Will we need a stroller for our 5yo?

[bookworm2]

Hello!

We're going to WDW this summer with our 1yo and our 5yo. Obviously we're going to need a stroller for the little guy, but I'm wondering about our daughter.

She doesn't ever use a stroller at home, but I am remembering how much and how fast we walked the last time we were there, and I just can't see her keeping up.

For those of you who have taken children this age, did you take/rent a stroller? If we rent a double one, will it be sufficient for our 1yo? I was planning to take our Mac Techno for him...

Help, I don't know what to do!!

 

[mjmoon]

We were there last month with our 5 and 3 year olds. Our 5 yo never used a stoller and didn't complain about being tired at all, either. He is quite high energy so all the walking was right up his ally. I think it depends on the kid.

 

[scottish mum]

I would take the maclaren for your son and just wait and see if your daughter needs one. My boys never needed a stroller at 5 but my daughter is going to be 5 this summer and she would never be able to cope walking all day. Each kid is different.

Perhaps you could just rent a stroller for her some evenings or days where you are spending a long time in the parks.


The disney strollers are not really comfy enough for 1 yr olds and tehy wouldn't be able to sleep very well in them


Not really much help

 

[bookworm2]

That does help though - It's important for me to know that Disney strollers aren't comfortable for a 1yo! I definitely want something he can sleep in. Thanks so much!

 

[dcherry]

My five year would never have made through even a single day without the stroller (she's on the lazy side ). Shoot we took a second stroller for the seven year old too and used it. Only you know how long your kids might last walking around all day.

 

[CharmedLife]

Just depends on your kid. We were in DC last summer and DS5 walked for 4 straight days (literally either walking or standing still in museums and monuments, we only sat down for lunch). I think it was all of the Disney training...

But seriously, I couldn't believe how well he held up. After the huge increase in the cost of renting strollers at Disney, we won't be getting one for him on this next trip. We don't even own one at home anymore, so renting is the only option.

Again, every kid is different - both of my kids stopped sitting still in strollers around age 2, but I know some kids just wouldn't hold up on their feet all day, and if they're going to be cranky it's worth the investment to rent.

Sorry that this isn't much help, but you know your child and what she's capable of!

 

[arielmomma]

I would recommend that you have a stroller for your 5 year old. We have a double stroller and we've always brought it, so we've never really had to think about it. Although my son usually walks most of the day, at the end of the day, especially while we are waiting for the bus, the stroller has been wonderful! We were able to pick up our double stroller (a graco duo-glide) at a garage sale for $10 several years ago. If you could pick up one cheap, it would definitely be worth it even if your child only uses it at the end of the day.

 

[brockash]

Last Sept. I bought a sit-n-stand, just for our WDW trip. My DD was 17 months and DS (6 at the time.) Honestly, I'm very glad we had a spot for him to sit. He didn't use it that often, but it was well worth it in my opinion, when he did. The thing I liked most about it, was at night or during really crowded times, I would just make him get in, and then I could just concentrate on navigating the crowds and know that I "had" everything. I didn't have to worry about also trying to make sure he was making it through and staying with me. There was also one night that there was a nightmare of a line waiting for the buses, and he found a way to sleep in it, and it worked out fine. There really wasn't a difference as far as the buses were concerned, between the sit n stand and the full size single stroller that I would have brought for my DD anyways, so it worked out well for us, and I plan on bringing it on our trip this year as well. If it would have been only my DS (even at 5) I highly doubt that I would have brought a stroller, but since we were bringing one anyways this worked really well for us.

 

[Wondrmom]

We have been debating this same topic with our 5 year old DD. My DS just turned 2 and I am still so undecided on what to do.

I remember I was very impressed with all the walking my DD did on our last trip to WDW when she was 4. We only brought a single stroller for our DS. However, DS was still small enough that we could easily swap him out of the stroller and put him in the baby bjorn. Then DD could ride in the stroller when she was exhausted. However, this was pretty rare and was mostly late at night.

However, this trip obviously DS will be too big for the baby bjorn so I am not sure what we are going to do. Decisions decisions...

 

[LPNmom]

Last trip we took a stroller for our 5 year old daughter, and it was the best thing I did. She didn't sit in it all day, she mostly used it at night when she was tired from walking all day. We were at WDW for 10 days, so I don't blame her, my feet were tired too. Sit and stands work really well for 2 kids. Hope this helps have a great trip!

Daughter sleeping in her stroller after long day at Epcot!

 

[Brad M]

We rented a double stroller every day on our last trip 4 years ago. My kids get tired of walking pretty quickly, especially when it's hot. At that time my son was 5 and daughter 9 (she is very small for her age so she still fit).

This trip (arriving Sunday!!!) they'll be getting some exercise.

 

[wdw71]

We are renting a double from an outside source for our trip in May with a 2yo and 5yo. I think our 5yo will walk a lot but I want the option to be there for her if she gets tired. We don't want to have to stop mid stream and locate a stroller rental location in the park.

 

[momtomatthew]

We get a stroller for DS- also 5. He doesn't use on anywhere but WDW. I think it helps him not get so tired. He's never complained about waiting in lines and I think it's because his feet and legs aren't tired from walking all over. Plus, we don't do a touring plan- it's more of a "Now where" type approach and this way we don't worry about crossing from one side of the park to another. We just consider it a necessary expense

 

[princessmom29]

If don't plan on taking breaks I would suggest a stroller. We went in Nov with DD5 and were soooo glad we had the stroller. We did not go back to the hotle for breaks and she never wolud have made 9am-9pm without it. She did fine with the stroller to take a break in.

 

[4orm]

I'm 29 and need a stroller, or rather wish my husband would push me in one.

 

[jenb1023]

My 5 year old does not use a stroller at home either but used it every day on our last WDW trip.

 

[eyor44]

I had a stroller for my just turned 6yr old. It was a life saver. Why don't you look into the many stroller swaps on the Budget Board. There are several for MacVolo that hold up to 55lbs. If you already have one Mac you know how great they are. There are swaps for both singles and doubles. Some cost a bit and some are free.

 

[disneymarie]

Hello!

We're going to WDW this summer with our 1yo and our 5yo. Obviously we're going to need a stroller for the little guy, but I'm wondering about our daughter.

She doesn't ever use a stroller at home, but I am remembering how much and how fast we walked the last time we were there, and I just can't see her keeping up.

For those of you who have taken children this age, did you take/rent a stroller? If we rent a double one, will it be sufficient for our 1yo? I was planning to take our Mac Techno for him...

Help, I don't know what to do!!

Do you have a smaller stroller for the 1 year old and use the techno for the 5 year old? If not maybe check into some stroller swaps for your dates.
My 5 year old did not walk well at all. Too slow for us and burned out.
Di

 

[JillHM7]

My 6 year old used one last year! We had to rent one of the Disney ones for him because he couldn't handle walking in the heat. You could always bring one for your 1 year old and then rent one if your 5 old gets tired.

 

[jham]

My DS is 6

Day 1:

Day 4:

Day 8: (and you may notice his 8 year old cousin in the umbrella stroller in the background)