Will we need a stroller?

[sb682]

Depends on the pace you want to keep. On past trips, we have walked up to 15 miles a day. This trip, we did less and skipped returning to the parks a few nights and still walked 8-12 miles a day. My 4.5 year old hasn't used a stroller at home in years, but we brought one to the parks. He cannot keep up the pace in the heat and humidity.

 

[delgrec]

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.

I guess my point is why would you need a stroller to use for your stuff if you are streamlining what you bring in? That is all I was saying.

 

[cel_disney]

I guess my point is why would you need a stroller to use for your stuff if you are streamlining what you bring in? That is all I was saying.

Because in September is 100 degrees and super humid - and no one wants to carry even a small string backpack with essentials in that weather!! Your back gets soaked in seconds!!! YUK! So, we will keep our stroller until we are sure there will be no whining...everyone is happier in my family that way!!

 

[lustergirl]

Because in September is 100 degrees and super humid - and no one wants to carry even a small string backpack with essentials in that weather!! Your back gets soaked in seconds!!! YUK! So, we will keep our stroller until we are sure there will be no whining...everyone is happier in my family that way!!

Carrying a backpack or pushing a stroller in 100 degree heat? All the same thing to me. Whining can be controlled through parenting

 

[cel_disney]

Carrying a backpack or pushing a stroller in 100 degree heat? All the same thing to me. Whining can be controlled through parenting

New strollers push like a dream - my maclaren can push my 75lb kid with his 34lb sister in his lap with one hand and no sweat on me...Maybe some parents need stroller conditioning like kids need walking practice.

I don't see the need for the sassy reply on parenting - this is not a competition to see if you, your kid, your spouse, etc can handle a full day (open to close) at disney without getting tired or cranky. And - I do agree about parenting and planning - It IS about GOOD planning and taking reasonable steps to avoid those situations all together. All Good parents should do that. In my family - that means making sure that the younger kids can get around the park comfortably and at my husbands walking pace without anyone getting angry or frustrated about it - which for us, will mean a stroller to get to/from BLT to the parks, and from generally form land to land (or test track to soarin or Italy into the case of Epcot!). The bonus of having a place to store the ponchos, extra clothes, sunscreen, autographs, and water is nice too. (I always carry my bg camera so it's not stolen)

 

[lustergirl]

New strollers push like a dream - my maclaren can push my 75lb kid with his 34lb sister in his lap with one hand and no sweat on me...Maybe some parents need stroller conditioning like kids need walking practice.

I don't see the need for the sassy reply on parenting - this is not a competition to see if you, your kid, your spouse, etc can handle a full day (open to close) at disney without getting tired or cranky. And - I do agree about parenting and planning - It IS about GOOD planning and taking reasonable steps to avoid those situations all together. All Good parents should do that. In my family - that means making sure that the younger kids can get around the park comfortably and at my husbands walking pace without anyone getting angry or frustrated about it - which for us, will mean a stroller to get to/from BLT to the parks, and from generally form land to land (or test track to soarin or Italy into the case of Epcot!). The bonus of having a place to store the ponchos, extra clothes, sunscreen, autographs, and water is nice too. (I always carry my bg camera so it's not stolen)

My point being is that some people do push their kids so they can be in the parks all day even though little Johnny or Susie is whining their butts off because they are tired. Whatever happened to taking a break if your child starts acting up. Too many people trying to cram in everything and this makes for unhappy children and unhappy parents.

Oh well, too each his one. But I know I wouldn't need a stroller for the sake of tired kids and being able to push through the parks all day without taking a break. And as far as needing a stroller to lug around all your stuff no way Jose. Again just my opinion.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I guess my point is why would you need a stroller to use for your stuff if you are streamlining what you bring in? That is all I was saying.

Because I don't like carrying things on my back . I hurt my back a few years ago, and it is usually fine now, but A full day at WDW with that weight on me can aggravate it easily. Pushing a stroller does not. So yeah, even if It's not a lot, it is nice to have somewhere to put it rather than my shoulders.

 

[cel_disney]

My point being is that some people do push their kids so they can be in the parks all day even though little Johnny or Susie is whining their butts off because they are tired. Whatever happened to taking a break if your child starts acting up. Too many people trying to cram in everything and this makes for unhappy children and unhappy parents.

Oh well, too each his one. But I know I wouldn't need a stroller for the sake of tired kids and being able to push through the parks all day without taking a break. And as far as needing a stroller to lug around all your stuff no way Jose. Again just my opinion.

I guess you are missing MY point - with a stroller, my kids don't GET tired, cranky or whiney for our full days in the park because we planned accordingly to manage the amount of time they walk and have a place for them to chill...they are awake at 7am at home and go to bed between 8 and 10, so with a stroller to not make them overtired - they are fine now that they are older (we did mid-day breaks at the room more days when they were under 3). No need to go back for a break (and in September, park hours are very short - lots of 6-8pm closures - you miss ALOT if you go back - not mention the afternoon parade which my kids LOVE).

And, my life doesn't revolve around my kids, the rest of the family doesn't need to suffer or miss out on their vacation if one kid is making bad choices or tires, so we don't need to go back if we can tell said child to get a nap in the stroller - or sometimes just have a place to sit for a timeout. Missing a ride while your siblings go on it is often enough to return everyone back to the right state of mind. Again - this is not survival of the fittest!

 

[delgrec]

Because I don't like carrying things on my back . I hurt my back a few years ago, and it is usually fine now, but A full day at WDW with that weight on me can aggravate it easily. Pushing a stroller does not. So yeah, even if It's not a lot, it is nice to have somewhere to put it rather than my shoulders.

I didn't mean for my comments to turn into a debate. I'm sorry. For me, this is what works. For others maybe not. It doesn't really matter. Find what works for your family and go with it.

 

[momto3boysillbe]

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?

I have one with a personality like this and even he needed a stroller when he was that age. I guess it depends on how many breaks you plan to take throughout the day but WDW is exhausting! If you can swing the daily rental fee I guess I would just plan on renting one if needed since you don't have one to take.

 

[ktrask]

We were in Disney this past December. DD turned 5 on our trip. We rented a stroller from Apple.

The stroller was a great decision. DD would walk, and when she was tired we could still get around without feeling like we had to drag her. She could rest, and I believe it saved us from meltdowns. There was one night she even fell asleep in it!

We had it for the week, and it was a great investment!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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?

Sounds like she may not enjoy the stroller.

For is, my 4yo will likely ride in a stroller until she is 6. She is very active, but she is VERY short. Her legs cannot keep up with us. By nighttime, I would rather not carry her when she crashes into her deep sleep. So stroller it is.

We don't hand hold constantly though at her age. But we have been fortunate to not have any runners. We will hold hands to get through traffic, but not the entire time through the park. I would personally choose when it is important to hold hands (entering/exiting the park, egress from a show or ride--places where you wouldn't necessarily have a stroller anyway.)

If she is going to just run off, then that needs to be addressed. If it can't, then being a stroller.

 

[lustergirl]

I guess you are missing MY point - with a stroller, my kids don't GET tired, cranky or whiney for our full days in the park because we planned accordingly to manage the amount of time they walk and have a place for them to chill...they are awake at 7am at home and go to bed between 8 and 10, so with a stroller to not make them overtired - they are fine now that they are older (we did mid-day breaks at the room more days when they were under 3). No need to go back for a break (and in September, park hours are very short - lots of 6-8pm closures - you miss ALOT if you go back - not mention the afternoon parade which my kids LOVE).

And, my life doesn't revolve around my kids, the rest of the family doesn't need to suffer or miss out on their vacation if one kid is making bad choices or tires, so we don't need to go back if we can tell said child to get a nap in the stroller - or sometimes just have a place to sit for a timeout. Missing a ride while your siblings go on it is often enough to return everyone back to the right state of mind. Again - this is not survival of the fittest!

Well good for you. Not trying to argue. I guess my opinion is different than yours and that is what makes the disboards so great

 

[DisneyKidds]

Ahhhh.......an age (get it) old debate that will never change. Our youngest is almost 11 and we are several years removed from using a stroller, and it's interesting to see the discussion hasn't changed since. We would never have dreamed of going sans stroller with a 5 year old. We brought the double as long as we could. Even when we were bringing it for an 8 year old, the older kids found their time in it. The biggest benefit for us was the end of the day. Be it Illuminations or MK fireworks, by that time of the night there was always a kid asleep in the stroller. No fun trying to carry a sleeping kid around World Showcase at the end of the night, or fight the crowds leaving the MK after the fireworks. You will never regret bring a stroller for a 4 (5,6,7,8 )year old......but you sure might regret not having one. There are the added benefits of a place to keep your stuff instead of carrying everything, and a blocking device that can be used to box out the annoying people that show up 5 minutes before a parade thinking they are going to muscles their annoying selves into the primo spot you invested an hour in. The first trip we left the stroller home (youngest was maybe 7) we ended up buying one down there.