Stroller for 6.5 an 5.5 yo?

[luvsJack]

OP, I just wanted to point out that we took plenty of breaks, we sat down and watched the ducks and sat on the benches and people watched while dd had a snack and all of those things. On the last trip where we used a stroller we were determined to "stop and smell the roses" and besides that dh smokes so we stop and let him get a smoke break every so often. We took breaks, but we were there for very long days. Dd got tired of standing and walking, we got tired from carrying things. The stroller we rented just made it easier on all of us.

I dont' know that I would have taken one with us, but with a child those ages, I would most certainly rent one.

I will also point out though that we were there the week of Thanksgiving and getting through the crowds made walking harder than usual, so the crowd level is certainly a factor.

 

[beautybelle]

I say take an umbrella stoller and have it handy. Kids that age get tired and if they wanna walk then you'll have a place to put your "stuff" and when they wanna sit then you can let them sit and you can put your "stuff" on the handles. Double duty.

 

[Alice's Mommy]

If you're driving and don't have to worry about carrying it onto the plane and all that jazz..then go for it! My kids are going to be 5 and 4 when we go in October and I already told DH that we would probably want to rent a double stroller for Epcot, at the very least. I remember the one time I was there and how very tired I was after having walked through that park...and I was 20! I remember lots of walking and that it was interesting for me, but that my 10 year old sister was BORED with it....I think the other parks will offer a diversion enough that walking with frequent breaks won't result in meltdowns...I worry about Epcot!

 

[Hannathy]

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.

Agree 100%

Haven't used one since my kids were 4 either.

 

[zarvgirl]

That being said, I haven't done WDW without so do not have that experience to comment on. We used a double stroller for DD2 and DD7 last time.

reasons I liked having one:

1. We could take a small cooler with drinks and snacks into parks and did not have to carry it.

2. It helped us be faster and together when going from point A to point B.

3.It was great for holding a spot for our family at parade time and fireworks.

4. When dealing with crowds it helped to keep the family together. DH pushed the stroller with 2 kids, DS and I walked behind in the wake!!

5. We still took our time and had breaks but it was a great resting spot. Even DS10 would sit on the edge while waiting for a parade or fireworks.

6. If I could find a stroller to carry me and convince DH to push, I would take it for the end of the day!!!

have a super trip.

 

[amy1976]

I would bring it if you feel they need it! You know your kids best, and if they will be miserable then bring it. We are going in May and our kids will be 2, 3 1/2 and 6. We are bringing a sit-and-stand stroller for the little ones but our 6 year old can jump on the back if she needs a break. I am not opposed to renting a stroller for her though if she is really beat.

 

[tzolkin]

I would bring the stroller with you just in case you decide you need one. (I think the rental is about $30 a day).

Are you planning to take an afternoon break?
We always hit the parks early and take a nap in the afternoon (we don't nap at home, but somehow we ALL fall asleep when we get into that dark air conditioned room ) If you're planning to return to the resort, perhaps you could go without the stroller in the morning and just take it with you in the evening.

We like having our own strollers instead of renting because my kids usually really need them leaving the park and walking back to the room. DH and I are also exhausted and carrying 40+ extra pounds around the resort after standing on a bus does not appeal to us.


My kids had never used strollers at home (we bought them just for our Disney trips). DH & I like having them secure in crowds and we also like to walk at an adult pace with our older child sometimes. The younger two were just-turned 5 and almost 3 during our last trip.

 

[pperfectmom]

Agree 100%

Haven't used one since my kids were 4 either.

Me too. Personally, it is a much bigger PITA to keep up with it and push it around than it is to just make them walk. Our last trip we had a 6 and 4 year old and never even needed one. And we went from park opening to close every day for the most part and did MVMCP. We did sit down at a meal or chose a ride like CoP to take breaks if they looked tired. The whining was kept to a minimum and that was my biggest worry.

 

[poohntigger]

We are going to WDW the Thursday before Easter and then leaving the Saturday after Easter. We have two boys age 6 and 4. We have considered not taking a stroller, but then I remembered how scary Magic Kingdom can be at night for SpectroMagic and Wishes especially during peak times of the year. We are driving so we can take our double stroller. It is my husband's job to push the stroller. We park it at certain spots in the park and walk, but for getting off the bus and walking in and walking out to the bus, it works great. So for safety reasons and the fact that our youngest son is asthmatic, we will take the stroller one more time. We are going to go to Disneyland next year and will go without a stroller, I think.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My DD had a Mac Volo for WDW last Oct. (she'll be 7 in July) I'm glad for her, we had a much more pleasant experience for sure because of the stroller.

 

[AmyBWV99]

Measure how much desire you have to carry 40-50lbs of sleeping child anywhere after touring for even 2 hours. I figure we'll bring a stroller until the kids can push us .

I have a 4.5 (41 lb) year old and while he does walk a ton he reaches his limit every couple of hours. Granted he's got some tone issues but regardless I can't imagine him being pleasant after a 1/2 day of wandering parks, and really the standing, standing, standing wears my back out so I'm never too anxious to carry anyone anywhere.

 

[tlh0726]

We are going to WDW the Thursday before Easter and then leaving the Saturday after Easter. We have two boys age 6 and 4. We have considered not taking a stroller, but then I remembered how scary Magic Kingdom can be at night for SpectroMagic and Wishes especially during peak times of the year. We are driving so we can take our double stroller. It is my husband's job to push the stroller. We park it at certain spots in the park and walk, but for getting off the bus and walking in and walking out to the bus, it works great. So for safety reasons and the fact that our youngest son is asthmatic, we will take the stroller one more time. We are going to go to Disneyland next year and will go without a stroller, I think.

If your DH can manage pushing a double stroller through Easter crowds, he has a 2nd career in his future. Saw pictures of those crowds last year

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Nope. Tell them "I'm paying to take you here, you can bloody well walk!"

Every time I've been involved in a Disney trip with a stroller, the stroller ended up being a pain in the butt.

 

[deerhart]

Measure how much desire you have to carry 40-50lbs of sleeping child anywhere after touring for even 2 hours. I figure we'll bring a stroller until the kids can push us ..

LOL I SOOO wish they could push me in a stroller (it almost was true two years ago, I could barely move after day 1 of Disney).

The decision gets a lot easier to ditch the stroller when your 4 year old is 52 lbs and 58 lbs at age 5 (thankful he's slowed down and is only 62.5 lbs at 7 and finally staying under the 100% mark for his age in weight).

But dh's back is just as good for a stroller and much less hassle because they can't jump in and out of it all day long (had my 7 year old at the grocery store, by himself, and no good excuse for not letting him have the "car" cart ... usually its because both he and big bro won't fit, he spent the WHOLE shopping trip in and out in and out in and out and driving me nuts)

 

[tzolkin]

Every time I've been involved in a Disney trip with a stroller, the stroller ended up being a pain in the butt.

I love having the strollers (we had two singles). DH and I can walk at an adult pace around the parks. We can navigate through crowds without worrying about dragging the kids behind us. We can park them and walk to the nearby attractions. The little ones always have a place to sit and snack while the older kids are doing the "big" attractions. We were there this last May when it poured every day of our 10 day trip. It was nice to have two strollers with clear rain covers-- the kids hopped in and stayed dry while we moved around the parks. We also use the busses and have never had any issues with the strollers.

We decided we're not going to do Disney this year. DH announced that it will be great next time because we won't need the strollers. Our two little ones will be 7 and almost 5. I'm actually a bit frightened by the idea of not having strollers. I think we will bring one "just in case".

 

[LauraAnn630]

Unless you kids are used to walking 5+ miles a day for days. I would rent a stroller.

We walked 9 to 12 miles a day! None of us were used to that much walking!

Who wants to be in DW with children that are exhausted (and crabby) with blisters on there feet because someone else thinks they should be walking 5+ miles a day!
NOT ME!

Enjoy YOUR vacation and do what you need to do to make your very expensive vacation the best it can be!

Have fun!

 

[dmank]

Well, once my kids turn 4, I bribe them with a 'special present' if they walk the entire time. Worked with my DS6; we'll see how it goes this year with DD4.

That said, I still have a 20mo that I'll take an umbrella stroller for and that way can stash water bottles and other junk in the back of it. I like the stroller for storage for sure, and don't know what I'll do when my baby turns 4.

In any case, if you plan to be at the parks all day/no breaks and moving a lot, then maybe bring a single jogger that the kids could switch off. I wouldn't do a double jogger b/c they are such a pain to manuever through big crowds and in and out of doorways and such.

If you plan to take it slow, then maybe don't bring a stroller at all.

My DH, BTW, hates it when he's exhausted from a long day of walking while the kids are still bouncing off walls since they've been riding all day!!