bus stop? I know you said 'mental exhaustion' but a school aged child should be able to walk a quarter mile at the most from the turnstiles to a bus if he/she has been pushed about all day in a stroller? My 2 1/2 yr old managed to walk from the buses to the gates and resorts.

 

[babsd218]

Thank you OP for this thread. I have been wondering the same thing. I have DD7, DS5, and DD9mos. I have been debating whether or not to buy a double jogging stroller. After reading this thread, I am going to bring my stroller for the baby and rent a double stroller for the big kids, just in case. I could see two tired kids arguing over who wants to sit in the stroller, so why not rent a double.

Do you rent for the week when you get there or can you do it before you go?

 

[madelinesmum]

If a child is parked in a stroller all day, how does she get too tired to walk to a bus stop? I know you said 'mental exhaustion' but a school aged child should be able to walk a quarter mile at the most from the turnstiles to a bus if he/she has been pushed about all day in a stroller? My 2 1/2 yr old managed to walk from the buses to the gates and resorts.



Schmeck,

I don't recall saying my daughter stayed in a stroller all day. I also don't recall saying that it's impossible for a child or my child to walk to the entrances and through the bus stops although I would never ask or expect her to stand in a line at the bus stop for sometimes 20 minutes after a very long, hot day at the parks.
We took one for that purpose this trip because of the long hours we pull at the parks, the kids are tired. They're certainly mentally exhausted from all of the excitement such as meeting characters, riding rides, it's taxing.
Good for your two year old on doing all that walking. I can't imagine! How many days do you stay at the parks and how long are your days?

 

[WaltD4Me]

When I took my 6 year old niece I rented a stroller from our town car service.
Best thing I ever did! She hopped in and out, took breaks as she felt like it and we were both happier people for it. Did she absolutely need it? No, probably not, but I think she was alot less tired and/or cranky because of it, which made the trip more enjoyable for both of us.

 

[WaltD4Me]

If a child is parked in a stroller all day, how does she get too tired to walk to a bus stop?

The poster never said her child was in a stroller all day, she just said she wouldn't have made it to the bus stops at night...I'm thinking after the long day at Disney. You totally mis-read her post.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

When I took my 6 year old niece I rented a stroller from our town car service.
Best thing I ever did! She hopped in and out, took breaks as she felt like it and we were both happier people for it. Did she absolutely need it? No, probably not, but I think she was alot less tired and/or cranky because of it, which made the trip more enjoyable for both of us.

This is how my 6yr old DD used the stroller when we went for her 6th b-day trip in March. During the day she definitely walked more than she rode in the stroller, but it was nice to have it when she needed a little break and definitely invaluable at night trying to get back to the busses and to the room as efficiently as possible with a tired little girl. It was nice just to have some place to stow all our gear, even when DD wasn't riding in it! We are going back to WDW in January and to DL in June and even though she will be 7 by the time we go to DL, I'm still bringing the stroller, just in case!