to use a stroller or not

[pedsnurse]

just wondering if spending 15 or so bucks on an umbrella stroller would be worth it. my kids are 6 and 8 and certainly too heavy to ride in a stroller but i was thinking more of carrying things in it rather than carrying them all over. sound stupid or rational???

 

[Laurajean1014]

We stopped using a stroller when DS was 5.

You may want to rent a stroller when the kids are looking tired. My choice would be not to bring one.

An umbrella stroller may not hold over 50 lbs. - check the label before purchasing.

 

[laceemouse]

Here is my advice, you can take it or leave it.....TRAVEL LIGHT! We have been to WDW many times with our 4 kids at all different ages and stages. We often had a double stroller and a single stroller BOTH! We really liked renting most times because of the hassle of getting the strollers on and off of the trams, monorail, ect... Now that our youngest is 7 we have done the last couple of trips without any stroller and we LOVE it! No more searching for a place to leave the thing and then looking for it again after every show/ride. We also used to put all the stuff in out when we walked and then take it out again everytime we parked it because you don't want to leave cameras and stuff unatended. So....we only carry one small backpack with the money, tickets, the camera, maybe some wet wipes,....that is about it. If we get thirsty we buy drinks. If we buy something big at a shop we have it sent back to the room. We can move through the crowds so much better without a stroller. We just hold hands and snake through the crowds. If we bring jackets or something everyone just ties them around their middle and we are off. It just makes life sooooo much easier IMO!

 

[minijeanie]

absolutely no stroller...

you will be so much more happier

just wear a backpack and put in all your needs

so much more of a restrictive environment

and if your children get that tired, then just head back to hotel for short rest

 

[RoseRoni2]

I would not pack a stroller if you need one once you are at the world I would rent one of disney's. I did with my dd5 and it was a great investment, she stayed in the stroller and i loved how easy it moved but they are big and you will need to watch out for other people.

 

[Msslaydbug]

My son has always had a stoller when we went to WDW - except for this year. He is 7yo this trip. We also have a 8mo that we took a stroller for. By around 12 he would hop in the stroller for a little "pick me up" and often fell asleep within the first 2 minutes of being in the stroller. He would sleep for around 15 minutes and then be recharged. I should mention that we get to the parks for opening and leave about 1-2 . If you plan to stay ALL day long then yes I would find a stroller to fit the kids or rent a stroller for the day. Our last day at MK we rented him a stroller and he loved it . It was the end of a long 9 day trip and he deserved a little break !!

 

[cheyita]

I haven't used a stroller at WDW since younger DD was 3 - and even then I only used one once.

We like traveling light when doing the parks. However, DH has been known to carry the girls on his shoulders occasionally during the day to give their feet a rest.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

We stopped bringing a stroller when my youngest was 4.

We drive down, so it is one less thing to take up space in the van. We figured if he got super tired, we would rent one, but he was fine! My oldest are 9 and soon to be 7, and there is no way we would rent a stroller for them. So far, they do not complain about being tired from walking. If they did, we would take a meal break, or go back to the room.

If you do feel they need a stroller, I recommend just renting one from Disney. An umbrella stroller would not support their weight, and who ever pushes them will be exhausted. The Disney stroller can carry more weight, and they would be easier to push.

My DD, who is 6 now, it has been YEARS since she needed a stroller. But then agian, we go all the time, so she is used to walking around the Disney parks. If this is your 1st trip, it may be overwhelming, especially for the 6yo.

 

[babar41]

just wondering if spending 15 or so bucks on an umbrella stroller would be worth it. my kids are 6 and 8 and certainly too heavy to ride in a stroller but i was thinking more of carrying things in it rather than carrying them all over. sound stupid or rational???

Forget the stroller. Carry a small backpack for the things you absolutely have to take with you. If you are using a stroller to carry items everytime you go for a ride you will need to carry all those items with you so they won't get stollen.. The packing and unpacking of things for every ride eats up time and energy better spent on enjoying Disney.

There has been some controversy on the use of strollers and wheelchairs. I would hate to see what it would come to if people started using them strictly for carrying their things around the park.

I really think you need to re-evaluate what you are planning on taking to the parks. Strollers and wheelchairs are meant to carry people, not used as a shopping cart for storage. If you need storage there are lockers you can use. Just my opinion.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Forget the stroller. Carry a small backpack for the things you absolutely have to take with you. If you are using a stroller to carry items everytime you go for a ride you will need to carry all those items with you so they won't get stollen.. The packing and unpacking of things for every ride eats up time and energy better spent on enjoying Disney.

There has been some controversy on the use of strollers and wheelchairs. I would hate to see what it would come to if people started using them strictly for carrying their things around the park.

I really think you need to re-evaluate what you are planning on taking to the parks. Strollers and wheelchairs are meant to carry people, not used as a shopping cart for storage. If you need storage there are lockers you can use. Just my opinion.

HOLY COW! Really, what business is it of ANYONE what people choose to put in a stroller? Do people really get their nose bent if they see someone pushing a heavy backback in a stroller and not a child?????

 

[laceemouse]

Disney1fan, I think the issue is that if EVERYONE was pushing a stroller the entire place would be utter gridlock!!! It is already getting close to that IMO! How many times have you seen people complaining about being run over by a stroller.....many, many times. I would never look into a stroller and then get angry if someone was using it as a shopping cart. I never really look that closely to tell you the truth. But I HAVE noticed that sometimes there are so many strollers, particularly in Fantasy Land, that you can hardly walk through the place. I have no problems with anyone who feels that their kids need a stroller. BUT, I really think that many people who think they HAVE to have one could do without and would even enjoy going without if they tried it....JMHO!

 

[babar41]

HOLY COW! Really, what business is it of ANYONE what people choose to put in a stroller? Do people really get their nose bent if they see someone pushing a heavy backback in a stroller and not a child?????

In answer to your questions while it should be no ones business what you choose to put in your stroller some people really would get their "nose bent" seeing people use it as a shopping cart. Especially since the OP stated that neither of her children could ride in this stroller, she would be bringing it just to carry things.

Somewhere on these boards I read that Disney will not allow you to push or pull the backpacks that are on wheels. I'm sure that they had their reasons as Disney is not known for making rules concerning guest without a reason. How is bringing a stroller solely for the purpose of carrying items different?

The reason I suggested she re-evaluate what she is planning on taking to the park is the lighter she packs the more free she will be to do the things she wants without having to pack up and carry everything for each ride and show she sees.

I'm sorry if you think this is unreasonable. I stand by my original comment, strollers and wheelchairs are meant to carry people, not to be brought with the sole purpose of using it as a shopping cart. My attitude would be different IF she were bringing it so her children could ride. This is not what she stated.

 

[ls1222]

I would absolutely take a stroller. Our children our 11,8 and 6 and I plan on using a stroller this year. Even a 6 yr old can get tired and need to be pushed around for a while (especially in the evening). I think it makes for less cranky children. An umbrella stroller is light weight and wouldn't be that much trouble to take to the parks. I also like to hang my purse (or whatever) from the back of it. I don't like having a backpack hang off of me in 90 degree weather.

 

[babar41]

Disney1fan, I think the issue is that if EVERYONE was pushing a stroller the entire place would be utter gridlock!!! It is already getting close to that IMO! How many times have you seen people complaining about being run over by a stroller.....many, many times. I would never look into a stroller and then get angry if someone was using it as a shopping cart. I never really look that closely to tell you the truth. But I HAVE noticed that sometimes there are so many strollers, particularly in Fantasy Land, that you can hardly walk through the place. I have no problems with anyone who feels that their kids need a stroller. BUT, I really think that many people who think they HAVE to have one could do without and would even enjoy going without if they tried it....JMHO!

You stated my feelings better than I. Thank you.

 

[babar41]

I would absolutely take a stroller. Our children our 11,8 and 6 and I plan on using a stroller this year. Even a 6 yr old can get tired and need to be pushed around for a while (especially in the evening). I think it makes for less cranky children. An umbrella stroller is light weight and wouldn't be that much trouble to take to the parks. I also like to hang my purse (or whatever) from the back of it. I don't like having a backpack hang off of me in 90 degree weather.

According to the OP, her children are too heavy to ride in the umbrella stroller, her purpose for bringing it is not to give her children a place to rest and ride.

 

[Schmeck]

Bringing a stroller to carry stuff, kind of like a shopping cart... But what are you going to do when you go on rides, leave all that stuff in the stroller to get stolen? Better that you just have your purchases sent to your hotel (if onsite) or rent a locker for all that stuff!

 

[marciemi]

I'll be one of the dissenters who says bring it. Your kids can ride in an umbrella stroller - trust me. We used one all last summer for our son who was 9 and average weight. My 12 year old rode in it for a couple days when his ankle had gotten twisted badly after a soccer game and he needed a break from walking. This January was the first time we did Disney without a stroller and it was a hassle. Yes, I brought a backpack and we traveled light. But if your kids want to bring their pins, and we needed jackets and at least one water bottle and Suntan lotion and a camera, etc. It's a lot to carry. And if it's hot out, I agree a backpack would make you very sweaty. It was cool while we were there.

We did STILL get a stroller one evening after a VERY long day in which we did EMH at MGM, AK all afternoon, then MK EMH in the evening. We got a double and my 9 year old collapsed in it gratefully and his 11 and 12 year old brothers took turns in it with him. And just having somewhere to dump the backpack while on rides was SO nice for me. I still carried my camera and a wallet in my jacket pocket but it was nice to put everything else down and I guess I never really considered anyone taking my backpack, jackets, waterbottle, etc! I really think if you brought it you'd find after a few hours both of them would want to ride! Good luck and don't let anyone convince you not to bring it if you decide you want to!

 

[MNmom]

We are also stroller bringers!!

Last year I traveled with my small DD(7) and many times wished we had brought the stroller for her. Especially the morning we had a PSB booked. We had to walk all the way from the bus stop through FW and around to Norway, we ate breakfast and had to walk all the way back to FW. She was exhausted in 90 degree heat and it was only 10am!!!

THis year we are all going and we plan to bring our stroller. My DS(5) weighs more than my DD(8) and I am sure they will both be taking turns in the stroller. It will just make some of those really looooooong walks more manageable with the stroller.

Good Luck!!

 

[ls1222]

According to the OP, her children are too heavy to ride in the umbrella stroller, her purpose for bringing it is not to give her children a place to rest and ride.


**I assumed that if she took the stroller that the kids would end up riding in it.
She didnt state the childrens weight but I know my six year old and sometimes 8 year old still jump in our umbrella stroller (I really wasnt to aware of any weight limit).

 

[lbgraves]

We will continue to take strollers for the kids. Last week our 4 1/2 & 6 1/2 yos fell asleep right before Wishes. We stayed & watched the show then hit more of the rides since they wouldn't have to knowing wait in line for us. It was much too hot for us so I wouldn't expect them to be able to walk around all day and still have fun.