To rent or not to rent a stroller for DS4

[JennyG]

So... are DS4 just learned to walk on his own this past Thanksgiving. He does very well but fatigues at times. Other wise he's all over the place.

We will be at WDW in May. We thought of getting him a monkey back pack with leash attached, but know this will not work for him. He does much better on his own with no hand holding or support... other wise he buckles and refuses to walk. I would much rather chase him then hold him at 31 lbs... he gets heavy.

Anyway... my question to you all is should we rent a stroller for his down times? In the past we have taken our stroller and it's worked out great because he was not walking then. Now I'm just not so sure he will ride the entire time. Is it worth dragging around our stroller (that doesn't even really fit him anymore) if he wont ride it much? If we rent a Disney stroller, can we just leave it anywhere in the park or do we have to take it back to where we got it? I have been considering getting him a child sized wheel chair for things like this. It would be more appropriately sized and more comfortable for him.

We were there in November and got the "stroller as wheel chair" sticker. This helped a lot!! We still had to wait but in a less congested area. I am torn weather or not to get this again... as DS is walking better but I know he will not be able to last long standing in lines. His body is just too weak. I worry we will get dirty looks from other park goers who won't understand our situation. Blah blah... you all know what I'm talking about.

Any suggestions?

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would for sure have a stroller for your DS. Renting off site may be an option for you. We had considered not taking one for DGS also 4 on our next trip, and he is big for his age and VERY athletic and walks and runs 5K training with our church. However, we did a big zoo trip this week end and walked about 5 miles in about 4 hours and he was spent. We had to carry him to the car! We spend much more time at a stretch at WDW so there WILL be a stroller for him. Have not figured out if we are going to buy a new one or rent yet.

 

[1girln3boys]

My son is almost the same as your son. He's been walking longer though but still fatigues easy. We are bring a stroller with us and I plan on getting a pass for him to use the wheel chair. I really don't care if people give me looks, his health and safety are more important to me. I know he won't be able to stand in long lines either so we'll use his stroller. Do what you feel is best for your son and don't worry about what others think.

 

[JennyG]

I would for sure have a stroller for your DS. Renting off site may be an option for you. We had considered not taking one for DGS also 4 on our next trip, and he is big for his age and VERY athletic and walks and runs 5K training with our church. However, we did a big zoo trip this week end and walked about 5 miles in about 4 hours and he was spent. We had to carry him to the car! We spend much more time at a stretch at WDW so there WILL be a stroller for him. Have not figured out if we are going to buy a new one or rent yet.

Thanks for the tip! I agree... it's a huge property, lots of walking. DS wont be able to make it.

My son is almost the same as your son. He's been walking longer though but still fatigues easy. We are bring a stroller with us and I plan on getting a pass for him to use the wheel chair. I really don't care if people give me looks, his health and safety are more important to me. I know he won't be able to stand in long lines either so we'll use his stroller. Do what you feel is best for your son and don't worry about what others think.

You're right.... it doesn't matter what they think. We want DS to have a good time without getting unnecessarily tired. Stroller it is. But his feet drag the ground, unless he rests them on the little bar. What would you do about that?

 

[lucigo]

Thanks for the tip! I agree... it's a huge property, lots of walking. DS wont be able to make it.



You're right.... it doesn't matter what they think. We want DS to have a good time without getting unnecessarily tired. Stroller it is. But his feet drag the ground, unless he rests them on the little bar. What would you do about that?

As much as you would spend renting a stroller, I would invest in a stroller that your son will fit in. Not sure how many trips you think it will be used, but you could always sell it when you are done. My DS7 is small for his age but still big/tall for a stroller. The one we have fits up to 50 pounds and he is comfortable in it. I have actually considered upgrading to a jogging stroller, it just seems silly for a child his age. If I could find a used one I would probably go for it. We will be at Disney at least 3 more times this year.

 

[ratlenhum]

I say get the stroller so he can relax and enjoy the time. No sense in wearing the little guy out. My special needs son used a stroller at WDW until he was 7. We thought for sure at some point during our trip last year when he was 8 we'd have to rent one, but he made it through the trip!

 

[casjen]

My ds is 7 and has mild CP. But he could never, ever, ever survive a week at Disney. EVER. I have a Maclaren Volo I bought years ago and he is a tad over the weight limit but we have it only for trips to Disney. He'd never need a stroller at home, but could never survive Disney without one. Half of the day we just push the stroller with our bag in it, the other half of the day we push him.

You need to do what is right for your child. I could care less what people think about him or us. If people were suspect all they need to do is watch him walk away from the stroller with his slight limp and uneven gait pattern. If confronted I was ready to nicely tell them about his traumatic delivery, subsequent cp, and motor difficulties.

Get your ds the stroller (or bring one) and use it as a wheelchair if you need to. He may do great at the beginning of the day and then fatigue.

 

[Singledad]

not exactly sure the size of your child, but if a 16in wheelchair would work, that is also an option to rent. (both walker and apple rent them). However, at 4, I think the stroller may be a better option.

not bringing anything I don't believe is an option . I wish I could have a stroller myself going to WDW!

 

[JennyG]

not exactly sure the size of your child, but if a 16in wheelchair would work, that is also an option to rent. (both walker and apple rent them). However, at 4, I think the stroller may be a better option.

not bringing anything I don't believe is an option . I wish I could have a stroller myself going to WDW!

Ha! Yes, me too.... wonder if DH can push us both?
Thanks for the wheel chair info! That is great to know for future trips.
Since I started this thread, we have taken our son to the rodeo and took our stroller. He did great! Was happy to ride and knew to rest his feet on the bar. So, we'll be packing the stroller for Disney... woohoo!

 

[dntd]

When mt DD was that age we brought a cheap reclinable umbrella stroller. This was easy enough to push but the recline helped with her legs being too long for a normal stroller. My DD is a weak walker and even at 6 she will be in a stroller( This time a wheelchair stroller).

 

[Jonell]

I would definitely rent your DS a stroller. My Ds used a stroller at WDW until he was 7 yrs old. It's alot of walking for their little short legs. We always rented a stroller at WDW. We did not want to deal with the stroller on the buses. Have a good trip.

 

[SoonerSarah]

I was just at the parks with my 3 girls, 18 months, 3.5 years and 7 years. The 7 year old is smaller for her age, the 3.5 year old is a bit bigger for her age. Both of them were in the stroller as needed. I don't have a problem with it because I was tired, they aren't used to that amount of walking (or the humidity), and my 7 year old goes from happy to sick very quickly when she's active and its hot.

Anyway, we didn't get...or at least didn't notice any looks from anyone. Not that I care anyway. I would take/rent a stroller. He may need it more than you think, he may not.

 

[1girln3boys]

What we plan on doing for our 5 yo. is buying a used jogging stroller. They are more comfortable and easier to push. Also it has a higher weight limit. Right now he uses an umbrella stroller that he's to big for but I walk him to school(he goes once a week for speech) and he can't make the walk without it. He won't need it much longer so I wasn't going to get anything but when we decided to go to DW we decided to just get the jogging stroller. For what you'll pay to rent one you can just buy one used.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

If he needs then get one for him. They have strollers for kids bigger then todlers you are just not going to find them in the regular stores. But if it is appropriate then do it. I don't have any mobility issues. I have a siezure disorder. We all get tired after a day at the parks. If he fatigues easily then do him and yourself a favor and get the stroller. You do not want to be carrying a tired cranky 4 year old around.

 

[cel_disney]

My DS is a healthy non-tiring 4 year old and we still rented him a stroller! Love the Baby Jogger Citi Mini!! TOTALLY worth occasionally pushing an empty stroller!!!