When did you stop needing a stroller?

[imthatgirl]

This year my kids will be 4,6 and 9. Last time we went they were 3,5 and 8 and we used a stroller.
This year I don't actually own a stroller. So I'm wondering what others have done with kids this age. Have you survived without a stroller.
We will be there for 4 full days and a 1/2 day.

I do have some wonderful friends who I'm sure I could borrow a stroller off (I won't rent)....I guess I'm wondering from other with experience if I should bother.
Thanks!

 

[Hannathy]

All three kids I have taken to Disney walked at 4 without problems. You aren't there that long. You will find it so freeing and easy to maneuver and get around you'll never look back. If all 3 kids are walking they will just do it without thinking anything different, just what is expected.

Have fun and enjoy not having to drag a stroller on and off the buses or the trams and parking it and retrieving it and trying to push it thru a sea of people. Have a great trip!

 

[plutolovr]

My last trip to Disney with a stroller was with first DD when she was 4. Went back with her and her twin brother and sister when they were 5 and we didn't use one then. Did all the parks plus Universal and Sea World in 7 days. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We brought the stroller our last trip (DD turned 6 on the trip) and we never needed it. So age 4 (almost 5) is the last time we "needed" it. The hardest park was Epcot but we stopped and had her sit several times and she got through it.

 

[imthatgirl]

I think it would be freer to be without a stroller....of course I'm nervous about a child getting tired, but what about you "stuff". Since I've always had a stroller we've alwasy had some place to put things and a cup holder to hold a beverage. How much different is it when you mature to the no stroller.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I think it would be freer to be without a stroller....of course I'm nervous about a child getting tired, but what about you "stuff". Since I've always had a stroller we've alwasy had some place to put things and a cup holder to hold a beverage. How much different is it when you mature to the no stroller.

It was a WHOLE new ballgame! It was nice not having to fold it up to get on busses but DH ended up wearing a backpack all day with all our "stuff" that used to get thrown in the bottom of our Maclaren. Since we used a mac, we were used to no cup holders. DH has a backpack with the pouches on the outside so we stuff water bottles in those. If someone isn't willing to wear a backpack for essentials, I would bring at least one stroller.

 

[ancestry]

We took my youngest two last year -- then 6 year old twins and did not use a stroller. They had no problems walking or with the parks. If I would have even suggested that either of them got in a stroller they would have looked at me like I had grown horns.

Based on your kids' age only and not considering their personalities, if I had children that age I would get an umbrella stroller for the four year old but would not get a stroller for the older two.

 

[imthatgirl]

It was a WHOLE new ballgame! It was nice not having to fold it up to get on busses but DH ended up wearing a backpack all day with all our "stuff" that used to get thrown in the bottom of our Maclaren. Since we used a mac, we were used to no cup holders. DH has a backpack with the pouches on the outside so we stuff water bottles in those. If someone isn't willing to wear a backpack for essentials, I would bring at least one stroller.

Thats the thing, not sure I want a backpack. We wouldn't touch the buses if you paid us so thats not an issue.
Maybe I'll borrow one, bring it and it's there is I want it.
thanks!

 

[imthatgirl]

We took my youngest two last year -- then 6 year old twins and did not use a stroller. They had no problems walking or with the parks. If I would have even suggested that either of them got in a stroller they would have looked at me like I had grown horns.

Based on your kids' age only and not considering their personalities, if I had children that age I would get an umbrella stroller for the four year old but would not get a stroller for the older two.

It's mostly the 4yo I'm worried about. He's the third kid so he's pretty resilient, but you never know, lol.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Thats the thing, not sure I want a backpack. We wouldn't touch the buses if you paid us so thats not an issue.
Maybe I'll borrow one, bring it and it's there is I want it.
thanks!

No to hijack neighbor but just out of curiosity, what is the issue with the buses? I wouldn't dream of spending money on a rental and I like having the downtime with someone else driving me around. But I love getting other people's thoughts.

 

[imthatgirl]

No to hijack neighbor but just out of curiosity, what is the issue with the buses? I wouldn't dream of spending money on a rental and I like having the downtime with someone else driving me around. But I love getting other people's thoughts.

We did the buses one year and vowed it was the last. I couldn't stand waiting for the bus...with a car it's right there. I couldn't stand leaving the park and not getting on the first, second, hopefully the third bus...my car is right there. I couldn't stand being caged into "the world"...with my car we can run to Walmart or to Olive Garden if we'd like. On long trips we also like to see other parts of Florida. I never found it comfortable to sit on a bus...but in my car I can kick my shoes off and put my feet up. In my car I can be anywhere in about 15 minutes with the exception of the MK which you need to add the boat ride...where as on a bus we had to plan an hour for travel time everywhere. In the summer months those rides home were filled with some pretty smelly people, other people's sweat really bothers me, lol. I think this list could go on for days.
I hated it. Our last trip a rental car to sit 5 comfortably cost us $68 for the week. It was totally worth it!

But, there is one thing I do LOVE about the buses....they keep hundreds of people out of the parks at any given time and the parking lots are much less busy.

 

[scrapnmom]

On our last trip, DS was 4 and he walked the entire time by his choice. But, he also went on long bike rides with us. This time, DD is 4 and starts whining every time we go for a walk or ride, she has no endurance. So, we are bringing an umbrella stroller again for her.

My DH is right there with you on the buses.

 

[Suellen]

Last trip DD was 2.5 and walked. I was alone with her and DD 4.5 ~ it was fantastic and freeing and I loved it. The only day I rented a stroller was a commando (4.5 DD request I never demand commando from them) trip around the countries.

I think DD 2.5 could have handled that too ~ except DD4.5 would have been running and then it would have been hard for the little one to keep up!

 

[Hannathy]

Once kids are out of diapers why do you need a lot of "stuff"? Never understood this and certainly not enough to bother with a stroller for it. Downsize!!! and be free. Seriously don't take so much stuff.

 

[Suellen]

Once kids are out of diapers why do you need a lot of "stuff"? Never understood this and certainly not enough to bother with a stroller for it. Downsize!!! and be free. Seriously don't take so much stuff.

I don't get this either. Our goal in life is to carry less stuff!! I bring my annual pass and my room key.

Last trip I brought my big camera in it's case and shoved a couple diapers in there for DD. Now she is potty trained ~ I won't even do that. JMHO ~ I hate having to keep track of STUFF at the park.

 

[RMulieri]

Never used one past age 3 at home, and at Disney we never used one ...Our dd's first trip was at age 4, and she walked the whole time, and without issue or complaints.

 

[Suellen]

We did the buses one year and vowed it was the last. I couldn't stand waiting for the bus...with a car it's right there. I couldn't stand leaving the park and not getting on the first, second, hopefully the third bus...my car is right there. I couldn't stand being caged into "the world"...with my car we can run to Walmart or to Olive Garden if we'd like. On long trips we also like to see other parts of Florida. I never found it comfortable to sit on a bus...but in my car I can kick my shoes off and put my feet up. In my car I can be anywhere in about 15 minutes with the exception of the MK which you need to add the boat ride...where as on a bus we had to plan an hour for travel time everywhere. In the summer months those rides home were filled with some pretty smelly people, other people's sweat really bothers me, lol. I think this list could go on for days.
I hated it. Our last trip a rental car to sit 5 comfortably cost us $68 for the week. It was totally worth it!

But, there is one thing I do LOVE about the buses....they keep hundreds of people out of the parks at any given time and the parking lots are much less busy.

We had a car in September when we were there (thanks Dad for moving to FLorida and having an extra car) and we left it at MK and took the bus back to the hotel because the lines for the monorail and boat were INSANE!

 

[Perditamarie]

I had my "Eureka" moment one Disney day while trudging up a slight hill, pushing (and I mean pushing) a 60lb kid in a stroller, while being gently poached by the Florida sun and wondering exactly what shade of red I was becoming, when a languid hand drifted out of the shady recesses of the stroller to gesture for a juice pouch. Am I a butler? A Sherpa? Is that a perfectly healthy kid with sparkling sandals? I was done that day.

Just because you can push them, doesn't mean you should...even if you can rent a stroller that pushes like a dream. I would only offer a stroller for the 4 yo and get the whole family on a walking plan so you don't spend YOUR vacation trying to decide if you are a butler or a sherpa!! The kids were aged 5, 6 and 7.

 

[imthatgirl]

We had a car in September when we were there (thanks Dad for moving to FLorida and having an extra car) and we left it at MK and took the bus back to the hotel because the lines for the monorail and boat were INSANE!

I've been lucky, we've never had that problem. The monorails run so quickly that they empty that park in no time. Good proof of that would be 9/11.

 

[imthatgirl]

Once kids are out of diapers why do you need a lot of "stuff"? Never understood this and certainly not enough to bother with a stroller for it. Downsize!!! and be free. Seriously don't take so much stuff.

We don't bring any stuff for the kids so I don't quite know what stuff you mean?