To stroller or not stroller, that is the question for today.

[LMC]

We usually get a stroller for our DS who just turned 5 and DD who is now 7. BUT, we are going to WDW from 12/22 - 1/1 this time. I know it will be extremely crowded so I need some Christmas week veterans to give me your opinions about stroller usage. It can be difficult at times when it is not peak season (we are very accustomed to going in October or last week of May before summer crowds) to maneuver a stroller and I am afraid it will be nearly impossible to move with one during this vacation. I am also afraid of losing youngest DS. I can always skip the double stroller and go with a single for easier maneuverability but I need honest opinions as to whether or not it is too much trouble to even try to use a stroller.
He is full of energy so I think he can make it most of the day without one. I am more worried about oldest, special needs, DS fizzing out on me! My plan is to get there early in the day so we can get our four must do rides done (one for each child) then anything else is icing on the cake. If we make it til 8pm then leave, I'm good with that; I don't have to stay til 3am. EXCEPT new yrs eve, we want to stay til midnight so I may have to get a stroller that night.

 

[stacy6552]

I didnt notice any probelms with the stroller over Easter week, which is just as crowded.

 

[LMC]

We went the week before Easter in '04 or '03 and we thought it was PACKED! Now remember we are accustomed to going when there are no crowds so we were a bit taken aback. But it was manageable and we have learned so much more since then as to how we should tour the parks. So is 12/22-1/1 about the same as Spring Break crowds? I was expecting it to be much worse!!!

I didnt notice any probelms with the stroller over Easter week, which is just as crowded.

 

[pedro2112]

The only time we used a stroller on our last trip for our DDs (ages 6 & 5 at the time) was for our DD5 when she was sick for the day. Other than that, we never used it.

Why don't you see if you can go without.. and if you can't, rent one.

 

[the kabuki]

For your children's ages, you could always rent one if you find you need it.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We generally took a backpack the kids would ride in when it was really busy. We found this to be much easier than wheeling a stroller around and dealing with the crowds.

 

[jlcd]

I actually like having a stroller in they crowds. I think it is easier to keep an eye on the kids. I like being able to put them in the double stroller and get through the crowds without worrying about losing them!

 

[BkrsLoveDis!]

I actually like having a stroller in they crowds. I think it is easier to keep an eye on the kids. I like being able to put them in the double stroller and get through the crowds without worrying about losing them!

AMEN!!

 

[Eric Julie and Hailey]

If you want to buy a cheap non-"umbrella" stroller in Orlando (like at Wal-mart), we'll split the cost with you and do the exchange on 1/1/06 when we arrive. We have a 3 and 7 y.o.

It's cheaper than renting -- and can be more fun.

Let us know: posmanti@comcast.com if you're interested.

 

[go cowboys]

Get the stroller. As mentioned above, its way easier to know where they are in a stroller. Plus the are great for tired parents who want somewhere to store stuff. We also find that they help maintain "our" turf at parades when you have been sitting there for a while and at the last minute someone wants to crowd your five year old out of their place.

 

[blessedby3]

I agree, take a stroller. We just returned from a trip and it was not crowded, yet we still managed to almost lose our 10 yr. old twice. I didnt think I would have to worry about him at that age, but it happened. Luckily we werent too far ahead of him when it happened. Our DD7 rode in our Maclaren Volo therefore we didnt have a chance to lose her!! It made it nice because she could sit there while walking between "lands" or rides and she fell asleep 3 times in the late evenings while we were there. I cant even imagine trying to carry her in the parks and to the busses. Our bus lines were 30 min. waits sometimes (POP- but that is another nightmare, I mean story!) She even fell asleep during the MVMCP parade at 11pm and I was just talking to her saying.. look at Cinderella, look at the soldiers... and she was fast asleep, I didnt even notice since I was standing above the stroller (it was packed for the parade). I would opt for the stroller wether a rental or bringing one from home. We used one everyday and we went to the parks for 6 days and DTD for one.

 

[tessqt]

I didn't use a stroller on our first two days, after that I rented one every day. It was so much easier than hearing the complaining! LOL WDW has the storing of stollers at rides down to a science, you can spend some time looking, but it gave the kids something to do after the ride, mine had fun looking too.

 

[redman group]

how much is stroller rental? I was just trying to decide whether my dd(7) would need one. she hasn't got the greatest stamina for walking!!!

 

[jlcd]

You can find info about the stroler rental here:

http://allearsnet.com/pl/strol_faq.htm

On our last trip our kids were 7 and 4. I was great to get from one big area of a park to another without losing them. We would park it and do a few rides and then if we were going any long distance they would ride. It was great at the end of the night when huge crowds are all leaving at once. I also think it keeps them form getting too tired early in the day!

 

[LMC]

Thanks for all the replies. We usually do use the strollers but I am just very concerned about moving around in the crowds. I will probably go ahead and use one at least for the 5 yr old as he just can't seem to stay with me. Just the other day at the hospital when my other kid had an appointment, I had to keep chasing him down.
Any opinions for a good two seater that will hold a 40 and 45 pounder, besides the jogging strollers?