Stroller Rental for a 5YO?

[bridgetmck]

Hi,
We will be in the World in April. My youngest DS will be 5YO (weeks away from being 6YO). Would you rent a stroller for him? It's not the mornings I am concerned about, but more so the evenings. We plan to go back to the resort (VGF) mid-day for a break and then back again for the evenings. Part of me says to just suck it up and do the rental, but the other part doesn't want to waste the $$. WWYD?
TIA!

 

[Baklava]

We are only doing it because our 5 year old has special needs. We would not be dropping over $100 to rent a stroller for a school aged child otherwise. Other people will insist that it's cruel to expect an 8 year old to walk at Disney. You really sort of have to figure it out for your own kid. (My first born would have been outraged. No way would he have sat in a stroller at this age. His sister is perfectly happy with the idea.)

 

[smiths02]

Only you know your son, but we drive down, so we brought our own umbrella stroller on our trip when he was 5. He had *just* turned 5, though, so a little younger. It was also July so REALLY REALLY hot. The stroller was necessary ONE time on a 5 night trip (we were almost late to an ADR in World Showcase after we got held up at Soarin' so we booked it). The rest of the time, it was just a pain to park it and it carried "stuff."
If you only have one DS...I would either buy a "throwaway" stroller, you could have a $30 stroller shipped from Amazon-and just leave it at the resort, OR just budget a little money to rent one in the parks if I need it. I wouldn't go through a stroller rental company and spend a bunch of money for no reason.

 

[Maxpowers]

I agree with the not renting it. You probably wouldn't use it everyday and would be a waste of $$. I'd bring a cheaper umbrella stroller, if you DS will even sit in it.

 

[DaniMoon]

Our last trip, my kids were just turned 5 and 6. I was going back and forth with myself over stroller/double stroller/no stroller. I decided not to rent one because I figured if he tuckered out, I could always get one there. We did rope drop most mornings, afternoon break, and then back to the parks in the evening. I really was surprised, my 5yo did great. He could be whiney and asked to be carried a lot before the trip, but he was a trooper. The only time we carried him was after the fireworks, and that was because of the crowds and just easier to keep hold of him.

Follow his lead. Have fun.

 

[keepswimming76]

You'll get differing opinions on this here for sure! I'm an advocate of the stroller, but I do have a child with special needs who tires easily. We feel it is worth the money because it keeps him from getting crabby and having a place to rest and get away. It's also nice when walking through crowds because we can keep an eye on him better.

You could bring an umbrella, or try the parks without one and rent one there if you think you need one.

As others say, follow his lead! You know your child best.

 

[msmama]

As of 5 years old my son refused a stroller (which is good because he outgrew ours). He was under the weather one day in the park (not sick, just not 100%) and I offered to rent him one for the day, but he refused.

So, have you asked him?

 

[mcuoghi]

I agree. Ask your son. My 5yo needs one by the end of the night. He'll even nap in it. My 6yo will even sit in it occasionally. For my family, it is worth it for the stroller.

 

[Hezzy04]

I'm definitely getting one for my 5 year old when we go in April! Partly because we walk faster that way, partly because I think it would exhaust her walking so much. I feel like we are spending so much on our vacation, and have such high expectations, that I want to do everything in my power to keep everyone happy.

I also know that my 5 year old will be more than happy to be in the stroller! It is just what works for my family. Also, it's one reason I wanted to go this April! I fear that she will definitely be too old for a stroller if we wait much longer!

 

[kohlby]

Has your child been before? And if so, how did your child react to the crowds?

Though my youngest could have handled it physically, he was overwhelmed and needed a place to hang out. I'm so glad we had the stroller when he was 5. Our next trip isn't Disney (except for Disney Springs), and we are still taking the stroller - for Universal/Legoland. He'll be three months from 7. BUT - he may need it for emotional reasons so we would rather have one and not need it. 5 seems to be the age when about half of the people will say you need one and half will say you don't. Physically - it depends on the weather, how long the days are, how many days you have, etc. One of my kids didn't use the stroller at all the first day when he was 3. But by the 7th day, he was in the stroller most of the time. Emotionally - it depends on quite a bit too. My youngest has some sensory issues and the stroller was essential. My middle child does not but was worried about getting separated from us, so it was nice for her to have the stroller for that.

Also - think about pacing. You can only go as fast as the slowest person. On the trip when my amazing endurance middle child was 5, the plan was for her to walk the entire time and we knew she could handle it. However, the 2 year old refused to use the stroller (and refused to walk so he was in the sling). This meant we found ourselves pushing around and empty stroller. Once we realized this, we told her to hop in when we had longer walks between things. This sped up our touring significantly. We didn't HAVE to do this, but it helped.

Then there's always the unexpected. One of my kids scraped his foot on the bottom of the wave pool taking out a chunk of skin. It was on day 3 of a 14 day trip. Thankfully, it was the youngest child and he still fit in the stroller.

 

[bridgetmck]

We have been before and he was 3.5 YO then. Since we're 6 mths out still, I have not asked him. I think we're going to rent a single. It's not that expensive and they will deliver and pick up the stroller.

 

[Shellyb84]

I say definitely. We took a stroller for my almost 6 year old on our July trip and it was a lifesaver. Not only did it keep her happy for longer, the canopy kept her out of the sun and I didn't have to worry about her wandering off. Also I love having the stroller to hold all our things, so we did not have to lug around a back pack. It was no problem staying for late EMH as she would just go to sleep in the stroller while DH and I took turns riding rides. As long and she doesn't refuse, we will be taking it for our trip next year as well. I recommend the Baby Jogger City Elite for a child that age. It's very easy to maneuver and it folds with one hand.

 

[buzznina]

I would think of getting an umbrella stroller, just in case. We like taking our stroller and I have to chuckle at so many people whining about it is such a hassle to have a stroller, it really is not that big of a deal. Our youngest likes to "mosey" type walker and it really helps to tell her to hop in and head to are next destination, plus we love having the storage area for ponchos, snacks, extra clothes etc. The bottom line is we do not take afternoon breaks and at the end of the day waiting for the bus, my DDs are not the ones having a melt down because they are over tired and their legs hurt.

 

[quagmire0]

If they were younger or had younger siblings, I'd rent. But with just one child who's going on 6? I'd have them walk. Maybe make a point of taking breaks with them throughout the day. Especially if you're taking that mid-day break? You should be fine. Just intersperse some of the walking with a ride like Carousel of Progress or People Mover.

 

[Ava]

If I just had an almost-6-year-old, I wouldn't rent a stroller. They're such a hassle to fold & carry on transportation, park & retrieve in the parks, etc. I can't wait until we don't need one any more. It may be just me, but I'd rather slow down my touring pace a bit than lug around a stroller.

 

[ShannyG]

I am totally that mom who gets a stroller for a six year old. I don't care what people think. I only use it when we go to the parks for a late night, or if there is rain in the forecast. I can't tell you how nice it is to have the kids safe and dry under the rain cover of the stroller! Anything that can prevent me from having to listen to them whine is worth it for me!!

 

[Kingdome8]

Yeah I love the stroller. More for me then the kids. I don't like mid day breaks and I don't like kids whining at the end of day and I don't wanna carry anyone. Lol.
My kid next trip will be 4 and I'll get it again. I'll get a double stroller for her to sit in that way if older kid can pop in everyonce in a while. I always feel bad for the people who try to tuff it out and they end up yelling at their kids all night but I walk by singing zippe do dah.

Also it's kike a home base to put things like gifts and things I don't wanna carry.

My oldest is 12 ,7 and 3. Been like 4 times in last 5 years. No melt downs. My kids are awesome. But I must give credit to the stroller.