unless your 5 yr old is low on stamina. i would reccommend you bag the stroller hunt. my neighbor went last year with her 4 yr old and he sisnt really use one, neither did my 6 yr old. we did rent one one day, our long day. so id bet your child will be fine without one for the most part and you can always rent one late in the day. not to sure? take him to the mall on a saturday.