Too big for stroller?

[My2Pixies]

I rented a double stroller for my 2 and 6 year olds this past March. No issues maneuvering through the parks or taking it on the bus or monorail. It worked out great for us.

 

[notrub98]

My kids were thrilled with the double at ages 6 and 4 and it helped! zero meltdowns the entire week! I will be doing it again for the 7 and 5 year old. Anything that makes it easier!

 

[CS Torkelson]

Disney is such a huge trip that it can become overwhelming for a toddler. They may do well without it at home, but no matter what you do at the parks there is a lot of walking. More than likely my 6 year old will be fine, but if it allows mommy and daddy to have an easier trip then rent one. They also have those standing platforms that go on the back of strollers. This trip we are bringing the double and using it to carry our bag and water.

In the past we brought two umbrella strollers and hung on over the handle bars of the other using straps if not using

Terrific idea - bringing a single stroller for the little one and hanging a folding umbrella over the handles for the bigger one in case we need it. Brilliant idea! We're all set now. THANKS SO MUCH

 

[Tucker24]

Terrific idea - bringing a single stroller for the little one and hanging a folding umbrella over the handles for the bigger one in case we need it. Brilliant idea! We're all set now. THANKS SO MUCH

One of our strollers came with the strap and for the other one I used a clip strap from a carry on piece of luggage. I also rigged up handle bar extenders because my husband is 6 feet

 

[Planogirl]

After reading this thread, I'm so grateful that we had an energetic son who wanted nothing to do with strollers. Past the toddler years, I always got tired way before he did.

I make no judgments because all kids and adults are different but will only add that if a person comments in a public thread then they should expect all kinds of answers.

 

[Planogirl]

Terrific idea - bringing a single stroller for the little one and hanging a folding umbrella over the handles for the bigger one in case we need it. Brilliant idea! We're all set now. THANKS SO MUCH

I agree that that is a terrific idea.

 

[momof2cuties]

Can't imagine not having it now with my 4 yr old. Allows us to keep going if he needs a nap. With all I've seen in the parks (put a bra on ladies) the last thing I'm worried about is if someone thinks my kid is too big for a stroller. It's also been very handy in helping with carrying our stuff.

 

[Meshell2002]

We just got back 3 weeks ago... 3 yr old had our single citi mini...Our small for age 7 year old with mild low muscle tone walked mostly but they occasionally swapped places. Mid trip my big for age healthy athletic 9 year old boy sprained his ankle and I didn't want him on crutches in a crowd of people.....so we rented a double disney plastic stroller. We did get a few weird looks....and it was a workout pushing about 120 pounds of kids (7 year old got in too) in a disney double....but we still enjoyed our trip...and you won't get any judgement from me if I see an older child in a stroller. I would have considered renting a wheelchair for my 9 year old...but my 7 year old is a wanderer...shes so busy looking around we could lose her in a croud....need containment with more kids than adults....so it worked....do what you need to do....be flexible if need be....my 9 yr old hasnt used a stroller at disney since age 6.

 

[CS Torkelson]

One of our strollers came with the strap and for the other one I used a clip strap from a carry on piece of luggage. I also rigged up handle bar extenders because my husband is 6 feet

We NEED to rig something to raise those umbrella stroller handles! How did you do it?

 

[angierae]

We didn't go to Disney until DD was 15, so I never had to deal with this, but I will say she gave up on strollers at about 3, and when our stroller broke, we threw it out and never bought another one because she insisted that she'd rather walk and strollers were for babies. If we'd done Disney when she was 5-6 there is NO WAY she'd have gotten into a stroller. We would have just had to adapt our touring to her ability.

That said, this is DD at 17 and her 15 year old friend at the end of day nine of a ten day trip to disney: They are long, full days and kids get tired. If your kid will ride in a stroller, it can't hurt to take one - if they don't need it, after the first day or two you can leave it in the room.

 

[Tucker24]

We NEED to rig something to raise those umbrella stroller handles! How did you do it?

The black part are stroller extenders that I bought off of Amazon and then I got a plumbing PVC pipe. At first I used a metal clamp to hold it to the stroller but as it didn't work that well I used duct tape. I put the handle bars in the luggage and then attached them at Disney just because I wasn't sure how they would handle the trip attached

 

[CS Torkelson]

The black part are stroller extenders that I bought off of Amazon and then I got a plumbing PVC pipe. At first I used a metal clamp to hold it to the stroller but as it didn't work that well I used duct tape. I put the handle bars in the luggage and then attached them at Disney just because I wasn't sure how they would handle the trip attached

Thanks!

 

[AliceIn]

My kids wanted nothing to do with a stroller after about age 3, and even then it was pushing it for my youngest. We took our first trip when our youngest was 5, and she had absolutely no issues going from rope drop and commando for most of the day/evening. We didn't stay out overly late (finished up around 9). We did take mid afternoon breaks for swimming (no naps), and she was fine. We took breaks throughout the day to eat, sit for a bit. No issues with any of the kids pooping out. The adults ran out of steam before the kids did.

 

[Jewel3k]

The stroller has always made our trip more enjoyable. Who cares if they are to big! I'd much rather push them than slow my pace down. It makes me crazy to walk as slow as they do at the mall. My daughter even hopped in at 9 last trip on the monorail one evening and napped. In fact I'd love to take one this trip. I'm a huge fan of things that make my vacation easier.

 

[Micca]

My daughter hasn't used a stroller at home since she was about 18 months old. Our last trip she was 5 and our son was 2.5. We took the double stroller and were so glad we did. If she wasn't in it, we put bags and other things. Both kids definitely rode in it too. It's so much easier in my opinion.

Better to have it and not need it rather than vice versa. WDW can exhaust even the heartiest guest. Considering the alternative may be carrying an exhausted child or two...or three around the parks or back to the room, the stroller is a no-brainer. As drea21 states, you can always use it as a trolley for all the stuff you have to carry around.

 

[abarry90]

Most of the time they will walk but we have an only child and brought a stroller at age 6. I miss having the stroller (not so much on the busses!) but at the park. It is a great place to store gear and was much easier moving through the park (with the UTMOST of consideration for others!) with him in it.

That said, I would not want to deal with the size of a double stroller for sure! My sister used a sit and stand which allowed her 6 yr old to get on and ride periodically saving the true stroller seat for her 3 yr old. They are more the size of a typical stroller. https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-T...139360&sr=1-1&keywords=sit+and+stand+stroller

 

[mom2rtk]

Better to have it and not need it rather than vice versa. WDW can exhaust even the heartiest guest. Considering the alternative may be carrying an exhausted child or two...or three around the parks or back to the room, the stroller is a no-brainer. As drea21 states, you can always use it as a trolley for all the stuff you have to carry around.

But you forget..... parenting on the DIS is an Olympic sport. If you can make your 3 year old walk the parks without a stroller, you win. Or lose. Your choice.

I've never discussed the specific age at which we stopped using a stroller. What matters is that we had great trips without meltdowns and fights. And my varsity high school tennis player is no worse for the wear after riding in a stroller past the age of 3.

 

[Micca]

But you forget..... parenting on the DIS is an Olympic sport. If you can make your 3 year old walk the parks without a stroller, you win. Or lose. Your choice.

I've never discussed the specific age at which we stopped using a stroller. What matters is that we had great trips without meltdowns and fights. And my varsity high school tennis player is no worse for the wear after riding in a stroller past the age of 3.

Too true mom2rtk. Our twin DDs probably rode in strollers until they were 7 or so. They were tiny kids, and remain petite even as adults. They never objected to "being strolled" at WDW. We just returned from our DGDs first trip--they are 3 & 4. They got out of the strollers briefly a few times, but they preferred the ride, and as a practical matter, you can keep everyone together and keep the kiddos out of the path of on-coming traffic. Oh, and in the shops when they get tempted to pull merchandise off the shelf, you just position the stroller such that the goodies aren't within reach. I'm the diabolical grandpa like that.

 

[Gillyrose779]

So- for the people who do not use strollers- how the heck do you do it???!!! My kids are 5 and 6 and we only use a stroller at Disney now but I would love to use it else where. For example- we went to a carnival/street fair over the weekend. My kids walked sooo slowww. I kept having to turn around and tell them to hurry up. It also took more energy for me to keep an eye on them. I feel like I go half the speed when I hold hands and walk with them.

With the stroller it's put them in and go. We can walk as fast as we want and I don't have to worry about them getting into something or walking off. Safety wise- in large crowds- I don't worry about them getting bumped or knocked over.

Also, hubs and I love to walk and talk as we find it relaxing- def. when we take the walk from HS to Epcot. It is just so much more relaxing to do this when the kids are securely in the stroller.

 

[Accident]

I personally think a lot of people don't really know the symptoms of dehydration and they are just pushing things too far. Irritable, leg cramps, etc that may appear like they can't last the whole day walking might actually be dehydration and finally is at the point their body needs to just stop and rest. I strongly recommend taking some time to research dehydration and it's symptoms and react to it early on before it's a problem. Lately when I'm in the park, especially at night there is some kids that are just way past being normal.. they look overheated, complaining of leg cramps, things that are more than just a little sore from using your muscles.