I am going to vent; please bear with me

[milan15]

On our recent trip to DLR, I told my husband that if I had a quarter for every person who jumped in front of my stroller, stopped and started texting in front of my moving stroller, or just plain ran into the stroller, we could pay for our entire trip!

I try really, really hard to navigate my stroller through crowds without treating it like a bulldozer. Unfortunately, some people are just oblivious, so if a deer runs in front of the car....

No, really, I really hate my stroller, too. It's a nuisance, but it's a necessity.
And, as the other posters have noted, it's a kid-oriented theme park.

This
so so so SOOOOO much this

Most people with strollers don't like them either. Their bulky, annoying, and always seem to have their wheels lock up at the worst possible time.

you can tell if the person pushing the stroller is being rude or just having a hard time. If its the first, ignore them. Too many people let little things like that ruin the grand scheme of things (YOU ARE IN DISNEYLAND). If it's the second, be the nice person and just have some fun with it.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I actually agree with you. I have needed strollers to tour DLR and it amazes me at how many people attempt to jump over my stroller to get around/in front of me when I'm just walking in a straight line. And if anyone has ever tried to bob and weave their way through a crowd at DL, imagine trying to do that and leave a buffer space in front of you that people automatically jump into to try to move up in the crowd. It is so frustrating. I have bumped into people and I have apologized. I've been bumped into and not been apologized to. But I've also had people (adult humans with no strollers) run smack into me and my children because they were too busy talking to their friends to look forward at where they were going. I think this issue is a typical problem with the differing values of individuals. Some of us will say please and thank you, and teach our kids to. Some won't. Some will choose to follow residency and resale rules on tickets, some won't. Some will choose to wait in line, sone won't. And, some will choose to say sorry when they bump into you, stroller or not, and some will just keep walking. I get bothered hearing all this constant talk about all the bad people/things at DLR. I guess I hope that it encourages others to stop going, because then I can enjoy the parks with less people, knowing that my behavior and my reaction to situations is the only thing controlling my vacation memories. I love the disboards, but wish there was a way to keep from having to discuss/debate/report on negative events and opinions. Now, let's all just get along. . Oh wait, I don't think we're all wired to think & behave the same way. Shucks
Thanks for the post!

unfortunately you are getting a taste on exactly what people who drive scooters feel like...people jump in front of them all the time and never bother to look down...or they stop right in the middle of the road and then its all of a sudden the fault of the person behind the scooter???? i dont think so....

I think it will be a trade-off. Do you prefer being bumped by a stroller unintentionally, or dealing with thousands of kids who are crying, tired, and having-an-exhaust fueled tantrum, because they had to walk all over DL instead of having a stroller? And then imagine the moods all their parents would be in....

oh that happens every day even with strollers so this is a moot point imo....

Truth be told, the last time I went to the land was in 07' when the hubs and I had just gotten engaged. Sadly, even though I love kids, the many challenges and joys of parenthood were about as far away from my mind as you can imagine. I was horrified by what hubs and I began to deem as the "stroller army" on that sweltering July day and night . I thought it was highly ridiculous that stroller aged children should be kept out for fantasmic! and why on earth were these these terrible parents not in their hotel rooms letting their children nap and sleep in normal places. I convinced myself if I ever did have kids I would surely wait until they we're passed the stroller phase. Bahahaha!

you know, to be honest, i feel the EXACT same way...i get it....its vacation for everybody...i get it...you want to watch F! or WOC or stay out till park closes but most children are on a schedule and go to sleep early on a regular basis...just because its DL doesnt mean that your child will want to stay awake the whole night....either bring someone who can take the child back to the room and allow you to stay in the park or wait to do it till the child is older to stay out late with them...i think its cruel for parents to keep their kids out, they are screaming and crying because they are so tired and then the parents yell at them??????...the first time i took my gs he was 2yo...we always took him back for a swim and nap after lunch then that would allow us at least until 10:30 before he was ready to go to bed...but when he was 3, one day it didnt work out that we were able to go back to the hotel the entire day and he didnt get a nap and it was on a halloween party night...he barely got in the gates before he passed out at 7:30 and missed the ENTIRE party...but i guess it was better that he passed out instead of screamed his head off

SIDE NOTE: In the spirit of full disclosure......
The only time I ever intentionally hit someone (and this was in a scooter at Disneyland) was when a drunk jerk PICKED UP my service dog and ran away thinking it was funny. I acutually ran the guy over to get my dog back. Even THEN I got security, told him what happened, and asked him to check on the guy to make sure he was okay. The security guard looked a bit shocked, but told me I was justified and the guy would be escorted out of the park.

i know it actually isnt funny... i would have been mortified but that is too funny what you did

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

There are going to be incidents on both sides. Yes, it is inexusable that somebody would ram somebody else with a stroller enough times or hard enough to require bandaids or stiches. But on the flip side, it's also inexcusable for the guy who didn't want to wait with the crowds to get off of Main Street after the parade, attempted to jump over the front of our stroller and kicked my child.

As others have said, it doesn't matter if you are a walker, a stroller pushers or an EVC user. Use basic common courtesy - wait your turn, don't rush others and don't stop in the middle of the path. Apologize when neccessary, remember we all have an equal right to be in the parks and enjoy your day! If only it where that easy, right?

 

[blackjackdelta]

This discussion goes on year after year. There is no resolve or will never be unless Disney makes some changes and they won't. Being older than most here, what I do not understand is that we survived many years with the kids being very young and had a great time without a stroller, so why is it a "have to" now. If all the stroller "people" would just be nice about how they manage the stroller this would not be a problem, but trust me they are not.

Jack

 

[jilld11]

I think that some people have missed the point that most people don't think there shouldn't be strollers at DL. Just that maybe bringing the huge side by side double is inconsiderate to others or bringing a stroller for "stuff" is extremely rude. I am not a stroller hater, I have 3 kids as well, but would never consider bringing the huge one or bringing one when my kids no longer needed one because I didn't want to carry anything.

Of course there are rude people in all walks of life and people just need to be considerate of others.

Pet peeve though, people who push these huge strollers in stores or restaurants and there clearly isn't room for them, but they don't want to be inconvenienced by taking there child out for a bit. They just push through the aisles with no thought to others.
That is rude.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I TOTALLY disagree OP. I intentionally run into everyone. Especially grumpy people. MWAHAHAHHAHAHHA








Ok I don't. I push a stroller around DL. I'm careful and I don't think I've bumped anyone. I've been run into more times than I can count but it only annoys me when the people glare at me instead of apologizing. If it's my fault that I got run over I say I'm sorry to the person pushing the stroller..it wasn't their fault and if it's mine I brought their kiddo to an abrupt halt! I think my vent in any situation is inconsiderate people..which I run into EVERYWHERE I go. The mall is worse than DL IMO. An "I'm so sorry" goes a long way..even if someone is grumpy that you run into them...apologizing is all you can do and it's how they choose to react to THAT that is the issue. Most people I know would say "Oh no problem!" Come on people, it's a stroller, not a tractor.

 

[Tiggerrific]

We just came back from WDW, spent 6 days in the parks and I just have to say never once was i or my family hit with a stroller. Now of course we payed attention to our surroundings, and didn't act like we were the only people that deserved to be there, and I really think that helped.

 

[Keurigirl]

They should have a no stroller day, for all those folks who bring their annoying strollers to the parks. I mean come on! Strollers?

And you know, they really should have a no teenager day, too, for all those annoying teenagers who scream and make loud noises, ignore rules, and behave badly. I mean, they really do annoy everyone else.

And they should also have a kids only day, because grown ups are really bossy and mean, and they take the fun out of being at Disneyland. Right?

Oh, and what about all the old people? They're just too old to be going on rides anyway.

.......

It's always everyone else that's annoying, isn't it?

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'm totally annoying.

 

[pikaboo27]

During our first trip with a stroller, I almost ran into a dozen people. Half of those would have been by accident. seriously, I've never understood people who jump over the end of the stroller to get in front of it. I was just waiting for someone to miss calculate the speed and distance and catch the end and end up face planting in tomorrowland. At which point, I would have laughed. Ok, not really, I would have asked them if they were ok and helped them up. The laughter would come later when I recounted the story for others. Lol

When I was young, my parents and I went to DL for the 4th of July. I learned two very important lessons that trip. 1) NEVER go to DL 4th of July weekend and 2) always watched the feet of the person in front of you when pushing a stroller. I learned number one because there were 80,000 people there that day, and number two because one of those 80,000 people left bruises on my ankles from attempting to run me over as we walked with the masses towards the exit that night. I've taken that to heart, but I have never been tempted to commit vehicular assault on someone before pushing a stroller through a theme park.

 

[DizMe]

I agree with Jack. Babies and young children--fine. Special needs? Of course. School-age kids? I don't get that. Yes, they need breaks, as do we all. But the argument that kids MUST ride in a stroller because they'll be too exhausted to do all of the walking in DLR is not something with which I agree. If there weren't so many older kids in strollers, I doubt there would be much debate. As it is, with the increasing crowd levels and more people competing for the same space, there is bound to be conflict. It would reduce the conflict if there were fewer strollers and there would be fewer strollers if some of those older kids walked instead.

 

[shellie may]

I have never ever seen so many to stroller or not to stroller threads its insane

i get that people use strollers and im not a stroller hater i mean everyone has a right to use them. my mom has been taking me to WDW since i was three and never put me in a stroller her aspect was you have legs use them. gotta love some tough love but i think it really did make me stronger i can walk all day for long vacations and not get tired. i have 20 year old friends that cant even go three hours at parks and not get tired.

as for scooters im completely terrified of them and steer clear of them whenever i go into a themepark. about two years ago i was in seaworld orlando and i was just walking with my mom where there was plenty of space barely any people around and this lady comes up behind me and rams into me and didnt stop so i was basically attached to her scooter by my shoes. it hurt so bad i had bruises and scrapes up and down my leg and the lady even broke my shoes. she said nothing not sorry or are you okay she looked at me and drove off. i have never been so angry in my life. one bad experience can scar a person for life and now i look for scooters everywhere and go the opposite direction just because of one inconsiderate lady

 

[blackjackdelta]

unfortunately you are getting a taste on exactly what people who drive scooters feel like...people jump in front of them all the time and never bother to look down...or they stop right in the middle of the road and then its all of a sudden the fault of the person behind the scooter???? i dont think so....




oh that happens every day even with strollers so this is a moot point imo....



you know, to be honest, i feel the EXACT same way...i get it....its vacation for everybody...i get it...you want to watch F! or WOC or stay out till park closes but most children are on a schedule and go to sleep early on a regular basis...just because its DL doesnt mean that your child will want to stay awake the whole night....either bring someone who can take the child back to the room and allow you to stay in the park or wait to do it till the child is older to stay out late with them...i think its cruel for parents to keep their kids out, they are screaming and crying because they are so tired and then the parents yell at them??????...the first time i took my gs he was 2yo...we always took him back for a swim and nap after lunch then that would allow us at least until 10:30 before he was ready to go to bed...but when he was 3, one day it didnt work out that we were able to go back to the hotel the entire day and he didnt get a nap and it was on a halloween party night...he barely got in the gates before he passed out at 7:30 and missed the ENTIRE party...but i guess it was better that he passed out instead of screamed his head off




i know it actually isnt funny... i would have been mortified but that is too funny what you did

What folks do not understand Lynne is that these stroller folks can and will be escorted out of the park, I have no problem getting security involved instead of putting the parent in the hospital. It would just be nice that if they bring strollers that they be aware and take the day slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwer than trying to be the head of the pack.

Jack

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Why would a school age kid need a stroller if they don't have special needs???? My 5 year old WILL keep up or she can stay home I don't think this'll be a problem hahaha In fact, I'm pretty sure my kids will run circles around US.

 

[princesspenelope]

I've been using a stroller for over 5 years now and I can tell you the only time I recall running into someone with one is at WDW! I mean, I'm a pretty good stoller-pusher for the most part but something about the crowds thinking they can cut in front of a moving object like that or something?
I know for me personally I would never want to run into someone on purpose because if my baby is on board that could hurt the kid! So many parents are dumb and shouldn't be allowed to drive a car, let alone a stroller. And if my 5 year old is a whining, tired mess I will for sure plop her into a stroller, I don't care that she's not supposed to be in one. It will save this mama's sanity and perhaps the ears of those around. LOL

 

[Escape2Disney]

i know it actually isnt funny... i would have been mortified but that is too funny what you did

I can look back and laugh now, but I was quite upset when it all went down. I'm sure I looked like a crazed maniac! Don't mess with my kids or my SD!

In all seriousness, I worried about my SD and was afraid this guy would outrun the scooter. As he was running away with my dog, he was yelling that he was taking him home. (Obviously this guy was drunk enough to think that was a rational decision). Since I couldn't actually run (or walk for that matter), my only recourse was to chase him on wheels. Running him over was about stopping him....which it did. He didn't get up for quite a while.

I was SO proud of my dog though! Through all of that, he was perfectly calm. He just went limp when the guy picked him up. When the guy dropped him, he just walked over to me so I could grab the leash.

 

[Princess Row]

Honestly if you are visiting DL EXPECT strollers, it's a kid based park.....so get over it, it helps families and it's a whole lot better than 1000000000 toddlers getting loose. Oh man could you imagine?!

However, those with strollers who SLAM to a stop in the walk way causing you to CRASH straight into them really make me angry. PULL over THEN deal with the issue at hand, or the map or whatever it may be.

Also the scooters.....some need them, I completely understand. But just like driving a car WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING! I had my foot totally ran over by a woman once....she said stop over reacting and pulled away. I have been hit numerous times by those things!!

 

[Keurigirl]

You know what is worse than strollers? Groups of people who stop in the middle of the walkway and pull out their map, blocking the rest of traffic.

 

[cmwade77]

Since Disney no longer rents those stroller with metal grates on the bottom, I don't mind too much, as long as the person is not cussing me out for being where I was (even when that may be off to the side of the road or stuck in a hoard of people).

 

[Teki]

I've been run over and apologized to Ive been run over and not apologized to stroller pushers are the same as everyone else some are careless and rude some try to be curtious and polite. I only take issue with those who are careless and rude. That being said I think its advisable to bring a cheapy stroller to the parks I don't understand why parents try and push those colossal strollers through the crowds!