Hiya, Cristina!
I'm so glad you've found your way to planDisney –– thanks for stopping by with your question today. Hot hot, hot dog, hot-diggity-dog! How exciting that you and your family are getting ready to visit Walt Disney World Resort for the very first time! While I've been lucky to visit many times over the years, some of my all-time favorite Disney memories are of my children's first visits to
The Most Magical Place on Earth. For me, there's nothing quite like the wonder of seeing the parks through their eyes and feeling their excitement as they walk through the gates for the very first time. I can't wait for you and your family to embark on your Walt Disney World Resort adventure next month!
When it comes to packing and planning for a Walt Disney World vacation with kids, especially for the first time, finding that "sweet spot" can be tricky. While you want to make sure you have everything you need on hand, you also don't want to bring too much and add to the chaos that seems to follow kids everywhere they go (at least it does with my tiny circus). And since your kids might be at an age where they don't use a stroller at home, I'm sure you're asking yourself if you
really need to lug that big, heavy contraption down with you if you won't really use it. While there's definitely no right answer, let me give you my thoughts as a mom of four.
I would really think about your kids' tolerance for walking and how they react when they're tired. Walt Disney World Resort is HUGE and those little legs are probably going to be worn out after a few hours (not to mention a few days). When they hit that wall, a stroller can be a really nice way to give them a break –– you might even find them dozing off, even if they don't take naps at home. Plus, strollers are great for holding all your stuff so you're not stuck carrying it all day long.
For me, a stroller is a must until my kids are about five. Not only do they need it to rest throughout the day, but it's also nice to have a place to contain them in a large crowd and it allows us to move a little faster if we need to run for a bus or we're running late for a dining reservation. After that, my kids have been ready to ditch the stroller and walk on their own, but as I said, it really depends on your family's specific needs –– it's not unusual to see kids at age six or seven (sometimes even older) rolling around the parks. And remember, if you decide not to bring a stroller –– or if you bring a single stroller and need to add another ––
single and double strollers are available to rent near the entrance of each Walt Disney World theme park.
If you're staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel during your visit, you might also consider returning to the Resort in the middle of the day to give your kids (and you!) a break. With complimentary transportation and close proximity to the parks, it's easy to leave for a while and head back to the park once you've had a chance to rest and recharge. If leaving isn't the best option for your family, you might also want to consider making a lunch or mid-afternoon dining reservation at one of the table-service restaurants at the park. This is another great way to get off your feet for a while, enjoy the air-conditioning, and fuel up for the rest of your day!
Thanks for visiting planDisney, Cristina. I hope this helped to answer your question and I'm wishing you lots of pixie dust during your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort visit!
Happy Planning,
Amy