Stroller for a 5 year old?

[Kes]

I've had people look at me like I'm nuts for suggesting that my 5 year old will need a stroller at WDW. So I'm wondering if I'm just coddling her too much by allowing her to ride. Maybe I'm just being too sensitive. Now, we were there when she was 4 and although she walked most of the time, the stroller was great when her little legs got too tired. She also would curl up in it for a quick nap. Seems to me that a lot of overstressed, cranky children would be in much better spirits if they were given a break on all that walking. So, can anyone out there make me feel better? Do you use a stroller for your older kids too?

 

[tink2]

We are taking our 4 yr DD this Nov. and we definitely plan to get a stroller. The last trip, my 5 1/2 yr niece could have certainly used a stroller. We were there for a week and by the end of the week, she was very tired and had some 'fits' due to being cranky. Her dad didn't want to rent one but we plan to. I think maybe not use one in the mornings and rent one after lunch. That is our plan anyway. I agree, that is a lot of walking for little 5yo legs!

 

[Magic2000]

We used a stroller when my DD was 5 - she is small for her age and her little legs get tired. I know it helps us to have a better time when she isn't so tired from walking. We do walk around our neighborhood in the weeks prior to our trips, but especially at Epcot, that is a lot of walking for a child. Most of the time at MK, we'll park the stroller in one spot and catch many of the rides (Dumbo, Caroussel, Snow White, etc)

I say get the stroller - and enjoy your trip! Besides, the stroller is a great place to hold all your "stuff"!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

We tend to play it by ear, I never get one in the am as its much quicker and easier to navigate without the stroller. Since we almost always do MK in the am this works well as there isn't much walking between the attractions. We also do a resort/pool break every afternoon so everyone can rest. Don't generally need one at ak and only at MGM if we are there in the evening. We are most likely to grab a rental for evenings at Epcot. We enjoy a happy, snacking or sleeping preschooler in a stroller more than a cranky tired one. I would say try without but be prepared and willing to rent one if your child gets tired.

TJ

 

[carone0318]

Ok, I'll confess when we go down in a few days our dd will have a stroller. She is 6, will be 7 in Sept, luckily she is tiny for her age, we are hoping that she makes the 44" mark for SpMtn and she weighs about 40 lbs. We did inform her that we expect her to do a lot of walking, but it will be there for her to rest when she is tired. This will be her last yr that we will bring a stroller for her. Maybe this is over the edge, but I want everyone to enjoy the trip, plus sometimes in the crowd it is nice to know where she is....

 

[MNT568]

We were there last week and I rented a stroller for my 5yo DS. He is a little big for his age, at Epcot and MK I rented a double stroller so he would be more comfortable. I see no problem with older kids in the strollers. It makes things a lot easier on them and yourself. When my DS got tired, I would get him a Mickey Bar, he would get into the stroller and off we go.

 

[NotUrsula]

For families who live in the Northern part of the US, or in Canada, the heat tolerance factor for WDW is a major issue. A child who might do just fine with all the walking if the humidity was 40%, will droop like a dead daisy in the >90% humidity that is standard for central Florida in summertime.

 

[colleen costello]

We often get a stroller. My son just turned 5 but my daughter loves it as well and she is almost 9! One of the great things is that when they are in the stroller you know where they are... When they opt to walk, I keep turning around to eyeball them to make sure they aren't lost in he crowds. I also like the stroller to hold my stuff and keep sun off the kids' faces. GO for it! The strollers can easily accomodate larger kids -- I would climb in if I could fit!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

OK I'll confess here:
Just back and rented a DW double stroller for our DS5 and DD7 (8 in July)! I have no problem getting a stroller for them at that age. I find the walk is sometimes too much for myself
Agree with NotUrsula - the heat is a major part of the problem.
I find the DW strollers not to be strollers but more like little carts, so they don't feel as if they are in a "stroller" DD's legs were a little long for it, but she managed great. They are much easier to push then conventional strollers (they have cart-like wheels)
The kids just love hopping in and out. We usually find a place to park it central to a few rides, go do the rides in the area, they go back to get the stroller for the hikes between areas.
You can also store your water bottles, and items in the stroller instead of carrying everything.
I did notice I got a few looks this trip - but "hey" it's my $15. (and sanity!)
Also, since they are not as tired from all the walking, we manage the walk to transportation to hotel just fine.
I'll probably stop renting stollers when it's time for the kids to push me around WDW (LOL )

 

[BevS97]

we used one on our last trip, when dd was 4 1/2, for our next trip she will be 6 and we will have a baby with us. We will have a stroller for the baby and dd 6 will be expected to walk, but I expect there will be times when the baby goes in the sling so dd6 can have a ride and if she is really tired in an evening then we will rent a 2nd one.
They are your kids, and it's your vacation, you do what you want to to make it as good as possible - I've seen plenty of older kids riding in strollers, so I wouldn't worry about it

Bev

 

[keithomas]

Last summer my DD was 3-1/2 and we did not bring OR rent a stroller during our week long stay. DS was 6 at the time, too. They both walked as many miles as the adults without a complaint. I attribute this to three main factors:

1) We started walking with our kids about 30-60 days before the trip to get them used to daily walks of 1-2 miles. They loved it.

2) We are from Houston, so the heat and humidity are the same as home.

3) We NEVER stayed at any one park for a whole day and always took some type of break in the afternoon.

Every kid/parent is different and I don't begrudge those that choose to roll rather than stroll, but I do smile inwardly as a proud 'papa' whose 'babies' conquered WDW in June on their terms! It was definitely nice to not worry with a stroller and other "gear" during the trip. We carried a single fannypack/camera bag combo each day.

Whatever you choose, have a great time and take the parks at the KIDS' pace!

 

[TeamMMouse]

I definitely recommend getting a stroller for a 5 yr old. We get strollers for our kids up to 5 or 6 because it is a bit of an insurance policy! If they get tired in the middle of the park, then it's too late and you are carrying them or stopping when the rest of the group isn't ready. There is so much walking and sometimes they just need a little break. We used one for our 5 yr old in January and he rode it about 1/3 of the time but was a great way for him to recharge and keep from getting too tired & fussy.

 

[dijid]

keiththomas - Thanks for your reply. My DD is almost 4 and I was beginning to think I was nuts for expecting her to walk. (Except Epcot, where we do plan to rent a stroller) She hasn't been in a stroller for a long time and walks everywhere with me. She can easily do the 3/4mi walk to preschool and walks for 3 hours at the zoo. We have been doing "Disney Walks" every day and today my 21mo DS walked over 1/2 mile. I do think it's what you condition the kids for. While I'm still a bit concerned about the heat, I really hope we're ok.

 

[keithomas]

I also figured that if the kids pooped out anywhere it would be Epcot, especially the WS. But I was wrong. One day, we actually made almost two complete trips around WS and the kids were great. They both loved the kidcot stations and the Passports. The park that seemed to really tire them out was AK. Of course that was the hottest day of our trip last year, too. IMO, AK is also geared toward the 10 yo kids and up. Lots of walking for so few "attractions" in the eyes of a 5 yo.

Dijid, you might want to play it by ear on the stroller at Epcot, and if you see you need one rent it at the International Gateway! Just take every day at the slowest walker's pace. We actually had more fun that way than 'commando' touring without the kids a few years back. Have a great time, we're less than 2 weeks to go now!

 

[Kes]

Thanks for all the replies. I have to admit, part of my motivation for wanting a stroller is really selfish - I would be the one who would end up carrying everything we usually put in the stroller and I want to make sure we have a good time. I'm usually the one that lasts the longest - DH tends to get grumpy towards the end of the day too and he would be the one that would have to carry DD if she got too tired and we had no stroller (I have a back injury that prevents me from carrying her now). Having a stroller just in case would probably ensure that we all had a good time

 

[abeyst]

I'll take a stroller for my kids for as long as the stroller can hold their weight without the wheels falling off-regardless of how old they are. That heat and humidity gets to us (we're from MI) because we're not used to it, and we all need a break to rest. And our biggest fight is the hike to the bus or hotel after a long day in the parks-where a rented stroller will not go-outside the park! It helps my sanity most of all not to have cranky kids, so if the stroller works for you, by all means, take it!

You can always take it and it can sit in your hotel for the entire trip if you don't need it (assuming you're taking one and not renting). But you know it's there if you do need it.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We will rent strollers for 6yoDD and 3yoDS when we go in June. Like many families who have replied, we take "Disney Walks" almost every day to strengthen ourselves. As the leader of the group I figure that we are no stronger than our weakest link. Therefore we try to conserve energy for the kids throughout the long hot days in the parks. Both kids will probably walk quite a bit, but the strollers will be there when we need them. Ironically, WDW is the only place we ever use a stroller. We never owned one while the kids were babies and toddlers. It always seemed best to carrry them or have them walk short distances as their legs developed.
Renting the strollers is like an insurance policy on the vacation. In all of our previous trips to the parks we have never had to take a rest time back at the resort. We have always stayed and played all day, being sure to pace ourselves and remain flexible. The kids have always gotten adequate naps/rest in the strollers or on things lik ethe monorail, trains, or TTA.

 

[FreshTressa]

We are going to rent them (or buy them if I can find one(s) that will fit!!) for my 5 and 6 year olds.

We have UPH and plan to go from early morning to late night every day. It will make the kids so much happier and therefore, us, so much happier, especially with the hours we keep.

 

[FreshTressa]

We just bought 2 safety 1st brand alumilite strollers for my 4 and soon to be 6 year old. They were the only cheap ones that were light and wide enough. I got them at walmart. They were cheaper than renting! And we too have UPH's, so they need a place to nap.

 

[zurgswife]

I'm bringing my stroller in Dec for my 6.5 yr old (at the time of trip)....It makes our life sooo much easier and we move at a quicker pace if we need tooo...