How old is your oldest kid that you put in a stroller?

[lisalonglash]

I'm not going to judge anyone who uses a stroller for their child, no matter the age. What I am going to do is share our experiences.

We went to WDW for the first time last October with our 9yo and 6yo sons. We were with a group of extended family (my in-laws), which included two of our nephews - almost 8yo and turned 5yo while we were at WDW.

It should be noted that:
~ none of the children in our group has any medical issues that would necessitate a stroller
~ we were in the parks nine days out of ten and spent an average of nine hours straight touring and enjoying the attractions/shows/food

Here's what we did:
~ a few months before we went to WDW, I made a point of going for frequent walks with my boys - walks that got progressively longer each time. We enjoy our regular walks, but I knew that WDW involved much more walking than during regular life, so we all built up a much better walking endurance level (and, consequently, enjoyed each other's company for longer stretches of time during our walks!)
~ we did not use a stroller and my boys would have been quite unimpressed if we'd offered to get one LOL

Here's what the in-laws did:
~ no preparation whatsoever
~ they rented a double stroller from WDW and my almost 8yo and newly 5yo nephews basically stayed in that stroller for the duration of each park day (of their own volition, nobody forced them to stay in there)

BTW, our nephews did ask my boys if they wanted to sit in the stroller periodically - my boys said thanks, but they were having too much fun to sit down LOL

Now, it could well have just been a coincidence that we did some pre-trip walking preparation and didn't need or want a stroller, while they did not do any walking preparation and needed and wanted a stroller - who knows?

I just thought I'd share, do with it what you will!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Well no I put those icon b/c I know I give my opinion and someone like you will come along and bash my opinion, so you are the one starting not me.
And yes it does bother me to see very unhappy children at WDW b/c teh parents want to stay at the park and the children don't....I have hear that conversation at WDW so many times.

 

[d1gitman]

We have been using double strollers for our boys. Last year they were DS7 & DS3. While DS7 has been out of a stroller at home for a few years, Disney is a different situation altogether. We will likely go to a single stroller on our next trip as our oldest will be almost 9 and likely able to keep pace and not need a stroller. We are not commando tourists so that helps too.

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

I have a 6 year old who hasn't ridden in a stroller in 3 years. That's too old for a stroller, right? But at Disney, is it too old for a stroller? That's a lot of walking.

I think it depends entirely on the child.

IMHO, if your child is too big to actually fit in the stroller, he (or she) is probably too old for it. If that's the case, a wheelchair might be a preferable option (and will attract a lot less negative attention).

 

[momto2greatkids]

We were there June 2008. My kids DS was 8 and DD was 5. DD rode in a stroller, which is something that she hasn't done at home since she was little. I am so glad that we brought it. She enjoyed riding in it and when she wanted out, we used it to carry our cameras, bags, etc. DS sometimes sat in it when he was tired. I saw bunches of kids in strollers even though they normally may not have rode in one. WDW is a big place and if a stroller helps you to get from place to place easier, personally I'm all for it.

 

[mousefan1972]

My kids are 5 and 3 and we always take our Maclaren Rally Twin double stroller for them. They haven't used a stroller outside of WDW in years, but in the parks it is a necessity for us.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

The only time our bright Maclaren comes out of storage is when I am getting ready to go to Disney. DS knows it is going close with he sees the stroller in the foyer.

That being said he is SN. He is a runner and so quick! I don't know that I can keep up with how fast he is, but the stroller with the sun shield provides security to me knowing he is safe in his stroller and he pulls the shield down when he needs to escape from the world. I didn't want to bring our stroller for our Sept trip as he can drag his feet but I also don't want to not bring it and need it.

I think we are going to bring the stroller with us and put our things in it. Then if/when DS gets tired we will have it if he needs it.

It doesn't cost anything to bring it and not need it but if we don't have

 

[kimberlyWDW]

Disney is a marathon, not a sprint. Last year my twins were 7 and my youngest was 4. We were at WDW for 10 days. For the first half of the trip we rented a single, just for the 4 year old. The twins were getting really tired about 1/2 way through the trip so we switched to a double at that point. My kids are on the skinny side, so at times all three rode together.

Don't forget to factor in the heat. We went from Maine in the low 50's to Florida in the mid 80's. That takes a toll on little bodies.

I say, when in doubt, get the stroller. It's your vacation too. Are you relaxing and having a good time if your carrying a seven year old or listening to whining?

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

Everytime someone asks the stroller question someone will inevitably step on their soapbox and comment that children over a certain age of blah blah have no business being in a stroller and if they can't walk they should leave the park, blah blah blah.
To that I say if you are spending a bundle of money for your vacation, and your willing to shell out the money for a rental, then it's no ones business what you do with your kids. If they need it and they fit, use them. Just have a great time!

 

[MattDisney]

My youngest is 7. We used a stroller on our last trip (6). We are thinking on our upcoming trip we might try it without one. I don't know how that will go. I really like the security of knowing right where he is at all times. We might try it the first day without one and see how it goes.

 

[buffettgirl]

Everytime someone asks the stroller question someone will inevitably step on their soapbox and comment that children over a certain age of blah blah have no business being in a stroller and if they can't walk they should leave the park, blah blah blah.
To that I say if you are spending a bundle of money for your vacation, and your willing to shell out the money for a rental, then it's no ones business what you do with your kids. If they need it and they fit, use them. Just have a great time!

well said!

 

[dairyqueenmom]

My twins were 6y last trip.

 

[abby616]

Last fall we took both our Maclaren Quest strollers for DD5 and DD3, and needed them. We tried the year before to only use one stroller, but I ended up spending a lot of time carrying a kid. We are going in May and plan on taking both strollers again. Not only is it a lot of walking, but I think think DD6 gets overwhelmed by all the sights, noises, people, etc and uses the stroller for some needed down time. She is by no way lazy, actually quite the opposite. She is small for her age, so she still fits comfortably. I have had people make comments about her being in a stroller. I just jokingly ask them if they would like to carry her around the park for the day. Just do what you think is right for you children. You could always rent a stroller on days when your children are more tired, if you don't want to bring them along too.

 

[ShannonMB]

My DD has been twice, at the ages of 6 and 8. We didn't bring a stroller either time (actually didn't even think about it), and she held up as well if not better than me both times. I think hauling a stroller around (esp on/off the bus) sounds like a nightmare if not totally necessary, but that's just me. Lots of people also look at it as a way to carry stuff, which WOULD be nice.

Just thought I'd mention some pros/cons, and let you know that lots of kids do fine without one, if that's your choice!

Have a GREAT time!!!

 

[ZoZo]

I say do what's most comfortable for you and your family, and don't worry about what anyone thinks.

 

[sandym718]

My DD just turned 5 and we're going in May (DS is almost 7 - no stroller for him). DD hasn't used a stroller in a LONG time, but we're taking one. I have a feeling we'll use it during the day, not at night. We'll be driving to a couple parks, and I can see her getting fussy if she's tired at the point. But honestly, the main reason we're taking it - to not have to carry stuff, LOL!!

 

[karibritt01]

Our last trip DD was almost 5. We did take her stroller, and it was a lifesaver. She would pass out in it every afternoon for about an hour. I would go get some parent swap passes for DH and DS, then go sit in the shade and let her sleep while they rode. There were also many evenings when DS8 would ride in the stroller, and hold DD in his lap. It gave his legs a little break, and let him get a second wind for the nighttime activities.

 

[kadesha]

My almost 6 year old will be riding in a stroller when she gets tired. She hasn't rode in a stroller since she was 2--except for Disney every year.

 

[ksc37]

Every kid is different.

My oldest (now 8) stopped using a stroller at WDW when he was 4, even though he complained about a one mile hike at home . We basically just pushed an empty stroller around the parks, even though we always brought one for him "just in case".

Last year, we didn't take one for my 5 year old son (because he loves long walks at home), but the Florida sun quickly wore him out, and we ended up renting a stroller every day. So, we regretted our decision to not take one.

This year, he's 6, and I'm not sure I want to drag a stroller through the airport, and then on & off the bus all week. I think we'll try to go without, but will have no problem renting a stroller if he gets tired.

When it's so hot, and after hours in the park, the little guys & gals are bound to get more tired than they normally would. So I say "no", 6 years old is not too old for a stroller at Disney.

 

[Halbleib1]

My 4 year old still sits in a stroller if we are going anywhere that requires a lot of walking. A stroller is a must at Disney World.