We will be going to Disney with 2 year old and 6 year old in Jan. My 6 year old rarely goes in a stroller but my question is would we be okay just with a regular stroller? We are staying at the Contemporary Resort so we do plan to split the days up. Morning a park back to hotel to rest and back to park. I think she should be okay but wanted opinions of anyone that has gone with little ones.
You'll be glad to have a stroller for her because she will be worn out, even if you go back to the hotel to rest.
Look at it this way. If she "hits the wall", you guys will end up having to carry someone - I'd just take the stroller...
Have fun!
Dawn
I guess I disagree with most people, but I'd say rent the stroller at Disney! We went when my girls were 6 and 4 and rented the double stroller. Of course my kids walked (ran!) everywhere, but we were going to get our money's worth, so there wasn't much rest time. When they got tired, they sat down and we kept moving. My 4 year old (who hadn't napped since she was 2) even fell asleep in it a couple of times. We also put our jackets, bags, etc. in there. We went to the light parade and fireworks at Magic Kingdom and my kids were grateful to have a place to sit down. The strollers at Disney are great - they're unbelievably light (so pushing a 6 year old felt like nothing). Anyway, you know your kids best. But I would get the stroller. You can always decide when you get there! Have a great time :)
We go to disney at least once a month with my 6 year old and have been for almost 2 years and never got him a stroller. He may be used to walking but I think she would be fine. Besides the strollers at Disney parks are crappy.
January is not too busy so the lines shouldn’t be too long and you shouldn’t need fast passes. I visit often living only 15 minutes from the park and my 6 yo has no problem walking around on short visits. I do bring our stroller when I know we will be there late at night or for long hours (Halloween party and Christmas party). It is much easier to have her sit in there while going through the crowds to get out of the park.
You can rent the double stroller there, it will hold both of your children and I like having my stroller to hold drinks, my cooler, etc. All the stroller parking areas have employees to keep the strollers organized so your stuff will be fine if left in it (there are also cameras EVERYWHERE). If you do rent one you have to get one each day and you cannot bring it back to the hotel.
I would use a stroller at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios is not that big.
My 6 year old made it through all the parks without a stroller just fine. But my guess is it depends on the kid. My daughter can also go hours with me shopping without a problem.
I think the only strain can come if you wait in super long lines, but if you utilize the fast passes I bet she will be ok.
Even at three my daughter never sat in the small stroller we brought with us, other than the walk to and from the hotel (it was kind of a hike.) My older daughter was six at the time and had no problem walking all day, and of course we took breaks to eat and drink and rest our feet.
Honestly I think a six year old would be embarrassed to sit in a stroller, don't you?
ETA: also keep in mind that you can't bring a stroller in line, so it sits empty for a good portion of the day anyway. We mostly used ours to hold our sweatshirts, water bottles and sunscreen!
We did Disneyland (of course smaller) and California Adventure when my son was four. He had not been in a stroller in 2-1/2 years and I can't imagine he would have considered going back into one. Now that he is 6, I would never even consider it. I think you will be fine with just one for the little one.
We went last Feb, and my son was 2.5 at the time. Never sat in the stroller the whole time. I did not even bring it with me after day 1. My 4 and 6 year old nephews walked too. They had not been in a stroller for years. I would say just a regular stroller for the 2 year old (unless of course he/she is super independent like mine was and then you dont need one at all!)
Updated
We went last Feb, and my son was 2.5 at the time. Never sat in the stroller the whole time. I did not even bring it with me after day 1. My 4 and 6 year old nephews walked too. They had not been in a stroller for years. I would say just a regular stroller for the 2 year old (unless of course he/she is super independent like mine was and then you dont need one at all!)
We went when DD turned 5 & didn't bring, nor did we need, a stroller. Dad put her on his shoulders, or we took breaks if she got tired. I don't know many 6 year olds that would want to sit in, let alone fit into a stroller.
It depends on the child. There will be a lot of walking, will she get cranky and miserable or is she great at long walks/hikes? Does she like to take a break in the stroller or hate it? When my son was six I tried taking a stroller just to hold towels, sunscreen water and snacks and he wanted to ride in it! I said only from the parking lot to the park and back, I'm not pushing you around the park! I would think most six yr olds fit in a stroller unless very tall and heavy. As someone mentioned, great place to rest while waiting for a parade to start! I'd get one of those sit and stand strollers if i were you.
Strollers are not allowed in lines, so my suggestion is just have one for the toddler.
