Stroller or not???

[AllAboutDisney]

I have a very active 4.5 year old who would not think of sitting in a stroller. However, when he "hits the wall" I believe he would give in and rest a bit? Has anyone had any experience with this? I am just picturing a cranky, tired little boy at about 4:00 pm and the rest of the family wants to push on. (DH, DS 14, & DD 16). Is a stroller worth the trouble? Any input?

Hugs!

 

[slp87]

I would definitely take a stroller. Neither my DH or myself wanted to carry our DD so it was worth it when she "hit the wall". When she wasn't in it, it was nice to have a place to set the backpack. I bet you'll be surprised though, once your DS sees how much walking there is, he'll enjoy the stroll & the shade. (Be sure to have a shade!)

 

[InstImpres]

If you are like me, you will have a very large backpack with goodies (and possibly sweatshirts, depending on time of year). It will make life easy on you in the morning, claim the stroller is so Mommy doesn't have to hold the big bag.

 

[floridafam]

I would also get the stroller.

We did get one at MK and Epcot for our 4 and 6 yr olds at the time.

They both were really past stroller age and don't generally use one at the mall, etc. but we really appreciated having one at WDW. They relaxed and sipped on beverages and were basically big enough to sit up and look around or get out if there was anything they wanted to do.

They didn't feel like "babies". The stroller we rented at WDW was big enough that it didn't make them feel awkward.

They are also very easy to leave outside any ride you may want to go on.

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

I would bring the stroller!! We debated about bringing umbrella strollers for our grandchildren who were just 5 this past December. We were VERY glad that we did!!!

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

It depends on the kid. When my DS was 4 he wouldn't use a stroller. We only rented one at Epcot, and he wouldn't sit in it for a second. When he got tired, we rested.

That said, many older kids are happy to be pushed around the parks.

 

[BounceyOne]

DD is 4 and hasn't used a stroller since she was 2 at WDW. Every child is different and every parent is different. If you feel you would benefit from it bring one or rent one.
We do not feel it is needed for us, so we do without. We don't carry DD around, she walks where we walk. Occasionaly big brother puts her on his shoulders, but that is his choice. I find parking the stroller at each attraction and going back for it to be a hinderance, but that is just my opinion.

Either way, have a great trip!

 

[erinch]

our very tall 5yo dd just barely fit in the cheap umbrella stroller we bought at the walmart down there. we were so glad we did, as her stamina for the parks doubled by not having to walk everywhere. She wimps out quickly on hot cement and asphalt. Our experience was:

MK; great to have the stroller if crisscrossing the park
Epcot: absolute must have
MGM: leave the stroller home; activities are close together
AK: helpful but not essential

 

[Figment1964]

We also took our very active 4½ year old to WDW in August 2002. Since he has an older brother who wouldn't have been in a stroller there wasn't a chance on earth that he would have wanted to sit in one either. So we didn't rent one and it worked fine for us. We took rests quite often in the shade and he did great!

HTH

 

[winniedapooh]

We have 5 DCherubs and have always brought a stroller. Our 7 yo DS insisted he did not fit in the side by side double we have and was NOT going to sit in it! We smiled knowingly and borught it anyhow. 5 yo DD gladly hopped on board every day and by the end of day one so did 7 yo DS, 10 yo DS even tried! DS even said thanks for bringing this Mom. It all depends on your child though. We know our kids and as active as DS can be he got tired and did not mind one bit sitting in stroller. It was also a life saver for bags and sweatshirts! Going home in Dec. for a surprise Christmas trip and will bring it again.

Faith, trust, and pixie dust to you!

 

[All Aboard]

I don't like to take rests in the park, so it's virtually essential that my 5yo daughter has a stroller. She is a commando, as well, but could never withstand our itinerary without assistance.

For example, right at the end of EE, she asks to ride Splash Mountain. She hops in and we bolt through the hub and over to Splash. That wouldn't be possible without the stroller.

Someday soon I know I'll need to ween her off stroller, but at least for now it is very useful.

 

[jaysue]

Recommend a stroller for Epcot and maybe MK if as above criss-crossing the park - AK and MGM not so useful

Our 3.5yr DS fought the stroller first at Epcot but then got into it. This helped him and us enjoy the day. Most of the time outside of Epcot I had him on my shoulders which gave him the rest and stamina to enjoy the day's activities and as a side benefit meant I did not have to worry about where he was constantly

Thanks
Jason

 

[cruisnfamily]

Our kids are older now but I remember DS's first visit as a "paying customer" at age 3. He walked for 4 days straight, Universal and Disney and never complained once. He really was a trooper and it was soooo nice not to have to lug the stroller!

Now, at age 7, I think he would love to ride in a stroller. He doesn't have the same amount of boundless energy as he did then.

 

[leanne2255]

I think that you should take a stroller. But about 9 years ago we took a stroller from home for my DD and we put it in one of those places you put your stroller before you get on a ride...well when we got out it was gone...it had all of our things in it.....so be careful.!

 

[tink2]

I will be facing the same situation this Nov. Our DD will be 4 1/2 and will not want to be in a stroller- especially with older cousins walking. We are going to plan to let her walk in the mornings- especially the first couple and rent a stroller after lunch. We will talk to her and explain it.......... we'll see. We are commando type park people and I know she will have to have a stroller at least half the day. Probably after the first day or two we will rent her one for all day and she probably won't complain by then. Anyway, that is our plan, maybe it'll work!

 

[d-r]

I say not. If your four year old gets tired in the afternoon, go back and rest and let the older kids go with the other parent and continue on. Why lug around a stroller and a ton of junk you won't need in it. Let the kid have fun and walk around for himself and if he gets tired go back to the pool and have a nap. The most fun for a four year old is looking around and exploring things; they don't care if they see every single thing or not so there is no need to be a commando. Take it easy. Slow down and let him be four and have a good time. It is the quality not the quantity, and the process not the outcome. Just my opinion.

DR

 

[sandygirl]

Take the stroller. When my DD was turning 5 my DH refused to pack the stroller in the car for her birthday trip to WDW. He said she would not need it. I insisted that we would be sorry if we left it home. Finally, I told him if he didn't pack it and she needed a lift while out and about, then he was going to be the one carrying her. We took the stroller.

I like the idea of a stroller for a few reasons. 1. I have more control of her in a crowd. 2. She can walk when she wants to and ride when she is tired. 3. She can fall asleep and get a little rest without leaving the park. I usually spend that time browsing in the shops. 4. I just say "Hop in your coach, Princess", and we can quickly shoot off to where I need to be. 5. It is a great place to stow "stuff".

Whatever you decide, have a Magical time.

 

[joloco]

take the stroller!!!
#1. You always know where they are.
#2. They can't slow you down.
#3. You have some where to hang your stuff.
#4. If they really get tired they could nap (ha ha)
#5. If they're happy, everybody is happy.
#6. You can ultimately conserve their energy and stay longer
at every park!

once they are there and realize how much walking is involved, and how many "big" kids are in strollers, they don't mind.
have fun

 

[lilsonicfan]

You should go over to the Budget Board and check out the first page of the thread called "Stroller Swap" list - a bunch of posters have gotten together to share a stroller during their respective trips. Maybe if your dates fit in, you won't have to concern yourself with bringing a stroller down, but you'll still have the benefit of using it when you need it!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Put another vote in the bring a stroller collumn. When we went to WDW last time, my daughter was over age 5. We brought a cheap umbrella stroller with us. She never would have used one at home. I bought this one specifially for the trip. It was wonderful. My daughter was another one of those kids who could sometimes hit the wall. I've seen it before I wanted to keep it to a minumum on vacation. When she got tired of walking (and we were touring commandos) she got in the stroller. She even feel asleep in it once after a long day of touring. At the end of the trip we gave it to the flight attendants at the airport and asked them to hand it to another family with a young child.