How old is too old for a stroller?

[KelleyGirl]

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.

That is hysterical!! I could see our family doing this!

 

[Janepod]

No chance. Way too old to be in a stroller under any circumstances.

If he doesn't have the stamina, put him on the treadmill half an hour a day before the trip.

In our family, whining kids get time outs/sent to their rooms. They don't get chauffeured around an amusement park.

Time to buy Chinese war bonds.

 

[evabraniff]

It depends on your kids. My dd was 7 last year, and she did fine, my ds was 18 months and WDW rented a stroller from Orlando stroller for the week. We loved that stroller so much that we sold ours when we got home and bought one (city mini). I told my daughter it is a lot of walking but we took drink breaks and rested when she got tired. This year, were going to try and find room in my tiny car for the stroller for ds, who is now 2 1/2, but I'd never rent one for dd.

 

[maxiesmom]

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

You do realize that the World Showcase in Epcot is 1.2 miles, right? So your family would maybe enter Epcot, walk around the showcase once, then leave? I guess if that works for you, great. But for many people that would be a huge waste of a vacation.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

You do realize that the World Showcase in Epcot is 1.2 miles, right? So your family would maybe enter Epcot, walk around the showcase once, then leave? I guess if that works for you, great. But for many people that would be a huge waste of a vacation.

Yeah, but since when do you enter the park, do a lap around World Showcase, and then leave? You stop and see shows, go on rides, have a snack, and so forth. You might end up making two circuits of the lake--maybe--throughout the course of several hours. At age 5, my kids had no trouble going from rope drop to fireworks at Epcot, without a stroller. Of course, we aren't "commando" tourists, we went at a fairly leisurely pace.

 

[VandVsmom]

I think we stopped using strollers when DDs were 4 and 6. The younger one was the same size as the older one and it was all I could push around - each was probably 45 to 50 pounds. DH never liked pushing them around because it put his back in a bad spot for him and made it ache. It was SO liberating to ditch the stroller. I was nervous at first but could not see going back. I just asked them now what they would think if we had one (DDs are 9 and 11) - DD9 said "no way" and DD11 said "are you serious? well I might like the break but reallly can't see myself doing it."

What I was worried about was not haivng the stroller to carry the stuff. Turns out, I just brought less stuff. So much I brought were those "just in case" things and I have not been burned on that yet.

With that said, I would not tell anyone what is right for their family. I can't promise my DDs won't give puzzled looks though.

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I'm not sure there is a set age on when is too old. Every child is different. You could have a very petite 9 year old who would be more comfortable in a stroller and there is nothing wrong with that. Conversely, you could have a 5 year old who won't go in a stroller and that is fine too. We just recently came back from our DW trip and my son who turned 7 while on our trip along with our 4 year old used a double stroller. It worked out great because we did miles/day of walking and I'm glad they had the stroller or they would have been exhausted. For our next trip both my kids are using the double stroller again. I think for us the cut off age is 8. Again, each child is different with how much they could walk, how big they are to be able to fit comfortably in the stroller, etc.

 

[Wendy31]

The first time we went, DD & older DS were 5 & 3, & we brought 2 Chicco umbrella strollers, & we used them the majority of the time probably. But there was also a lot of times that we parked the stroller (like in Fantasyland) & did all the rides before we went back & got the strollers.

The next year, they were 6 & 4, & we ended up leaving them at the resort after the 1st day - they just didn't need them. I think we might have also taken them w/ us on our EPCOT day since it's a big park w/ a lot of walking.

Younger DS has been to WDW when he was 11 months, 2 years, & 3 years. So far, we've used an umbrella stroller for all 3 trips. (One of the same Chicco strollers from our bigger kids' stroller days - the Chicco strollers are really durable! )

However, last year, he didn't use the stroller all the time, & we parked it several times while he walked (like in the different lands in the MK, between The Land & Living w/ the Seas at EPCOT, etc.). And there were many times, he preferred walking to riding, & DH or I pushed an empty stroller.

This year, we'll take it w/ us (he'll be 4), & I foresee us using it even less.

I do like having the stroller as a place of "storage" for all the extra stuff - water bottles, autograph books, maps, clear bag w/ a couple of diapers & wipes, etc. I also loop my bag over the handles rather than carry it when we're pushing the stroller as well.

So I'll miss that aspect of a stroller... like the PP, though, I'll just carry less stuff!

What I will NOT miss is pushing a stroller through the crowds!! You can get through the parks so much easier & faster w/o a stroller - especially after the fireworks shows! And weaving around & dodging people who jump in front of your stroller is the pits!

Last year, for Fantasmic, we actually took the stroller back to the van, so we wouldn't have to hunt for our stroller in the masses of people after Fantasmic. We were able to get out of the crowds so much quicker w/o the dang stroller!

In busy crowds or masses of people (like after the fireworks shows), DH just puts younger DS on his shoulders.

So, yes, younger children probably need strollers, & it's nice to have a stroller for the extra storage. But I would say most children over 5 can handle the walking just fine. You might miss the storage you gain w/ a stroller, but, trust me - you will NOT miss finagling a stroller through the crowds!

Oh, & on the buses too - strollers are a pain!

Another note - While WDW might be a lot of walking, it's not really a of sustained walking. You walk from place to place &, then once you get to wherever you're going, you either stand or sit.

So, yes, at the end of the day, your feet are sore, but it's not really marathon walking or anything.

 

[Planogirl]

Everyone gets tired at a themepark! If 8 or 9 years old is OK then where do you draw the line?

DS quit using a stroller when he was about 5. He was always very energetic though and really didn't need one most of the time even earlier. I do realize that some kids have less stamina but my idea of vacation isn't pushing around a heavy stroller.

 

[Lisaren]

My SIL still takes a stroller and her son is eight. She takes it to carry stuff not child. Works for her, but I will not be doing the same. If we can't carry it, it is not going.

 

[Luvchefmic]

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.

Good for you ( bolded part my reference) and her future husband will have a partner and not a princess on his hands and thank you (this made me think of my SIL the princess)

 

[maxiesmom]

Everyone gets tired at a themepark! If 8 or 9 years old is OK then where do you draw the line?

DS quit using a stroller when he was about 5. He was always very energetic though and really didn't need one most of the time even earlier. I do realize that some kids have less stamina but my idea of vacation isn't pushing around a heavy stroller.

Everyone gets to draw the line for their own family. Would I push a 9 yr old in a stroller? Normally no. But if another family chooses to that is their business. Outside of asking for input on a message board.

 

[Planogirl]

Everyone gets to draw the line for their own family. Would I push a 9 yr old in a stroller? Normally no. But if another family chooses to that is their business. Outside of asking for input on a message board.

Which is of course why I asked the question.

 

[akhenaten]

Yeah, but since when do you enter the park, do a lap around World Showcase, and then leave? You stop and see shows, go on rides, have a snack, and so forth. You might end up making two circuits of the lake--maybe--throughout the course of several hours. At age 5, my kids had no trouble going from rope drop to fireworks at Epcot, without a stroller. Of course, we aren't "commando" tourists, we went at a fairly leisurely pace.

8 is way too old.... I agree my kids probably had strollers up til 3-4 after that we all walked.

My small ,just turned 9 year old , dd did the mk from rope drop to kiss goodnight ...no stroller. We do not rush around the parks but we do long hours...lol
Never had to have kids train for wdw... Their year round sports ,outside play was plenty.

 

[Badger Brent]

We didn't take our kids until they were out of the stroller faze. They were 5 and 7 then. If your a commando running nut, your only option may be the stroller. We always have done the parks at a slow pace, don't burn your kids out running all over the parks! I say no stroller, suck it up....that's for our family though.

 

[CdnCarrie]

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

Kids start walking under the age of 1. Are you really saying a 11 month old is too old for a stroller.

My kids refused the stroller around age 4-5.

 

[Chrislyn11]

OP--you may want to ask for this thread to get closed, before it turns very ugly! And when this subject is brought up, it usually gets ugly pretty quickly! Some will say they push their 12 year olds around in strollers, and some will say you are a horrible parent if a child over 3 is in one. Do what you think is best for your family.

HAHA you may be right - I had no idea it was such a heated topic. I actually could not find other threads on this when I posted but I'm not exactly experienced on here. Lesson learned. Honestly though, I appreciate (most) comments.

 

[Chrislyn11]

You can get through the parks so much easier & faster w/o a stroller - especially after the fireworks shows! And weaving around & dodging people who jump in front of your stroller is the pits!

good point!!

 

[sherilaine]

Sorry - wrong thread - ignore.

 

[Chrislyn11]

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.

Thank you