Hit And Run By Strollers?

[famofsix]

I, too, have been rammed by stroller drivers, sometimes being pushed by a child rather than an adult. Seems people operating them are sometimes not able to judge the distance a stroller requires in front of their body. I realize most will disagree, but we never took our kids to Disney until they were old enough to walk on their own. We felt they would not be old enough to appreciate the experience until they were at least 5 or 6 anyway, at which time they could walk themselves. Yes, I know some of you will argue that at age 2 their eyes light up with the "magic of disney", but they light up just the same on the cereal aisle of the grocery store, so I feel they should be old enough to at least remember the trip. Disney trips are not commonplace annual events like for some of you, so I wanted them to be able to enjoy & remember the experience. .

Yes, we thought we would never bring a stroller to Disney too but then we had a DD10, DD8, DS6 and DS1 so we wanted our whole family on our family vacation. It certianly wasn't a common place event for us seeing that we saved forever just to get there...We were not going to wait until they were 16, 14, and 12 and 6. I think Walt would agree Disney is for every age.


[/QUOTE]Back to topic, yes, many stroller operators need a license/training, but in today's world, one must expect to have to navigate around them. If everyone in public places would just display common courtesy, we could all have an enjoyable experience.[/QUOTE]

I agree.

 

[jlpriestley]

Being from Boston, home of the finest drivers in the country, I liken the issue to driving in rush hour traffic...If you leave too much space between you and the guy in front, someone is bound to cut you off. I also think some have a perception that trucks, err, strollers are slow and must be passed. All to often you will be walking along in a straight line (even without a stroller) and someone chooses to jump in front to get ahead. While no doubt accidents happen where the "driver" is at fault, my guess is that many "accidents" are the result of the above.

I am making my innagural trip next month with my double stroller. While I have a clean record, it will no doubt be interesting when I leave MGM after the fireworks show. Maybe I should teach the twins to kick and arm them with a handheld airhorn... (that was a joke)

 

[famofsix]

Being from Boston, home of the finest drivers in the country, I liken the issue to driving in rush hour traffic...If you leave too much space between you and the guy in front, someone is bound to cut you off. I also think some have a perception that trucks, err, strollers are slow and must be passed. All to often you will be walking along in a straight line (even without a stroller) and someone chooses to jump in front to get ahead. While no doubt accidents happen where the "driver" is at fault, my guess is that many "accidents" are the result of the above.

I am making my innagural trip next month with my double stroller. While I have a clean record, it will no doubt be interesting when I leave MGM after the fireworks show. Maybe I should teach the twins to kick and arm them with a handheld airhorn... (that was a joke)

I totally wish I had thought of a horn when we were there LOL

 

[toocooltobeMom]

No offense here, there are alot of nice people like all of you in the park no doubt. Still there are plenty more who could care less if you are in their way. IMO unless you are in any rush getting from point A to point Z. lol.

 

[zenshome]

Here is what we do...

My mom has to use a ECV so my DW and I will walk in front of her and my dad clearing a path wherever we go(This prevents people from diving in front and getting ankles smashed). When we go to get off a ride or one of the boats etc. my DW and I split to the sides of the ECV allowing my mom to get off the boat while forcing the others who would normally push by to wait. My best example of this is people who try to crash to the merge in a construction area, when drivers pull into the merging lane and force the merge to happen behind them. Everything speeds up even though the party crashers will get upset. I'm sure I may get flamed for these processes but they work for us and I'm sure we have prevented many injuries.

 

[snowwite]

Here is what we do...

My mom has to use a ECV so my DW and I will walk in front of her and my dad clearing a path wherever we go(This prevents people from diving in front and getting ankles smashed). When we go to get off a ride or one of the boats etc. my DW and I split to the sides of the ECV allowing my mom to get off the boat while forcing the others who would normally push by to wait. My best example of this is people who try to crash to the merge in a construction area, when drivers pull into the merging lane and force the merge to happen behind them. Everything speeds up even though the party crashers will get upset. I'm sure I may get flamed for these processes but they work for us and I'm sure we have prevented many injuries.

I dont understand how trapping everyone else rather than allowing ambulatory people to pass while she maneuvers the ECV is preventing injury. I have seen a lot of injuries caused by ECV drivers who apparently were given a rental but no road test! I may be misunderstanding but it sounds like you and your family are just rude.

 

[drakethib]

The biggest complaint I had was strollers, wheelchairs, and very fast walkers alike not watching where they were going and constantly cutting in between my family in the crowds. Having been on the other side of a double stroller for 4 or 5 years I admit that pushing a stroller can be challenging in crowds (thank goodness I don't have to do that anymore), and on occasion I too am guilty of not watching where I am going when walking, but we were cut off over and over and over again when we were there and it was very frustrating that people either couldn't see we were together or didn't have courtesy enough to let us walk together. Fortunately we were on the ball enough that my kids weren't injured, but we could easily have been. We all need to be more careful, and courteous!

Well Said.

 

[dblr]

We had a stroller one year and one night trying to go back to the campground we would always use the boat, well the normal boat that makes that trip we could roll the stroller on without a problem with my toddler still in it which makes things easy but one time we were put on a smaller boat with a smaller entry way which we did not see till we got close so I rushed to try to fold it and at least 5 or more adults climbed over me making things even harder to fold. I really think some people walk as bad as they drive.
Just my gripe sorry

 

[Nanu57v]

I've never gotten hit by a stroller, but I have gotten knocked off & stepped on by costumed characters...twice. Now I am afraid.


LOL, I'm picturing a hit & run with an ECV. Someone lyng on the floor injured and a shifty-eyed person getting away at 6mph in an ECV.

 

[Tinker53]

I, too, have been rammed by stroller drivers, sometimes being pushed by a child rather than an adult. Seems people operating them are sometimes not able to judge the distance a stroller requires in front of their body. I realize most will disagree, but we never took our kids to Disney until they were old enough to walk on their own. We felt they would not be old enough to appreciate the experience until they were at least 5 or 6 anyway, at which time they could walk themselves. Yes, I know some of you will argue that at age 2 their eyes light up with the "magic of disney", but they light up just the same on the cereal aisle of the grocery store, so I feel they should be old enough to at least remember the trip. Disney trips are not commonplace annual events like for some of you, so I wanted them to be able to enjoy & remember the experience.

Back to topic, yes, many stroller operators need a license/training, but in today's world, one must expect to have to navigate around them. If everyone in public places would just display common courtesy, we could all have an enjoyable experience.

ITA: I wanted to wait for my youngest to be at least 6 he will be 7 Friday so this will be our first trip. I wanted to enjoy my first trip with them being able to express what they really liked and didn't like without crying. Don't get me wrong those of you that want to bring your little ones are wonderful and I give you all the credit in the world. because I just don't have it in me to take one that little to a place that big......


To all enjoy your trips

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think a very frustrating part of going thru WDW whether you're walking or pushing a stroller (I've done both) is that there are sooo many people who aren't really "on a mission." Meaning they seem to be wandering slowly looking at everything around them. Some of us need to go a little faster, not necessarily commando style but at least moving a little. Also, my dh's hugest pet peeve is when a group of people just stop dead in front of you to look at a map and discuss where they're going next. Why don't they at least "pull over?" They are oblivious to the traffic jam they're causing. We usually have a dbl stroller and are obsessed with being courteous to others: no tailgating, kids can't drive, no left turn into oncoming traffic, no stopping without first pulling over. Then again, we never go when it's really crowded like summer or holidays.
While eating lunch outside at Pizza Planet, we witnessed a lady in a dbl stoller hit the ankles of the lady in front of her who also had a dbl stroller. The 1 who was hit turned around and screamed in front of all 4 kids, "Get your F****** stroller off my ankles!!" Screaming continued back and forth until they almost got into a fist fight but someone broke it up. The whole area grew very quiet and we couldn't believe it. People get a little nuts sometimes.

 

[plutolovr]

I, too, have been rammed by stroller drivers, sometimes being pushed by a child rather than an adult. Seems people operating them are sometimes not able to judge the distance a stroller requires in front of their body. I realize most will disagree, but we never took our kids to Disney until they were old enough to walk on their own. We felt they would not be old enough to appreciate the experience until they were at least 5 or 6 anyway, at which time they could walk themselves. Yes, I know some of you will argue that at age 2 their eyes light up with the "magic of disney", but they light up just the same on the cereal aisle of the grocery store, so I feel they should be old enough to at least remember the trip. Disney trips are not commonplace annual events like for some of you, so I wanted them to be able to enjoy & remember the experience.

You know though, if you hold to this theory, which I totally agree with, some people would not bring their children until they were about 10 or 11 because I see an awful lot of 8 and 9 year olds riding around in strollers.

 

[TravelinGal]

As a first time WDW stroller 'driver' this past May, I have to say, I was very careful where my wheels etc were. But, dog gone it, if you cut right in front of me while I was moving, it was your own darn fault for getting in the pathway. Seriously - people just cut in front of my moving stroller with only inches to spare. And, NO, I did NOT apologize for those incidents. It was THEIR fault. (Guess they are the same jerks that cut you off on the highway too - and then blame you if they get in an accident - One car ahead syndrome - but at WDW it's one person ahead...)

I've never been hit by a stroller or wheelchair there. Maybe it's because I am more attentive than the average traveler? I've fallen and torn the ligaments in my ankle so many times that the doctor said if I do it again, I may never walk unassisted (cane etc). So I am VERY aware of my surroundings - including moving objects such as other people.

 

[ariel75]

I have had people walk right in front of , or cross in front of my son's wheelchair and almost land in his lap! It is just has annoying as being hit with a stroller or wheelchair. People just don't pay attention to what is going on. One guy that near landed in my child's lap, didn't even

apologize. Gave me a dirty look. Told him that is walk happens when you cut off a wheelchair!

Charleyann

good for you some people can be so rude if that were me i would have been mortified and apologised to your son and then to you

 

[TSM1993]

We've just got back last Sunday. My DS is still recovering his wounds behind his heels obtained by a hit-and-run stroller. Nothing major but still painfull and bloody. We strongly believed that parents driving those deadly baby vehicles should look out for people in front of them. DON'T RUN US OVER, PLEASE!! It wouldn't hurt us as much if the driver apologized his wrong doing.
If it happened to any of you before, tell us. Love to hear your story, too.

But what I think the OP os saying is that it wouldnt be so bad if you got hit by a stroller or a wheelchair if they would have the simple courtesty to say sorry. (I know DISboarders will say sorry). Just 1simple word sorry but not to many say that simple word anymore.

I have been hit several times on my backs of my ankles by people with strollers and of all the times I have had 1 sorry. I especially like when the adults let there little one who cant even see over the stroller push it and wham they push it right in to you (yes its cute) but please dont stand there with a smile on your face or laugh about please atleast say your sorry. If i bump into people while I am walking I atleast try to say it. Although the last couple of trips I have noticed people being a lot more rude(none of us here) so after the first couple of days my dbf says to me why are you trying to be nice and apologize when no one else does to you.

 

[Brooknwdw]

To solve the problem would take consideration and being aware of your surroundings.. on BOTH sides...those pushing the strollers AND those walking in front of/stopping suddenly in front of them. I think its both that makes it a problem. Either party can cause an accident.

 

[delilah]

My last trip, somebody ran over my foot with a wheelchair. It was right after fireworks. I said "ouch" and the person doing the pushing looked at me with this "deer in the headlights" look, as if she didn't realize that running over the foot of a person standing still with a wheelchair that weights 50 lbs with a person weighing 250 lbs might hurt. I'm glad it didn't tear my shoe, which was relatively new.

 

[TENIA66]

I have been both the rammer and the rammee...sorry to all. Pushing a heavy child doesn't give you much ability to adjust to those who stop quickly in front of you and stopping to look at a disney moment shouldn't be paid for in pain........i apologize to those i've injured, and those i will injure in the future.......

 

[maleficent1959]

We try to be extra cautious with our stroller because I've been on the receiving end. But it still amazes me how many people will run in front of us or squeeze past in an impossibly tight manner. Sometimes it truly is unavaoidable. One man even stepped on my son's foot while it was IN the stroller. He gave us a dirty look and boy did he get an earful from my DH about stepping on our child.

 

[disney-super-mom]

You know though, if you hold to this theory, which I totally agree with, some people would not bring their children until they were about 10 or 11 because I see an awful lot of 8 and 9 year olds riding around in strollers.

Off the OP's topic, but I just wanted to let some of you know that sometimes there's a reason you see older kids who look perfectly healthy and normal riding in strollers. We have 7 year old son who is a very high functioning autistic, and one of the many problems that is associated with autism is extremely poor muscle tone. So to you he may look normal, and even act normal, but his poor little 48 pound body just doesn't have the strength or stamina to walk in a park all day, or even half a day for that matter. I have to say that we've gotten some dirty looks from others at DL when they see our son in a stroller, and I'll admit it hurts our feeling a bit, but we have no choice.

Anyway, just wanted to say that.

Sorry to go off topic.