Too big for stroller?

[CJMickeyMouse]

Do what is right for you and your kids. Our first trip we had a 2 year old and a 4 year old. We had every intention of renting two strollers in the parks as much as we needed to, but wanted to give it a try without first. We never rented one, in 10 days. IMO strollers slow you down, we are brisk walkers so made it through crowds much easier without a stroller. We went every couple of years and never used a stroller. That said, every child is different and there is no "right" answer.

 

[star72232]

I'd stick with a single, but have a carrier to carry the toddler in when the 6 year old needs a break.

 

[rg35]

We rented strollers up until last year (for 3 6 year olds). Two double strollers because our son is the size of a kid 2 or 3 years older, one for the girls to share. This year we are not renting strollers. I expect to have some more bumps. Having strollers the last few years definitely made the trip extremely enjoyable by not having the kids walk all day in the heat, and we got to see more attractions because we could walk at our pace instead of theirs. We spent an entire day at Epcot touring the entire world showcase. That definitely would not have been possible if they were walking.

Make whatever decision you think is best for you and your family. It's your own personal decision and replies here shouldn't sway you in one way or another.

 

[lennyd]

you also have to consider that the sun is strong and they will be covered, it gets africa hot in fla

 

[maltdizzy]

As already said, you know your child best.

I would say single stroller.

In general, I think age 6...a 1st or 2nd grader...is way too old for a stroller. By age 5, if they haven't outgrown the stroller by themselves, its time to ween them off. Right before he turned 5, our son did four days without a stroller (including a 3AM evening magic hour...yes, there was a nap that day) and we sold ours off as soon as we got home.

But, when small children get tired and see a younger sibling get pushed...it has a "me too" palecbonfavtor that can kick in. When yound, it's stuff being the older subling who usuallybgets less attention.

 

[Lala Lani]

My mini stopped with a stroller at Disney when she was 4. But I still see a lot of people with big kids when we go. If your kid will complain about walking or tire I say go for it. My mini doesn't. We walk on a regular basis so that may be why

 

[Planogirl]

I have a question for those of you put bigger kids in strollers. Don't you get awful tired yourself? I would think that the kids might be rested but the parents would be worn out in some cases.

 

[Momtwofour]

I have a question for those of you put bigger kids in strollers. Don't you get awful tired yourself? I would think that the kids might be rested but the parents would be worn out in some cases.

Haha nope! I rented a jogging stroller and it pushed really easy.
One thing I will miss about having a stroller is its such a great place to stow things!! We always took a collapsible cooler w water etc.

 

[jeanie1724]

Is it unnecessary to rent and drive around a double stroller for a close-to-6 year old with a 1-1/2 year old? The younger child definitely needs a stroller all the time, but the older child doesn't need one at all in "normal" situations like shopping. Do you think an almost 6 year old would benefit from a stroller when all day at WDW? I'd hate to rent and haul it around if not necessary.

We just did pretty much all of DCA last Saturday, and all of Disneyland last Sunday. I do not think we could have done it if our 3-year-old and almost-6-year-old were not in strollers. We were at the gate at 7:30am each morning and left the parks at 9:30pm each night. If my older daughter was not in a stroller, I'm pretty sure she would have passed out from exhaustion, or at least pretended to. Since we only had two days at the parks, this enabled us to maximize our time and minimize their whining. Does our older daughter use a stroller in any other situation? No, of course not. But this is Disney! I would say definitely bring a stroller, especially if you only have a few days at the parks. There were plenty of places to park strollers everywhere in the parks, so it is not a hassle.

 

[Kelly014]

When we went last DD was 5 1/2 and DS was 9 months. We took a sit and stand and it was a life saver. DD is a good kid but she is a wimp when it comes to walking. Pick your battles, that's not one I chose to pick for the sake of other people not judging me for letting my kid sit in a stroller (also I truly don't care!). We are go go go at Disney so the stroller for both was a must. Do what's best for you.

 

[beck00]

To each, their own. We used a double on last trip with 7-year-old and almost 3-year-old daughters and it was a major convenience. For this September trip, we're taking our single BOB. If the now 8-year-old gets totally worn down, she can sit on the bottom foot rest and ride for a few minutes.

 

[jormom1030]

We are going to Disney in January and my 5 AND 9 year old will have a chance to ride in my Sit-n-Stand stroller. We also like to have it to carry stuff in, hold drinks, place to sit for parades, etc.

 

[MommyRobin]

I used a stroller at Disney until my kids were 8. Made for a much happier trip.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We rented a park stroller for two days on DD5 first trip. One day in the middle and on our last day. Both days we hopped and those days we covered miles that she wasn't ready for. Next year I am confident she will be fine without one, but at 5 they need the break in my opinion.

 

[Meeko5]

Double all the way. We had one for our 6.5 and 1.5 year old a last fall and it was SO NICE. No stressing about runners or stragglers or kids getting lost in the crowds. Place to sit in the shade for both kids, place to store stuff. I felt much safer having both kids in the stroller when we walked anywhere.

Our kids will be 2.5 and 7.5 this fall when we go and we are renting again from Kingdom Strollers. Can my 7.5 walk the whole time? Of course. But is it worth making him tired and cranky, and my inevitably getting frustrated when he whines that he's sick of walking? Nope. 100% nope.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I told DH no way were we taking the double stroller this year. Then DD6 got sick with something that kept her out of school for a week, spent a week going to school tired, and relapsed the day before our trip. The doctor suggested it might have been mono (the relapse was bacterial, thankfully). So, double stroller it was. Beyond the first couple of days, I don't think she needed it and the stroller went back with the younger brother for naps anyway. DD8 complained constantly about it not being fair that her sick sister got to ride. *sigh* But I do agree that it's nice to be able to really book when you need to (not that I was ever late for any ADRs ever, *cough*) and it does feel safer in a crowd. But having DD8 walking wasn't an issue (we just held her hands when things were busy) so I think somewhere between 5 and 8 is where the park starts to be doable for the majority of kids (and their parents). But last I checked, Disney does not post height or age restrictions for kiddos in strollers. Definitely don't worry about others judging what you feel is the right call for your child. They don't know your child or your circumstances. And if anyone gives you grief, you can just politely mention to them that your kid has mono.

I have a question for those of you put bigger kids in strollers. Don't you get awful tired yourself? I would think that the kids might be rested but the parents would be worn out in some cases.

Not really. I was pushing nearly 100 lbs in kid for chunks of the day. Other than going up the monorail ramp, it's not a big deal. Disney isn't that hilly.

 

[lennyd]

I didnt get tired at disney , I believe it is because its flat ground, but I did get tired at seaworld because it is more hilly

 

[aretha30]

Our trip last year our boys were 12 and 7. Our 7yr did fine for the first 3 days and then he was exhausted. We had brought an umbrella stroller just in case. I'm so glad we did! We would have all been miserable if he had, had to walk more. He just couldn't keep up. This year we have worked our schedule so we have WP in between our park days so he should be fine. I would bring or rent a stroller, this way you can relax and not worry about a child that is tired and cranky.

 

[RyansMum]

Someone might have already asked this but do you use a stroller at home for the 5 year old? Try taking your kids on a very long walk in the city or somewhere there is a crowd and see how they react. Do they stick close and listen to your instructions? Do they tire easily? Do they patiently wait in line for things? Having a stroller may give both children a place to relax when there's nothing to do.....like wait in a line in the sun. (Most have shade but you get my point)

 

[Klayfish]

I have a question for those of you put bigger kids in strollers. Don't you get awful tired yourself? I would think that the kids might be rested but the parents would be worn out in some cases.

Depends on the parents and strollers. If you've got a stroller with really big wheels, it will help. Our double wide didn't have huge jogging wheels, but they weren't the really small ones either. Kind of in between. I will say I'm in rather good shape, I'm a weightlifter. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a pretty good workout at times, especially in the heat. But it's a lot of weight to push around. My twins were 80 something pounds each, plus our food bag was a solid 20lbs when full. Thankfully, Disney isn't full of hills, but there were some that were challenging. AK has a few, MK has a few small ones.