What age to stop using strollers?

[chefkellyb]

Help! We've rented a double side-by-side stroller in the past for DD & DS when we have gone to Disney in the past. The last time we went in May 2007 they were almost 6 and almost 4 and it was getting heavy for DH to push. We are going again in January 2008 - so the kids will be 6 1/2 and 4 1/2. What would you do? Here are the options we are facing:

1. Rent the double stroller so that the kids will last in the parks and hope that DH's back doesn't give out? We don't own a double so renting is about $75 for the amount of time we will be there. But money is not really the issue here. Ease of jumping on the bus, tram, boat, etc... is what I'm thinking too. The kids like the stroller for obvious reasons.

2. Take just a compact stroller for the 4 1/2 year old? My worry is that the kids might fight over who's turn it is to sit in the stroller next. But at least I would have some rest on wheels if needed. Also would hold our backpack nicely.

3. Don't use a stroller at all. The thinking here is that they both might be "big enough" now to walk the parks without a stroller. But I'm not sure.

Anyone else have to make a decision on when to give up taking a stroller? What did you decide? How did it work out for you? I have time to think about it and see if the kids might be able to handle the long walks from buses to parks, etc... Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[jbhess]

We used strollers with our kids until they couldn't fit anymore. We rent the double strollers at the park because they are big and easy to push. My DD is 8 and we still rent a double-great for extra carrying space and worth the extra money. My philosphy has always been to let them ride in a stroller-they don't seem to get cranky as quickly as when they walk!

 

[Hannathy]

We never used a stroller after the kids were 4 so I wouldn't bring or rent. They have as much if not more energy than I do and I'm not using mine all up pushing kids well able to walk. As far as carrying stuff, I never understood what all you have to carry after the kids are potty trained that it would take a stroller to do this. I'd save the money for a treat or souvenir.

 

[louise']

We walked when our kids were 4 and 6 years old.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I say rent the double stroller. Our DD's are 8 and 4, and the 8 year-old will still hop in it to ride through the World Showcase or if we are trying to go quickly from Fantasyland to another park of MK. It is also great for AK when we are trying to get from the front of the park to the Safari quickly. DD4 rides in the stroller whenever we are in a hurry or if she is getting tired, and she will sit in the stroller to wait for a parade. When DD8 is not in it, it holds the backpack and the camera bag. We don't use it as much at the Studios. Both girls have not used a stroller at home for years, but it is worth the money to avoid the tiredness and grumpiness at WDW!

 

[CEDmom]

We went last Nov when DD was 7 and rented a stroller in every park but MGM. We did it more for efficiency than anything else. DH and I can walk all day so we didn't really want DD to poop out after a few hours. Renting one kept everyone happy. We weren't in MGM all that long so it wasn't needed that day.

We'll be going in Dec and will rent again if DD wants. She's tiny for her age so we have no problem pushing her.

 

[Ilovefozzie]

My vote is for no stroller. We stopped using one when DD was 3. We don't take that much into the parks and what we buy can be sent back to the resort so our carry weight stays down. Both times that we've gone down, first time when DD was 5 (and she's a very petite child) she has been able to go from park open to park close without slowing down.

 

[maxtomsmom]

You may not need to rent the stroller every day. Take a good look at your itinerary and see what days might be long. If you plan on taking breaks or having a short day, then a stroller isn't necessary. Also, you may do without in the beginning, but the end of your stay may be a different story. Also, if you got in late and having an earlier start, I would vote for the stroller just to be on the safe side.

 

[CampbellScot]

I had initially thought my step kids would be well able to walk. (They were 7 and 4 at the time).They are both very athletic, very energetic children. I couldn't imagine pushing them in a dang stroller all day. But once the heat and humidity got them, they were ZAPPED by by noon. Even after a rest at the resort, they were much more tired and grouchy than I'd ever seen them. My step daughter commented at one point that she felt like she'd been playing soccer all day without a break. To her, that is the epitome of being tired!

The next day we rented a double stroller. It changed the whole trip. Having a place to rest and get some shade made all the difference. They could walk if they wanted, but knowing that they could hop into the "kid transporter" whenever they wanted to cured the whines and the grouches! It was also great for parades and Wishes viewing.

Florida heat and humidity can be tough. You have to know your kiddos and make allowances that you might not otherwise make!

We are leaving next Tuesday. My step daughter has asked several times about the "kid transporter"!

 

[valleygirl]

The last time we rented a stroller was when my daughter was 7. The only park we rented a stroller at was EPCOT. I left it up to her and she was great everywhere except EPCOT, she tried but eventually decided she would be more comfortable with a stroller at that park.

 

[talulabelle]

rent the double. here is no set "age" to stop. You stop when it becomes more convienient and more comfortable for the kids to walk then to lug the stroller. As long as kids are happier to be in stroller , rent rent rent

 

[mareed]

My 2 DS's used a stroller until they were 8. We took 2 separate strollers for a few years since they're 3 years apart, and then just had one for the youngest when the oldest turned 8. My youngest is now 8, and we did 2 days in the parks in May without a stroller at all for the first time ever. I'm not sure how I'll survive without it on a trip where we want to take jackets, extra clothes, etc! Guess I'll find out in a few months!

 

[all4fun]

DS will be 4-1/2yrs old on our next trip and we will be taking a stroller. He has a tendancy to want to ride or be carried anyway and there is no way I could handle a whole day of carrying him around, even though he's "only" 34lbs.

Another option might be to bring the single for your younger child and just rent as needed for your older.

I also love this philosphy

rent the double. here is no set "age" to stop. You stop when it becomes more convienient and more comfortable for the kids to walk then to lug the stroller. As long as kids are happier to be in stroller , rent rent rent

hth

 

[KTSMOM]

Last year when my DD was 5 we took her to DW with a stroller. We only used the stroller one time and even then it wasn't necessary. It turned out she could walk a lot more than we thought and there was no need to bring the stroller.
What I might suggest is just to gage the kids when you are at DW and if it seems like they really need a ride then rent a stroller vs bringing one from home. I think you will be happier not to have lugged that stroller all the way to DW.

 

[timzagain]

I rented a double stroller during our one-day, whirlwind visit to WDW when DD was seven. It was just the two of us and it made life a lot easier. We were able to spend practically the whole day at the park.

I contemplated it for our July '07 trip (she's now nine), partly for her benefit but also to accomodate the "stuff" we were taking to the park, as I occassionally suffer with backaches. I found that I didn't need to. I gradually whittled down the "stuff" so that it was less cumbersome. DD didn't need the stroller - she was going like the Energizer Bunny and didn't seem to mind walking. I guess the competitive swim training paid off - her endurance was much better than I anticipated.

You'd have to know your kids and how much heat and walking they can take! Personally, at the current Disney ticket prices, I think it's cheaper to spend a few dollars to rent a stroller than to have the WDW experience ruined because the kids are overtired!

 

[Schmeck]

rent the double. here is no set "age" to stop. You stop when it becomes more convienient and more comfortable for the kids to walk then to lug the stroller. As long as kids are happier to be in stroller , rent rent rent

Will you come and push me, as I'd be much happier at WDW in a stroller... I'm 43, but small for my age...

 

[SharkyGoddess]

This is what I saw suggested on a parenting board I'm on. A family with kiddos about your ages is heading for vacation soon, Disney as well, so she and her sister (also going with kids) decided to take their kids to a walking path and see how far they could walk before wanting to take a break. They made it just over 5 miles I don't think either expected that. Anyway, it will give you an indication just how far your kids can go on their little legs before needing a break.

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

Well, I am aware that each child different and my definitly is different. On our last trip she was 5, we brought the umbrella stroller. I did all the pushing because the handle is too short for DH. She was in that stroller every possible opportunity. One day we went to Epcot and my oldest daughter (age 9) struck a high fever. I could feel her burning up and it was not that hot out. She said that started to feel dizzy. Since he is not one to ever complain aout not feeling well, I knew something was wrong. I took the 5 year old out of the stroller and told the 9 yo to sit down while we strolled out of Epcot toward the car. Well, the 5 year old whined the entire time how she was tired and could not walk. DH ended up carrying her. I did not want to wait any longer since she was dizzy and all so, we stopped in some store in Epcot on the way out and bought some Childrens Tylenol before heading out for the day. To make a long story short, I say bring the stroller.

 

[1of6]

See how it goes. We were there when the kids were 2, 4, 7 and 9 and we rented a double. (Our double stroller broke at MCO before getting to Disney.) All 4 kids took turns riding.

We are thinking to go back in Jan. and will rent a double then. The kids will be 4, 6, 9 and 11.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I would suggest getting a stroller at least a few of the days. Disney is a lot of walking and it can be hot, stickey and crowded. Imagine little legs trying to keep up!

For my family -- sometimes we like to move fast. It's great to put the younger one in a stroller so she won't have to worry about keeping up.