Stroller or walk with 6 and 4 year old?

JessetheCowgirl

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 21, 2003
Messages
2,776
Hi, all!

I am really undecided about what to do next trip (March). We will have DD 9 mos in her own Peg Pliko stroller. DS 6 and DS 4 along with my nephew age 8 will also be joining us.

I don't think DS 6 will want to ride in a stroller because his cousin will be walking. And DS 4 may not want to ride if his brother and cousin are walking.

Would you:

1. Bring double stroller from home (we are flying and are bringing DD's stroller as well)

2. Rent a stroller from abbf or other source----cheaper than renting every day

3. Rent a double when needed

I also thought of another option----buying a stroller and having it shipped to the resort, then just passing it on to someone else. I don't know if we want to mess with taking one to/from airport.
 
We wouldn't want to mess with lugging a stroller through the airport either, we also have 2 4yr olds and a 6yr old. What we were planning to do was rent a stroller (double) for the week, it's cheaper that way and don't have to worry about packing it around when not in the parks. The 6 and 8 yr olds may not be interested but your 4yr old may apprieciate it later in the day (or you when his legs get tired :)
 
OK my experience. I went In October. I have a 2 1/2 DD and a 4 DS. I took a freind's DS 5 and DD 3. I had a double of my own. The father of the 3 and 5 year old was insisting that the little boy wouldnt want to use a stroller. I took these 4 kids to MNSSHP free double stroller, DTD only my stroller,MGM/Epcot rented a double ( I could have gotten a free single because their parents work for Disney but that would have lead to fighting over who was gonna walkfor i paid for the double).



The best days were when I had enough stroller seats for all the little butts. The one day at DTD with only one stroller I tried to keep the 2 youngest in the stroller my Ds was upset because it is HIS stroller. The the other little boy wanted to ride cause my DS was riding. This was Haloween night so DTD was very crowded. I really could have used another double that night.


If you dont bring a second double be sure to rent one.
 
I would definitely plan on bringing or renting a stroller for the 4yo. My 4yo fell asleep a few times(at like 4pm) when we planned on going out and it was great to be able to push her while she napped. It also helped us at the airport when we had a very early flight and she was just too tired to walk.
 

Rent a stroller there. You never know when your kids will be tired and want to ride. I know my DD (almost 4) can do the mall somedays walking and not others. also with the double stroller you can use it as a great seat for parades.

Walk? No, you don't want to risk the meltdown and tantrum a tired little one can get into with tired legs.

Good luck & Have fun!
 
I would definitely get a stroller for the 4 & 6yr old. I am sure you will find the 8 yr old will want to ride too!! My DS when he was 8 got tired easily and ended up wanting me to get him a stroller too!! :cool1:
 
I'm a big believer in using a stroller as long as possible. Kids legs tire out easier than you think, and also if we went at their pace we'd never get anywhere. Last year kids were, 4, 5 and turning 7 and I brought a single umbrella and a double umbrella stroller. It really wasn't a hassle at the airport they let you check them in on the place and they are waiting for you when you get off.
 
I would rent a double stroller. I was there in Nov w/ my 3 kids, dd-9,dd-6 and ds 3. We rented a double and even the 9 yo was trying to ride in it.
 
I have a Peg Perego Pliko stroller and mine has the "pedals" or space for an older child to stand on for a ride. We did this when we took our DS last year and he was 9mo and DD was almost 6yo. It worked great. I also had a carrier, a Baby Bjorn and when DS was in it, DD would ride in the stroller. We mostly did this at night when DD was tired or during Illuminations and the walk back to BWV. I would suggest that for the baby and 4 yo. Your 6yo may not need a stroller. I would just rent one if he needed it.
 
I think it really depends on the kids and how busy your days are going to be. Our last trip our twins had just turned 6. It was in Jan. and we went with another family that had never been. Since the weather was cool, we spend most days at the park. There were no kids in strollers in our group and our boys did great! They enjoyed walking with the other kids.

The trip before was in November when they were 4 (turning 5 in Jan.). We had planned to bring our cheap umbrella strollers but we left them at home. It was only our family so we took our time and headed back to the hotel each day to swim. We rented a double stroller once. The rest of the time they enjoyed keeping up with their big sister.
 
My boys were 3 1/2 and just turning 6 when we went the first time in Nov '89. They walked everywhere and we had no problems. It's a lot easier than pushing a stroller around. I quit using strollers by the time they were 3 and they were used to walking. Kids who whine and complain at 4+ about walking usually do it because they've never had to. Believe me, their legs hurt less at the end of the day than mine did and I was 28 at the time. We didnt' do naps either and they kept up fine. Of course my boys were both toilet trained by 2 1/2 so I didnt' have the need for a diaper bag either. I loved traveling light.
 
I would say rent a stroller, but be sure to bring one for 9 month old. The park strollers aren't suitable for babies. BTW, my DD5 hates riding in strollers now that she is a "big girl", but at the park a stroller is a must have for her, and she knows it. It's much more relaxing for us too, because we know exactly where she is all of the time.
 
Our first trip DDs were 5 and 2. Brought 2 umbrella strollers that we could clip together. Used them a lot both togther and unclipped.

2nd trip they were 4 and 7. Did not bring strollers but rented one at epcot. Epcot is a huge park. I think it was a single stroller (big hard plastic thing) and they were both trying to sqeeze in there. Other parks were not a problem for us w/o stroller.
 
I think most kids who would never think of using a stroller any where else will use them at Disney. It's also a great place to store your stuff. To each their own but I wouldn't think of not using a stroller or not taking a break for naps (I even need one). Of course we go in the summer when it's hot and the parks are open late so we go early, take a nap/swim break, and return in the evening. You'll know pretty early whether you need to rent the stroller or not.
 
I think it really depends on your children. First I would definitely not lug your double stroller from home. Try the kids walking, especially if they want to. You can always go back and rent a stroller. My 4 & 5 yr olds didn't want to sit in the stroller, and wanted to walk the entire time which really surprised me. Keep the stroller at home and be prepared to rent a stroller, maybe just part of the time. Leave it all up to the kids. Good luck!
 


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