How old is too old for a stroller?

[worm761]

We don't use a stroller for DD3 now. She can walk just fine. I never used a stroller for DS. I started taking him at the age of 5. He hadn't been in a stroller in years. I start making everyone go on family walks to build up endurance so they can walk the trip. DD can currently walk 3 miles with no stopping before needing a break. That is pretty good for a 3 year old.

 

[123LuckyMom]

We just went with DS 4.5 and DD 11 months. We took a double stroller and used it constantly. We'll probably take our next trip in three years, so DD will be 4 and DS will be 7.5. We'll probably bring the stroller again. My expectation would be that the stroller will be empty much of the time but available for rest, speedy travel, or zonking out at night on the way back to the hotel. On the trip after that, no stroller. Only you know your kids. I don't think it's necessary for Disney to be a test of endurance. If you think the stroller will make your trip better, take it!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Yeah, I would put you in the "crazy" camp. I would make it clear ahead of time, that whining indicates a tired child who needs to go back to the room for a nap. Then, follow up if you hear any whining.

P.S. It would also be nice if you prepared your child by taking him for walks prior to the vacation, so he builds stamina. In fact, it would benefit the entire family.

 

[delilah]

I quit renting strollers after the trip where we used it more for pushing "stuff" around, and, would forget where we parked it. Once we wandered all the way from Buzz Lightyear ride to Haunted Mansion, then, had to trek back to find the stroller. I think my son was about 5.

 

[tms295psu]

We used a double last year for our 1 & 4 yr olds. Our 4 yr old walked most of the time an we had our backpacked in the empty seat, but our 4 yr did pass out on the way home from te park in the stroller. Next trip I plan to take our "tank" travel system stroller, if a short break is needed I can recline the seat flat and they can both sit in on laps.

 

[AllieV]

HA, I was wondering the same myself. My 5 yr old stopped using strollers when he was 18 months old. Just flat out refused. When he was 3-1/2 we rented a stroller for Disney thinking he might want it. Nope, it just held my bag the whole time. We actually forgot it a few times after we left rides and had to run around to figure out where we left it hours earlier. So now he's 5 and I'm actually considering renting one again in case he gets super tired. Hubby told me I was crazy. I think if it makes your (or the kid's) life easier, go for it.

 

[RachaelA]

One more vote for yes to the crazy question.

I totally get how that can be your gut reaction though. I have a whiny 9 year old (now) myself, and I thought many times that it would be so much easier for me to let her ride in a stroller at Disney until she's 12! But then I remembered that parenting isn't about making the choices that are easier on me...It's about making the best choices for my children. And allowing her to whine so much that it would negatively impact our vacation just because she wasn't going to be carted around like a princess...Well, that just wasn't OK with me and I needed to teach her that this wasn't OK.

So, early on in our Disney vacationing careers...I made a rule that there were no strollers allowed after age 5. Honestly they were so young when I made this rule that I knew it was mostly for ME, so that I wouldn't give in to the crutch and continue to use one past the time that it is truly not better for my child. The first trip after ds turned 6 and dd was still 5, we only had a single. DS was OK ALMOST the whole time because he knew the rule and that he wasn't allowed a stroller any longer. (we did have to have one discussion and rest time but that wasn't bad on a whole week long trip). The first trip after dd turned 6 yes she was a bit whiny (which was expected - I know my dd) - but as discussed she knew that if she wanted to enjoy the fun she had to do the work with her own legs to get there. It was ALWAYS and option for her to rest in a restaurant with one of the parents OR go back to the room for a rest. Only once the whole trip did she take us up on it - she wanted to go back to the room instead of watching Illuminations because she was so beat. A very smart decision on her part. After that first trip - it has been no problem. Has she gotten tired? YES! We ALL do. But she knows that a rest on a bench or going to see one of the shows to rest a bit are the only options she has.

Believe me - After you set your mind to it - you will see it will work out. I know how scary it is the first time with a whine-prone child. But setting expectations upfront and establishing rules (for example - if you IMPLY that if she whines that there's a possibility of getting a stroller - then whining will likely occur...If you imply that whining will bring about returnign to the room....then it might not).

Dinnertimes would also always be so much easier on ME if I ordered pizza every night...But that too isn't best for my dd so I don't take the easy road on that one either.

Best of luck with your decision and your trip.

I love this post and need to remember this especially as DD gets older.

The big thing I took out of it is that the only thing you are teaching your child when you do what is easy for YOU because YOU don't want to listen to them complain is that Mom and Dad will cave so all I need to do is keep whining.

That being said OP, my brother and SIL stopped using a stroller with my niece when she was 4 and she's 7 now and I know she sure as heck would not be caught dead in a stroller!

 

[maxiesmom]

The big thing I took out of it is that the only thing you are teaching your child when you do what is easy for YOU because YOU don't want to listen to them complain is that Mom and Dad will cave so all I need to do is keep whining.

As an over-all life lesson, I would agree. Would caving in just at WDW set up a child for a lifetime of temper tantrums and whining? No.

Not every family vacations the same. Some families would refuse to split up, as they are on a family vacation and stay together, so one parent leaving with a child wouldn't be an option. And taking everyone back because one child is tired would be over-kill. Some families are at WDW for a very short time, so they want to cram in as much as they can, and a stroller helps them to do that.

Some families are more relaxed, and taking one child back to the resort for a break is no big deal. Or walking at a slower pace is fine with everyone. Some families like sitting on a bench eating ice cream to recharge.

What works like a charm for one family may be a disaster for another. We are all not the same. And without knowing the OP none of us can say what would work best for her or her family. I do know she asked! And all we can do is tell her what works for ours. But I don't like the posts that seem to say Do It My Way or You Are A Bad Parent. That is not nice and not fair.

 

[bdcp]

I'm a horrible mother (LOL). My boys were out of strollers completely by 2.5 and when we did Disney the first time, they were 3.5 and 5.5 and they walked all of the parks (3 at the time, AK wasn't built yet-it was 1989). DH carried youngest DS on his shoulders a couple of times for a few minutes, but that was it. And, yes, it's a life lesson. At 7 there's no way I would have given into the whining. She's got your number. She's more than old enough to understand behavior and consequences, so use it.

BTW, a normal 8 year old has a lot more endurance than their parents. Not sure why adults think kids have less. When I was a kid I could run around the neighborhood all day long, but my parents sure couldn't and they were young when they had us.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

We have a 9 and 3 year old, although we no longer use a stroller on any other day I think disney is very different, we rented one last trip and it was perfect! not to mention I fill up the stroller with snacks drinks and spare clothes.... Those considering getting a stroller should just get one, don't ask, it's your vacation come on doesn't everyone get to that point in the day where they wished they could jump in the stroller too!

 

[Disneylover99]

I've already replied, but I've been reading through this thread again and realized that while some people have responded to the question "Am I crazy?" Nobody has actually answered your question, "How old is too old for a Stroller?" Yes, I realize that some posters have said to do what is right for your family and I respectfully agree.

But to answer your first question....here is my cut and dry opinion based on age.

Six and under is perfectly okay for a stroller. Seven and older is too old (and hard to push because I've done it and realized I shouldn't have)!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We stopped using strollers as early as we could get away with it. In fact, we never brought our own, we rented from Disney (back in 2002, before prices went insane). Our 2 year old rode, our 5 year old walked (except for once or twice). By the time our youngest was 6, we did not need a stroller (although a cast member let us have one for free at Animal Kingdom one day).

This, of course, is just my opinion. I feel strollers are bulky, get in the way, are hard to travel with, etc.

 

[smallblackstars]

I will admit it - I rented a stroller last year for my 7 year old. I couldn't deal with the whining. I considered it again for a brief moment for my now 8 year old for our upcoming trip. Am I crazy?

If it works for you then go for it! Your holiday is well earned and time for you to enjoy as much as possible before getting thrust back into reality. When I am on holiday I do everything I can to make it as stress free and enjoyable for everyone as possible. If, for you, that means renting a stroller for your 8 year old then so be it, it is your money and your holiday, you shouldn't care what others think.

 

[rainynight]

When they start walking they are too old. No wonder childhood obesity is out of control.

 

[rainynight]

We don't use a stroller for DD3 now. She can walk just fine. I never used a stroller for DS. I started taking him at the age of 5. He hadn't been in a stroller in years. I start making everyone go on family walks to build up endurance so they can walk the trip. DD can currently walk 3 miles with no stopping before needing a break. That is pretty good for a 3 year old.

Ditto this. Our son walked over 2 miles before tiring at 15 months old. I can't imagine any child past the age of infancy needing a stroller

 

[ktak08]

If it works for you then go for it! Your holiday is well earned and time for you to enjoy as much as possible before getting thrust back into reality. When I am on holiday I do everything I can to make it as stress free and enjoyable for everyone as possible. If, for you, that means renting a stroller for your 8 year old then so be it, it is your money and your holiday, you shouldn't care what others think.

My thoughts exactly! You may get the stink eye from a few, but just remember you will probably never see those people again. Do what YOU need to do to make your trip enjoyable and memorable for your family.

 

[maxiesmom]

When they start walking they are too old. No wonder childhood obesity is out of control.

Using a stroller only at WDW does not make a child obese. You are way over-simplifying. It is possible for a child to walk at WDW and still be obese.

 

[GoldieLocks5]

all depends on the kid, how many breaks you want to take, etc.

my 5yo passed out in our stroller EVERY DAY last year on our trip... he had not been in a stroller in years, let alone slept in one- but Disney is a different story.

My twins were 2.5 and didnt' need the stroller as much as I thought -- so you just never know.

we bring a double + ride on board... so all 3 can ride at one time - but only 2 can really pass out if needed.

 

[Allison]

In my opinion 8 is too old.

 

[princesshaley]

Hi, We use a stroller for my 4 and 6 1/2 year old. We will probably use one for a few years yet. I love having a place to put lunch, we always bring food to save on money. My daughter also loves to wear dresses until she gets too hot, so a change of clothes is also a must. Not to mention my 6 1/2 year old only weighs 34 pounds so she wears out fast. She doesn't complain but walks slower and slower. I may be crazy but after just getting back 2 days ago we will look for a better double stroller to take with us on our next trip. Something easier to push. I think a stroller is easier to take and load things on other then pushing a rolling suitcase or lunchbox around. We have checked our mileage once and we can walk about 10 to 15 miles in a day!