Stroller for 6 year old?!

[mollybug2]

I am taking my daughter to Disney World for the first time in November. She will be six and we plan to spend most all of the days were are there in the park. Should I plan to bring a stroller at all? Obviously she will walk 99% of the time, but if she gets worn out is it worth it to have one? Or is it more of a hassle to haul it around?

THANKS!

 

[Hannathy]

More of a hassle!! It is so freeing to not have to deal with one in the crowds and lugging it on and off the busses, etc.

My kids walked from 4 on and we stay looooong days without breaks.

I wouldn't never take one for a 6 yr old.

 

[avahoneybee]

Do strollers even accomodate 6 year olds? That seems awful big to be riding around in one. I know if I suggested this to my 6 year old, I would be getting the hairy eyeball. Strollers were gone from my house around 4 years old.

 

[Madisonsmom45]

Hi,
It's best to judge by your child..If your child is used to walking for long periods of time maybe you could do without one.
We were at Disney this past September and we had one for our 7 year olds. We have been to Disney several times.The benefits of having it far outweighed the the inconvience of dragging it around.
Yes, they weren't in it all the time, but it sure helped when little feet gave out.
There were less problems. If this is your first visit, you may under estimate the enormous amounts of walking that are involved. By the middle of your vacation legs are tired. Even for seasoned adults. If you take it and find it unnecessary, you can still pile your backpack and purchases into it..Happy vacation.

 

[Madisonsmom45]

Hi,
Just want to add one more thing...Don't feel you have to have super kids that have to conquer the world on their own legs. There's no harm in a stroller.

 

[Kat&Dom]

My son is 4 1/2 and I plan on bringing a stroller. It is just too difficult for me to carry him when he is tired. What I have done on our past 4 Disney trips is park the stroller in Fantasyland while we do all the rides there then head over to another land and park the stroller there. I abandon my stroller all the time. I also use my stroller to store our rain coats, sweatshirts, sunscreen and snacks so that I don't have to carry a backpack. I also like having my son in the stroller during the fireworks and at night when leaving the park - I know exactly where he is and that he is safe and he is not in any danger of being ran over accidently by the crowds leaving the parks.

My friend is coming with me next month and her daughter is 6 and she bought from Costco a lightweight and taller - not an umbrella but not a regular stroller either. It folds up and has a carry strap on the back of it. She can not carry her daughter and doesn't want to listen to any whining when her daughter is tired.

You know your child best and go with what works for you. I personally don't find it inconvenient to have a stroller - I like having one on Disney trips. Disney is the only place that I use a stroller for my son. At home, he has been out of the stroller since he was 18 months old.

I think the strollers will be lifesaver at Epcot especially.

 

[Nicki501]

I agree with the above poster only you can judge your children. Although there were quite a few kids who were not in strollers, there were a lot of kids who were in strollers in that age group. I will be heading down to WDW in July, when it is extremely hot and I am bringing a stroller for my 4 and 5 year old. The only thing I'm trying to decide is whether I should bring a double or invest in a sit and stand. When we went in 2008, the kids were always sleeping when we left the parks. The stroller was a godsend. We went in 2009 for a quick get and get out of Animal Kingdom and only stayed a couple of hours, there was no stroller.

But at the end of a long day, I can barely drag myself to the bus stop, I don't want to be carrying a heavy child as well. And push comes to shove, if your child doesn't want to use it, you can use it to carry your stuff (much easier than carrying it).

 

[PEANUT1]

We have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. We have a double jeep umbrella and we love it! You can only have a max of 50 pounds on each side and my 6 year old just fits. It is just nice to have for her to jump in and out of when she wants. Sometimes we will also just park somewhere and walk around for a while and come back for it later.

Only you know how your daughter will do..for us, we like to have the stroller. Some people may judge you for even considering it. My daughter will be close to 7 when we go in December and won't fit in the stroller we have..she'll just have to deal and probably get piggy back rides from her daddy when she gets too tired

 

[avahoneybee]

My suggestion is to take a break when she's tired, then you won't need to lug the stoller around the park.

 

[ms_missy66]

We have a 6 and 5 year old and I couldn't imagine doing the parks without a stroller. When they get tired, they hop in and chill. Our days last MUCH longer due to a stroller. Plus, when we were there on New Year's Eve, I was so thankful to have metal hardware around them while trying to exit the park after midnight. They were exhausted, there were SOOO many people all crunched together and I knew they were safe in there. We're going in June and this is probably going to be our last trip with one.

 

[mollybug2]

Thanks for all the opinions! We will not likely be back to Disney for several years at the very least and want to get in as much as possible (but without making it too overwhelming or rushed of course). At home she would never want to be in a stroller, but we don't walk all day, either!

Anyway, I appreciate the comments and will now have to see if she even fits into any of the strollers I have! Hahaha.

 

[CSHaydt]

We are planning on bringing one for my DS - 5. This way it will avoid meltdowns, and the cries of i'm too tired. He is excited cause he hasn't had a stroller since he was like 2. We bought one for a larger child cause he's 46 lbs and 49" tall. This way we can also lug water and snacks with us, sweatshirts and an umbrella and not have to carry anything.

 

[Inurdrems9]

My DD is 7 and we were just there in Jan. and we rented a stroller when we got tothe parks and when she was tired she would sit in the stroller. We go to Disney 3 to 4 times a year (we live in South Fla.) and always rent a stroller.

 

[meghanlea]

we took one when dd was 4 and it was a waste. the last few days we left it in the room. she would only ride in it from the bus to the gate and that was it. we parked it at the spots in MK and would go get it and push it empty to the next parking. but you know your child best. DS just turned 3 and we sold ours b/c he wont ride in it place now and if it comes down to it ill just buy an umbrella one when we go .

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Like everybody else said, I think you have to have to judge your own child.

The first time we went to WDW with our kids, they were 2 and 6. The 6 year old walked most of the time, but there were a few times when she was just worn out, and then she was able to share the stroller with her brother. But she didn't really need it.

This past trip, we had our 2 year old and 4 year old nieces with us. Neither one of them really wanted to ride in the stroller that was brought along. Sometimes the 2 year old would ride, but not a lot. Half the time our party would leave a ride and forget the stroller and then somebody (*cough* me *cough*) would have to go back and get it.

So, um, I don't know?

 

[lathamary]

We're renting a Baby Jogger City Classic Double stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals, since we're planning on our seven year old wanting to ride every now and then, and our two year old will for sure ride. Last time we went, our older son was five, and he rode a lot. Disney World can be very exhausting for a child; and I'd rather err on the side of caution and have a stroller in case he gets tired.

I agree with the other people that said that you'll be the best judge of if your child will or won't want to ride in a stroller. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[2poohbears]

If you're planning to be in the parks until closing, I would bring a stroller for that. When everyone is exiting at the same time, it can be a bit scary...if your child is in a stroller in front of you, I think you'll feel better.

We generally take a midday break, so I will most likely not bring strollers for my 6 year olds in the morning. However, whenever we know we are leaving the parks after fireworks, etc, I'll bring it just to be safe. I don't think it's a big hassle to carry on the bus. We've been several times, and always have taken 2 umbrella strollers with us. I think strollers for older kids just make things easier at the end of the day.

 

[squirrel]

I agree, it depends on the child and the weather/temperature (time of year).

I love how some people post they don't need one for their kid, but fail to mention they go at a time of year the parks are closed at 7pm and the temperature is cool. Then tell another poster not to pack one when the poster is going at a time the heat in FL would make just about anyone want to sit in one! Not this thread, but I have seen it before.

 

[ShannonMB]

My DD went to WDW for the first time at age 6 (it was such a great age to have her there!). It never even crossed my mind that she might need a stroller since she hadn't used one at home for a couple years and I didn't know about the DIS then. We went from sunup to sundown and beyond every day, and the kid was a trooper! She never even one time complained about being tired, even though she fell asleep standing on the bus one time! She just woke up at our stop and walked back to the room. In general, I think I was more exhausted at the end of the day than she was! This was in early October, so it was pretty hot, but not quite summer hot, FWIW. Funny, the older she gets, the MORE she complains about being tired. But since she's 9 now and we aren't going back to the stroller NOW, we just take breaks in the parks whenever anyone needs to rest.

Best of luck, OP! I know a lot of people like a stroller to also haul their stuff around, too, but I think it would be a PITA to try to keep track of one, and I don't carry anything around that can't be easily stored in my lightweight string backpack. And DD now has her own, to carry her autograph book and any souvies she buys in the parks.

 

[avahoneybee]

My DD went to WDW for the first time at age 6 (it was such a great age to have her there!). It never even crossed my mind that she might need a stroller since she hadn't used one at home for a couple years and I didn't know about the DIS then. We went from sunup to sundown and beyond every day, and the kid was a trooper! She never even one time complained about being tired, even though she fell asleep standing on the bus one time! She just woke up at our stop and walked back to the room. In general, I think I was more exhausted at the end of the day than she was! This was in early October, so it was pretty hot, but not quite summer hot, FWIW. Funny, the older she gets, the MORE she complains about being tired. But since she's 9 now and we aren't going back to the stroller NOW, we just take breaks in the parks whenever anyone needs to rest.

Best of luck, OP! I know a lot of people like a stroller to also haul their stuff around, too, but I think it would be a PITA to try to keep track of one, and I don't carry anything around that can't be easily stored in my lightweight string backpack. And DD now has her own, to carry her autograph book and any souvies she buys in the parks.

This is true. I think most kids are in better shape than the adults.

I know if I tried to stick my big kids in a stroller they wouldn't be very happy but my kids are overly active. Truthfully, the last time we visited the world and my kids were in a stroller, they could have been walking. I got it because it was easier for "me" to cart bags and such around.