How old is too old for a stroller?

[Deb & Bill]

Our son used his umbrella stroller when he was 4, but after that, he walked. If he got tired, we just headed back to the villa to swim or take a short nap. We got him refreshed and read to go again. It worked for us.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

That's the key, IMHO, whatever works for you. Using a stroller works for us, especially since we have three with us, the oldest being 7. Now, I don't care who has their kids walking, so I wish other people wouldn't care if I let my kids ride in a stroller. WDW is all about making choices that are right for your individual family, so let's just leave it at that. No more snide remarks about kids being too old for strollers, and I won't make any snide remarks about parents whose kids are too tired from walking and are melting down.

 

[disneyjunkie]

The OP asked WWYD?

So people are posting an answer to her question and stating why. I don't think those of us who said they wouldn't use a stroller for older kids are trying to make snide remarks to those of you that do.

I really don't care what others do on their vacation. If you want to push an older child around in a stroller, more power to you.

For my family it isn't an option. The kids in our family are used to walking so it doesn't bother us at all.

 

[liznboys]

I'd also suggest renting. That's what we did last year (kids were 3.5 and 17 months at that time). Next year our boys will be almost 5.5, almost 3.5 and turning 1. We may rent double strollers at a couple of the parks for the older two (and use our umbrella for the 1 yr old).

Don't worry about what others think. IMO a vacation is just that and kids shouldn't be forced to walk if they are all tired out. Let them rest in a stroller if they need to! Good luck!

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by disneyjunkie
The OP asked WWYD?

So people are posting an answer to her question and stating why. I don't think those of us who said they wouldn't use a stroller for older kids are trying to make snide remarks to those of you that do.

I really don't care what others do on their vacation. If you want to push an older child around in a stroller, more power to you.

For my family it isn't an option. The kids in our family are used to walking so it doesn't bother us at all.

Everyone gets so easily offended wehen you don't fall into their line of thinking. A question was asked. When a couple of people differ from what most think, they are attacked. It is typical & sad. Don't sweat it.

 

[sha_lyn]

Everyone gets so easily offended wehen you don't fall into their line of thinking. A question was asked. When a couple of people differ from what most think, they are attacked. It is typical & sad. Don't sweat it.

Post like your previous one isn't just an example of WWYD, it is offensive. For you 6 might be "too much" but for me it is not. To say they need to hang tough is what is sad in this discussion.

around 5 or so should be the cutoff date. after that, they should be able to walk around by themselves. when you or they get tired, just take a rest. Older than 6 is too much. They need to learn how to hang tough!

 

[phamton]

First let me say, that whatever works for you is fine with me.

I have 5 kids and never used a stroller by the time they were 3 1/2 to 4 years old. My kids were all very active and could go 60 miles an hour all day. Heck, they had more energy than me! My feet and knees would be killing me at WDW while they were still encouraging me to hurry up. We'd spend all day at the parks and then they'd spend most of the evening at the pool. I was ready to crash when we got back but they always wanted to hit the pools. I don't know how they had the energy. I vaguely remember having tons of energy as a child---I do know I'd ride my bike, jump rope, swim, or roller skate for hours as a kid--but that endless energy vanished when I hit my 30's.

I took my kids to Carlsbad Caverns when the oldest was 8, the twins were barely 5 years old, and I was 5 months pregnant with the fourth child. There are no strollers allowed in the caverns and you walk for about 3 hours, downhill all the way. My kids never got tired but I was ready to call for a stretcher to wheel me out.

My 4th child had asthma so, even though we abandoned the stroller by 4 years old, we just went at his pace. As long as his asthma was under control, he had as much stamina as the rest of the kids and walking all day wasn't a problem for him.

My personal preference is that strollers would be used a litle less at Disney because it is hard to walk when I am surrounded by strollers. But really, it is none of my business. Do what you feel comfortable with.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
Post like your previous one isn't just an example of WWYD, it is offensive. For you 6 might be "too much" but for me it is not. To say they need to hang tough is what is sad in this discussion.

you bash & offend on a regular basis. WHat I said was neither. get a clue.

 

[sha_lyn]

I think you need to get a life if you think 6 yr olds need to learn to hang tough. They are kids not mini adults. Funny how according to you my having an opinion different than yours is bashing and offending, but I can't take offense by anything you have said.

 

[Tiffanie]

We brought our 6 year old in November and he used the stroller all the time. There is a lot of walking at Disney and they get tired and want to rest. I would bring your stroller.

 

[Schmeck]

Let's see - how about when they can't manage to fit in the stroller without having their knees in their chins? Or when Mom and/or Dad are breaking out in a sweat pushing Junior around?

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by Schmeck
Let's see - how about when they can't manage to fit in the stroller without having their knees in their chins? Or when Mom and/or Dad are breaking out in a sweat pushing Junior around?

\

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
I think you need to get a life if you think 6 yr olds need to learn to hang tough. They are kids not mini adults. Funny how according to you my having an opinion different than yours is bashing and offending, but I can't take offense by anything you have said.

ummm...there you go again sha_lyn....I think you need a tag that says "does not play well with others".

I am bringing my 13 year old cousin this time. He gets tired sometimes, so I think I'll rent a stroller for him. It's nobody's business anyway.

 

[sha_lyn]

ummm...there you go again sha_lyn....I think you need a tag that says "does not play well with others".

I think all one has to do is look at the thread on child harnesses that you caused to get locked to see who does not play well with others.

Your showing your typical behavior however, I use your own tatics agaisnt you and you accuse me of not playing well or bashing and offending. Hello pot, it's the kettle talking.

 

[C.Ann]

Let's just say I'm over 50 and if someone would be willing to push me in a stroller through WDW I would be SOOOOOO happy - LOL..

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by wdwdvcdad
around 5 or so should be the cutoff date. after that, they should be able to walk around by themselves. when you or they get tired, just take a rest. Older than 6 is too much. They need to learn how to hang tough!

--------------------

Are you an ex-Marine by any chance?

A very unusual way to phrase what a 6 year old should or shouldn't be capable of doing and I immediately thought of the military.. My DH is an ex-Marine and also had some odd thoughts about such things until he finally realized that these were kids, not mini recruits..

 

[robertsmom]

Originally posted by C.Ann
--------------------

Are you an ex-Marine by any chance?

A very unusual way to phrase what a 6 year old should or shouldn't be capable of doing and I immediately thought of the military.. My DH is an ex-Marine and also had some odd thoughts about such things until he finally realized that these were kids, not mini recruits..

My thoughts exactly C. Ann!

 

[marcyinPA]

BRING THE STROLLER FOR HIM!!! We just got back from our trip this past Sunday. My ds turned 5 on Monday. He used a stroller all week. Granted, he is on the small side (barely 40 lbs and just hit 40") so he fit in the stroller well. He would have NEVER made it the whole day without a stroller to ride in. He did walk some, but he rode to and from the busses, and sat in the stroller for parades, fireworks and whatnot. I saw plenty of parents trying to do it without a stroller, carrying their hot, sweaty and tired children through the park, to the bus, etc. Looked pretty exhausting to me!!

We opted to bring our own small non-reclining $20 cheapie stroller rather than rent one. Besides wanting it for the airport and back to the resort from the bus stop, I wanted to save money to spend on other stuff while we were down there.

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
I think all one has to do is look at the thread on child harnesses that you caused to get locked to see who does not play well with others.

Your showing your typical behavior however, I use your own tatics agaisnt you and you accuse me of not playing well or bashing and offending. Hello pot, it's the kettle talking.

Hmmmm...let's see. People ask a question. I give a polite response. People feel attacked because they disagree with me response. They start insulting. I respond to their rudeness. I'm at fault? Think again, sweatheart. You are constantly rude to people on these boards that disagree with you (usually the people who actually make sense). But, because you try to cover it in pixie dust, it is all light & sweetness. Don't worry, many see through it.

To all of the delicate flowers who were wilted about the "hang tough" line. For the love of Walt. Lighten up. It was a joke for Pete's sake. You all take yourselve waaay too seriously. In our home, 5 is the cutoff age for the stroller. Older than that, they walk.when they are tired, we rest. no biggie.

& no, I am not a marine. It is not an unusual phrase. I have a "no whining rule" I try to teach my kids. If something is wrong, we deal with it immediately (hot, tired, thirsty), but I'm not going to deal with whining & complaining. Then it is nap time. Look around the next time in WDW. The kids who would whine & complain about walking are usually the ones who are whining & complaining about something while they are in the stroller. But, the stroller is far better than the dog leashes Sha_lyn loves (as long as the kids are under 6....after than, they need to learn to hang tough).

 

[sha_lyn]

wdwdvcdad ... I think you missed a dose or 2 of your meds.
Calling parents names and insisting they are using dog leashes on their children is not a polite response.

But, the stroller is far better than the dog leashes Sha_lyn loves

you need to step into reality. I don't love dog leashes. Don't hate them either, and I don't use them on children. I have however used a child harness when needed.