What's too old for a stroller?

[MamaMinni]

My DD's will be 5 1/2 and 7 when we go for 2 weeks in the fall. My 7 year old is already asking if we're going to bring 2 strollers like we did last year...is 7 too old for a stroller? We would need to gate check both at the airport, but the benefit would be the "non battles" between the sisters about whose turn it is to ride. ahhh!

[Inurdrems9]

[BBG-BLT]

Up to each family - for us 5 is too old because we're old and I figure heck you guys walk and when you're tired we'll all go back to the hotel for a rest. If you can keep going but they can't and you want to keep going then I'd get one.

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

We took one stroller for DS4 and DNiece7 in September. However, we took our Pliko, and it has a foot board on the back for a child to stand. The kids had a tiff every now and then, but DNiece was happy to walk more often than not. When she was tired enough to ride, DS was ready to run. And part of the time no one was sitting in it.

[EcbLovesMickey]

Well, there are a LOT of varying opinions about this on the board. Personally, I think if 1. You're willing to lug an extra stroller and 2. Your stroller will hold the 7 year old, do it.

[sk!mom]

My kids didn't need or want one past age 5. At 5, DS still loved to ride and DD was a sometimes- if she was tired.

Our last trip included a 7 year old, 8 year old, two- 4 year olds, and a 2 year old. The 4 year olds rode some but mostly chose to walk. The two year old loved walking or riding on his dad's shoulders (and his dad was cool with that) and really hated the stroller. Surprisingly, to me, the 7 and 8 year olds rode a lot.

If your DD is asking then you should probably take one for her.

[badblackpug]

This is a heated topic, but I really think past the age of 4 most children should be able to walk the parks. Now before everyone jumps on me about hidden disabilities and whatnot, I mean children who do not have any type of developmental, physical or neurological delay or diagnosis.

My kids, who, by the way, are not particularly active at home, all managed to walk the parks from the age of five on. Even in the summer heat. Were they tired at the end of the night? Yes, and so was I. Did their feet hurt sometimes? Yes, and so did mine. Did they whine about waiting fro the bus? Yes, and so did I. Were they grumpy when I woke them up to get off the bus and walk to the hotel room? YES!

I know a lot of folks have expressed the sentiment that it is easier to push their kids in a stroller then have them whine and complain and ruin the families trip, but that is not the way things work here. Here adults make the decisions, and are not, generally, manipulated by children.

[Hannathy]

Originally Posted by badblackpug

This is a heated topic, but I really think past the age of 4 most children should be able to walk the parks. Now before everyone jumps on me about hidden disabilities and whatnot, I mean children who do not have any type of developmental, physical or neurological delay or diagnosis.

My kids, who, by the way, are not particularly active at home, all managed to walk the parks from the age of five on. Even in the summer heat. Were they tired at the end of the night? Yes, and so was I. Did their feet hurt sometimes? Yes, and so did mine. Did they whine about waiting fro the bus? Yes, and so did I. Were they grumpy when I woke them up to get off the bus and walk to the hotel room? YES!

I know a lot of folks have expressed the sentiment that it is easier to push their kids in a stroller then have them whine and complain and ruin the families trip, but that is not the way things work here. Here adults make the decisions, and are not, generally, manipulated by children.

I agree. Mine never used one past 4. If this middle aged out of shape woman can walk it then kids in the prime of their life can walk it. Mine would never even have thought of a stroller past preschool. To them it is only for toddlers or babies and I agree.
Mine actually weren't grumpy, more like walking zombies back to the room! And they never complained about their feet hurting, and only of being tired when everyone was tired.
With a 5 1/2 and 7 yr old We wouldn't be bringing any strollers.

[Michguy04]

We are here right now and would be lost without our strollers. Our boys are 6. I picked up some cheap umbrella ones and they have worked out great. They fold easy enough and are very light weight. We brought them right on the plane and they were tagged to go underneath. No problems. I highly recommend them!!!

Carol off to MK today!!!

[Michguy04]

Originally Posted by EcbLovesMickey

Well, there are a LOT of varying opinions about this on the board. Personally, I think if 1. You're willing to lug an extra stroller and 2. Your stroller will hold the 7 year old, do it.

I agree..they are not to old to ride in one. I can't believe the people that let their kids walk!

[Acklander]

It really depends on your touring style and your kids. Ours didn't use a stroller past the age of 4 BUT we're not the type to be at the parks from morning till night. Also, before going on vacations we used to go for walks every day to help the kids build up endurance and by the time we were there it wasn't an issue.
You do what works best for you and your kids.

[ancestry]

It really depends on the child, the parent and their family interaction.

Personally I don't care what others do. If it works for them then go for it.

In our family, my youngest kids wouldn't not use a stroller after the age of 4. They went to Disney for the 1st time last year at the age of 6 and had no problems walking everywhere. Using a stroller for them didn't even cross my mind.

[happymommy]

We took one the last time when my kids were 6 and 8 I think. I was glad to have one, since they both got sick that trip. My DD fell asleep in it, and she was burning up with a fever one afternoon! We were staying at the Dolphin, so I could keep her in it, and we took the boat from MGM back to the room. I don't know how I would have gotten back to the room without the stroller (my DH wasn't with us that trip, but I could have had someone from Disney help me I guess). Turned out she had strep throat (had a doctor come to the room). The stroller really was a life saver that trip!

I think whatever you want to do is fine. Lots of folks don't use them, lots do. My kids didn't use them at home, but we always brought one to Disney until that age. Even when my DD was turning 8, I rented one a couple of days, and she fell asleep in it. She wears out easily; every child is different.

If it's no big deal to bring one, I would do it just in case. I'd rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

[Familyof4lovesDW]

My kids will be the same ages on our trip and we are going to take one for them to take turns in. That is what we did last year and it worked well. If they were both tired DH put the younger one on his shoulders. We also go to the parks all day and do not go back to the hotel in the middle of the day. Also, we are staying longer this trip. I am going to borrow one from a friend because I sold ours last summer after our trip, since we were not sure when we were going to be able to go back.

[RMulieri]

Thats up to you...For us ..4yrs old was too old.She never used one at home and I wasn't bringing one with us.We didn't even give her the option.We told her what the expectations were, we explained we would gladly take plenty of breaks and rest if she needed it.We were prepared to go at her pace.She surprised us and had no issues nor complaints...and this was in the heat and humidity of Sept