Stroller question for a 6 year old, please no flames

[tinkerlisa]

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.

I agree totally. We went 2 years ago and at that point my oldest son was 4. he had not used his stroller in probably 2 years at that point(going thru the "big boy" syndrome). anyhow, he complained the whole time that his feet hurt! I wish i had rented a stroller and was thankfull when a CM gave us one after Fantasmic!

And like the person I quoted said: If you bring a stroller and your child doesn't use it, then you are out nothing.

 

[wii fit mama]

I thought my ds wouldn't need a stroller when we went the first time when she was 6. Silly me, she lasted one day and then we had to get her one because she was so tired. The next year she was fine without one.

 

[nicki.momof3]

We are going in April with our 3 chilred - ages 4, 5, 6 and we will be takign a single unbrella stroller for the 4 year old and renting a double for the boys. A happy kid = a happy family. We also move so much more efficient with them in strollers (this will be our 4th trip in 3 years).

WE LOVE DISNEY!!!!

Who cares what people say.

 

[kcromley]

my six year old hasn't used it at WDW for two years, but she is an active child who enjoys walking/running/jumping rope. While we get an early start and do all the activities, we do end our day early for a rest for all of us.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

My granddaugher turned 7 in January and we went to WDW in May....last year (Aug 07) she did not use a stroller and some days she was so tired at night that she was miserable (and so were we) but she was a trooper and never complained. In May 08 we rented a stroller....she had been attacked by a dog and severe facial wounds mandated that she have minimal sun exposure. I will tell you that it was a much easier trip with the stroller - but she understood that she had to stay in the shade. You can always rent one if you need to.....

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I think it depends hugely on the child, we took one stroller for our youngest 3 aged 19m, 4 and 5 when we travelled. DS5 just got on with the walking, no complaints, he's quite used to talking at home and was so distracted that he never mentioned not wanting to walk in the whole 2 weeks, DD4 really did not like the heat nor walking, nor was she distracted enough to not think about wanting to not walk with her it wasn't a being 4 thing it's a personality thing- if we went again this coming year she'd be the same, and the year after... she's an athletic, fit and able child but she still doesn't deal well with trekking all over without letting the world know she's not happy- having the option of popping her in her brothers stroller whilst he was carried made it a happier trip for everyone.

 

[Denine]

We just returned from our 18 day trip. We split our time in WDW with the 7 day cruise in between. DD had just turned 6 2 weeks before the trip.
We did NOT take a stroller and she did not need it.

 

[CRdisMom]

We didn't bring a stoller for outr DD 6 last may. I ended up buying one while there. It worked ok. It just caused so many problems for us I wouldn't do it again. She reverted back to a baby. Complete and utter melt down in WS in Epcot. I mean of epic proportions. I'm thinking she was just over tired. but it was not wanting to walk, not wanting to talk like a 6yr old. Granted this is my kid- your's may be totally different. Good luck what ever you decide.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our son rode in the stroller on our first trip when he was four. On subsequent trips, he did not use the stroller and we went at least yearly if not more frequently.

 

[danilynn19]

I'm actually in a stroller swap for this exact reason. My son is EIGHT and we are swapping the stroller (because the one we have at home probably won't hold all 52 lbs of him). DH says no way I told him fine then when he's tired at 9 o'clock at night he can carry the little guy ALL around until we go home, because let me tell you 52 lbs of dead weight will NOT be fun for dad. Come on over to the swap and see if we have your dates this way you don't have to worry about one in the airport, where you really don't need one. Just a thought.

And also if you don't end up using it for the child you have somewhere to carry all the stuff you end up with.

 

[Princessbaby]

Last time we went my younger DS was 6 and he has a heart condition that makes him tired easily and he had a hard time walking at the end of the day. He did not want a stroller so we went at his pace and took a lot of breaks. Our next trip my DD will be turning 6 about 2 weeks beforehand and I am pretty sure we will have to take one for her because she also has a heart condition and her little legs will not be able to keep up with a day of parks- let alone 7 or 8 days of park walking. I think someone earlier mentioned about people judging others they don't know- true because you don't know why a child is using a stroller. To look at my 3 kids they all look extremely healthy and no one but those who know us, know that 2 of them have heart problems and they tire easily and strollers would make the parks easier for them. We'll have to see when the time comes what we end up doing, but I have a feeling our stroller is coming with us at least one more time!

 

[LisaMommy]

I find it pretty ridiculous for someone to judge someone for putting their child in a stroller. I know that after a few days at the park I wouldn't mind one

We have a Maclaren Volo for our DD4 and a little Kiddie Board type thing that attaches to it for DS6. Makes life a lot easier in the parks!

 

[stacylm]

We are going to WDW in 12 days. And I got a new stroller for DD7 for the trip. Last year she rode in a stroller and it was so nice to get around crowds and know exactly where she was. When she wasn't riding in it,it was the official bag and drink holder. We bring ours with us because we use it at the airports and getting from the buses to your hotel room can be a hike. Also my DD4 was scared of the characters last year and wanted me to carry her if she saw one. By the end of the week my back was killing me !Thank goodness this year she is excited to meet them. I've already told her no carrying!! Walking or Riding sister If someone thinks it's crazy for older kids to be in strollers WHO CARES. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Nicki,
I know you already got your answer, but I just wanted to add something that I didn't see mentioned here (although I may have missed it.)
While I agree that it depends on the child, it also depends on the group you are traveling with and your touring style. When my boys were that age, they didn't use a stroller, but we were able to tour according to their schedule and go back to the resort when they were tired. However, DD still uses a stroller at Disney because she has 2 big brothers that she wants to keep up with but her legs can't carry her that quickly or for that long of a day. On our most recent trip we brought an old stroller with us and when we knew we were going to be touring for a long day, or out late, we brought it. If it was just for a few hours in the morning, then we left it at the resort. If memory serves me correctly, you are traveling with an older niece as well. I think it would be a good idea to have one along or rent one when needed.

 

[disykat]

My son was about a month past his 6th birthday when we went and he had no problem walking. We sat down on benches if he wanted to rest, but I don't remember having to do that very often.

It never occured to us to take a stroller, but we did "train" before going by going on walks a few times a week for several months prior to our trip.

 

[sluggozmom]

I am bringing a Mac Techno that I grabbed on freecycle just for WDW.
I don't expect dd6 to have any problems. It will be nice for her to have a "free" ride if she wants one, and I will have a place to store any extras we pick up along the way