Stroller for 7 year old

[DCbride]

Oops forgot to say...

Take one from home that she fits in and likes. You will pay the same for it as a 1 day rental and if you decide to leave it will make someone very happy!

 

[pavicich]

You could also look into renting one from offsite to be delivered to bell services. They are cheaper then renting in the parks and much nicer/ more comfortable! Do what is best for you. We use one at WDW and no where else due to the miles and heat. No point in having the vaca ruined if a child isn't used to walking 7-8 miles a day for a week straight in the heat!

 

[kohlby]

I agree with taking one from home. You may also find that you don't need it the first day but do the last. My kids were long out of the stroller by that age at Disney, and we're pretty hardcore but not every kid is the same. Another issue is that it's nice to have a place to store your stuff! My youngest is now 4.5 and though we could technically probably go without this year, we're taking since it's a nice place to put our things as well as a nice meeting place for if our group splits up, since I don't have a cell phone.

When our eldest child went the first time, he didn't use the stroller at all the first two days, even though he was 3. But by the 7th day of parks, he was in it most of the time. The duration of your trip can make a huge difference. It's so expensive to rent strollers at Disney, that I'd take your own since you have one.

 

[Schmeck]

Rent one as needed in the parks. If the 7 yr old is in it during the day, then she will be plenty rested to walk out of the park that night.

ETA: How about making a deal with her - if she doesn't use a stroller on a certain day, you give her that money saved to buy something the next day.

 

[reneaterry]

We will have a 5 and 7 yr old and plan on taking a stroller. They will take turns riding in it.

 

[Sheaboys]

We have 5 boys. None have a used a stroller past 18-20 months. All great walkers. We do our local Six Flags and have for the past 2yrs stroller free.

However, in Disney we rented a double for our then 3.5yr old and 6yr old. It was just easy. It was end of August, it was hot. Their little legs just don't move that fast. Their faces are in peoples butts. And the rain, it made it easy to pop them in it, get through the rain from the hurricane. Their feet stayed relatively dry, which was nice.

We rented in the parks, and handed it over to a family walking in that otherwise would not rent one or was in line to rent one. Paying it forward. The thank you's we got were priceless.

It was nice to have all 5 kids easily accounted for. Older 3 right near the stroller, younger 2 in it.

I did Universal Studios this past summer kids were 4 and almost 7. I did not rent, it was just me in the 5 boys. They did fine, as I knew they would. We also did San Diego Zoo and Sea World in CA, boys were then 4.5yrs and 7. Again no stroller. So next year when we go, we may skip it. Not sure yet.

So do what works for you.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

My first trip, the boys were 5 and 7. Never even occurred to me to rent a stroller! Hadn't used a diaper bag or stroller in years and wasn't even on my radar any more. We went at their pace and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. No, we didn't see every single thing in every single park--but we enjoyed it and have been back several times since to see those things.

I have to say some of my favorite times were walking hand-in-hand with my guys through the park, seeing things together, pointing out this or that, stopping to whisper and giggle at silly things. Don't think I would have gotten the same experience if I was pushing them along, looking at the top of their heads the whole time.

I think too many parents are insistent on being in the park from open to close, must see every single attraction, do every single show, rush from this to that to squeeze it all in. They push the kids beyond their abilities and then get upset when the kid's moving too slow and would rather push them around so they can see even more. If you follow the child's lead, go at their pace, there probably won't be the whining and need for a stroller.

 

[robinb]

I brought a stroller with me until my DD was 6-7 and used it for evenings and Epcot only. My DD had a habit of going, going, going until it caught up with her and she suddenly passed out. Even after taking a rest break back at our resort. We would never see a park at night if we didn't have a stroller for her to sleep in.

Since your DD is so small, I would just bring your regular stroller with you. They are really expensive to rent at WDW.

 

[buzznina]

NOT ANOTHER STROLLER THREAD!!!!! DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY. Unless for medical reason I would never put a 7 year old in a stroller!!!

I second that!! The first time I brought my sons they were 7 & 5. Their legs work so they walked.

I must have missed something I did not read in OP that she was asking IF she should bring a stroller BUT if she should bring one from home or rent it.
If you have an umbrella stroller just bring that, its light and easy to carry when needed and it does not take up much room.