Bringing a stroller for my 6 year old....How many dirty looks should I expect??

[marcyinPA]

We are taking an "unexpected" trip to Disney at the end of September. I really thought that the next time we went, we'd go stroller-less. However, we just returned from a weekend in Washington D.C. and my very tiny 6 year old son just couldn't handle all the walking. By the end of the day, he was whining for my Dh to carry him, and although he's small (40 lbs.), he can get quite heavy after carrying him a while.

We talked about it and decided to borrow a friends' stroller for the week. We no longer have one of our own, because he doesn't use it at home. But for the long days in the parks, it seems to be a necessity.

I've read many posts bashing older stroller riders...do you think I'll get a lot of looks while in the parks? I honestly don't care what others think, but I just want to be prepared!

 

[dzneprincess]

Honey who cares!!!!!! Go have a great time and enjoy yourself! And know that for everyone that gives you a dirty look, that is one more person that is not enjoying their own vacation and has to attempt to ruin yours!

 

[katecca]

We rented the double stroller for our 4 year old and 8 year old. We never got any dirty looks and I saw alot of older kids in the strollers. I'd not worry at all about it! Go and have a GREAT time!!!!

 

[GilesFamily]

We are also going to WDW in September toting a 6 year old in a stroller, so if we pass each other, let's give a "high five". As for the dirty looks..apparently that's from other cranky parents who has had to deal with a whiny and uncomfortable child that has been walking all day long.

 

[utahkennedys]

Gosh, I actually bought my new Maclaren stroller for my tiny 3 year old DD figuring she could use it until she was 6 or so. I always see lots of older looking kids in strollers, sometimes siblings on top of smaller kids by the end of the day! I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. I feel like whatever keeps my kids happiest and most comfortable at WDW is what I do.

 

[ckoncurat]

My 8 year old is very tiny (also about 40lbs), and after illuminations some nights she was REALLY dragging. Do what is right for you!

 

[Soupermom]

we ended up renting a stroller for my DD, 10 last summer! A few days of walking in the heat gave her a terrible rash on her thighs and she couldn't walk anymore. No problems or nasty looks!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Probably less dirty looks that we might get. Our dds are very small for their age. One is 7 and the other is 6 and we're renting a double stroller for them. Ds is turning five and he's very small so I'm bringing an umbrella stroller for him. No, they never use one at home and yet, it makes my life easier if they use one at WDW. I have no intention of moving at a snail's pace just to please other people. DOn't sweat it.

 

[flminivanmama]

I would never even imagine people would give dirty looks for that! I see so many older kids in strollers at WDW. my goodness the place is HUGE! how many adults don't get exhuasted after a full day?!

 

[NCombs]

We rented the double stroller for our 4 year old and 8 year old. We never got any dirty looks and I saw alot of older kids in the strollers. I'd not worry at all about it! Go and have a GREAT time!!!!

My story is the exact same as katecca's and I didn't notice anything. Heck, the 11 year old even got a ride a few times.

Even if someone didn't like it, why would I care what some stranger thinks about me trying to make my kids comfortable?

Don't give it a second thought.

 

[hipmaman]

I've read many posts bashing older stroller riders...do you think I'll get a lot of looks while in the parks? I honestly don't care what others think, but I just want to be prepared!

Well, if you don't bring/rent a stroller for him, let those that feel like bashing stroller-riders or give dirty looks carry him around the park for you. Who cares about what other people that you would never see again think? KWIM?

I brought 2 Maclaren Volos for a 4 and 5.5 yrs old. And did not regret bringing them at all. The strollers were great for me to be able to bring more gear/stuff and just put them in the baskets or hung off the handles.

 

[robinb]

Hookairs! As long as you and your child is happy, the dirty looks don't matter. And no, you won't get any! I'll have 2 6-year olds with me and I *know* they will need a stroller if we go back into the parks in the evening. They will be a-okay all the way until dinner and then they will zonk out. If I want to see the fireworks, I'll need a stroller or two.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Who cares what strangers think? If you do, you will never have fun or happiness.

Bring it. Don't worry about others. Relax and enjoy the adventure!

 

[MelodyMack]

Don't expect any chica.....heck if they had a stroller big enough for this lazy grown up, I'd have my Dh pushing me around!

Have fun...and don't worry about other people!
Mel

 

[kenziesmom]

My DH and I were just discussing this last night!!!! My DD is going to be 7 and we are definately getting a stroller. It's too long of a day for even the older kids to walk. Also, this gives us a place to put the backpack!!!!

 

[mrsg00fy]

It is very common for older kids to be in strollers in the theme parks. My kids are 6 and 9. If the little one gets too tired, we'll put him in a stroller.
I don't think you'll get any dirty looks.

 

[strmtroopr96]

So funny that I saw this topic being discussed tonight. LOL Hubby and I just had a discussion about using a stroller at WDW for our daughter at the end of September. We are going about 2 weeks before she turns 6 and I planned on bringing our umbrella stroller that I got for our last trip last September ($5 at TRU.. ..Woo Hoo) and he was like no way! Um, hello?? Hubby has never actually been to WDW with our daughter, this will be their first trip together and he has no idea that she does tend to get tired. I was just there again at the end of May and would have LOVED to be pushed around myself. LOL Yeah, let's just say that I straightened him out and we WILL be bringing a a stroller with us! Rebecca

 

[Disneyrsh]

I read that people walk an average of 15 miles a day in the parks! We easily do that and more on some days in the parks.

Our two daughters, 5 and 6, both use our double stroller at the parks and nobody ever gives us grief. We don't use the stroller now for anything else but Disney.

There have been some other threads on this topic if you search for them but I'm such a STRONG believer in strollers for kids of any age at Disney that I respond to all the new posts, too.

If someone gives you a hard time just tell them you think it's tantamount to child abuse to ask a 6 year old to walk for 15 miles.

But seriously, I saw a grownup teenager conked out in a Disney double stroller at AK the last time I was there and nobody was giving her any trouble. A few envious looks, maybe...

 

[tinker-kyle]

our DD wil be 8 this summer ...and we're bring our stroller
mostly she walks ... but we use stroller to hold own ponchos and frozen water bottles ... too heavy to carry in a backpack all day

 

[Captain Blue Sky]

Hi Marcy,
We just returned from a week in WDW (6/12 - 6/19) and made a very early decision to bring a stroller for our 6 year, 6 month old daughter. She LOVED being able to sit while we plowed through the crowds! And waiting in line for certain attractions and that ever-popular Disney Transportation bus, what can I say??? The stroller was a life saver!

And it helped carry all of our stuff! I can assure you that we did not get any nasty looks!