Stroller for 6.5 an 5.5 yo?

[starann]

Would you bring a stroller (well a double) for kids that age?

We are thinking of driving down, so it would not be a problem to lug it with us.

TIA!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Unless they have a medical condition, leave the stroller at home. Take a break when anyone gets tired - head to the pool, get an ice cream, etc.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

No. We had our twin daughters in Disney when they were 6. We didn't have any problems with the walking, and we stuck to a quick-paced touring plan most of the trip. We did, however, build in swimming because they kept asking when they could go swimming. (I read that a lot too. All of the cool rides in Disney, and kids want to swim at the hotel.) BTW my kids swim nearly everyday in the summer so it wasn't a novel idea for them.

We are driving in June from PA. JIC, if you aren't familiar, there is a 2,000 mile thread that is helpful. (From your post count, you probably already are.)

 

[kiddisney]

it would depend on when you're going - when we go in the fall the days are not as long, hot, or tiring as the summer so you may get by w/o one - but i would bring one folding stroller anyway and if you don't need it you can leave it in the room - though the kids say that they can handle it - and you may take a mid-day break - it's that last five minutes of the kids patience that you'll need it - when they are "dropping" -

 

[luvsJack]

Just about everyone is going to give you a different answer. You know your kids and your family best and how much your kids can take.

MK and Epcot consist of a LOT of walking and can be over tiring for adults much less kids. DHS and AK not so much. When dd was that age, we didn't take a stroller but we did rent one after about half a day in MK and that is exactly what I would do again. The cost may be a factor for you (I am not even sure how much they are now), but maybe just budget for it.

Personally, I would prefer to rent one than to lug around one, but with kids that age I would definitely keep the use of a stroller as a possibility.

 

[Schmeck]

For me, it depends on how much they weigh, and if I'd get even more worn out pushing them around all day, while they'd be raring to go at 10 PM because they'd been rolled around all day...

We stopped using strollers at WDW once the kids were 5 years old. We liked to go at a slower, steady pace that worked well for all of us. My kids tend to be in better shape than I am most of the time, so if anyone needed assistance, it would have been me!

 

[deerhart]

we are going on year 3 for my kids. My youngest is 7 (and will be on 3rd trip) so we started when he was 5. We never took a stroller and really the only time we probably would have sued one was after the late night fantasmic (and we did use one, Disney had all the rental strollers sitting outside the amphitheater for anyone to use) and the one late night we stayed at MK (we were there until almost 1am).

But neither of my kids have used a stroller since they were about 3 years old, so they are used to walking when we go anywhere (zoo, shopping, museums) and in the summertime are on their feet for most of the day at camp anyways. We find that most of the trip is a short walk, then rest, then another short walk then rest over and over which helps. We also make sure to sit down for all our meals (including at least one ts each day) so we do get plenty of breaks.

Since we haven't had a stroller for years, I didn't even think about one when we first took the kids or even if we needed one.

 

[Ela1972]

We took a stroller last year when DD was 4. Although we have never used it since we are taking it again this year, she will be 5 and 2 months.

We find it very useful for getting around quickly. She walks very slowly and likes to stop (with no warning )

We decided that if we take it and need it it is handy (easily noticed as we decorated it) and if we dont it will be left folded up in the room. We may leave it though when we go home as I don't fancy lugging it all the way back to lancashire!!!!!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Sazuburns]

We took one (a single) when the kids were 2 and 4 1/2. The younger one used a sling if the older one needed a rest.

We didn't take one when they were 5 and 7.

Sarah

 

[happymommy]

We switched from the double when my kids were 2 and 4, to a single that they could share at 4 and 6. I took it until they were 7 and 9, and was glad I did! They both became ill (one had strep throat and the other had a major ear infection) on the same trip! Both had high fevers, too! DD fell asleep in it at DHS, and I had to push her back to our room at the Dolphin (she could stay in it on the boat, thankfully). Without it, I don't know what I'd do, as she had a fever and needed to get back to the room (we had a doctor come to the room, which was also a great blessing).

So, if you are driving anyway, and have a stroller, I'd bring it just in case. You may or may not need it. I think rentals at the parks are expensive, but they are handy, as one trip when DD turned 8 I rented one a couple of days for her (she even fell asleep in it, she wears out easily and could sleep 14 hours on vacation).

I personally liked having it just in case, although my kids at home hadn't used one since they were maybe two. I kept our good single one just for Disney! I am almost sad to see it go (giving it away next week or so). Such a good "friend" it was to us!!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would not take it but be open to renting in the eveing if they are really tired. I think your own double would be very hard to push with two children that age.

 

[cwojchik]

We took one for our six and three yr old and I have to say the six yr old used it the most. Our 6 year old gets more "spunky" when she gets tired so it saved us from having ANY meltdowns all week. We couldn't have had a better experience and I attribute some of it to the fact that they didn't get too worn/tired. I think my DH and I could have used one though!

 

[Daytona99]

Only you know how your kids will do. We rented a stroller when our son got tired at age 5 and 6. There's tons of walking and adults get tired - those little legs of theirs get really exhausted, especially in the summer.

 

[all4fun]

From your countdown, it looks like you'll be there in Mid-September? It will likely be hot. Not sure what the park hours will be like at that time of year, but you could check past year schedule to see what it was historically. I agree that I would leave the possibility open. This depends a lot on the individual child/children, and parents. As at least one pp stated, you know your children best, and what they can tolerate.

Our last trip to WDW, ds was 5-1/2yrs and we used a stroller every day. He didn't have a lot of stamina then, and we didn't want to listen to a lot of whining while on vacation either. The stroller had a 50lb limit, and ds was still under that, but because it had seen better days, it was getting difficult to push. We left it behind at the end of the trip. We still have a jogger at home that we took on 2nd to last trip to Disneyland in August because we were staying 1/2 mile from the park and walking to and from every day (the bus system there isn't half as nice as WDW's). That was the last trip we have used a stroller. Just last month, we didn't need one at all (ds is now 6-1/2). We did lots of walking, had some long days, but did take it a little slower and had lots of breaks. The weather in So.Cal. last month was on the coolish side which helped. In August, it was hot-hot-hot (hit 100 more than once while we were there) so we really appreciated having the stroller on that particular trip. I think our stroller days are done though, even for WDW.

 

[mommy3girls]

I am in the scenerio. We are headed there for the first time on January 23-31 2010 with our three daughters aged 8, 5 and 4 yrs old. I am wondering if I should bring an umbrella stroller to have handy in case, the youngest two need a break?!

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated

 

[gandycat]

We will be there in two weeks and I'm bringing one for my almost 7 year old. She tires easily and that leads to grumpiness, something I'd like to avoid. I'd rather push the 50 lb kid in the stroller, lol. My 9 year old on the other hand walked at the parks from the time he was 4 with no problem. It really depends on your kid, you know them best.

 

[my 3 princesses]

I bring a stroller for my younger two (who are now 1 and 3). My 7 and 6 year old walk. They haven't used a stroller since they were maybe 4 (and that was only at WDW) and they always did fine. I remember the first time heading to the Magic Kingdom without the double stroller for the older two. I was envisioning days of whiney tired kids. We actually closed out the park that night and they did great!

 

[SMP]

I saw your question and did not even read what others told you. TAKE THAT STROLLER! Our DD now are 6 and 9. We have taken our double stroller (not one of th eside by side ones) every year. It is a life saver in the evenings or on a long walk to the hotel room or vehicle. On our last trip in November we went to a heavy duty umbrella stroller for the 6 year old. I purchased one that holds a child up to 55 LBS. My 9 year old missed that double stroller to catch a ride. I missed it to store stuff (a hook on backback, water bottles, snacks).

Going in February and we are going back and forth if we should take a double stroller again.

Loved it in the airport when we were able to toss all of our coats and carry on it. The airline is wonderful about taking it from us right as we get on the plane and then having it ready when we get off.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

There is no way I would want to push all that weight around. it makes me tired thinking about it.

Neither of my kids have used strollers since they were 4 yo. If the kids get tired, take a break. Its as simple as that.

 

[starann]

I am in the scenerio. We are headed there for the first time on January 23-31 2010 with our three daughters aged 8, 5 and 4 yrs old. I am wondering if I should bring an umbrella stroller to have handy in case, the youngest two need a break?!

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated

I would bring one at least for the 4yo! (if not a double for the 4 and 5yo)! Nothing worse than slowing everyone else down cause someone is tired!