Debating on bringing the stroller About This Page:

[Tigger25]

My DD will be 4 at the time of our october trip to WDW. We are staying on property at VWL so we will have quick access,via boat,bus or monorail (from contemporary if we wanted). I am strongly debating on weither she needs a stroller this trip. We were just in WDW 2 weeks ago and we rented a stroller from OSR. I have rented before from here and the stroller is great, that wasnt the issue. we stayed off property and it did become useful but our next trip will be defferent w/ the schedule we are planning on in october. For example EPCOT will be in 2 days 1 day future world,2nd for Food and wine. It was kinda a hassle parking the stroller for attractions and rides, going back to pick it up,going through the crowds/stores,& always worrying about the raincover on the stroller. Since we are staying on property we are planning to get in do what we want, take DD back for nap then dinner and whatever (parks,DTD ect). I am wondering if it would just be easier to move about w/out the stroller then the stroller in tote if my DD really doesnt need it. UGH decisions decisions....HELP.

[ParkieBrown]

For me the stroller is never a hindrance as on our last trip we had two. Our next trip my boys will be five and three (almost 4) and there is no doubt I will be bringing a stroller. for me there is nothing worse than trying to make a child with tired legs walk around a park. Plus I like having a place to put our bag while walking instead of carrying it. It doesn't bother me to find stroller parking.

[benjiboo25]

This will be our first trip without a stroller. We are really looking forward to the freedom to get in and out of the hotel and on and off the buses without a bulky stroller. Our youngest is 5.5. We are open to the possibility that we will need to rent a stroller since it was actually the older ones that needed a break last time!

[austinsmommie]

My daughter will be 5 on our next trip and we just bought a new stroller to bring with us for our next trip(got a great deal at a second hand store). We have rented from OS before and loved them, but the stroller we just got was half the cost to rent. My daughter is tiny 31 pounds and 38 inches, she turned 5 in the beginning of March. Her legs just can't keep up with ours. On our last trip she was 4 and napped at the parks almost everyday. She also uses the stroller to have her own space when things get crowded or sit and color while waiting for her brother to get off a ride(since the poor kid is small she still can't ride the bigger rides). I like to have it while exited at the end of the night because I know where she is. It can be a pain in the stores, buses and getting through the crowds and security, but for us I would rather have it.
You know your child best so if you think she will be fine skip. You could always bring your stroller and leave it at the hotel and see how she does.

[nurse_mom]

Well, I swore off before strollers after our last trip. I was happily declaring to everyone this is our last stroller trip. Well... I am changing my mind, we are making a short trip in Nov. and the stroller will be coming with us. I don't think it will be used every time. But for Epcot its a must. HS we will not be bring the stroller. Most likely for AK. And maybe for MK depending on how much of Fantasy land will be up.

[feonag]

It is wonderful not having a stroller. I agree with you that it is a pain especially at MK. If anything I would rent one from disney the day you go to Epcot and are walking around world showcase. The rest of the time go without. Disney has plenty of benches and places to sit. I would just have my girls sit down for about 5 min every hour-hour and a half to rest. Every few times we would get a snack like icecream and sit and enjoy and rest our legs and that worked out great.

[NOT A PACKER'S FAN]

I brought a lil umbrella strooler, fit very nicely in pop up lawn chair bag, i did this until daughter was 6. lil legs get tired, tired means, crabbies, crabbies means not very magical anymore!!!

[disney]

for what you planning is great but does she get tired easily ? if so you got to then think who will carry her if she gives out in the park?
we broght a stroller when are kids were 5 and 9 and i will say it helpfull because if one or both of them gave out we were still able to do stuff instead of having to go back to the resort early . this would be a tough choice for me good luck on choosing

[wmanderson]

My DNephew5 is going with us in Aug/Sep, and we are taking a stroller. We are heading to the airport very early, and getting back very late. Plus all the walking we will do while there.

We did a "practice trip" to Kings Island the beginning of June, and decided a stroller is a must. He agrees, and even asks to make sure we're bringing it.

[krisk11]

I'm with you that the stroller was always a pain with having to have my dd getting in and out and parking it places. And for my by the time my dd was 4 she was playing ice hockey so she really didn't need one. I think with the schedule you have planned and your resort location you really won't need one.

[Dave Marx]

Four is borderline. It really depends on your child and your own goals and touring plans. The basic rule is, "The slowest hiker sets the pace." For some families, that's just fine, others have touring plans and expectations that don't allow for it, "Put the kid in the stroller, and let's dash!" And even with naps, your child may still konk out before your day is through. You'd have to head to the front of the park to rent a stroller, and you wouldn't have it for the long walks between park gates, bus/boat, and resort room. While we all love to hold a happy, sleeping child in our arms, at that age it can be a challenge to carry them a long distance.

My first trip with my daughter was when she was four. We did it without a stroller, didn't even rent one, but there were two or three times when a stroller would have really been handy.

[Tigger25]

Thanks for the feedback, I think since I already have it reserved from OSR I will just keep it for now and bring it to EPCOT and AK if we decide to go there. I Am not sure about bringing it to MNSSHP though, my DD is a night owl but I don't know if she will make it till midnight ( although I may not make it till midnight ) next year I think we will do without

[austinsmommie]

Originally Posted by Tigger25

Thanks for the feedback, I think since I already have it reserved from OSR I will just keep it for now and bring it to EPCOT and AK if we decide to go there. I Am not sure about bringing it to MNSSHP though, my DD is a night owl but I don't know if she will make it till midnight ( although I may not make it till midnight ) next year I think we will do without

We did bring our stroller for MNSSHP for my 4 year old. It wasn't to difficult to move around with. I did bring it on the trick a treat trails too. The only place that was tough was being on Main Street at 7:00(try to avoid that if you can!) I am glad I had it because my daughter got scared during the night and stayed in her stroller the rest of the night(without it we would have had to leave the party). The party was not scarey, my daughter was dressed like Cruella and I was a Dalmatian during the parade Cruella came over and said to my daughter you brought me a puppy! Well my daughter pulled the canopy over her and stayed that way for awhile. There also was and adult dressed as the big bad wolf that we seemed to keep running into! We stayed at the party until almost midnight and that was from being up and at Ohanas for 8:00am and MK all day! The party was a lot of fun! Enjoy!

[jelzie]

Hi!

I am a big believer in the "let them walk" philosophy, as a teacher, family travel specialist and a mother. Yes, you may have to stop and rest, but life is slower with kidlets anyway!? Stop for a snack, go for a nap, sleep late to stay up late. If it doesn't work without the stroller, just get the stroller. If the plan doesn't work, adjust.... Parenthood has made me slow down and readjust with life's punches. She might surprise you!

Have a magical day!
Julia