Stroller help for 4.5 yo twin boys

[shaunaday]

My boys usually don't do strollers. Actually, they usually act as if riding in a stroller causes them pain and suffering beyond measure! !

But the more I think about it, the more I think that perhaps they will need one at WDW. I mean, all the walking around certainly takes a toll on me so I can only imagine how the kids will feel! So, I am weighing my options...

Do I need to bring a stroller? If so...we are staying on-site and will be using the transportation provided.

I sure don't want to bring a stroller just to push around the parks for a week...but I have heard plenty about the prices they charge to rent one!

So, what do you think??? Should I just plan on renting if it gets too rough in the parks without one?
Anyone do Disney with 4.5 yos without the use of a stroller?

 

[JodyLynC]

My girls just turned 5. They are pretty active, but I know that they wouldn't be able to last all day in the parks. Since the prices went up on stroller rental, we went ahead and bought a couple of used ones.

One of my girls is very tall and weighs 50 lbs. I was able to find a Macleran from ebay for under $60 w/shipping. The other DD is small enough that we were able to pick up an umbrella stroller for under $10 from Once Upon A Child. Both strollers are still cheaper than renting from WDW for 5 days. Plus we can resell them when we get back.

 

[riley2008]

Our boys will be 1 month shy of their 5th birthday when we go. We are taking two Volo strollers. One of my boys LOVES riding in a stroller and frequently whines if he has to walk to far. The other could do WDW without a problem.

I didn't really want to bring a stroller either, but these are great. Also, since we'll be going in August, I don't want to have to carry a backpack. I'll be able to put it on the stroller (except for rides and shows, etc).

There are plenty of people on here that think over the age of 3 is too old for a stroller and plenty that still bring their stroller for their 6,7,8 year olds.

Do what is best for your family. Maybe if you have a zoo or another theme park nearby, you could make a day trip this summer and see how the boys hold up.

(My boys are regular nappers. So, we're thinking we won't take the strollers in the mornings to the parks, but will in the afternoons/evenings. I'm also betting the first day we won't need it, but by the last day we will be glad we had them.)

 

[Twingle]

Hi! I have twin daughters that are 4 1/2 also. My girls don't normally ride in strollers, but we absolutely use them in Disney. We have Mac's, I think they are Volo's but I'll have to double check. I was able to get them super cheap through eBay, and the seller gave me a break on the shipping because I ordered two of the same item.

For us, it just works much better to have the stroller. Good luck in your decision!

 

[Happy_Mom]

I have the Mac Twin Triumph for my girls, who are almost 5. It is great for older kids and very easy to maneuver and fold/unfold.

We used it a ton at Downtown Disney and around the resort. It was also great to stash all of my..um.. purchases.

 

[jlstwinmommy]

My boys usually don't do strollers. Actually, they usually act as if riding in a stroller causes them pain and suffering beyond measure! !

But the more I think about it, the more I think that perhaps they will need one at WDW. I mean, all the walking around certainly takes a toll on me so I can only imagine how the kids will feel! So, I am weighing my options...

Do I need to bring a stroller? If so...we are staying on-site and will be using the transportation provided.

I sure don't want to bring a stroller just to push around the parks for a week...but I have heard plenty about the prices they charge to rent one!

So, what do you think??? Should I just plan on renting if it gets too rough in the parks without one?
Anyone do Disney with 4.5 yos without the use of a stroller?

I'm probably in the minority, but we just did Disney in January with twins who are just over 4 (turned 4 in October). We did not bring the stroller (in fact, I had already sold all my strollers as they have not been using it for a while). They did great. Now, we are big outdoorsy type people and tend to take long walks in our neighborhood nightly in the summer, and a few times a week in the winter. There was 1 day when I almost wished we had a stroller as they were getting tired, but my DH didn't want to deal with parking and finding a stroller, so we slugged through it. We don't stay at the parks late, so that may make a difference. We do try to maintain our home schedule when we are away so we got to the parks early and then left around 4:30 - 5 for dinner each day and they were in bed by 8:30 every night.

You know your twins best. Mine had walked Hershey park before and we thought they could handle it and they did great. They never complained or asked to be carried. We had a fabulous trip. I'm sure you all will as well.

 

[shaunaday]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate you all taking the time to reply! Just one quick question...I have a great In Step Jogger. It pushes like a dream and turns on a dime but, it's sooooo wide and doesn't fold very comactly. As I mentioned we are staying onsite and will need to use the bus system (as well as the monorail and boats I am sure). So with that in mind, is this a bad choice or a good one?

 

[tnmomof4]

I have the Mac Twin Triumph for my girls, who are almost 5. It is great for older kids and very easy to maneuver and fold/unfold.

We used it a ton at Downtown Disney and around the resort. It was also great to stash all of my..um.. purchases.

Same with me. I just got the Mac Twin Triumph I ordered for my twins who are 4.

 

[Rylee]

My boys usually don't do strollers. Actually, they usually act as if riding in a stroller causes them pain and suffering beyond measure! !

But the more I think about it, the more I think that perhaps they will need one at WDW. I mean, all the walking around certainly takes a toll on me so I can only imagine how the kids will feel! So, I am weighing my options...

Do I need to bring a stroller? If so...we are staying on-site and will be using the transportation provided.

I sure don't want to bring a stroller just to push around the parks for a week...but I have heard plenty about the prices they charge to rent one!

So, what do you think??? Should I just plan on renting if it gets too rough in the parks without one?
Anyone do Disney with 4.5 yos without the use of a stroller?

Since you aren't sure if you'll actually need one... just an idea...

What if you just brought one "single" rider stroller... and the boys could take turns. This way you wouldn't have to push a bulky double stroller and would leave one parent with free hands, too.

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm planning to order food from either gardengrocer.com or wegoshop.com.

When I spoke to Marge at wegoshop, she said it wouldn't be a problem to pick up a cheap umbrella stroller for us. So if I decide to use one for my 5 year old, I'll probably go that route. It will save me the trouble of bringing one with me, and will probably be the cheapest route. If it lasts 2 or 3 days, it will still be cheaper than renting one.

 

[2BoysMom]

Hi
My boys are a little younger than your kids, they will turn 4 on May 7th.
In normal situations, we haven't used a stroller in ages... only at Disney.

When we first enter MK, we go to the train which is right at the entrance. We take the train to Toontown and then Fantasyland where we spend most of our time and we have avoided the long walk up there. After spending a few hours in that location of the park, usually around lunch we walk down back through Main Street and get a Disney stroller. By this time the boys are tired enough to want to sit in it. I also think it makes them feel special, that they have their own "special car" to sit in.

When they were babies, we brought our own stroller, but after a certain age we have used the Disney strollers. Granted they cost money, but for me it is worth it to not have to carry around and be responsible for my own stroller. One thing I do, is to bring a special flag (or scarf or something) that I hang on our Disney stroller. That way I can find it easily amongst the hundreds of other similar strollers.

 

[mavslab]

Since you aren't sure if you'll actually need one... just an idea...

What if you just brought one "single" rider stroller... and the boys could take turns. This way you wouldn't have to push a bulky double stroller and would leave one parent with free hands, too.

That's what I was going to suggest too. I brought our double stroller when my older two were 7 months and almost 2. That thing was a pain in the rear to get on the bus and HEAVY!

I plan on bringing an umbrella stroller down with us for my DS who will be 4. We are planning to be at Rope drop and then leave by 12:30 for pool time and a nap, then we will return to the park at 5. He may not even need it with that huge gap, but better safe than sorry.

 

[iReverb]

This is such great advice. First-hand advice has always proved to be the best for us, especially from other parents of twins. I just read a very rude bulletin to families who have stroller questions on this board. It seems we have overstayed our "stroller question" welcome. But I'm thankful to all of the kind folks on this thread!

Big help!

 

[delmar411]

I'm going to answer w/o reading.

A healthy average 4.5yr old should not need a stroller to do the parks. If your kids are tired and want to sit down then it's time for a rest. If you want a nice extended rest while still 'touring' then hit up the people mover (TTA). If it's almost time for the next meal then head over there and sit down and do some people watching. But the reality is that just because we as adults want to go go go while at WDW, doesn't mean we need to figure out a way of forcing our off spring to maintain our speed and stamina. We just need to remember that our kiddos are just as much on vacation and need to at least be given equal opportunity to go at their preferred speed.

JMHO though and I know many disagree with me and feel their children need to be pushed through the parks instead of walking. To each their own. But I'm sure your 4.5yr old boys would do just fine. WDW isn't like non-stop walking. If you choose to not bring/rent a stroller I would make sure that they do have good solid comfortable walking shoes, maybe 2 pairs and extra socks.

Have a great trip!

 

[DevilDuckie]

I'm going to answer w/o reading.

A healthy average 4.5yr old should not need a stroller to do the parks. If your kids are tired and want to sit down then it's time for a rest. If you want a nice extended rest while still 'touring' then hit up the people mover (TTA). If it's almost time for the next meal then head over there and sit down and do some people watching. But the reality is that just because we as adults want to go go go while at WDW, doesn't mean we need to figure out a way of forcing our off spring to maintain our speed and stamina. We just need to remember that our kiddos are just as much on vacation and need to at least be given equal opportunity to go at their preferred speed.

JMHO though and I know many disagree with me and feel their children need to be pushed through the parks instead of walking. To each their own. But I'm sure your 4.5yr old boys would do just fine. WDW isn't like non-stop walking. If you choose to not bring/rent a stroller I would make sure that they do have good solid comfortable walking shoes, maybe 2 pairs and extra socks.

Have a great trip!

Yep! Especially when you factor in that these two seem to have a good healthy dose of pride at being Big Boys.

I say let the kids maintain their dignity and walk. If they don't *want* a stroller, putting them in it will do more harm than good to your happy vacation.

 

[Aliceacc]

This is such great advice. First-hand advice has always proved to be the best for us, especially from other parents of twins. I just read a very rude bulletin to families who have stroller questions on this board. It seems we have overstayed our "stroller question" welcome. But I'm thankful to all of the kind folks on this thread!

Big help!

There is no such thing as "Overstaying your welcome" on any question. Anyone who doesn't want to answer your questions is free to skip the thread. This site is all about information, so ask away.

I'm just sorry that I don't have the answer to your questions.