Yes, Another stroller thread with poll

[Jimmy Mouse]

So we are returning yet again September 6-16th. Our daughters are now 7 and 4 (3 months shy of 5th birthday). We want to be stroller free!!!! But we don't want our 4 yo to get worn out too fast. Now our 7 yo will probably complain that she can't ride but we can handle that. So, to stroller or not to stroller.
Advantages: Place for nap. Place for storage.
Disadvantages: Lugging that thing around everywhere. Finding a place to park before each attraction.
And Go!

 

[stephk1981]

I vote rent a stroller from kingdom strollers. I did this every trip until DS was six.... I know gasp...6 lol. He used it less and less every year, but it was awesome to have a place to leave our stuff all the time, and when he did get tired he could sit for a bit. This past April DS was 9 on our trip. We drive since we live just under 4 hours from Disney, so we brought our own for DD ( 7 months at the time). I realized how much I'd missed having a stroller! DS even rode in it temporarily one day( he has CVS, and wasn't up to par that day.) I say if you even think you might need one, get one....you can always leave it in the room if you change your mind. The Disney stroller rentals are NOT comfy. Have a magical trip !!!!

 

[E_Bec]

Get the stroller! My 4 year old and very tall 6 year old still need the stroller. They often nap in the afternoons, and it helps us get through crowded areas together quickly. When they need to walk, we park it in a stroller area for awhile and let them stretch their legs.

 

[Klayfish]

Well, you only gave the option of renting. I think renting a stroller is a gigantic waste of money. Buy one, it'll be cheaper. Then sell it on Craiglist and get your money back.

We used a stroller for our kids well beyond the age of 5 and I'm very happy we did. They're really not as big of a deal as people make them out to be, IMO.

 

[E_Bec]

Well, you only gave the option of renting. I think renting a stroller is a gigantic waste of money. Buy one, it'll be cheaper. Then sell it on Craiglist and get your money back.

We used a stroller for our kids well beyond the age of 5 and I'm very happy we did. They're really not as big of a deal as people make them out to be, IMO.

Yes! Or buy a used on on Craig’s list. Ours was in great shape and has definitely paid for itself in saved rental fees!

 

[ElenaRN]

Our DDs are the same age. We are going in Sept also. We decided to rent a double. A single isn't that much cheaper for the week. Both of our girls tend to be whiny when tired and we just want to try to avoid that. The 7 year old prob won't need or use it that much but then we will just use it for storage.
We went for a quick trip in June and tried going stroller free. We wound up regretting it and renting Disney strollers the last 2 days.

 

[WishICouldSpeakWhale]

I said let her walk because we rented a stroller (from offsite company) when our kids were the same age. Trip was 9 days, we used it twice. One of the times, we had to push it back to the hotel empty because the rented cover blew off in the rain. This was in August, so if it wasn't raining, it was really hot. It was a waste of space in our room and it was a waste of $100+.

I think when the older kid is walking, the younger one wants to keep up and be like the older kid. Overall, you may end up slowing down a bit and taking it a little easier so that the 4 year old keeps up.

Before that trip, we did take family walks once a week or so, for about an hour. I'm not sure they helped, but they didn't hurt either. We would walk and talk about the trip. It was a fun way to prepare for walking more, and to spend time together.

 

[NYCgrrl]

So we are returning yet again September 6-16th. Our daughters are now 7 and 4 (3 months shy of 5th birthday). We want to be stroller free!!!! But we don't want our 4 yo to get worn out too fast. Now our 7 yo will probably complain that she can't ride but we can handle that. So, to stroller or not to stroller.
Advantages: Place for nap. Place for storage.
Disadvantages: Lugging that thing around everywhere. Finding a place to park before each attraction.
And Go!

In general your average almost 5 y/o child can do Disney w/o a stroller. Just gear the trip to accommodate the child's needs complete with breaks.

Should you stay on site no need to lug new purchases around; they can be delivered to your resort cost free. At your children's ages less need to carry all the extra stuff younger children have.

As I recall children will sleep anywhere and in odd positions too.

Were I a rope dropper until park closer, I might consider a lightweight stroller for convenience so I could party as if I was still single and carefree. But I'd make it seriously lightweight and easy to fold. An inexpensive umbrella stroller works well on that level.

Whatever you opt to do have fun out there.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Good insight so far! to answer a few questions, yes we are staying onsite @ The Contemporary. Both girls are very active. They both do Cheer and have practice 3 times a week. Outside of that, they never ever slow down. They are both tall for their age. 7 year old 53" 4 year old 44" and they have long strides. We do plan on taking our time. I set up our touring where we enter a park and make one complete lap. We did the criss cross park style last year due to me scheduling our ADR's and FP+ all over the place and it wore us all out. This time we can take our time and enjoy each park at a leisurely pace.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

Yes! Or buy a used on on Craig’s list. Ours was in great shape and has definitely paid for itself in saved rental fees!

We can easily get a stroller for nothing since we have donated all our old ones to my oldest daughter for my grand babies. The problem is we do not have the room to bring it so renting is the only option.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We can easily get a stroller for nothing since we have donated all our old ones to my oldest daughter for my grand babies. The problem is we do not have the room to bring it so renting is the only option.

From this post, I'm assuming you made up your mind to bring a stroller so since you don't have the room to bring one renting seems like your only option.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

well ...... me and my wife were totally against renting a stroller this trip so we sat down as a family and talked with the girls. Our 7 year old said she wanted one but also wanted to be a "Big Girl" and walk. She also understood that at her height she is just too tall for a stroller. Our 4 year old firmly stated that she was NOT walking around that big world lol so we got on a few sites and she picked out a City Mini GT Single so we rented one and it will be delivered on our arrival day. In the end, I would rather have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. We plan on leaving it parked in certain areas so we don't have to lug it around everywhere but it will be good at MNSSHP and Epcot. Also we won't have to lug it around on busses since we plan on using the Mini Vans and Monorail only. (I'm so over the busses). Thanks for all the suggestions!!!

 

[Woody412]

I seem to be in the minority here but I would think about renting a Disney stroller. The single isn’t bad at around $15/day and it’s even cheaper if you get a length of stay rental. You don’t need to pay twice if you hop, just show your receipt and off you go. They’re very roomy, we fit 3 in the double with one sitting on the floor, and they roll like an absolute dream. Best of all, no lugging a stroller on the bus. For our entire trip last month DW got stuck in the back alone with 4 kids under 7 and I got stuck standing in the rear doorway with our gigantic, ancient by modern standards, stroller.

 

[robinb]

Rent a Disney Double stroller when you need it and both kids will fit.

 

[jeepnjudy]

Every child is different and you know your child best. Our DS5 will be using a stroller over New Years at that other park in Orlando due to several reasons such as fatigue and it gives him a "safer space" then hanging onto my hand during the major crowded areas. Do what is most comfortable for you and your child. Have a fun trip!

 

[goodeats]

My 6 3/4 yr old daughter walked the whole time and never once asked to be carried. She needed once to be carried because she fell asleep on the bus - luckily she's pretty light.

At 4 3/4 I would say rent from off-site. The heat and humidity are rough, and if they want to nap it's extremely difficult in the Disney versions. Just be mentally prepared to fold up the stroller and lug aboard the buses. That will be your biggest annoyance, but at least you can put a sleeping kid in there when you get off!