Need advice: My 2 year old refuses to sit in stroller

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Within the past few months, my DS2 has started the phase of not wanting to sit in his stroller and now that we are getting closer to our trip I am starting to get more concerned that this is going to be a major issue while at WDW. Before he started this phase, he loved being in his stroller. He would even pass up opportunities to play at the park or at the indoor play areas in the malls because he just wanted to stay in his stroller Now we are experiencing the extreme opposite! He kicks, cries, and tries to wiggle out and take apart the seat belt straps when we sit him in the stroller. I know some people may suggest trying to use a harness as an alternative, but he refuses to keep one of those on as well. Are we doomed to walk at snail pace hand in hand with our two year in the parks and only get three attractions done every day Our primary concern of course is his safety and not just the pace at which we get through the parks. Does anyone have any creative suggestions? Thanks

 

[mickeyME2]

When my boys were going though that we got a sit and stand stroller just for Disney! I wish we would have been able to find a "stand stroller". They sat when they were tired and wanted to sit, otherwise they stood on the back part and they didn't trail too far behind. I would suggest getting a used one as the new ones are really expensive. Good luck! I have been there. We did a lot of shoulder rides too.

 

[LuLuO]

If he's anything like my DS2 when he doesn't want to sit in the stroller, and you force the issue, he has a major meltdown and makes us all miserable and there isn't any kind of creative parenting that will get him to be happy in there.

Maybe you or DH can hang back with him and let the older kids move at a faster pace and then switch off so both you and DH get a turn with the bigger kids. Though you may find that in a place as big as WDW with so many people, he may want to sit in the stroller again.

Would he think that riding in a WDW stroller is a neat thing? It's different than the usual strollers used at home. You could tell him it's his magic WDW car.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Thank you for the replies. We do have a Sit N Stand but I never considered using it for WDW Also, when we did use it, it was always our 4 year old or one of our older kids that sat in the bench seat of the stroller or used the standing platform. It never crossed my mind to try to have my now stroller resistant 2 year old sit in the bench part and just let DD4 sit in the regular seat when needed (thankfully she can still fit in that part of the stroller if we remove the snack tray). The stroller we have been using with DS2 is a Maclaren Triumph which we were looking forward to bringing because it is easy to maneuver, lightweight yet sturdy, and DS2 was always comfortable in it and napped easily in it. We will just bring that along anyway to have on hand if needed.

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would let him walk for the first few hours. Yes it will drag a bit the family but that's what vacation is all about. My girls are the same way and haven't used a stroller sincethe age of 2. They will be 5 next month but in May we went to Disney with a stroller. We left the stroller at our room in the morning and the girls managed 1/2 day of walking around. We went back for naps and in the evening brought back the stroller because htey would ask for it. I bet it will probably be the same with your son. His little feet will get tired and he will need that stroller and I bet you won't hear him complain about sitting in it.

 

[of2dbeach]

have you tried putting a stuffed animal in it and letting him push the "baby " around the house? most of the time they are bored just sitting down there looking at heinies! We used are strollers as a fast race car of couse when things werent crowded. but the kids never knew when it would take off really fast so that added to the excitement. putting a book strapped into the stroller or another small toy/ stuffed animal seemed to help mine too. i just told them iI could push them very fast and they get a free ride which makes the bigger kids jealous because they want to ride too! I tried sitting in "Strollie" ( yes youngest named it ) and she laughed and said no mom NO your fat but will break strollie and then I cant use her anymore. oh the horrors she jumped right in and off we went. hope this helps a bit.If i think of any other crazy things we did 5 small kids ago i will post .Oh we also got a rain cover for "strollie" at babies r us. She prob loved that the most and a clip on fan

 

[chris31997]

I had the DS who never liked being in his stroller, so when he was little he was in a sling. But around 2 we got him a critter leash. It was the like a small little bookbag in the shape of a monkey and the tail I could hold onto. The only people I had to watch out for were the people not looking out for little kids

 

[MsPeggySue911]

I would try the little backpack harness as PP suggested. First of all, how exactly does a 2 yr old REFUSE to wear a harness? Unless he is Houdini he can't get it off himself. Just put it on him at home before the trip and get him use to it. If you use one of the backpack ones then he may feel special for having his own little backpack with his books and toys inside.
If it were my 2 yr old I would tell him if you can't stay in the stroller you can't go to Disney. Disney is big and crowded and it is so easy for a little kid that age to get swept away in the crowd. Get in room sitter service if he won't stay in his stroller.

 

[bigal'sdaughter]

HI! On our 1st trip DD (2.5 then) at first refused the stroller. After a mini meltdown getting off the monorail at MK - we convinced her to get in the stroller to walk back to fantasyland - where we parked it and ran around that area for a long time. When it was time to walk over to tomorrowland - she was pooped and when we told her it was a long way - she happily hopped in that stroller! So play it by ear... I promise it will all work out.
Now several trips later at 4.5 she literally can't wait to be pushed around the longer distances... she knows its easier than walking!

 

[ktlm]

My DD (5) refused to get in a stroller from the time she was 12 months old and took her first step. She wouldn't even get in for a second in places that involved a lot of walking like malls or zoos. She took her first trip to WDW at age 2. The minute she saw how big that place was, she jumped in the stroller. The only place she has ever gotten in a stroller since she could walk is WDW, and there she happily jumps in and rides all over the parks. On our WDW trip last December when she was 4, DH contemplated not taking the stroller and she looked at him like he was insane and immediately voiced her protest to leaving it at home (thank goodness we didn't because we would have been sorry). Maybe you will get lucky!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

My DD (5) refused to get in a stroller from the time she was 12 months old and took her first step. She wouldn't even get in for a second in places that involved a lot of walking like malls or zoos. She took her first trip to WDW at age 2. The minute she saw how big that place was, she jumped in the stroller. The only place she has ever gotten in a stroller since she could walk is WDW, and there she happily jumps in and rides all over the parks. On our WDW trip last December when she was 4, DH contemplated not taking the stroller and she looked at him like he was insane and immediately voiced her protest to leaving it at home (thank goodness we didn't because we would have been sorry). Maybe you will get lucky!

This is what we are thinking, maybe the sights of being somewhere he has never seen or been before of that size with that many people will make the stroller look like a very welcome safe haven Thank you everyone for the feedback. In the meantime we are in Disney training...doing some extra walking (the 90+ degree weather and humidity we have been having with higher temps to come has been helping us with our Disney boot camp ) and we are continuing to try to get DS2 more comfortable with being in the stroller. We are going to also dig out the Sit N Stand stroller from the garage and see how he does with that.

 

[smitch425]

We always took an umbrella stroller. It worked out great because they are 2 years apart in age and when one got tired they would switch off. I don't know well your 2 year old communicates, but maybe you could let them pick out a stroller (they're only about $20) and explain to them that you really only ride in it to get from land to land. What I mean is that once you get to Fantasyland, you usually park the stroller and walk to all of the attractions and then when you are ready to head to Adventureland or Tomorrowland you get in the stroller and then park it somwhere else for an hour or two. If you don't think he will use it much, it would probably be better to take something light and compact rather than a huge stroller that takes up a lot of room and that you have to lug around. Good luck with your decision and have a great trip! We will be flying this October and be stroller free for the first time. Woohoo!

Oh...and those kids on a leash drive me crazy. Every trip we've taken I've had a kid run in front of me and then around behind me and I end up getting tangled in the leash. There's nothing like being stuck between a sweaty stranger and a kid who won't listen. Awk--ward!

 

[monorailsilver]

My dd was 15 months old on her first trip.

She hated the stroller most times. I couldn't even go for a walk with her since she screamed after being in it to long.

Our first day at the MK, she had a fit because we put her in the stroller to get to where we wanted to go today & not tomorrow. She didn't like it but then realized "oh I get to go on more rides if I sit." We did park the stroller in Fantasyland & walk from place to place so she did get to walk.

And Epcot she insisted on walking & since we were just doing the countries we let her. When she got tired, she sat.

So he may surprise you and sit for a bit.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Couple different ideas and it so depends on the nature of your child.

1. simply take the stroller and let him know its choice whether to walk or ride but you will not carry him. Might be a pain to push around empty but bet he will give it up at some point.

2.Rent from WDW. kids love those and do not call it a stroller, Its his car.Have one of the bigger kids climb in too.

Decide if he is at risk of getting lost without a lease. If you decide yes, devise a way to keep it on him, let him walk and enjoy the park at his pace.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Couple different ideas and it so depends on the nature of your child.

1. simply take the stroller and let him know its choice whether to walk or ride but you will not carry him. Might be a pain to push around empty but bet he will give it up at some point.

2.Rent from WDW. kids love those and do not call it a stroller, Its his car.Have one of the bigger kids climb in too.Decide if he is at risk of getting lost without a lease. If you decide yes, devise a way to keep it on him, let him walk and enjoy the park at his pace.

I like this idea. Thanks

 

[Mama Who]

For the non-stroller times (and I agree, do take it) have you tried wearing him? There are a number of good carriers that will accommodate a toddler.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

For the non-stroller times (and I agree, do take it) have you tried wearing him? There are a number of good carriers that will accommodate a toddler.

I would consider that except that my 2 year old is about as big as a 4 year old. He is a big boy

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

My twins hate the stroller most of the time, but at Disney they rarely fuss about. Hopefully, you will get lucky too!!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

My twins hate the stroller most of the time, but at Disney they rarely fuss about. Hopefully, you will get lucky too!!

 

[Disney71]

Our kids are not stroller lovers either... they will ride, but they want out to explore after a short stint. Last year was our twins 2nd trip to WDW (they were 26 months old at time)- we did bring a stroller everyday into the parks, but we parked it more than the prior year. I found that like others have said, get to a land - park it, walk around, then retrieve it and stroll to another land. But it was great to have it when they were tired and worn out at the end of the day. Many nights We are planning our next trip and still plan on bringing the double stroller - we know it wont get a ton of use, but IMO still a necessity for the age (they will be just over 3 at time of next visit) for our little ones.