Getting around with bigger kids

[clanmcculloch]

My 11 year old daughter has Asperger Syndrome. My 8 year old daughter gets leg cramps very easily but does not have any particular diagnosis of anything wrong (she does deal with some ocd-like issues which can lead to meltdowns and this is much more likely to happen when she's exhausted and/or in pain). We're going to leave in a few days for our 3rd trip to WDW. For the most part, we've done without any kind of stroller in the past but have rented the double stroller at AK and when doing the international area at Epcot. We would have had definitely meltdowns from both of them without out (or required piggy backs for the 8 year old which we had to do a lot when she was 6 but she's getting way too big for that). Last year they were getting too big to fit in the double stroller together plus the 11 year old really dislikes the idea of being in a stroller. I feel odd putting them in a wheelchair. The special needs strollers that I've seen look like strollers plus they won't accomodate both kids. I don't need to use the stroller as a wheelchair.

This time around I'd actually prefer to have the stroller/whatever for more of the trip as I believe it does help with meltdowns. My 8 year old starts melting down when her legs hurt. My 11 year old likes the big canopy cover and sides on the stroller for sensory breaks. I just don't know what to do this year.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Schmeck]

Could you rent a double and they could take turns in it - using it for the 11 yr old when she needs the sensory break, and for the 8 yr old when she tires out? When it comes to both of them needing a break at the same time, that would be a signal to me that it was time to head back to the room for a real break.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Could you rent a double and they could take turns in it - using it for the 11 yr old when she needs the sensory break, and for the 8 yr old when she tires out? When it comes to both of them needing a break at the same time, that would be a signal to me that it was time to head back to the room for a real break.

The problem seems to be that they both seem to need a break when we're at the opposite end of a park like in the middle of the international area of Epcot or the far side of AK. We do plan to take breaks every day in the middle of the day because all of us will need the break, but it does seem as though far too often they both get tired out at the same time but at a very inconvenient location. I'm keeping it open as an option for us, but I do forsee fights. We had a few last time as they tried squeezing in together and they're both bigger now. The fights invariable led to very lengthy meltdowns (I'm pretty get at helping them get out of meltdowns but when they're compounded by arguements nothing really helps for a long time).

Does anybody think it's odd to use the stroller for such big kids? With the special needs stroller it's at least more obvious that it's for special needs. I get enough funny looks using the GAC or when we're just standing around and the hand start-a-flappin. Don't you just love invisible disabilities?

 

[bopper]

Could you rent a double stroller and then put "rules" as to it's use?
8 yr old gets it from 9-10am
11 yr old get it 10-11am,
8 yr old gets 11-12 pm, etc.

I find my kids argue about who gets to use an item, but if you put "fair" rules they can live with that. They just don't want to see the other getting a better deal.

If one child is using the stroller and the other one gets tired, tell them they can either wait until it is their turn, you will sit with them on a bench until it is their turn (and the other goes off and goes on rides) or you can go back to the hotel. Tell them this all up front and maybe they will be able to last a little longer.

If they both truly are tired, then maybe going back to the hotel is the way to go. But if it is just the case that if she gets to sit in the stroller than I want to, the above may work.

 

[mechurchlady]

Nope it is not odd. I have seen the Pooped Parent Parade at DLR so often and it was sad to see them little kids exhausted, hurting, tired, and too often getting yelled out or hit for having meltdowns because they were marched worse than a private. It is not wrong if a kid needs to hide from the overwhelming world or cannot walk far. I seen adults in push chairs so it is nothng to me.

Check iwth Orlando Strollers that is listed in FAQs. They may have a double big enough and Sue might have some ideas.

Big hugs and chocolates
Laurie

 

[Schmeck]

Two doubles are out of the question, right?

 

[flynnmnstr]

We have a Maclaren Major (special needs) and we are bringing that and hopefully they will alternate. DS7 is in the spectrum; DS4 is ADHD; both have sensory integration; though DS7 has low tone.

We have a regular Maclaren too, but my DS 4 is pretty big for his age 44" and about 48lbs. He fits but is getting tight. We are going to try the one stroller and see what happens but are bringing the second just in case.

I would rent a special needs stroller-- it will be more comfortable and you can use it to and from parks. It will proabably save some $$ too.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thank you everybody for taking the time to respond. You're all so thoughtful!

I think DH would freak out over paying for 2 double strollers, but I'll certainly consider it.

I looked at the Maclaren special needs strollers and they look WAY too much like regular strollers. I'd have a fit on my hands trying that.

I checked with Orlando Rentals. The special needs stroller carries up to 100lb which would carry one child and looks WAY too much like a regular stroller (though I might be able to get her to agree to it). The double stroller isn't special needs so it only carries up to 100lb total. My 11 year old is over 80lb and my 8 year old is 65lb.

I like the schedule idea. This is going to the top of my list of solutions. It might work. You're onto something with the idea that many of the fights over the stroller had to do mostly with wanting what the other had. A schedule would help that a lot. My 11 year old Aspie responds well to these kinds of fixed rules and my 8 year old has recently started really enjoying wearing a watch and telling us the time. This could work for us (though I'd still love to find a stroller that they'd both fit into if anybody knows of one).

I absolutely agree that if they're both truely needing to rest then we have to head back to the hotel. The hard part really is when they're getting close to that point but we're nowhere near the exit. We've already planned to go back to the hotel every day for a swim and rest in the middle of the day when the parks are busiest so I'm hoping that I'm worrying for nothing. Being a self-diagnosed Aspie myself, I tend to over think things and worry about minute details that may not even happen.

 

[Schmeck]

If both of them are in a single stroller at the same time, you're pushing 145 pounds around - I'd think you'd need a rest midday after that! Take care, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[clanmcculloch]

If both of them are in a single stroller at the same time, you're pushing 145 pounds around - I'd think you'd need a rest midday after that! Take care, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

LOL!! You're so funny!!! I never quite thought of it this way. I was thinking more of the avoiding piggy back rides and stress of their fights and meltdowns.

Whenever we get back from vacations, I need to get back to work so I can rest. LMAO!! I do get worn out. Of course being the family pack mule who carries everything for everybody anyway, having the stroller allows me to take my bag off of my body and deposit it in the stroller. When nobody's riding in it, I feel so wonderful.

I'm sure we will have a wonderful trip. I tend to overthing things and obsess over minute details (I'm such an Aspie; my daughter is so much like me it's scary at times). THANK YOU!!!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

You could always look into renting two kid's wheelchairs. The FAQ thread has links to places off-site that rent chairs, including some that deal with pediatric chairs, which you would be able to have for the whole trip. That way, you'd not only have them for the parks, but also for the hotel, DTD, getting to and from the parks etc.

With a wheelchair each, the girls would be able to stay comfortable, rest up, and hopefully avoid some meltdowns. When they don't want to use them, you can always park them in the stroller parking areas, and walk around for a bit. If they start to get too hot without the shade of a canopy, you can buy parasols that clip onto wheelchairs, at a number of places in the World (Liberty Square and Japan in EPCOT spring to mind, but there may be others).

Unfortunately, there are a few inconsiderate people in the world, and the Mouse isn't allowed to ban them just for being mean. You will probably get people cutting in front of the wheelchairs a lot, and you may get one or two 'looks' from people when your girls get out of the chairs. However, their ignorance is not your problem; if they want to waste their holidays judging others, then that's their look-out, but don't let them spoil your trip! It sounds like using wheelchairs will help make your trip easier and more enjoyable for everyone, and that sounds like a good enough reason to me!

As Schmeck said, you two will get very tired pushing your girls around all that distance, especially in the Florida heat, so make sure to take regular breaks for your sake, as well as the girls'. It's easy to get caught up in the fun of Disney, and not notice how hot and tired you are until it's too late. I should know, I managed to give myself mild heat stroke on Tom Sawyer's Island a few years back (this was before I got my wheelchair), and it really isn't fun having to spend a whole day of your holiday in the hotel room, recovering! Drink lots, rest lots, stay in the air-con when you can!

Hope this helps you guys out a bit. Good luck with the trip, have a great time, and don't be afraid to ask for whatever help you need!

 

[SueM in MN]

My 11 year old daughter has Asperger Syndrome. My 8 year old daughter gets leg cramps very easily but does not have any particular diagnosis of anything wrong (she does deal with some ocd-like issues which can lead to meltdowns and this is much more likely to happen when she's exhausted and/or in pain). We're going to leave in a few days for our 3rd trip to WDW. For the most part, we've done without any kind of stroller in the past but have rented the double stroller at AK and when doing the international area at Epcot. We would have had definitely meltdowns from both of them without out (or required piggy backs for the 8 year old which we had to do a lot when she was 6 but she's getting way too big for that). Last year they were getting too big to fit in the double stroller together plus the 11 year old really dislikes the idea of being in a stroller. I feel odd putting them in a wheelchair. The special needs strollers that I've seen look like strollers plus they won't accomodate both kids. I don't need to use the stroller as a wheelchair.

This time around I'd actually prefer to have the stroller/whatever for more of the trip as I believe it does help with meltdowns. My 8 year old starts melting down when her legs hurt. My 11 year old likes the big canopy cover and sides on the stroller for sensory breaks. I just don't know what to do this year.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

When we went in November, only MK had the new strollers. I don't know if all the other parks have those same strollers now, but I know at least MK and the Studio have them (this is a picture of a MK new double from the DIS site ):

and one from allearsnet.com from the studio

For comparison, here's a view of the old MK double stroller (this is from allearsnet)

I don't know how they compare on size to the old ones since no one has reported here on using one for their older child yet. They don't look that much smaller, but the seat seems more 'defined' (i.e. the old seat looked like it had a 'softer,' rounder angle on the edge. This one looks more squared off. There also seems to be a shorter 'lip' on the front. All those things might make it less comfortable for an older child.

I would not recommend a regular WDW wheelchair for kids your ages. They are heavy and built for adults. The seat will be a wide sling seat (most are 18" wide), the armrests will probably be too high and the footrests too low. All sorts of things that the average child may find annoying. Much more annoying for anyone with sensitivities.

Just to be aware that 2 pediatric wheelchairs will be expensive to rent. A special needs stroller might be less expensive. If you choose to go the special needs stroller route, you may get away with it by presenting the pictures first, the fact that it will be all that is available and the rules for sharing it. That might fly with an Aspie.
Some people have also gotten transport chairs at home and brought them with. They are like wheelchairs with small tires (here's a link to a page selling them). Some have narrower width seat options or an option to remove the armrests. Even though you would still be dealing with a sling seat and possibly too wide wheelchair, you could experiment at home with some ways to deal with those (like adding a foam seat and some foam pieces on the side of the seat). You would have some time to experiment while you are home and can more easily have access to things.
A wheelchair can be tranported by air without added cost or counting toward your baggage allowance.
The price of a transport chair may not be more than renting for a week and many people keep the chair for home use, donate or sell it when they return home.