What age did your kids walk w/o stroller?

[needabrk]

We're planning our first family trip with our children ages 2, 4, and 6 1/2. My husband wants to go "light", but I think we should at least take an umbrella stoller so each kid will have a chance to rest. He has good reason, the kids usually argue about who should get to ride. But I think with some ground rules, they will do fine. Our double stroller would be to cumbersome and I'd like to avoid the price of renting strollers. I just think the kids are still young and will wear out very quickly if they all have to walk the whole time.

 

[loriandmatt]

We took the umbrella stroller when DS was 5. We used it somewhat, but he was in and out all day and it became a bother. Most days we left it in the hotel room because it was such a pain.

We rented park strollers when he was 6, but only because he was recovering from a broken leg. Otherwise he would have been out the entire time.

Just my experience. Others may be vastly different.

- lori

 

[campingcorgi]

How may of your kids can you carry at once? If your husband can carry two and you can manage the other and all the stuff you'll have--drinks, clothes, snacks, souviners, ponchos, sunscreen, hats, cameras, etc.--then you can travel light. Now, me, I'd take the double stroller and the umbrella stroller and travel lighter!

Seriously, though, those little legs will poop out fast (especially if you'll be going when it's hot). Wheels can reduce whining!

 

[loriandmatt]

I just wanted to pipe in here again now that i re-read your original post. With 3 kids at such young ages you may want to reconsider your decision about renting strollers at WDW.

They do have double strollers or single strollers and we found them to be very roomy and easy to manuver.(lots of great pockets for stuff too!) They are 6 or 7 bucks a day, but you get a Disney Dollar back when you return it at the end of the day. Also, if you are hopping from one park to another in the same day, you can get a voucher from one stroller place and not have to repay at the next park.

If they usually pick over the stroller as you mentioned, one umbrella stroller may cause you some greef.

I am sure you know better than anyone, but if it were me, I would rent the double strollers at WDW.

- lori

 

[ColetteN]

I took my DD (4) and DNephew (6) this past August. I didn't bring a stroller, figuring they had both been out of one for so long.

We did end up renting a double stroller for 2 of our 5 days in the parks. Both children fit just fine. Epcot was the worst for them (my Nephew in particular). We found they were more pleasant when able to rest and we were able to keep a decent adult pace (my nephew is an extremely slow walker). I opted for renting there, because of the convenience. They only used the strollers in the parks - never anywhere else, so we didn't have to cart it on the monorails or boats.

The only drawback I found was that my daughter then never wanted to walk, treating the stroller as a 'ride' in itself. I was a tad surprised, because we had been through the nightly walks each night for a few months before we left, and her stamina had built up to about 2 miles a night without any complaints (but I'm sure we walked more than 2 miles a day at DW!!!).

So, even your older children will probably need a rest some time. If you can set ground rules about taking turns and eliminate the whining or fighting, then go for taking your own. For us the expense ($12 a day sticks in my mind - and you only pay it once a day, no matter how many parks you pick up a stroller) was worth not having the hassle of toting our own around.

Colette

 

[punkin]

I'm still renting a stroller at Epcot for my 10 yr old! She does all the other parks, but cannot handle all the walking at Epcot.

My 4 yr old needs a stroller at Epcot (obviously), MGM and AK. We do MK on foot!

 

[snowwhite86]

We rented a stroller up until our daughters were almost 7. It sure helps to have a place where they can sit and take a break while the rest of us moved along.

 

[Sharby]

If you don't want to take the double stroller:
I'd buy another cheap umbrella stroller and maybe the clips (if you can get them for an inexpensive amount so that you can clip them together) and take both umbrella strollers with you.
This way - if you need one - you got one and if you need two - you got two.

Some people buy the cheapest umbrella stroller they can - because even if they throw it away at the end of their trip, they still have saved money over renting a stroller (add it up)

But I'd still take the double stroller. It's only a small inconvenience on and off the plane with it - but a huge convenience with children that are those ages.

 

[CamColt]

On 2 different trips, my kids were 8 months & 3.5, then 20 months and 4.5. Both of those times we used the sit & stand carriage where the younges sat in the seat and there is a space on the back for the older one to either sit or stand. This worked great for when he didnt want to walk.
On our next trip the kids were 2.5 and 5.5. We had an umbrella stroller for the youngest and the oldest walked.

 

[okwoodsmith]

You might try a mixed strategy. On our most recent trip with our 5 year old, we considered the park when deciding whether or not we needed a stroller. When we went to Epcot, we thought about the fact that the park is so large and decided that we needed a stroller. The other thing was that we stayed for illuminations and at 9:30, we were happy to have the stroller for the long trek to the front of the park.

When we went to MK, we decided she could probably do alright without a stroller. What we did that day is offered her a choice. She could choose between having a stroller, or the $8 to spend on a souvenier. She really wanted this Minnie head band thing...so it was an easy choice for her. Later when she was tired, we simply reminded her of the choice she made and she was fine.

If I had a 2 year old, there would be no doubt that I'd be getting a stroller.

One more thought...for us, the cost of renting is more than made up for with convenience. We've done it both ways and have decided it's worth budgeting in the cost of renting. Just my 2 cents.

 

[NLK]

My 9 year old cousin shared a double stroller in Epcot with my 2 year DD. They loved it! They thought they were in their own personal ride. We had brought my DD stroller but she wouldn't use it unless she wanted to nap. But, when we got the double stroller she sat in it all day. They only drawback was that it was the last day of our trip. I wish we would have rented one everyday. We also used our stroller to carry all the things we bought. It was a big help. I say, bring one and rent one. Have a great trip.

 

[patsal]

We stopped using a stroller on vacations when the children were 4. I think having at least a stroller for the 2yo would be helpful. Quick naps with little inconvienience to others. So long as you are willing to keep at the children's pace no stroller will be fine, but without it you leave the pace up to the kids!

 

[jel0511]

I think you also need to decide how long you plan on staying in each park. If you plan on staying all day, with no breaks, I DEFINATELY would recommend a double stroller. If you plan on going back to the resort for a nap/swim then you'd probably be find with just an umbrella for your littlest one. When we go to WDW, we usually only hit the parks for a few hours at a time, and then relax at our resort. On our last trip, my DD was almost 5 and DS was almost 2. I have a Peg Perego Pliko which has a place for my older DD to stand. MY DD did ride sometimes, but more for quickness and for fun, rather than out of being tired. So, think about how you are going to plan your days, and that will help you decide whether you'll need more than one stroller.

 

[needabrk]

There is a lot to consider in the great stroller debate. My husband would rather rent than bring one and there is some convincing evidence swaying me. I guess it does depend on the park, how long we're going to be there, how much stuff we plan on bringing, etc. Perhaps it is something we need to add to our budget.

Say, can you take an umbrella stroller (folded up) on the train in MK?

 

[goofymom23]

I would agree with your husband on the double stroller. Most of the double strollers are just to big to get around on the transportation. Getting them folded and one and off the bus, tram, and monorail is just to hard. I would bring my umbrella stroller and buy another one. If you are going to buy one I would recommend one that lays down so your little one can nap. All the parks can be very exhausting on their little legs, and usually they start early in the day and are expected to go into the late evening. We always take our stroller and then just park it in each part of the park and walk around. When we are ready to go onto another part of that park or another park they hop in and go for a ride. I like knowing that my little ones are in my stroller instead of walking around when we are trying to get through a crowd. Have a good trip.

 

[Sharby]

I so agree with the goofymom3 (and actually I posted early saying exactly the same thing). With the ages of your 2 youngest - you need at least one - and probably two - umbroller strollers (easy for getting on and off transportation). Or you can rent at least one stroller (single or double) daily. Or you can take the double stroller. As I see it - those are your only 3 options with children (especially your 2 youngest) of your ages.

The drawback with renting is that you do not have the stroller(s) to get the children to and from the parking lot/hotel and especially at the end of the day this can be a huge drawback. The drawback with the double stroller is the size/weight. The probable best option is to to at least take one umbroller stroller and consider buying another cheap one.