Strollers without kids?

[kaytieeldr]

All of the passion over strollers now has me questioning my decision to rent one.

My daughter will be two months shy of 4 on our trip. I've never used a stroller at Disney. I don't really care to have one for "stuff" (I prefer to go light), I am worried that I will need one for her. There is a LOT of walking at Disney. While I hope that she is potty trained by then (please please dear God have her trained by then - she is fighting it now), I will probably need a change of clothes for her just in case of an accident.

I was going to rent a stroller for the duration from an offsite rental because they seemed to be a better stroller for naps and I could have it for the long bus walk back to our room at night when she is exhausted, or DTD, or whatever.

After this thread, I'm kind of wondering if I shouldn't just make her walk. Strollers sound like the devil. Is it not worth the hassel? Would you rather walk with a 3 year old (we do go back to the room for an afternoon siesta on most days, but with a tired 3 year old that trip back to the room has the potential to be miserable) - or deal with the huge hassel of a stroller?

After this thread, I'm kind of wondering if I shouldn't just make her walk. Strollers sound like the devil. Is it not worth the hassel?

Probably better a subject for a different thread but - if you feel you need a stroller for yoymur small child, get a stroller.

It's getting a stroller to use solely as your pack animal which posters are saying isn't reasonable.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

I apologize for the negative things I have said on this thread. Because seriously, you guys have given me the BEST idea!

Look for a post in the near future about pricing and package options for the DSS (Disney Sherpa Service) for all of your package hauling needs

 

[scootch]

All of the passion over strollers now has me questioning my decision to rent one.

My daughter will be two months shy of 4 on our trip. I've never used a stroller at Disney. I don't really care to have one for "stuff" (I prefer to go light), I am worried that I will need one for her. There is a LOT of walking at Disney. While I hope that she is potty trained by then (please please dear God have her trained by then - she is fighting it now), I will probably need a change of clothes for her just in case of an accident.

I was going to rent a stroller for the duration from an offsite rental because they seemed to be a better stroller for naps and I could have it for the long bus walk back to our room at night when she is exhausted, or DTD, or whatever.

After this thread, I'm kind of wondering if I shouldn't just make her walk. Strollers sound like the devil. Is it not worth the hassel? Would you rather walk with a 3 year old (we do go back to the room for an afternoon siesta on most days, but with a tired 3 year old that trip back to the room has the potential to be miserable) - or deal with the huge hassel of a stroller?

I don't think renting in the park is any hassle at all. Now the first time that I took my own was much more difficult, trying to get two kids on the bus(alone) and doing the same thing once we arrived. I would definitely rent a stroller for your little one. Truly they are great for keeping the sun off of them and also for a little safety.

 

[Lisa71]

My kids (DS mostly) have to have the stroller or I would ditch it so fast. You are so much more mobile without it...run free like the wind! Get a locker if you need, but be free!

 

[Fantasmiss]

IF this is a serious post I'd say definitely no. There are far too many strollers taking up too much space in the parks as it is, bring a back pack instead and get a locker if you need it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I apologize for the negative things I have said on this thread. Because seriously, you guys have given me the BEST idea!

Look for a post in the near future about pricing and package options for the DSS (Disney Sherpa Service) for all of your package hauling needs

I expect a share of your profits.

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

I expect a share of your profits.

30%

 

[MarineVet]

I personally don't like the Disney water, it has a foul taste, and I hate the taste of CL or other stuff.

It does have a different taste but I don't really mind it. Have you tried the water bottles like the "bobble"? They have a filter in them that takes out the majority of the taste and you can get them at places like Best Buy. That is what we carry there and refill at counter service restaurants or water fountains. Its not a perfectly filtered taste like a Dasani, but to us, preferable than carrying multiple bottles or paying Disney prices for them.

 

[summermac]

Scootch, there is no way I'd not bring/rent a stroller in your case. Just barely 4 is not the time to be going much of anywhere that required a lot of walking for 2-3 hours let alone WDW without a stroller IMO.

 

[xbonnie38]

I saw a couple last time we went in December 2011 with a full size stroller no child around , but a cooler in it instead. I saw them several times that day and it was always the cooler no child. IMO I don't mind them for people who have a need for them , but if you don't have a need for it , to me its just another way to congest up the walk way with unnecessary things, like some people I saw that would rent the scooters and then let their children drive them around. I think it is getting out of control and people need to use common sense. Hubby and I go into the parks with our bodies our water bottle and our lanyards with our money and keys and tickets in the plastic sheathing it has on it. The only time I carry a bag is if I am in need of certain personal items that I can carry any where else. I say why be bogged down if you don't have to.

 

[BuffaloJim]

Yowser!

Now that this thread is beginning to run its course, I thought I'd finally add some more comments...

I assure you I'm not a troll, and I certainly didn't expect to start WWIII, especially not with my first ever post on these boards. I wasn't aware that strollers were such a contentious and controversial subject.

But that leads to my first point. When I did a search for "strollers", I saw nothing that would lead me to believe someone had started a thread about using strollers solely for carrying our your gear and not your kids. There might be one in there somewhere, but unfortunately when people use titles like "MK Question" or "Is this time good?", it tells the searcher nothing about what is inside the thread. Just a suggestion, but the best thread titles really tell the reader what they're about. This would lead to far fewer redundant threads and a better experience for everyone.

Back to the point - I really thought my question was legitimite and one that others might find useful. Hopefully, if someone new needs the same question answered, they'll search for "strollers" and have their question answered before they pour more gas on the flames of the stroller controversy.

I try to never take anything personally, and certainly don't mind sarcasm or dry wit in the answer. Everything adds to our ultimate knowledge.

There's no question that I did learn a few things. For some reason, I hadn't even considered a locker rental. It's very possible we will take advantage of one when we get there. Cargo pants are also a good idea.

I'm probably still going to take an umbrella stroller with us to Disney. I may not use it in the parks, but It will still be there. We're a gang of nine, so that means there's a lot of water, ponchos, and other stuff to stow away. The buses generally won't be a problem as we'll probably drive to all of the parks with the possible exception of MK. Of course, MK is one of the prime reasons I'd like to have a stroller.

We've used strollers at Disney before (with kids in them!) and never had a problem with the crowds. Of course, I also aim for periods when the crowds are low - this trip will be towards the end of October. Bottom line is we'll see how it goes and if we really need or want one.

At any rate, thanks to EVERYONE for the comments. These boards are all about making our lives more enjoyable and WDW easier to handle. I'm just wondering about my next question, and what kind of controversy I can stir up.

Thanks again,

Jim

 

[kaligal]

Back in the days before internet, when people had to go to stores to shop and they wished each other warm "Merry Christmas" greetings, I had to trudge out in the snow and circle the lot like a vulture, then go spend a day in a hot, crowded shopping mall to find all the right Christmas gifts for everyone.

Carrying the big coat and all the heavy, bulky bags around the mall was less fun than popping them in a stroller, so I went the stroller route.

But I was always with my crap.

At Disney, you have to leave the stroller behind, where anyone could walk up and take it...or just the stuff in it.

So I see the reasoning, but think it might be a bad idea.

 

[julirina]

BuffaloJim, you are truly a gentleman. I apologize for any trolly thoughts I had about you from the outset. Your willingness to hear both sides of the argument and <gasp!> consider alternatives is refreshing.

I fear the DIS will eat you alive, but if you choose to stick around, I look forward to your future posts!

...also, I'd like to be the first to hire a Disney Sherpa. But you have to carry my tired, screaming, sunburned, over-stimulated kids, too. Because I don't want to bother with a stroller.

 

[kaytieeldr]

30%

Deal

 

[Planogirl]

Why do so many people want to carry so much stuff? I carry a comb, a tiny sunscreen and a small wallet and I feel weighed down. I love the independence of no security checks and no worrying about where my stuff is. But to each their own.

 

[kristennn]

OMG strollers are sooooooooo 2010.

Frankly so is having children. I only had my second one because I knew they were going to change the fastpass return time and I want to be able to use ride swap/baby swap.

 

[aubriee]

Why do so many people want to carry so much stuff? I carry a comb, a tiny sunscreen and a small wallet and I feel weighed down. I love the independence of no security checks and no worrying about where my stuff is. But to each their own.

This is my feeling. I go as light as possible into the parks. If it doesn't fit in my pockets, I can do without it for a few hours. I have never found myself wishing for anything I had left behind (ID, cc, KTTW card, AP, a little cash, a small camera, cell phone, lip balm, tiny comb, tiny bottle of hand sanitizer--what else can you not do without for a few hours?). Waiting in lines, I am sometimes amazed at the humoungous bags people tote around all day. There is no possible way they could possibly use all that crap they are dragging around. Any of my busines--no-- just think it's funny and really stupid the things people think they can't live without for one day in an amusement park.

 

[TDC Nala]

It was a little bit surprising at the bag check last weekend to see how many guests had packed large (soft-sided) coolers containing lunch for multiple people. The problem was they pretty much had to unpack the lunch so the security people could see down into the bottom of the coolers. I suppose restaurant prices and the difficulty getting into table service restaurants (was in MK 2 days last weekend and there was no table service availability either day) have resulted in more packed lunches.

 

[KellyNY]

It was a little bit surprising at the bag check last weekend to see how many guests had packed large (soft-sided) coolers containing lunch for multiple people. The problem was they pretty much had to unpack the lunch so the security people could see down into the bottom of the coolers. I suppose restaurant prices and the difficulty getting into table service restaurants (was in MK 2 days last weekend and there was no table service availability either day) have resulted in more packed lunches.

If I were local, I would pack food as well. I do when visit local Six Flags. When it is a day trip, I do not feel like spending on restaurants.

 

[kristennn]

Why do so many people want to carry so much stuff? I carry a comb, a tiny sunscreen and a small wallet and I feel weighed down. I love the independence of no security checks and no worrying about where my stuff is. But to each their own.

Just wanted to share what we bring and why.

- sunscreen
- rain ponchos (the folded up cheapo ones)
- water bottles (one per person, we refill them when empty)
-a couple very small snacks/granola bars (dh has type 1 diabetes and sometimes gets low blood sugar from all the walking and dd2 is 2.5 and needy)
- 2 autograph books & a couple markers or pens
- pins to trade/lanyards sometimes worn sometimes packed
- credit card/cash/park ticket/ ID
-cell phone
- diapers or extrsa clothes (dd2 is mostly potty trained right now bu we've never been out and about all day - will wait and see plan)
-camera
- and then for example on one of our days the girls will start out in costumes but i assume will only want to wear them for part of the day.

If I didn;t have kids - I could travel light too!