Stroller for a 5.5 year old?

[MissMommy928]

Just a quick question...

Do you think I should bring a stroller for my 5.5 year old? She hasn't ridden in one in 3 years, however I know how tiring walking around Disney can be. I don't want to lug around a stroller on the off chance that she gets tired, but on the other hand, I don't want to rent a stroller every day at Disney and kick myself in the butt because we could have saved so much money had I just brought her old stroller.

We're staying at POR and from every review that I've read, it's a trek to get anywhere unless you stay in the Alligator Bayou rooms (I requested a room in one of the Mansions)

I know this sounds like a silly question and I know it depends on your childs temperment, but I'm just looking for some tried and true advice.

 

[all4fun]

How does she fit in the stroller you own? if she can comfortably ride in it, why not bring it, then play it by ear? If you're there for a few days and don't need it, then you can always leave it in your room.

I see lots of older kids riding in strollers at WDW though so it wouldn't be out of the norm for her to need one. Also, another thing you could do is use it to get around the resort when she's to tuckered out to walk (like at the end of a long day of park touring) and in the parks when you want to get somewhere fast... you can always park it in one area of the park ie Fantasyland, then tour that area on foot, then pick up the stroller to go to the next area and do the same.

Personally, my ds is almost five and I can see us needing a stroller for at least another year at WDW (not around home obviously, he doesn't use one around here any more). We'll bring one to use as long as he needs it. We're on vacation after all....the point is to enjoy ourselves! If having a stroller helps w/that then so be it.

hth!

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Hmmm....well, my kids used them at 4 and 6. We brought our own umbrellas. They had actually been out of strollers for years too- we bought them specifically for that trip. At 6 and 8, they didn't need them, but by the end they were exhausted and we did rent a double one day. I'd say you will definitely use it at least once or twice for a typical week long vacation, but it might not be worth lugging one from home.

 

[JackJack08]

Rent one.

 

[staci]

I say bring it, if you decide it isnt worth it you can leave it in the room. I would probably bring it into the parks. For instance, you could bring it into Fantasyland, and then park it, and do all the rides in that area before retrieving it and going on to the next area...... Especially for EPCOT, and even AK, I would think it would be nice to have one. My ds is 4.5 and I can see him using one at WDW for awhile still. Good luck!

 

[brettgirl]

My DS will almost be 7 and he is 40 pounds or so. I bought a Maclaren Volo on Ebay. He is a high functioning autistic and the stroller gives him a sense of security, not to mention his short legs can't keep up with mom! Borrow or buy one!

 

[biolabetty]

Our kids were done with their strollers by their 5th birthdays, and truthfully, we couldn't wait to get rid of them. We didn't enjoy carting them all over Disney and folding and unfolding. When our kids get tired from the amount of walking, that's our indicator that it is time to go back to the hotel for a rest. For us, it makes for happier people, both parents and kids.

 

[Sillyminny40]

We loved our stroller for our youngest until he was 5. Our twin 8 yr olds hopped on for a spin sometimes as well. It was a great place to put water bottles, sweaters, etc and a place to meet back at.

The park strollers are great too but we LOVED our tripod jogging stroller for about 3 trips.

 

[ajh88]

DD was 6 on our last trip and we rented a stroller every day. She probably spent more time out of it than in it, but it was nice to have for when she got tired. She isn't too big physically for the stroller, but she's a little too big to carry if she's tired!

She'll be 7.5 on our next trip and we will probably play it be ear and rent one if need be.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

My 5 1/2 yr old dd used a stroller everyday during our trip in December. We had brought our own as we also have a 3yr old and it would have cost a fortune to rent for both.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

My 5 1/2 yr old dd used a stroller everyday during our trip in December. We had brought our own as we also have a 3yr old and it would have cost a fortune to rent for both.

 

[tinkandpan]

At that age, we usually rented one for our ds. I hated having to lug ours through the airport and through the parks if we didn't need one. I know it can get pricey but it is worth it to me not having to deal with it at toerh checkpoints.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I would rent it if you need it. We are going in two weeks with a 5 year old and an eight year old. I expect we will need the stroller in AK and Epcot, but if DD5 gets tired another day, we will rent it that day as well. Even if I had a stroller, I wouldn't want to deal with it on the buses. It might cost a few more dollars, but it is very convenient to rent. We usually rent a double stroller to hold DD5 and our stuff, and DD8 can catch a ride if we are in a hurry or have a place to sit while waiting for a parade.

I think you are right in assuming you will need one at least on some days - the question is whether to lug yours or rent on those days. If you think you will use it at your resort, you should bring your own. If it is just for the parks, I'd rent and not have to deal with getting it on the bus.

 

[fakereadhed]

Have you asked her if she will sit in one? Some kids won't at that age. If she doesn't mind, I would buy a cheap $10 umbrella stroller and bring it along. They are easy to carry, and if you don't use it you could just leave it there.

 

[Fabinva]

I plan on renting a double stroller for my 5.5yr old DD and if her brother (DS7) gets too tired he can ride along too, not sure if he will but I know her and she does not like walking as much.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

My DS will be 5.5 this December as well. I have every intention of bringing my Mac Techno for him. He never uses it at home anymore but WDW is BIG and thats a lot of walking for little legs. I intend to use a PP plan of parking it in one section of the park (i.e. Fantasyland) touring that section, then retrieving the stroller and moving on to the next part.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I took my niece when she was six and brought a stroller. I was SO glad I did.
I know some people are thrilled to get rid of strollers, but it worked great for us. She didn't use it most of the time, but a couple times when I suggested we go back to the hotel for awhile she really wanted to stay in the parks and so I let her ride in the stroller for awhile instead. I thought it was great because when she just needed a short break, she could do that rather than going back to to the hotel for a couple hours. Plus it kept her from getting too tired. She would get in the stroller for 20-30 minutes and be raring to go after that. I have no problem taking breaks back at the hotel, but they aren't always needed, sometimes all they need is a 1/2 hour stroller break. I also loved it for the end of the day when there were hoards of people leaving the park. Having her in the stroller made it much easier for me not worrying about her getting lost in the crowd, plus she was tired usually by then and the stroller was great to have.

 

[Princessbaby]

We plan on using one for my Dd next time we go- she'll be just a couple weeks past her 6th b-day. BUt, she is very petite and her little legs could not handle the walking all day. We were there this past August and my second son, who was 6, could have used one, but he refused it. He was tired after just a couple hours of walking around. We have a McClaren and it holds up to 50 or 55 pounds. I bought it at Target last July and it was a great stroller to take to WDW! (Personally, I would miss having the little storage basket underneath- that's where I store my things!)

 

[Princessbaby]

I intend to use a PP plan of parking it in one section of the park (i.e. Fantasyland) touring that section, then retrieving the stroller and moving on to the next part.

I was thinking of doing the same thing- park it one spot and then retrieve it later after we are done with that section. It would be a lot easier!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We plan on using one for my Dd next time we go- she'll be just a couple weeks past her 6th b-day. BUt, she is very petite and her little legs could not handle the walking all day. We were there this past August and my second son, who was 6, could have used one, but he refused it. He was tired after just a couple hours of walking around. We have a McClaren and it holds up to 50 or 55 pounds. I bought it at Target last July and it was a great stroller to take to WDW! (Personally, I would miss having the little storage basket underneath- that's where I store my things!)

Which Mac do you have? My Techno has the basket underneath (Not has huge as say a Graco, but I wouldn't give up the umbrella style fold for the basket...)