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

[aaarcher86]

We went sans stroller this last trip. I was worried but they didn't ask for one even once. My kids are now 9 and 7 with the oldest being 35lbs and special needs.

We did get a striker for my youngest because she had gotten dehydrated earlier and felt fine at the time, but I really didn't want her to push it!

 

[Tara922c]

The last time we went to Disney, it was May, DD had just turned 5, and we did it without a stroller. We just took breaks, and I knew if it got that bad, we always had the option of renting a stroller. I just carried a simple tote, and we kept what we brought to the park to a minimum. We are going back to Disney in May, and DD will be barley 8 years old. There is no way we are renting a stroller, nor do I think dd would even ride in one. If dd is hot, we spend a little bit of time in a gift shop or go on a long air conditioned attraction. If she is tired, then we will simply find a seat. I am pretty sure dd has more stamina that DH and I.

My best word of advice is to make sure your dd has comfortable and worn in shoes. Find her a good pair of shoes a month before the trip, and have her wear them often to break them in. Personally, I think your dd will be just fine without a stroller, but she is your child, and you should do what is best for her.

 

[GillianP1301]

I'm planning our first non stroller trip for this year. My DS has been 3 times so far age 4.5, 5.5 & 6.5 and I used a stroller each time. I debated on it last year, at 6.5 and ultimately did decide to rent one. It really does come in handy for getting through heavy crowds and for needed to get from one place to another quickly. But, it's also a real pain on the parking lot trams, annoying to have to double back after every ride to pick it up. Did he need it? 90% of the time I'd say not.

This year though, he'll be 7.5 and it's time to give it up. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine, but I will have no problem renting one if we see the need for it on any given day.

 

[monica9]

We went at the beginning of Feb. I have an almost 6 year old and we went stroller free but with the intention of renting one for a day or two if needed. She was totally fine without one for all 6 WDW days and 2 universal days at the end.

We rope dropped every morning, hit the parks full force all day and then generally wound down and headed back to the hotel after dinner to keep the kids on a semi-normal sleep schedule and minimize meltdowns. I think we were back in the room by 9 every night (we don't do fireworks for issues related to another kid). Had we tried for super late nights we might have had a different experience, but with our touring style, no stroller was needed.

I've seen references to the amount of walking. I wear a Fitbit, and I had between 21k and 25k steps every day. For me, that's in the 10 mile range. Just fwiw.

I agree. I feel it doesn't matter how fit someone is or the stamina a person has, with temperatures in the mid 90's and miles upon miles of walking, it won't matter how fit you are unless you are one to sit and take a lot of breaks and we aren't sitters unless we are on a ride or eating!!! And her swimming during the day might feel refreshing but it's going to take even more energy out of her!!

 

[monica9]

You said not to, but...if I applied once maybe twice a day I would be a lobster by day 2. If you can get away with that, you must have the skin of my husband and son.

Igloo MaxCold backpack cooler. Carries your water. Keeps it cool. Can put the sunscreen in the outside pockets. Then have another, light, backpack for ponchos and sunglasses. There's no need to just have the one backpack. By our trip when DS was 7 he was carrying the MaxCold towards the end of the day when the supply of water was diminished, and now he's regularly the carrier of it.



$30 stroller with a tall and I assume matching weight to age/height kid...misery for the parents pushing it.



SO true.

I so agree with you about the stroller! That's the problem and the handles are so low.

I hate carrying a pocket book nevermind a back pack on a sweltering hot day so I'd hate to make my daughter do it. She will however be holding any stuffed animal she chooses to bring and I might bring her crossbody waterbottle holder.

Boy I wish fanny packs were in style!! I definitely might be buying one for the vacation as long as my husband will still walk near me!!

 

[monica9]

I know some things get stolen out of strollers, but if someone else needs my pbj sandwich or bottle of water - I'm okay with that. We never left anything that would be a huge deal if it disappeared. As far as the squirrels - it would be pretty obvious if they got inside the zippered cooler bags, so that didn't bother me either. They are welcome to climb all over the outside.

Yes. All of our food or drinks are covered but I have seen squirrel stealers while in the parks.
As far as our sunscreen or old sweatshirts, I don't mind if they get stolen. I'll never leave a phone or camera in there though or a new merchandise.

 

[HotMama]

The first time we went without a stroller I felt anxiety, but it turned out just fine. They were fine during the day at the parks. I packed my backpack a bit lighter than I had in the past, was nice to not need so much. The only bad thing was when they passed out on the bus late a night returning from the park we had to wake them to walk or carry them.

 

[nessz79]

I think the oldest I had one in the stroller was 6. After that, if they were tired or not feeling well, we went back to the resort to rest. We aren't park commandos anyway, so we usually made it to lunch or just after, went back to rest, and came back in the evening. If we went past lunch into the afternoon, we would leave then and not come back in the evening.

Going in September, you would be best to leave at lunch because *everyone* will likely be hot and tired by then. Come back close to sunset to enjoy the cooler weather in the evening.