Waffling on a stroller

[Baklava]

DD will be 6 1/2 when we hit DLR this December. We did use a stroller in WDW in January despite her being older than we would usually use a stroller for, because she's on the spectrum and has some sensory issues. It was less about the walking (although I'm sure it helped on a 10 day trip) and more about giving her a safe space to retreat- she could just pull the hood down when things got to be too much.

I can't decide if she really needs one this trip.

On one hand she'll be a year older than last time, DLR is much smaller, and we'll be staying at the Grand Californian which is literally attached to one of the parks. It's also a short trip- only 4 park days, one of which may be Legoland.

On the other, it will be Christmas, there will be crowds and lots of wonderful but potentially overwhelming stuff.

DH thinks we could do without. DD would prefer to have one. I am trying to decide. There will be four adults and her on this trip. DH or I will always be able to take her back to the room and leave the other with company.

 

[wilkeliza]

If DD prefers one I would bring it with you to Disneyland (perhaps pack it in a way she doesn't know it is an option?) and try with out it the first day. If you find it is unreasonable and she can't make it very long with out it then head back to GCH and pick it up. That way you have it if you need it but are also close enough that you feel comfortable trying to go with out it.

 

[Baklava]

We'll have to rent. She hasn't had a stroller at home since she was 3 and we never bought one of the fancy ones with the hood.

 

[lanejudy]

If you'll be renting but unsure of need, how about waiting until you are there to see how it goes? Rent from the park if needed on a day-to-day basis. Maybe think of some incentive for her to at least start the day without it, and maybe more incentive if she makes it to lunch time/dinner time/etc. Incentive doesn't have to be big, but something she'd like -- ordering dessert, an extra souvenir, additional swim time, etc.

If you really aren't sure she'll make it the 4 days, and/or concerned about availability to rent last minute due to crowds, I guess I would plan ahead for the rental but leave it in the room the first day since it would be easy to go back to it. First day may not be as challenging as the fourth day. Maybe think about WHEN she used it on your last trip -- was it mostly used towards the end of the trip, or did she use it every day due to crowds, etc.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Baklava]

Do the park strollers have a canopy that pulls way down? The biggest part of having the GT Mini at WDW was that she could pull the canopy down far enough to shut things out when it got too intense. Renting at the parks might make sense if they have a good canopy.

 

[wilkeliza]

Do the park strollers have a canopy that pulls way down? The biggest part of having the GT Mini at WDW was that she could pull the canopy down far enough to shut things out when it got too intense. Renting at the parks might make sense if they have a good canopy.

The parks strollers have a canopy but not a pull down one so she would be able to pull it over her. An option for the parks would perhaps be a blanket she can throw over herself if she is okay with that? Or drape the blanket over the top to block out everything.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

You know her best. Can you tell when she's starting to get overwhelmed? Will you have time to make it back to the room or will she have a meltdown in the park? How much do you think she will be able to do before you need to head back. How much time do you want to spend in the room vs having a mobile safe space to retreat?

I guess the answer depends on how you want to spend your vacation. There are some strangers who will roll their eyes at a 6 year old in a stroller, so how much does that matter to you and DH?

My grandson is also on the spectrum. He goes to WDW at least annually and has also been to DL. He has always been in the ninety something percentile for size, so he looks older than he is. He used a stroller in WDW till he was either 7 or 8. He just turned 17 last week. Since he was 14 he has been touring WDW on his own. Sometimes he is in a different park than the rest of the family. He is totally independent and comfortable in Disney even during Easter week. You would never know that he needed the safety of a stroller when he was younger.

 

[stenmarks]

My DD is almost 9, and we are facing the same dilemma. She's very small for her age (5-10th percentile for height and weight) and while she's very active (swim team practice 3-4 times a week), she gets overwhelmed very easily and when she is done she is DONE. The stroller typically stays parked while we are in the parks, but it's 100% worth it to have when she needs a barrier. You know your child best, so I wish you luck in making your decision! I think, for us, we will rent an off-site stroller to have when we need it.

 

[Baklava]

Cupcake is physically strong. She's heading into her first season as a competitive figure skater, so it's not stamina I'm worried about. I think we'll rent one and see how it goes. We'll probably park it in a central location, do several things, then shift to another location. We've done that with some success.

Thank you everyone. I think I'd rather "waste" the money on peace of mind.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I think yoir decision very wise. You can always park it up. At Christmas there is even more stimulating environmental elements than normal. Your Cupcake might treasure some time in the stroller just playing and focusing with a doll or whatever she likes to do to disengage. Good luck. It is a lovely time of the year. But tiring.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

We used a stroller up until DD was 8. If it is a light and foldable stroller, I recommend bringing it. Worst case is that it stays in the room and doesn't get used. On our last trip, we used it once and then not again and won't bring it next time. I would do a trip where it doesn't get used first before taking the leap

 

[Nevada Jen]

Renting is a good choice. There is a lot less physical space between people at DLR. I think it has way more potential for a meltdown than WDW because of that. Moreover, it can be hard to get out of the line of traffic to have that meltdown. If you want to rent in the parks, the canopy on the stroller is rigid framed. It would be pretty easy to throw a blanket over the top to make a cave.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We'll have to rent. She hasn't had a stroller at home since she was 3 and we never bought one of the fancy ones with the hood.

granted it has been years since we lived in Cal but at that time off site stroller rentals were unheard of then. nothing like Flo now.

 

[FortForever]

If the strollers there are anything like WDW, they are huge. I've seen people of all ages riding around in them, including teens and adults, while the child was taking a break and walking. I have seen lots of adults just sitting in them resting.

I honestly don't think anyone would give you any looks, or even think a thing about it. Disney is very tiring for everyone. It's not unusual to see older kids in Disney strollers, or even trying to hitch a ride on smaller, personal ones.

 

[Baklava]

No part of this decision is about what other people think. That's not a factor.

Betty, there's a company (maybe only one) doing off-site rentals the same way the Orlando companies do. I was glad to see it because you're right, it wasn't a thing for a long time.

 

[2tinkerbell]

My DD has sensory issues. We go to DLR all the time in every type of situation (Christmas, Halloween,runDisney race weekends, etc.). When she was about your cupcake's age, my DD would wear a hoodie. I could tell when she was getting overwhelmed and would take her to a place to sit and regroup. Often my DD would pull the hoodie over her head and "hide" for awhile. It also helps for you to be noticing when your cupcake is getting overwhelmed and suggest a break. It also helps if you know the situations/conditions that will make a meltdown more likely. For example, sitting in crowded places waiting is one of my DD's triggers. She likes to have her own "personal space" or "bubble" and it can be a little bigger than most. We utilize a place holder person frequently when waiting for parades or shows. Someone is with DD away from the environment and then at the last minute will join the group. We save about 1.5 person space for her. If my DD gets tired and or hungry, she is also more susceptible to her "beaker getting full." We make sure that she is fed and hydrated and that she still gets her sleep.

Using the DAS along with FPs, one has built in break time, which I totally love. At DLR, you get the return times at kiosks and not the ride. We make sure we have a DAS return time prior to having lunch and use lunch as our wait time. The same for breaks and dinnertime. We alternate between getting a FP and a DAS return time.

Just as a little aside, we totally love White Water Snacks in the GC - especially during the slightly off times. We can go there and sit outside on the tables and have a long, quiet lunch and regroup. Sometimes we have just gotten a little snack and have sat there playing electronic games and regrouping.

 

[Baklava]

Excellent tips! Thank you. We'll be trying WWS for the first time and I think I'll make sure she has an oversized hoodie.