To Stroller or Not To Stroller

[kaymom]

I am debating whether or not to take our double jog stroller with us for my DS 3 and DS 7. I know that we'll need a stroller for the 3 year old, but I am considering just getting a light weight single to bring. Any opinions? Should the 7 year old have to hoof it (he'll just be turning 7 and can be whiny). I wouldn't even second guess myself, but I am afraid of the bus hassle with the double!

 

[wahmof3]

Not sure I'd tote that around either. I went this past early November with a 3 yr old and an 18 month old so a stroller for both of them were a necessity. They could not have walked and we could not have carried them. They spent alot of time in those strollers. But I left my double stroller at home and opted for two single umbrella strollers. My husband took one and I took one. Not only were they much easier to navigate through crowds than my side by side double would have been, it was a snap to fold them up to carry (hung it on my arm) and was able to carry the kids and backpack at the same time to take on the monorail or tram. And a 7 yr old seems a little old for a stroller. If you have the $$ rent a double, that way if the 7 yr old wants a break they can jump in, otherwise your 3yr old will have alot of extra room when riding alone or use it to hold bags... they are just pretty pricey if you ask me. maybe see how the 7 yr old does the first day and renting is an option if the complaining gets to be too much.

 

[mmmears]

It's hard enough to get through the parks with a small stroller, let alone a double. I'd take the single. Our DD had no problem walking though the parks without a stroller at 8 years old. (And Disneyland at 5, 6, and 7, years old).

 

[anewmac]

We rented a single for the day (post cruise) for our 6yr DS as we knew he would need it, plus those lil legs dont move as fast as ours LOL. Our 10yr old DS jumped in a few times and they rode together (a lil hard to push but managable) it helps the 10yr old to relaxe and rest his lil legs too. If your planning on going commando (as we did) then yes I think he will need one. But if your just doing a few hrs then going back to the hotel to rest. You should be fine without one.

But double stroller I would not do, they just take up to much space in the World.

 

[PJAY]

We brought along a double AND a single our last trip and ended up leaving the single in our hotel most of the time. We loved having the double. It folded easily, could roll along in the folded position and even had a carrying strap. When the kids weren't in it, it held our bags. We'll be bringing it again on our next trip.

 

[KteaRN]

On our last trip we used the buses with a double jogging stroller and found that it was worth the extra hassle getting on & off the buses to have it in the park.

I did NOT think it was a hassle to push in the parks, through crowds and such. Also with the double stroller, one parent can take both kids and be able to push them around while another one is on a ride or something.

With your child being 7, if you think he may need it, I say bring the double. Otherwise, bring a single and maybe buy or rent another one if you need it while you're there.

My kids are smaller so take my advice for what it is. We're definitely bringing the double for our kids.

 

[luvmickey5374]

If you are using the bus...I wouldn't bring a double! Very cumbersome to get it on and off. If you can get away with an umbrella or lightweight stroller I would. Only you know what your 7 yr old can handle. My 2 are very seasoned and are used to walking in Disney the whole time but if yours is not used to it then I would bring 2 strollers. Mine will be 6 and 7 when we go this year and thankfully we don't have to bring any strollers this time....WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!

 

[zarvgirl]

I joined a swap for a double strolller, it was just $20 for the week. I really think that if we didn't have the option for our 7 year old, she may meltdown in the parks.
Look on the budget board for swaps, or I have a link to the swap i'm in, at the bottom of my signature.
Good luck, deciding.

 

[DrZoidberg]

It depends on what bothers you more, pushing a stroller of listening to and carrying a tired child.

 

[abc999]

two umbrella strollers with stroller locks for times when 1 person is pushing 2 kids.

 

[TigMaya]

We have an almost 4 year old and a 6 year old. When we go this May we will be taking a single Mac Triumph. We know the 4 year old will us it quite a bit as his little legs cannot handle walking a long time. We considered getting a stroller for the 6 year old as well, but I realized that we really will not need it much. She walks and runs all day with no problem, besides, it isn't like we will be walking all day nonstop. We will be walking from ride to ride, stopping for lunch, standing in lines that wouldn't allow the stroller anyway.... I may rent one for our tour of the WS with her, but other than that I don't see us using one.

 

[paintnolish]

I'd go with the single. A double (I am assuming side by side) is too hard to navigate and very cumbersome. If you still feel you need it, rent or join a swap. If you have a single, I am sure there will be times when dd wants to walk and ds could hop in for a ride, giving his feet a break!
DD, who will turn 8 over our trip, was tired in the mall yesterday. She then asked if I could bring a stroller to WDW for her.Um, no?!? She's not been in a stroller for a few years now!

 

[IggyLans]

Kids can surprise you... Our last trip was the first one we did not have a stroller with us at the parks. We brought our umbrella stroller just in case, but did not use it once. I thought my then 4 yr old would not be able to do it, he does get whiny about walking. But, he did awesome! Not one complaint from him the whole trip.

 

[catherines_mama]

Mine have done fine walking around the parks, even for a week vacation by 7 yrs old. They should do fine. I wouldnt lug that big stroller if you dont have to

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't think there is a magical age where a child suddenly can't ride in a stroller. It depends on the child. Disney World is a ton of walking! It is not like strolling around the mall. If you don't plan on taking breaks during the day, I would definately bring your double stroller. Even with taking breaks, I think a just 7yr old would get tired out. Think of it this way, they have to take 2 steps to and adults 1, and I know how tired I am after walking in the parks all day.

Of course you could always just bring a single and rent another one if you find you need it for your 7yr old.

 

[KAMKIM]

Our girls will be 8 and 5 when we go in August, I'm undetermined about the stroller as well. I like the idea that my 5 year old would be strapped in and wont have to keep up with us, however I dont like the idea of pushing a stroller around and getting off and on the buses...and I do think they are too big. Normally when we do amusement parks we take our wagon....which isn't allowed at Disney...but I think a stroller might be pushing it for the...idk

 

[stitch34]

I'd say go with a lightweight umbrella stroller definitely. Your 3 year old will need it, and if get something like the Volo that accommodates bigger kids,your 7 year old can then take a turn in it, too. I know our last trip, there were times my 8 year old REALLY needed it, and gives your 3 year old a chance to stretch their legs for a bit!

 

[CRSTEPHE]

My six year old has been to Disney once per year and I LOVE MY STROLLERS! Used a Sit & Stand for several years and then started renting the doubles from Disney. His older brother often rides with him, they don't become too tired too fast, they have their own "haven" out of the sun, and they have fun sharing private jokes, etc... My husband and I have conversations as we walk (w/o constant interruptions), and we always have somewhere to place our bags, prop snacks, and so forth.

Are my children old enough to walk? Yes, and they do walk--but, when they get tired, they have somewhere to rest. It's everyone's vacation and we are all happier if the children are having fun, their legs don't hurt, and they don't keep begging to go back to the room.

Now that double strollers are SOOOO expensive at Disney, we don't know what to do for our upcoming June trip.

My advice is to at least bring the stroller to Disney --you will have it if you decide to use it.

 

[moparop]

My bro and SIL didn't plan on a stroller for their 6.5 year old last summer. They figured he could walk. After a day in the parks, they rented a duration stroller for him. My SIL (who never admits she's wrong) says it was her best decision of the vacation. It wasn't that he couldn't walk, it just made it so much easier for them. She said they were either walking really slow or constantly having him 2-3 steps behind.

 

[WeLuvDaMouse]

This December will be our first trip without a stroller....well without us bringing our own stroller. Our DD is 7 - but we still want a stroller - because we won't be able to carry a tried and sleeping, long-legged 7 year old to the buses after a long day in the parks.

We are considering renting one when we get to Orlando. But I've got my eye out for an inexpsensice jogging stroller. If we buy a used one and bring it with us - I thought maybe we'd leave it at the resort when we come home and someone else could benefit from it as well.