Stroller for 6 y.o.

[Figment&Piglet]

This will be our 9th or 10th trip with DD, and she's about 6.5 y.o. now. We'll be going for a quick 5-day trip in Nov. Up till now, we've always brought her MacLaren Quest stroller. But now I'm thinking she might a little old/big for it (she's 50 or 55 lbs and around 47-48 inches)...but on the other hand, I can't imagine her walking non-stop for 5 days. What would you do...bring it anyway? Leave it at home and rent only if we need to? (Really don't want to with the expense.) Will she be self-conscious about being too old/too tall if she's riding in a stroller? Will we even be able to push her in it? Any advice is appreciated.

 

[sardanem]

When we went in August, my DD was 6 1/2. I didn't get the stroller. I figured I would play it by ear. She didn't need it at all. We went straight thru the day for 5 days. No breaks at all and in August it is like 200 degrees with the humidity at 435%. Okay, I am exaggerating a bit, but it was really hot. There is so much stopping and going and it was wonderful to not have the stroller to worry about. This was my first trip without one and I highly recommend to try it first before getting it. You can always go and pick it up if you need to.

Lisa

 

[MJAJmom]

That's a tough call. She's old enough to walk around by herself -- some kids do better than others. You know your child best... so here are a few thoughts to ponder....
- How did she do on your last trip? Was she exhausted, did she like riding in it or want to walk more?
- Do you tour commondo style or very casual? Maybe without the stroller, you might have to plan more breaks or specific sit-down shows for a rest. Or come home earlier at night.
- How does she do later in the day or at night? Do you stay in the parks later, that's when they are worn down and want to be strolled/carried.
- Have you asked her how she feels about riding in a stroller? Maybe she wants to be a big girl, or maybe she could care less.
- Either way, at least 2 weeks before your trip, start taking lots of walks to build their endurance.
-You can always bring the stroller and at least have it there if needed, if that makes you feel more comfortable.

Have fun on your trip!!

 

[amyj1024]

We just got back with my 5 1/2 year old. She did just fine walking for 3 days straight. We figured we would rent a stroller if we needed to, but she was able to make it with no whining either!!
I have been impressing on her how much she was going to need to walk at Disney for the past 6 months, and then the weekend before we went she did walk a 5K with me. She's a trooper. I think it depends on your kid.

 

[RMulieri]

Each kid is different.You know your child.If you need it get one.That said, My 4 yr old walked the entire week (sometimes up to 10 hrs without a complaint) I think this is because we had her walking laps with us around the neighborhood for months before we left.Plus she never uses a stroller anywhere anymore. My niece is 6 and still uses a stroller..it depends on the child.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I would bring it and if she doesn't want to ride in it leave it in your hotel room so you will not have the expense but is there as you see a need for it. have a great trip we will be there after you and I just rented a bjcm double from www.orlandostrollerrentals.com for my 5 and 8 yr olds to ride in. I have single at home but I know my 8yr old is going to need the stroller some especially on some of the late nights that we have and if nothing else I will use the other seat for storage.

 

[mom2aredhead]

We're just back and my almost 5 year old did great without the stroller. Honestly, the ONLY time I wish we would have had it was in the airport when we got home - our flight was on the later side and he fell asleep on the plane. I didn't have the heart to wake him up, so I carried all 45 pounds of sleeping child through the airport and my husband looked like a pack mule with all of the bags.

In the parks we were fine though...

 

[mom2aredhead]

I just wanted to add...
I don't know if you're flying, but it was sooooo much easier getting through airport security, to the gate and on the plane without the stroller.

And I loved not dealing with it on the buses also.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

My youngest is 6 1/2 and I am so happy to not have a stroller this trip. I miss the kids being little and would go back in a heartbeat if I could, but since I can't, I will just rejoice in not having to deal with a stroller on the busses, parking them, all of it!!!!! (No big bag of stuff is nice too!)

I personally am not taking one as a "just in case" (we've gotten rid of all our anyway) and don't plan on renting one either (not at those prices.) If she gets tired, we will find a shady spot and enjoy a Mickey ice cream bar and when she's ready to go, we'll go. Frankly, I don't worry about her, she's got so much energy. Last time she was 4 1/2 and didn't want to use the one we brought.

 

[RumpleMom]

Ask you child's gym teacher for an evaluation of your child's physical fitness compared to what is expected for that age.

Our family walked on the weekends before our trip to build up stamina and break in new shoes. Our four and seven year olds did just fine for a week of walking. The four year old was carried a few times, but not much.

 

[mjkacmom]

I rented a double for my 4, 4, and 6 year olds, but last year, I brought my 7 year old to DC, and she walked everywhere without a problem (and she's only 45 pound - she's a little one).

 

[HLDisney]

I've been going through this same dilemma, as my DD will be almost 7 when we go next month. I've had the stroller with us the past 2 years when we've gone and my DD used it quite a bit and it was very useful when she was tired late at night. But we've used the stroller at home maybe only once in the past year.

I've been discussing it with my mom since her and my dad are coming with us this year (in past years, we've gone with our friends, another mom and her DD) and we've decided not to bring the stroller this time. With my parents, we're not as likely to stay out all day and night and we'll need to take more breaks so I think my DD will be able to handle the walking. And since this will be our 3rd time there in 3 years, it's not as though we need to see and do everything so if an afternoon by the pool is what my DD needs, as opposed to an afternoon at a park, then that's what we'll do.

It will be nice to not have to lug the stroller with us everywhere but only time will tell if we made the right choice....... Good luck in your decision-making.

Helen

 

[slo]

Here's another one checking in with the same issue


My DD is a little over 5, and bigger/taller for her age. I asked her the other day if I should bring the umbrella stroller for the airport, and she said, very confidently, "NO! I am not a baby!!!!!" So I then asked her if she would need a stroller at the parks, and she again said, "NO, I can walk like sissy!!!" So I was like this because I never thought that she would think like this. So I'm not taking it, and if she gets tired, or decides she wants it, than we'll just rent one (which we always do anyway, I'm just more nervous about not having my own stroller at DTD).

Good luck to all of us!!!

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Really interesting input! Like several of you suggested, I just asked DD if she wanted us to bring the stroller or if she felt she was too big for it and wanted to walk. She actually said she wanted us to bring it because she said her feet get really tired and hurt after awhile. Truth be told, I think maybe she's just gotten used to our bringing it and, maybe she rode in it a little more than she'd needed to sometimes, but it's hard to say since it's her feet and not mine.

It's tough to judge at home--she's active and can run and play on the playground for a long time, but other than a local state fair that's big (but only one day) and trips to the beach where we talk around the town at night, it's not like there's any comparable "test" at home where you're walking 5 days straight for upwards of 12 hours at a time.

I think maybe I better bring it and, like one of you said, leave it in the hotel room and only go back for it if she really can't make it around...

How much are single strollers to rent these days?

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I think they are 15 if you rent everyday and 13 if you do a length of stay rental.

 

[abcboys]

My middle was 6 when we went in May. We had a maclaren for our 2 year old and the 6 year old would occassionaly jump in it the stroller if the 2 year old wanted to walk but the 6 year old walked most of the day. We were there for a week. By the 4th day we went ahead and rented a single stroller for 2 days for the 6 year old to give him a break (even the 9 year old rode some and WAS NOT embarrassed in the least) You know your kids best but the rentals push wonderfully!!!! I could push a lot of weight in those things and it didn't feel heavy at all. My kids are not troopers but did great most of the time. Renting for 2 days was a great way for the kids to get a break in the middle of the week.

 

[skw444]

We were there at the end of August when it was HOT and my dd had just turned 6 the day before we left. She's big for her age 48lbs, 48 inches. She never uses a stroller at home but we brought the Mac Volo just in case. The first 2 days, she did not want the stroller because it was for "babies" but by day 3 she was asking if we could bring it so she could ride in it some. So, I'm glad we had it with us just in case.