Transitioning from Stroller to walk. Need reassurance....

[monica9]

Hi
We've been bringing a stroller for our DD since her first time at WDW.

She's gone when she was 2, 3 1/2, 4 1/2, 5 1/2

She will now be going at 7 1/2 and in the heat of September weather!

Please tell me your experiences from your child's transition.

We only have one child. We stayed at BC when she was 5 1/2 and I'd say she used the stroller mostly at night, when she was exhausted or when we had to rush to an ADR or ride we would put her in there so we could go quicker.

The rest of the time we used it as a bag holder (I'm really going to miss this part!) or we would ditch it in the stroller storage areas and grab it a couple hours later.

Things I will miss:

When she gets tired and REALLY needs it (miles and miles of walking is tough for even adults!).

Storing water bottles and sweat shirts, chapstick, sunblock, etc.

Not having to carry a backpack around to store sunblock, bottles, camera, etc.

Might not be too bad because:

We aren't park hopping this time around so taking it slower.

Taking breaks most days during the afternoon to go swim (but that might make her even more exhausted for the night!).

Wont need extra clothing (eg. pants, jackets) because it will still be warm at night.

We've been there enough where we don't need to see everything plus going an extra day than normal.



I'd love to bring the stroller and leave it in the room and bring it only when we go out at night but she's 48 inches now so I can imagine how silly she might look with her feet dragging and I know my husband would have no problem saying yes to a stroller since he's the one that would have to carry her if she falls asleep!!

Help!!

 

[BayouMickey]

At 7 I'd still recommend either bringing one or renting one. She may not use it all the time, but those lil feet gets tired.

 

[grimley1968]

I personally doubt you'll need it to carry your child, but what harm can it be to bring it and leave it in the room? We brought a stroller until our youngest DD was 9. I knew full well we would not use it in the parks, but I used it extensively at the resort to haul stuff from the car to the room and to carry laundry bags to/from the laundry room. We're going again in October, when my youngest will be 12 and our oldest will celebrate Sweet 16 while there. I'm still thinking of bringing our umbrella stroller (if we haven't thrown it out) just for laundry hauling.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I am not judging anyone and certainly understand the logistics of carrying a toddler through the parks but I would think that 7.5 years old might be a little over the limit in terms of what I would be willing to bring a stroller for. I cannot really remember being 7.5 but I can say that my parents would not have had me in a stroller at that age (almost 40 years ago) regardless of where we were going and how much walking was involved.

I think the best approach might be to take enough breaks to make sure that the child isn't too tired to walk.

 

[Katniss]

I would bring your stroller and if you need it use it. This is my first year not renting a stroller ahead of time for my 7 year old. I plan on no stroller but if it suits me and my family at the time I wouldn't hesitate to rent a stroller. Whatever you decide...have a great vacation

 

[ktlm]

By 7, there was a huge change in DD's stamina when walking at WDW. We definitely still needed the stroller when she was 5. At age 7, DD was walking the parks from open to close without complaint...then she would get up for rope drop the next morning and do it again. We don't typically take breaks in the afternoon. I will say that we did miss the storage aspect of the stroller- I had to go from a Vera Bradley Hipster to a Vera Bradley mailbag!

 

[Pinkos]

If you have an umbrella, I'd bring it. Try one day without it and see how it goes. At least it's there if u need it. WDW is big, little feet get tired after long days ... Even if u just use it in the evening, might be worth your sanity. Or your husband arms/back.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think she'll be totally fine walking at 7.5, assuming she is healthy and active and all that.

 

[tarak]

I guess I'd look at it this way - are you trying to ditch using the stroller? If so, I wouldn't bring one. If you feel it's necessary, you can always rent one. Our last trip was in August and my 7-year-old son did just fine. We hit the parks when they opened, went back to the room for a swim mid-day, and then went back to the park until closing. I realize all kids are different, though. I don't think we bothered with a stroller after he turned five. My youngest was born with a congenital heart defect and she might not last as long in the heat at that age as he did.

I understand what you mean about not having that place to store things. My husband is lamenting the end of the stroller days for that reason. But not having a stroller last August was sooo nice (my husband stayed home with the toddler). My kids had bags to carry whatever they wanted in the park, plus water, and I had a small bag for those things I thought essential (sun block, dollar store ponchos, that sort of thing).

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I really worried when we took our 6 year old without a stroller (after having made many trips with one) but he did just fine and we haven't looked back in the 3 trips we've taken since then. We miss the stroller for storing things, but it's awesome to just go from ride to ride without having to worry about it.

 

[cakebaker]

My girls were 8 on our first trip and very small for their age- I never considered bringing a stroller and they did just fine. I wouldn't have hesitated to rent a stroller, but we didn't need to. We did take afternoon breaks though. My grandson is now 3 and we're going with a stroller just so he can have a break now and then. We plan on using a harness for him because he likes to explore and walk on his own. He hates his stroller but we're not comfortable just holding his hand so we've opted to use the harness with a stroller back up. I suspect this is our last year for the stroller and I'll miss it!

All kids are different, ours is adventurous and wants his freedom. If it were me, I'd leave the stroller home and rent if you need to.

 

[Mikie]

When my DD was 5.5, she didn't look for the stroller except for Epcot, where it was late in the trip and of course, it's huge! We rented a double for 3 year old son and her to share at Epcot, otherwise used only the single for him the rest of the time. Next trip, son was almost 7 and also didn't need stroller at all. He got tired, and we took it at his pace, took breaks on benches. While I also missed the stroller as carry-all, it was SO nice not to have to go to stroller parking and to push it all day! The kids all had small hipster bags for autograph books and pressed pennies, I had a reasonable-sized cross body bag for Chapstick, sunscreen, etc. it's great!

My kids are active, but not remotely marathoners or anything! Also, size wise, my first thought is o bring an umbrella as a not-too-bulky backup idea, but no way that has a high enough weight limit for a 7 year old. I'm thinking a large enough stroller would be more cumbersome than it's worth. As long as you're willing to go at her pace, not moving as fast as you might with a teen, I think you,lol be happy without one.

 

[artemis4]

I wouldn't worry about it. We went when DS was 5.5, and, like you, we did use a stroller then. He did the first 1.5 days without a stroller, but he started drooping fast. We pulled out the stroller and used it as needed after that. Even thought he could easily handle a 3 mile walk then, Disney was just too much for too many days in a row. Last spring, when he was just over 7, we were in Colorado on vacation. We walked at least 4-5 miles each day, and we did a few seven mile hikes including one on an intermediate level trail. He handled it just fine. 1.75 years made a big difference in his stamina. Obviously, we didn't push too hard too fast and he slept well every night, but he handled the walking just fine.

When we go to Disney again this fall, I know he'll handle the walking just fine, but I am going to miss the place to store ponchos and our backpacks!

 

[artemis4]

ooops, duplicate

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Boys were 5 and 7 on our first trip and the thought of a stroller never even crossed my mind. And they did fine. If you don't push her beyond her limits, she'll be fine.

The other thing is have you even asked her about it? At even 5 and 7, my kids would have looked at me like I had two heads if I suggested they get in a stroller! They would have been mortified!!!

 

[okeydokey]

She'll be fine. It will soooo much easier to maneuver around the parks without a stroller.

 

[lroger01]

You have a long time until your trip to prepare everyone. This summer, I'd plan a weekly day trip that involves a long day and lots of walking. It might be a good summer to have a season pass to a local amusement park or zoo. Also consider walking to the store, to the playground on the other side of the neighborhood, or to a friends house. Doing this will get little legs strong and give you a good idea on how to motivate her when she get's tired. You'll also learn what type of carry bag works best.

 

[Disney Khi]

I wouldn't take it. We wore DD in a carrier for many WDW trips from age 1-3. When she was 4 she was too big to be worn comfortably, and so she walked. We've gone on numerous trips to Sea World, Universal, Legoland, and WDW parks with her at age 4 and now 5, and have never wanted a stroller. I imagine that a healthy 7-year-old should be fine to walk.

 

[GotLabradors]

We do Busch Gardens Williamsburg from open to close on a regular basis and my daughter has been walking that since she was 4. I think if you get them used to it prior, you should be okay. My daughter will be 7 when we go to WDW in September and I can't imagine her getting anywhere near a stroller. It is a lot of walking, but it's not like you will be walking non-stop the whole day. You will stop and sit down during the day.

 

[rdw]

Good questions. My kids will be just turned 5 (DD) and 7.5 (turning 8 in July) (DS) when we go in May. I know my daughter will need a stroller - she'll probably nap while we walk.

I can't imagine my son will need one, but at the end of the night, I can see him wanting to rest.

We don't use strollers anymore except at the Boardwalk (jersey shore) - and in that case we use a sit n stand - so DS is usually standing - but occasionally they're fighting.

I was planning to rent a jogging stroller - but wondering now if we should just bring ours. I can definitely see DS wanting a rest by the end of the night (we'd like to stay late).

He's sn active kid, but its a lot of walking. And I do love the storage option ...