When to ditch the stroller???

[threeh]

My youngest will be 5 for our Feb trip. I have a light weight umbroller but she really doesn't use a stroller anymore. Even when i go to the mall, etc she likes to walk. I'm just having fantasies about not lugging that stroller around, and it's really appealing. can I not take it and then worst case scenario if she needs rent one?? I'm just not sure if I should totally not bring it or not. Can I check it as baggage and it'll just show up with Magical Express and my luggage?? Thanks to all!!!

[Lizzie]

If you don't mind spending the money to rent one than I wouldn't bring it. If you hate the thought of renting one check it and magical express can bring it to your room. I believe that strollers and car seats don't count against you two checked bags. But I think if I had the money I would just rent so I wouldn't have to lug it on and off the bus. And you can park it in stroller parking in certain areas and than grab it when you need it.

[PeterPanFan]

we rent a stroller everytime. For our 10/8/6 year olds. Now you might say this is crazy. I am not sure about the 10 year old this time but....They never get tired. they do take turns walking but we like to keep there legs fresh.

[gardenia]

No strollers for any of my three kids after the age of 4, and they did great in every park. You'll feel amazingly free, and if your youngest gets tired, go back to the resort and swim. Rentals are also great, if you just can't do without.

[Speedy1998]

If it was not for the 2 yo we would have made our 5 yo walk. However, it was easier to convince the 2 yo to use the stroller when the 5 yo was in one too. Normally neither of my kids use a stroller, but Disney is just too much walking for the 2 yo.

[Jen C.]

My cut off was age 5.

[kim1st]

My DDs (2 1/2 & almost 5) actually fought over the stroller.

We brought an old umbrella stroller that we were done with and threw it away down there so that we didn't have to lug it home. We used magical express and checked it as luggage.

Our plan was to rent a 2nd stroller down there, but only if necessary. We ended up just having them take turns instead of renting one.

It was funny (well - funny now - not so much then) - whenever they would notice that the stroller was empty, they'd both bolt for it and practically attack each other to get in.

I think that my oldest would have been fine without the stroller everywhere except Epcot. To tell you the truth, I wanted to ride in the stroller at Epcot...

[crazeedizneefinatic]

We have always just rented also. I am debating this time around for September. My son is 6 and loves to walk so we don't use a stroller at home anywhere. My concern is that with the amount of walking involved at Disney he will get his horrible leg cramps. He gets them when he over exerts himself. Doctor said he will outgrow them and they have lessened as he has gotton older. But likely we will get one just to avoid that. I say if you can avoid dragging the stoller and don't need it for the airport or resort leave it at home. Strollers are always available if you need one.

[Gusgus]

5 was the last year we used one. We brought an umbrella stroller, not too hard to lug around at all. I like them better then renting one. When the "herd" is leaving someplace like fantasmic or illuminations I would just close it up and carry it. EZ to get on and off the bus too.

Every child is different, some will be okay at 5 years others not. Do what you think is best!

Gusgus

[TennesseeTink]

According to The Complete Walt Disney World guide by Julie and Mike Neal, the average WDW visitor walks approximately 7 miles/day and, boy, do I believe it. Imagine how all that walking can wear out those little legs. However, I wouldn't bring one from home, just rent one. That way you don't have to lug it on the plane, on the bus, etc. She may be okay in MGM, maybe even MK, but I would definitely get one for Epcot and AK. Make sure you bring a bandana or something bright to tie on the rented stroller so no one walks off with yours.

[bkfree]

Our last trip our kiddos were 5 and 7 and we decided to not lug a stroller and worse case rent one if needed. Actually the trip before when my youngest was 3 we rented instead of taking one.I love the big wide rental with pockets, a hard cover and so easy to push.
We went for 6 days, did parks from dawn till dusk and never once even contemplated needing a stroller. Mine never once uttered the "tired" word or complained or in any way missed traveling on wheels. In fact, I think they had the best time of their lives that trip to WDW because they were always on their feet and able to explore at will all the nooks and cranny's missed on previous trips when they were riding instead of walking. We all had much more fun without the stroller, more footloose and fancy free. So my vote is go without, the rentals at all the parks give you an easy Plan B.

[jsdt]

I think Gasgus' comment is right on - it depends on your kids and how much walking they can handle. It also depends upon the parents. We stopped taking a stroller when my daughter was 4, but she prefers to walk around and when she gets tired at the end of the day I just carry her on my shoulders anyway. It's easier to keep track of her and it doesn't slow us down trying to find the stroller.

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

We stopped bringing a stroller for my boys when they each turned 4. They have never had a problem with the walking. But, everyone is different.

We were going to skip the stroller this year for our DD who will be just shy of 4. We have finally decided to bring our own one more year. Even though she hardly used it last trip. It was nice the few times she did. I can't wait until next year when I am 95% certain we will be stroller free.

If you think your DD will be fine without the stroller then I would leave it home..less to carry. But, if you think she might need it, and prefer your own over a rental, I would bring it just in case. Worst case, it sits in your room. We prefer to bring our own, so, if there is a question, it comes with us.

As for the airport/ME. We gate check our stroller and use it to lug the car seat, etc, to the plane and the ME bus. Then we fold it up and the driver puts it under the bus.

Have a great trip!!

[CleveRocks]

If you check your stroller like regular luggage (NOT gate-checking it, but checking it at curbside or at the ticket counter), then it DOES get counted as one of your pieces of checked luggage. If you gate-check it doesn't count, but if it's checked as regular baggage it does.

Disney's Magical Express doesn't do automatic luggage delivery of gate-checked items. If you check your stroller just as another regular piece of luggage, then DME will automatically deliver it just like the rest of your checked luggage.

[mttafire]

My cut off was age 5.

We do not have a child yet that is 5 but MY mother would agree. She NEVER allowed me in anything after 5. When our D.S. is 5 and soon to be (born)daughter we will stck with the 4-5 rule.

[septembergirl]

If you don't think your child will need one at the airport, going around the resort or to and from bus stops, then I save the decision for the parks and rent if you need to. Personally, we are going to take an umbrella stroller for the airport/resort and rent one in the parks. I think the stroller in the park will be more handy for storing things as well as being bigger and more comfortable. I may even consider getting a double so DS9 can take a load off if the day gets long.

[playdead88]

delta counts the stroller as 1 carry on - so we bring it - and my dd is going to be 7 when we go next time - i tell ya its nice to have for bags and drinks and tired 7 yr old legs - i think this may be our last year with "big orange" and im gonna miss her terribly - we got one of the joovy caboose strollers that have an area in the back that she can stand on - its made for 2 kids - a small one in front and the older kid in the back - we use the front for stuff and she likes being able to hop on and off the back platform whenever - its a cool stroller -

[Mom2princesses]

My older daughter turned 5 when we went to Disney she did not have a stroller. Even if we had one there was no way she was going to go into a stroller. She was fine. I personally think 5 should be the cut off. But every one has their own opinions. My little one is 3 and she'll definitely have a stroller although she loves to walk. But when she turns 5 no more stroller.

[vamaggie]

When we go in Nov, DD will be 4.5 and we plan to bring the umbrella stroller for her. She likes to walk but also knows when she gets tired she can ride. Remember that walking 7 miles (the quote from a previous post) in adult legs is like walking almost 14 with little legs (they have to take 2 steps for your each one) and a tired/cranky tike makes for a nasty day. If she doesn't need it in the parks we can always leave it in the room but it is nice to have for DTD and other such excursions if needed.

[crazypoohbear]

We have always just rented also. I am debating this time around for September. My son is 6 and loves to walk so we don't use a stroller at home anywhere. My concern is that with the amount of walking involved at Disney he will get his horrible leg cramps. He gets them when he over exerts himself. Doctor said he will outgrow them and they have lessened as he has gotten older. But likely we will get one just to avoid that. I say if you can avoid dragging the stroller and don't need it for the airport or resort leave it at home. Strollers are always available if you need one.

You should try to have him eat a banana a day. the potassium helps with leg cramps.

On the stroller issue, I loved having the stroller just to keep everything in it!
The kids didn't use it much but it was great to keep drinks, rain gear, etc.
My youngest loved to walk, my oldest would still use a stroller if he could, ( he will turn 18 down there , YEARS not MONTHS!)
When we were in NYC for Xmas shopping one year the oldest was about 8 and begged the younger one to let him ride in the stroller. He got his way, Turned out he had blisters on his feet but had never had a blister and didn't know why his feet hurt