To stroll or not to stroll....

[Cotta]

Ok. I find it funny that this is the thing I have decided to freak out about on this trip, but there you have it! I am taking my DD (she will be four in three mo.) to WDW in T minus six days and I still haven't decided on the stroller issue. So HELP Dissers! Now my DD hasn't taken naps in hmm... well over a year anyway. She is HIGH energy. constantly. That being said, I know she will crash at WDW at some point. We are staying at the Dolphin so we shouldn't be too far from our room at that point. I really didn't want to take a stroller on this trip and figured I would just rent if neccessary. But now I am starting to panic... what if she really needs one? Does every parent go through this on their first stroller free trip? Should I just go buy a cheap umbrella? We do not use a stroller at home and the one we had is out of commission. If I do get an umbrella does anyone have suggestions for a good umbrella? My only condition is that it has height adjustment as most umbrellas kill my back... and storage would be nice too. In fact I think I am stressing more about not haveing somewhere to put all my stuff than where to put my DD?? That's it. I have lost it.

 

[all4fun]

My ds(4) won't walk 30 feet w/out asking to be picked up so for us the stroller is a lifesaver. There's a whole other thread here about taking 5yr old to WDW and not using a stroller. Personally I don't see that happening for us for quite a while because even though ds is high energy he also loves to ride or be carried. So a lot depends on the temperament of the child, and also think about how hot it will be when you're there. It's nice for them to have a stroller to sit in whenever they need a break. Their legs are shorter than ours too so IMO it takes more energy for them to keep up with us bigger folks. And staying next door to Epcot isn't as close as you would think. On our last trip we were at the Boardwalk (next door to the Swan&Dolphin) and we kept just missing the boat so we walked a few times instead and it's a pretty decent walk. And that's AFTER you get out of the park gates. Epcot is a pretty big park...

We also like to walk from BWV to MGM and it's nice for ds to have a stroller for that too. Personally I don't think you'd regret having one, although I certainly understand the desire to be able to just ditch it.


The Graco IPO stroller HERE might be a good one to look at (on sale at BRU for $80)

hth!

 

[Rileymax]

My daughter will be four in October, and I'd take a stroller for her... we went to six flags near here one afternoon and by the end of the day there, I was carrying her everywhere.. and i was TIRED. LOL

The Volo (Maclaren?) is a great umbrella, has storage, is SUPER light, and opens and closes so easily. I think its pretty tall too, my husband usually complains about that, and he doesn't mind the volo.

HTH!

 

[Ariel8676]

I would take one....
I allow my girls to jump in the stroller whenever they get tired...its a lot of walking and a lot of stimulation.
We have a Chicco stroller that reclines its great and has a decent amount of storage, and comes with a rain shield (usually comes in handy at WDW) It was around $80..this one is a newer version of what we have...
http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...r=1&origkw=chicco&kw=chicco&parentPage=search

 

[tanyaandallie]

Esp. if you are going in 6 days, I'd either take or rent a stroller. No matter how high energy she is, I don't think any 3 year old is used to walking miles and miles each day. Plus, the heat is going to be really really nuts while you are there. It just sucks the life out of you! Also, I find using a stroller much easier in crowds. I don't have to worry about my little one's getting lost! We just went in May when my dd was almost 4 and she rode in the stroller a ton.

If you don't want to take one, just rent one. The rentals are great for a 4 year old!

 

[CastleCreations]

I posted on the other thread as well and no one shared my opinion.. LOL, I would agree and say take the stroller.
My girls (4 and 5) are very high energy too, but they do crash, and then the crying starts and complaints of sore feet start.
The other thing is the safety issue. I like the stroller, because I know where they are. There is no handholding and constant looking around to see where they are and I can really put it into high gear and walk fast, with them, it more of 2 steps forward, 1 step back...

 

[disneymomof1]

I agree, my daughter is 4 and a stroller is a necessity for us both. She walks at times, but when she crashes, she crashes hard, and I have so many pictures of her catnapping in her stroller. We had a Chicco from babies r us, but the wheels are going bad, it has gotten a lot of use this year. (our upcoming trip to the world will be our 3rd this year!!!) So I am shopping for a new one. Loved all the previous suggestions for strollers. I hate to spend to much because I know it's not to long before I will never see her near a stroller again, but for convenience and safety, the $$ will be worth it.

 

[Jen414]

Bring a stroller!!! We just got back last week and we brought a double stroller with us. I actually bought a used one for around $80 from another twin mom b/c it was cheaper than renting a double for 10 days. My girls rode in it all the time, and at home we never use one. As other posters have said, it's just easier all around--safety, their stamina, the heat (which was unbelievable!!!) I also liked having my own b/c it's a long walk from the rental drop-off to the bus. We closed Magic Kingdom 3 nights, MGM 1 night and Epcot 1 night, and I can't even imagine what that walk would have been. Bringing a stroller will give you the option of walking over to MGM or Epcot. Would it really be fair to ask a child to do that and then to have to continue walking around all day? Just my .02.

 

[gottagodisney]

Plan on a stroller! My dtr. was the exact same age a few yrs. ago and I thought the same thing, "oh she can walk". By half way through the 1st day she was wiped! I had to carry her out of the park and back to the resort for a nap.

Second day we rented the stroller (and from there on out) and it made a world of difference! We didn't do the stroller anywhere else though- just parks. She actually looked foward to getting in it at start of the day.

BTW...if you park hop you get a voucher for another stroller for the park that you hop to. You also don't have to worry about someone stealing your stroller if you just rent one.

 

[pixie37]

My DD will be 5 when we go to WDW again and I can't imagine going w/out our stroller. Besides the obvious...she isn't used to walking 5 miles a day, needs a place to rest, will impede my ability to race across the park in order to make a dinner reservation, there are other things to consider...like where will I put my drinking cup and mega photography gear!!! Seriously, do whatever makes the trip easier for all concerned...it is, afterall, your vacation.

 

[LisaZoe]

I faced the same thing when we went last time. My daughter was 4 and no longer napping plus she was active. We decided to not bother with a stroller and regretted it the first day there. We ended up renting one - and I was delighted to learn I could get a free rental each day because I had a Disney Visa card! It's so nice to have someplace to carry small things, like her toys, cups, snacks, etc. in addition to giving her a chance to save her energy for the long days of fun. There were times when it would have been really nice, too, to have our own stroller so she could ride as we made our way back to our room. Also, it's nice to have at the airport if only to have something to help hold all the carry on bags.

 

[Cotta]

Thanks for all your help! I really needed it in my pre-trip panic! You are SO right... I should just take one. Looks like I am going stroller shopping today! Although that mention of free rentals is tempting... anyone know if that is still valid? TIA!

 

[dsnymomof4]

Definitely take it! Especially with staying at the Dolphin, if you are at Epcot or MGM, you can wheel the stroller right onto the Friendship boat and back to your hotel - convenient if she falls asleep at the parks. The past 2 trips, we still took the stroller for DD6 and used it at night a few times when the parks were open late and she fell asleep. We were still able to walk around the parks and do everything we wanted, and even if we did have to take her out to get on the bus, at least we had it when we got back to the hotel to wheel her to the room - you can't do that if you rent one. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[bennythepug]

my ds is 3 and I knew he would need a stroller, but we were renting a car and with 3 kids 2 adults, luggage and a car seat I knew space would be an issue. I wanted to bring ours, dh convinced me not to. - good thing we had a dodge caliber - cute car, but small !! never would have fit.
we went to walmart and bought the $20 umbrella stroller. my requirments were met. It had the a compartment for storage and the shade top.

when we returned the rental car, I started looking for a family with a child around the same age (without a stroller) I offered it to the mom. She looked at me like I was crazy but she she was very thankful. she was going to rent one everyday.