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

[Magic2000]

We just returned June 18 from Disney. On our day at Epcot, I did rent a double stroller for my DD(9). She loved being pushed around - and only got out to work on her mask!!

We'll usually just rent the stroller for Epcot now. If she is sitting in the stroller, I don't hear any whining. I can take my time looking in all the shops, and I don't hear any complaining. DD is happy - I am happy. That's all that matters to me!!!!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

LOL..your post made me think that you are more likely to get dirty looks if you have a tired, cranky, whining child in the park vs. a quiet one in a stroller!

What I meant was, would you rather hear your child whine all day at the parks or possibly get dirty looks because the child is in a stroller, but the child is happy? I would def. rather have a happy child than a whiny one. And who cares what anyone else thinks about them being in a stroller. Sorry, thought that was obvious. My six yr old will be in a stroller when we go next time, because I want her to be happy, and I want to be happy too!

 

[TChris]

We are going in July and bought a Mac. stroller for the trip. Our DD will be 4 in August, and though I am sure DH would have gladly left the stroller home my reasons for taking one is twofold. So far everyone has posted about the kids getting tired and whiny, and that is so true. When it is hot and I'm outside walking in huge crowds I tend to get whiny too. There is another reason that I applaud anyone who brings a stroller for their older child. I think it is much safer to have your child in a stroller when you are at a place like WDW. I know my DD will be so excited on this her first trip, and if we don't keep her in her stroller, esp. when it's really crowded she will wander away from us! I know I probably sound a little paranoid, but someone tried to kidnap while I was shopping in Target when she was an infant, and now when I am in busy places, I tend to be thinking about that a lot.
So, I say....
If we get dirty looks for keeping and children happy AND safe- who cares.

 

[tlbwriter]

What... people give dirty looks because you have an older kid in a stroller? Really? Why? I've seen a lot of complaining about parents who don't know how to drive a stroller without running over the person in front of them, but as long as you're using it sensibly and courteously, why on earth would anyone care how old the child is?

 

[MazdaUK]

We took our stroller for DS(5 1/2) - he's big for his age but the parks are bigger ! (DS managed to walk all round Legoland Windsor at the age of 4, but Disney is too big) It was especially useful on the day he was recovering form a bug and not his lively self. We also found it useful for carrying water, flipflops (Kali - be prepared!) etc. We had had the stroler since DS was 1 or so, it finally gave up the last day of our holiday.

My DSis bought a stroler for $12 in Walmart for her DS(6) and DS(8) to share, and again used it as much for water.

I don't think you'll get any dirty looks for having a biggish kid in a stroller (but who cares anyway , you know you're own kids best) - unless you turn into Kamikaze Mum and use it as a battering ram

We'll buy a stroller next time unless DS is 9 or over

 

[3mickeys&me]

We went last month and TRIED to go strollerless this time. My youngest was tired of walking from time to time so we ended up renting one. It was easier just to rent it than to bring one for us. Didn't need to lug it on the bus or anything.
don't worry what other people think. You do what is best for your family. It truly is alot of walking for little people!!

 

[alisonbestford]

We've just travelled to Zante, in Greece, and took the stroller for DD (6).
Had we never been to WDW I probably wouldn't have considered it ;-)
The combination of the heat, poor bus service and just my own general convenience (no bags to carry etc) made it invaluable ;-)
We had to sneak it out of the hotel so's none of her friends knew she was using it but, who cares? ;-)

 

[SleepingUgly]

During our trip in May, I saw kids as old as 10 and 11 and possibly 12 in those double rental strollers. The only thought I had was that those were some lucky kids!

If it appeases you a bit, those Disney strollers are pretty big, so even "older" kids look as if they belong in there, kwim? If you had a 10-year-old squeezed into a tiny umbrella stroller, that may just look strange, but those Disney strollers look as if they could be comfy enough for me!

Linda

 

[debloco]

During our trip in May, I saw kids as old as 10 and 11 and possibly 12 in those double rental strollers. The only thought I had was that those were some lucky kids!

If it appeases you a bit, those Disney strollers are pretty big, so even "older" kids look as if they belong in there, kwim? If you had a 10-year-old squeezed into a tiny umbrella stroller, that may just look strange, but those Disney strollers look as if they could be comfy enough for me!

Linda

I've been one of those who has had an 11 year old in a double rental stroller! I never noticed any dirty looks, and even if I had it's their problem not mine.
Do what's right for your kids and your family. Don't spend time worrying about what anyone else thinks and enjoy your trip!

 

[daisy_77]

I think a 6 year old in a stroller is a fine idea. Walking around all day is exhausting, especially to a little kid. I wish I could ride in a stroller when I get tired! And if people give you dirty looks...that is their problem! Who cares what they think? Relax and enjoy your trip
January

 

[pic22]

With DD6 and DD1 , on trip in December, We will be brining a stroller and also renting a stroller. My DD6 never uses a stoller as she has outgrown, except the rental strollers the Disney strollers will probably not have enough support for DD1.
And about the dirty looks, I even got in the stroller on our last trip, really just to make DD laugh , but I wish someone would have pushed me around.

 

[Giddy Kipper]

We are going in September and we intend to hire a double stroller for my two 7 and 8 year olds.....

 

[JennsBabySky]

We go to Disneyland all the time and we've never gotten any dirty looks with my 5 year old in a stroller. Just don't intentionally drive into anyone's legs and I don't think anyone will care.

 

[hbg4]

I agree with you all about the big kids needing strollers especially at Epcot.

My DD who is 8 now is too big to fit into the single stroller. Since she has pathological flat feet her feet start to ache after a couple hours of running around. For peace, a happy child who can last the day at the park and for my own exercise and having somewhere to place the drinks,snacks and sweaters I rent a double stroller for Epcot and Animal kingdom.

Magic Kingdom is managable now, but when we return to the parks late the CM gives us a complimetary stroller.

 

[hokiefan33]

Who cares what other people think about it? They're not responsible for taking care of him, YOU are, and YOU will do what YOU think is best for him. The last 2 years we have rented a double stroller each day, for DS7/8 and DD4/5.

2 main reasons for this:

1 - WDW is a LOT of walking, and little short legs have to walk a lot more to keep up with adult legs, especially when your kids are smaller than average. Combined with the fact that it's 95 degrees with 85% humidity, and it can be a very long day. My kids wouldn't stay in the stroller all day, especially when we're in Fantasyland hopping from ride to ride, but on treks between lands they loved it. Helps keep them cool and refreshed, and definitely not as tired.

2 - Have you seen how crowded WDW can get, especially in the summer? It is MUCH easier to keep of your kids when you're pushing them in a stroller than if you have to hold their hands or constantly be watching for them. When they were in the stroller and I was pushing it, I knew EXACTLY where they were, and knew they were safe. That brings a LOT of peace of mind for me, personally.

I didnt' have one comment about it the last 2 years, and if I had I would just have ignored it. If other people don't want to do it, that's their business, but if I want to do it, that's my business, and I don't feel guilty about it!

 

[tigger891]

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!!!!

That's what I was thinking I'll have a place for my backpack and cooler bag Are wagons allowed? I can't remember if they were there or not when we went in '02, our youngest is 8 and we thought a wagon might be more comfortable for her, what do you think??

 

[kitty2kidz]

I am seriously considering renting a stroller for my 5 and 8 yo DD's. My 8 yo thinks it's silly, but I know at some point she will enjoy a place to sit down and to be pushed. Are the double strollers at disney big enough for an 8yo? I think I read somewhere along the lines that they were

 

[Disneyrsh]

I think I figured it out!

Everybody's who's been into the parks a bunch of times gets that you need strollers for the kids, I mean, the posts have been universally in favor of them.

What I think is going on is that it's the NEWBIES who still haven't cracked through that sophisticated real world shellac and embraced Disney that are giving the dirty looks.

So, the next time you get a dirty look, walk up to them with a kindly look on your face, pat them on the arm, and say, "That's ok, sooner or later you'll figure out how things are done around here!"

 

[Disneyrsh]

Wagons are a big no, and unless your 8 year old is trying out for the Patriots there's plenty of room in the strollers...

 

[StephenKay]

None,

We had an eightv year old in one for 10 days, due to sore legs.