To stroller or not to stroller...

[johnnyr]

We are going to WDW for 10 days and taking our two kids 4 and 7 years of age. While our 7 year old is too big for a stroller, we are trying to decide weather to take a stroller for our 4 year old. If we didn’t take one with us and my 4 year old gets tired, we could always rent one at the parks. We also plan to go to Downtown Disney. If our 4 year old gets tired there, we may be stuck carrying her. What are some of your thoughts?

 

[house_of_princesses]

I'd rather push my stroller. Mostly for all my other gear! Of course, I'd make room for dd if she needed a ride! I'm so used to carrying it around, I don't find it a hassle at all.

 

[mom2of2]

What are your dates? I might have availability in the Stroller Swap. The stroller was purchased for a 5yr old and it only has Disney miles on it, well that and a BUNCH of lime green ribbons!!!

 

[Illinois Mark]

We just returned with a 7 yr old & 5 yr old and rented one for the day at Magic Kingdom. If you are spending more than a few days at the parks then I would bring one from home. It is much easier to push a stroller around. If you do rent a stroller and go to another park in the same day you only pay for it once. You hold on to your receipt and give it to the stroller counter at the next park. Stroller YES!

 

[Mis4Mouse]

Last time we took the kids they were 5, 7 and 9... we rented a double stroller for our "stuff". However, we ended up using it because both the 5 and 7 year old didn't mind being pushed around in it at the end of a long day....by the end of the trip I even had a snapshot or two of me and my youngest daughter sitting in it together in the shade of the awning,enjoying an ice cream while waiting for the others to get off of the Kali River Rapids!

It was the best thing we did, and very convenient. I'm bummed that this time the kids are 8,10 and 13..... no strollers this time around. No kids young enough to justify it!

Sue

 

[MollyBelle]

I got a double when my kids were 2 and 5; I got a double when my kids were 3 and 6; going in November and my kids will be 4 and 7 and I will get a double for the last time...my kids are average size for their age, but both get WORN OUT walking long distances...SO, my rationale is for $98 for the week (and I know this is a LOT), we get cheery kids, cheery parents, and a place to hang our backpack (on the back rail of the double stroller & it doesn't tip) -- in addition, you can keep towels, brochures, maps, and other various crap tucked in the pockets of it, and I am just someone who cannot do without it...also if they get tired they can relax in it when you push it into the shade. Have I raved enuf? ha -- oh, yeah, it would be $84 for the week cuz I wouldn't get one for Downtown Disney...

 

[Suedrews]

oh boy, I am going end of August with a 6 1/2 year old who is petite for her age.....we were looking forward to going strollerless this year, but you all have such good reasons to take one! I do remember 2 years ago taking our stroller from home & lugging it on & off transportation....it got so tiresome I couldn't wait for this year to come & be hands free! Now I don't know what to do!

 

[princessmomma]

Well said Mollybelle, I agree totally.

A double stroller is a must. We will get one again for our 4 and 6 year old this year. It is nice not to haul our bottled water on our backs that we bring into the parks as well.

Happy rested kids = happy parents

 

[Chip126]

I would highly suggest using a stroller! When my son was 5 I did not bring a stroller and we ended up renting one every day because he just couldn't handle all the walking. It was so much easier to push him around than have to carry him or drag him along.

Also, on our last trip when he was 8 (very small 8), I ended up renting a stroller for him for 2 days. He ended up getting a stomach virus for one night, but could not handle all the walking afterwards.

You have nothing to lose by bringing a stroller. I bet your 4 year old will be thankful that you bring one! If the kids do not want to use it for a little while, it works great for carrying all the extra stuff you are carrying on your shoulders.

Good Luck and have a great time.

 

[MrsMud]

I also say use a stroller, preferably a double. Are you sure your 7 year old won't ride in it? We just went to Hershey Park and my 7 and 5 year old Dds both rode in a double, no questions asked. I agree with all that MollyBelle said:

SO, my rationale is for $98 for the week (and I know this is a LOT), we get cheery kids, cheery parents, and a place to hang our backpack (on the back rail of the double stroller & it doesn't tip) -- in addition, you can keep towels, brochures, maps, and other various crap tucked in the pockets of it, and I am just someone who cannot do without it...also if they get tired they can relax in it when you push it into the shade.

Plus, two other reasons: speed, and peace of mind. You can push your kids along at your pace instead of slowing down to theirs, and don't have to worry about them stopping to look at something every 30 seconds. AND, the biggest bonus for me, you know exactly where they are. With two young kids and lots of crowds, it is easy to lose sight of them and panic. Having them in a stroller (which we called "the Royal Carriage") eliminates that risk.
I think your real decision is whether to rent or bring one from home (we rented, and it was WELL worth every cent).

 

[slp87]

When in doubt....bring the stroller!

You can always leave it in the room if you decide not to use it.

 

[w8ting4pooh]

I asked a similar question before - my kids will be 4 and 7 (plus a 10 and 11 y.o.). Here's the link to the thread with lots of good advice.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=363615

Wouldn't you know it - we went to HersheyPark the other day and our stroller broke - it will not shut! So now I'm trying to decide whether or not to go BUY a new double stroller or just rent one every day.

 

[KSgirl]

I agree...get the stroller! If you're worried about the hassle of bringing your own, it's really not that bad. I bought one of those lightweight, one-hand collapsable stollers (though it did not recline) for about $35 at Target. We gate checked it at the airport, and easily folded and took it on trams, the WDW Railroad, and busses. It was a blessing to have for our littlest one (he was 2 1/2) and the large basket underneath was wonderful for stowing all of our "stuff".

We're returning in December. Our littlest will be more than 3 1/2, and the stoller is definitely on the top of my packing list!

 

[slp87]

Hey w8ting4pooh, try a resale shop. We had sold our strollers and knew we needed one for WDW so we went there and bought one. I took it back and resold it when we returned. While I didn't get all that I paid for it, I probably spent about as much as it would have cost to rent one, and I had it to use outside the parks.

 

[deb305]

If your budget allows I'd rent at the parks. Most strollers are small and older children feel like babies in them. The park strollers are larger, and our 4.5 DD felt less embarassed in it. As far as DD, she made it through just fine walking, most people don't spend 10 hours there like they would in a park.

 

[hipporina]

We bought a stroller for our trip last month and are so glad that we did! We got one that folded up pretty small and was lightwieght. We had no problems getting it on or off the buses at all and it was great for carrying stuff. We put our panchos and water bottles in the basket and left them there all the time. It was nice to not have to carry them on rides and everything. Then when we were with the stroller we stuck our backpack in it too. We will definately take it again when we go back.