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

[briggscreek]

My kids were 4 and 5 on our first trip and they were fine without a stroller, but we have never even owned one so they didn't know what they were missing LOL.

 

[Disneylover99]

We decided the stroller cut off age for our daughter was 7. So when we returned to DW for 18 days in the heat of August when our daughter was 7 and a half we did not bring any stroller. She did great and never needed one, even with a few late nights. Op your daughter may surprise you. For us, there was really no transition, just no stroller. She never whined or complained once. Good luck!

 

[DavidNYC]

LOL - our twins are 5 and we've been dreading when we have to make the transition! WDW is the only place we use a stroller now. My personal opinion is to keep them in stroller until they're old enough to push me around the park! But seriously, we sort of settled on 7 as being when we weret thinking we'd give it a go without one but I have no problem extending that if need be! Many times I like the stroller - and we'll often park it for a few hours at a time - one stop in Fantasyland while we walk around and do all the rides, then use it to cross to another area of the park, etc.

[Also - we ditched the heavy duty stroller a few years ago for a really lightweight one which makes a ton of difference!]

 

[mickeyluv'r]

You'll be very happy to be stroller-free at WDW! Seriously, you will have much more stamina than before, and cover the park in half the time.

Instead of focusing on concerns, imagine not having to double back. Imagine walking right past the huge stroller parking areas! Imagine the freedom of NOT carrying all the baby gear!

That's the big hump- getting past the idea of carrying tons of stuff around all day. That's also the secret to a happy summer month visit. Limit your self to plastic ponchos, emergency meds, cc's, ID, Magicbands, and a bottle of water. You'll love the freedom!You'll love that your back is not covered in sweat!

Also be warned: September often means afternoon heavy storms. Often they are short lived, but sometimes they last all night. Going to the World Showcase for dinner can be a pain. Dinner at your home resort is excellent. Water tolerant shoes are a godsend, while stinky sneakers are gross.

If you are going to invest in anything, I suggest water-tolerant walking sandals.

Oh, one more tried and true WDW suggestion to aid your trip. Before you go, spend as much time as possible taking outdoor summer walks, especially the little one! the more you are all acclimated to summer heat the better your vacation will be!

 

[JZCubed]

This Thread is about both the comfort of the adults as much as it is about the comfort of the children.

My daughter is 6 y.o. and will be taking her 12th trip to Disney this summer.

We purchased a new umbrella stroller last year and will use it as long as she lets us.

For now, she let's us use the stroller because she realizes we see more things.

Her cousins are older and also realize the same - strollers mean more rides.

We may rent a stroller when she is too big for an umbrella.

Strollers also mean naps (and naps are good after fireworks or a night out).

Strollers also mean her backpack with toys and lip-stuff and juice box and glitter and stickers and tissues and one more thing is being carried by someone/something else.

She may look a bit silly in that little stroller, but she is smart enough to understand the benefits. Kinda' like looking silly in a wide-rimmed hat - benefits outweigh the silliness.

If the stroller works for your touring plan, use it.

 

[Pfau]

My 5 year old walked (and ran) the entire 7 days. There was only one major meltdown but that's to be expected. We took breaks in the afternoon but she kept up with us.

 

[alhurricane]

We went without a stroller last year with our 7 and 5 year old and we have no regrets. I will admit that prior to the trip I was very worried. Our kids did amazing and they only really complained once at the end of the night after a very long MK day. Otherwise, we all liked the freedom of not having to deal with a stroller. Every family is different, but an almost 8 y/o should be fine without one.

 

[tsme]

At 7, we did not use a stroller for our DD. I think at that age, they are big enough to walk. And our DD does have a condition where she dehydrates easily & doesn't tolerate heat. We also go in Sept. The key, for us, was and is lots of water, shade, and breaks. Also wetting a napkin and wiping her down every so often helped. But we do that because of her issue. Your DD should be fine walking. It's good exercise.

 

[klledoux]

We used a stroller when my son was 7.5 and had no issues with feeling he was too big for it and he used it! We had late nights and long days! This year at 9.5 will be his first year without a stroller but we will get my 7.5 daughter one! I have a feeling they might be taking turns; )

 

[mickeyluv'r]

When you reach the point that the stroller's primary purpose is wheeled backpack, it is probably a good time to try a stroller-free day.

 

[Mikie]

For everyone using strollers with kids 5+, what kind of stroller are you using? I tend toward as streamlined as possible and the sit& stand I used when my kids were 3&5 started buckling under their weight and being difficult to push. Nephew is a very big 2.5 and hard to push in the compact umbrella and since he's a "fireplug" I can't imagine him fitting well in it beyond 4 at the latest.

 

[monica9]

So she is very active. She is in gymnastics, soccer, softball soon, etc. She doesn't sit still and is fit.

I do have to admit that we saw a difference in the amount of time she walked when she was 5 1/2 vs when she was 4 1/2. I'm thinking the 2 years will probably be fine.

How much is it to rent a stroller if we needed one the last couple of days there?

Now, on to a new question......
Best bags to carry belongings in? I HATE backpacks especially with the heat and humidity and it's not fair for my husband to wear it all the time so any other suggestions?
Things in my bag:
I'm big on water bottles but hopefully we can swing one huge 60oz bottle that we share and keep refilling
Sunblock will probably only be applied in morning and then when we go to the pool (no comments about sun burn please!!)
Sunglasses x3
1 cell phone
1 camera (maybe)
cell phone portable charger
chap stick
ponchos (depending on the weather)
Any merchandise we will send to the resort unless its a stuffed animal or something and then DD is in charge of that.


looking for a cross body bag.
DD won't wear a back pack and I don't blame her.

 

[mommyboys3]

I don't think I brought a stroller to Disney for any of my boys past age 5. At 7.5 no way would they have gotten in one even if I had wanted them to. I will say though that my boys have all played multiple sports since a very young age so they are used to being very active. I loved the freedom of not having a stroller. So much easier not having to worry about getting on an overcrowded bus with a stroller or having to spend time finding stroller parking then hunting your stroller down after the ride. Our first trip with no stroller we brought a backpack into the parks. That worked out fine. Our last trip I only brought a small crossbody purse. It was great not having to fuss with a backpack on rides. We only brought what fit in our pockets & my small purse. We didn't miss the extra storage at all.

I would ask your daughter what she wants to do. If she says no stroller then take her for some long, long walks & make sure you are confident that she won't need it. As far as falling asleep on the bus...my husband carried many a sleepy toddler back to our room but by 5 or 6 we would just wake them up when it was time to get off & they walked half asleep back to the room. I know some kids would not take kindly to this but it was fine for us.

 

[nicki.momof3]

She will be fine. We go twice a year and have since our kids were ages 2,3,4. At that time we had to take a double and a single umbrella. We quickly learned if you head back to the resort in the afternoon and rest they will be fine walking. We stopped taking a single stroller when our youngest hit 4. Now at ages 9, 10, 11 we take a camera and that is it. Magic Bands are awesome (no $$ needed). It is so much easier to not have to carry stuff. If we need jackets we take hoodies that tie around our waist.

 

[ammag]

I am having the same thoughts! When Dd was 6 we had our last trip and she needed the double stroller wiht her younger brother, she even took an hours nap. She didn't ride the whole day but it saved us from exhaustion based drama. She tires easily. We are going this fall she will be 8.5 and I am not doing a double. We will have her brothers stroller if she wants to sit for a little while and there are no other options but I think it will be ok. We will just have to take more breaks. I am however super happy to still need one for her brother because I want to leave our stuff in it

 

[basketlacey]

Honestly, your first trip without a stroller, you will feel so much freedom. I don't think you even realize how much of a nightmare it can be fighting crowds and busses with a stroller when it is a necessity. But once we started going without one, we could never go back! I have sympathy for the parents trying to push them through crowds and stores and definitely on and off the bus. It sounds like you are ready to give it up, so enjoy your freedom!!!

As far as park bags, I go back and forth between a big cloth shoulder purse/bag and a cross body camera bag (Crumpler). I also hate backpacks. I try and only carry what we really need because the bag can start to get heavy.

 

[Mikie]

So she is very active. She is in gymnastics, soccer, softball soon, etc. She doesn't sit still and is fit.

I do have to admit that we saw a difference in the amount of time she walked when she was 5 1/2 vs when she was 4 1/2. I'm thinking the 2 years will probably be fine.

How much is it to rent a stroller if we needed one the last couple of days there?

Now, on to a new question......
Best bags to carry belongings in? I HATE backpacks especially with the heat and humidity and it's not fair for my husband to wear it all the time so any other suggestions?
Things in my bag:
I'm big on water bottles but hopefully we can swing one huge 60oz bottle that we share and keep refilling
Sunblock will probably only be applied in morning and then when we go to the pool (no comments about sun burn please!!)
Sunglasses x3
1 cell phone
1 camera (maybe)
cell phone portable charger
chap stick
ponchos (depending on the weather)
Any merchandise we will send to the resort unless its a stuffed animal or something and then DD is in charge of that.


looking for a cross body bag.
DD won't wear a back pack and I don't blame her.

I'm not generally a huge Vera Bradley fan, but their cross body bags were perfect for Disney. They have a mini that is a great kid size (her own Chapstick, autograph book, sunglasse, cheapie poncho) and the larger one for me (sunscreen stick, camera, cell, portable charger, my and dad's ponchos) hands free, light, easy to just keep right on your body for rides.

 

[klledoux]

We rent from Kingdom Strollers the Baby Jogger Citi Elite - up to 50 in and 70 lbs. Here's a pic attached for reference. Yes my son looked too big, but we love having strollers and these things push like a dream!

 

[smiths02]

We brought a stroller for our trip in July right after our son had turned 5. There was only one time when we needed it. Long story short, we had a snafu at Soarin' which resulted in having to book it to an ADR at Chefs. At this point, it was only my son and I. So I would be fairly confident that he would be fine at 7.5

As far as bags,I like my baggalini...it was pretty inexpensive, but it has held up several years (granted, I only use it for day trip kind of things). You said no comment about sunburn, but they do have this stick sunscreen thing that is maybe twice as thick as a chapstick, and I find it useful

 

[mickeyluv'r]

How much is it to rent a stroller if we needed one the last couple of days there?

Now, on to a new question......
Best bags to carry belongings in? I HATE backpacks especially with the heat and humidity and it's not

looking for a cross body bag.
DD won't wear a back pack and I don't blame her.

DH drinks a ton of water. I encourage him to wear cargo shorts. Men's cargo shorts can reasonably carry several water bottles.

We leave the resort with more water (in summer), and drink one early. Maybe while walking down Main St. I'm not one to stand in line just for water, but at every meal, at least in summer, we get (extra) water with our meal. We are not above refilling our bottles with leftover ice water from a meal, or carrying a paper cup for a bit.

I'm with you on sunblock. Last trip, I found a sunblock stick. We apply a good dose before we leave the room. The stick is largely for back up. Walking around, my legs have never gotten burnt, mostly my face/shoulders. On prior trips, I found a tiny container/tube and refilled each night as needed

My cell phone is kind of my everything-in-one now: electronic copies of conf #'s and receipts, GPS (w/car), camera, phone.

Mostly plastic ponchos will fit in a back pocket. If you ever end up with a jacket, zippered pockets are great. I have a windbreaker from LLBean (technically it is not a rain jacket) and it folds down into it's own zip pocket. Love it at WDW.

If I have to carry a bag, I like the Dooney and Bourke crossbody pouchette. It is so light I don't notice it, even in summer heat. It tolerates getting wet. On rides, I don't have to do anything with it. Just big enough! I also hate having any bag at bag check, but this has only ONE main zipper compartment. One zipper, and the guard can see the whole bag. The inside of the bag has pockets, so items like chapstick can be kept organized. Holds everything BUT water.

Last summer, we had a combo all over FL trip planned....we broke standard protocol. I normally don't bring a backpack, but for that trip- I found a small backpack cooler at Target. The brand is embark. While it is a backpack, it is small, with padded straps. It worked great at the beach/hiking. We also used it one day at WDW when realfeel temps were over 100. Since it was small, it was way better than the average backpack.