What age..no more stroller

[disneyfor5]

We have always used a stroller and this year my youngest will be 6. Too old for a stroller but the parks are still hugh for those little legs, lol. What age do you stop using a stroller and how do your kids hold up through the day?

 

[tink20]

We have always used a stroller and this year my youngest will be 6. Too old for a stroller but the parks are still hugh for those little legs, lol. What age do you stop using a stroller and how do your kids hold up through the day?

We used one at 6, we were there with a large group and it made it easier to keep up with him. Plus it was summer and very hot.

The next summer, we went back and he was 7. We didn't use one. He was tired, but we just went at a slower pace and took more breaks. It was just my family this trip, so it went well. Several times I ask him if he wanted me to rent a stroller and he said "no". Do what is best for your child and family.

 

[wahoostampingirl]

You're going to get a ton of different answers for this one! My kids were around 6 when we stopped using strollers in the parks, but we also made sure to take lots of breaks if the kids seemed like they were getting tired. Also, I do remember one day when my dd was about that age and wasn't feeling so great. She had stayed behind at our condo with my dh the day before, but really wanted to be in the parks the next day. We rented a stroller for that day, so she could rest when she needed to.

I will say that it seems like a big leap to get rid of the strollers, but it makes touring the parks so much easier.

 

[kaligal]

Mine were out of the stroller at age 3.

I don't have a problem with it if people want to push 17 year olds around in the stroller. It doesn't cost me anything and is really none of my beezwax.

But that's how I did it. I didn't make a decision or think about it. They were able to walk on their own, they did.

I never pushed kids, though. I just naturally went at their pace. Also something I just did and didn't think much about. I would not have attempted to run around a theme park all day!

 

[texasteacher35]

My DS is 6 and we used one in January, we will use one in March and June...but when he turns 7...I'm going to retire the stroller. They do get so exhausted, but I can't imagine carrying him around as the night rolls around! I dread the day of no stroller, but it is quickly approaching~

 

[texasteacher35]

Mine were out of the stroller at age 3.

I don't have a problem with it if people want to push 17 year olds around in the stroller. It doesn't cost me anything and is really none of my beezwax.

But that's how I did it. I didn't make a decision or think about it. They were able to walk on their own, they did.

I think it might be a good idea to ween them from the stroller earlier on... I kinda wish I had...pushing around 50 lbs is tough, especially when I am tired! LOL

 

[smitch425]

We started taking the kids to Disney every fall when they were 2 and 4. We had never taken anything other than one $20 umbrella stroller. This past October my DS was a month away from turning 7 and we went stroller free for the first time. There are so many breaks from the walking (shows, rides, meals) that allow them to rest. It was AWESOME! So freeing, and you never had to backtrack to collect the stroller from it's parking spot. Glad those days are behind us!

 

[NSmuppetmom]

We never used a stroller. Took our kids for the first time when they were 5 and 7 (though the 5 yr old was he size of an avg 3 yr old) and did not use a stroller. We were there for rope drop every day and stayed until 9-10 every night with no breaks.
The kids were fine. (Actually, they were better than fine -- they were fabulous!!) The rides provided enough rest for their weary legs.

 

[Kristinluvsdisney]

My boys are 6 and 4 and we are bringing 2 umbrella strollers. When we were there last May that is what we used also and it worked out real well. Easier to use on buses also.

 

[partypa]

3 is our cut off. We like it when the kids are good and tired at the end of the night not full of energy because they were pushed around all day.

 

[HM]

We also never brought a stroller.
Our first trip, our kids had just turned 4 and 6. We rented one, one day at Epcot, but that was it for our 8 day trip. Every other trip afterward, no stroller use at all.

 

[teetee830]

I took one on our last trip when DS had jsut turned 4 and he didn't want to use it. In March he is 5 and we aren't taking one at all. Nothing worse than pushing around an empty stroller.

Only you know your kid though if he isn't one that wants to do a lot of walking I say use it.

 

[Wadecool]

We have always used a stroller and this year my youngest will be 6. Too old for a stroller but the parks are still hugh for those little legs, lol. What age do you stop using a stroller and how do your kids hold up through the day?

I think 6 or even 7 would be perfectly fine. You are right that it is a lot of walking for little legs. That being said, I think I'll fire up the popcorn machine...

 

[nchulka]

On our first trip the our oldest was 8 and our youngest turned 7 while we were there. We did not do strollers. The kids walked all day, every day. They carried their own backpacks with all their own gear/snacks. We went rope drop to close everyday. We were there 2 1/2 weeks. We spent 1 day in the middle sleeping late and swimming at the resort pool. We spent 8 days at the main parks, 2 days at the waterparks, 1 day at SeaWorld, 1 day at DiscoveryCove, 1 day at the beach, 1 day at DTD. If the kids were ever tired they didn't act like it. They were so excited everyday, they were running everywhere. The only time the youngest did get a bit tired was the day we spent 8AM (early ADR at Tusker House)-5PM at Animal Kingdom and then drove straight to MK for MNSSHP from 5PM-Midnight! By 10:30-11:00PM he was slowing way down! Kids have way more energy than adults, they'll be fine. We are a very active family, but I think any kid over 3ish should be able to walk it, especially if it's only a week long vacation.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We started taking the kids to Disney every fall when they were 2 and 4. We had never taken anything other than one $20 umbrella stroller. This past October my DS was a month away from turning 7 and we went stroller free for the first time. There are so many breaks from the walking (shows, rides, meals) that allow them to rest. It was AWESOME! So freeing, and you never had to backtrack to collect the stroller from it's parking spot. Glad those days are behind us!

This is basically how we did it too. Always umbrella only no toting around a carriage full of stuff to the parks and taking them since DS was 3. We did skip last year though. DD was walking from 7 on and didn't have any issues. DS will be turning 7 2 days after we return from our trip this year, he will not be in a stroller and he knows that already and is ok with it. I hope we have the same success.

 

[robinb]

We have always used a stroller and this year my youngest will be 6. Too old for a stroller but the parks are still hugh for those little legs, lol. What age do you stop using a stroller and how do your kids hold up through the day?

My DD still used one at 5 & 6 years old at nights and in Epcot since it's such a big park. She was not allowed to use one during the day at the other parks. I'm sure that many people think that 6 is too old, but it worked for us. She tended to "zonk out" after dinner and we had the choice to push her in a stroller and still enjoy the nighttime parades and fireworks or go back to our room early. We stopped using a stroller entirely once she turned 7.

 

[tinkermommyof3]

The last time we used was at the age of 6. They still fit perfectly. We always rented the Disney park strollers and they were roomy. Would have used longer if we could but did not fit anymore and too heavy to push. Their legs get tired. Mom and Dad's leg's get tired too!

 

[Scubee]

We stopped using a stroller at age 4. We are an active family (neighborhood walks, sports, backyard football and the like) so the walking wasn't too much for DS4. He was a beast on our previous 7-day trip! I was really proud of the little guy. Granted, there were times he was up for a piggyback ride or up on my shoulders but that's part of the fun of being a dad!

 

[ses1230]

There is no right age. It is whatever is best for you and your family.

IMO, 6 is fine for a stroller at Disney. Mine will be 4 and 7 in December, and I am bringing the double stroller.

 

[Wiloughby1]

My kids will be nearly 3 and 5.5 on our next trip. We are taking 2 umbrella strollers with us, but most days we will only take one to the parks.

DD2 is a serious napper. Like 2 hrs daily, out cold. Since we can't predict ona Disney day if that nap will fall precisely at 12:45pm as it does now, that stroller will make a nice place for her to nap while we baby swap and DS5 goes on big kid rides.

The 2nd stroller is for 2 situations only.
1. Nights when we are staying at parks for evening shows (3 of our 9 nights). Not because he will be tired. Both of my kids are night owls anyway and bedtime is typically 8:45. 9:00 Wishes isn't a huge stretch if we take a midday break. The real problem is DEPARTURE CROWDS. I am terrified of trying to hold on to a little hand under the crush of the exiting masses. I will feel better if he is protected in the stroller. He also has some sensory issues and will feel a bit more secure in the crowd whiel in his own space.
2. Touring the World Showcase. Somehow we always make it through, but the walk back to the car is the last straw.

You can take a stroller with you, and only use it as you see fit. Nothing says you HAVE to use it every day. It's just much worse to get there and find that you need to rent one daily.