To stroller or not to stroller....

[DVCJones]

...that is the question.

On our next trip my DDs will be 7 and turning 5 on the trip. I was thinking of not bringing my stroller. Am I nuts? I a worried that the 5yo will never make it.
Another problem is that I only have a double (side by side) that I had when they were both young. I have stopped using this years ago around home. I think my DD7 is capable of making it through the day. However, If I bring it she will want to use it too. I also have a cheapo umbrella stroller that I could never use for the whole day as it has very low handles and I would end up with back issues if I had to be hunched over all day.

Have any of you had a just turned 5yo walk the whole day in the parks? If the answer is "No." What kind of inexpensive stroller do you suggest. I hate the thought of buying one, but to rent one is also a fortune....ugh!

 

[amyj1024]

I did wdw with my 5 1/2 year old last october. She did fine--I think she was so excited about being there, we had no complaints. And my 18 month old son was in the stroller and we had no requests for a ride.

 

[yrdlyprincess]

My DS told me "Mommy I need a stroller for Disney" great thanks so much!! I was thinking about bringing one of our umberella strollers but I think that I need to put like another thing of fabric on it- I can't imagine it will hold up 10 days-- it's like already fraying. Or maybe I will bring that for DD9--I know she is 9 but that is ALOT of walking (I'd like someone to push me in a stroller) and bring my lightweight one for DS...to answer your question- yes I will be bringing a stroller for my 5 yr old.

 

[EcbLovesMickey]

It is a LOT of walking, especially if you don't plan on going back to your resort throughout the day. I would recommend hitting Craigslist for a jogging stroller. They can hold more weigh usually than other ones. There is also a stroller swap thread in the Budget forum you might be interested in

 

[disney67]

when i go in nov/dec i'm taking a stroller for my 4 and 8yo but the funny thing is i think my older one will use it more then the younger one like last year . Just one suggestion i can give on getting a good stroller but inexpensive i got mine from a garage sale for 25.00 and i'm giving it when i'm done to a fellow DIS friend.

 

[hvivona]

When my girls were 3,5 & 7 we went to disney stroller free and all did just fine! As long as you take a break mid day and follow their lead, you'll do ok. At the ages your kids are, unless there is a medical reason to justify it, a stroller is simply not needed.

 

[JOCAmom]

I think your 7 year old will be fine if you take a few sit down breaks during the day. My middle daughter (8 now) has done Disney and Universal from the age of 6 on without a stroller.

We did Universal this past June and we did take a stroller for our youngest who is 6. We have a Maclaren Volo that we bought used a few years ago. She's a tiny little thing so having a stroller for her is pretty much a must. And at the end of the day, it was much easier to pop her into the stroller to get to the hotel room.

 

[tigger51276]

My DD was 4 1/2 on our last trip there and I did bring the jogging stroller just in case and she did need to use it a few times, but for the bulk of our trip it stayed in the room. I say it's better to bring one and not need it then to not bring it and need it.

 

[badblackpug]

No. You won't need one. At 5 and 7 they should be fine to walk. If they don't expect to ride in a stroller they won't want one.

 

[Hannathy]

No. You won't need one. At 5 and 7 they should be fine to walk. If they don't expect to ride in a stroller they won't want one.

I agree 100% I have taken 3 kids to Disney and never used a stroller past 4. And they never expected one either.

Disney isn't a marathon, it is a lot of walking but is broken up with walking, standing, sitting, riding. And yes we go, go, go from open to close.

 

[scottish mum]

Once my kids reach 5 i don't take a stroller for them. Although every kid is different and my own kids are used to loads of walking and walk several miles at weekends. My kids actually prefer not to be sitting in a stroller as they feel left out a bit, they like to be able to stop if they see something they want to look at.

If you think your kid/s will need one take one as there is nothing worse than a grumpy/tired kid to spoil a holiday. If it makes your holiday easier go with it.

 

[lucigo]

We still brought a stroller for our 5-year-old last year, he is only 37 pounds and he likes to hang from our hands rather than walk nicely...so we do have other issues. But one thing you might consider if going soon, if your child is in a stroller perhaps their chance of being exposed to a flu might be reduced??

 

[micheleq]

You could get in on a stroller swap (budget board). that way you have the stroller if you need it, and they look like really nice strollers (jogging ones)! I haven't personally done one, but you can read up on the other board.

 

[mjkacmom]

We rented a stroller every day for a 4, 4, and 6 year old. I love to walk, and have a hard time walking slowly. We usually just parked it in different areas, but used it to quickly go from one land to another. It was also a place to put the backpack. I'd bring the double. I remember the first time I brought the kids to the mall without a stroller, and had to carry all of those bags!

 

[disneywith2kids]

I am going in November with my 5 year old and the thought of having to carry a backpack with change of clothes, camera, suntan lotion, etc. all day long is scarry! if for nothing else, it will be used to carry our stuff!

 

[indimom]

Our kids were 5 and 7 on our trip. They both walked, but we did take a nap/swim break every day. I don't think either would have made it otherwise. Dad had to hold DS5 for about one hour during Wishes and the bus ride back to Pop Century one night (He fell asleep sitting on the curb waiting for the fireworks and we couldn't wake him up!).
My sister took her boys (6 & 7) last year and ended up renting a double by midafternoon at Epcot. They never took breaks during the day and this one day did end up being too much for both boys. (And she didn't know you could rent strollers in the World Showcase and walked all the way to the front of the park to get it! )
If you plan to spend the whole day in the parks, I would consider one of the stroller swaps or just renting on an 'as needed' basis. If you're planning breaks, I doubt you need to bring a stroller and could still rent one in an "emergency".

 

[redhead09]

Well, you know your child best.....

however I too was on the fence with our almost 5 yr old. I really didnt want to rent one as it's $$$$, and I didn't want to have to drag one around. I couldn't have asked for a better kid! Not once did she complain about being tired. That includes the 12 hrs spent at EPCOT, and a MNSSHP evening! We did have sit down meals which helped break up the time.

As for your double wide - sorry, I am sure I will get flamed here , but leave it at home. Those things are so wide - IMO, they shouldn't be allowed in any stores or restaurants. Same thing with those huge jogging strollers, they are the Hummer of strollers - sorry, just a few bad experiences last week

 

[mjkacmom]

As for your double wide - sorry, I am sure I will get flamed here , but leave it at home. Those things are so wide - IMO, they shouldn't be allowed in any stores or restaurants. Same thing with those huge jogging strollers, they are the Hummer of strollers - sorry, just a few bad experiences last week

Um, how many children do you have? I had 5 kids in less than 7 years, and spent many, many years dependent on my double strollers (narrow combi for stores and restaurants, jogger for neighborhood walks). Do you really think people with children close in age should be banned from public places? I have fond memories of walking through shoprite with my triple!

 

[scootch]

It is doable but much more enjoyable if you have the stroller. Also safer as they are a bit confined. Even though the price is ridiculous, to me renting the strollers in the parks is "priceless". They are fresh, confined, easy to push, shaded from the sun, ect. I take my girls alone... so really I feel it makes a huge difference in our trip. I will cut something else out, just to be able to rent the double stroller.

 

[redhead09]

Um, how many children do you have? I had 5 kids in less than 7 years, and spent many, many years dependent on my double strollers (narrow combi for stores and restaurants, jogger for neighborhood walks). Do you really think people with children close in age should be banned from public places? I have fond memories of walking through shoprite with my triple!

Well, now that is a silly assumption Of course not....it's just that they are soooo wide , that no one can manuever...that's all. Like I said, it's my opinion. And as for how many children I have - does not matter.
I still think they are just huge!