Will we need a stroller?

[Crl1817]

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.

I am sure we wil have that plus a few emergency granola bars, some water, a camera, a couple of band aids, two autograph books, hoodies for not one but four people. Definitely more stuff than I want to carry. We could split it up, but then we would have to keep track of more bags. And no way would dd carry "her" stuff so someone would need up stuck carrying it.

I do find strollers very useful as well for kid control in crowded situations. And I admit my youngest is a whiner. My oldest wasn't but dd is big on the drama. And I also honestly don't want to be tied to her walking pace. Older ds and I could go five miles to her whiny one most days. (Again my oldest could have out walked me by the time he was four.) That's fine when we are walking to the library on a lazy summer day, but it would annoy the heck out of me at disney world.

Different kids are different and different parents are different. I hope everyone has a blast at disney world!

 

[itchin2go]

We got a stroller for my daughter until she was too big to fit into it.

And I'm not kidding. She was far too old to need a stroller in the real world (probably ages 6, 7 and 8. although I don't think she used it much when she was 8). Didn't matter. If you think she'll use it even part of the time, I would get one. They're quite handy for other things too ... packages, drinks, leaning on, etc.

It made life easier for us because she was content to ride around in the stroller. No whining about being tired. We could keep going until we got worn out, and she was perfectly happy.

Now that she's too old (she's 12), we miss the days of the stroller.

 

[castleri]

We have had strollers for our DGD who is very tall for her age -6 the last two trips even though some people said it was foolish. She is an on the go child most of the time but it didn't take long for her to jump right in the stroller at Disney. The first time I found a nice sturdy umbrella type at a yard sale - it was bigger and better than those you find in Walmart - for $10. It was easy to fold up for the bus travel also. We left it for someone else to use when we went home. Last trip in February we rented at the parks. We only had three park days so it was just easier that way.. She had to stoop a little to get in and out but was happy with her ride. At the end of the day everyone had a much better time because she wasn't tired and cranky.

 

[HotMama]

Yes! I would definitely have one. Both my kids are go go go kids and we loved having our stroller when they were that age. We like having one to take everywhere. For example... In the late evening getting off the bus with a sleeping child, it is so nice to set them in the stroller & push them back to the room.

 

[momof2n2]

A number of years ago when I only had four kids we started our first day at Animal Kingdom. I only had a double/sit-n-stand for the family. Kids were 1, 3, 5, 7. I got half way over the bridge to Camp Minnie Mickey where my 5- and 7-year-olds couldn't keep up with the pace DH and I wanted. I turned on my heels, marched back to stroller rental and got a double for the number of days we were doing parks. I never regretted it.

We are commandos from rope drop to close (every other day touring). We've never left mid-day and we've never had a tantrum. (Never did later than mid-May or earlier than early-October with mind you.)

The older two didn't ride much, but the three oldest all camped out in it waiting for parades to start. And the three year old to curled up for a nap at least once I can remember. And we could haul across the park at mommy & daddy's pace. DH & I are not meanderers. It's all about attractions. Thankfully, the kids got our genes on this. But my oldest has always been very small for his age.(He's 14 now & 84lbs!)

 

[momof2n2]

Oh.
And stuff?
Since PP asked nicely.

Hats and sunglasses for everyone.
Sunscreen - lots of it and different kinds.
Diaper gear.
Band aids and neosporin.
Allergy meds.
Ponchos some days.
Sippy cups for smaller kids.
DSLR and lenses. (In the olden days - SLR & separate video camera and batteries!)
Ziplocs and sharpies.
Masking tape.
Hairbrush & back up ponytails.
All the souvenirs we pick up.
All the soda or water bottles we pick up (which get labeled with Sharpie & masking tape.)

Thankfully most of it (except ponchos, drinks & souvenirs) fits in the one lightweight back pack, including the camera. We keep the sunscreen in a separate drawstring bag with hats. Ponchos get thrown on bottom of stroller if we need them. So it is only two bags. But I don't want them strapped to my body.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Tirst time we went we took my DD 5 and DN 6. We rented a double stroller and they loved it!! It was worth the money! We went the next year with just my DD and didn't get a stroller. But, we took mid-day breaks.

 

[kathy884]

For a five year old, I'd probably rent one on any days at Epcot. There's just a lot more walking there than the other parks, and my son at six who hadn't used a stroller for years, loved being able to jump in there. I got a double and my eight year old nephew and 10 year old niece loved taking turns jumping in with him there too to take a rest. I you're not too commando, I think you'd probably be fine at the other parks. If, though, you are for example going Christmas week for something like 8:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. at the MK (I have some family member that are real diehards and do that -- We don't but OMG that's 18 hours in the park.), I'd get one too. Actually if you are going to be in a park over 10 hours, I think a stroller is a good idea for that age, if they will ride in it.

 

[dae3dae3]

You know your kids. No complete stranger on the internet will be able to tell you. Neither of my girls has been in a stroller since they were about three or four at the oldest. My nine year old probably hasn't been in one since before that. She always hated them. I think she walked about 15 miles one day in Boston when we were there on vacation. She was under 3 and just held my hand the whole time and chugged along like it was nothing. We had the thing with us but she wouldn't get in it. Then we had to deal with getting it on and off the train and it always being in the way.

I was glad. They were always a pain to deal with. Sure, you got some extra storage but then you had to deal with parking the thing or making sure nobody stole anything off of it.

 

[MissouriPrincess]

We just got back last month, and my daughter will be five next month. We got a slightly nicer umbrella style stroller. It has a canopy and a basket underneath, but the best feature is the handles are higher than average so you're not slumped over. It also has a cup holder and little zipper compartment. Folds up as small as any umbrella stroller. I love it.

If you're not sure about a stroller, think about being in the back of World Showcase at the end of the night and your child needs carried to the parking lot...

In my bag I have:

Two frozen water bottles that melt
Ponchos
Change of clothes for youngest
Sunscreen
Snacks
Tylenol ( for me)
Wipes

 

[MomOfWesAndNorah]

We went about a month ago with my 1.5 and 4.25 year olds. My older hadn't ridden in a stroller since he turned 2 but I rented a double. It was essential! I think he rode more than he really needed to, but that's fine. He didn't complain much about tired legs so he was ready to stand in line and he slept in the stroller right along with his little sis on our late nights and on our last day when exhaustion had set in. It would have never worked without a stroller!

 

[mslhb]

We went when DD was 4 and used a stroller. Just went last month with DD who just turned 6. She is very short and tends to be whiny. It was just her and I. We did not use a stroller and had no issues. Sooooo nice to not have one! At 5 we could have gone either way. I probably wouldn't bring one but would be prepared to rent if needed. To me do whatever is going to be best and most comfortable for your family... Who cares what others think!

 

[crazyfordisney2000]

Just a tip, one year I got a stroller at a yard sale for $10 , specifically for our trip since we didn't have one anymore. At the end of our trip we gave it to another family, so we didn't have to take it home. We got the best of both worlds, it was cheap,didn't worry if it got stolen, and felt good giving it to someone else!

 

[Winnowill]

We bought a cheap umbrella stroller at Target for $15. It was well worth it. We used it for four days at DLR last year and eight days at WDW this past April, when DD was almost six. We left it at the resort most mornings, and brought it for the afternoon/evening. It worked out great. That $15 was definitely well-spent.

 

[ttintagel]

You don't NEED a stroller. If you WANT one, to have the kind of experience that it enables you to have, then it's your business, but no, you don't NEED one.

 

[cel_disney]

You don't NEED a stroller. If you WANT one, to have the kind of experience that it enables you to have, then it's your business, but no, you don't NEED one.

I think this is worth quoting. For the joy of my entire family, we will not be going at my kids pace. It's a family vacation and everyone needs to have fun and its not a 'you are only as strong as your weakest link' game. If you want to be able to meet times in your touring plan and fit in alot of stuff and stay at the parks for long hours or nights - don't hesitate to get a stroller!

Also - agree about EPCOT being the most critical place for it for an average day. Everything is SOOOOO spread out and the queues are very long too so there is alot of walking to get on each ride too (think of Soarin - sometimes it feels like a mile snaking thru there!).

Last spring, I offered my Whiney 75lb 6.5 year old a deal because it was hard to find strollers for his size - that I would pay him every day he didn't whine about being tired. It was a 3 day park trip for SWW....he did okay for the most part - but on day 3 trying to get from spaceship earth to dinner in Italy he was a wreck!! He pulled it together and made it thru (he used a stroller alot still at age 6 in hot September) but it was pushing it. I don't think he could have done In a year earlier.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Personally, I would rent one just to have - but I have not yet felt that having a stroller at WDW is burdensome.

We try to keep everything as streamlined as possible in the backpack (diaper bag) so that can go through bag check easily...usually I just walk through the no bag line with the stroller, the security person quickly looks under the stroller; (which doesn't have much of anything in it at that point) and they wave us through...we meet up with dad/backpack carrier on the other side. Once through bag check, the changing pad/diaper holder goes under the stroller along with any ponchos or outerwear we may have with us for later. The backpack then only has the SLR camera and whatever food stuffs are needed for DD (she drinks soy milk, which is only available in certain locations in the parks, and drinks better from a bottle than a straw cup still though the straw is getting better).

When we're in the park, we usually park the stroller in a centralized location in whatever land we're in and leave it there until we're ready to move on to another land. While we're exploring the land we're in, since DD isn't walking yet, we wear her in a Beco Gemini...but if she were 5, we'd let her walk/handhold during that time and then let her ride for a bit while we head to the new land (or walk, if she didn't feel like riding).

My older nephews (3 and 6 on the trip) did this the last time we went, and it worked out well for them. The stroller was there and convenient when the boys wanted it, but it wasn't burdensome for the parents to deal with throughout the day. Win-win.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

You can streamline what you bring into the park while still using a stroller...using a stroller doesn't have to be synonymous with bringing unnecessary things with you.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I see it's your first WDW trip so it is really hard to imagine what WDW is really like and how your family will function there. It will not be really hot when you go so that is a plus. The parks are huge and then you have to factor in getting to and from your car or the bus and from the bus or car to your room. That adds a lot of walking too. Are you going the week of Thanksgiving? If so, factor in big crowds that you will need to move through with all the kids. You also have older kids that may not want to go at a 5 year old's pace all day. There will be times that holding hands or riding in a stroller will be absolutely necessary to prevent loosing your children.

Our experience.....we went the year that DS7 had just turned 5. He is super athletic and had not been in a stroller outside of WDW in years. We hugely debated buying one and in the end did not but told our self we would absolutely rent one at anytime we needed one. It really was never an issue. One night we wanted to stay late and I insisted on renting a stroller as I knew he was tired...well....he refused to even get in it. He was just fine. His best friend however went right after us, for his 5th birthday. Just as wild and crazy as our kid and he really needed the stroller. After many trips and many friends taking trips I see that most 5 year olds do really better if they have a stroller. Even your 6 year old may need a break. Now I HATE pushing a stroller unless it is really needed so.....I would budget for at least a single and be willing to rent anytime you need it.

 

[My2Pixies]

I will be renting a double stroller for my dd and ds who will be 5 and 20 months during our trip next March. My 4yo is a whiner and I know that the constant walking over a long (11 day) trip will be a bit much for her. It may be a bit much for me! So I'm heading off the whining about feet hurting, being tired, hot, etc by just being prepared with a seat for her. When not occupied it can hold more 'stuff' anyway. So my advice-be prepared- whether that means you bring a stroller or set aside funds to rent one in the park, however you decide to do it. Luck favors the prepared!