To stroll, or not to stroll... with a 6 year old

[707MickeyGirl]

I need some advice and I know you will all have some great opinions on this matter. I'm taking a 7-day trip to DL with my DGD6 in November. I've taken her twice this year and both times I've used City Strollers to rent a stroller and it's been great. But... I kinda feel like she might be ready to spend the day on her little feet. I wear a fitbit so I know we average about 7 miles per day in the parks so I'm not sure if she'll be up to that or not. I love the convenience of the stroller, being able to pack it up with our stuff and not having to think too carefully about what we're bringing. (You want to bring 3 baby dolls? Sure... they'll fit in the stroller. Bubble gun and spare bubbles? Absolutely. Snacks and water for the day? No problem. And my backpack can be packed with everything I want because it rides in the stroller, not on my back. You get the picture.) She does spend a fair amount of time walking, but on long stretches, like say we're hustling from BTMRR to RSR, it sure is nice to have her hop in and enjoy the ride. I'm probably a little softer on this issue than a parent would be, since I'm her grandma. Normally we go on foot in the mornings, and after our mid-day break at the hotel for lunch/swim/rest, we get out the wheels. What do you think... keep strolling half-day, or start putting some miles on those little sneakers?

 

[crystal1313]

We struggled with this as well for our DS6 (he's really tall and just looked way too big for a stroller anymore). Our last trip in July, he walked. No stroller. He did fantastic! We prepared him for it ahead of time and told him that if he gets tired, he needs to tell us so we can stop and rest. He only told us once the entire 3 day trip that he needed a rest. He did really well and we were happy. We just made sure that he had really comfortable shoes on. He even walked all the way back to the hotel on harbor without an issue. We also praised him a lot during the trip on how well he was doing and such a big boy, etc and that helped boost his confidence and he never complained once.

Since you are going for such a long trip, maybe you can try the first couple of days stroller free and see how she does? Then either rent one from City Strollers or the parks for the last part of the trip if you decide she needs it?

 

[SweetAlex]

Honestly, if your child is healthy, I think they'll be just fine without one. We brought one our first time when our dd was 4 but the second time, she was 5 and she did totally fine without it and I loved not having to maneuver a stroller and worry about where to leave it and such. Yes, we did piggy back and do shoulder rides if she did get tired for a short break but I swear their little legs are stronger and have more endurance than my 35 year old legs!

We also made sure to take lots of breaks... for all of our benefit!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

For crystal1313 - That's a great suggestion. Did your little guy wear a backpack, or did you carry things for him?

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I loved not having to maneuver a stroller and worry about where to leave it and such.

That is true... maneuvering and parking are difficult! And finding the thing after leaving it parked for a while, especially after a show. Plus, I have almost 51 year old legs so if my DGD6 needs a rest, I know my legs would happily oblige!

 

[crystal1313]

For crystal1313 - That's a great suggestion. Did your little guy wear a backpack, or did you carry things for him?

We have a DS4 who was still in a stroller, so we put stuff in the stroller or I carried it in my cross body purse. (we thought for sure DS6 would ask or fight over a ride in the stroller, but he never did!)

We are going again in December and considering not taking a stroller at all (DS4 is also really big for his age and looks huge in a stroller). My thoughts are to bring a backpack with only the essentials (sunblock, snacks, etc) and instead of bringing our soft cooler with waters-getting the free waters from CS locations. We would also grab a locker for our jackets, etc. That way there is less to carry. I've also thought about getting the boys a small bag to carry snacks for themselves...but I worry they will forget it somewhere. I think DS6 would remember, but DS4 is easily distracted! LOL. We stopped letting them bring toys a couple years ago because we ended up being the ones who had to carry them around all the time and it was just too much at the parks!

I was at WalMart yesterday and they had little backpacks that would be the perfect size for under $4 (I actually had that thought-about using them at the parks for the boys because they are so cheap if they lost it, and it only had snacks in it-it wouldn't be a huge loss money wise). Maybe you could do the same thing with the bag as the stroller? Test it out a day or two and see how she does with it?

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I've also thought about getting the boys a small bag to carry snacks for themselves...

She's got some cute little backpacks but I don't know how well that would go over since she's in a princess dress most of the time we're in the parks. I guess you wouldn't have that issue with boys. Maybe I could just bring a little one for her, and I'll carry most of the stuff in mine in case she balks. The last thing I want to do is get into a battle of wills with her while we're supposed to be having a magical time.

 

[GatorChris]

At WDW, use a stroller. We did until my DD was 7 - she shared it with DS who was 5. But at DL, it's a slam dunk to walk it. Especially if it's just for one day.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

But at DL, it's a slam dunk to walk it. Especially if it's just for one day.

It's DL for 7 days, so while I'm sure she'd be fine for the first 3 or 4 days, I'm wondering if she can really make it 7 days all on foot. She's done 9 half-days on foot, but never full days of park-hopping for an extended period.

 

[YukonMommy]

I say use one! If only for it being a carry all! Plus you never know how tired she will be in the end and a 6 year old is heavy to carry!!

Have a magical time!

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I say use one! If only for it being a carry all! Plus you never know how tired she will be in the end and a 7 year old is heavy to carry!!

It IS a great carry-all! And she is too heavy for me (grandma) to carry so that's not an option. I'm leaning towards renting the stroller but leaving it in the hotel for the first 2-3 days, then maybe switching to evenings-only with it, depending on how she's doing.

 

[ddwlms]

Our oldest were 4 and 5 when we quit using a stroller, but we were in our twenties so could carry from time to time. Youngest DD was 7 before we quit bringing a stroller for her. The last time we used a stroller DH tried to say she was too old for a stroller, but I said we were bringing a stroller for her to use for OUR sakes. (now in our 40s) DH agreed and we were glad we did.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Youngest DD was 7 before we quit bringing a stroller for her. The last time we used a stroller DH tried to say she was too old for a stroller, but I said we were bringing a stroller for her to use for OUR sakes. (now in our 40s) DH agreed and we were glad we did.

You make an excellent point. I do kind of feel like the stroller would benefit me as much as it would her.

 

[bumbershoot]

I carry nothing in a stroller because I leave nothing in a stroller, after having things taken from our stroller twice at Disneyland. So the stroller didn't help ME at all.

DLR trip when DS was 5, we used the stroller.
WDW trip when he was 6 we brought the stroller and left it up to him. He never wanted it. It was folded up in the hallway of our villa the whole time. Never looked back. And I am a crazed disney parks tour-er.

However he wasn't ready to carry any sort of backpack consistently until he was at least 8. There was either whining or it ended up being carried by us anyway.

 

[rentayenta]

I'm pro stroller. My middle used a stroller until she was 9. Shes very short in stature and was on some medications that made her tire easily. I say bring one and use it if she needs it or rent one if she needs it. Sometimes it's nice to have while waiting for parades and fireworks. She can sack out for a little bit.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I'm pro stroller. My middle used a stroller until she was 9. Shes very short in stature and was on some medications that made her tire easily. I say bring one and use it if she needs it or rent one if she needs it. Sometimes it's nice to have while waiting for parades and fireworks. She can sack out for a little bit.

I do feel like it's nice to have, especially at night. In a way, it lets us enjoy more time in the parks because she doesn't get too worn out, and that prevents meltdowns. She has fallen asleep in it a few times, and I just let her sleep and use that time to browse shops or wander around slowly, checking out things that we normally walk right past. For me, it's more about getting the most out of every day. Honestly, if I could bring a little wagon, I would just do that.

 

[crystal1313]

I say rent one for the whole time then! That way you have it if need be. Sounds like it might work out best for both of you.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

On our last disney vacation our DS had just turned 5. When we got to the airport we realized we had forgotten the stroller. I was really upset because he's a little bit lazy and I thought there was no way we would survive. DH said that we should see how he does without it. I was pleasantly shocked. He did amazing and never whined once about all the walking. It was so nice not to have to worry about stroller parking or trying to dodge people in crowds.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

If we were doing a quick trip for 3 days or so, I would definitely try to go without a stroller. I guess my concern is whether or not she could hold up, happily, for 7 days straight. We have APs so there's no off day - we go to the parks every day.

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. It's so great to come here and get the opinions of people who have made the same transition. I knew I would get valuable information here from the DIS experts.

 

[SFMommy]

We are going for Thanksgiving with our DD8 and it will be the first time without a stroller. I am nervous...mostly for me because I love to pack extra snacks, wipes, water, sweaters, caps, etc. I will feel naked leaving the hotel room with just a purse and the clothes on my back!

I think the hardest part for DD8 will be walking from the PPH to the gates and back at night. And while waiting for fireworks.

Although now that we have decided to drive instead of fly, I may just dust off the stroller and throw it in the car anyway...hhhmmmm...something to think about!

I figure worse case is that you have to rent one there at Disney and use it in the parks, although it won't help getting back to the hotel. Good luck either way!