Stroller(s) for 4 yo and 6 yo?? Thought please...

[stone0990]

Hi All!

We are returning to Disney this Nov 22- Dec 6 and my question is about strollers for my DS age 4 (almost 5 at the time of trip) and DS 6? I know we will need a stroller at some point during our trip, but I am not sure which to purchase? They are both average size, DS (4) is about 40 pounds and DS (6) is about 48 pounds.

They don't use strollers at home, but DS (6) is sooooooo pokey. He is just NEVER in a hurry!!

So, should we purchase 2 single Maclaren strollers, or 1 double stroller? I have a seller on Ebay that was recommended on this site, and the price will be about the same either way..probably more expensive with the double, but not by much.

Which would you recommend and what brand would you recomment. Obviously, I do not need the reclining feature as they will not be napping, but this will be just to get us from point A to point B. I almost think single would be better, that would avoid the whole "he's on my side, he's touching me..." that would be inevitable. Which would be the roomiest?

I would have probably just rented a double stroller while there, but then the prices went up! We can actually BUY 2 single strollers or 1 double stroller for the price of renting for two weeks! Then, I can always sell when we get home if I want!!

Thanks for any input!

Ali

 

[Annette_VA]

My boys are the same age as yours

Our last trip, we didn't take our own and rented a double. We had lots of "he's on my side" fights!

When they were 3 & 5, we did the two single strollers (took our own down). It made it a lot easier if we needed to split up, easier to navigate, etc.

So, I say do two!

 

[brandy_m]

Just my opinion, but I have a 6 year old son (who's about the same weight too!) and he would be VERY offended if I tried to make him sit in a stroller! Have you asked him?

 

[CRdisMom]

don't do the stroller for the 6 yr old It will cause trouble. My DD6 got whinny and behaved horrible when we had the stroller available to her. When it wasn't there she was fine. Just make sure that you have opportunities for them to sit. We scheduled TS ADRs for lunch. It was a great break after getting into the parks early. Now that being said that was just my experience. Yours could differ.

I think you should definately have one along for the younger one.

Good luck.

 

[stone0990]

Well, the 6 year old would be the one most likely to WANT the stroller..like I said, he is verrrrrrrrrrryyyyy pokey..he gets "tired" just walking to the car when I pick him up from school! Also, they are only 19 months apart..so if the 6 year old doesn't have one, the 4(almost 5 year old) will NEVER agree to it!! So, we will definitely be getting the stroller(s)..like I said I can always sell them when we get home, we are going to be there for 2 weeks. However, if after the first couple of days it just isn't worth it, then we just won't take them to the parks anymore!!


I read on another thread an idea to just leave the stroller at a central location in a particular area we are in, then use it to get to the next point!

I am very much, an ere on the side of caution kind of person!

When we went in 2000, our oldest two were 4 and 7...and the 7 year old needed to stroller as much as the 4 year old! However, back then we rented one from Disney each day, with the new prices, I will not be doing that again! Like I said, I can BUY them for the same cost as renting..and still sell when we get home! We are driving, so don't need to worry about getting banged up on the airplane! (We plan to ship them ahead and have them there when we arrive and then ship home)

Thanks again for the replies! I appreciate the input!

 

[dmccarty]

Our kids in the Oct trip were 4.5 and 7.5. They Mar/Apr trip they were close to 5 and 8. No stroller was needed. The first trip they kinda got tired after 2-3 hours in the park. Last trip, 4-6 before getting tired. On the last trip they were bigger and able to walk farther not only because of their age but we took them on walks prior to the vacation. Training for WDW.

With the kids we walked maybe 4-5 miles. I walked more to get FPs and such. The most we walked was 10-11 miles one day and night at EPCOT. Morning was with kids. Night was without. Most of the walking was at night.

Once the kids got tired we went back to the resort for a rest. Usually on the bus ride they would nap/relax because they sure found enough energy to go swimming.

If going back to the resort is not an option take a boat ride with the kids somewhere. If its not real hot or real cold its relaxing and they will get a nap and recharge. Heck, if at MK take the train around the park a few times.

We let the kids go play in the kids play areas as well. After all its supposed to be a fun vacation for them as well. And if they ain't happy you ain't going to be happy.

Later,
Dan

 

[bartleby1]

Unless I misunderstood, I think the OP was asking which strollers to bring, not IF she should.


Ali - Before the enormous price increase, I would have definitely suggested for you to rent a double. I agree with you, now, they are just too expensive. So, since renting is out, I would probably go with two singles over a double. That way, you can separate if you want and if you find that one of your kids really doesn't need it, you can always leave one at the resort. You also won't have to deal with the 'he/she touched me' kind of stuff.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Oh, I just love the "don't get your kid a stroller s/he's too old!" stuff. Like anyone here knows this woman's kids better than she does.

OP - if I were you, I'd go with 2 singles. Maneuverability, each has their "own", and you can split up if you want/need to. Good luck!

 

[stone0990]

Thank you all!

You are right, it wasn't meant to be a debate on "should I or shouldn't I", I already made that decision...right or wrong, i just know having the stroller would make everyone happier! i know they WOULD walk if asked and COULD walk if asked, but I don't want to ask them to do that! They are VERY active kids, and get LOTS of exercise, but Disney just seems different! (Hey, I'd take a stroller if they made one my size!!)

I think I have decided to compromise just a little...I am only going to buy one single, and then they can trade off when they need a break, and I KNOW they will need a break!!

Like I said, we have been to Disney many times...but usually rely on renting when needed..but won't do that with the price increase, I would rather buy, then resell later!

I appreciate everyones opinions, although it took a different turn than I intended!!

Ali

 

[TheLittleRoo]

What about buying a single with a tagalong perch to stand on? I'm thinking of the Peg Milano in particular, maybe the Aria has it too. Or the little boogey-board doodad that clips onto the back of a standard stroller?

Granted, it wouldn't be a place to sit, but then again, if you're considering just one stroller, maybe a hitchhiker stand would fit the bill if you're zipping from point A to point B? We're going to have the same dilemma if we go in September with our 6 and 3 y/o's.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

Have you thought about what you will do when both kids want to sit in the stroller at once? I know that when my kids get tired and hot they look for ways to bug each other and I'd be afraid that one stroller would cause more havoc. Who gets to sit in it during parades for instance.

I agree having the two strollers instead of the double so you can split them up if needed.

In the end you know your kids best and since you have done the parks before you have some idea of what you need. I wish you and your family a wonderful time.

 

[bartleby1]

Thank you all!

You are right, it wasn't meant to be a debate on "should I or shouldn't I", I already made that decision...right or wrong, i just know having the stroller would make everyone happier! i know they WOULD walk if asked and COULD walk if asked, but I don't want to ask them to do that! They are VERY active kids, and get LOTS of exercise, but Disney just seems different! (Hey, I'd take a stroller if they made one my size!!)

I think I have decided to compromise just a little...I am only going to buy one single, and then they can trade off when they need a break, and I KNOW they will need a break!!

Like I said, we have been to Disney many times...but usually rely on renting when needed..but won't do that with the price increase, I would rather buy, then resell later!

I appreciate everyones opinions, although it took a different turn than I intended!!

Ali

Of course, only you know whether one stroller to share will work with your kids, but I just wanted to offer one more BTDT experience that I had. When my two oldest were 4 and 6, I brought a single for them to share on shorter park days and planned on renting a double for days we would be in the parks all day and night. Well, it was a disaster. I was constantly hearing the 'he/she rode longer than I did'. I quickly lost my patience with my kids who are usually very good kids (August Florida heat didn't help). One day of sharing was all I could handle and we rented a double the rest of the time (I also had a two year old in her single so we couldn't push three singles). It just wasn't worth ruining our vacation over.

So, only you know if sharing will work for your family. You could try it and then rent another single if needed. At least that wouldn't be as expensive as renting a double. Although, I noticed in your signature that you also have a 2 year old. Will she be on this trip also? If so, you may not have enough adults to push three singles either.

Good luck with your decision! I hope whatever you choose works for you!

 

[4winks]

For our Sept trip our youngest 2 will be 4 and 7. We have a Graco side/side stroller that we are taking. My ds7 is also slow and small for his age (40lbs). He wants to be in the stroller way more than his little sister. I keep debating on 2 umbrella strollers (which we have) or the double. If we have room in the car I may take all 3!

 

[brandy_m]

I didn't mean any offense. I just knew what my 6 year old would say about a stroller. Obviously, she knows her kids and I don't

I'd get two strollers. But, if you're driving down, why not just stop at a wal-mart, etc. when you get there and buy two cheap umbrella strollers? We did that a few years ago when we went after renting one day and discovering how expensive they were. You could always just leave them behind them. I would think it would be expensive to ship them. You can get umbrella strollers for under $20 each at WM.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[onecutemoocow]

Last sept my two were 2 and 4 right before we left for vacation we purchased two umbrella stollers and I dont think they are worth it. I hated benting over to push them and I am short (5'3") my boyfriend on the other hand was even worse (6'0"). So this sept we are going back and they will be 3 and 5 I am either going to get another nice sized stoller to make two singles or buy the one that has the tag a long on the back , where the older child can sit or stand. My bf tried telling me to not take any but like someone else said on here, you know your kids the best. Plus if you are driving, why not take two insead of 1? Double stollers are so hard to puch and turn!!

 

[stone0990]

Well, I think I have found a perfect solution, at least for my family!

We are renting a house (same place we always stay) in Emerald Island, I spoke to the owner and discussed our dilemma..they have umbrella strollers at the house, which we have at home, but they really are too small for the boys. She offered to deduct a portion of the purchase price for the strollers from our rental price in return for us leaving them there when we leave! So, we are going with 2 single strollers! That way others will have access to them, as well as us when we are there! (If for some reason we feel we just cannot live without them at home..we will pay her the price of the amount she discounted and ship them home!)

This will be the 4th time we have rented this home and I just love the owner, for many reasons..but this is one of them!

As for DD (2) we will still have her stroller with us..as I think she will nap occasionally and she is used to her stroller! (And it is pink polka dot, so the boys would not consider it an option!) Anyway, DD (15) is really like a live in nanny for us she waited a loooooong time to have a baby sister after 3 brothers), so we have plenty of hands to help push..so 3 singles in not a problem!

So, that is my final solution! We are going with 2 single Maclaren Quest strollers...already found 2 on ebay for a really good deal! YAY!)

Thanks again for everyones help, I really do appreciate it!

Ali