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

[Colleen27]

Wow, that's harsh. Just b/c I use a stroller does not mean that my kid is obese. Mine is actually very small for her age (5 1/2 and just broke 40 lbs) I think her size leads to her tiring more easily.

I think that is so true. My DD7 is my kid who tires easily, and I do think it is because she's so tiny. DS11 has always been a big kid and has never had a problem walking and keeping up, but DD is as big at 7.5 as he was at 4 and she just wears out more quickly. She's pretty athletic and happy to "train" for Disney, so we haven't ended up needing a stroller for her, but she definitely needs that practice to work her way up to all that walking much more than her brother does.

 

[BLLB]

OP here, and I did want to make it clear that I'm not judging anyone for using a stroller for an older kid! That's a LOT of walking. I want a stroller for ME!! I am just trying to decide how many strollers to bring and if we want to deal with all the hassle of strollers on Disney buses.

We haven't had a stroller for our last 2 trips. We brought one when our youngest DS was nearly 3 years old but he just didn't want to ride in one when his brother and cousins were walking. We, DH and I, are happy not to have to cart the stroller around. However, I will say it is nice to have the storage underneath the stroller.

We take an afternoon break and usually don't return to the parks until after dinner so that helps with rest time.

In my opinion, it has very little to do with the age of the child and more to do with how will the child (and family) best enjoy the vacation.

 

[Maroon]

They are a pain to get on and off the buses.

 

[krise]

I thought about renting one. I have a 9 and 5 yr old. Mainly for my 5yr old. He's very active and I don't think it's something I'm goign to get after all. If we need to take a break we will. If we have too, I can always get one.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

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[defendthehill]

I have three daughters ages 7, 5 and 3 when we hit WDW in June. I will have a double stroller when we are there that I got through a Swap on the Budget thread. At home my 7 and 5 year old never ride in a stroller. However, I see only the benefits of having one available while at Disney. My three year old will use it often. She is small.....less than 40" which rules out some rides for her. My other girls will at first refuse to ride....which is fine. As they get tired...I bet they will fight for the second seat;-)

 

[defendthehill]

Adults are overweight because they sit on the computer all day and argue about stuff that doesn't really matter.

Kids are overweight from too much junk food and too much time sitting in front of the TV and video games, not from being pushed around in a stroller for a week on vacation.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

It so infuriates me when ignorant people make blanket statements about the health of "our" children when we're talking about a vacation, not a life choice. I'm sure the mods will shut down this thread soon. To the OP I apologize for some of the rude responses you are getting. Try to ignore them, as Disney is about fun and family. Not about mean spirited assumptions.

 

[pianoronni37]

DH and I were commenting on a woman pushing an obviously unhappy older child (at least 8 years old) whose limbs were hanging all out of a stroller in the mall - that seems a bit unnecessary, unless she would be willing to get a bigger stroller! The poor kid just looked humiliated!

However, at Disney, I say any age is a good age for a stroller!! The heat, the excitement, the mileage - it all adds up for people of all ages!!

Geesh, if they made one big enough for grownups, DH and I would switch back and forth all day pushing each other - Disney can be exhausting!!!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Kids are overweight from too much junk food and too much time sitting in front of the TV and video games, not from being pushed around in a stroller for a week on vacation.

No, kids are overweight and poorly conditioned because their parents are the same, and because their parents coddle them. Children (assuming no special needs) will be just fine walking around WDW as long as they are active and walk in their daily lives. If they do not, even a stroller won't be enough.

Seriously, it is none of my business, but the OP asked. Put your 18 year old in a stroller if it pleases you...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

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[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

LOL - my opinion isn't allowed?

Your opinion is allowed, as is mine.

 

[catne]

The oldest kid I ever put in a stroller at WDW was 4. And most of the time our "stuff" was in the stroller, not her. We had 4 kids with us that trip and terrible weather - killer heat then rainy/cold then killer heat & humidity every day so we had change of shoes, bags, jackets/rain ponchos, water, snacks, etc. Was more like a camping expedition, lol. Don't miss those days of carrying junk for a family of 6! We travel much lighter now. But back then, DD was really disgusted with the idea of riding in a "baby" stroller - she was always quite athletic (and skinny!) so she wanted to walk virtually everywhere. The main time she rode was when we were needing to go way too fast for her to keep up...next youngest kid was almost 6 years older, so the rest of us could go way too fast for her. And we about had to insist that she HAD to ride...she didn't want to. Except at the end of the day: Then she was glad traveling in the crowds to be "protected" in the stroller.

Course there was the time she & I went to ride Dumbo...when we rejoined DH, DS(9) was sitting in the stroller. He said he needed a chair & shade. But he never actually rode in it.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

The oldest kid I ever put in a stroller at WDW was 4. And most of the time our "stuff" was in the stroller, not her. We had 4 kids with us that trip and terrible weather - killer heat then rainy/cold then killer heat & humidity every day so we had change of shoes, bags, jackets/rain ponchos, water, snacks, etc. Was more like a camping expedition, lol. Don't miss those days of carrying junk for a family of 6! We travel much lighter now. But back then, DD was really disgusted with the idea of riding in a "baby" stroller - she was always quite athletic (and skinny!) so she wanted to walk virtually everywhere. The main time she rode was when we were needing to go way too fast for her to keep up...next youngest kid was almost 6 years older, so the rest of us could go way too fast for her. And we about had to insist that she HAD to ride...she didn't want to. Except at the end of the day: Then she was glad traveling in the crowds to be "protected" in the stroller.

Course there was the time she & I went to ride Dumbo...when we rejoined DH, DS(9) was sitting in the stroller. He said he needed a chair & shade. But he never actually rode in it.

It's funny you say that about the "stuff". I think I miss the stroller the most because we're stuck carrying all the crap we bring with us and buy inside. Lol

 

[2disneyboys]

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!

I love this response. I've only been on the DIS a few months and already can see a title that I think... oh no.. I agree with poster I jsut quoted... When it comes down to it, its your vacation, and your money and your kids. you are the one that either has to carry a tired child, or push an empty stroller, or whatever it turns out. Do what you feel it right and you don't have to justify it to anyone. If you can bring one & then if you need it, use it. If not, Park it somewhere and go back and get it later or just leave it in the hotel room or car or whatever

FWIW, my 6yr is VERY SMALL for his age (but has no medical problems (thank you God) and therefore, his stride is not as big as the rest of ours, so he does get tired a lot quicker then we do.. and I"m not even TALKING about @ Disney, I'm talking about other places (we hike all the time) DH & I were joking last night that we'll have to really watch DS6 to make sure he does not jump into an empty stroller somewhere for a break. he is known as the stroller snatcher in our family ~ when we go somewhere w/ my sisters who both have younger children (2 and 3) and if one of those girls get out of their seat my DS6 jumps right in.. and does not even care that the strollers are pink!!! Also, my DS6 is not even overweight much less obese... he's a 6 year old who weighs 34 pounds and is very active ... tae kwon do, spring & fall soccer, swimming, hiking, bike riding, roller skating etc. however, DISNEY is not the same as home... why should DH, I, and DS8 have to go back to the room for a break because DS6 is tired from walking? I'd never drag a miersable child anywhere, however, if he's happy to take the occasional break in a stroller so the rest of the family can continue to enjoy themselves... who does that hurt?

Just ENJOY your vacation and your Family and do what it takes to ensure you all have a wonderful trip.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

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[DisneyBamaFan]

It's funny you say that about the "stuff". I think I miss the stroller the most because we're stuck carrying all the crap we bring with us and buy inside. Lol

Agree 100%. It was much easier with the stroller than carrying a backpack...

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Since he is six can you use the stroller some of the time. Ie if you go to the resort midday then to an evening park he may not need the stroller for the evening park. We did this the last year my daughter was in the stroller. Just used it park of the time. The stroller has benefits, but stroller less has it's benefits too.

 

[bwilcox]

No, kids are overweight and poorly conditioned because their parents are the same, and because their parents coddle them. Children (assuming no special needs) will be just fine walking around WDW as long as they are active and walk in their daily lives. If they do not, even a stroller won't be enough.

Seriously, it is none of my business, but the OP asked. Put your 18 year old in a stroller if it pleases you...

I guess I should tell my 2 and 3 year olds to suck it up and walk the several miles each day of our 7 day vacation this summer. I would hate to "coddle" them and come home with obese children.

 

[I'mAlittleBitGoofy]

You didn't offer an opinion in that post. You made it personal...

I aplogize. I deleted it. Sorry.