need advice regarding strollers and *older* (7) kids?

[jenniferma]

Please don't flame me, but I have a serious question. My DD6 will be a tall 7 when we go on our next trip in November (I state the tall part because she will not fit in a normal double stroller).

We have two other DDs-- ages 20 months and five. We are planning on bringing our double stroller.

Here is my dilemma-- my DD6 is not what you would call a *trooper* when it comes to heat, walking and stamina! DH thinks this is not a big deal, but I think we should plan on worst case scenario and us having to rent a stroller.

Have you had to do the same for your 6-7 year old? I know it seems crazy to have a child in a stroller-- but I know she is going to WHINE.

thanks in advance for your advice--
jen

 

[DiznEeyore]

I think it's ridiculous that people judge others for using strollers for older kids at WDW. It's not like you're wheeling your kid around the mall or the local zoo. WDW is a lot of walking for anyone, let alone a kiddo with little legs. Heck, there are days I wish I had a stroller for ME, LOL!!

Putting your child in a stroller (especially if it's only when they grow tired enough to get cranky) on a walking-intensive vacation has no effect or impact on anyone else's enjoyment of the parks (and it certainly isn't going to doom your child to obesity or laziness forever, as some might try to imply), so what's the harm? I say do what you need to do to keep everyone in your group happy while touring.

Have a great trip!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I never put a 7 year old in a stroller. I never had a day where my 7 year old could not walk as much as I could. They usually had more energy and stamina than I, even in theme/amusement parks.

Even if they had been too tired to go on but I wasn't ready to call it a day, there is no way I'd have gotten any of them into a stroller at age seven without a major battle. Might as well have asked them to drink from a bottle or suck on a pacifier. No way. I'd have had to have waited for them to pass out or something.

I couldn't care less if you put your kid in a stroller or not, though. If you feel like it and your seven year old is willing to sit in it, have at it!

I can't imagine why anyone else would give a crap, but I know someone will.

 

[goofy4themouse]

I totally understand your dilemma. My oldest is 8 and the youngest is 3. We have gotten a double for our last 2 visits. Do to the new price of the double, we will only be renting a single for our next visit. I even thought about taking our own stroller for 3 year old, but know that the 8 year old wouldn't be able to sit in it. I'm am hoping that they will swap often. The 8 year old is way whinier than the 3 year old. Plus Grandma will be with us this visit and will be using an ECV. I figure one of them will hop rides with her from time to time.

So maybe you could play it by ear. Don't start out with a stroller, but be willing to get one if the need arises. I always have a plan for the worst case scenario.
You know your child better than anyone else. I am sure you will take care of her needs before you worry about what others are saying or thinking.

 

[dreamer423]

My 6 yo Loves to "stroll" through" MK. He naps stil and it's the only place we bring/rent one now. It's long day. lotta walking. hot.
hth

 

[disneymom06]

I wouldn't think twice about the stroller if that is what would make everyone's life much easier. I have been in your position and I put my then DS7 in the double stroller with his younger sister. He needed a place to rest and just "be". He does have alot of energy but when he needs to rest, he was glad to have a spot to sit. (So was I!) We don't use a stroller at home but Disney is not home and more walking and heat than usual. Do what makes your life easier. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[photobob]

I want an adult stroller and have my kids push me around!!

 

[Kaler131]

I want an adult stroller and have my kids push me around!!

Sounds good to me! LOL!!!

 

[sylvesterT21]

Please don't flame me, but I have a serious question. My DD6 will be a tall 7 when we go on our next trip in November (I state the tall part because she will not fit in a normal double stroller).

We have two other DDs-- ages 20 months and five. We are planning on bringing our double stroller.

Here is my dilemma-- my DD6 is not what you would call a *trooper* when it comes to heat, walking and stamina! DH thinks this is not a big deal, but I think we should plan on worst case scenario and us having to rent a stroller.

Have you had to do the same for your 6-7 year old? I know it seems crazy to have a child in a stroller-- but I know she is going to WHINE.

thanks in advance for your advice--
jen

I would say ask her if she thinks she'll be able to handle it and if she would want a stroller...If she thinks it's a good idea and you don't mind spending the money, then I would go for it

Or you might want to instead invest in a good pair of sneakers and maybe one of those battery operated spray fans for the heat!

 

[vicki_c]

Our upcoming trip is the first where we don't plan on getting a double stroller and my kids are 6 and 9!!

Do what you think is best for your family and don't worry about anyone else!

 

[Paparazzimama]

We rent a double stroller for our kids (5 and 7) on our Epcot and AK days. Those are the parks that we do the most walking. We usually try to "wear the kids out" in Future World at Epcot, then let them rest in the stroller while DH and I get to leisurely stroll the World Showcase and enjoy all of the countries. In my opinion - happy kids make for happy parents so do what makes them happy while at the World! I know that you get a better daily rate if you rent a stroller for several days instead of just 1 day individually, so don't forget to pay for your entire stay the first time you rent. I think I read that you can even "redeem" your unused days at the end of the trip??? Can someone confirm this for myself and the OP? TIA!

 

[vicki_c]

We rent a double stroller for our kids (5 and 7) on our Epcot and AK days. Those are the parks that we do the most walking. We usually try to "wear the kids out" in Future World at Epcot, then let them rest in the stroller while DH and I get to leisurely stroll the World Showcase and enjoy all of the countries. In my opinion - happy kids make for happy parents so do what makes them happy while at the World! I know that you get a better daily rate if you rent a stroller for several days instead of just 1 day individually, so don't forget to pay for your entire stay the first time you rent. I think I read that you can even "redeem" your unused days at the end of the trip??? Can someone confirm this for myself and the OP? TIA!

I don't think you can get your $$ back for unused days, but you can use the remaining coupons on future trips.

 

[ireland_nicole]

O.K. This is my first time multiquoting, so if I get it wrong, please forgive me!

We have two other DDs-- ages 20 months and five. We are planning on bringing our double stroller.


jen

Jennifer: I wouldn't say that it would be wrong to get a stroller, but I guarantee it would be a pain in the neck to have to deal w/ 2 strollers all the time. Perhaps your eldest could swith w/ your 5 y/o just for a short time if she needed it?

Plus Grandma will be with us this visit and will be using an ECV. I figure one of them will hop rides with her from time to time.

.

Just so ya know, if GM is renting an ECV she will definitely not be allowed to have a child w/ her. I know it doesn't seem like it, but it is really unsafe. A child who shifts even slightly can send an ECV careening into another person, a building, etc. esp. when on high speed. I know the CM's will not allow it. I just want you to know in time to make other plans if you need to.

 

[heath-and-javens-mom]

We rented a double stroller last year in disney after we tryed having them walk the first 2 days--- that was not working LOL (BTW they were 4 and 7)
I say, do what you wanna do...Its your vacation..enjoy it.
Oh and I WILL BE renting a double stroller for my boys, they will be 5 and 8 for our September Trip-- Flame me all you want..If my babies get tired they will have a place to rest..period.

 

[TwoMonkeys]

We're renting a single for our DS (7) when we go next week. He does have muscle/walking issues though and would never make it with all the walking you have to do. You have to do what is best for your child and your family and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. I'm sure you're going to see plenty of "beyond stroller" kids riding around in rentals. You won't be the only ones! Just rent that stroller and enjoy!

 

[pmama]

Last year we rented a double for our 3 and 7 year old. We loved it. It really doesn't look much like a stroller as the kids sit w/ their legs out. My 7 year old had no issue sitting in it. DH and I loved it because it was very handy for getting through big crowds w/o having to hold on to your kids w/ a death grip for fear of losing them. Also, it was great for moving to locations a bit faster when needed. We were VERY disappointed when we heard the new price increase. Talk about ridiculous. It is now as much to rent a stroller as to rent a car. I've spent the last two months refusing to pay this for our upcoming trip in September. However, after discussing w/ my husband we finally decided today that we would bite the bullet and go ahead and rent. Don't tell Disney. Like my husband said. You can complain all you want but as long as people are willing to pay they will continue raising the price. I considered all my options and I guess all their cons outweighed the huge DW price con. My oldest will be one month shy of 8 this trip. We'll buy in advance for that small saving, not book for the day we arrive or the day we leave or TL day. That leaves 8 days. I already feel relieved at our decision. I really didn't want to have to lug any type of stroller on the buses.

 

[delmar411]

ok, I'm on the side that a school aged child can walk the parks even in the heat. And I don't think a whiny child should be rewarded with a prize for being bad. (I do consider whining a bad behavior) BUT ...there's always a but...we made our 3yr old and 4yr old walk the parks last week because we couldn't fit our second single in the van for the trip down and let me tell you, it was beyond embarrassing to have my 3yr old screaming IT'S HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I DON'T WANT TO WALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! at the top of his lungs the entire week(he was being really dramatic for some reason). We don't reward that type of behavior and we only had one stroller so it was pretty ugly, and yeah it was hot, and yeah I didn't want to walk either but he did make it the entire week and was not worse for the wear. Now a 3yr old doing that was embarrassing enough, if that's how your 6yr old is going to do it then bring/rent a stroller for her too!

Seriously, my personal opinion aside since it is truly just for my family alone, do what works for you to make your vacation enjoyable. Your DD wont' be the oldest in a stroller and she surely won't be alone in riding in them.

 

[SueM in MN]

Plus Grandma will be with us this visit and will be using an ECV. I figure one of them will hop rides with her from time to time.

If she is renting one, the rental agreements for both the WDW park ECVs and the ones from off-site companies specify that only one person at a time can be on the ECV and that anyone using it must be over the age of 18.

Just so ya know, if GM is renting an ECV she will definitely not be allowed to have a child w/ her. I know it doesn't seem like it, but it is really unsafe. A child who shifts even slightly can send an ECV careening into another person, a building, etc. esp. when on high speed. I know the CM's will not allow it. I just want you to know in time to make other plans if you need to.

I have seen accidents and almost accidents that happened just like that. The child gets exited and points at something, hitting grandma's arm and the ECV goes out of control. One I saw, they went into a wall in the African Outpost area in Epcot. In another case, they narrowly missed hitting someone. I saw another sort of accident when an older child was standing and got a foot dragged a bit (luckily wearing shoes, not sandals).
If it is a WDW park ECV, Security can confiscate it if is is being used in what they consider an 'unsafe manner'. If it is an off-site rental one, you could be in insurance trouble because it was used in a way that was prohibited by the contract.

 

[coffeeandfags]

Ive had a 9 year old in a WDW stroller before.
IMO, if it means everyones happy, and its the difference in having a park day or having the whole family forced to have a rest day....then go for it!! And it really is none of anyone elses business....its not like you are asking THEM to push your kid around

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

so you can have the most enjoyable trip.

My 10 year old still occasionally gets a stroller or gets into her sisters stroller to rest her feet.

I honestly don't care what others think. I will do what will make the best trip for my family.

Would you really rather listen to your dd whine and complain for the sake of worrying about what others will think? Because honestly if they hear your dd whining and complaining they'll be judging you for that too!