Used a stroller for my 5 yo! It was GREAT!

[Pembo]

DS #2 is 5 and loved the stroller. The first day we went to MGM and Animal Kingdom and he walked all day. The 2nd day we started at MK, he walked. Then went to Epcot and he loved his stroller. That park is HUGE and we were going to CP. He was pretty tired and CP kept him up past his normal bedtime. Very greatful for it after CP!

On our 3rd day we went to AK early morning. My little guy was very tired and the stroller was a blessing. MVMCP-Strollers were FREE! We got a double. DS#1, age 7 actually sat in it during Wishes. But the real blessing was that DS#2 fell asleep about 9 and we could keep going until midnight. He was all curled up with his blanket, covered with our coats. I think he was the most rested the next day.

Day 4 back to Epcot and MGM. Again rented a stroller at both places. Came home with 3 Disney Dollars that my boys are thrilled to have!

So I just wanted to say that I think renting a stroller even for an older child can be a great idea, especially if you are trying to see it all in just a few days like we were. It helped us to keep going even though ds was tired. It's also great to be able to put some of your "stuff" in. The stroller carried our backpack most of the time. We just grabbed it when we went on a ride or to a show.

I also carried a GREEN ribbon that I tied on our stroller to make it easier to find.

Just wanted to share our experience!

 

[seastar]

We are just back and I totally agree. Our DD-5 doesn't use a stroller anymore but we brought one anyway. She rode in it a lot and I was very thankful to have it. We also used it to cart around all of our stuff.

 

[lagirl]

This is nice to know. My DD (6) doesn't use a stroller either, but was thinking of renting one at each park, just in case. After reading this thread, I will.

 

[FastEddie]

We took our 5 year old daughter to The World the week after Thanksgiving; after carrying her way too much of the time, we suggested she ride in a "stroller". No way; strollers are for babies. Next day, someone referred to it as a "buggy"; that was fine...buggies are for big kids. Problem solved.

BTW, lagirl, you will only need to rent the stroller in the first park you enter. You will be given a card with your name on it that slides into a clear pocket on the back of the stroller to ID it as "yours". This doesn't work well in practice, since it is pretty hard to find yours out of the dozens that will be parked hub to hub in front of any attraction. Just tie a colorful piece of fabric (we used our lightweight jackets that came off after it warmed up a bit) to the handle and you'll be able to spot it more easily. You are also given a receipt which you will want to hang onto. Just return your "buggy" when you leave a park; then present the receipt at the next park you enter (on the same day as the original rental) and you will be given another buggy, gratis. MUCH better than taking your own. Net cost, after the $1 "refund" for returning the stroller, is $7 a day for a single. Also, if it is of any interest, my wife and I both are photographers and we wore our photographer's vests to carry all our WDW "stuff" such as maps, cameras, film, cellphone, snax, water...you name it! GREAT way to carry your stuff, and doesn't pull on your back like a backpack.

~FastEddie

 

[lagirl]

Thanks for the info on the stroller FastEddie!

 

[Linxzy]

Good to know that a 5 yr old that thinks that strollers are for babies liked them, lol "buggy". I'm going with 2 5 yr olds that I know that at first won't want to be on it, but hopefully they will love the stroller. Know I got to convince my sister to rent them.

 

[Pembo]

Buggy! LOL!!! Love that!

My boys are so excited about their Disney Dollars. We got one each day and we kept them as souvenirs or savings towards our next trip!

 

[crabmeal]

We rented the park ones for my 5yo DS everyday. It was great because the walking would have been too tiring for him. ANd I always knew where he was, didn;t have to worry about him wandering off in the crowd. My DD's stroller was also used to carry all our gear!

 

[mom-2greatkids]

DH and I have gone back and forth on the stroller issue for DD5. While I hate the thought of pushing 2 strollers, I hate the thought of a whiny daughter by noon even more. Besides, she won't be able to keep up our pace for very long. 2 strollers should make for a more enjoyable vacation (but a less enjoyable tromp through the airport!)

 

[kitkatsmom]

What type of strollers/buggys do they rent?
Are there bigger one's that will hold two kids?

Are they the basic strollers or are the little buggy type cars that you push?

If the singles are 7.00 what is the price of the bigger one's (if they have them)

thanks

 

[dmonroe]

On our next trip, ds will be 5 1/2 and I plan on using the stroller for him. It keeps him from getting tired, and he is much easier to keep up with! He doesn't even mind sitting in it--in fact he loves it! (Although he never uses one anywhere else but WDW!)

Next year we get to see how much fun it is to push 2 strollers, as we'll also have a 6 mo. old by then! I can't justify buying a double stroller just for one trip, and I don't like the rentals!

 

[Anxious in BR]

We are planning our trip for July, 2004. We have a 4 year old and a 9 year old. I was planning on renting the stroller for our 4 year old. I have a feeling our 9 year old will be fighting for it too!!!

I love the idea of the colored ribbon! I'm going to have to remember that for our trip. I use that trick on luggage in the airport but hadn't thought about it for the stroller!

Thanks a bunch!!!