Stroller to push around stuff

[Zachsmom4]

We are planning a trip to the World in March. When we went last time we rented a stroller for my 5 year old DS. Next time we go, I'm thinking DS will not need the stroller but the DH still wants to rent/bring a stroller so he can push around his backpack full of waters and snacks. Is he just crazy or do other people do this too?

 

[mjkacmom]

He's crazy. Last time, DH carried a backpack for our entire family of 7 with no problem. How much stuff does he need?!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

We are planning a trip to the World in March. When we went last time we rented a stroller for my 5 year old DS. Next time we go, I'm thinking DS will not need the stroller but the DH still wants to rent/bring a stroller so he can push around his backpack full of waters and snacks. Is he just crazy or do other people do this too?

How much does a stroller cost per day vs what you would spend on the extra drinks/snacks(beyond what each person can easily carry)?

 

[Cruz91]

If you're going during a time where weather may force you to layer clothes and don't want to carry them around all day, a stroller is a great idea. We've done it more than once. We have taken an umbrella one sometimes, and once event went to Walmart and bought a cheap one and left in the condo we were renting.Even if lugging clothes won't be a problem, but you pack a lot of other stuff (like lunch or something ) still a good idea...

 

[pacrosby]

I wouldn't say he's crazy per se but with only three people in your party I'm not sure you'll find you are carrying enough to really make it worth your while. We're a family of six and I definately find it useful as we do carry a lot of stuff. We certainly wouldn't rent one solely for that purpose but if it can do double duty, great.

You have a five year old so you needn't feel silly getting one. Try it one day and determine then if it's helpful or a hassle. Everyone's needs are different.

 

[brymolmom]

We went for our 3rd stroller-free trip a few weeks ago and it was the best yet. I'll tell you why I would never do what you're suggesting - one of the reasons it was so great was because it rained more on this trip than any other. And if we had to worry about a stroller - covering it, parking it in covered places, it would have been a nightmare. Granted, March might be drier, but still, it's way worth your while to buy a couple of waters. Or, better yet - have every older kid and adult just wear an over-the-shoulder drink holder (or a small backpack/fanny pack with drink holder built in) - and put a sports water bottle in there and just fill it with ice water periodically at the CS locations. That's what we do. In March - it won't be really hot - so you'll probably be fine bringing it full in the morning, filling at lunchtime and maybe at dinnertime too. Doubt you'll even need it filled that much unless you are thirsty people. That plus a few granola bars in the backpack and it'll be way cheaper/easier/less cumbersome than lugging around a stroller.

 

[pacrosby]

He's crazy. Last time, DH carried a backpack for our entire family of 7 with no problem. How much stuff does he need?!

Wow, really? One backpack? Do you not stay in the parks for a full 8+ hour day? Do you not go during the time of year when one might need to consider taking a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket for a sudden change of weather? Do you use the dining plan so that you aren't paying through the nose every time someone says "I'm hungry, I'm thirsty"? Do you go so often that souvenirs don't interest you anymore?

One backpack for seven huh? I'm truly impressed

 

[fitmom]

hes not crazy, I've seen this done before

 

[miprender]

I don't think he is crazy. I am kind of dreading the days when we won't have a stroller anymore.

How old will you DS be? He still might want to sit in it when he gets tired even if for just a little while.

 

[daisyduck123]

It is 100 times easier to get thru the parks without a stroller. Once you try it, you will NOT want to go back to having a stroller with you.

 

[lucyem]

We are at the point that our youngest really only needs a stroller for exhaustion in the evenings and later in the week. The stroller is also a nice "time out" spot and containment in large crowds (think after Wishes). We especially like to wander Epcot in the evenings. It is really nice to have a stroller to hold our drinks, sweatshirts until we need them, purchases, and our youngest. But when it comes to our normal day of Rope Drop, rides, back to the resort at lunch we do not bother bringing it since we do not use it.

 

[Greenfield1984]

My house is divided, I think it's crazy (okay not crazy, just not something I would want to do!), but DH doesn't. We went out somewhere for only a few hours, in an old timey town with lots of small stores with small aisles...not somewhere we could bring the stroller. I wanted to wear the baby anyways, so told him to leave the stroller in the car. He got upset with me because he wanted us to bring the stroller so that we could put the diaper bag and water bottles in it! He just doesn't like to have things in his hands. At the time I thought he was crazy, but I guess it is done...

I would think it would be more of a hassle than a help since you're only 3 people and have a limited amount of things you need to bring...but if he really wants to bring one, then just make sure he knows he's in charge of pushing it through the crowds!

Have a magical trip!

 

[nilseks]

Wow, really? One backpack? Do you not stay in the parks for a full 8+ hour day? Do you not go during the time of year when one might need to consider taking a sweatshirt or lightweight jacket for a sudden change of weather? Do you use the dining plan so that you aren't paying through the nose every time someone says "I'm hungry, I'm thirsty"? Do you go so often that souvenirs don't interest you anymore?

One backpack for seven huh? I'm truly impressed

Well if you think that's impressive...we are a family of 4 and I carry one teardrop shaped mini backpack. It's about 9"x6". In it I carry--our KTTW cards, my iphone (those go in a little pouch on the strap), camera, 2 bottles of water, a mini sunscreen, a blistex, a tiny pillbox with a few pepto bismol and ibuprofen, 1 bandaid, and a mini hand sanitizer. If we need sweatshirts, we tie them around our waist. If the kids want baseball hats, they keep them on their head or attach them to the strap on the backpack. If we make purchases, we have them sent back to the hotel. We travel light and I love it! The only time we ever bring our 'big' backpack (which is still small) is if I want to throw our ponchos in for threat of rain.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I would not want to push it around if I didn't have to. I'd just carry the backpack.

 

[pacrosby]

Well if you think that's impressive...we are a family of 4 and I carry one teardrop shaped mini backpack. It's about 9"x6". In it I carry--our KTTW cards, my iphone (those go in a little pouch on the strap), camera, 2 bottles of water, a mini sunscreen, a blistex, a tiny pillbox with a few pepto bismol and ibuprofen, 1 bandaid, and a mini hand sanitizer. If we need sweatshirts, we tie them around our waist. If the kids want baseball hats, they keep them on their head or attach them to the strap on the backpack. If we make purchases, we have them sent back to the hotel. We travel light and I love it! The only time we ever bring our 'big' backpack (which is still small) is if I want to throw our ponchos in for threat of rain.

You guys are good!!

Actually you might be surprised to learn that generally I carry next to nothing. I never even carry a pocketbook preferring to slip my debit card in my pocket and lock my keys in the car (we have a keypad). I don't even carry a cell phone. When my kids were babies I traveled very light while everyone else I knew routinely bogged themselves down with extra diapers, extra clothes, snacks, toys etc. And I have gone to WDW with just my mom and my oldest in May of 2009 and had only a small cross body organizer (my 81 yr old mom carried the snacks and drinks in her pocketbook!).

So what I'm saying is I'm not generally an over-do-it kind of gal. But when the whole family of six goes (ages 5 - 11), at the time of year that we generally go, it is a different story.

Well, it's my story anyway...and I'm stickin' to it

 

[Disney Commando]

We are planning a trip to the World in March. When we went last time we rented a stroller for my 5 year old DS. Next time we go, I'm thinking DS will not need the stroller but the DH still wants to rent/bring a stroller so he can push around his backpack full of waters and snacks. Is he just crazy or do other people do this too?

Is he crazy? No, Is he crazy like a fox? Yes , he is prepared and I'll tell you why

The to carry the backpack is just a ploy the real reason is a what if Let's say you are in Epcot and your son falls asleep lets say in Japan It's a long way back to the gate from there nevermind then waiting for a bus and possibly having to stand carrying child during the ride I don't care how fit you are it's going to put a hurting on you It's all dead wieght, try to carry a 50lb back of cement around for a mile and then stand still with it for 10-15 mins

We rent a stroller after dinner my son just turned 6 in Aug, we do approx 14+ hrs on the move a day You might not need it, but if you do he will be looking really smart

It doesn't help past the gates, but I'll take half way anytime

 

[mecllap]

With a 5yo, I'd bring the stroller most days (a cheap umbrella one is fine), especially if you're doing long days. I hated giving up the stroller when DGS got older than that, but have adapted over the years to minimalism. Generally, I strongly recommend cargo pants for everyone, then, even carrying water and snacks, you can get by with one smallish backpack, sometimes even just a waist pack. I now use one of those small stringpacks, that I can fold up in a pocket until we start accumulating things (makes it easier through bag check). Each person only needs one water bottle -- you can get water at quick service food places, or from water fountains all over the place. Some people use the flavor pouches, but we have gotten used to WDW water. I don't spend 14 hours in a park anymore, tho -- we go for several hours in the morning, take a late lunch break, then sometimes go back. Or on EMH days, we just go in after a late lunch. The less stuff you have to carry and wrangle, the easier your day will go. Sometimes we do buy lunch in the parks, but then not dinner. And not very many snacks.

 

[Mama Who]

Okay, I'm a DLer, so maybe WDW doesn't have them, but my first instinct is to say rent him a locker.

With the baby we need a stroller and the underneath storage for diapers, etc. Without, I carry my mini-backpack purse and nothing else. Everyone is responsible for their own stuff. Yes, even for a full day, although we tend to take a mid-day break.

I cannot imagine deliberately saddling myself with a stroller in the parks unless a living, breathing person I actually liked needed it. I find the stroller to be a huge chore and will be glad to get rid of it.

 

[Suzanne74]

What do all you people need all day? Geez! If my kids are thirsy, they can drink from a water fountain or get a cup of ice water at almost any counter. If we are hungry, we eat lunch or get a snack. If we need to go to the bathroom, we use the free ones in the park - and their toilet paper, and their soap and their paper towels. We go to DTD one half day to souvenir shop. I never spend my time in parks shopping.

I see people walk in the parks with what I consider luggage. Major backpacks or mini duffle bags full of . I hiked the Grand Canyon with less than what they bring for a day at an amusement park.

We are a family of 4 and one is a 2 year old. I will go in with nothing less than a small sling bag that I can carry across my chest.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I have never carried more than a small sling bag and that was when my kids were small and in diapers and I needed diapers and wipes. I have never carried extra clothes, water, food, toys, etc. As the years progressed and my kids got older (they are 7 and 10 now), my bag has even gotten smaller. I now carry a Mini Hipster with my phone, ID, KTTW, a little cash, a few pins, my son's inhaler and EpiPen, and camera. I was going to carry an even smaller wallet on a string but then he would have to carry the inhaler and Epi in his pockets and I would rather he not carry the Epi himself, the inhaler would be fine and I would have no where for my phone/camera.

Pretty much if anyone wants/needs anything, they have to carry it themselves.