To Stroller or not to stroller

[Hoopfamily]

We are taking our 4 1/2 year old daughter to Disney and are debating the stroller. We have not used our stroller at home for almost a year now. Anyone have advice.

 

[princess&her4princes]

We are taking our 4 1/2 year old daughter to Disney and are debating the stroller. We have not used our stroller at home for almost a year now. Anyone have advice.

We went last year with our 4 year old and by the end of the day, he needed to sit and relax. Granted, it was hot (September) and we toured all day long, so he needed to take a load off. You can rent them in the parks but the are easy enough to travel with that I say take it with you, if nothing else, it stores all the other things you need to carry with you and they are easy to park in stroller parking and find. Have a great trip!!

 

[richmond282]

Our DD turned 4 the week after we returned from Disney, and, yes, I am glad beyond words that I took her stroller. We took an umbrella stroller that folded easily.

It not only was great at Disney when she got tired or we needed to hurry (thus, she got in and we ran!), but it worked great at the airport too.

 

[monorailsilver]

We just got back few weeks ago-

me, dh, dd 7, ds almost 5 & dd 2 1/2.

I brought my sit & stand stroller.

Lets just say my 7 yo acted not so nicely because she was tired (and hot at times) from walking.

My almost 5 yo kevetched any time my dd asked to sit or stand on the stroller which meant he would of had to walk (refused most times) or move in such a way that she could sit or stand.

So yes I'd take it & if she isn't sitting in it, you can throw your bag in it as you walk the park.

 

[Ellester]

I'll give you the other opinion. Our last trip our youngest was just under 3. My DH is very anti-stroller and we didn't even still have one around anymore to take. He carried DS when he got tired but said it was worth it not to lug the thing on and off the buses, find it outside attractions, etc. We rented one for one day when DS was really not feeling well (and I was the one who did that since I sent DH off with our girls to have some fun). It was nice to be able to walk around the parks without steering a stroller through the crowds, stores, restaurants, etc. I would try without one and if it gets too bad you can rent one or buy the umbrellas they carry throughout Disney. Personally, I wouldn't buy one special to bring.

 

[Chipmunk89]

You know your child best. When DS was five we did WDW without a stroller. And he was fine. But we were not Disney commandos. We walked a slower pace and took plenty of breaks.

 

[snickerboo]

I was planning to take one for ds (5) for our upcoming trip. This week I took him to a small theme park for a day and decided to try no stroller to see how it went. Well, my little monkey, excited by his surroundings, kept running off from me. That told me pretty clearly that he will be cruising around WDW in a stroller this October! I think it really depends on the child but I think a 4 1/2-yr-old would have to be a real trooper to manage the entire day their feet.

 

[knitdiva]

One more vote for stroller! We went on a cruise last winter sans stroller. Walked through San Juan for 30 minutes then our DS 4 said he was too tired to walk and didn't want to move. So we sat on a bench and he fell asleep with his head on my shoulder. Now I ended up carrying the sleeping 4 year old boy (that would be 50 pounds, 42") in hot weather for 30 minutes. Forget taxis in Old San Juan. We bought a stroller the next morning in St-Thomas. So in september the stroller will come to Disney with us (hopefully for the last time??!!). With what they are charging for stroller rental at Disney, I can almost get a rental car

 

[Grendalynn]

Stroller! DS5 was junk by the end of the day and was much more bearable in a stroller. We had only brought one for DS2 but ended up renting one at each park because there is just soo much walking. It was also great for the rain we experienced and a place to keep our stuff. The park strollers push great, nice and smoothly, especially with the added weight of the bigger kid.... Not a 2 year old like most strollers are geared for... The kiddos can also take a cat nap if needed and have a place to do so, not giving mom and dad jelly arms lugging them through teh parks... Bring one from home if you think your child will need it frm place to place outside teh parks, but our DS5 was fine 90% of the time, it was just a nice thing to have to keep the family "rolling" and in good spirits! DS8 even fit in it and held DS2 during our monsoons - and it still pushed better than our own stroller! Good Luck!

 

[SalandJeff]

We were in WDW in June with our 4.5 y.o. dd. We brought her stroller and were glad we did. She never uses it at home. But when she was tired of walking or standing, she was glad to climb in. It also made it easier for us to move a bit faster when we needed to. We made good use of the basket underneath for a change of clothes for her and small cooler with drinks/snacks.

 

[brockash]

I'd definetly take it. I bought a sit n stand just for this trip for my 2. My DD (17 months) obviously uses a stroller, but I wanted something for DS (6) He's a very active kid, plays sports all day long, and hasn't used a stroller in I don't know how long, but I'm sure he'll be using it a little here and there on our trip (especially with the hot sun, and at closing.) We took my DS when he was 4 and he used it a lot,- and that was in Jan. I'd definetely take a stroller for your 4 year old. Have a great trip.

 

[Hoopfamily]

Well I guess the ayes have it. We have her old stroller from Graco, but I think we're going to get a smaller umbrella version for ease of transport. Thanks Everyone.

 

[NY_MOM]

My DD has never been a lover of the stroller. So we rarely ever use the ones we have. However, when it comes to Disney I'm glad we had our because days can be long, hot and tiresome! Also sometimes with the crowds it's just easier to pop them in a stroller and get in and out of the mob, without the little ones being crushed or worrying about being seperated. So I would definitely vote pro stroller.

 

[stephgles]

My dd is 4. We are taking her stroller with us. Even if I leave it at the hotel during the morning hours but when we go back for after swim, I will pick it up with us and take it. I rather be safe than sorry, even though I know you can rent them at the parks, I am just to cheap to pay knowing I have strollers at home. My only debate amongest myself is to take her big stroller or her umbrella one. I am leaning toward the big one cause of storage area. I cause I will see what I am going to do in 3 weeks.

 

[southtexasmom]

My DD(5) was thankful we took a stroller for her when we were at WDW a few weeks ago. She would never sit in a stroller at home but we aren't walking 6-8 hrs a day at home either.

 

[PrincessPixie]

I just bought a $19.99 umbrella stroller with sun shade @ Target for our upcoming Disney trip.

Our DD is 4 and doens't go in a stroller now when at the zoo or anything, but i figured at Disney, there will be times we will be glad we had one.

I say, go with an inexpensive umbrella stroller, beats renting one at around $12/day.

Jennifer

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Yes, I will be taking one for my DS4.5...I think you'll be glad that you did.

 

[Disney_Tall_Mommy]

Definitely take a stroller, but be careful getting an umbrella stroller. We bought one for our trip to Seaworld and it was uncomfortable to push. It was too low and we kept kicking the back of it. Plus they don't hold as much stuff. I know it will be a hassle getting our Graco on the busses, but I would rather everyone be comfortable.

 

[jason128]

I would definetly use a stroller. my 7 year old still wants to get in the stroller with the 5 and 2 year old. a life saver for us.

 

[momgjgc]

We have gone for the past 4 years and my now 5 year old has not been in a stroller for 2 years but all the walking at Disney and he will fall asleep on any ride. It is not fun trying to make him walk or carry a sleepy 45 lb child. He slept in it for 2 hours last year. It is easier to have it and find you don't need it than having to rent and carry the tired sleepy kid to the car or bus at night.