stroller for 5 year old?

[jsphotography]

My sweet girl will be 5 and in kindergarten when we go to WDW in October (just her, myself, and my mom). Normally if we were to go some place like the mall or running errands I definitely wouldn't bring a stroller for her, but I'm a little nervous about her running around the parks all day long and when she gets tired wishing i had a stroller for her instead of her whining that she's tired of walking. She's never been before and will LOOOOOOOVE it- you think the excitement will keep her going? Since its just us I'm planning on bringing some sort of back pack for camera/waterbottle/wallet, so I don't really think I'll need a stroller for the storage- Any advice from parents with kids that age? TIA!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

BRING IT!! Or at least be ready to rent one. When our son was 5, he was go-go-go, until the end of the night. It was really helpful to us to bring our own to have to walk from the park to the busses to the hotel room. That's when they're the most tired (and heavy)!
It just cuts down on the tired whining at the end of the night.

 

[OneBoy/OneGirl]

My dd is 5 and we are going in September. I am bringing a Maclaren Volo for her that I picked up on craigslist for $50. She wilts in the heat and will need a place to rest. Plus, when she gets tired EVERYONE knows about it! She gets very whiney and wants to be carried, etc. For everyone's sanity, she will have the stroller available. I know many people will say she's too old, but this is what works for us. Good luck with your decision!
Jill
dd 5
ds 7

 

[chrismass]

I agree - definitely bring a stroller. there's nothing worse than having a tired (and she will be with all that walking!) child when you're tired yourself. If you don't want to carry it around all day leave it in your car (if you're bringing one) or in the hotel room and pick it up after your afternoon break / nap / swim. Have fun!

My kids still would love to be in a stroller by the end of a long day - if they see an abandoned one at the end of the night they ask if they can give each other rides to the exit. lol!

 

[rrobin3051]

2 words for you
BRING IT!

you wont regret bringing a stroller. when my youngest son was 5 and we were there we brought it and there wasnt a night he didnt use it. I loved it for something to hang on while walking and storing water bottles and whatever else we collected. I didnt even use an expensive one to hold bigger kids just the regular kind and it worked great!

 

[jsphotography]

I like the idea of bringing leaving it at the hotel and just bringing it for round two after the afternoon break... I think I just really don't want to deal with it on the flight and have the hassle of it slowing us down during the day at the parks. I want to be able to hold her hand and be excited with her and not be worried about a stroller. But I can definitely see where its needed in the evenings- do you recommend renting one from the park? Could you rent one at the hotel? I think I would rather rent one then bring one from home because I just think she would really need it to crash in the evenings...

best place to rent one?? :0) Thanks for the help!!

 

[DISNEYNV]

Yes, there are places to rent strollers at The parks, but it's a bit pricey. It's like fifteen bucks a day for a single I think? You can actually purchase one at Disney too. It's a red Kolcraft umbrella type. I saw them for sale at AK and Epcot and downtown Disney also. Not sure how much though. But then you would have to take it back home with you then. I would also check out other Orlando area rentals and also the stroller swaps here on the boards.

My DD will be five this week. We just got back last week from an eight day Disney trip and we only had one stroller for our one year old. Didn't want to invest in buying a sit and stand or double but wish we did after hearing the poor kid complain for eight days!!! Rent, buy, or swap... She will be tired of walking

 

[bsjs0708]

My son was 7 yo and we had him in a stroller 75% of the time. Much easier for parents and kiddos.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

I agree Bring IT! We also bought a Volo (super light, strong enough, and it fares very well in summer showers) specifically for WDW, since our kids didn't need it otherwise. Let me tell you, at the end of the night, after fireworks or Reflections of Earth, it's a long way to carry a 5 year to the bus / car.
-Virginia

 

[jmann]

We brought ours last year when my daughter was 5 and she used it a lot. It makes going through the airport easier. The only time we did not have it on the trip was at our resort for dinner and she fell asleep and guess who carried her all the way back to the room which was quite a distance. Sure it's a small hassle to bring but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion.

 

[RMulieri]

You know your child best. Most people bring them. I REFUSED to for my 4 yr old. We did a family walking program 6 months before we went, and she never ever used one here or in local theme parks or zoos. My kid did fine . She walked, kept up our pace and did 10 hr park days without any complaints or issues. She is an only child though, sometimes with multiple kids strollers are easier.Now I Know I may have sounded harsh, but I knew a little exercise wasn't going to hurt my DD , and she walks everywhere at home.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would bring the stroller. I can understand you wanting to hold hands and share the excitement that way with your daughter, but I can't see your daughter wanting to hold hands for an extended period of time. Who wants to have their hand held up like that for very long?

Keep in mind that your daughter will be taking at least 2 steps for every 1 that you take. Then think about how tired you will be after a long day in the parks. That is quite a lot to ask of a 5yr old, even if they do get a lot of exercize at home.

I would take the stroller.