Stroller for a 4yr and 6yr old?

[lam21575]

Hi! Hoping you can share your stroller experiences! Trying to plan for our Oct 2013 trip! I have a 4yr DD and 6 yr old DS. We own a single Macclaren stroller and a Joovy Caboose double stroller (sit and stand type). I know my 4 yr old will def need a stroller, but i'm questioning my 6 yr old?

I HATE my Joovy...loved it when my DD was first born, but not sure if there is something wrong w mine now or if it's just because the kids are heavier, but it's terrible to steer when both are on there and no way will I bring to Disney and aggravate myself.

So...my question is, did your 6 yr old ever have the need for a stroller in the parks? I'm thinking about renting a good double stroller instead of bringing our Joovy...or if it's not necessary for a 6 yr old, just bring my MacClaren for DD.

Would love to hear your experiences! Thanks so much!

 

[Sheaboys]

I rented the disney double for our 6 and 3.5yr old. Did they absolutely have to have it? No. Did they use it? Yes. It was just easy. We could move through the parks at a good pace (especially when we were caught in many rain storms). We are a family of 7, so to have the 2 youngest in the stroller also made it easier for all us to get around. Instead of all 5 kids in front of us or the side of us, the stroller was there and older kids close to it.

Our 3.5yr old was a turtle walker, just way, way too slow and it was hot (end of August). Both kids did fall asleep in it one day at Studios, they just leaned against each other. Which worked out just fine, while I rode RR and TT with older 3, dh stayed with the little kids (he does not do those rides).

 

[texican]

We're trying to go without the stroller this time for my 4 yo and 5 yo. We don't even own one anymore and are attempting to do longer and longer family walks after dinner to build up their stamina.

If you kiddos are anything like mine, I would hear tons of whining from the older child that she wants to ride in the stroller like the younger one. And, hence, we're going to just not have one

Of course, if this plan flops once we're at the actual park, we'll suck it up and rent the disney ones. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that we can get away without it all together.

 

[jamalana]

Just wondering, have you tried greasing up your stroller? When our Peg Perego started having trouble steering, my DH used some WD-40 on the moving parts, and it was like brand new.

I don't have any experience about 6 year olds; my DS is almost 5 and can do a full day at Disneyland without stroller, but I won't attempt that at Disneyworld! We'll be at the parks for 9 days, and his stamina is sure to wane towards the end of our trip.

 

[DisneyMama21]

Hi! Hoping you can share your stroller experiences! Trying to plan for our Oct 2013 trip! I have a 4yr DD and 6 yr old DS. We own a single Macclaren stroller and a Joovy Caboose double stroller (sit and stand type). I know my 4 yr old will def need a stroller, but i'm questioning my 6 yr old?

I HATE my Joovy...loved it when my DD was first born, but not sure if there is something wrong w mine now or if it's just because the kids are heavier, but it's terrible to steer when both are on there and no way will I bring to Disney and aggravate myself.

So...my question is, did your 6 yr old ever have the need for a stroller in the parks? I'm thinking about renting a good double stroller instead of bringing our Joovy...or if it's not necessary for a 6 yr old, just bring my MacClaren for DD.

Would love to hear your experiences! Thanks so much!

I have a 4, 6, and 8 year old and we always bring a stroller. Our first couple of trips, we brought our sit and stand and sometimes had to pile all 3 of the kids in it! We recently decided to bring our side by side double stroller instead and LOVED it. we almost always had 2/3 kids riding in it...and if they all felt like walking, we parked it for awhile but definitely leaving the parks at night and for those long walks cross park, it was a lifesaver. So, yes, I'd imagine your 6 year old will want to sit in the stroller if possible. I've had friends rent a nice double stroller and it was great too. Either way, I'd plan on a double.

 

[dragonfly08]

On our last trip, my DDs were 4 and 6. I did not bring a stroller and never wished I had one. BUT...we are not commando type people. We ate breakfast in the room and made RD every day except one (when we went to Kona Cafe for breakfast instead), toured at our leisure with breaks as needed, stopped for lunch when we felt hungry (I pack heavy snacks), and usually left the parks by 3 PM to go back to the resort for a snack, swim, shower and rest. Then we'd head to a CS meal in DTD, on the Boardwalk, or at a resort. In bed by 9:30/10 to get up and do it again. With that schedule, we were able to do everything we wanted and my kids didn't need a stroller.

 

[capeseal]

If you are a relaxed tour-style family, who takes a break each day and is touring during the milder months, I think you'll be fine with a single. If you are touring during the hottest months of the year and go all day, then your 6-year-old may lag during the day. We are heading back in November and I have no doubts that my 5-year-old DD will be fine without a seat in the stroller. (She did fine walking the world at 3 in January, but struggled at 4 in September due to the heat.) Honestly, if we were going on another September trip, I might hesitate asking her to walk the entire time.

I'd bring the single and the expectation of the 6-year-old walking and reserve some money in your budget for renting a stroller in the parks if necessary. I personally feel that a healthy 6-year-old (who doesn't need a stroller as a quiet place to decompress or nap from time to time) could probably walk their way through a Disney vacation at a non-commando pace but the range of normal ages for kids in strollers in Disney World is huge and it is a hotly debated topic.

 

[Disneylover99]

The first time we went to Disney my kids were 3 and 6. We bought 2 cheap umbrella strollers (with adjustable handles and canopies) for a total of $40 the day before we left. It was the best $40 we ever spent. The strollers were lightweight and easy to fold on buses. Plus my husband and I could split up when necessary, each taking one child.

 

[squirrel]

Not sure when in October you are going but the beginning of the month can still be hot and humid (never been at the end of Oct.).

I have taken my nieces each twice to WDW and brought the stroller for them each time. They were almost 6 and 5.5 the last time I took them. They both slept in the stroller.

I would bring your MacClaren and keep an eye out for another cheep (but decent) umbrella type stroller at a second hand store, garage sale or Craigslist. You have lots of time before your trip. I think a one day rental is about $15 now at WDW. So I wouldn't spend much more than that.

You may find you don't need it much for the oldest one, but having it in the evening may save you some whining, etc. You can park it in one of the stroller parking areas and go back for it when you leave that area. I loved having the stroller when leaving the park, my niece was safe and I didn't have to worry about her getting lost in the crowds. I'm sure she liked it too as she had a place to sit for parades, waiting for the bus, etc.

 

[~Kristina~]

I have a City Mini Double we'll be taking for our 3 and 5 year old who will be 6 for our Oct 2013 trip. My 5 year old has ADHD and when he's over stimulated sometimes he just needs a place to sit and relax.

 

[kam1011]

My DD did not need a stroller at 6. I would bring the single stroller for the 4yo to use mostly, but the 6yo can take a break in it here and there, which also gives the 4yo a chance to walk around a little. My kids usually ask to be out of the stroller sometimes, anyway.

 

[tan391]

We are planning to bring x2 umbrella strollers for our 6 and 4 year old. I think they will both need to use them at some point and hope it will stop some meltdowns!

 

[SuchASully]

We are bringing a stroller for our 3yr son and playing it be ear with our 6yr son. We will try out this plan on our first day - if it looks like the 6yr may need a stroller then we will just buy a cheapo umbrella stroller.

 

[Lita]

On our last trip, my DDs were 4 and 6. I did not bring a stroller and never wished I had one. BUT...we are not commando type people. We ate breakfast in the room and made RD every day except one (when we went to Kona Cafe for breakfast instead), toured at our leisure with breaks as needed, stopped for lunch when we felt hungry (I pack heavy snacks), and usually left the parks by 3 PM to go back to the resort for a snack, swim, shower and rest. Then we'd head to a CS meal in DTD, on the Boardwalk, or at a resort. In bed by 9:30/10 to get up and do it again. With that schedule, we were able to do everything we wanted and my kids didn't need a stroller.

My DDs are the same age and we are attempting a similar strategy next month.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[islandmom81]

This is so helpful! We're going next December and my youngest 2 will be 6 and 3/12...my oldest will be almost 8. I think we'll rent a double. The boys will probably not want to sit in it a whole lot but wear themselves out and then want to sit. Knowing them they'll konk out right before we leave for the afternoon! Who knows, our daughter may want to squeeze in there too!

 

[PEC]

When my DDs (twins) were 5 we had a double stroller and we had one for DGD 5. Unless you are willing to slow the pace way down and shorten the day you will need a stroller for both. If you have done a very long day you will quickly find yourself carrying a 6 yo out of the park. Unless you are an Olympic weightlifter this can get very heavy. Also they can sometimes get a quick nap in the stroller if you are going for a long walk from one side of the park to the other.

 

[dsneygirl]

6 was the end of the stroller for us. A couple times DS got in when I was carrying his brother (who was only 7 months) but he walked 90% of the time last Sept. This past Sept he was 7 and we rented for one night at MNSSHP we told him this was his last chance so he better enjoy it.

 

[Leannea]

We rented the double when the kids were 4 & 6....one of the best things we did. When we went back 2 years later 6 & 8 I didn't rent one as I thought the kids would be ok...but day 2 into trip even the 8 year old wanted the stroller...lol

 

[thr33boys]

We rented a double in Nov last year as my 2 youngest's were a new 5 and a 3 1/2 year old. I remember my 5 year old asking why did we have a stroller and my DH saying, I don't know. They ended up falling asleep in it every night which was great because we were able to stay late and let the 8 year old carry on. It worked like a charm. We are going again this Dec and I know my 4 1/2 will need one as he often complains his legs are sore on any given day. My 6 year old could probably go without but he's also the type who needs his sleep and is a bear the next day. We'll probably just park it and pick it up when we need it. Besides, it's great as it doubles as a portable storage unit.

 

[kohlby]

On one trip, we had an 11 months old in a sling, a 3.5 year old in a stroller, and a 6.5 year old walking. Our stroller had a weight limit of 50lbs and he was over. So he couldn't sit in the stroller at all. He normally complained about any walking at all. We had meant to get him in walking shape before our trip - but had a record cold winter and that didn't happen. We did 7 parks in 8 days. (4 Disney parks, US/IOA, and SW). We're pretty hard-core - and he kept up and had a blast!! One thing we did do was not do too many later nights, since my 3.5 year old didn't nap and needed to get back. We left between 5-6pm most nights but had a couple later. So, he got enough sleep at night. We were always there for rope drop.

On another trip, the kids were 2.5, 5 and 8. The 2.5 year old was supposed to go in the stroller. But he refused. He refused to walk. So I had to carry him in the sling. That meant we were pushing an empty stroller around - so we let the 5 year old get in. She didn't need it but it did speed us up. She's petite and has amazing endurance, but her legs just can't quite keep up for the pace we normally go. We would have managed without the stroller for her easily, just by slowing down to normal-people pace!

On the most recent trip, the kids were 3.5, 6, and 9. The 6 year old still was well under the 50 lbs weight limit of the stroller. I was able to bribe the 3.5 year old to sit in it that time thankfully. (We actually practiced stroller riding before our trip complete with bribes - I was not going to sling him this time!) So, the 6 year old walked. She's still petite but it wasn't an issue. She did sit in the stroller on occasion - like if she didn't want to go on a ride and just wanted a place to sit, but that's it. She also ran her first 2 mile race last month and could have easily ran further. (She did her first mile race at 4). So, though not big, but she has better endurance than many kids her age/size. My oldest did not - except at Disney. Then he magically has amazing endurance!

My kids have not slept in the stroller except one trip, when I had an 8 month old. They haven't slept in it at 2 months, nor 11 months, nor 2.5, 3.0, three different kids at 3.5, etc. I've seen those kids sleeping in strollers, so I know it's not a myth, but it didn't happen for mine. Plus, we don't usually stay out super late. We did make it to 9pm twice last trip and that was a record for us. We only do those days before a break day or before our last day.

So my advice would be to take one single stroller. But to make sure the weight limit will fit the 6 year old if you're not sure if that child may need one. Don't tell the 6 year old there's this option though until you're sure you need it!