What to do when no more stroller anymore.

[LOLA2]

How do you transition from stroller to no stroller, and I am not talking about dealing with the kid but all the stuff in the stroller basket? I really want to rent a stroller for this reason but hubby says ds 5 is old enough to walk. It has been so convienent in the past to have a place for drinks, clothes, snacks umbrella all that good stuff. The last thing I want is a backpack haning on me in the heat. Even if we got a locker for most of stuff what about our snacks and drings, where do we put them when going on ride? Do I just stop carrying this stuff and we stop and snack and drink frequently? What to do? I don't want my kids to be 16 and me still pushing a stroller though just so I can lug my stuff around

 

[tiggercrew]

It is a hard transition at first in terms of carrying all the stuff, but it makes moving around the parks a lot easier without the stroller. We usually use a backpack (over packed usually) and carry a water bottle or two and maybe some crackers. We don't take an umbrella, but we do pack ponchos (which can get rather heavy for all 4 of us). This year my goal is to downsize the items needed for the park...I will probably bring a smaller bag so I am forced into this.

Have a great trip!

 

[kldmom2000]

Personally, I know my DD's will be 4 and 6 when we go back in Sept/Oct. I'll be bringing our Maclaren stroller for either one of them and I'm almost certain that my 6 yr old will tire easily from all that walking-I'll rent a stroller for her if she requests it.... when we went last time, my oldest was 4.5 and she spent more time in the stroller than my then 2 yr old!LOL! She NEVER uses a stroller at home.....

If you still choose to not go the stroller route, I'd say get your DH a backpack and have him tote around all the stuff you'll need

I'm not looking forward to the day that mine no longer need one!

Good luck and have fun!

 

[mrsltg]

I would push the issue with your dh. We went in January with our just turned 5 year old. DH said no stroller. I told him he could carry the cranky child. We rented a stroller and never looked back. She didn't ride in it most of the time, just when we wanted to get somewhere fast or when she was feeling worn out. Disney is a HUGE place. I read somewhere that you walk an average of 5-7 miles per day at WDW. That's a lot for a kid.

Good luck!

 

[TinkInPink]

It is incredably freeing! We took our 5 year old at easter without a stroller and he did fine 8am - midnight. I took a bag a bit bigger than a purse with the essentials older DD had a fanny pack. Timed drinks for walks between rides and lines. He was no more tired than anyone else. saved money and best thing you don't have to manuaver it in crowds and search it out and retrieve after each ride. Buy souvenirs at end of day.

 

[tjmw2727]

We loved being "stroller free" LOL and like you it happend about age 5. Be prepared for the possiblity of an evening rental now and then but for the most part my dd's were fine.

As for the "stuff" we found that when we didn't carry alot we didn't need alot!

My dd's love the water bottle straps sold at WDW so that was one of the souvineers, one each for the entire trip. Then once we buy the first bottle of water each morning we refill it throughout the day. My dd's wear the water bottle and I did find they drink more this way and stay hydrated. If they want to do autographs they also wear a fannypack with the autograph book and a pen. Last trip they had the characters sign their Disney hats which they wore and I carried the sharpie.

DH and I wear a fanny pack with a couple small snacks and some lemonade packets to add to the water. DH carries a small digital camera in his pack as well.

We found that we don't need many snacks because the kids end up wanting and ice cream or popcorn anyway and we were carrying more stuff than we ate.

If you do a mid-day break at the resort to swim and rest you can re-stock for the evening.

Occasionally if the weather is variable we bring a small backpack with ponchos or sweatshirts that dh and I take turns wearing. No trouble bringing it on the rides at all, it goes betwen the legs or in the baskets provided.

Souvineers can be shipped to the park entrance for pick up on the way out or to your WDW resort for pick up the next day.

HTH
TJ