to stroller or not to stroller ???

[mommaoffour]

Since our son is turning 5 during the trip should we take our stroller for him .. He usually likes to walk and I have one of those harness things to keep a hold of him if he would try to escape but should we take along the stroller just incase or would it just be another thing to pack and end up not using it?

 

[Vanryan]

I would definitely take the stroller. On our last trip we met another family with twin 5 year olds. They commented on how much more we seemed to see during our trips. They had gone to animal kingdom that day and we had been the day before. They said the kids just got too tired to have done so much. We asked if they had gotten a stroller, and sure enough they hadnt. They didn't even consider it on the first day, but rented one the next day and were able to see so much more. It's amazing how much walking you actually do in a day at the park.

 

[myhandd]

We contemplated taking a stroller with us for our 3 year old. We opted to rent, and boy were we glad we did! I watched people having to lug strollers on buses and monorails and I was so glad we could just drop the stroller off as we left the park. Also, if you keep your receipt, if you park hop you can get a new stroller at each park. I highly recommend renting!

 

[liznboys]

We rented double strollers ate MK, Epcot and AK for our then 3.5 yr old and 17 month old. Then at MGM we just used our umbrella stroller from home for our 17 month old (MGM is small enough that our 3.5 year old was fine walking the entire time there).

I just posted on the "Have you had stuff stolen" thread about a stroller incident that happened to us on our last trip. I'll copy/paste it here:

While we were in Epcot, we caught someone trying to take our double rental stroller though. It had our name tag on it of course, and also had our water bottles and other things that made it obvious the stroller was not abandoned. We parked it near one of those empty grassy areas while we let our boys run around for a few minutes. This family walks right up to it and starts loading their kids into it really fast. I ran over there and said, "Excuse me, that's OUR stroller!" (As if they didnt' know....) Their reply was that their kids were REALLY tired and NEEDED a stroller very badly, they just COULD NOT walk anymore, and on and on. I told them to go rent one then! We paid for ours, we're not just going to give it to you just because you didn't think ahead! LOL!! Their kids were big too, there were 3 of them and the youngest was probably 5. People don't realize how tired kids can get with all that walking!

So, I think a 5 year old could definitely use a stroller at the bigger parks. I feel bad when I see kids SO tired from all the walking! It's supposed to be a fun time for them, not a workout.

Good luck!

 

[mommaoffour]

i didn't realize just how much walking we woudl be doing .. so YES i am definatly going to take the stroller since its one he has had early onin life and he is used to it plus it has a little basket on the bottom and we can store some tuff in it .. thank you all ..

 

[tippisangel]

One suggestion that was made about strollers was to buy a bike lock and take with you. We are going this weekend, and we have found a Disney Princess bike lock clearanced to 2.00. We are taking our own stroller because of the bag on bottom and it will lean back if our daughter goes to sleep.

Angie, Robert, and Hannah

 

[Disney owl]

i'm one of those strict mums who wouldn't rent a stroller, even though my DD kept asking, luckily liznboys she didn't think about borrowing/taking anyone elses.

but for a 5 yr old I'd give in & rent!!!










Oh yes DD was 11 at the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

When it comes to something like a stroller, I say, "Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it."

 

[Gomez Gang]

Last September, we went with a 4,5,and 7 year old. We brought ONE stroller. The 4 year old used it most of the day and when the 5 year old needed it, they switched. (usually after dinner with a full belly and a long day of walking behind him).Worked out GREAT because the 4 year old wanted to walk some of the time as well. (Our 7 year old NEVER thought about using a stroller because she is big enough to walk and both she and I thought she would look rediculous in a stroller!!!!!!(some people never know when to quit putting thier large kids in srollers! LOL!)
This November, we will have a 5, 6, and 8 year old and we are NOT bringing a stroller. If it gets that tiring, we will rent or go to a show or just plain RELAX! I find that strollers are a nuisance. Parking, picking up, folding up, etc. And my response to the basket underneath? We carry 1 back pack and my husband and I alternate throughout the day with it. Each one of the kids has a fanny pack and they carry thier own treats and autograph books in it. You will need to determine if your child is willing and able to walk. (you would be surprised at how long kids can walk if they are having fun while doing if!) Also, start walking a few miles a day before you go....makes all the difference and it is always fun to spend time together!

 

[2minny]

YES, take the stroller, you'll be glad you did. We stay at the parks from opening to closing, if someone is not in the stroller then our "stuff" is in it. I always take an umbrella stroller, we've pushed our 8 year old with tired feet before. They're a good thing to have.