Doing Disney with 3 kids... wwyd? (stroller related)

[mtpalmer]

I know this has nothing to do with the original post and not sure that my thought counts but last year I had a 8 year old and 3 year old and while my 8 year old is old enough to walk there were times I made him ride in the rented double stroller...sometimes the crowds are way to thick and at night I am just too paranoied he might get lost...In my world sometimes safety and sanity take priority over what others think...my thought on the orginal post bring a carrier and bring your double stroller if it doesnt work leave the stroller in the room and rent one....Good Luck and have Fun

 

[Karel]

. You do what you have to do ... I don't believe anyone who says that an 8yo isn't exhausted and cranky and begging for a stroller ride after a day (not to mention the 2d, 3d or 4th day!!!!!!) at Disney!!!!

You're kidding, right? I know plenty of eight year olds that wouldn't be caught dead in a stroller.

My oldest left his stroller at age one and never looked back. My youngest at age two and a half was pushing the stroller in Disney. We never took a stroller again.

 

[Hannathy]

Guess you won't believe me either, but we went for a long week at easter with a five yr old no stroller, staying till midnight No problems. He didn't even think of a stroller nor was one offered. Never took a stroller for my DD when she was 4.

What I can't believe is all the parents pushing elementary age kids in strollers, Disney must be laughing all the way to the bank with this current group of parents shelling out big bucks to rent strollers for kids big enough to ride RNC now thats what's unbelievable.

 

[BarbWB]

$15 isn't "big bucks" by any means and chill out for people doing the right thing for their own families...

 

[glass slipper girl]

My kids will be 6, 4 and 4 months on our trip in January. We plan to bring a bigger stroller for the baby. One that has a full recline and all that jazz. As of now we are planning to bring our Maclaren umbrella stroller with a kiddy board attached for the older 2. They can take turns riding in the stroller or standing on the platform. I rented a double for them this past May. Worked great at MGM but at MK and Epcot they were less comfy. They are tall kids (6 year old is like 48" and 52 lbs, 4 year old is 43" and 48 lbs). They fit in the hard plastic double but they didn't have a ton of room so there was lots of "he's touching me! make him stop leaning on me!" sort of things. Of course it was 97 degrees so it was hot and sticky so that didn't help. We'll be there next in January but I don't want the arguments.

The big thing for me is that they are both kids who will GO GO GO in the parks but as soon as you say that was the last ride, they settle back and start to fall asleep. We will have a front pack for the baby so when that happens I'll carry the baby, DS 6 can sit in the Mac and DS 4 can sit in the Bumbleride. In May we did one evening at the MK just the kids and I. We were headed out at almost 11:00 and while waiting for transportation the youngest was nodding off. I kept saying YOU CAN NOT FALL ASLEEP! Stay awake! I can not carry you!!!! LOL I would have paid any amount for a stroller right then and there! When I told DH about that experience he agreed we will have 2 strollers with us in January.

We got a few eyerolls from people seeing DS 6 get out of the stroller. I don't give a flying flip though! That trip was them, my mother and I and Mom was in an ECV so I wanted them in that stroller for safety as much as comfort. My 6 year old could walk but he get so whiny when he is tired that it's not worth making him, us or anyone around us once he gets tired deal with that. Neither "strolls" anywhere but Disney but I'm happy to push them there knowing how far we walk in a day (one of us usually wears a pedometer) and we DO take midafternoon breaks and not go comando style. If other kids the same age or younger have done the parks without a stroller...good for them. I don't have any comment on their parent's decision to not stroll and I could care less what those parents think of mine to have a stroller with us!

 

[WantToGoNow]

I would either take or rent a double and see what happens with your 8 y/o. With 2 little ones, your days probably will not be long at the parks and she may do just fine. You could take a front carrier for your baby but if your 8 y/o decides to ride more than walk you could end up with a good backache from carrying 20 lbs. all day.

I'm still trying to decide what to do for my children in November. My dd will be just short of 3 and will need a stroller -- she's not good at walking and starts wanting to be carried -- her 32 lbs. starts to feel really heavy real quick. My ds5 never uses a stroller at home but I'm worried that he won't be able to do day after day of walking. I'm planning on buying a Mac Volo before we go for dd2 and my dh thinks we should get should get a second for ds5. I don't mind buying the second one for him but I'm not sure it will be used much after we get home.

 

[dkal95]

What I can't believe is all the parents pushing elementary age kids in strollers, Disney must be laughing all the way to the bank with this current group of parents shelling out big bucks to rent strollers for kids big enough to ride RNC now thats what's unbelievable.

Yeah, $15.00 is hardly big bucks.

You'd have probably fainted right there on Main Street if you'd seen us 2 years ago after a full day at the park, when *I* was riding in the double stroller with our 19 month old on my lap and my 6 year old next to me. I've been big enough to ride the RNC for 20 some odd years.

 

[bartleby1]

Yeah, $15.00 is hardly big bucks.

You'd have probably fainted right there on Main Street if you'd seen us 2 years ago after a full day at the park, when *I* was riding in the double stroller with our 19 month old on my lap and my 6 year old next to me. I've been big enough to ride the RNC for 20 some odd years.

LOL! That must have been a sight! Do you have a picture to share? I have to admit that I've been tempted to climb in as well! Last trip, we did so much walking that I have permanent nerve damage in my big toes which resulted in a numb spot on each of them. I could have used the stroller as well!

To the OP, all kids and adults for that matter, have different stamina levels. My 4 yr old can out walk my 6 yr old on any day. My oldest just doesn't have the stamina that my 4 yr old does and she still needs a stroller at a place like disney. Now, when my 4 yr old gets to be 6, I highly doubt he'll need one. He's just that kind of kid (although, due to his energy level, he is hard to keep track of!). And, my 1 yr old would probably be thrilled if I didn't bring a stroller at all, lol! She hates the stroller and would much rather walk.

Don't let anyone's comments or looks make you feel bad about using a stroller if it is needed. I'd rather have a fun trip without cranky, tired kids than worry about comments from strangers.

 

[dkal95]

Don't let anyone's comments or looks make you feel bad about using a stroller if it is needed. I'd rather have a fun trip without cranky, tired kids than worry about comments from strangers.

Don't worry, I don't worry about comments like that. LOL

I've always been a kind of "do what works for us" type of gal, whether it's what others would do or not. I'll even be wearing a fanny pack while I'm there!!!!

 

[java]

You do what you have to do ... I don't believe anyone who says that an 8yo isn't exhausted and cranky and begging for a stroller ride after a day (not to mention the 2d, 3d or 4th day!!!!!!) at Disney!!!!

Well Honestly I don't care if you believe me- But we have 4 children. We just got back from Disney. Going to early hours in the AM everyday. My children are 12,8,3,1. No way would the 8 have sat in a stroller- nor was she begging for a ride nor was she cranky..she was excited to be in Disney and wanted to run around. And even my 3 year old didn't want to be in the double stroller- he wanted to walk- but for safety I kept him in there. My dd has been walking the parks since she was 5 no problem. She is an active child at home- not a sit in front of the tv kind of child and the parks walking didn't wipe her out. So I would not worry about a stroller for the 8 year old. I would also suggest that the park strollers may not be appropriate for the baby.- like the AK ones - the hard low ones- not really baby friendly. My vote is bring a double and if the 8 year old gets tired take a break. There is a lot of sitting on the rides. Just make sure she has some comfy shoes.

 

[my2minnies]

It really amazes me that people get so mad that some older kids are riding in strollers! Who cares what people do--how does it affect your life in any way! I have an almost 6 year old and a 3 year old and I want them to have as much fun as possible when we go in Sept. If that means pushing my older dd in a stroller because she is hot and tired then so be it. She went into the city with my parents yesterday and got tired real quick--she is 32lbs at the age of six. She is little and has no stamina, so I know we will be renting a stroller for the next couple of times we go. If that gives me some looks, who cares! I am doing what is best for MY kid.

I think the sit and stand would work great for you!

 

[babynurse1]

My now 11 yr. old would ride in a stroller today if we let him. He never wanted to give it up. When my kids were smaller we ABSOLUTELY brought a nice stroller to the airport and WDW and it was the best thing we ever did. Little ones like to be comfy!! Who cares if anyone gives you a look about how old your kid is, they dont have to listen to them whine all day. We probably wont be bringing a stroller because we've done local amusement parks this summer and the 5 yr. old was fine (almost too fine-he wore me out!). Besides, bringing a stroller is TONS better than carrying a cranky 3, 4, 5, 35 (lol) yr. old all the way back to the hotel because they are done for the day. Enjoy your trip.

 

[krismom]

Get yourself a buggy board! Mine attaches to the rear axle and when my 7 year old wasn't using it, we just stowed it in the basket. It was great for treks to the car, and around world showcase in the heat. Beware though, it takes a little while to get used to taking shorter strides or your feet kick the thing....
People kept asking us where we got it on our last trip- we could have sold it for $$$ on the last day!

http://www.dmart2000.com/dmart2/juridekibo.html

Give it a try!

 

[scrappinmom]

You could always rent a double, get a pack for the baby & let the 2 older kids switch off. I can tell you that I've also let my 11 year old ride in the double stroller! WHen we went last year, it was F&W & I wanted to drink & taste....my 6 yr old & 11 yr old were awesome sports! They both walked some, rode some...I even pushed them BOTH at one time! We're talking 120-13- pounds in a double stroller.....there was plenty of room for them! You could always rent a stroller if they all get tired....carrying the baby all day might be a hassle, but I'm guessing the 8 yr old will only want to ride late in the day/night or for a bit of a break....At first my 11 yr old refused....but when she got dead dog tired she decided it wasn't so bad.

I'm with you....while I know very well that my child CAN walk and WOULD walk if I forced her to...that's not what Disney is about to me....I would gladly push/carry/piggy back either one of my girls if they wanted me to. You know what? most of the time they don't ask - so obviously that philosophy has worked in my house....

p.s I'll be the mom in October at midnight pushing a double with my 12 yr old & 6 yr old in it!!!

Enjoy!

 

[cindarella]

Last year we had a 7,6, and 3yr old. I brought my double side by side, but we ended up renting a double and switching out. It worked very well. I like the rented ones better, they seemed not as hard to push even with all three in it sometimes.

We plan on doing the same this year I too will have a 8, 7 and 4.

Good luck

 

[SheriN]

haven't read everythign so this may have been covered. What about a buggy board, or whatever they call it. It's a little platform that you can put on the back of your stroller and an older child can stand on it when tired. I'm thinking One Step Ahead sells them, but you'd have to do a search for anywhere else.

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

When we took our 4 children last year they were 6, 4, 3 and 1. We brought 1 umbrella stroller for the 1 year old. The rest of the children walked and did not complain or become cranky. Actually, they were sad when the parks CLOSED and they had to got back to the room. Several night they went to the pool because they were still not tired!! And we were at the parks from 8 am - 10/11 pm. They simply had so much fun that they did not mind walking. My 6 year old did notice some very large children in strollers and he asked if they were sick because they were not walking. I told him no they are just tired of walking and he commented that they were probably just being lazy. So people do notice the older children in strollers and you may recieve some "looks". If you do not mind the "looks" and possibly a few comments that I would rent a double stroller at the parks as they are large enough for 2-3 children. I would bring a stroller from home for the infant, however, as the strollers at WDW are HARD plastic and not the best design for wee ones.

Nicole
Wife to Reuben
Mom to
Keitaaron 7
Xeyana 5
Chloe 4
Colin 2

 

[dkal95]

I understand that some people are just that way.

It's sad really, that some people just have such little self control and tact and have nothing better to do than to give "looks" and comment about the age of the child I'm pushing in my stroller.

Anyway, I can handle it.

 

[weinerranchers]

Can I push your 8 year old in her stroller? Pleeeasssseeeeeeee! Or better yet, do you think she will push me? We can point, stare, laugh, and make comments at everyone who is sitting around resting but... GETTIN NOWHERE!!!!

 

[Oceana]

I have a great carrier called an ergo baby carrier, it is expensive but it is an amazing carrier! So super comfortable. When you get home you can resell your carrier for nearly what you paid for it on ebay.


They are rated to carry kids up to 40lbs which means you can carry your 4 year old in it both front and back carry. It has a sun hood which can be used when your 6 month old goes to sleep. (on the website it shows a 100lb adult being carrier in one)

This carrier wont wear you out or hurt your shoulders it really distributes weight well. Better than any other carrier on the market

When we go we have a stroller and the carrier so we have a little flexibility

goodluck
julie