Stroller for 5yo?

[NemoMOm]

MCCLAREN! We bought a double mcclaren after reading these forums. At first I thought they were too expensive, but holy cow they are great. First they are very light weight and can hold up to 55lbs. They fold and lock like a umbrella stroller only easier. They fit easily on the buses. Also DS just turned 5 so he hops in and out when ever he gets tired because there is nothing in the way.
We now have 2, double and single because DS 5 only needs the double when there is a lot of walking. I use the single for DS 2.

There is an ebay seller they sells them new in box for under the store prices. Good Luck!

 

[Cinderella3]

If I was you, I would rent a stroller for these reasons:
1. just to give your little one a place to rest their legs.
2. so you dont have to carry your bag, extra clothers etc
3. it would be a great thought to say oh I will just carry them at the end of the night, but your lets are tired as well.
hope this helps

 

[tzolkin]

My two little ones were 5 and almost 3 during our last trip.

Both of them used the strollers almost all day every day of our trip. DH likes to get to the parks at am EMH rope drop and we go pretty fast in the morning. It was nice to have them both in strollers and we could walk at an "adult" (I would call it crazy power walking) pace with our older DD around the parks. They were also helpful because we often cross a park several times to get FPs or just do certain attractions. They were especially nice in the evening when we got off the bus. Both kids usually fell asleep on the walk from the bus to the room.

My kids do not use strollers at home-- we actually had to buy them before we went because we didn't even own one. Three kids and we had never used a stroller. But they were happy to use them at Disney.


For some reason DH is convinced that we won't need any strollers for our next trip. We decided not to go this year, so he said "great the kids will be old enough and we won't need to bring the strollers next year". DS will be younger (not quite 5) than our DD was this past trip , so I think we're still going to bring one stroller. We can leave it in the room the first few days and decide if we need it or not. Although if we have no stroller, I can blame it on the kids that I can't keep up with him.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I plan on bringing one for DD (who will be 5 1/2) for our Aug trip. She doesn't really use one now, but I know that if she is walking all day in the heat she is going to get tired.

 

[kkhworth]

I am seriously considering getting a stoller for my DS for our trip this summer. He is 6, but only weighs 44 pounds. While I know he would be fine for a while, there is a LOT of walking to be done in a week at WDW. I am still on the fence...

 

[TikiGoddess07]

We went last summer with our daughters ages 4 and 6.5. We had Mac strollers for BOTH of them. We were there for 10 days.

For me, the biggest advantages to the strollers:

1. Children are so much easier to keep track of when you're pushing them. My 4 yr old has a tendency to wander.

2. You can move alot quicker through the parks. My 6 yr old can basically keep up with us but my 4 yr old walks much slower than the rest of us. Sure helps when you're trying to beat the crowds to the boat launch after Spectromagic!

There were times when we left the strollers in the room -- we didn't use them all of the time -- but boy, were we ever happy we had them.

Now we're going this summer with the now-5-and-7 year olds. My 7 yr old says she wouldn't need a stroller... but I'm still wondering...

Kathy

 

[kstinw19]

We have learned from experience that we will most definitely be renting a stroller for ds5. Although he is a pretty good walker, Disney is a different story. In all of the parks you do so much walking and standing in lines that it is nice to have it for them to rest in. And you spend less time going, "where is ds? where did he go?"

I don't find it too hard to get through the parks with them, and we have used the double one in the past. It does get a bit difficult during parade and end fo the day time, but still doable.

And I guarantee that your family will be tired from walking too and are not going to want to carry an additional 43 lbs around with them in the heat.

This is JMO, but I am all for it. And with the Disney ones, if you want to go on the train, for example, you can just leave it at the train station, take your card, and get another one at your destination. Very nice perk!

 

[Donaldswife]

We rented a double stroller at Magic Kingdom one day, and for both of our days at Epcot in June for my DD who was 7 at the time and our friends daughter who was 6. They have not used strollers for years, but it is a LOT of walking, and it was over 90 degrees and HUMID when we were there. Saved us a lot of whining about being tired, and gave them a place to rest/relax for a few minutes while we were trying to get around. I might still rent a double just for my DD8 when we go this October if she is tired on our Epcot days. I don't think she will NEED it, but if it makes her happy and keeps her going for longer throughout the day I don't getting it for her. Knowing her she will probably want one because she thought it was a BLAST to get pushed around like a princess last year.

 

[dibbadiane]

I just want to throw this into the mix in case anyone is interested. I will check back after our first trip to Disney to see if this was worth my energy (and money). My travel agent suggested strongly that even with a 5 year old that we take a stroller...for many of the reasons that some of you mentioned above. But the umbrella stroller we had for her when she was little was just too tiny for her now and the ones I saw at the stores did not seem much bigger. But through my searching I found a relatively inexpensive stroller that accommodates up to 55lbs. In fact it just came today and I rolled my daughter around the house for sometime today and she said it was comfortable.

The brand was Combi and the stroller was called Strolee. It is 11bs and has a little basket on the bottom and a canopy. They just came out on the market and I had advanced ordered mine. This is the website if anyone is interested.... http://www.combistrollers.com/

They advertise a 3 second close to the stroller ....and it does this once you become smarter than the stroller (which took awhile).

A little over two weeks until our first trip to Disney!!

 

[2poohbears]

that combi is a good price for the weight limit it holds.

fyi...maclaren volo holds up to 55 lbs as well...but it's more expensive. we have one, and it has worked very well for us thus far. I have had a twin Combi stroller in the past, and it was excellent quality. It lasted through 2 sets of twins (mine and SIL's).

 

[njgeneral]

Well, put it this way, if you don't take it, you will need it and if you do take it you probably will not. I think for a 5 1/2 y.o. you should bring one. I am in the process of looking at new strollers and I agree on the Maclaren Volo as a perfect choice. They go up to 55lbs. I would check a 2nd hand baby store as well for a used one. By the time you rent one, you could purchase one for the same price. AS long as it is easy to fold you should be good.

Parking strollers is a PITA but really no big deal esp. if it is small. Better safe than sorry.

 

[kkhworth]

I am considering getting the CITY CLASSIC SINGLE from :http://store.orlandostrollerrentals.com/

It says they deliver to your resort for free, and you can just return it to luggage service and they will pick it up, too. DS is 6, weighs 44 pounds, and is 47 1/2 inches. If I were to rent a WDW park stroller and pre pay for the week, they are the same price. However, if I get the OSR one, I will have the stroller with me all the time, instead of just in the parks-like the long trek to the bus at 10 or 11 at night when the kid is pooped, lol.

 

[ebaymommy2two]

We are leaving in a couple weeks and after much debated decided to take a stroller with us. DD is 7 and DS will turn 5 a few days before we go. We rarely use a stroller at home but I know without a doubt that after a day or two, DS will be exhausted and begging to be carried. I would rather push him around the parks than lug him around on my own tired legs. We are taking a MacLaren Quest (also rated for a child up to 55lbs) and either of our kids can ride in it if they so choose.

 

[emtmom0104]

My 5 year old hardly ever rides in a stroller at home but I know that by the end of the night there is going to be noooo way that he will walk back to the room. A friend of mine gave me a double stroller and we will be using that for my 5 and 3 year olds! They are both just too heavy to carry

 

[Princess April]

I know this can be a hot button topic for people but I am with the group that would encourage the use of the stroller. For us it's good because:

#1: Safety.... little ones like to wonder. they see all sorts of fun colorful exciting things and just want to go see it! My DD is really well behaved but still, she IS a child. She has been to Disney tons of times (we are AP holders and locals) but it is always fun and exciting! I like to know EXACTLY where she is. Also, getting thru huge crowds... um, not to out too fine a point on this. Do you think it will be easier for people not to step on your little one while in the safety of the stroller instead of just their little bodies? I know, not everyone is trying to be mean when they bump into someone, but my DD petite... It would crush me!

#2: Tired..... "Oh, mommy/daddy, I'm tired. Can you carry me???" Ha, can you carry me??? . I love the fact that I have a place for her, our packages, drinks, etc, etc..... Also, at the end of the night it would kill me to have to carry her.

#3 Fun... after all you want a happy fresh child, not a cranky pants! Being secure in their little safety place and can nap when and where they need to will just add joy to the experience, TRUST ME! Yes, most normal 6 year olds do not nap, I am fully aware of this (and at home she does not nap)... but when over stimulated even I want a nap!

All that being said DD does not use a stroller at home. We go out and she is perfectly capable of walking, but in this very special circumstance, I would go for the stroller idea.

 

[Hillbeans]

My DS will just turn 5 before our trip on 11/1, and i'm not sure yet what we'll do. He is big for his age, and he can walk long distances, but i'm thinking at the end of the park days he'll be exhausted.

 

[Samar]

I doubt I'll let my older children use a stroller at WDW. If anything, I'd have us doing walks around our area (to the park, up a few hills) to "condition" them for longer than usual walks. The baby will have her own little stroller but that's it.

 

[Hannathy]

My DS will just turn 5 before our trip on 11/1, and i'm not sure yet what we'll do. He is big for his age, and he can walk long distances, but i'm thinking at the end of the park days he'll be exhausted.

Yes BUT won't you be exhausted also? I never got this argument. Yes they will be tired but so am I and if you don't push your kids around in a stroller believe me you will never be writing one of the posts about how to get your kids to sleep at Disney!!!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

DD will be 5 1/2 for our AUg trip and I am bringing the stroller for her. She walks around the stores here at home, but it's Disney, we're going to be walking an average 8-10 miles a day, and its August......lol, the heat and humidity will knock her out.
And as a PP mentioned, its MUCH easier to keep an eye on her in the stroller.

I am going to look for smaller more compact strollers b/c we are driving this year and need all the trunk space we could get lol

 

[kkhworth]

DD will be 5 1/2 for our AUg trip and I am bringing the stroller for her. She walks around the stores here at home, but it's Disney, we're going to be walking an average 8-10 miles a day, and its August......lol, the heat and humidity will knock her out.
And as a PP mentioned, its MUCH easier to keep an eye on her in the stroller.

I am going to look for smaller more compact strollers b/c we are driving this year and need all the trunk space we could get lol

Did you check out the Orlando Stroller Rentals? I am seriously in love with them! They deliver to WDW resorts and you can leave it at luggage service for them to pick up when you leave. I am getting one for $80 for 7 nights.