Stroller Question

[mermaid&cinderella]

DD will be 4.5 years old when we go to WDW in April and I was wondering if I should bring a stroller. I know there is a lot of walking but she really doesn't like her stroller and she will be going in and out to get on the rides and see the attractions. I'm not sure what to do. Help!

 

[cammie1229]

My dd will be 5 when we go and I'm debating bringing the umbrella stroller. She's a slow walker and complains about being tired quickly. I don't particularly want to have to carry her around the park!! But I also don't want to line up to get and return a rented stroller if the walking is too much for her -- not to mention the cost involved.

As you can see, I haven't answered your question very well! I'm still debating it myself!! I'll be curious to see the other responses to your question.

 

[reelmom]

I would take one if you can. There is ALOT of walking involved. I have always rented a double stroller. It is costly but having two little boys, it is so worth it. If you get to the parks early, it doesn't take long to stand in line to get one and they have cast members near the exits you can give them to when you leave. And trust me, you little one may like to walk but after a couple of hours, she will be begging to get in a stroller. Plus you can store things in it so you don't end up carrying everything.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

I would highly recommend bringing a stroller. There is a tremendous amount of walking and tired, cranky kids can spoil the magic! Take it along and let her hop in and out as she needs and wants to!

 

[jenlynn0808]

We went last July, when my DS was 11 months (DD is 8). We had an umbrella stroller, but after lugging it around for a few days we opted to rent a stroller at the park. It became a hassle to deal with the stroller on the buses (we stayed on sight, so we could take a bus from the resort to the park) because they are so crowded in the morning. Plus, more then once we flipped the stroller when we took him out, but had everything else still hooked on. With the rented stroller we had room to put stuff, plus DD rode on it a few times when she got tired. A heard a 'rumor' after the fact...we rented new strollers everyday, but I was told/read somewhere that you can rent for multiple days at a cheaper price.

We also went in the morning and I think the longest line I ever waited in was maybe 10 minutes and that was at MK. Returning them was never a hassle. We strolled up and an attendent was always waiting to accept the stroller. We never waited for them, but a few times they had to wait for us to unload. Also, the strollers are tagged so you can identify yours easier when you pick it back up at the end of a ride or show.

Our stroller was great at the airport and hotel, but Disnsey's was better equipped for the park. Next trip...we are skipping our stroller and just using the ones there.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

I vote bring one b/c you can leave the parks with the rented ones and they always fall asleep on the bus. My DD6 and I went in Aug and Dec and I brought 1 both times, and I will be bringing one in sept when dd is 7. The umbrella is great for quick runs here and there but I don't know that it is kid friendly fo disney, unless you have a good one such as the MacLaren.

Juliette Dec05 w/ nana: The walk from Epcot to BC.

Lily July 06: we were going to the pool.

 

[pha1226]

I am bringing cheap umbrella strollers for my dd's (5 yo and 6 yo). Even though they will be hopping in and out of them, it is a LOT of walking. Remember, for every step you take, a kid needs to take 2. With the stroller, they always have a place to sit down and eat a snack and you can move faster when you need to.

 

[themudd4]

you may regret it if you don't. In June my DH was 6 and he was fine the first day or so but then he even needed a stroller. If you don't want to take one...then rent one. Granted they cost a lil...but it is nice not having to lug them in and out of the parks and they are large enough to not only hold the kids but all your stuff too.

 

[disneymom06]

I would bring a stroller, no question. DD4 and DS7 never ride in a stroller anymore except at Disney. It is mostly for DD4, who would always sit if she had the option but when DS7 needs a break, I know that I have a place to put him without slowing everyone else down. He knows that he has a spot to rest as well. It makes for less whining and a better time had by all.

Bring your own, a cheaper umbrella is always good. I have a double MacClaren folding stroller and I never, in many trips, had any problems with someone touching my stroller (except CM's who moved it to park, but that's not what I am refering too). This year I am thinking of renting. It is a expense but I tried one last visit and they push like a dream, especially with older stroller children.

It really is a lot of walking and as the vacation progresses everyone losing a little bit of stamina, Mom included.

 

[ppiew]

I am renting one in February. It is only a couple of min. to get them - little wait at all and are great to have not only for child but for a place/pocket for me to put MY stuff! Also they have 'tops' in case of rain. A very good value in my book and then I don't have to lug a stroller on/off monorail/boat/bus etc. DD is 4 years old.

 

[ppiew]

I am renting one in February. It is only a couple of min. to get them - little wait at all and are great to have not only for child but for a place/pocket for me to put MY stuff! Also they have 'tops' in case of rain. A very good value in my book and then I don't have to lug a stroller on/off monorail/boat/bus etc. DD is 4 years old.

 

[Disney753]

We Were There In December With Our Grandchildren Ages 3 1/2 And 6 Years Old. We Had Brought Our Stroller From Home. Both Kids Weigh About 45 Pounds. The Six Year Old Never Wanted To Ride And Had Lots Of Energy The 3 1/2 Year Old Rode All The Time But We Allowed Him To Get Out And In At Will. We Are Going Back In March But Just Me And My Husband And I Will Say I Will Miss The Stroller It Was So Nice To Have A Place To Put Your Stuff And Not Have It Hanging From You. I Wonder If Anyone Ever Brings A Stroller With Out The Child...hummmm

 

[pha1226]

Disneymom - Will you get a double stroller? I wasn't really considering renting until you said they were easier to push.

 

[disneymom06]

Yes, I am going to rent a double stroller. I ifound out that the length of stay rentals for a stroller are cheaper than per day and I can tell rentals that I want 5 or 6 or 7 days, I don't have to rent according to my resort length.
Also, if I happen not to use all the days that I rent, I can use the unused days on a later trip.

I just think that the stroller would make the trip a bit easier on everyone.

 

[Hess]

What do you do with the strollers when you go on the rides? Will the ride attendant hold them off to the side where you get off?

 

[clemsondisneyfan]

We just went to WDW this month for 8 days. Our 5 year old bundle of energy was really tired in the evenings - even after a nap every day!! We left the hotel around 8 a.m. and came back for a rest every day around 1 p.m. Then, we left by 3 p.m. and took the stroller along. Most nights we did not come back until 11 or midnight.

On those long walks after you leave the park, you will be SO GLAD to have a stroller. The ones you rent have to stay in the park. Not only will you be carrying a child, you will be carrying all the junk you have - drinks, packages, diaper bags or backpacks, etc! Not fun!

We have a nice Chicco stroller - the Trekking model. We took the top/hood off before we left. It looks like a big umbrella stroller without the top on it. It folds great, and we carried a giant yard/leaf bag to cover it up when it rained.

People park their strollers outside of all the rides and I doubt anyone bothers them. We have never had a problem. Just don't leave valuables on them. I even see diaper bags hanging on other strollers.

We took ours on the plane and used it on all of the Disney buses. I think this was our last trip with it though....he is getting too tall/big for it. But, it sure has been nice for all of our previous trips!

 

[jenlynn0808]

At AK there was an enclosed area (and an attendent to the stroller) for the Safari Ride. At MGM outside of Playhouse Disney everyone parked the strollers in rows in the center of the courtyard. At MK in Fantasyland, there was another enclosed parking area (no attendants though). It really depends on which park and were you are at when you need to park the stroller.

 

[cammie1229]

In June my DH was 6 and he was fine the first day or so but then he even needed a stroller.

You must have married quite young!

 

[Disneytwinz]

I have twin girls that will be age 4.5 when we go in May as well. They haven't been in a stroller in over 2 years now. But we are taking a double stroller to Disney. I know they will be tired at the end of the day and we won't want to leave the parks early if we can help it. We'll see how it goes as far as when we actually use the stroller- day/night. I just can't see us not taking one. Dh on the other hand thinks it will be uneccessary but he'll be happy not to have to carry two- forty pound children around when they get exhausted!

 

[Disneytwinz]

You must have married quite young!

Too funny!!