To stroller or not to stroller?

[tterrag24]

My daughter (4), girlfriend and I are going to WDW in august for 10days. I was woundering if I should leave the stroller home. My daughter probably hasn't been in a stroller for a year. I just figured having a stroller would give me a place to store stuff, but what do I really need to bring. I'm leaning towards leaving it because getting on and off, and maneuvering threw traffic would be easier.

 

[BrittanyRose428]

I think it depends how your daughter is with all the walking. If you think she can handle the walking involved then there is really no need to bring a stroller, if not it might be good to have around. If anything leave it home and if you get there and feel she needs it you could rent one? It's not worth it to drag around a stroller just to have somewhere to put what you bring in the parks if your daughter doesn't need it imo.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I think for a 4 year old i would bring it along just in case. Most 4 years old even if out of a stroller at home will get tired quick with the walking at Disney. Unless you are ok with renting one.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Bring it. You can gate check it if your flying so it's no extra cost. It's nice to have the option, especially if she is dragging after a few days to put her in it. Think of how many more miles your logging in the World than you are at home everyday.

 

[sublimesting]

We are only bringing one for the purposes of napping and eating. I am fine carrying her...but...she only weighs 20 pounds.

 

[happymom52003]

Take a lightweight, foldable umbrella stroller. If you end up not needing it, you can just leave it in your hotel room. But with the August heat, you will probably be glad you have it. When mine were that age they would walk most of the time, then use the stroller when they got tired. It was also a great place for them to sit during the parades. And honestly, it helps the parents out as well...makes it much easier to get from point A to point B. True, four year olds usually don't use strollers at home....but WDW, especially in the heat of August, is a different ball game. Renting is too expensive....you can buy a nice travel umbrella stroller for less than it would cost to rent one there. Better to have it with you and not need it than to be there without it wishing you had it.

 

[EvilQueen-T]

my granddaughter just turned 7 and we still rent a stroller which she happily jumps into. at home she's of course never ever in a stroller, doesn't ride in the shopping carts at stores etc...but she's smart enough to know that walking and standing in lines from rope drop to end of emh and no longer being picked up while waiting in line...lets just say she's the first one to make sure she has a stroller . it's disney and walking as an adult is hard enough, why make it harder with a tired kid.

 

[BalooChicago]

My niece was a very active 4yo on a last trip, my nephew less than a year, my brother rented a double stroller and my niece made use of it more than I'd have thought. We rented a single as well from Orlando Stroller Rental, and it was one of the best decisions I've made on a trip (no connection, just a very pleased customer).

 

[KingdomStroller]

I would highly suggest bringing your stroller. I cannot tell you how many calls I get from desperate parents who thought their 5 yr old would hoof it around the parks. Carrying a sleeping 4 yr old for over a mile may make great marathon training, but it does not make a happy vacation.

 

[Bri1121]

I have to agree- bring it! A nice light one. My son will be 4 in Sept and we are going in the beginning of August. He has not been in a stroller for awhile but we are definitely bringing it. He is 30 pounds and I dont want to have to carry him all the time. My daughter is almost7 and I am sure she will get into it too. Especially at night heading out of the park!

 

[pixiegurl]

I have to agree as well...bring it!

Our daughter needed it until she was 7. When she was 8 she only had 1 day out of our 10 day trip she asked for a stroller, and it was during EMH around midnight at Epcot. My husband wore his Garmin watch and tracked our walking mileage through the day. We were walking 6-8 miles a day!!

Looking back, I'm amazed she wasn't begging for one!

I also agree that it comes handy during the mass exodus out of the parks, if you end up staying until close.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Bring it...we have a 4 yr old, and while she covers distances better than our 2 yr old, there were times where it would have been an all out catastrophe to not have a stroller. While inconvenient to lug around the stroller- it's a lot worse to be without it and have to carry around a tired and cranky 4 yr old.

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

I agree with taking the lightweight umbrella stroller. I've done WDW for 10 days also with my little one. There is alot of walking and the heat as you know will wear you down. She's sure to get tired. Sure you can rent one at the park. But remember you do have to turn it in, what if she's tired after that? By you taking at least an umbrella stroller will guarantee her a little comfy seat at all times. Please do buckle her in to avoid her falling foward. Never happened to mine, but I've seen it happened to other little ones.

 

[Minnie1976]

If I was bringing a 4 year old, I just bring an umbrella stroller that was light and easy to fold up. Just in case they get tired or need a little nap. I was at Disney with my son's family when they brought the big stroller, and it was a pain getting on the buses.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

My twins are 4 and haven't been in the stroller for over a year but we decided to bring it in December. It's more of a safety issue for getting in and out of the parks. I'll likely park it and leave it most of the day (which we've done since they were old enough to walk), but it will be nice to have it as an option. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to go alone if my husband wants to take our older son somewhere.

 

[laxchik18]

My daughter (4), girlfriend and I are going to WDW in august for 10days. I was woundering if I should leave the stroller home. My daughter probably hasn't been in a stroller for a year. I just figured having a stroller would give me a place to store stuff, but what do I really need to bring. I'm leaning towards leaving it because getting on and off, and maneuvering threw traffic would be easier.

i would say bring it. i am not a parent but i know my little bro used the stroller in disney till he was 5. it is great to store stuff like u said. but it depends on what kind of trip u want. it may be a little more hassle, but you may be able to stay at the parks longer bc your daughter wont tire as quickly. also you could rent one there if you dont want the hassle of traveling with it. good luck and have fun=)

 

[Theosus]

I would highly suggest bringing your stroller. I cannot tell you how many calls I get from desperate parents who thought their 5 yr old would hoof it around the parks. Carrying a sleeping 4 yr old for over a mile may make great marathon training, but it does not make a happy vacation.

I agree. You may think you can carry her, but when you're hot and sweaty and tired, you don't want to carry someone else who is hot and sweaty and tired.
August is miserable. Take a stroller. You can always ditch it before coming home. Mine ditched the disney stroller permanently at age six.

 

[BeanSz]

I think for a 4 year old i would bring it along just in case. Most 4 years old even if out of a stroller at home will get tired quick with the walking at Disney. Unless you are ok with renting one.

Heck, most adults get tired walking at Disney!!

I recommend the stroller --- cheaper to bring from home, and will be one you are use to. That said, you have options -- you can always rent one for the parks or they sell strollers at the hotel gift shops. If you change your mind, you can always buy one there. It also depends how you are going to do the parks -- if you are totally on her schedule, maybe you will be ok without. But if you want to stay late, and let her crash while you keep going, then stroller. I also hate carrying my kids -- especially the walks out of the parks at night to buses always seems like a long distance after a long day, so I like having a stroller. I make sure my stroller is easy to fold and hold for the crowded bus trips, I prefer a good solid cup holder, and a small basket underneath for bags and such.

We are going with three this year (DS7, DS4 and DS1) -- we are debating which stroller too, but pretty much have decided on our double stroller as it gives the most flexbility eventhough a bit of a pain to deal with.

Enjoy!

 

[lebeau]

For a 4-year-old there is no question you will need a stroller at some point. Better to bring your own light-weight stroller than to have to pay to rent one on the spot.

Also, as you mentioned, it has the added benefit of storing stuff.

 

[erinshaneb]

We took our 9 month old and 4 year old last year...my daughter is very independent and hadn't done a stroller since before my DS was born, BUT we made her use it at WDW..she thought she was okay, but I knew by looking at her that a few minutes of "down time" in the stroller while we moved from one place to another or waited for a parade or whatever would make a world of difference..most of the time she didn't want to ride, but there were moments she wanted to jump in..you could just tell she was tired, but didn't want to say it...there is no way I could carry either one of my kids for long..dd is just 5 and is 47" tall and weighs 46 lbs and ds is 19 months old and is almost 3' tall and weighs 28lbs..BRING THE STROLLER...you don't use it, then fine, it sits in your room..but the option is there