7 year old walk the world vs rent stroller??

[kizmac]

My one DS was 7 on our last trip and walked the whole time with no problem. My 5 yr od DS did fine walking also. No whinning or complaining. I did have two strollers though for my 3 yr old and my 15 mth old so there was no way I'd have even considered another stroller. I think your DD should be fine! Honestly, it's way to much money to rent it daily for a 7 yr old, IMO. I would go with the notion of not renting and see how it goes. Epcot and AK are really the only parks that you may have a problem at. Maybe take a decent umbrella stroller for the 5 yr old.

 

[robinb]

My one DS was 7 on our last trip and walked the whole time with no problem. My 5 yr od DS did fine walking also. No whinning or complaining. I did have two strollers though for my 3 yr old and my 15 mth old so there was no way I'd have even considered another stroller.

As the parent of a singleton, I think there is a different dynamics in a family with 6 kids and a family with only 1 or 2. The children in a bigger family get "older" faster because the younger kids take up more of the parents time leaving the older ones to be more self-suffecient or even responsible for the younger ones.

OTOH, maybe those of us with only 1 or 2 "babies" or "spoils" our kids, LOL! My DD did whine at 5 about walking and again at 6. We let her ride at night and at Epcot.

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Imho, 7 year old kids are too old to be in a stroller. They are not babies.

 

[sk!mom]

I'm always surprised when I read these threads. I have two children with 11 years between them, so essentially two only children and neither of them would have considered a stroller past 5. They would have looked at me like I was crazy had I suggested it. They had both given up strollers years prior. I'm not judging- just surprised.

I have been with 3 different children in the 6 to 7 range and all were fine without strollers. We were there in the summer heat and the adults tired faster.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

With just a five year old, I'd say bring one. With a seven year old and only one adult, I think it would be better to let the 7 year old child walk. It's going to be very tiring for you to push a double stroller with a seven year old and a five year old all day long! I think it would be better to use a single stroller, and let the kids take turns. It would be wise to take a break in the middle of the day, or make your days shorter. I honestly think if you're pushing two kids around all day, you'll end up needing a break anyhow. While the children have limits, so do you. Touring the parks when you're exhausted and you're by yourself is probably not a safe idea.

Even with the stroller, they have to get out of it frequently.

 

[mamalle]

Im bringing my double stroller for my kids ages 6 and 4 when we go in July. I go every december by myself and its much easier to have it. I could care less what anyone says about it. Mine are as active as the any other kid esp living here in south fla but its alot of walking around to and from the buses and parks, etc. Its not hard on me at all- cup holders and a place to put my bag. to each is own I say! whatever makes your trip magical have fun.

 

[kizmac]

As the parent of a singleton, I think there is a different dynamics in a family with 6 kids and a family with only 1 or 2. The children in a bigger family get "older" faster because the younger kids take up more of the parents time leaving the older ones to be more self-suffecient or even responsible for the younger ones.

OTOH, maybe those of us with only 1 or 2 "babies" or "spoils" our kids, LOL! My DD did whine at 5 about walking and again at 6. We let her ride at night and at Epcot.

Oh....I totally agree with you. I remember what it was like with just one and two kids. Totally different dynamics.......and that's why I said I already had 2 strollers so I would not have even considered bringing another one. If I had only a 7, 5, & 3 yr old...I'd have had a stroller for the 5 yr old. I do see a trend of parents with only 2 kids being the ones asking about strollers for the kids 7 through 9 and some even older. I'm not saying it is right or wrong. I know how different kids are even with in the same family.

It's just from my point of view that you may be surprised that a 7 year old can do just fine if given the chance. So my advice (when asked) for ages 7+ would be just to wait and see and then rent as needed....mostly because of how expensive it is to rent. I would just rather spend that money on some nice stuff. That's just my opinion of course and how I would do things. If money is no object and you don't mind pushing then go for it if it makes everyone more content. If I had only 1, i'd probably do the same as you.

On a side note, can you just imagine if everyone with older kids (7 and up) quit renting strollers? Disney would lose a major source of $ .....then they'd have to jack up the rental price even more or charge more for something else to recover from that! They are making a mint on those stroller rentals.

 

[joanchris]

IF we were only there for 4 park days we would not have needed or offered a stroller for DD6. However, we were there for 8 days in October.....DD was one month shy of her 7th bday. Whe walked the whole time, without complaint, until the night of the halloween party when strollers were free and we asked if she wanted one. She was happy to have it, as it was the 6th day of parks in a row......so we used it for a couple of hours until it got taken while we were on Buzz. The following day was an Epcot day and we also rented her one that day too, as it was Epcot and we knew there would be tons of walking, and some back an forth to WS and then to fastpass times for Test Track and Soarin'. And we were all pretty tired by that 7th day there......
When asking DD6 what her favorite thing was at Epcot, she immediately answers " the purple stroller!"!
BTW, we'll NEVER do more than 3-4 days in a row of parks again!!!!!! NONE of us wanted to walk by the end!

 

[cepmom]

now I have not read all the replys (4 pages already!!) but here's my 2 cnets ~
Last summer we went to WDW ~ my DD's were 15, 8 and 5. Neither of the two younger ones had used a stroller in quite some time at home, but I knew the 5 year old would never be able to endure all that walking in the summer heat and humidity. I wasn't sure about my 8 year old and her endurance ~ she is quite active but the World is a big place after all!

What I did was to rent a single stroller and the 5 year old used it most of the time, but when the 8 year old got tired (late at night etc) I would let her have a turn. She didn't need it too often, but I was sure glad I had it when she was ready to crash! Plus it was a great place to put our bag with cold drinks etc.

Do what works for you and your DD's....you know them best.

 

[MinnieMe2]

Our five-year-olds were able to navigate very full days in the parks without strollers or being carried. It wouldn't have occurred to me to rent anything, and we just expected our kids to behave well enough for the adult in charge to be able to keep a good eye on them......

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Also did not read every post, but giving my 2 cents too.
We brought 2 umbrella strollers last year over Memorial Day for my DD3 and DD6. It was totally worth it because we could get places faster (not that we were running anywhere!), we just didn't have to think about her complaining and we did stay at the parks until the evening activies most nights. You have to decide what works for you. For my DD, now 7, we are going to bring the umbrella stroller and see what happens. At the end of the trip, I may just look for another family to give it to since we don't need it for the airport for her.
I have to agree with the OP that it seemed really expensive to me to rent the WDW ones even though they are probably a lot more comfy than the umbrellas, but my girls had no comfort issues at all, the little one fell asleep several days/nights in it and even my 6 year old fell asleep waiting for the bus after Wishes!
Good luck!

 

[nicknamy1996]

We are going in October with 2 boys, they will be 5 and 7 at the time of the trip. I'm thinking we will take an umbrella stroller with us.

According to my wife's pedometer on an AK/EPCOT day last trip we did a little over 7 miles of walking. The stroller will be for the 5 year old, but at that rate I'm pretty sure the 7 y/o will be taking a couple of breaks in it too.

Not too mention what happens when your older one falls asleep while waiting for the fireworks? That's a long way for you to carry 50 lbs of "dead" weight.

And I can't count the number of times that the stroller ride back to the car and the end of the day has been the sleeping pill for my kids.

They should have strollers for bigger kids... made to look like race cars or something that they would be excited to "drive"

And if someone wants to judge you for having a big kid in a stroller (Heck, I'm probably guilty of it, I know I've done some double takes in the past) I wouldn't let it upset me. If you are good with it and the kid is good with it and it works for you... quite frankly it doesn't really matter what anybody else thinks. As long as its not hurting anyone I don't see the harm in it.

 

[mommyoeo]

I got 2 single strollers to hook together. I can take 1 or both, so I love the options. I have 3 children (2, 4, 7) and sometimes my 7 year old would crash in one of them while the younger ones were taking a walk. This year my oldest will be 8, so I doubt she'll want a turn, but if she does, I don't mind. From time to time, I sit down for a rest too, but my chair doesn't move. When no one else wants to sit and rest, it could work fine for an older child to take a break in a stroller and allow the group to keep moving. It doesn't mean the child is lazy or the parents are letting their child get away with not walking all day. If I were you, I'd do whatever works for your family. No one here on this board has ever parented YOUR children and no one knows them like you. If they need a stroller, get one. If you feel they should walk, ask them to walk and just take breaks when you need them. I LOVE my single strollers-- big baskets, tall handles, reclining, etc. I love that they can be used as doubles or singles. That might be something to consider. If you see your oldest will never sit in one, you can leave it at the hotel. On the other hand, if she needs one, you won't have to rent an expensive one. Good luck!

 

[Shagley]

I don't understand all the people that are so adamant that a 6 or 7 or 8 year old is too old for a stroller at WDW I understand that reasoning if you were taking your 7 year old everywhere in a stroller (to the grocery store, to the park, to the mall), but this is clearly not the case. Going to WDW is a special situation - My advice is to do what fits your and your childs needs, and makes your trip easier and more relaxing for all of you.

 

[mamalle]

isnt that the truth Shagley?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

my son is was 6 when went in dec and we went rented a single for his 2 year old brother and a double when at epcot the rest of the time he walked and was fine

 

[wdwdclfan]

My two girls are 5 and 7, I never even thought about getting them one. They never asked. We were on the go from 7AM until 9 or 10PM, never a word from them. Mom and Dad could have used on though!!

 

[Rebeccapaige!]

WOW I am still shocked at this response. who would figure people would be sooo against this. She has been IN a stroller ONE time since her sister was born and that is at disney. I take my girls ALONE, can you imagine if I had no stroller I honestly think I'd go more nuts lol. I'd then have to carry on my back a backpack with camera's/videocamera's, jackets, a few snacks. where would I put my water bottles etc. so its not even an option NOT to have one at all. Also if one was to crash how would I carry a child and ALL of that extra stuff , plus hold the hand of the other while in a HUGE crowd after fireworks, it is not like I will have dh to help. If I had dh it wouldn't be a question as to whether she was to have a stroller or not. She would NEVER EVER ride in a stroller here, I asked her and she told me disney is ok, but she could never here. Anyhow even if she only sits in the double every now and then, I still have it even just to put stuff in. there were lot's of times last time where we'd park the stroller and ride everything. We didn't take it on our hotel hopping days, or downtown disney etc. (although I should have taken it there because I tripped over dd5 at the time holding dd under age 3) and dd 2.75 years hit her head on teh pavement, along with me having a totally banged up leg and arm trying to catch her as we both fell together. so my main concern WAS whether she'd fit or not. I know she could walk it just fine, she's always walked our long days at fairs etc. but as last time, me being alone in a HUGE place, I think the extra security of knowing I will be ok if someone gets tired is what I need. My kids are also VERY well behaved, they do not ever have tantrums, if I tell them they can't have something they are fine about it etc. etc. Unlike a lot of kids I saw there. also for those who said 7 year olds are not babies they shouldn't be in strollers I honestly think that's a bit harsh being she would never ride in one normally. I really wish i'd never posted this, I didn't realize it would be such a big deal to others what I did to keep my children and I happy at disney. I think its ok to post your experiences that relate to a particular question but when you say such things as your kids should be well enough behaved to walk etc. or she's a baby for being in a stroller that is over the line. Also if you haven't done disney without your dh with two kids then you honestly don't know because yes if someone gets tired all that is on my back, it can't be spread out to dh. I had a lot of what if's last time before I went also, and our trip went as smooth as can be, except for our accident in Downtown disney. I did not mind pushing them either, I thought it was actually easier than carrying everything. I did ask about whether 7 year olds have walked disney because I didn't plan on renting a stroller for mgm or animal kingdom. I just wanted to know i'd be ok. I will have at least a single stroller though for my own sake, even if no kids are sitting in the thing. and for those who said cuz its only 4 park days she should be able to handle it, they should also know this is actually a TEN day vacation which will start off with sea world, beach, etc etc, then end up in disney for 7 days, of which we stay busy on the go all of them. So I would like to thank those on either side who had experiences to share that related to things. But please don't assume because I might rent a stroller a couple days that my kids are houligans etc. that's ridiculous.
Becky

 

[lbgraves]

My sons are 7 & 4 and we rented a double for a week and it was SOOOOOOO worth it! When they got tired, they had a seat and rested between rides or on long walks between. I loved it. I don't even own a stroller at home, but in Disney, the more comfortable they are, the more fun you have. I didn't hear about being tired and didn't have to deal with whiney children (saw lots of them, though!). Seven years old is not too big for the strollers - I saw older kids in them and, besides, everyone's a child at Disneyworld! The doubles there are so easy to push and steer compared to a regular stroller of any kind, also. Anyway, do what you think and to heck with those who think seven is too old for a stroller! My son would never have consented to it ahead of time, but boy was he glad to have it while we were there in the heat of June!

ITA with you! The kids are now 5 & 7. We just got back from a week up in DC. When DH was with us we had both of the kids in a stroller. We were in the city 8-11 hours & there was just no way my 7 yo DS would have done as well walking all over the place. My legs were killing me at the end of the day...sometimes earlier. The two long days that I took the kids downtown on my own he took a couple rests in the stroller while I held DD on the handle & drink holder on the back & held onto her pushing us all along. It was the first time he had done that much walking...he was a good sport about it.

At WDW we use a stroller for each of them...especially in the heat. I would rather not have to deal with tired & cranky kids if I don't have to. We always go to one park from open to close. They have always fallen asleep at some point during Wishes or the light parade at MK. It is wonderful to just leave them in the strollers to sleep while DH & I catch a few more rides before closing...taking turns staying with the kids of course.

 

[lbgraves]

We are going for the first time in May with our 3 and 8 year old daughters. Last year, we went to Busch Gardens and by hour 5 my oldest dd was so tired of walking. We had to keep taking breaks. She kept saying she wanted a stroller but we thought she was too big. Now, I feel terrible about that. I mean, we should have just got it. This year we are buying a double stroller to take. She's such an active kid (has a different activity almost every day of the week), but Dh and I power walk and I will feel bad if we have a repeat of BG (it does get hard to keep up and it's hard for us to slow down! lol).
I actually asked this same question in another thread, though. I thought we might get some weird looks. But now, oh well. If she doesn't wanna use it-I'll love the storage!

If you are talking about BG in VA, then I would get a stroller for her next time. That place is way too hilly for younger kids. It wears them out too much.