Stroller for a new 7 year old?

[dw123]

Out daughter will just turn 7 when we next get to Disney. Is that to old to rent a stroller?

 

[Buzz's_girl]

I am sure you will get many opinions on this one!! IMHO, if you think a stroller will be necessary, then renting one is fine...

I have three kids, 6,5 and 4. I asked a similar question and got lots of varying answers. I finally found some umbrella strollers that were sturdy enough to hold DD6...so I am using those. They cost me about $30 each...which wasn't too expensive (the $10 ones at Walmart and Target aren't strong enough to hold her weight)...DH doesn't mind folding and holding them on buses etc...so this works well for us since the kids often get tuckered by the end of a long and busy day....

I am also hoping that it will help us to utilize the PM EMHs....
(I will let you know when we return!!)

You can rent the strollers for the length of your stay, and you will get a discount...

Hope some of this is helpful to you!!!

 

[iluvallthingsdisney]

I normally don't push my kids around in a stroller at that age at home but I definitely do at Disney. I would rent the stroller. I will be renting a double stroller for our DD's 5 and 7. The less walking that their little feet will do the better. Yes, 7 is getting a little too big for a stroller but, on an average day at Disney you will walk about 3 miles at least. Let them save their energy and they will last longer. The disney strollers are very large. Heck, If I had the option to be pushed around at Disney, I would take it. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I think renting is a good choice for the older ones since then you won't have to deal with the strollers on the buses. However, the downside is that you have to wait in line to rent them.

There's always a trade-off, it seems...

BTW, I agree with the PP who say a stroller will enable them to last longer. That was definitely our experience with 5 yr olds.

At 7 yrs old, you will likely get some resisitance. You could always try it the first day without. Then you have the option of renting one when her little tootsies get tired. Then you could tell her she's a princess and this is her carriage. Also, she will have had the chance to see all of the other "big kids" getting a free ride too.
Jackie

 

[smoochie]

Im in the same boat. Im gonna have a stroller for 3 yr old. But my 7 year old who I think can make it will probably at some point say those dreaded words CARRY ME?

 

[Disneyonmymind]

HAHA, Can you imagine carrying your 7 year old around WDW? It hurts my back to laugh about it.

I will have a DD2 and DD8 on my next trip. I'm going to rent the double stroller for the DD2 and my "backpack". Then, when DD8 gets tired (and she will, despite what she says), I will move the pack aside, and "poof" , "your carriage awaits, my Dear"

Jackie

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Im in the same boat. Im gonna have a stroller for 3 yr old. But my 7 year old who I think can make it will probably at some point say those dreaded words CARRY ME?

We had the same dilemma on out last trip. We ended up renting a sit n stand stroller from abbf.com and it worked out great.

 

[disneychrista]

It really depends on your child. The first time I took my kids to Disneyland they were 3 & 5 and they never wanted to sit in a stroller. The last day we were there I new we would be doing a lot of zig-zaging so I rented a stroller for the 3yo. The 5yo and my 7 & 9 yo nephews used it more then the 3yo.

Personally it is much easier to get around w/o a stroller. I would try it without, then if you find yourself needing it then go ahead a rent one. But don't waste the money if your child isn't going to need or want the stroller. Especially at 7yo.

 

[stacy6552]

When our son was 6 we rented a stroller once for the afternoon, but didnt need it any more than that. Size wise, your probably fine, but I doubt youll need it much.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

On our recent trip we rented the double stroller for our twin 7yr olds only at Epcot. We found it made for a much more pleasant trip around WS at the end of the day. I doubt we'll get one next trip.

 

[Wee Annie]

We just returned from a trip with my 4 and 7-year-olds (just turned 7). My plan was to only rent a stroller for Epcot and possibly the MK. It turns out that we didn't rent one until our last day -- at Epcot, and then I rented a double because both kids were tired. My daughters seemed to enjoy running around, and my husband and I remarked on how much easier it was to get around without a stroller. But boy was I glad we had one at Epcot!

One disclosure: my children were both born and raised in NYC, where they always do a lot a walking. If your children are not used to walking a lot, it may be worth it to get a stroller.

 

[lenshanem]

All kids are different and you know your kid best. My oldest who is about to turn 7 hasn't used a stroller since she turned 3 and she has been to WDW numerous times since and did just fine.

Now my youngest who just turned 4 we'll be taking a stroller for her again this trip in April and I can see us using one for her at WDW for years to come. She doesn't cope as well with heat, crowds, etc.

If you're not sure and don't take one you can always rent if you need to.

 

[sjams]

We are going in June with my dd who will be 7.5 and ds who will be 4. I am going to rent a double from abbf.com. I know she is able to walk, but when she gets tired she gets tired. Would make a much more enjoyable time for us all.

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

I have seen kids as old as 13 or so using the double strollers you can rent(no I am not lying either). A stroller is definitely a good idea as 3 miles is a lot for someone small to walk.

 

[mommi97]

I had a 6, 3, and 6 month old. We brought strollers for the youngest two but the oldes kept up. I think what helped is he is very tall for his age and was able to ride all the rides and we just kept him moving. If he got tired toward the end of the day, we would sit and get something to eat that was enough to rejuvenate him.

 

[megatann]

:thewave:

I am SOOOO bringing my jogging stroller. My son is turning 7 the day we leave for Disney, and I can just hear him now..... "Mom, can I have a piggy back ride, I'm tired." "Carry Me." I don't think so! We are going all day, and staying off site. The stroller has a canopy top and can lean back. That way, if he's tired, he can just rest in the stroller. I was going to buy a cheap-o umbrella stroller, but remembered I did happen to save the jogging stroller. It's one of the only 'baby' things I saved.

 

[DissyLove]

We rented a double stroller for our 4 and 7 year olds recently-and if you plan on walking much (and face it, at Disney, hard to avoid!) and have kids that you don't think want to walk and run to keep up ALL DAY, I think it is a good idea. Why wear them out or have to sit down so they can rest all the time!

I say go for it-it made the travelling much easier for us, plus it gave us a place to store things. (the stroller has a cargo pouch).

 

[Julia M]

I found that my seven year old did fine without a stroller on our last Disney trip. But, we only did 3 1/2 days of parks, over 5 days, and he is the youngest.

On our previous trip, dd was 7, and did without a stroller the first few days. (We had a stroller for ds, who was 4) Halfway into the trip (we were there 10 days), we had to start renting a stroller for her.....she was just too worn out.

Personally, if your child fits into a stroller, is okay with riding in it, then go for it! There were many days I wished I was riding!!!

Julia

 

[MisKaren1]

I finally found some umbrella strollers that were sturdy enough to hold DD6...so I am using those. They cost me about $30 each...which wasn't too expensive

Oh that is awesome! I have a will-be-6 at trip time DS. Do you mind saying what brand/where you bought them?

Thanks!

 

[zurgswife]

We have a WDW stroller for our 7 yr old...and it has only been used at WDW....our 7yr old is the youngest....and it makes life easier trying to keep up with the older kids if she is in a stroller...besides I like the storage...