How do 6 or 8 yo make out walking?

[3xthecharm]

We are cruising for a week and then spending 3 days at the parks. I know how well 6 or 8 year olds make out depends on the kids, but I want to know if anyone else has experience on these ages. We will do the parks in the morning until after lunch, rest at the resort, and back to park in the evening.

 

[elemusing]

My DS6 has done the parks 3 times since he was 5 without a stroller. I was very hesitant the first time not to bring an umbrella stroller, but he was just too big for it and I knew we could rent one if need be. He did great! I couldn't believe he didn't whine or say his feet hurt, but I guess the thrill of the park and seeing everything helps take his mind off it.

Also we stop every hour or so to just rest and people watch a bit.

Be sure and put thick socks and comfortable shoes on your kids.

And enjoy your cruise!!! We miss it and are anxious to go back !!!!

Angie

 

[eeyore45]

My 7 yr old did great, and it was a very very hot week!! We just took things slow, let her choose things she wanted to do, lots of the attractions are sit down inside a/c so that helps a lot!! She is also one that doesnt like to sleep a lot, so we did the late nights, and skipped the early entry! She loved the pool, so again, we tried to make this her vacation, and give her some power by letting her make some of the descions, since I made the PS for shows and eating, I wanted to make sure she had a say in things, and if we didnt make some things, I let it go...

 

[3xthecharm]

Thanks for the help. I think the 8 yo will be ok. He will be 9 2wks after the trip. The 6 yo is my neice so my sister may decide to rent one for the evenings if she is tired. We are going in Jan. so heat won't be a problem.

 

[heatherj]

Like you said it really depends on the child, but from my experience (for all thats worth) . . .

My two oldest boys have walked at WDW (no stroller) since they were 4 years old. Not even a stroller in the evening. I actually was Extremely shocked they did. We didn't push them or anything. I think they were just having so much fun that they didn't even realize how much walking they really did. We had debated last year on taking one with us "just in case" our then 4 year old needed it but decided against it. I do think that if he would have know it were there he would have asked to use it. But really not one complaint from them. Once again I was shocked as they tend to complain about walking on every other occassion (like the mall, etc) - but then again that isn't near as fun as WDW.

Heather

 

[Harligirl]

Well, my DS7 was a quitter.. He has always loved his stoller (we never bring one- rent it) and this trip was no different. He doesnt use a stroller anywhere else- ever- just at Disney. We don't mind becuz I always use it to lug all our crap around too.

Its nice to have becuz he can just chill out in it. Of course I think DD12 gets jealous that she can't fit in one anymore!!

 

[DissyLove]

Went last year with my 6 year old and 5 year old-my 5-year old oulasted my 6 year old walking, but if you plan to go most of the day, I suggest a stroller. After a few hours, even really excited kids get tired of walking, standing in line, etc....I say nothing wrong with a stroller if needed, it is supposed to be a fun vacation! Hey, can I get one in my size?

 

[lilsonicfan]

We went with three little kids a few years ago. The 7 year old was extremely tired, but her parents wouldn't let her sit in the stroller, which was reserved for the 3-year old.

 

[3xthecharm]

I'm with you. One adult sized stroller, please!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

My 7 year old daughter complains her back hurts after walking around the grocery store. She, however, can spend a whole darn day at the zoo and never complain. So when we did Disney last year for 7 days, we were extremely concerned in regards to her walking all day.

There were very few times she complained or whined about being tired or her feet hurting. We took precautionary measures though. We sat down for a show of some sort every two hours at least. We caught all the parades. We stopped and people watched for 5 minutes an hour.

No, I didn't keep a tight eye on the clock, you can just tell when they start falling behind, they need to sit down.

Our then 9 year old, did fine. She also will whine and complain about the walking other places, but at Disney she is GREAT! I think the periodic show and ride breaks help a lot. Realistically you will cover a lot of ground, but in that time you will sit a large portion for rides, shows and parades too. We think they offset each other.

 

[webray]

The first time we took our kids they were 6, 7 and 9. We went from park opening to park closing, and the kids did great. They were having so much fun, time passed quickly it wasn't a problem at all. We rarely rested in the afternoon, although we usually had a sitdown meals for a break and plenty of ice cream/snack breaks.

 

[tinker-kyle]

last year when my daughter was 6... we went twice
with and without a stroller (we brought our umbrella stroller)
she was fine without it ... but we used it alot for sweats in the winter and water in the summer ... occasionally she would hop into it ... but a lot of the time she pushed it for us.

 

[eeyore0062]

When DD was 6 it was a little more difficult, especially in Epcot and Animal Kingdom. By the time she was 8, we only got it if she was pooped from the previous day, or because we were using it more as a way to tote around the backpack!

 

[crazee4mickey]

We went in December withour 4 kids-ages 6,8,15,and 18-we would reach the park first thing in the morning and the 2 youngest were great at first but after a couple of days they really would get tired and unhappy(weepy) from walking so much(more the 8 year old son than our 6 year old daughter-our little girl had more endurance than our son).
The stroller idea is a good one , its better to have it and they can choose to sit if they want or walk if they want--at least they have the option. It helps to avoid tears--- and tears due to little ones trying to keep up with big people is not fun at all!

 

[cthetulips]

We found that our kids were fine walking the first couple days, then DD-6 really wilted. We got her a stroller for the rest of the trip and she was fine.
Our DS-8 decided to get in on the act and so then we got a double stroller.
Except for the occasional "she's breathing on me" or "he touched me,"

using the double stroller has really helped our trips. Having the kids contained and relaxed makes Mom and Dad more relaxed and can take a nice easy pace (or fast if we're running late for a PS!). Also, this is something that would never happen at home, and it's like having one gigantic ride all the time at WDW.

 

[bdcp]

My 2 DS at 3 1/2 and almost 6 walked all the parks ('89) in Nov so the parks weren't open as long, but we were gone 12 hours at least most days. They never complained once nor did we do naps. My legs and feet hurt though and I was only 29 then. We haven't used a stroller since right before age 3 for anything. They've always walked everywhere since about 2 1/2 so they thought nothing of it. It's so easy to maneuver around without a stroller.

 

[3xthecharm]

I think I will budget for renting a stroller just incase. I don't know how tiring the cruise will be for them. I don't think it will be worth it on our morning trips to MK because they should be fresh, and they spend most of the time getting in and out of it to do attractions. I think I will plan on maybe one on the evening run to Epcot. It is such a long walk around the countries.

Thanks again for all of the great replies.