To Stroller or Not To Stroller

[maxiesmom]

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.

That is exactly what we found last year. My youngest niece could walk, but she was always falling behind everyone else. She just wanted to be able to look around. After a few hours of everyone getting frustrated, we rented a stroller. She could just ride around and take everything in, and the rest of us could still walk at a pretty good clip.

It was well worth the little bit of hassle for eveyone to be happy.

 

[discorsner]

We had a funny experience with this. We went last year when the boys were 7 and 4. We rented the Disney double strollers most days. My 7 yr old didnt always need it but he needed it sometimes and the 4 year old would end up laying across it and falling asleep sometimes.

The funniest thing that ever happened was that my 7 yr old was in the stroller when we were at DHS and we saw the streetmosphere people walking around. We saw one on Hollywoood Blvd dressed as a cop. He asked my son how old he was and when he said 7 he wrote him a "ticket" for being too big to be in a stroller. LOL! It was really funny and we still joke about it but truth be told I think my son was a little embarrassed.

Just a warning to look out for the stroller police!!!!

 

[Goofy'slady]

I remember when our now 10.5 yr old was 5 and we never even thought about bringing her stroller from home because we had been without it for so long. Fast forward the day after a long day at MK and when we were at the enterance of Epcot my mom begged us to get a stroller for our daughter. She thought that it would just make the overall experience of the day so much better for all. So after that day each park we did we rented a stroller for her and let me tell ya that child ravished the idea that she was being pushed from place to place. She hardly walked unless it was absolutely necessary(lazy behind )

Well, we just received our Mac Quest in the mail on Friday for our 3.5yr old and I know we're gonna love idea of having it; it's sooo light and it folds up easily and that's gonna come in handy when we're getting on and off the buses & monerails. Last year she was a absolute trooper but there were times (mostly at the end of the day) where she just couldn't wait to get in her stroller! It makes leaving the park so much easier and faster rather than being slowed down and almost trampled on by the crowds. We also used it from time to time as a place to have time outs. When she was having a meltdown or wasn't behaving herself in the stroller she went!

Oh, and my prospect on your 7yr old needing a stroller is that if you know he'll use it then why not bring one for him too. Sure, he can walk but just how tired is he gonna be the next day when it's time to walk thru yet another park? Something to think about. I'd rather get 2 umbrella strollers tho than one big and bulky double; one your husband can push and the other well, you get the idea.

T.

 

[summermac]

My kids are a bit younger but I finally decided on a double. Thanks to the swap, I'm getting one for like $10 for the week!

 

[kaymom]

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.

I am still undecided, but I so appreciate all of the helpful information! This will be our first time to Disney as a family and we are very excited. I think I am going to look for a nice single umbrella that they can share, but may change my mind at the last minute and lug the double!

 

[lovetheduck]

We brought a single for DD4. When DD7 got tired and needed a ride, DD4 just sat on her lap.

 

[ReneeA]

My kids were 5 & 6 during our last trip - we've gone every year since they were 2 & 3.

This year we decided to slow down the pace a bit and leave the strollers at home. We were shocked to find that they did fine - and we didn't have to slow the pace for them at all. However, we built up to it - took family walks every night for 2 months, did lots of exercise and fun activities.

Only you know your children, and it's certainly not a bad thing to bring them, but I knew after years lugging stroller sround - we were done with it.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

This trip our kids will be 5 (almost 6) & 7. We have always had a stroller on our previous trips. This year we are getting one for Epcot. MK & DHS definately not...AK..maybe.