Too old for a Stroller?

[Yankee Dale]

Hi all,

Were going in a couple of weeks with our 6 year old, and was wondering if we should rent a stroller? I was thinking maybe just for Epcot?

What do people think?

 

[ferbtones]

Hi there. We went last year at Easter and our DD was 4 at the time, nearly 5. We just rented one when we were in the parks all day. Out of a three week vacation, we rented one only 3 days. She loves to walk though.

She will be six for our next trip and we aren't even contemplating hiring a stroller.

But every kid is different, so just go with you gut.

 

[Master Yoda]

It just depends on your child. If they are going to wear out and be miserable, thereby making everyone else miserable, then rent a stroller.

 

[luv]

Unless there is something wrong with the child or you plan on pushing the child so hard that they'll have to just pass out in the park, there is no reason to rent a stroller.

It's a theme park, not a death march.

 

[Figgy1]

It just depends on your child. If they are going to wear out and be miserable, thereby making everyone else miserable, then rent a stroller.

^^^^ This. When my ds was 5 we did rope drop to closing for 10 days and he never needed one, but every child is different.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Agreed that it depends on the child. My older one will be 7 this summer, but she's TINY! Seriously, many 4 year olds are bigger than her. At this age, she's mortified about the mere suggestion of a stroller, but I am going to play this by ear and see how long her little legs can make it. You know your child best....so you've got to do what is best for that individual kid.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I would play it by ear. See how your child does from day to day.

 

[Dsnemom]

My son is 5 and we still use a jogging stroller each year when we go. He does like to use it, but I enjoy it more for a holder of "stuff." I like the cup holders, plus I can store wipes, suntan lotion, hand sanitizer, etc. in the stroller as well. He likes the shade the top provides, especially when he's in the mood for a snack.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Unless there is something wrong with the child or you plan on pushing the child so hard that they'll have to just pass out in the park, there is no reason to rent a stroller.

It's a theme park, not a death march.

And it's not a day care. I am sick of seeing freaking strollers everywhere I go at WDW. I don't see nearly that many at Universal. Strollers crap up the ambience (nothing like seeing a herd of strollers in front of the Haunted Mansion. Yeah, that's some scary stuff. ).

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

my littlest one is 4. I am throwing an umbrella stroller in the trunk but I am really hoping we don't use it. We have been doing some "Disney conditioning" and running as a family a few times a week. WAlking the park is such good exercise for us and the kids

 

[Yankee Dale]

my littlest one is 4. I am throwing an umbrella stroller in the trunk but I am really hoping we don't use it. We have been doing some "Disney conditioning" and running as a family a few times a week. WAlking the park is such good exercise for us and the kids

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[JillC LI]

We didn't take our first family WDW trip until we felt the kids were old enough to do it without strollers. They were ages 5 and 7 then, and we ran around the parks from morning til evening for 4 days straight, and they never complained once about being too tired. I did, however, try to build "rests" into the day like going to attractions such as PhilHarmonic and COP at MK to sit down for a tad, a CS lunch and a sit-down dinner.

 

[The Mom]

Most responses have been of the "only you know whether your children will need one" variety. The suggestion to bring one, just in case, but try to go without is probably the best one.

Only a couple have been somewhat negative, and I think I'll close this before the really nasty ones start showing up.