stroller or no stroller in parks?

[julie0282]

i have a soon to be 7yr old DD and she does get tried of walking sometimes. do you think i should bring a stroller or is she too big ??

[Marceline]

If she has a physical condition that makes walking difficult, then certainly do what you need to do.
If she is an able bodied kiddo, I say, let her walk. My DD managed the parks just fine at 4 and like a champ this Christmas at 6.

Just remember to drink lots of water, wear comfy shoes and be aware of when she seems exerted and occasionally enjoy the bench ride.

[animalkingdomguy]

We have the same situtation. Our DS will turn 7 just before our August trip. On previous trips took the smallest stroller we could find. Lugging a stroller on and off the crammed buses is about as much fun as having you gums scraped. This trip my 7 yr DS will be walking. To the heart of you question, each child is different, if having a stroller makes the trip more pleasant, go for it. But, I would shop garage sales or thrifty stores for a micro sized stroller.

[deedeenmickey]

When you first get there and for about 3 or 4 hours she is going to want to walk. I can't imagine lugging an empty stroller around for that long. She will get tired especially if you stay out a long time. The bottom line is it's what you want to do. Only you know your child. I hope it works out for you and ya'll have a great trip!

[DisneyMiMi]

Last Jan, we rented a stroller for my granddaughter, 5 years old. All we ended up doing was putting the backpack in the stroller and pushing that around. She did fine the entire day (EMH). We ended up parking the stroller with the backpack at each area and picking it up when moving on to the next. With the expense of renting the strollers, I would definitely try it without. You can always go back and pick one up if you find you do need it but there are enough park benches and places to sit to rest up that might do the trick. I hope it all works out.

[DANAM]

I debated the same thing for my DD7 last time we went. She had ADHD and has a tendency to walk off, so I was mostly using the stroller for safty reasons but my DH talked me out of it. She did really good walking. I do have a DS4 so if she got tired she would sit in it for a break here or there but she could have easily sat on the ground.

[g8rgirl29]

When in doubt, bring it, you can always leave it in the room if she doesn't need it. A lot of times in MK we just leave the stroller parked in a land until we have ridden everything we want to in that area. Then we pick it up put DD in and move on to the next area we want to hit and park it again.

[crltkcagle]

DS is 7 and he still needs a stroller! Not for the entire trip but at the end of the day when he starts getting tired he wants to sit. I bring a double stroller anyway for my other two children and just throw all three in one at the end of the day. Of course there are times when I would like a stroller too! LOL

[dancin Disney style]

It depends on your child.

I've had a 6yo that was hating the whole experience and wanted to leave about 2 hours after arrival because she was tired. We got a stroller and she was a whole new kid that began having the time of her life.

My older one walked the entire time when she was 6.

I would either plan on renting one if needed or bring a small/light/cheap umbrella stroller with you incase. If you opt to not bring one and find that you require one you can buy a half decent stroller for about $40 at Once Upon a Toy in DTD. I'm sure there are other places that have the same ones. It's can be cheaper than a rental if you need it for several days.

[marlaine]

My DS5 always wants a stroller--but only at WDW! I packed his regular stroller away 2 years ago. He just tells me--too much walking.
I really don't mind renting one for him. Even though they're expensive it's worth it for piece of mind. He's such a happy kid and loves the parks so much-I don't want to change that great disposition because of being too tired to enjoy them. I've never brought one from home for concern of getting off and on buses.

[Lakin]

Of course! It's a great way to get through the crowds - If they don't move, they get run over.

[i'm grumpy]

If you take a stroller, get a lock. Our brand new one was stolen.

[i'm grumpy]

Of course! It's a great way to get through the crowds - If they don't move, they get run over.

And you can put your backpack in if the kiddo wants to walk.

I saw strollers for sale near an entrance, at the studios I think.

[CrabbyPatty]

We're be there in late August with two kids - 8 and 6. So it will be HOT and HUMID (but at least we'll get free food .....).

My friend (with the 6yo) says she'll need a stroller. How much is the stroller rental daily, or can you get a weekly rate?

[i'm grumpy]

I believe it's $15/day or $13 for multiple days.

[Disney Doll]

If you take a stroller, get a lock. Our brand new one was stolen.

I'm not sure you would be allowed to lock a stroller. CMs may need to move it to make room (they usually do). I've taken many trips with a stroller and we've never had an issue with theft. I'm sure it's a pain if it happens to you, but I'm sure it's very rare.

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

We rented one for our kids last year, they were 5 and 7. This year (they will be 6 and 8 of course) we may try a single stroller, and see if they can take turns or something. We tend to do long days, and the stroller makes that possible.

My guess if that we'll need a double stroller by the end of the day. (either that or back surgery from carrying tired kids!!)

[PlutoPlanet]

I think we still did the stroller with DD7. We put the backpack in the stroller when DD7 did not want to ride.

[DawsonAR]

We just returned with DS (7). I thought he would need a stroller, but when I rented one.....he didn't want to ride in it. He ended up walking the whole week and did fine. I was surprised. He was tired and we didn't do extra long days at all.

[julie0282]

Of course! It's a great way to get through the crowds - If they don't move, they get run over.

i like that espically when ppl are just talking and standing in the middle of the road hahaha