What's the oldest age you've used a stroller?

[bdcp]

Our first trip our boys were 3.5 and 5.5 and we didn't use a stroller. We were past using one by over a year at that point for youngest DS. They never complained about being tired and youngest DS rode on his dad's shoulders for a few minutes a couple of times in Epcot. It was 1989, so only three parks, but because we didn't use one at home, they never complained. They were 28 months apart and I never had a double stroller either.

 

[jolene63]

We used one of Disney's strollers for my daughter last year when she was about to turn 7. We didn't use it every day and when we did, it was only for part of the day. We just got back from another trip and didn't need one at all. My daughter amazed me. I couldn't believe how much she changed in one year. She never once complained about being tired during our nine day stay.

 

[NewbieMouse]

We stooped using stroller for our twins sometime before they turned 4.

I think 8 and 11 are waaay to old, but it's your kids, do what you want. I told my daughter that we will take lots of breaks and she can tell us if she needs more breaks.

Ditto!

 

[Mainemama]

7, but my kids are really big. They would happily sit in a stroller If I let them, but once they hit 70 pounds, forget it, I can't push them! (With a toddler). The one year we had everyone in a stroller was nice, but not managing a heavy double stroller makes up for any tiredness they may feel. The last trip, my just turned 7 year old was "done" by dinner time. Took us a bit to figure out he needed to stop moving and sleep. The 10 year old with more stamina and the 2 year old in the stroller were good to go for a couple hours after he was!

 

[stitchfan75]

OP...I think you should do whatever you think is best for your kids and vacation. Worst case scenario? Neither wants to use it and you wasted bringing or renting it.
Everytime my 12 year old complained about walking I told her I would stick her in a Disney stroller.

 

[caroline1851]

I first took my kids when they were 2 (just shy of 3) and 6. Epcot day I rented a double and they both used it. The rest of the time they walked. We went back when they were 5 (just turned) and 8 and dd5 used a stroller everyday. Go figure. haha. I absolutely would not allow either of my kids at 11 to ride in a stroller. They have no physical issues that prevent them from being active, therefore, they would need to walk. If they can't, then we don't go.

 

[agavegirl1]

I haven't used a stroller but wish I had when I brought the 7 and 2 year olds. Taking turns carrying an almost three year old toddler got old real fast. It was nice to not be encumbered by a stroller but I think your family needs to determine what is best for you. Also, ask the kids, they might have a negative opinion of being in a stroller.

 

[brandilee8299]

I am surprised to read the responses here. I thought most people with kids still used a stroller. We want to maximize our time and will continue to use a stroller as long as the kids want to. They are 4 and 9. The rode in a double stroller on our last trip to WDW last Sept. and again in March to DL. We are going to WDW again in April and they will be 4 and 9 and planned to rent the double again. We are generally in the parks from opening until 9:00 pm. We will park the stroller for a couple of hours and go back to it when we are in one land. It's wonderful to have to push from the parking lot to transportation to monorail and in to the park. That's a lot of walking right there. They also enjoy sitting in it to have a snack/ice cream while we are pushing and for waiting for the parade. I see a lot of cranky, tired kids in the parks. If this helps to prevent a little bit on tiredness, I def think it's worth having.

 

[Planogirl]

I am surprised to read the responses here. I thought most people with kids still used a stroller. We want to maximize our time and will continue to use a stroller as long as the kids want to. They are 4 and 9. The rode in a double stroller on our last trip to WDW last Sept. and again in March to DL. We are going to WDW again in April and they will be 4 and 9 and planned to rent the double again. We are generally in the parks from opening until 9:00 pm. We will park the stroller for a couple of hours and go back to it when we are in one land. It's wonderful to have to push from the parking lot to transportation to monorail and in to the park. That's a lot of walking right there. They also enjoy sitting in it to have a snack/ice cream while we are pushing and for waiting for the parade. I see a lot of cranky, tired kids in the parks. If this helps to prevent a little bit on tiredness, I def think it's worth having.

DS and I both got cranky if we pushed too hard and I found that taking breaks did us both good. As it was he mostly ran circles around me and I would have been very cranky if I'd had to push him around when he was 11!

 

[cfmarie79]

5 and 6

 

[pmaurer74]

DD has Perthes disease so we use an umbrella stroller for her because she cannot walk long distances, she is 6.

 

[pmaurer74]

My DD is 5 1/2 and we brought the umbrella stroller. She hasn't used a stroller in FOREVER but I knew it would be a good idea. I also like having one just to hang bags on, etc. She is tiny, only 36 lbs. The only complaining was from the 8 year old brother who was jealous. He did fine, however. I told everyone that I was donating the stroller when we got back!

My DD is 34 lbs at the age of 6 and she fits in an umbrella stroller.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

OP, I think you should do what works best for you and your family. My DS was 6 when he last used a stroller. He has ASD and it made our trips so much easier for everyone. He could sit and chill out while I got us where we needed to go in quite an expeditious manner. A few months before he turned 7 he decided he did not want to use the stroller anymore, so we went without it. We had to take more frequent breaks and on some days left the park earlier than I wanted (he did go RD to close in EP one day though!), but he was happy to be a "big boy" and more independent. Yes, there is a lot of walking in WDW! But it's also a vacation. If renting a stroller will make the trip better for you and your family - go for it!!

 

[Boski]

Our first trip our boys were 3.5 and 5.5 and we didn't use a stroller. We were past using one by over a year at that point for youngest DS. They never complained about being tired and youngest DS rode on his dad's shoulders for a few minutes a couple of times in Epcot. It was 1989, so only three parks, but because we didn't use one at home, they never complained. They were 28 months apart and I never had a double stroller either.

Almost identical to us. Our first family trip my youngest was 1 month away from turning 4 and my oldest had just turned 5 (13 months apart), we didn't use a stroller and they were completely fine.

I always answer these threads with you know your children best but to the OP at that age you might want to really consider not using one. Maybe try a day without and see how it goes?

 

[cel_disney]

DS was 7 and 70lbs (and super tall!) and that was the last trip we had a stroller he could use. DSL was always a stroller rider - it was his personality and frankly we had no real issue with it as we very much like commando touring and this enabled it best.
At our next trip when he was 8, he wanted to use a stroller some of the time but I cannot push him in it anymore or find one that supports his weight/height easily - so I offered him a reward. For everyday that he would walk the entire day without whining, he earned 10$ that he could use for his spending money or save for home. For anyway that trip that he needed a stroller, we split the price and he paid me 5$ or gave up his Mickey bar snack. Wouldn't ya know - we made it thru without a stroller!

There were definitely some moments that I still remember walking from the entrance of Epcot to Via Napoli where we had to encourage him and remind him of the deal (it is a mile and we were not walking slow!), but he powered thru!

We have continued to offer this deal to him since then, and we are expanding it to our 5 year old this year too. She has always been more stroller independent compared to him so we think it might work although we are not excited about having to carry everything vs having a stroller for it...we will likely still bring the single stroller for late nights though as we hate the walk back to the car with whiny or caried children!

 

[lustergirl]

I am surprised to read the responses here. I thought most people with kids still used a stroller. We want to maximize our time and will continue to use a stroller as long as the kids want to. They are 4 and 9. The rode in a double stroller on our last trip to WDW last Sept. and again in March to DL. We are going to WDW again in April and they will be 4 and 9 and planned to rent the double again. We are generally in the parks from opening until 9:00 pm. We will park the stroller for a couple of hours and go back to it when we are in one land. It's wonderful to have to push from the parking lot to transportation to monorail and in to the park. That's a lot of walking right there. They also enjoy sitting in it to have a snack/ice cream while we are pushing and for waiting for the parade. I see a lot of cranky, tired kids in the parks. If this helps to prevent a little bit on tiredness, I def think it's worth having.

Well most people here wouldn't push a 9 year old around in a stroller unless it was medically necessary. I am in the same boat as others. I would take breaks before I pushed a 9 year old in a stroller.

 

[pbb322]

We did not take one the year DS was 6, when it was just me, him, and his 9 year old cousin for 4 days. This year, when my 3 year old DD went and DS was 8, we only took a single stroller for the 3 year old, but by late afternoons, my son took every chance he could get to sit in it when she got up for any reason. I would not bring one just for him, but it is nice to give him a short break every now and then.

 

[briggscreek]

The only time we ever rented a stroller was when DD was 5 and got an ear infection while we there. Otherwise we never owned one, both kids have always walked and been fine.

 

[jacksonsmom]

At 3 my son would use one only when tired. If he wanted to walk, we definitely let him. He mostly used the stroller towards the end of the night.

At 4, we did not bring a stroller with us. The only day we rented one was our Epcot day. It was record heat that day and I wish I had a stroller to use that day! LOL

That was the last time he used a stroller.

I'm a big believer that unless there is a medical reason why your child can't walk, there is no reason for a stroller after the age of 5.
If the child is tried you take breaks, even an ice cream break in the A/C will help, or just find some shade and have a glass of lemonade.

 

[Kathryn777]

I agree, if there isn't a medical reason they should get the exercise. That said I'm bringing a double for my 2 & 5 year old, and my 8 year old may plop down in it for a rest... But not while I'm pushing him