Hi all,

I have been having an ongoing 'discussion' (haha) with my hubby about whether we should take a stroller for our 3yr old son... generally we don't use one anymore, as he's quite happy to walk and run when i'm shopping, visiting e.g zoo etc. He also accompanies my husband when hiking (he takes after his dad!) and riding his bike, so he's a very active child.

We have never visited a Disney park with him, and I think the size of the place is going to wow us! Would people recommend taking a stroller for our son, or do you think its more trouble than its worth? I think we should, as then T could have a rest or a nap whenever he wanted, and I must admit I like having somewhere to hang my bag! :)
However, hubby thinks we shouldn't, as it is cumbersome, and we will have to risk leaving it when we get on a ride together. He thinks T can probably walk around the park all day.

Soooo. waddya think?

Cariad x x x

I personally would opt FOR the stroller. Great for storage and napping!!! Plus, my almost 3 year old sometimes gets so hyped up I just need to be able to contain him so he doesn't run wild... which is likely to happen when he's overstimulated (Disney can do that!) If you don't take your stroller, you can always rent one in the park. I believe they are about $7/day

I've GOT to weigh in with this issue. We had never used a stroller at Disney World. Not even when my son was the age of yours. Three. He was a stroller-free happy kid. However, flash forward 18 years. He now has a five year old stepdaughter. Who we were told was going "to run circles around" us. Right. I debated, I discussed, I talked, I argued, I researched.

I finally was in Toys R Us one day and saw this very nice fold up umbrella stroller for $20. Very easy to push, very easy to stow, very easy for everything. I bought it. That was the most sensible thing I ever did for a Disney World trip.

Marlie didn't ride in the stoller that much but when she needed it, it was there. Mostly, her Stitch plush rode in it but that was fine. It wasn't the huge big things some people take but it was enough for her to get off her feet when she was lagging. Her mother told me that Marlie would need an afternoon nap. Not with the stroller. She was fine all day long.

And don't worry about losing the stroller. We left it parked in places for extended periods of time and it was always there when we got back. Just realize that the Cast Members will reorganize the strollers so you need something that easily distinguishes your stroller from everyone else's. For ours, I got this cheap gaudy handkerchief from the Dollar Store and tied that around the handle. Marlie just knew when she saw the blue stroller with the money kerchief, that was hers. Heck, she found it before we ever did most times.

My husband was the one poo-pooing the stroller and he finally admitted halfway through the trip that the stroller was a definite. Disney World is huge, you're right about that. World Showcase is 1.2 miles around.

Take a stroller and if you don't need it, leave it in the room. But it's a good insurance policy.

I vote yes, bring a stroller. Like the others have said, it's better to have one just in case. 3 y/o is very young to walk all day. You can use the basket underneath to carry snacks, sweatshirts whatever. We always make great use of ours.

Tie a ribbon around one of the handles so it's easy to pick out because sometimes they get moved around in the same area when you are on a ride.

One other point to take into consideration is that you can rent strollers at the parks as well. That means you aren't absolutely locked into your decision if you end up not taking the stroller and realize after you get there that you really do need one.

If you think the liklihood that you will need the stroller is high, though, it certainly is much more convenient to take along your own. It also does avoid the very slight risk that the rental strollers might have run out at the time you decided you needed one. That rarely happens except on the absolute busiest days, though.

-Jeff

I take my 2½ year old to Disneyland every week and we always bring his stroller. Upon entry we head straight for the carousel and park the stroller next to it, then take off on foot and do whatever we want to do. We're usually at the park for about four hours and we very, very rarely need to come back for the stroller before our excursion is through - but if we need it, it's there.

I think you should probably expect to use a stroller. Two suggestions - either get a fold-up stroller that isn't too heavy or cumbersome and bring it with you, or plan to rent a stroller at the park if you find yourself needing it.

I'm a big believer in strollers. As has been mentioned, if you need it, it's there. Also, you can use it to carry your bag, sweaters, etc. As for renting- here's why I like my own stroller: when we do the "tourist" thing and spend long hours at the park, I can take the stroller with me and keep the tired, worn out, possibly sleeping kid in it. Even if I have to take him out to get on a tram, etc, I can put him back in it when I get out to go to my hotel room, car, etc.

Adrienne

...saw this very nice fold up umbrella stroller for $20. Very easy to push, very easy to stow, very easy for everything. I bought it. That was the most sensible thing I ever did for a Disney World trip...

With having been there and knowing my almost 3 year old, I am borrowing my best friends umbrella stroller just like the one described. That way it will not be an issue at the airports and we can push our daughter along in it even at the airports and have something for her to ride in. I know she normally does not use one but having been to many "tourist"locations this summer, I know she will at WDW since she will be flying high with excitement,etc and I know she will "crash" at some point and we will be thankful it is with us!

If you do decide to bring a stroller...please don't go around running into other guests ankles! We have enough of that already!!! :rolleyes:

If you do decide to bring a stroller...please don't go around running into other guests ankles! We have enough of that already!!! :rolleyes:

If you are a guest who doesn't have a stroller, please don't go stepping directly in front of or over my stroller and get mad when I can't stop in time. :rolleyes:

I do not think we went fast enough to run into anyone :). Plus with having our daughter with us for the first time, we will take our time.

Yes, on the stoller, but rent one. If you do downtown disney or the monorail you will be forced to fold and carry it. Plus if you rent and happen to not be able to find it or if you leave the park and come back, you can always show your ticket and get another one. My almost 8 yo would ride in one if I let her. I always will spend the $7 until I know my dc are just too old.

If you are a guest who doesn't have a stroller, please don't go stepping directly in front of or over my stroller and get mad when I can't stop in time. :rolleyes:

I was actually referring to those who use their strollers as battering rams... ;)

I was actually referring to those who use their strollers as battering rams... ;)

I knew that. I just don't know how many times a guest has stepped over the stroller and then given me a dirty look because of it. :rolleyes:

Now now, ladies, back to your corners! (and take your stollers with you...) :) Thanks for the replies everyone. I definitely think a stroller is the way to go. It seems worth the hassle of taking it on/off the plane, to be able to give my little boy a rest whenever he needs it.
Cariad x x x

Oh the airport is another thing the stroller is great for! You can keep track of your child AND your luggage!!! hahaha... Definitely take it, and gate check it so you will have it all the way to the plane and they'll have it waiting for you as soon as you get off the plane.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I definitely think a stroller is the way to go. It seems worth the hassle of taking it on/off the plane, to be able to give my little boy a rest whenever he needs it.
Cariad x x x

Good choice. Trust me, after a long day you will be seeing something like this with your young one:

http://members.cox.net/mfuss903/DL/0304/diz0304_51.jpg

Oh the airport is another thing the stroller is great for! You can keep track of your child AND your luggage!!! hahaha...

Oh, this is no laughing matter! :D

When we flew we gate checked our stroller and it was wonderful. When our little man insisted on walking, we simply piled on our carry-ons and jackets and such and let him walk. When we needed to walk FASTER, we could just let him ride ;)

Adrienne

Definetly take the stroller. I took my DuoGlider in May, for my 2 1/2 yo and 10 mo old and it was wonderful to confine them, move fast instead of them walking and to store gear. I plan to take it again in November when they will be 3 and 16 months.
As far as airports go, I never take it there, I check it with my bags. With 2 carseats and a diaper bag, we have enough to worry about. I put my youngest in the Bjorn and my older one walks. But if you do take it in the airport, I would suggest putting it in some kind of bag before it goes in the belly of the airplane. DIRTY DIRTY DIRTY down there.

Yes thats true - we have taken our stroller on holiday with us in the past, and it did get a bit dirty in the plane. Good idea!
Cool - you're gonna be in the park at the exact same time as us! Hope you have as much fund as I plan to :)

I have never checked a stroller on an airplane - but have checked a car seat. They did give us a rather large bag to put the car seat in and if I recall correctly it would be long enough for a stroller. Or maybe they have bags for strollers?

They fit our single stroller, but would not fit our double. We did buy a canvas bag from a canvas store, for $25 that is big enough for our double. It was also a great place to pack dirty clothes on the way home. We just checked it with our bags at the ticket counter!

Adrienne, have you ever had a worry or problem with your stroller being taken? I don't drive a hugely-expensive one, but it's not a $20 one either. I have it for the comfort and conveniences it offers, so I'm not looking into renting or bringy a cheapy one, but of course I don't want to worry it will be gone four hours later!

Should I stick a bike lock on the wheel?

TIA

You can lock the wheels but don't attached it to any fixtures as it can't be moved in an emergency or the CM "stroller clean ups"

Yes, bring a stroller. You will not regret it. Just bring the cheap umbrella stroller, or buy one when you get here. If your child can make it all day without it, then leave it at the hotel the rest of the time.
Yes, it's one more thing to bring, but imagine the consequences of not having one and needing one.
On hot days, the shade might be welcomed by your child.