How old is too old for a stroller?

[howlongtillsummer?]

Ok tricky one.

I know in my heart that my daughter is too old to be in a stroller. She can walk perfectly well on her own.

But...

It is just so handy having her in a stroller. She has shade, rest and can have the weight of her feet. I know how sore and tired that my feet can get after a day in the parks.

What do you guys think, I don't want her looking ridiculous?

 

[tracipierce]

How old is your DD? The last time we went to WDW my DD was 5 and although she was too old for a stroller over here, she certainly needed one over the there. The heat and the amount of walking is intense for an adult, never mind a little one.

This year she is 7 (8 in September) so there's no getting away with using one this time I'm really gonna miss loading it up with all our stuff, figuring we'll have to take more rests as well.

HTH?

 

[BRobson]

It is truly personal choice

If it keeps your DD from overheating and getting cranky and you are happy to push her round and it make for a happier holiday - go for it

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

She is also seven. I know that she is too old, just in denial I guess!!!

 

[tracipierce]

he he,, a woman after my own heart! Now had my DD been a small 7 I might have still got the stroller lol, but she's just gone into aged 9 clothes so I doubt she would even fit in one.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I bet she would squeeze herself in if she thought she would get to her next destination in comfort.

Maybe I will just have to think about number two, a great excuse for a stroller?!?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Totally your decision, our son has autism but is fully mobile, however he cannot walk long distances.
We have a child's wheelchair which we rarely use but do take it on holiday with us as he just cannot walk around the theme parks.

We used to have an over-sized stroller, to be honest we have had people look (or comment) on him being too big for it...the only thing I can say is they would think twice about doing so again.

At the end of the day as parents you know best , to be blunt what anyone else thinks isn't really relevant, I do understand your concerns but you know best for your child, if you feel a stroller is required then that's all you need to think about.

 

[Pegasus928]

If you think that taking or hiring a stroller for your child, in order for you to get the maximum out of your holiday and to help keep your DD fresh and stress free then I would say to do it without hesitation.
It's not as though you would gain any privelages or special treatment by using a stroller so don't worry about what anyone else may think.

 

[scojos]

hey, im with johnny on this one!
dd was a very big 6 (age 9 clothes), fit (she does ice skating a quite a high level) BUT no way would she have coped with 14 days constantly walking, swimming and general activity - its not exactly a normal holiday is it??
we had a double buggy so my ASD son he was 8) could also use it to "hide" in...
we saw loads of people in WDW with older kids in buggies, it is really not a problem, do you really care what other people think as long as your daughter is happy (ie not so exhausted in the humidity and heat to enjoy herself??)
would you really walk around in "normal" life wearing mickey ears and huge print t shirts??(yes, i probably would too....)
do whats right for you, i say, have a buggy.
tracy
ps, remember you can always give it a few days and then hire one if she is too tired, or just hire one for the larger parks, epcot, MK, and walk in smaller parks...

 

[wilma-bride]

I think this is, as others have said, a very personal thing. My DS was 5 1/2 on our last trip and was no longer in a stroller at home. However, on a few occasions, we did rent a stroller for him in the parks, more as a convenience than anything else.

During the day, for the most part, he was quite happy walking around the parks but, as the day wore on, he did get very tired and a lot of the time wanted to be lifted or carried. We got a stroller at the beginning of the second week, one evening when we went to MK for Wishes/Spectro because I knew how tired he was and figured he could relax in the stroller without ruining everyone else's enjoyment of the evening with his moaning and whining.

We also rented a stroller at Epcot when we did World Showcase, again for convenience.

If you think your DD will be happier in a stroller then go ahead and get one for her - it will certainly make your life easier in the long run too

 

[loobylou44]

When we went in 2003, our DD was 7.5 and when she got tired always wanted to ride on DH's shoulders so on one particularly long hot day we hired a stroller it was definitely worth it, so much easier to push a stroller than have a 7.5 on your shoulders!! if we had needed to do it other days we wouldn't have hesitated, anything for an easy stress-free holiday!

 

[irongirlof12]

my DD will be 7 1/2 when we go and she has already asked if she can have a stroller .

She knows that she will get tired quicker than the rest of us and if it makes for an easier time then we will go ahead and get her on as and when needed.

Not only does the sun take it out of them but the late nights as well tend to catch up with them. she knows that she can have a nap as well.

Her carriage awaits

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I don't think there is an age limit - just do what you feel is right for you and your family.

I read a similar thread on the US families board a while back, and couldn't believe the number of people that actually had someone remark to them about their children being too big/old for a stroller - you would think that they would be too busy enjoying themselves to worry about what someone else is doing - wouldn't you??

If it keeps you and your daughter happy and allows you all to have more park time and be less tired - then I say do it - after all you are the ones pushing the stroller around - not them!!

 

[orangetiggs]

last year we saw a girl who was about 12 in a stroller!!

I would say if it helps your holiday then go for it

 

[jns]

I seen a granny in one and the kids pushing her
wish I got a photo

a few weeks before the holidays we start going for walks on our local beach to get us ready for all the walking
it really makes a big different when you are in the parrks

as everyone else said if she is tiring get the stroller

 

[loobylou44]

I'm 45, but only 4ft 10, do you think my DS (16) or DD(14) who are both taller than me now would push me in a stroller in return for all the times i pushed them!!

 

[BoingBoingBaggie]

I hadn't really thought about it too much, but after just asking our 7.5 year old, she is all for having a stroller when she gets tired. This will no doubt help around the parks in September when she gets tired and I will not want to carry her all the time.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Thank you all for your lovely comments. They made me smile!

I think I will see how she goes but if she is flagging I might just go for it sometimes.

I really appreciate all your answers!

 

[barnaby1]

I suspect I am a bit of a lone voice on this but my dd is now 3 (will be about 3.75 on next trip) and I am looking forward to going without a stroller. Have started doing other holidays without one and I find it so liberating!!! I despise lugging it around (always travel fairly light anyway). We don't go in the hot weather which may alter my thoughts on the matter. Our plan is to go without and if need be buy one of the super cheapy umbrellas from somewhere and leave it behind when we leave. Of course I may be completely wrong and will have to eat my words with a full side salad attached.

 

[wideeyes]

I considered using one for my DD on our first trip(age5) however she wouldn't use one as she said she was to big so I will see how she goes. When my DD got tired we stopped for a drink or watched a show, so also depends on your touring style as if you want to be on the go all the time, a buggy may be more useful.