Stroller or no stroller....??

[WDWorBUST]

Okay, DD is 6 1/2 and was told that our Disney trip this past December was her last one with a stroller. Well about a month ago we went to the Home and Garden show and DD was complaining that her legs were hurting about 30 minutes in. I think that it was more that she didn't like what we were doing, but I told her that I guess it would be a LONG time before we got to go back to Disney then since she couldn't make it a couple of hours at a show. Okay so now her and I are going on a "girls" trip with one of my best friends and her 6 year old in May. It would be a done deal no- brainer that we wouldn't be taking a stroller EXCEPT I will be 13 weeks pregnant and won't be able to carry her at all. Granted I'll probably be a little slower than normal (I'm absolutely exhausted all the time right now, but hope to be past that by then) and we're only spending 2 days in the parks and one at the pool and maybe DTD. So I think she would be fine....but if she's not I don't want it to be a miserable 2 days because of it. We don't exactly have time to start working up our endurance because we leave 5/8 which gives us just a little over a month. So what would you do under these particular circumstances??

 

[JUJU814]

I think it depends on the child. My dd is almost 6 1/2 and we just got back.

I can honestly say there is no way we could have done it without a stroller. She was tired. One day we went to Sea World and I did not rent a stroller there and it was NOT fun. She was exhausted.

I don't know what it is. I was a little alarmed but it seemed to me she just had no stamina and I'm not sure that is really normal. She was sick at the beginning of the trip so maybe that had something to do with it?

At any rate, I used a stroller for her every day of the trip. I rented a double size from Disney so it was more comfortable. She's a peanut anyway.

For what it's worth, I saw a lot of kids walking, but I saw a LOT of kids her age and even older in strollers as well.

 

[brandip22]

I say to get a stroller, just in case. BUT, I also say that it's not too late to start walking and get that girl some stamina! You may not be up to pusing her around all day.

 

[Disney_Ohana]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

When I was pregnant I explained to my dd that I couldn't carry her (dr's orders) and she understood, she'd ask me to of course but I would just tell her 'Sorry, I can't.' Your daughter is older so I would think she'd understand too. I wouldn't take one (in my case I wouldn't even be able to lug it around onto buses/transportation or carry it if I had to) & IF you feel she NEEDS one when you are there in the parks then rent one.

 

[Wendy5055]

It is a ton of walking. I must admit that I rented a WDW double stroller up until last year...my dd was 7 then. This is our first year without one...she is just too big now. But we plan on taking things quite slow to allow for her no stroller adjustment. I will say that I will miss the stroller for storage purposes!

I just think that 6 is still young enough for a stroller.

 

[jforever52]

We rented a stroller for my 6 year old son last time we went. We rented it for the whole week but realised we did not need it for him about three days in. We were given a refund in full for the days we did not use it. I say if you think you need it then get it; besides its a good place to store all your stuff with or without a kid riding in it.

 

[squirrel]

If you already have a stroller, bring it.

You can leave it in the area you are in and then if she is tired, let her sit in it while you move to the next area of the park.

I don't know how hot it will be when you go. I bring one for my niece as it is still quite warm in October when we go.

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

My son was told he wouldn't need a stroller after our last trip, but I am pretty convinced I will be bringing it one more time. He will be close to 7 when we go in Nov. but I think it's so nice for not only when they are tired, but for carrying all your stuff, especially if you will be there when you may need sweatshirts. We just bring an umbrella with a pouch and it's light and easy to get around. I would bring it if I were you, I did May pregnant with my now 6 yr old and it was really hot and you will be tired!

 

[Coconuts]

Like other pp said, it depends on your child.

On our last trip in 9/09, DD turned 6 during the trip. Our other DD was 18mos old and we of course brought a stroller for her. DH thought I was crazy when I said that we should bring 2 strollers, but I talked him into it when I said that we could use the 2nd one to carry the car seat through the airport. I had a feeling that we would use a 2nd one because my 6yo would get tired after a while in the parks. We also wound up needing the extra storage space and cup holders.

If it were me, I would bring a stroller if I had one. If you don't want to do that, then you can always rent at the parks if you wanted to judge your DD endurance after you are there.

 

[brymolmom]

If you already said it....IMO you need to stick to your 'threat' and go NO stroller!

It is always going to be easier as a parent to take it and avoid the whining....but it is time to be done with it. You already knew that thus you mentioning on the last trip that it was the LAST one with a stroller.

In my family our rule has always been 'no stroller after 5' and we are just coming upon our first stroller-free. DD is likely going to struggle a bit and maybe we'll leave a park early or just take an extended snack rest or other...but we're going to do it.

Oh and I would never carry her - NOT my idea of a vacation! Even tho I am not pregnant.

 

[Hannathy]

Nope no stroller for a 7 yr old. Mine never used one past 4 and we do long days, long trips. Kids have more energy than adults and if I can walk it they can.
I don't understand the worry about not being able to carry her. You folks actually carry 7 yr olds? I also don't tolerate whining. If they are tired then we probably all are and we take a break. If that isn't good enough they have the choice of leaving Disney or being quiet. There is a lot of sitting in Disney, it isn't a marathon.

If you are worried about lifting because you are pregnant then I certainly wouldn't want to be trying to lug a stroller all over and on and off busses. Nope no way. You also already told her no so she is not even going to be expecting it, don't go back on your word now. She will be fine. You will also find out how freeing it is to not have a stroller to deal with, it is great and she is old enough to carry her own stuff so you will really be free