Tell me about your NO stroller experiences???

[IBLarsen]

I, like many of you, wonder if the stroller is REALLY necessary with a 5 year old. My answer is always yes. We have been there. Twice. And each time grateful that we chose to take the stroller. Not only did it come in handy for our then 3 yr old, (and then 4 yr old for the 2nd trip) but for our then 5 yr old as well (who we didn't think needed it at all). After 4 days of walking through the parks, any ADULT is tired, let alone a small child. Right?!

But here I am, preparing for our trip next week (Woohoo!), and am second guessing taking the stroller for our youngest who is now 5.

So to play devils advocate for me...tell me about your experiences with multiple days in the parks with a 5 (ish) year old, that you chose NOT to use a stroller for. Did it work out? Without anybody having to carry said child? If you didn't take a stroller, would you do that again, or suggest a stroller with new found wisdom from your experience?

(We also are staying off property, at the Fairfield).

I don't think there is any ONE right answer. Every family and every child is different, so this isn't to judge anyone...just to share your experiences and opinions on the subject

 

[NovemberMom]

Take the stroller!!
We took 2 strollers one for our 3 year old and another one for our 7 year old. Can you believe my 7 year old sat in the stroller the whole time in Disneyland?
We took the stroller for my 7 year old because we did not want to wait for ART buses. It was a 15 minute walk from the World Mark Anaheim to DL. I know my 7 year old would have been complaining the whole time in Disneyland if we did not bring the stroller for her. We were able to stay at the park all day with no hotel breaks thanks to the strollers. So my vote is to take them!!
I may even bring her a stroller when we go next year if we stay at the World Mark again.

*oops just read that you wanted NON stroller experiences...

When ODD was 4.5 we didn't bring her a stroller... She cried that she was tired the whole time so we ended up renting a stroller for her. Thus is the reason why we brought the stroller this trip. Stroller + Less whining = Happy Family

 

[GoofyinMN]

We did multiple Disney days with 6 and 9 year olds and no stroller. We took breaks when we were tired and the kids would sit down while in line for rides to rest their legs. It worked fine for us, but depends on the kids, of course.

 

[engo]

We were there a month ago for 6 days and brought a stroller for DS2. Little did we know that DS5 (almost 6) could use one too! DH ended up carrying him most of the time to a point we seriously considered renting one. The funny thing is, DS5 was fine last August, when he was 4.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[jenpace]

It really depends on the individual kid. My now 11 y/o DD was perfectly fine at DL w/out a stroller when she was 5. My younger DD who is now 7 still needs one. The amount of walking at DL is just waaaay too much for her. Another kid might be fine or it might be too much. You know your child better than anyone else

 

[PHXscuba]

We took our kids for a 3 days in the park last fall. Youngest was just over 4 and 1/2. He hasn't been in a stroller since he turned 3 anywhere -- Legoland, San Diego zoo and other zoos, etc. It's never been an option (DH hates carting the stroller), so he doesn't know any different.

He was a trooper. We only took a true rest break (back at the DLH where we were staying) the first day, because we were keeping everyone up to see Fantasmic that night. We did 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. the first day, 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. the second, and 9 a.m. to about 7 p.m. the third day. We stopped for a treat or a sit-down attraction when any of us got tired. (My DD7 wasn't much bigger than my youngest.)

I think the key is to play it up as a positive thing -- Look how big! We don't have to fight with a stroller any more! -- especially if they all remember doing DLR with a stroller.

I can't speak to the walk back and forth to the Fairfield, but I know someone said the back tower of DLH where we stayed was as far a walk from the front gates as the Howard Johnson's (looks a similar distance on my map if that helps you estimate). Maybe take some park breaks in DTD so you don't have to walk all the way back to your hotel twice a day?

This might make some gasp in horror, but if you really don't want to use it, don't even bring it on the trip. If it's sitting there in the hotel room, of course they'll beg to use it. I think the only downside to not having a stroller is having to either rent a locker or carry everything. We've always taken a backpack and taken turns carrying it.

I know my way isn't the way everyone can or should do Disney, but it's a positive experience.

Best of luck!
PHXscuba

 

[Aust]

Our daughters were 3 and 6 when we went - we took the stroller for the 3 year old, but after a couple of days we were pushing the 6yo in the stroller and carrying the 3yo back to the DLH every night. (and one time when DH was back at the hotel already - me attempting to carry and push at the same time, not fun). So I'd definitely recommend taking a stroller for a 5 year old, if you don't use it then no big deal.

 

[tink53]

If you're going for more than 2 days, I'd take the stroller. You might not need it the first day (depending on how long you're in there), maybe you'll need it the second day, but by the third everyone will wish you'd brought it!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

I agree with the PP's who said that it really depends on the child

My now 9 year old son needed a stroller in DL until he was 7. He whined, got overstimulated and tires easily.

My DD just turned 5 and we got back from a 2 week vacation in Florida. Including a week in Disney World (way more walking than I was prepared for, having never been before). She needed a stroller for 3 hours on the last day at Epcot. Otherwise she whined less than my 9 year old!

Can you guys do walks for a few miles without whining or asking to be carried? Can you do a trial run somewhere to get a feel?

I didn't know how my DD was doing to be in WDW but didn't bring a stroller hoping for the best, but knowing I could rent one (or buy a cheap one somewhere) if necc.

Good luck!

 

[samkj]

We haven't used one since our kids were 4. They do amazing! We never rush them anywhere and there is very little complaining (if they have enough to eat, when their blood sugar crashes, then LOOK OUT!!) When that young they occasionally sat on the dad's or uncles's shoulders, but really did 98% of the walking on their own. They rarely stop moving at home (for example, my 8 year old ran 4 miles, swam (for fun, not exercise) for 2 hours and had tough 2 hour soccer practice yesterday!) so we expect the same at Disney. On the other end of the spectrum our oldest is in a wheelchair, so we will always be pushing someone.

That said you know your kids best. I would probably leave the stroller at home, so the temptation isn't there and just be open to the idea of renting a stroller if necessary. The trip should be fun for everyone, and not something that makes your children so tired they are miserable. Let them remember the good stuff not being forced to walk around to the point of exhaustion.

 

[jtown]

Depends entirely on the kid but I recently did two full days with friends and, by the second evening, I wanted one of those electric scooters just to get me around. Carrying a tired child at that point...no thanks. Fortunately, you can rent a stroller for $15/day so, if you try it and it doesn't work out, no big deal.

And the scooters are $50/day plus a $20 deposit. Not that I was tempted or anything.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We didn't want to mess with a stroller at DL so we waited until the boys were 6 (twins) and tall enough to go on everything. Our boys are very active and they kept up with our crazy zig zagging across the park. But we brought a backpack with water and snacks and took breaks where we just sat back for awhile. Our boys did fine without a stroller but like I said, they were very active and energetic. Also, that was before DCA so there was only one park.

As a side note, that just happened to be the time when DL had those pod racers on the people mover track, so my boys will be able to say rode those. Pretty amazing since they were always breaking down.

 

[kristie73]

I am taking the stroller for our DS3, but I've been wondering how my DS7 is going to do. Typically he doesn't do a stroller anymore since he was 5. We used to have one of those sit and stand strollers where my little one sat in the regular stroller seat and my older one stood or sat on the little stool in the back of the stroller. It worked okay until they both got too heavy to push together. I am concerned though that my DS7 will complain about all the walking. He tends to do that. We are only doing 3 days in the parks and we are staying at the DLH. I'm just going to play it by ear for him and if I need to, I'll just rent the "expensive" stroller.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm sure glad I brought the stroller along for DD this past weekend *and she turned 7 on Sat* she's still teeny ~ she is finally tall enough for Indy but one time was enough for her Her legs take twice the steps mine do ~ and you're right after a day and a 1/2 walking the parks, standing in line ~ I'm worn out. Our last 2 nights were spent at the Motel 6 and it was a bit of a walk ~ I would've been carrying her especially at night - no thanks!

I said to her while she was strolling ~ "Do you think this will be your last stroller trip to DL?" Her response ~ "Maybe" *Next trip is Thanksgiving weekend, we're staying at HoJo so a closer walk for sure but still I'll bring it along probably, it can always stay in the room - I like using the stroller as a luggage cart at the airport!

DD's Disney stroller is a Mac Volo ~ it's been a great investment.

 

[Brancaneve]

My DS is 5 and my DD is 7. The deciding factor is the walk back! That will always get you after a long day of walking in the parks. We have parked our stroller in a common stroller parking area for hours on end, and then picked it up on the way home. That way, you are "free" of a stroller but know you can retrieve it if necessary. Good compromise!

One of the reasons why I ordered a Disney Visa is because you had free stroller rental in the parks. However, the deal has been changed to 50% off stroller rental. But, at least we always felt we could fall back on that if necessary.


Have fun!

 

[DizMe]

We've never brought a stroller. We start taking the kids to DLR when they're 4, and none has ever needed a stroller (since we don't bring one, it would be too bad if they did! ). If you are a stroller type, you might be more inclined to miss it, but we prefer walking. Our kids are very active and have as much (or more) stamina than we have so it isn't an issue in our household--our kids are used to exercise. We don't race around, we take breaks when needed. It's actually easier to be stroller free with multiple days because you don't feel the urgency to get to everything in one day. The only time I have sort of wished for a stroller was on the way back to the hotel at night sometimes.

That's my experience with 5 kids.

 

[pixarmom]

We've never brought a stroller. We start taking the kids to DLR when they're 4, and none has ever needed a stroller (since we don't bring one, it would be too bad if they did! ). If you are a stroller type, you might be more inclined to miss it, but we prefer walking. Our kids are very active and have as much (or more) stamina than we have so it isn't an issue in our household--our kids are used to exercise. We don't race around, we take breaks when needed. It's actually easier to be stroller free with multiple days because you don't feel the urgency to get to everything in one day. The only time I have sort of wished for a stroller was on the way back to the hotel at night sometimes.

That's my experience with 5 kids.

Same for us with three boys at WDW! For our older boys, we didn't use a stroller past age 3. When they were 5 and 6, we spent multiple days at WDW and didn't think about bringing a stroller. But like Dizme's kids, ours are very active and have way more energy than we do. In fact, after each WDW day, they were still full of energy and would swim at the resort in the evening.

But they are used to lots of activity, long walks at the beach and long walks at home. At age 4 or so, our oldest used to complain about walking at home, and we would tell him he was practicing for Disney. We've not heard a single complaint from him ever about walking at Disney! I also agree that when we are stroller-free, we really take everything at the kids' pace (which is sometimes a faster pace than ours!) But it really does keep us aware of whether we are moving too fast.

But each family is different - our kids (including our youngest - a pre-schooler) walk to school every day, but some parents in our neighborhood have 5-year-olds in a stroller on the way to kindergarten, so it may just depend on what the kids are used to doing.

 

[skiingfast]

I haven't brought a stroller, I went for 3 days for my sons 4th birthday and then a week at WDW when he was getting close to 5 years old.

I wouldn't say it is because my son is active that he kept walking, we live in a cold snowy place and we didn't get much outside time for a few months before our trips.

I though we could go back to the room and he would take his usually afternoon nap. Not my best idea as he slept 1 of 9 days we tried this.

I see a stroller better used as a backpack. But pushing it is work and manuevering through crowds even more.

 

[Judy from Boise]

We started taking my DD to the parks as a young 4. We never used a stroller. We literally would go for training walks as a family, especially prior to WDW trips. We also did a "try new foods" challenge prior to trips to make it easier to avoid burgers at the parks. I encourage you to slow down, and do the parks at a walking pace you all can enjoy.

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

I think that this depends on the child. I have 2 active boys, but we will definitely rent a stroller for my 5 year old. I just know if we don't, that we will end up carrying him at some point. Heck, we will probably end up carrying him even with the stroller, but at least not as much!

My husband and I also love having a place to set down a drink and stow a bag.