Trekking around WDW with a 4-yr-old?

[snickerboo]

Last year, ds was 3 and we put him in a stroller-absolutely great idea. This year he'll have just turned 4. He doesn't normally go in a stroller anymore and we don't really have one. Would you rent one for him? Get one and take it? Any other suggestions? He can get very cranky when off his game and I found the stroller soooooo convenient last year.

PS: He's little tiny so no one will think strange of him in a stroller. LOL

 

[Elliott]

No question. TAKE THE STROLLER!!!
1) You can push faster than he can walk.
2) It is much harder to get separated when he is sitting in the stroller.
3) He will get tired before you do even in a stoller, but not doing all that walking will delay his crankiness.
4) I have seen kids that have to be 9 or 10 in strollers (even some teenagers, but not with parents) and no one really cares as long as you're not inturrupting their enjoyment of their vacation.
We like taking a sturdy umbrella stroller so as not to waste time renting, although I never have rented and don't know how much time it takes. We have never had anyone mess with our stroller so we feel safe leaving it in a central parking location while doing several attractions.
Tip: Mark your stroller with a colorful scarf or flag or something so you can find it easy. The CM's will move them while you are enjoying an attraction and it is nice to pick it out from 30 yards away while everyone else is fighting over which blue WDW stroller is theirs!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

The rentals are great because you can store some of your stuff in it too. Last year we rented a double everyday and my then 5yo and 2yo rode in it happily!

If anyone thought it strange I really don't care.

Oh, my sister took a break in it too. She was 15 at the time.

 

[pigletforever]

We don't own a stroller anymore but at Disney it is a must. It is a long way for some adults to walk and little ones have to take 2-3 steps for each adult step. Get the stroller. We are going in October adn DS will be 5 and you can bet I will be getting a long term stroller rental again. It only takes a couple minutes to get it and the 2-3 minute wait is worth it later in the day.

 

[Merriwind]

DD, now 9, rode in a stroller at Disney until she was 6.5--even though she didn't ride anywhere else for years before that. It was so much quicker and she had so much more stamina not having to walk everywhere. You don't realize how much walking you do at WDW.

Take a stroller--or plan to rent one. It will make life easier for all of you.

 

[lady_hlh]

My DD who was 4 last year was in the stroller all the time on our last trip. She never rides in the stroller now but I plan on taking it with us again this year because otherwise she'll expect us to carry her if she gets too tired to walk.

 

[tinkerbell3747]

Last year DS 6 and DD2 rode in stroller the entire trip I have one of those sit and stand strollers, though my DS never ride in strollers it was a life saver at disney

 

[pweyl36]

We were in disney last week,and i was really debating if i should rent a stroller for ds 5. My son would never sit in a stroller because he always thinks people would think he is a baby.Well i did rent one he didnt sit in it so,i just told him he can if he tired he ride it.after dinner in the park i talked him i to sitting in the stroller.after that i rented one all week.He did walk some and also sat in the stroller.( it also came in handy for our small cooler )

 

[4lilpoohs]

Take the stroller!!! I went in 2005 with my 2 and 5 year olds. I bought a double stroller at a resale shop. I'm so glad I did! I also used it last year when my kids were 3 and 6. This year I'm just bringing a single for my 3 year old.

 

[pezpam]

If you like the stroller or want to be on the go, then get one. I took DD as she was just turning 5 and skipped the stroller in favor of just sticking to a schedule that was comfortable for her, but that was a personal choice because I preferred not to have the stroller. You could consider only renting one if you find you need/want it, but if you know you want it, then go for it. There are a LOT of 4 year olds in strollers at WDW.

 

[greeneyedchic75]

rent one. Last summer when my daughter was 4 she rode in it, especially when her legs were so tired and it came in handy to put bags and drinks in it as well. We rented a double stroller for her so she had alot of room. Have a great trip

 

[Lisa_Belle]

Why not just wing it and see how he does? I took my DD for her 5th bday and she did fine without a stroller at every park except Epcot. I went ahead and rented one there because the park is just so large and once you get on the other side of WS there's only two ways back. Maybe I'm over-paranoid, but I would never leave anything in my stroller except for a drink cup, so that wasn't a big draw for me.