Will we need a stroller?

[Gottahavemorecowbell]

This. Exactly

I am not ditching the stroller until everyone is able to walk around the parks all day long with little to no whining, and can carry their own crap.

Amen! You nailed it. What is the rush to go sans stroller? I don't get it.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

My dd was 5 on her first stroller free trip. Best trip ever!

We went back and forth on whether to take the stroller. She stopped using one at home around 3-4. Ultimately we decided to not take one and if needed rent one the day of in the park.

We go in August. Take midday breaks and do a rest day or two. She never once complained.

I was so glad to ditch the stroller because I hate lugging so much extra stuff. Parking the stroller, finding the stroller, did a cm move the stroller.

We also went bag less into the parks for the first time that trip. We just carried our lanyards with ID, cash and a credit card and our cell phones.

I had so much more energy that trip. I didn't feel completely drained like I used to after a day in the parks pushing a stroller that was filled with so much extra stuff (diaper bag and everyone's stuff they've collected throughout the day)

 

[Sandy Fisher]

You've had enough replies/advice to help you with your decision. But since I'm more than old enough to be her grandmother -- and had a boy who was a go-go-go type, I can tell you I'd want a stroller just to sort of "control" that going...........
We've gone to Disney for many years. And seen many empty strollers or ones filled with backpacks, packages, etc. and the child barging ahead, or being carried sound asleep by a parent or grandparent.
Disney really IS different from going for a walk at home or going to the Mall. kids can get away so fast. Just not the place for her to practice her independence.
I'd be prepared to rent a stroller at the park. She may not NEED one in order to make it, but the hot weather and the bigger than you think parks might be too much for her. Letting a child that age set the pace for your group may not be such a wonderful idea.
Been there, seen that.

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

My favourite thing about having a stroller is when it's wall to wall people after the fireworks you know exactly where your (probably tired) child is. Yes it's a pain to have to walk through a crowd with a stroller, but I prefer that over having to carry him/her at that age or possibly being separated. It was also a fantastic place for our cooler of water!

 

[Aliceacc]

You don't get any extra credit for being a hero.

I would invest in a stroller. If you don't need it, great-- you can put all your stuff in it, or give it to the first frazzled family you see.

But if you do need it, your kids are in for at least one long day before you choose to rent one. And if you do rent from Disney, you can't take it out of the parks.

 

[delgrec]

You don't get any extra credit for being a hero. I would invest in a stroller. If you don't need it, great-- you can put all your stuff in it, or give it to the first frazzled family you see. But if you do need it, your kids are in for at least one long day before you choose to rent one. And if you do rent from Disney, you can't take it out of the parks.

I don't see not having a stroller as "being a hero". We were so much freer without one. It was beautiful. We didn't bog ourselves down with a bunch of unnecessary stuff. We never had to worry about where we parked it, did a cm move it, is it going to rain and soak the stroller etc. it was just a free and easy feeling. Best trip we ever took. That being said, to each his own. That is why my thought is to go without and rent if decided one is needed. To invest in a stroller that may never be needed doesn't make sense to me. And it is harder to keep track of a kid who is walking while you also have to navigate an empty stroller.

 

[Delirium]

With proper touring strategy, you can successfully visit WDW without a stroller for an almost 5 year old. That said, if you have easy access to an umbrella stroller, you might want to consider bringing one along and leaving it in the room/car the first day. If she tires out on Day 1, you could pull out the stroller for the next day. Having an umbrella stroller available will most definitely be cheaper than renting.

I would personally try and avoid the stroller if possible. We found ourselves pushing an empty one around most of the time because the kids wanted to walk.

 

[jenrose66]

We sold our only stroller a couple of years ago, so wondering if we really need one for our trip. Our youngest will be almost five when we go to WDW. She's fiercely independent and likes to 'go go go' all.the.time. She does not like holding hands at all. Do you think we could get away without having one?

My DD was a few months over 3 when we went on our last trip. I did not want to be bothered with a stroller and it was February so I figured the heat wouldn't be so bad, so we didn't have one.

For the most part we did fine. When my daughter got tired of walking or if I didn't feel like walking at the pace of a 3 year old, I just put her on my back and carried her...(I had planned ahead of time that I would probably do that and it didn't bother me).

Now that I think about it, on our trip before that my DS was your DD's age (just under 5). We also did not have a stroller for him. He and my older DS walked and we had DD in an umbrella stroller. That was an August trip and it was hot.

Anyway, we survived both trips! At some points things may have been easier with a stroller but I don't regret not bringing them.

 

[Gracie09]

It depends on your kids. I have two 5 year olds. One would go forever and a good pace. The other can go forever but walks so slow that it would take us three hours to get up Main Street. That is her pace and she sticks to it.
We are bringing a double just to be able to plop them in and move to wherever we need to be next. Also at the end of the day they can climb in for our long walks back to the room from the bus stop

 

[Aurora0427]

You've had enough replies/advice to help you with your decision. But since I'm more than old enough to be her grandmother -- and had a boy who was a go-go-go type, I can tell you I'd want a stroller just to sort of "control" that going........... We've gone to Disney for many years. And seen many empty strollers or ones filled with backpacks, packages, etc. and the child barging ahead, or being carried sound asleep by a parent or grandparent. Disney really IS different from going for a walk at home or going to the Mall. kids can get away so fast. Just not the place for her to practice her independence. I'd be prepared to rent a stroller at the park. She may not NEED one in order to make it, but the hot weather and the bigger than you think parks might be too much for her. Letting a child that age set the pace for your group may not be such a wonderful idea. Been there, seen that.

This is such excellent advice!

 

[momof2n2]

You've had enough replies/advice to help you with your decision. But since I'm more than old enough to be her grandmother -- and had a boy who was a go-go-go type, I can tell you I'd want a stroller just to sort of "control" that going........... We've gone to Disney for many years. And seen many empty strollers or ones filled with backpacks, packages, etc. and the child barging ahead, or being carried sound asleep by a parent or grandparent. Disney really IS different from going for a walk at home or going to the Mall. kids can get away so fast. Just not the place for her to practice her independence. I'd be prepared to rent a stroller at the park. She may not NEED one in order to make it, but the hot weather and the bigger than you think parks might be too much for her. Letting a child that age set the pace for your group may not be such a wonderful idea. Been there, seen that.

Amen sister.

OP - I will miss the day I can no longer justify a stroller. Do whatever works for you and remember that opinions expressed on the DIS will never even enter your mind when you're have a blast on vacation.

 

[DentalDana2]

Our next trip, my youngest will be 5.5 and we are bringing a stroller. At this point, it only comes out for Hershey Park and Disney. It's nice for when we want to get from one side of the park to the other. It's also nice to have a place to store sunscreen, water, snacks, and other non valuable park essentials, because I hate having to carry a backpack.

 

[Antonia]

Kingdom strollers all the way baby!

We have rented from them several times staying on site and the stroller just magically appears at your resort and disappears when you leave. Getting a double in December for my grands ages 3 & 5.

 

[sarahmae3]

With proper touring strategy, you can successfully visit WDW without a stroller for an almost 5 year old. That said, if you have easy access to an umbrella stroller, you might want to consider bringing one along and leaving it in the room/car the first day. If she tires out on Day 1, you could pull out the stroller for the next day. Having an umbrella stroller available will most definitely be cheaper than renting.

I would personally try and avoid the stroller if possible. We found ourselves pushing an empty one around most of the time because the kids wanted to walk.

That's a good idea too, maybe we could pick up a cheap umbrella stroller before our trip and bring it along just in case.

 

[worm761]

This is an honest question so please be nice!

But what is all the "stuff" that you guys need a stroller for?

I carry one bag in the parks. It has a hoodie, sunscreen, change of clothes for DD. A few odds and ends and my cell phone. Oh, and baggies for wet rides for the phones. My bag isn't that heavy and not really a pain to carry. I tried to go bagless. I really really wanted to but I can't live without my hoodie. I don't do well in cold AC. I freeze at restaurants even in summer.

 

[AndreaA]

This is an honest question so please be nice!

But what is all the "stuff" that you guys need a stroller for?

I carry one bag in the parks. It has a hoodie, sunscreen, change of clothes for DD. A few odds and ends and my cell phone. Oh, and baggies for wet rides for the phones. My bag isn't that heavy and not really a pain to carry. I tried to go bagless. I really really wanted to but I can't live without my hoodie. I don't do well in cold AC. I freeze at restaurants even in summer.

That amount of stuff alone would be enough to justify it for me (I have a bad back and really can't carry anything for an entire day) but for us the load also includes:

Heavy DSLR + extra lens
Snacks (Our kids could never eat a whole bag of popcorn or what have you at one sitting, but I'm not about to just throw it out and have to re-buy half an hour later)
Rain ponchos
Water
Assorted souvenirs - often including largish stuffed animals

Keep in mind, I have twins.

 

[jacksonsmom]

My son is almost 15 yrs old now, so stroller days are LONG gone.

But first trip, he was 3yrs old, brought a stroller. Sometimes he used it, sometimes he didn't. But glad I had it.

next trip, 4 yrs old...we did NOT bring a stroller from home, figured if I had to I could rent one. We were there 2 weeks, only one day during those 2 weeks did we ended up renting a stroller and that was Epcot, which also was record breaking heat! (I could have used a stroller myself!)

I guess every child is different but at 4 my son really had no issues not having a stroller 99% of the trip.
He kept up great and didn't whine about the walking. If he looked to be getting tired, most likely we all were so we would stop for an ice cream break, or just relax in the shade with some water to cool off and regroup.

I LOVE not having to deal with a stroller. We don't carry a lot of "Stuff" to the parks so we never needed a place to put our stuff. We just carry it, but like I said we don't carry everything and the kitchen sink to the parks, never have really. All we carry is camera and stuff for the camera (which goes in the camera bag), a travel size sunscreen, phone and charger, key room, ID.....seriously, that is it. If it looks like rain, we will bring ponchos, but that is only if there is a good chance of all day rain. A quick passing shower we just deal with it.

My feelings is if the child is healthy, there is no reason they can't walk at 4 or 5 yrs old, and just take breaks when you need to or go catch an indoor show.
JMO. If there is one day where the child is just exhausted you can rent a stroller, but I say let them try walking and keeping up first, They might surprise you how well they do

 

[dmband]

I can see some of you guys now

The stroller is a pain in most case but at Disney it can be a saver
Currently my youngest are 5/3 and we have a graco double
It's hard to turn because they weight more then the recommended limit but when the fan gets hit its good to have. The basket is always greattttt to have
Next trip they will be almost 6/4 I will dump the double for sure then and go compact single as a safety net

 

[bennifer]

I used to be in the "No strollers for 4+" camp, but we went in Sept with my youngest who was 4 at the time. I guess I needed reminded that every child is different, and some kids will need a stroller, some won't. My oldest ditched the stroller when he was a year and we never looked back. Younger DS absolutely needed the stroller. You know your child, OP, so go with your gut.

 

[terri33inne]

We went stroller-free for the first time this past February, when my daughter was 6 1/2... I had it in our room, but we never brought it to the parks, and didn't use it once. The only time I wished I had it was the night we stayed for fireworks at MK, it was obviously VERY crowded after they ended, and we were trying to get to tomorrowland, and she being so little (she's small for her age), got pretty upset with all the people pushing & jostling her.

That trip we were with my brother & SIL, so I was thinking if I needed some help (if she wanted to be carried, etc) I had back up. For our upcoming solo trip I'm considering Kingdom strollers just for nights in the parks for this very reason. Otherwise she is fine handling the walking, and I do let her set the pace.