Stroller strategy tips?

[MamaLou]

In little less than a month now we'll be taking our granddaughter to Disneyland for her visit. I plan on renting a stroller off-site. We are so used to storming around the parks without kids, dong our own thing, zooming from here to there, park-hopping our hearts out...it's gong to be a much different trip with a 4 1/2 yr. old! So with strollers, do you just push them around all day whether the child is riding in it or not? Or do you sometimes just park it for a bit while you're doing rides in a particular lands? She' quite a little go-getter, but I know she'll tire out and want to have a stroller ride at times. Any tips would be most appreciated. We are so excited!!

 

[Liat]

We tend to park it in say Fantasyland if we plan on doing a bunch of the rides. If you think she'll last, parking it and walking will be good for everyone even if you are dashing between lands.

But if you think she'll poop out, nothing sucks more than having to carry a four year old or having to cajole one into walking back to the stroller.

I have 4 kiddos so we have always just hauled the stroller around with me because even our big kiddo gets tired and appreciates the ride one in a while.

IMHO if you are going on a bunch of rides close together, park it but take it with you when you wander.

 

[lovebug33]

We definitely park it and walk around. However, we don't stray far from it. We might park in fantasyland and do all the rides. Or we will park in the Jungle Cruise and do a few things around there. We don't want to lose it!

 

[BayGirl22]

It will come in handy getting to/from the park. We park it in the land we are in and take it with us when we cross between lands.

 

[TheSpooph]

Our last trip with our 4 year old had a similar strategy to PPs. We would try to pick a shady spot and leave the stroller for a few, close by rides. We probably moved it more than necessary only because we weren't that familiar with the parks and didn't know how close things were. Since you guys are familiar, I'm sure you'll be able to move around a land without needing the stroller.

But my DD loves to stroll, so we could never go too far without it anyway!

Have a great trip!!

 

[MamaLou]

Our last trip with our 4 year old had a similar strategy to PPs. We would try to pick a shady spot and leave the stroller for a few, close by rides. We probably moved it more than necessary only because we weren't that familiar with the parks and didn't know how close things were. Since you guys are familiar, I'm sure you'll be able to move around a land without needing the stroller. But my DD loves to stroll, so we could never go too far without it anyway! Have a great trip!!

Thank you (all!) - from what I've read on other posts and in answers to my question, I now have a plan. Very helpful info - when I took my sons (who are almost ten years apart in age) they were 7 yrs old so I have no experience with strollers in Disneyland - other than dodging them myself. Now I'll be a "dodgee" rather than a "dodger"!

 

[Amommy21]

At that age I wouldn't bring a stroller. I would go at the child's pace. At the end of the night if you wanted to stay later you could always get a rental. People who rent one get a fee back for returning them. Watch for people walking down mainstreet leaving the park with a rental. Offer to pay them a couple bucks to cover the fee.

We have been taking DS to Disney since he was 2 and never took a stroller. We didn't have to carry him. He just walked everywhere. And we did pretty long days. There was once when he was 5 or 6 and stayed until midnight DH carried him out. Kids in good health should be able to walk. Some families even start walking together every day a mile or so to get ready for Disney.

It's just so much easier without a stroller. We like to get moving and not have to track back trying to retrieve a stroller.

 

[CapturedbyDisney]

We always bring a stroller. We have a 3 and 5 yr old. Aside from letting the kids rest in it, we bring a cooler with cold waters and snacks inside it. We park it while going on a bunch of rides and then get it before going to the next land. My sister in law has a 9 and 12 year old still brings hers! It's just nice having cold drinks and snacks for the kids without waiting in line to get it or going to a locker. We also can enjoy more time in the park later if they are over tired and want to sleep in it. I'm sure they could make it without it, I wouldn't want to though. It just makes the whole trip more enjoyable for us. Have fun!!

 

[nannyz]

I would definitely take a stroller. You can always leave it in your room or return it after the first day, if you find you do not need it.

On a side note: I saw an elderly lady in DL pushing a dog stroller. I recognized it because I have one like it. I sneaked a peak inside, wondering if she had a dog with her. She did not, and was obviously using the stroller to hold her stuff. I thought it was amusing.

 

[poohnpigletCA]

Just wanted to give you a heads up that there are places that Cast Members will move your stroller. In front of It's a small world, over by Nemo submarine. They make almost a stroller parking lot and line them up. Do not be surprised if your stroller is not always where you left it.

 

[disneychrista]

At that age I wouldn't bring a stroller. I would go at the child's pace. .

I totally agree. My youngest was three our first trip and she didn't use a stroller. Everything is so close together there was never a need.

 

[cmpeter]

Be careful what you leave in it when it's parked. We had a blanket taken out of ours when parked for Aladdin.

 

[MamaLou]

Be careful what you leave in it when it's parked. We had a blanket taken out of ours when parked for Aladdin.

No doubt! I was just thinking about that - my granddaughter is very attached to her blanket - what a catastrophe it would be if someone took "red blankie." We'll definitely be leaving that in our room while we're at the park. When it's just us we usually carry a backback with waters, flip flops so we don't get our shoes wet on wet rides, etc. I'm thinking it will be nice to have the stroller for that kind of stuff!