Would you still use a stroller at DL for a 4-year-old?

[starshine514]

The PP said his wife goes often. Well in that case you aren't always trying to do it all.

That's what I was thinking, too. We have a membership to our local zoo, and we don't feel the need to do everything every time we go. When we have guests with us, we do everything. But normally, if my kids want to spend an hour feeding the ducks or taking pictures of the giraffes, it's fine - we'll be back again soon. How wonderful would it be to treat Disneyland that same way? Let the kids toddle around at their own pace because you're a stay-at-home mom with two preschoolers that lives close enough to use Disneyland as a playground? That sounds awesome, but is unfortunately not how most of us are able to approach the parks.

 

[mamaCta]

I also don't see any young (2-5yo) children in those photos.
How about this one?

and 1983

 

[Kittylover513]

We just went a few weeks ago. My DD is 4.5 and hasn't used a stroller for months. We did bring our small volo and by the 3rd day she used it much of the day. I knew she'd get tired and I knew we couldn't handle carrying her around all the time. When she wasn't in it it was a good place to stash stuff.

When we went the previous time when ds was 4.5 and dd was 11 months we had a bigger stroller with a buggy board on it...much less convenient.

If you have have an umbrella stroller I'd bring that for the 4 y/o

 

[dadofnicholas]

I took my then 4-year-old to Disneyland twice in 2012. I thought about using a stroller but in the end, I did not and was happy that I didn't. But this will vary from one child to the next, and one situation to the next.

1. Both times, we stayed at a Disneyland resort so less walking to start with.
2. We walked back to the hotel everyday after lunch for a nap - it was nice having a nap since we got early everyday. Nice to rest legs.
3. Planned our rides so that we didn't have to do a lot of waiting around and standing.
4. Took breaks or rode the trains to give our legs a rest. Of course, most if not all rides allow you to rest your legs.
5. My son has a lot of stamina especially when he knows that another cool ride is just around the corner plus he had a lot patience standing in line for the few rides we had to.
6. Took advantage of fast passes so less to no waiting later on in the day.

Don't get me wrong. Even with all of the above, we were pooped at the end of the day, which meant a great sleep! Personally, if we stayed off-site AND had no plans on returning to the hotel after lunch, I would have used a stroller. "I'd rather have one and not need it, then need it and not have one."

 

[alisonbestford]

Stroller all the way
We used one until DD was 5 and it was fantastic for carrying all the bags even if she didn't sit in it much and wouldn't been seen dead in one at home

 

[merrysmom]

I am going to let you in on a game us breeders play...


1)We do not push a stroller to keep our little ones safe or comfortable; it is to see how many heels we can clip. We keep a tally!

2)We allow our children to scream in discomfort or tantrum, again to rack up points. We count how many dirty looks we can receive. (It is so much fun for us, really…can’t you tell?)


At the end of our trip we submit our totals to Tinker Bell and whoever has the most points wins a fancy dinner at Club 33 with our screaming children. We dare to want a nice meal too.

Our prime target are those who do not have children, those who do not remember what it is like to have little ones and our favorite the perfect judgmental parent who received a manual with the birth of their child.

This cracked me up! Thanks!

And, although this has already been discussed ad nauseum, we will definitely take a stroller for my 18 months old. And after watching my sweet four year old trot as fast as she could to keep up with us on our way to Disney On Ice last weekend, with not one single complaint, I am more inclined to bring one for her as well. She is such a thoughtful little soul that she will wear herself out rather than feeling like she is holding back the 12, 10, and 8 year olds. So I would bring one for her not because she couldn't walk, but because it is her vacation too, and if she is worried about keeping up, how much fun will she really have?

Really and truly, I have relatively inexpensive umbrella-type strollers and I love that they serve as a traveling locker of sorts. I pack snacks, diapers, wipes, water bottles, and sunblock in a generic (free from the hospital style) diaper bag on each stroller. If the whole setup goes missing, I'm out less than a hundred dollars and a quick trip to Walmart will remedy the situation!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

This is our Thread of the Week for the podcast coming out on 3/14.

 

[mamaCta]

This is our Thread of the Week for the podcast coming out on 3/14.

Woohoo! I'm gunna be famous!

 

[starshine514]

This is our Thread of the Week for the podcast coming out on 3/14.

So, we all need to be nice so it doesn't get locked!

 

[SGDisneyFam]

I think comparing today to 1956 is beyond unrealistic. In the pictures ... That are now gone the first poster posted how many of those people were likely from Canada or Australia or around the world? Many families travel far and wide to come to Disneyland. Research for months and months. And spend upwards of $5-$10,000 per trip with flights etc. To the gentleman whose wife carries their children all over the parks without using a stroller yes maybe your wife is fit but your kids are just as lazy as mine if they need to be carried and not strolled. Maybe you're inconveniencing me by walking slower when carrying kids? Who knows ...who cares. You need to do what is best for your own family and only you know what that is

My kids are 6 and 4 and we haven't used a stroller for at least 2 years at home. We could very easily spend the day at our local mall amusement park, shopping going for dinner etc. but to do it on a multiple day level as in FIVE days in a row will likely hinder the enjoyment of everyone. And in our case that would be a whole lot of money to waste to not enjoy our trip.

DH and I have done solo Disney trips and let me tell you it is sooo much quicker to not have to go back to point a to get stroller or go out of the way to park it in the best spot, easier to get past crowds. But multiple 10-16 hr Disney days we couldn't survive without it. I am of course counting down until we no longer need it!!

 

[coaches24]

Im a little late to the party here and I only read the OP so dont know what else was said but heres my take.

I have a 4 yo and we went in Jan with our stroller. And the stroller was very very useful for us to have. IMO it made things MUCH easier. Now I only have one child so having 2 or 3 or more can absolutely make a difference whether you want to take a stroller or not but for us it was great.

DD spent a lot more time walking on her own this trip but she always was in the stroller almost full time by dinner time. And we stayed off site so she fell asleep in the stroller on the way back to the hotel as well so all we had to do was lift her out of the stroller and lay her in bed when we got back.

It also kept me from having to wear a backpack which is A ok with me. depending on when our next trip is we will certainly entertain not bringing a stroller next time but on this last trip I was very glad we decided to use it.

 

[larina]

... To the gentleman whose wife carries their children all over the parks without using a stroller yes maybe your wife is fit but your kids are just as lazy as mine if they need to be carried and not strolled. Maybe you're inconveniencing me by walking slower when carrying kids? Who knows ...who cares. You need to do what is best for your own family and only you know what that is ...

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I've used (and needed) a stroller with DS on all of our previous trips, but for our April trip we've decided not to bring one. We're playing it by ear, ready to rent one if we need it in the afternoon or evening, but there are a number of reasons we're going to start our day without it.

1.) DS is 5 now, and hasn't used a stroller in over a year.

2.) We walk 1.5 miles each day walking to and from school; sometimes more if we walk around to run errands. (We live downtown in a large urban area and either walk or take public transit most of the time.)

3.) Aside from all the walking we do, DS is a very active kid. He's got a lot of energy, and when he's distracted, he'll happily run around for hours before he realizes he's tired and needs a break.

4.) Like a PP said, we plan our day with breaks in mind - stopping to see Aladdin, for example, or sitting down for a snack break.

5.) It's just DS and DH and I. No older kids to keep up with during the day.

6.) Our stroller got really banged up both times we gate-checked it, so no way I will ever bring it on an airplane again. If we need one, we'll rent it.


With all that being said, our way isn't best for every kid. My son is used to walking a lot and used to standing to wait for buses and trains. Not every kid does that. He's also a high energy kid (before he could walk, he was already saying "go, Go, GO!" ), and he likes holding my hand while we walk places.

I don't judge anyone for their choices - you know your child and your family better than I do. If you need a stroller, go for it! I'll miss having the extra storage space for our bags...but maybe this time I'll pack lighter!

 

[JoRo]

Our DS 4 and DD 6 will still use the stroller in April of this year. Although we will only have one night with late hours the kids like to have breaks. We don't mind parking the stroller and doing an area. Our DS will cat nap if he wants. As long as they want to shove themselves into our city mini well loved double stroller its better for us them having whine because they are tired. They are to big to carry and I broke my ankle in nov so no way I can carry them at all. Worst case we leave in hotel and make different choices next trip. Good luck.