Stroller or no stroller for a 5yo

[hodad]

I take mine for my almost 5 year old. We usually park it in a land and walk. We use it more for getting into the park, when she's super tired, and jamming from land to land!

This is a great idea. Set aside the stroller once we get to an area where she can putz around, then use it to walk to the other end of the park to putz around.

 

[stephanie22]

I take mine for my almost 5 year old. We usually park it in a land and walk. We use it more for getting into the park, when she's super tired, and jamming from land to land! She's almost done with it though. I'll sure miss storing all our stuff in it ;-)

This is what we've done since DS was two, granted he's only three now but it works so fabulously. We just have him get in it when we're moving from land to land or when we're going farther stretches like switching parks, back to the hotel, downtown Disney. We also use it if it's crowded and were worried about him getting away from us for whatever reason.

 

[Purrkins]

I don't do strollers. But my 5 year old has been out of them since 3 and jogs every afternoon with me, and we hike actively, sometimes as far as 9 miles. Your child is different. Only you know what is best for them. You can always park it and pick it up at the end of the day if you are still unsure.

 

[CassieScraps]

We are taking our stroller this trip for our just turned 5 year old. Her dad said we don't need it, but I pointed out that there is nothing worse than trying to carry an overtired, 40lb lump of kid from one end of the park to the exit. We used it while in at DL in April (she was 4.5) and she took advantage of it when she didn't want to walk. Plus, she appreciated it when I took a time out and parked it in the shade and she crashed for a couple of hours. We too park it near a ride and go wander that land if we aren't using it. It's also handy for jackets, waters, snacks and "stuff". I'm not a pack mule, lol.

 

[sgrap]

Umbrella strollers the whole way. These were fantastic to see in the parks as they take up the least amount of space and are the easiest stored.



That's my biggest issue with strollers in the park (the contentious issue). Many strollers I saw took up the space of 3-4 people, easily. While it is more work to get a locker or have the item held for you - umbrella strollers are easier on many other people in the park.

We always used a very small stroller at Disney.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, and for all of you who leave stuff in the stroller, don't do that. We had something stolen from under ratty sweatshirts in the bottom of a rental once, and once from the handle. Things that ultimately were either replaced or of zero value, but it's still a rotten feeling to have things stolen.

Take in what you can carry. Don't use the stroller as a pack mule.

 

[jani3]

Oh, and for all of you who leave stuff in the stroller, don't do that. We had something stolen from under ratty sweatshirts in the bottom of a rental once, and once from the handle. Things that ultimately were either replaced or of zero value, but it's still a rotten feeling to have things stolen.

Take in what you can carry. Don't use the stroller as a pack mule.

Sorry that happened to you, but that's just sad. I hope karma gets those thieves.

 

[jani3]

I vote stroller. Like PPs said, just park it and walk around in that land then use it to go to the next land. I also use it to store things like water, snacks, change of clothes and jacket. It's been helpful trying to get out of the park when there are thousands of other people leaving with you.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I take mine for my almost 5 year old. We usually park it in a land and walk. We use it more for getting into the park, when she's super tired, and jamming from land to land! She's almost done with it though. I'll sure miss storing all our stuff in it ;-)

This.

We took a stroller for my DD who turned 5 on the trip. I was so happy we had it. Yes, it was annoying to have to find where it got moved to, but it was less annoying than having to carry her back to the hotel when she was tired. And it was great to be able to store some snacks in the basket.

 

[becd]

I also say stroller - the way I look at it, time is money on a Disney trip and if your child gets exhausted then your day is done. Every minute counts - lol!