Stroller for almost 5 year old???

[ninahbear]

A friend from work will be taking her first family trip in June. Her DD will be 3 months shy of 5 years and she was thinking of taking an umbrella stroller for her. My DS is only 2 so I can't give her any advice. What do you think?

 

[deejohn]

We have 4 kids and have always brought a stroller for then until they reach age 6. After that walk like the rest of us. That way they will be tired.

Besides, by age 6 they are running from ride to ride or show to show, so buckeling and unbuckeling can be a pain.

 

[Hannathy]

I think there are 3 threads about strollers right now alone! It can get very heated. There seems to be 2 completely different schools of thought. Some take or rent them forever up to 8 or 9 Others stop when they hit 5.

I am from the don't take over 4 school. My DS went when he was 5 and we didn't even think to take or offer a stroller and he did wonderful! Most kids have much more energy and are in better shape than most adults so I have never understood why once they get in school they need a stroller. We spent very long days in the parks because it was over Easter and he walked without any problems.

Take a minute and read the other threads you'll get a lot of different points.

 

[flipflop]

For your convenience:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1426855&page=5

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1427153&page=3

 

[jillyjoey]

I'll tell you what worked the best for us -- bringing when DD was under 3 and renting from then on. She didn't balk getting into the stroller each day -- and, if you use WDW transportation -- oh so much easier. Knowing that she would NEVER get in a stroller at home + the fact we were flying -- made our decision to rent so much easier. Another plus -- if someone took our stoller -- who cares?

 

[WDWstu]

I'm not sure why this topic is such a heated arguement. Its really up to the specific kid and since everyone is different I don't think anyone can say what's best for your kid.

Anyway, here is what we do. And as a disclaimer - this is what we do and not what i think others should do. I am not trying to argue any point, just to show how we use the stroller and what works for us.

we got a stroller for my daughter last year when she was 4 and now that she is 5 we are still going to get one on this trip. We don't tell her she has to ride in it. But we have it for when she does want to. After walking around for awhile she appreciates the ride. She took advantage of it a lot when she was 4. And we don't go commando in the parks so its not a matter of needing her to keep up. We do a very relaxed tour taking a break mid-day. But it is still nice to have the stroller.

A big plus to me is that it makes it easier to carried stuff around with you. Just strap your backpack to it. There are cup holders and pouches for the maps and what not. I think its almost more useful for that stuff than for pushing your kid around!

We like having it. Even now that she is 5. And probably still when she is 6. And who knows, maybe 7 or more Its up to her.

 

[DisneyDizzy]

We took my son when he was almost 5. We rented a stroller every day. It was wonderful! He didn't ride in it all the time, only as he got tired. It was a nice place for him to sit down and have a drink or whatever. He got to save some energy for the fun stuff and we got to stay later in the parks. I also appreciated it at parade times or when there were heavier crowds. It was nice to know where he was while we made our way through the masses.

We never took mid-day breaks. He would just chill in the stroller with his misting fan and water bottle while we did some shopping or whatever, then he was ready to go again. Plus, it was nice to have a place to put things when we were walking around. We are going back in September this year and plan to rent a stroller again. I liked renting one rather than buying one just because when we rode the railroad or left on the buses, there was no stroller to worry about. You just leave it behind and as long as you have your receipt, you can pick up another one at the next park or railroad stop.

 

[MN_Cruz'n]

I agree that it depends on the child. We are scheduled for a late-August trip, and our 5 year old will NOT be using a stroller. She has not been in a stroller since she was 3 1/2 (maybe 4).

Personally, I think part of it is a balance between the child's needs and what the parks are like when you will be there. When it is REALLY crowded, trying to push a stroller around is a nightmare, and I truly feel bad about crushing ankles as I am trying to push a stroller. However, even at Disney, there are people who get downright nasty to people with strollers.

I, personally, am glad it is one less thing we need to deal with on this trip. Plus, our little one, without a stroller, helps pace us. When she complains she is tired, we all take a break. Otherwise, with a stroller, we would just GO GO GO, and then our 9 year old suffers.

Anyway, always a responsible parent's decision. Just weigh all the options and the +'s and -'s before you decide...

 

[tacomaranch]

I want to say how wonderful it is to see everyone just saying do what is right for you and your child. It beats the heated discussions that just upset and hurt.

Our DS has autism and having a stroller keeps him from running away and also cuts down on the over stimulation that can happen at Disney. We have lime green Maclaren and he does great in it. He is 4 and still fits well. For us it is a safety issue and sensory. We also have a harness for outings in stores and places other than Disney.

Do what is right for you and your child! The rest of us are just letting you know what we did and why.

Enjoy the magic.

 

[monorailsilver]

The last time we went my oldest was 4 1/2. She is small (weight wise) for her age so I put her in a Jeep umbrella stroller.

When we go next year she will be 7 1/2 (or almost) & if she desires she can sit or stand on the back of the sit/stand stroller & take turns with her then almost 5 yo brother while her 2 1/2 yo sister sits up front.

I for one am going to miss a stroller because then it means I have to carry everything, but pre-stroller days I didn't carry too much so hopefully I can start that trend again in the future.

 

[jenr812]

I haven't used a stroller at home since my youngest was about 15 months old. But in Disney, it's different. For us...

On our first trip, our boys were almost 3 and 6. We rented a double every day and both boys rode almost all the time. It was the week of July 4th, so it was actually nice not to have to keep worrying about one of them disappearing into the sea of people. A couple times, our exhausted DD (then 11) even sat on the edge of the stroller for a rest. It was wicked hot and humid! And we were kinda commando style touring for a while.

This time, the boys will be almost 5 and 8. We have budgeted the money for the stroller, but we aren't going to start out with one. If they get tired/grumpy, then we will get it. I'd rather get a stroller and have happy kids than the alternative.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

We don't use them at home for dd who will be 7 on our next trip but when we are in disney we and here is why.
Dec 05 age 5 who wants to carry someone after a day in the park.

Dec 06 age 6 one of the last nights of 10 day trip.

Dec 06 age MVMCP she took a short nap while walking across the park.

And for this reason some days I wish I could have one.

 

[jenr812]

LOL Mandy! Several times during our trip I so wished I could fit in that stroller for just a few minutes!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would buy one because it will be cheaper than renting. Get a Maclaren and she'll be fine. We always take strollers because our kids are young. We are also not used to the heat so my kids cannot walk the whole day even with breaks. Heck, I would love to crawl up in that stroller some days! Especially when we have their fans going!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I would buy or bring an inexpensive umbrella stroller. I just think that Disney is a whole different story than going to your local mall...there is SO much walking!! Just my opinion

 

[blessedby3]

Those pictures are priceless cancersurvivor06!!!! Whats so funny is I have some that look just like yours except the stroller contains our DD(just turned)8. She is small for her age and I love having the stroller for her to jump into and out of when she is tired. She hasnt used one at home since she was 3 or so, but at Disney I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ONE!! We bought a Maclaren Volo to take on our last two trips since she was about 40-45 pounds and the regular ones dont push easily anymore with that weight. I much prefer having given her the option to ride or walk and we do commando so it gives us the chance to stay all day and she can rest or sleep in it when she wants. We dont buckle her she just jumps in and out. I like having somewhere to put all of our junk also instead of having to carry it. I dont know why people get so bent out of shape when older kids use them. The kids dont belong to them and they dont know anyone elses touring plans and how long they are in the parks. Each family should be able to do whats best for them and not have to take rude comments from others if they choose to stroller their older kids.
Just wanted to let the OP know that a Maclaren Volo is a great option for an older child so that your friends can check into it.

 

[Disneyolic]

We have 3 kids (ages 2, 5 & 7). We have rented a double stroller in the past and will be renting one again in June. They take turns sitting in the stroller and I love being able to place things in it so I don't have to carry extra stuff.