Stroller question for a 6 year old, please no flames

[MickeyNicki]

We are taking our nieces back to WDW this January and our little niece will have just turned 6. Last time we took her she was 3 and the double stroller was used the entire time.

She has not used a stroller in a very long time and we have told her that if we take her to WDW again she will be a big girl and no stroller, she gets it....but for those of you with kids the same age did you find that you did need the stroller afterall? Did the walking do them in?

Many thanks for the help

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Strollers and kids seems to always bring flames here but I have taken this approach. You are the Mom and you what is best for your child. Who really cares what a bunch of strangers think on the internet. In the parks, will you ever see the people again ? Not likely. It is your child and you must do what you think is right for your family.

Each child is different and has different energy levels. Heck, after a week of stomping I wish I could get a stroller ride

If you bring a stroller and your child doesn't use it, then you are out nothing. If you bring your stroller and on day 3 your child is exhausted and wants a ride, you are prepared. It is a win-win situation.

Our DS was asked by TSA aren't you too big for a stroller? I smiled and said aren't you too old to not have manners? DS has autism.

 

[MickeyNicki]

You are absolutely right! And I love your comeback!

I was just looking for info regarding a 6 year old....she normally isnt on her feet like that and while a 9 year old can handle it I was just wondering if people that have experience with a 6 year old can tell me if they can take all the walking.

Thank you!

 

[daisyduck123]

It's so hard to know sometimes.

When DS was in Kindergarten, he sat in the stroller a lot in WDW.

During our trips when he was in 1st grade, he did not use it at all. We ended up just using it to carry our bags around the park!!

 

[mamacatnv]

We took ours for DD who was 6 and then again the next year at 7.
It sure came in handy the day she had the punies and while she didn't need to stay in bed there was no way she was going to hold up to a day of walking. We were so thankful we took it with us "just in case"

 

[Schmeck]

I'd just rent one there as needed for a 6 year old - she might not fit or might be over the weight limit for a stroller that she last used when she was 3. If you bring one with you you'll have to lug it onto the buses, etc.

 

[churchpilot]

When our son was 6 and his little brother was 2, we only had a single stroller. Our 6 year old did great 90% of the time. Walking about Epcot got tiring and one day at Animal Kingdom, but other than that he did great. We did walk every day for the 2 months before our trip. The couple of times he got really tired, he sat on the stroller and we pushed him and the 2 year old walked or was carried (briefly!). I agree and taking a watch and see attitude. If you need a stroller, rent one. Have fun.

 

[babym66]

Our daughter was 6.5 years old and we used it. It came in handy on those EMH nights. When she was tired, she would climb in. My husband and I could walk around enjoying the sights and she was fast asleep. We could wait for the crowds to break up before leaving the park. Much less stress!

 

[Miss LD]

I'd bring it.
We were at WDW with my 6 yo niece this summer. We had a stroller for her and her sister to share. She definitely used it!
She would never think to sit in a stroller at home, but with getting up early, tons of walking, not the healthiest food and the florida heat it definitely got used.
LOTS of older kids were in strollers for the same reasons.
They brought a cheap one and didn't worry if they left it for a few hours in stroller parking, and ended up giving it to a family in the airport on the way home.

 

[brittsmum1998]

While this doesn't necessarily apply to your situation, my dd10 rode in a stroller up until she was 9. She had 4 major surgeries had most of her 5th and 6th vertibraes drilled out) on her spine w/in a 2 yr period and I wasn't about to let her walk all day and night. We rented a double so she could stretch out. I can't tell you how many looks we got. Britt even got to the point where she was embarressed. I told her not to worry, they were jealous and I made sure to make some kind of nice comment to Britt if/when I caught people staring. I never said anything about her spine but said things to the effect of "is there room for me in there?" "Ok you look too comfortable, get out!" always enough to make her laugh. I wish I had some good comebacks like the previous poster.

I guess my point is after this story (that really doesn't apply to your situation) is that my main concern was that Britt be comfortable regardless of her age and I didn't care what people thought. You would not want to spend all that money/time and have your poor child be miserable.

Enjoy the trip and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Ellester]

On our last trip our dd's were 8 and 5 and did not use a stroller at all. They were both fine with the walking. We did the parks for 7 days straight and honestly, I don't remember many complaints. Our ds was 2 at the time and dh carried him as needed. My dh is VERY anti-stroller, so the deal was that he would do any and all carrying of ds. He did and it really was nice not to have to load a stroller on/off the buses or search for it outside of attractions. If it were me, I would rent one if really needed while we were there. (Unless you have a stroller big enough for a six year old just sitting around the house!) Honestly, I think my younger dd would have had a fit if I even attempted to have her sit in a stroller. She is very strong willed and has definite opinions on how grown up she is!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

the last time we took our littlest guy he was 6, very manly for a few hours & then completely exhausted walkig around Epcot for hours. it was heaven to finally rent the stroller @ the WS entrance (and the stroller was not baby-ish looking), he was relaxed, we were happy.....it's so much walking!!!

have fun whatever you decide!!!

 

[Minniemouse07]

We went to WDW when dd was 6.5yo w/ our family (and 2yo ds) and then dd and I made a girls trip for her 7th birthday.

During the family trip, dd wanted in the stroller whenever ds wasn't in it (I had a carrier for him for sleeping), BUT, when we went for her 7th birthday we had no stroller...and she did fine w/o it!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Strollers and kids seems to always bring flames here but I have taken this approach. You are the Mom and you what is best for your child. Who really cares what a bunch of strangers think on the internet. In the parks, will you ever see the people again ? Not likely. It is your child and you must do what you think is right for your family.

Each child is different and has different energy levels. Heck, after a week of stomping I wish I could get a stroller ride

If you bring a stroller and your child doesn't use it, then you are out nothing. If you bring your stroller and on day 3 your child is exhausted and wants a ride, you are prepared. It is a win-win situation.

Our DS was asked by TSA aren't you too big for a stroller? I smiled and said aren't you too old to not have manners? DS has autism.

what flames ME is when people take it upon themselves to judge others!

why would anyone even think of making remarks to others when they have NO idea why or why not others may/may not need strollers, walkers, canes, parking stickers?? ergh!! that pushes my buttons

guess I have to or and walk away w/ a smile b/c I don't think I could come up w/ such a great comeback so quickly!! awesome.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I will not flame you...My DD is 6 and we are taking the stroller to WDW in January!! I even bought a new Maclaren on Ebay for the trip. My theory is I know my daughter will get tired and want to be carried. I know my daughter and she gets more whiney than my patients can handle when she is tired. I have no intention in fighting that battle because I will become a very cranky mommy! I truly believe that if it will keep the peace, why not? (Look at at this way, how is a stroller different than a motorized scooter? Many of those people are not handicapped enough to need use them. If they can scoot around, then DD6 can ride too!)

I am a single mom and go to WDW as a mommy and me trip. I don't have the option of another parent to assist. I plan longer than usual trips, we get a little stressed bc I go to school FT & work FT, and but we save all year and let loose for a 2 weeks at WDW. We have a blast. I am not about to jeopardize the fun! It helps keeps us going so we can have a pleasant trip!

 

[macrosswife]

No flaming here, either!!
We plan to take the stroller for our 6 year old next year! (And we bought the Maclaren that will hold up to 65 pounds for that very reason!!)
Our main reason is because DS gets very nervous in large crowds. He likes being in the stroller because he knows he can't lose me that way!
The added bonus? When we get to EMH at night and DS can tough it out a few more hours because he's not completely wiped from all the walking.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[mom2princessj]

My dd is 5 and we'll be taking a stroller for her at WDW. I really think it depends on the child. Tonight dd, ds, and dh walked the entire neighborhood (not nearly as big as WDW ) and when she got home (after 1.5 hours out) she told me her feet were killing her and it was too much walking NO WAY would she make it at WDW walking all that way so to me it's a no brainer. I'd take one if it was me just to have it. Better to have one if she's tired than not and have to carry her or listen to her whine (ugh my dd whines and it drives me crazy ).

 

[SLK1]

Really? People flame you for asking about strollers? How silly! I think you need to look at the needs of your child! My third child is a pretty lazy one and doesn't like to sweat, run, or exert herself in any way so she loves to have the stroller as a fall-back, when we're there for a long day. However, there are times when she walks the whole time too. I personally love having a stroller to hold at the "stuff" we accumulate throughout the day!

 

[allyphoe]

I'm pro-stroller, because a stroller works well for me. With my kid, if she's in the stroller, I always know exactly where she is. I have a place to leave extraneous stuff (the half-pretzel she's going to eat later, a bottle of water, a jacket in case it gets cold / wet, etc) while we're on rides. If it's crowded, she has a quieter, more-protected space that's away from people (she'll pull the sunshade down to block people out). If we stay late, and she falls asleep on the way to the car, I don't have to carry her. (We walk to the car, rather than take the tram. I like to walk.) She can eat or drink while we move (which is good, because otherwise I would spend all day sitting down, because she is the world's slowest eater). She's a tiny little thing, so pushing the stroller takes no effort, even uphill. She doesn't get as many low-blood-sugar meltdowns, because she's not moving as much.

I suspect she's going to be done with the stroller in another year or so (before she's 7), whether I like it or not. But until she reaches that point, I'd choose to use it for my own benefit.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Thank you all so much. I think I got my answer last night. We were out Trick or Treating last night for almost 3 hours, she started off with a bang and then tuckered out, didnt want to carry her basket, didnt want to walk, wanted to go home etc.

So I think a stroller might be needed at WDW!