Stroller thoughts?

[Ahhhhshley]

Heading for a long trip between going to Disneyland, Universal studios and L.A. from 2/6-2/15 I'm worried my turning 5 years old son during the trip (Small for his size) is going to be way wiped out without having one available. We don't use strollers for anything else but this is such a busier trip than our usual day to the zoo or what not. Do you use strollers for your newly 5 year old child? Or best to skip it??

 

[chickapin parterre]

100% a stroller for 5 year-old on a 9 day vacation.....my son was a large 5 year old, very active, but with my adult legs knowing the how to tour Disneyland, i wore him out!!!!! Saved my last two days touring with him at Disneyland!!!!

 

[MonocularVision]

We did a stroller, at least partially, with our kids when they were 5. Our last trip in December was the first we finally had no stroller.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Take it!!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Take it. If you have more than 1, take the smallest one that your kid still fits in. We used a First Years Ignite when my son was 5. I think the newer brand that's similar is Summer 3d. It's small enough to not be a hassle if it goes unused and is easy to push an older child in.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you don't want to bring your own, you can rent a stroller (either from Disney or from another company -- people here can give recommendations). If you bring your own, bring a beater. We used a cheap umbrella stroller that we bought just for Disney trips. Strollers do get stolen at DLR and they aren't always recovered. A friend of ours is a cop who says that DLR security has a serious problem dealing with thieves who routinely target strollers, diaper bags, and items left in strollers. The thieves will take the newly purchased souvenirs out of the shopping bags, then leave the bags so the guests don't even notice the theft until hours later. Don't be a victim!

 

[DL_Forever]

We spent 8 days in the park recently, 12/6-12/13, without a stoller for our 5 year old and she did great. It was soooooooooo nice not to have to park the stroller, then go and find the stroller after the ride (which inevitably got moved by a CM). I did take the number of a local stroller rental company just in case, but never needed to use it.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

YES to using a stroller!!

* Stroller = less whining because child is less tired from all the walking (at least for our family)
* Stroller = storage
* Stroller = safety (ie. I found it safer to push my child through large crowds vs having my child walk)
* Stroller = nap place (our child didn't usually nap at home but took naps at Disneyland)

Have fun!

 

[DznyPrnces]

My son is 5 and Disneyland is the only place he uses a stroller still. When we went this summer (he was still 4) we had fantasmic fast passes. Once we got to our spot, he decided he didn’t want to watch the show. He asked me to recline the stroller, and he went to sleep. Wouldn’t have been able to do that without a stroller.

 

[ballarinamom]

We actually took a trip at 3,4,5 and 7. Dd was very tall for her age so on the trip for age 7, I bought a cheap jogging stroller that fit her. We actually gave it to our cab driver going home. She was very rested as we go hard on our Disney trips. By bringing one instead of renting from Disney, we were able to take her in a stroller instead of her walking. We were exhausted so I could only imagine how pooped she would have been in she had to walk all of those steps

 

[Ahhhhshley]

Thanks everyone!! I just didnt want to be that mom that had a way to old to be in a stroller kid if kids his age commonly make it through these trips without them. I love the idea of having it for extra snack storage and sweatshirts, nothing valuable. Since we are going in Feb it might have some colder times. Last time we rented a single jogger and my then 5 year old commonly sat at the foot rest of his 3 year olds bothers stroller and had a few times where he was just too tired to walk.

 

[sherilaine]

Your small kid at 5 will not stand out in a stroller at Disneyland. Do not worry. And if you find you don't need it as some do, then just leave it in the room.

 

[lcp9]

We hustle at Disneyland, and we have 6.5yo, 4, and 2. Without fail, by the end of the day everyone is piled on top of each other asleep in the jogging stroller. We take a Chariot (no bucket seats) so they can all cram in there. We also went on Halloween from 7am (MM) to 10:30pm (halloween party) straight and I forced my 6.5 to take a nap in it so she'd be up for fireworks. Plus we pack tons of food in ours. You're probably going to want one.

 

[whoever]

Yes, but moreso for my 8 year old who's legs are constantly tired (we have a fold-down step, but a child can also cram up front if necessary). This March I think is going to be our last trip with a stroller hopefully.

This stroller is about as awesome as one can get for the size...

 

[juxtapose]

I really just depends on the kid. My DD went to WDW when she was 4 and only sat in the stroller going into/out of the parks and at Epcot. We are going this year again and not bringing one for her (she will be 5). We have a large stroller for her brother that she can sit on the front wheel if she HAS to sit. She complained the most about standing while in lines and you can't take strollers in the lines anyways. If you plan on doing 12-14 hours days (we sure don't) then I would probably bring one.

 

[Winnowill]

We bought a cheap umbrella stroller at Target for $20 (they had one for $15 - we splurged for the sun shade) for our first trip to DL when DD was not-quite-five. We used it again the following year at WDW when she was not-quite-six, then sold it at a garage sale for $10. It was worth every penny.

 

[DizMe]

For as much as you're doing, probably a good idea. We never brought a stroller for our kids, who all started going to DL at age 4. However, we stayed on site, didn't go other places and could go back to the hotel for breaks. My thought is that kids generally have more stamina than their parents, but all need a break sometimes!

However, when kids get tired, they drop like stones. You don't want to have to worry about that if you're off exploring Universal, LA, etc. At least at DL you can rent a stroller if need be and go back to the hotel, but with other places to visit it's nice to be prepared. I like the idea of renting or getting a cheap one that you can leave behind.

 

[VandVsmama]

When we went to DL when our kids were 4 and 6, we rented a stroller through Anaheim City Strollers and it was great. The kids took turns riding in it. And it had a little running board on the back so the other kid could stand on the back of it. They dropped it off at our hotel and picked it up at the hotel at the end of our trip. It was totally worth the money. it really helped my kids last longer through the day. At the next trip 2 years later, we didn't need one.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

I just didnt want to be that mom that had a way to old to be in a stroller kid if kids his age commonly make it through these trips without them.

Hi! It saddened me (and to be honest ... also outraged me) to read the above sentence in your reply.

Please do not allow others to make "you" OR "your child" feel bad about deciding to use a stroller.
If that is what's best for your family then do it.
No justification or explanation required.

Those who have offered advice to you on this thread have been very kind and supportive. However, if in the parks you cross paths with those who are judgmental of your stroller use (although I highly doubt you will encounter this situation because most families I've encountered in the parks are friendly) please just ignore them. Again ... my simple philosophy: you tour the parks the way you want and if using a stroller makes it a happier experience for your family then do it. No justification or explanation required.

Sorry ... side rant: Unfortunately, there will always be judgmental people no matter the situation and no matter where you go. For example, last month I was in Costco and overheard some woman comment to her partner "you sow what you reap, if it were me blah, blah, blah". This woman was remarking on a "huge meltdown" some child was having while in the cashier line up. The poor mom had to literally drag/pick up her child in order to leave the warehouse.

From her comments, I guessed that the woman bystander assumed that the child was having a huge meltdown because of a denied toy that the child wanted to purchase. Perhaps this woman was correct in her assumptions. Perhaps there was another reason for the meltdown. However, who cares what the reason was behind the huge meltdown. If anyone has been a parent, we all eventually get to experience epic, embarrassing meltdowns in public. Not a fun experience for anyone but it happens!

Personally, I felt really sorry for the mom. I'm certain she was very embarrassed by the meltdown (her child was very loud and bystanders everywhere) but she did her best to deal with the situation (ie. try to calm her child while she paid for her items and then drag/pick up her child in order to leave the warehouse). Unfortunately, I doubt the child would have calmed down if they remained in the warehouse ... sometimes you just need to remove the child to a quieter place (willing or not) before the child will calm down.

Again ... my suggestion: if you receive judgmental comments or looks from bystanders, be like Elsa and "just let it go" and ignore the judgments. They do not matter. Do what works best for your family.

Good luck and have fun in the parks no matter what you decide!

 

[Ahhhhshley]

Mama Bear Me2, I totally agree and I need to just shake it off and let it go. I just remember a couple years ago I was planning on this site and I saw a long post with MANY people ranting on how obnoxious strollers are and how much they get in the way of the enjoyment of other guests and how the parents using them are just encouraging their children to be lazy and overweight. I shouldn't let that get to me because I have very active children and heck I wish I had a stroller while in the parks for me lol. Thanks everyone for your input.