Strollers: How Old is Too Old?

[makingplans4WDW]

DD just turned 5 two weeks ago. She is 43.5 inches tall in bare feet and hasn't used a stroller... Since the last time we were in WDW! We'll be in the World again in less than a week and you better believe we're bringing our two trusty umbrella strollers, one for her and the other for DS3. For us, it's nice to have the strollers if the kids want a little break. Do what works for your family, and have a wonderful trip!

 

[jodeeb]

Well,that's definitely the crux of the question. My parents didn't think that always indulging themselves and their own adult pleasures no matter what they had to do to get it done was a good example to set. Others may feel differently,and it's their right to do so.

What!! Indulging ourselves!!! Wow! Did you also concider that the one in the stroller may just need a break to be able to "indulge" themselves as much as the parent if only to have the luxury of sleeping in a stroller or kicking back? My DD6 enjoyed many of the things we "indulged" ourselves in only because we gave her the break in the stroller. She was able to kick back and observe while we stroled thru the park. Then able to enjoy things after she refreshed.

 

[LadyBeBop]

How big can a child fit in an umbrella stroller? We're going in a little less than a year. My DGD will be turning 5 on the trip. Right now she's about 45 lbs, so I think she'll be easily over 50 lbs by the time if the trip.

Right now, the only time we even consider the stroller is trips to the zoo.

 

[Lavaluma]

How big can a child fit in an umbrella stroller? We're going in a little less than a year. My DGD will be turning 5 on the trip. Right now she's about 45 lbs, so I think she'll be easily over 50 lbs by the time if the trip.

Right now, the only time we even consider the stroller is trips to the zoo.

It depends on the stroller. Some only go to 30 pounds and some go up to 55 pounds. For our trip, we bought a used Maclaren Triumph on craigslist. It has a weight limit of 55 pounds, is light to carry and has a carrying strap. Since we only used it for one trip, we didn't want to spend the cost of a new stroller and waited until we found one that had the right specs, price and condition.

 

[KJMAX1]

I think that size is what matters. I have a very tall child who can easily keep up with me, but my child with smaller, shorter legs gets very tired trying to keep up.

If your child is smaller in size, Id bring the stroller. I notice its not so much keeping up in the land we are currently visiting. Its usually when we walk a long distance like through Epcot,or back to the car that becomes extremely hard to accomplish with our kids.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Well,that's definitely the crux of the question. My parents didn't think that always indulging themselves and their own adult pleasures no matter what they had to do to get it done was a good example to set. Others may feel differently,and it's their right to do so.

I agree.. I was talking more of the families that you see with sweaty,cranky kids( and the ones in strollers can get tired/cranky too) that could benefit by slowing down a little rather than trying to "get everything done". Just because the kid is in a stroller doesn't mean that they couldn't benefit from a more relaxed pace. A stroller is not a substitute for your child getting good sleep/rest.

Personally, that seems like a craptastic way to vacation to me..how fun can it be to stress everyone out to follow the touring plan.

 

[hokie98]

I haven't read all the comments, but if it isn't a burden to take a stroller, I would. We just got back last weekend and took a stroller for our 16 month old, but was surprised that our just-turned-7 yr old (who is very athletic) actually got in it, several times! We were there for the week and by later in the week, late in the day, she could have kept walking, but it was easier to let her ride in the stroller (she would ask) if her brother wasn't in it. Made navigating crowds/getting out of the park much easier than trying to make sure she could/would keep up. I would just keep the stroller in your room the first day or two to see how she does, and if you need it, you have it in the room.

 

[sammyjo1871]

OUr DD4 is 45" and we used the stroller (an umbrella one). We let her walk when she wanted to or ride when she wanted to I thought it was very nice to have when she tired out she did fall asleep in it a few times which allowed us then to walk around the park instead of having to stay in one place. It was also nice at night when she was tired or leaving the park at close with the crowds (and waiting for the buses!)
Other than vacations, she doesn't use the stroller anymore but it was so nice especially at Disney - we would've moved a lot slower and not seen as much if she had been walking the whole time

My thoughts exactly! Our 1st WDW trip, my son had just turned 5. I took an umbrella stroller after reading different threads here. Best decision ever! He had a place to sit for a quick snack, sat in it during fireworks and it saved me when he was dozing off as we headed out of the parks in the evening. Most nights at the bus stop, I wished there were benches for the adults, so at least he had somewhere to sit after the long day. We are going back next year, he'll be 6 1/2 and I'm bringing it again. Don't let what other people think stop you from doing what you think is best for your family. Have a fantastic vacation!

 

[kaligal]

It depends on how hard you're going to push the kid!

If you take breaks and leave the park before the child is incapable of walking any further, you won't need a stroller after age three.

If you will be continuing your touring past the point where the kid is able to have fun and the child will be dropping from exhaustion, take the stroller for the poor kid.

 

[smidgy]

I think that since this thread was started this morning.. and is ONLY 5 pages long...is telling.

it tells us that a 5 year old is in the "iffy" group... meaning.. it's up to you and your family.

if it was so controversial, it would be up to 15 pages by now!!! so. OP.. the answer is: do whatever is best for your family.

your child is young enough that it isn't a problem, and could help you guys out on your trip.

 

[tinker&belle]

We just returned from a trip with our 5 and 3 year old. The 5 yo rode in the stroller quite a bit. It made crossing the parks a lot easier; and we would park it when we didn't need it. We took breaks and naps and had early days, but it was still tiring and over stimulating for them and the stroller really helped.

 

[AlixaLock]

it tells us that a 5 year old is in the "iffy" group... meaning.. it's up to you and your family.

I think everything has been said at this point, but I had to say that I agree that 4/5/6 is that age for most people when the little ones become ready to go stroller-less. My daughter will have just turned 5 in January for our next trip and we are leaving the stroller at home. We have one "late" night at the Magic Kingdom and we'll rent a stroller. I don't anticipate that this will offend anyone and I will make every effort not to hit anyone with my stroller or cause them undue stress. IF we do bring/rent a stroller for the whole day, we usually park it for long stretches, so I always plan to keep my backpack with me and not overload the stroller.

My advice is to start working out now as a family. We are walking downtown almost everyday, about 2 miles round trip. We're doing hikes, parking in the back of the lot, that kind of thing. This will give you a good idea of what you're little one is capable of and what to expect, then you can make a decision.

You should do what is best for you, practice stroller courtesy and then not care what everyone else is doing. However, it is my experience that this board is NOT a good representation of reality at WDW when it comes to strollers. If you read this thread you might think that only infants and young toddlers are in strollers ... not true. You will see a range of children ages 0-8 in strollers everywhere and no one looks askance ...

Have a blast!!!

 

[blessedby3]

We just returned a couple of weeks ago with our newly turned 5 yr old. She would never have made it without the stroller. She is very small for her age (9th % weight-wise, 45% height-wise). She rode in the stroller most of the time.
Because of the fast pass return time enforcement we found ourselves criss crossing the parks a lot and I was exhausted!
I found it easier to get around with her in the stroller (we could navigate and move much faster) and I felt safer with her in it when we hit lots of gridlock and crowds. She would get out at times, but I think she also felt more secure when in the stroller.
I think you know your child best. It is definately a common thing to see 5-7 yr olds in strollers and you should do what is best for your child and family as to the stroller or not issue.
I prefer to take my own stroller (we have used BJCM for the past few trips..I also have a Mac Quest and a Mac Volo). It is helpful for the end of the day when you have to haul everyone/thing to the busses/monorails/boats/trams. Disney rentals are expensive and then once you turn it in, you have to carry or have the tired child hike it to the bus/boat/monorail/tram.

 

[AlixaLock]

Because of the fast pass return time enforcement we found ourselves criss crossing the parks a lot and I was exhausted!

Great point! If you really want to maximize FastPass you do need to move around a fair bit ... my husband did a lot of the FastPass running for us, but I could really see it sapping the energy of a young/little 4/5 year old needlessly.

 

[goofy4tink]

But....as soon as the child's feet start dragging on the ground?? May be time to get them out of that stroller and onto those feet!!! I have seen several instances where parents were yelling at their stroller kids, telling them to pick up their feet so the stroller could move easily!!! And these kids weren't slouching down in their seats...they were sitting upright...but their legs were so long that if they didn't crunch up, the feet hit the pavement in front of the stroller!!! Methinks that might have been too old!!!!

 

[LaurLaur04]

We went last may when DD was 4 and we had no stroller. I cannot recall a single time (other than when it got late and she was sleepy) that she uttered the words "I'm tired". She did so wonderful I was quite proud of her! That said, not all kids can do that. She's easily distracted and there was probably so much going on around her the idea that she could be tired from walking never crossed her mind! Me, sometimes I could my own stroller lol

 

[LaurLaur04]

I wanted to add that there is a huge difference between CAN'T and WON'T. If its a spoiled issue and she just likes to be carried (not judging, my child can be pretty spoiled as well!) then I would make her walk. I went in with the mentality that we would attempt to do it without one and if it got to the point where her little legs couldn't handle it anymore I would have no problem walking back to the front to get her one.

 

[JStiffler]

We just returned 2 weeks ago and my 5yr rode in her stroller every day. It helped us get thru the crowds, move quickly from ride to ride, and allowed us to do open to close in the parks. There were times when we parked the stroller and left it for an hour or two, but I am so glad we used it! She even fell asleep in it a few times.

Do what's best for you and your family.

 

[Leigh123]

okay I can no longer hold my tongue, AGAIN i get this is a children's park as much as an adult park so I get that there are kids and strollers, and for some families this is a once in a lifetime trip so you want to see as much as possible (trust me I have been over 20 times, and we still tour to the point of exhaustion)...BUT on this thread I have seen people refer to them as places to store stuff, "battering rams" through the crowds, and ways to navigate quickly through the park...

Bottom line if your little one needs it use it an have the most wonderful magical vacation you can, but be aware that a stroller is not an entitlement to get people out of your way, not use the word thank you or excuse me, take up two seats on WDW transportation etc

 

[melancholywings]

We ended up renting one for a day when DD was 6 or 7, on our second day she was exhausted from the time difference and excitement. This isn't something we would usually do but it allowed her rest and still enjoy the vacation. She only needed it that one day though. Thankfully as pushing that thing through the crowds is a pita.

We recently went to DL and I was carrying everyone's bags while they went on the rollar coasters. A cast member took pity on me and gave me a stroller to push the bags in (yay pixie dust moment!). Near the end of the day the 7 year old we had with us crawled into it and fell asleep for a couple of hours.

The strollers are big and different than what you'd find in the store. You can always go and if it gets to be difficult rent one.