Too big for a stroller, but too little to walk the entire vacation. Suggestions?

[taylor3297]

I agree with most everyone. You will be surprised how well your child will do. My dd 9 and ds 5 have not used a stroller ever at Disney. They do just fine.

Now we walk to school everyday which is pretty much across the street from our house. Now they will complain about how long the walk is, but never have complained about walking at WDW.

I hope y'all have a fabulous trip.

 

[pixarmom]

I'm in a similar boat with a 5 and almost 7 year old. They haven't used a stroller regularly in years . . . maybe 2-3 years, even.

My point is . . . you can take it day by day and just see how it goes. That's what we're going to do. I am not planning to rent a stroller, but if anything goes south . . . even a nasty blister, or just tired little legs at the very end of the trip . . . it's a nice option to keep in mind.

I think a stroller is particularly helpful at Epcot, where the distances are just sooooo huge. Heck, I wouldn't mind a stroller myself at Epcot.

I agree with this. We are a VERY active family with three boys, ages 5, 12 and 13. Our 5-year-old just canoed across a lake for AN HOUR in Ketchikan on the Disney Wonder in August. He's been on a swim team and swimming competitively for several months. I took him to WDW in April (just the two of us) for four days and he walked without difficulty. And when our older boys were 5 and 6, they wouldn't touch a stroller. So I would have been in the "no stroller" camp until last weekend.

I don't know what happened. Maybe it was the crowds for F&W in Epcot. But he got too excited and then too tired. It wasn't that we pushed him. We spent a few hours in DHS in the morning, went to lunch and then took a LONG break at BC for the afternoon. But going back to Epcot for dinner, he was exhausted. So we rented a stroller. I'll tell you that we hesitated because we would not have done this with our first or second child. Our boys were saying it's good he's so small because he doesn't look too big for a stroller, but again, we haven't done a stroller at age 5 before. In the end, it was a good choice, even though he has a ton of energy. (Heck, he can swim butterfly in a swim meet!) Allowed the rest of the family to stay together from 6pm-9pm (with dinner at Chef's at 7pm) and didn't push him.

We definitely don't plan to use a stroller for him. But the idea that a rental is available if needed is nice.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~I brought a light stroller to Disney when DS turned 3, DD was 5, and he barely used it. Both children managed the parks fine without a stroller, they had no problem keeping up. It's not like we were walking nonstop for miles and miles. We would go from attraction to attraction, and stop to look at things, have a snack, or take little breaks along the way if needed. All children are different, so do what's best for you and your family. Have fun!

 

[nansmama]

I stopped using a stroller when my kids were 4 and 2. It was just way easier to go places without it. I'm not sure what you're carrying, but maybe you could put any necessary items in a backpack. Also, your 7yo may surprise you. My daughter is in fantastic shape (she dances 6 days a week) but normally hates to walk long distances. However, at Disney World she walks miles and miles with no complaints whatsoever. It's all part of the Disney magic!

 

[GovieMom]

A healthy 7 yo should be fine with walking. Just make sure to take some breaks. Breaks are good for all ages, including the adults.

My 7-year old DD did just fine. But by then her stroller days were far behind her, and she was used to walking. Plus I agree that breaks are a good thing, even for just a few minutes.

 

[kohlby]

My oldest used to complain about walking at all - even very short distances. He hated walking and exercise of any sort. This was at 6.5 years old and we went to Disney. He was well over 50 lbs and that was our single's limit. (Plus we had a 3.5 year old and 11 month old and a sling so the stroller was taken anyway!) He knew that we would leave the parks when anyone acted like it was time to go. We did 7 different parks over 7 full days, with one off day in the middle and he was never the cause of us leaving!! He did an amazing job. I was shocked! Sometimes kids will rise to the occassion.

So, I'd suggest not renting a stroller unless you're certain she needs it - there are some 7 year olds who do, but the majority don't - especially if you don't go in the summer's heat. And then budget a little extra money in case you decide to rent one the last couple of days. On one trip, one of my kids at 3.5 didn't use the stroller at all the first day - but was in it full day by the 7th day. That's pretty common!

 

[crabbygal902]

I've been there/done that on our last trip in January 2011. DS (5 at the time) wouldn't ride in a "baby" stroller, so we slowed down the pace, took lots of breaks, and he rode on DH's shoulders a lot. Apparently, big boys ride on daddy's shoulders but not in a stroller.

It was our first Disney trip as a family without a stroller or a sling, and I will remember it as a milestone. There are lots of great pictures of the "big boy" riding my tired DH's shoulders and all of us goofing off on park benches.

I agree with the PPs who have said to begin walking at home. I'm sure that would help.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, first, I have had things stolen from my stroller, so I don't bring anything that I can't and won't carry. That happened at Disneyland, but WDW is bigger with more people, so I imagine the possible criminal element is higher at WDW. Don't bring anything you can't carry, and take into rides, with you! That way you don't have to deal with the violation of something being taken from you.

And it also releases YOU from the need for the wheels.


We had a jogging stroller *for jogging*, and we had a Volo (and before that, some other stroller that he outgrew almost immediately) for Disney. DS walked, was carried, or was worn for EVERYTHING else from the very beginning (OK obviously he didn't walk from the beginning). I took the Volo for our first WDW trip when DS was 7, because no one knew what it was going to be like for any of us! He had needed it the year before at Disneyland. We went out the first day without it, to see what it was like. And he never once asked for it.

Sure, there was some soreness, and he and I (and my mom before us) suffer from some weird genetically-passed-along deep bone leg-ache problem, but we dealt with those problems with arnica (and epsom salts) and trying to slow down a little.

He really amazed me, that's for sure! Maybe your child will amaze, you, too! Of course, it's easier if you still have something small and easy to take alone like a Volo.

 

[Suellen]

Funny we were at MNSSHP tonight and DD5 wanted to nap while we waited for the parade. Going to the party was unexpected and they had a regular school day today - so it was understandable she was tired by 9:45. There was an abandoned stroller right bear us so I grabbed it for her thinking she could nap for a bit in it. She climbed in it - looked at me and said "um - don't you think I'm too big for this?" she refused to even just sit in it to rest. We haven't used strollers in the park since they were 3 and 5 - and my 7 year old? She would not want to be seen riding in a stroller.

Sick or sound asleep? Maybe. Alert and healthy? She'd die of embarrassment.

It isn't like we go around saying strollers are for babies either.

She also asked to go on daddy's "top shoulders" (no idea where this expression came from bit bith my girls have always used it) to my surprise DH said yes - she was up there a grand total of 10 seconds because she decided that just wasn't safe!

Really at some poi t I think the kids figure it all out for us! All of a sudden they devop their own ideas and opinions!


When we really put in a full vacation at the parks we just go slow - or at their pace anyway - and take lots of breaks. Usually I am slower and need the breaks more!

 

[cyndik1111]

My DD9 would sit in a stroller if I let her, heck my husband would too....um I think that would be a wheelchair.

Anyway- every kid is different. Don't compare your kid to all the other ones out there. It isn't gonna work! You know your kid best. If you think you need a stroller, rent a disney one (double) for the 1st day. If it isn't used, then don't rent one again.

 

[Bertnie20]

I would say rent from Disney that way you pay for the day and u can pick it up and ditch when you need too however many times you want

 

[lan3]

I don't know what happened. Maybe it was the crowds for F&W in Epcot. But he got too excited and then too tired. It wasn't that we pushed him. We spent a few hours in DHS in the morning, went to lunch and then took a LONG break at BC for the afternoon. But going back to Epcot for dinner, he was exhausted. So we rented a stroller. I'll tell you that we hesitated because we would not have done this with our first or second child. Our boys were saying it's good he's so small because he doesn't look too big for a stroller, but again, we haven't done a stroller at age 5 before. In the end, it was a good choice, even though he has a ton of energy. (Heck, he can swim butterfly in a swim meet!) Allowed the rest of the family to stay together from 6pm-9pm (with dinner at Chef's at 7pm) and didn't push him.

We definitely don't plan to use a stroller for him. But the idea that a rental is available if needed is nice.[/QUOTE]

I have 5 year old triplets and every time these threads come up I always think that people with older kids have a completely different experience. I don't think it is fair for everyone to go at a 5 year old pace. For me, I am not getting a stroller but will rent if I need one (my son is autistic and may have difficulties with the crowds but hopefully not). We can stop and rest or go back to the room and rest. We are adults and can sacrifice for our kids. It is MUCH more difficult to expect 10 year olds to make that same sacrifice. I think people who have two small children that are not in strollers doesn't compare to people who have to meet the needs of kids with varying ages. Many people may not want to split up and want to experience their older kids in the parks so they rent a stroller. I don't blame them at all.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Wait until you get there to decide. Start by not renting. If it appears that your child is struggling, then you can rent one.

 

[fla4fun]

No one knows your daughter better than you do. I would agree with the pp who suggested playing it by ear and only renting a stroller if you find that you need it.

Of course that leaves you without your "carrier" - but I also agree with the pp who suggested maybe it's time to start paring down what you take in the park with you (or spreading the load around so you aren't the only one doing the carrying ). If your dd has an autograph book and pen, find a purse she can carry it in (they are lightweight enough she should be able to handle it). Think about what you carry in and how many times you've used it. Are you taking a lot of stuff "just in case" that you've never needed? I don't even carry a bag unless I'm taking a poncho with me (and I only do that if the chance of rain is higher than 50%). I wear cargo capris that have four pockets. I put my wallet in one, some hand wash towelettes in another, if I am taking my compact camera (which I wear around my neck - others might substitute cell phone here) I might have a ziploc baggie in another pocket just in case I'm on a wet ride and need to protect it. That's it. 99.99% of the time, that's all I need, and the very, very few times I've needed something more, it's been available in the park. After all, at 7 years old, it's not like you should need changes of clothes and diapers anymore. Consider looking for travel size products or individually packaged products if you need to carry items in the parks. You would be surprised at how little you can get by with taking in the parks with you and how liberated you will feel without all the "stuff".

 

[discookiemonsta]

Anyway- every kid is different. Don't compare your kid to all the other ones out there. It isn't gonna work! You know your kid best. If you think you need a stroller, rent a disney one (double) for the 1st day. If it isn't used, then don't rent one again.

This pretty much sums up how I feel about strollers and children. I have two girls and I know from experience that every child is different. My now 9 year old could have done well without a stroller by the time she was 4, but my now 6 year old still has trouble walking that many hours/miles for more than a couple of days at a time. During our last trip, we did not carry a stroller (my youngest was almost 5) and by the end of our trip we were renting one at the parks. We will do the same thing for our upcoming trip in 2 months. Of course this trip is in a much cooler month (last time we went in June) and I really think the heat got to all of us If our youngest does well, then that will be wonderful, but we know that at any given time, should the need arise, we'll be able to rent a stroller from Disney.

 

[alex9179]

My kids are 8, 7, and 5. I'm a little worried how the 5 yr old will do because he's the laziest! Going for a walk with him is hit or miss with complaints about being tired. Still, they will run around all day at home. Lots of alternatives have been offered, so you'll find the right one for your family.

I'm hoping to do most of our touring in the morning, since my kids are early birds (DH and I are NOT, but we'll live). Have lunch and see how our moods are. They love to swim and don't get to on a regular basis, so I can use that as a lure to go back to the resort and settle down away from the stimulation of the parks. For my kids, I think meltdowns happen more often from mental exhaustion and hunger than they do from physical activity.

I'm not interested in spending all day in the parks, so leaving after lunch isn't a big deal.

 

[jlwhitney]

One of the most important thing: put good shoes on your kids feet. That will help too. Disney is not the place for the cute little sandals/shoes/flip flops that offer no cusion or support and just give blisters.

 

[awoogala]

I'd suggest winging it. We are usually good without strollers these days, but I wouldn't be surprised if my 7 year old wouldn't jump in a rental one by the end of a 7 day tour some times! ( I would by day 7!)
The last 2 trips, we were fine with no stroller for the most part, but ended up renting 1 or 2 super late nights, or when 1 wanted to sleep and we wanted to finish the few hours the parks were open. (we go When the parks close by 9-and none of us have ever napped)
At any rate, my kids are not riding strollers generally, but for some reason the park ones seem more like a ride than a stroller, and they don't mind them.
and good luck. Suggesting that any child over the age of 2 needs a stroller on this board usually turns very nasty

 

[katieam1]

I am in the same spot as to trying to figure out what to do. My daughters are 6 and 4 but I hate bring strollers. We will be at BLT so I think we are going to try the stroller free. We have not used one if we go anywhere else so I think we are going to try it with our upcoming trip. I am however going to budget that if we need to we can rent one from Disney. Best of luck to you OP!!

 

[mdsoccermom]

My theory is Disney is not a death march. Slow down and when your child is tired, you take breaks. You also do not need to bring a lot into the parks, contrary to what many people here will lead you to believe. A small backpack will be just fine.