Thanks for all the advice. I am still going back and forth but leaning towards not knowing I could always rent one if needed. My kids have good walking stamina so that’s not a huge concern. I am most concerned about having a place for stuff, quick walking for rope dropping, and safety during the end of night craziness after fireworks. I think we will just have some strict hand holding rule at night.
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There are places to rent which is what I did when my kids were both little. Much better options than the park rental for babies. I
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I would never rent those! They look like hard plastic seats. Soo uncomfortable looking.
We rented from Scooterbug last year (because we also needed an ECV) and we were able to choose (we got a double citi mini). Unfortunately it broke day 1 
Customer service was good and our replacement was clearly a less-used stroller. Next time I’ll try Kingdom Strollers.
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My recommendation here is to just hold back 20-30 minutes. Ride an attraction or two, eat ice cream, browse in the shops. We did this and had no crush leaving MK and no wait for a bus.
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Good tip. This will be the second time in all my trips that I brave the fireworks show. I think DGS will like them. Loud noises and crowds can do me in. Are the shops full after fireworks or are most people pushingvto exit?
Emporium is real busy. Some of the peripheral shops close an hour before park close.
On Sunday we waited about 10 minutes for the hub to clear out a bit, then did one more ride after 9:20 HEA. I intended to stop in Sir Mickey’s but they had closed at 9. Things we still pretty busy leaving MK at 10.
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The shops were busy with people - I would not want to bring a stroller into the Emporium after fireworks. Ice cream or another round on Dumbo is a more fun option, imo 
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I think this probably depends where you watch fireworks at MK as I cannot imagine trying to go against the exit crowd on main street if you watch from there.
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True true. That 100% depends on where you are. We stood in the hub for 10-15 minutes to let it clear before walking to the Emporium. But we had a great hub spot.
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My plan is to be on the left side of the hub. Hopefully we get a Crystal Palace reservation and will scope a spot not far away.
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Update…we made it 7 park days without a stroller. I loved the freedom of not having a stroller and the kids did great keeping up and had wonderful stamina. We did multiple rope drop to close days and never one complaint. Well I was complaing a bit on our last day as my shins were killing me and it was HOT! We took an inpark break by watching Country Bears and Hall of Presidents! Key is that getting all the advice is great but remember you know your kids best!
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Perfect advise, and I’m so glad it worked out for you!
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Jealous! We just finished our 7 days with one small stroller for DD3, and DD7 spent much of the trip whining about wanting turns to ride 
. However, maybe it being there contributed to that? I can laugh now, because this was the kid that when we went when she was 2, was constantly refusing to get in the stroller and wanted to just walk ahead of it. Kids, man.
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Don’t worry they never complained about walking but there was plenty of fighting and complaing about other things like who got to ride with who! They could not keep their hands off each other! I joked next time we take them on separate trips!
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Thanks for reporting back! I agree the advise that you know your kids really is just the best advice ever & overall.
And for my two youngest (right now DD3 almost 4 and DS6), like @thekents DD7, if I made DS6 go all day with only a single stroller for DD3, he would absolutely whine, beg, plead & bargain with DD3 for a chance in the seat. And DD3 in turn, would happily lord it over him that she had a seat and he did not. So until DS6 can go the whole day without (probably in a year or so he’ll be there) we’ll be in the double stroller stage. And maybe when DD3 is 7 we can start really pinning down if we need a stroller for just her or can be totally stroller free!!!
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I fear this is what I’m in for in December! My DGS is hellbent on doing it his way. He does like walks in the stroller at home but I think seeing all the other people walking will make him want to get out.
Has anyone used a seated carrier? They have some that buckle around the waist and have a seat for baby to sit in (just turning 2). I’m thinking this would be a good solution for lines. He does like being held. “Granny, Up”. I’m thinking something like this might save my back. Just wondering if it will become a bother after a while.
We did when my DD was almost 2, and it was fantastic for us! I loved that we were able to move more freely than with a stroller. She always wanted to be up in my arms anyway - she wasn’t ever really a stroller kid.
However, I think there are a couple of qualifications that might make it not work for people.
- How comfortable are you with holding a kiddo all day? I was fine with mine by my sister would not have managed with hers.
- How hot is it when you’re going? If it’s 100, it’s going to be terrible having a little heater on your back.
Looking for a picture of mine…
Ok, terrible picture, but the best one I have to see the back of it
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I’ve toted both of mine all over Disney in a Tula carrier, either front or back carry. Even this trip, I put my 47lb DD7 on my back for a long walk in Epcot, and it was fine. I think the key is a good quality carrier, that won’t hurt your back. My girls have always loved the carrier.
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