Stroller Question

[lindaprvs]

HI!
When we took our first family trip to WDW 3 years ago our kids were 2 and 4 so a stroller was a must.
Now our kids are (Son) 5 and (D) 7 (almost 8 on our trip). We don't own a stroller anymore but i know how much walking happens at WDW.
We won't be park hopping, but would you still take a stroller?
I am leaning towards maybe just a single stroller and let them swap but not sure. Last time our double umbrella was amazing.

Thoughts?

 

[melifeld]

We stopped bringing a stroller last year when DS was 5. He did fine. I think it will depend on your child. Our DS doesn't complain much about anything when he is at WDW, except not getting to play Sorcerers of the MK enough!

 

[AshleeH]

We do a lot at Disney, so we bought a "Disney Stroller" when my boys were 7 and 4 on our first trip. It was a Joovy Caboose. Every family is different and you know what works for you, but we are up early and out late and my kids have never once had a tantrum or any kind of meltdown on vacation. Those first two years, I credit that stroller for a large part of their good behavior. They always had a comfortable place to sit for snack breaks, my youngest (who stopped all naps at age 2) slept on nearly every day of our trip when he was 5, and my older son loved being able to stand up on the step in the back and ride when we hit huge crowds and were worried we'd be separated.

It was a must for us. Some people can bring a two year old to the park and not have a stroller - that would never work for us with the way we do the parks.

 

[esquared221]

We are bringing our stroller this upcoming trip because of our almost 3 year old (who never uses a stroller anymore at home) but I know for a fact that our 7 year old will use it to. If you think a stroller will make your vacation easier than bring one. You wont be the only family there with older kids taking a break on wheels

 

[lindaprvs]

Thanks for the input. . we aren't worried as much about having one as I wanted to make sure I wasn't being crazy thinking a 5 & 7 yr old would need one.

Now to decide to take a single or double. . .

 

[kohlby]

Since you don't own one, I'd not bring one unless you really think you're going to need one. I would budget a little extra money for the trip just in case you find you do need one. (On the flip side, if you have one lying around or have a friend who will loan you theirs, then I'd take it just in case). The length of your trip will also matter. When our eldest was 3, he didn't need a stroller at all the first day. He was in it a great deal of time by the 7th day.

We will be taking a stroller for our 5 year old on our next trip. But my other two kids did not need one at 5. It was a lot of walking, but it's not straight walking - there are breaks for the attractions. My youngest needs a stroller not for physical reasons but for emotional reasons. He has some sensory issues and really needs a safe place to hang out. My middle child was in the stroller a lot during the trip we took when she was 3. It was a security thing for her - she felt safe there with all the people around her. So, also keep in mind emotional needs, not just physical.

*My eldest used to complain if he had to walk even short distances. On one Disney trip, he was 6 and he didn't have the option to use a stroller. (His last trip had been at 3 before that). He was too heavy for our stroller at 6 and the 3 year old used the stroller while the baby was in the sling. We told him that we would stay in the parks as long as the kids could handle. He did an amazing job walking! He had to keep up with the adults, as he was the oldest. We went pretty hard too - and he rose to the occasion. It's amazing what kids can handle when the option is handling it or going back to the hotel! (Unless they're really wanted to go back to the hotel. We do schedule in some pool time during our trips to take care of that).

 

[lindaprvs]

Since you don't own one, I'd not bring one unless you really think you're going to need one. I would budget a little extra money for the trip just in case you find you do need one. (On the flip side, if you have one lying around or have a friend who will loan you theirs, then I'd take it just in case). The length of your trip will also matter. When our eldest was 3, he didn't need a stroller at all the first day. He was in it a great deal of time by the 7th day.

We will be taking a stroller for our 5 year old on our next trip. But my other two kids did not need one at 5. It was a lot of walking, but it's not straight walking - there are breaks for the attractions. My youngest needs a stroller not for physical reasons but for emotional reasons. He has some sensory issues and really needs a safe place to hang out. My middle child was in the stroller a lot during the trip we took when she was 3. It was a security thing for her - she felt safe there with all the people around her. So, also keep in mind emotional needs, not just physical.

*My eldest used to complain if he had to walk even short distances. On one Disney trip, he was 6 and he didn't have the option to use a stroller. (His last trip had been at 3 before that). He was too heavy for our stroller at 6 and the 3 year old used the stroller while the baby was in the sling. We told him that we would stay in the parks as long as the kids could handle. He did an amazing job walking! He had to keep up with the adults, as he was the oldest. We went pretty hard too - and he rose to the occasion. It's amazing what kids can handle when the option is handling it or going back to the hotel! (Unless they're really wanted to go back to the hotel. We do schedule in some pool time during our trips to take care of that).

Thanks for this. . . we are probably going to have 5 day park tickets (total of 7 days in orlando but allowing rest days)