Older Children in Strollers!

[marciemi]

I have to agree with the posts that say let her if she wants. I'd rent the double instead of the single anyways to have somewhere to put your junk and more room for your other child. If you're taking a nice slow pace around the parks, yes, she should be able to keep up.

However, we just returned with a 9, 11 and almost 13 year old. In one day we did nearly everything at MGM (early entry), Animal Kingdom (including traversing both parks several times), then went to MK for extended evening hours. DH had been in meetings all day, and this was his only time to do the parks (MK) so he wanted to do everything. The rest of us were shot. I got a double stroller and DS9 rode in in the entire time (and probably wouldn't have made it otherwise). However DS11 and DS13 (who's 5'4", but only 90 pounds) took turns sitting with him since they were exhausted too. I was amazed that I had no trouble pushing any two of them since they definitely outweighed me. But those strollers are much easier to push than our old umbrella ones used to be with just say a 6 year old in them.

Honestly this was a lifesaver for that one evening. I would have loved to sit too! The kids weren't embarrassed since it was dark and I honestly doubt anyone noticed them. They were relieved, and it was nice for me too to have somewhere to dump the backpack I'd been hauling all day. And yes, they did fit, although my 13 had his knees near his nose! They understood this was a one time thing, and never asked either of the other days we were there or anything!

Funny story - we went to a large amusement park near here last fall. We frequently bring an umbrella stroller with us, so we can bring snacks, drinks, and swimsuits/towels, etc since there's a water park in the amusement park. Occasionally, my 9 year old will sit in it, especially at the end of the day. Well, on this visit, we brought just him and his friend. I assumed he wouldn't want the stroller, since his friend was coming, and since we weren't swimming so didn't have much to bring. He insisted he wanted it, and he and his friend literally took turns diving for it as soon as we came off a ride so they could ride in it next - they spent a lot of time arguing (you sat in it last, yeah, but you sat in it longer last time) too. So the embarrassment factor didn't work in that case!

Good luck - I'd say if she really gets tired, go for it!

 

[shatzjsl]

I think it was a joke post. If you read all the way through you will see that she even calls her a slug. All in fun.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I say go for it! Be sure and take lots of video and pictures show you can show her friends what a great time she had.

Oooh...there's a mom that knows how to control her kids!

(...writing that one down)

 

[Lady Cluck]

Does she have any younger brothers or sisters? Without knowing your daughter, is it possible that this issue is not about the stroller, but sibling rivalry?

My niece who is 12 is very jealous of any extra attention paid to her 5yr old sister. She reacts by acting out, talking baby talk, or whatever else it takes to regain attention, whether it's positive or negative.

 

[llij]

Last weekend, I saw a dad push his wife and daughter around in a double stroller. I did a "double take" when I saw that one!

 

[Sammie]

I would say if she can figure out a way to ride in it and push it herself, let her go for it.

 

[Jillpie]

Teach her independence and responsibility....get her her very own Char Broil Fire and Ice Cooler and Grill Combo to push around the parks.

Your posts totally crack me up.

I don't think the OP was serious about getting her daughter a stroller! She just was letting us all know her daughter didn't feel like doing all that walking.
I swear, after all those countries in Epcot, I wish they made adult strollers sometimes. I don't blame her one bit!

 

[pewing]

You have got to be kidding me

On our first trip...we didn't even bring our stroller for our four year old. I would hope your daughter would be embarassed to be seen in a stroller. Let's not be the generation to produce a population of lazy, overweight, underactive, playstation junkies

Not flaming you...just telling it like I see it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Last weekend, I saw a dad push his wife and daughter around in a double stroller. I did a "double take" when I saw that one!

One trip I saw Mom pushing Dad around in a stroller. Dad was laughing, he thought it was a joke. Mom wasn't laughing, but since she was pushing the stroller, I kind of felt bad for her.

 

[Gabrielle]

>>Who needs a rolling backpack when you can push one of these babies around the parks??


ROFL!!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If my son (age 8) wants to ride in a stroller, and it makes him a little less cranky from the the blazing July sun and WDW crowds, then I have no problem getting him a double stroller. I have seen more meltdowns at Disney from children of various ages than I care to remember, and frankly, it's a small thing in the grand scheme.

I totally agree. My daughter will be 7 1/2 this trip and I'm still going to put her in a stroller with the littler ones. It's not that she can't walk (she's very athletic) I just don't want to move at a snails pace in the hot July sun. BTW we are trying out the Nick hotel June 28 and 29, leaving the 30th for the GF. If you're back before then please post and let me know how the Nick hotel is. Thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If your older kids are tiring and wearing out before the end of the day, you need to end the day. Or at least take a break. Hit the pool, take a nap, find a nice place to sit down and rest. When you try to do too much on a single day, you will definitely pay for it later on. We always take a mid-day break and head back to the villa for a swim or rest. Or we will go to the water park and float around on the lazy river.

I agree with Sammie, if she can figure out how to make it go on her own (plus pay for it herself), let her do it. Or she can push you for an hour or two before you push her. I wouldn't pay for a stroller for an older kid unless there was a medical reason to do so. And then I'd be getting them a wheelchair for the medical reason instead of a stroller. Strollers are for small children, not lazy older kids. Older kids with medical reasons need a wheelchair, not a stroller.

My 11 yr old goes to dances at school and to the movies with his friends. If your 11 yr old can do these things, then she is long past a stroller.

 

[SamanthaL]

Yup. I would tell her is she can't walk she can't come. And I would emphasize that you will not tolerate any whining about having to walk either. My dd is 5 and I have found that whining is an art for little girls. My moto: you whine, we leave! Goodluck!

 

[GoofyinNY]

I totally agree. My daughter will be 7 1/2 this trip and I'm still going to put her in a stroller with the littler ones. It's not that she can't walk (she's very athletic) I just don't want to move at a snails pace in the hot July sun. BTW we are trying out the Nick hotel June 28 and 29, leaving the 30th for the GF. If you're back before then please post and let me know how the Nick hotel is. Thanks.

DisneyMomx7, we'll be at the Nick Hotel from June 19th to June 26th. I believe they have a high speed internet connection, so I'll try to post from the hotel. I think I'm as excited as my son! I can't wait!!!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I just wrote to Al Weiss and suggested that Disney provide rickshaws with drivers in all the parks. Why walk when you can sit and have some poor sap drag you (and your grill) around all day for like $20? Disney could pay illegal immigrants 5 bucks a week and make a hefty profit, which, in turn, will help fund new attractions. It's a win-win situation - we don't have to walk, the illegals make some money, and we get new rides.

 

[pewing]

I just wrote to Al Weiss and suggested that Disney provide rickshaws with drivers in all the parks. Why walk when you can sit and have some poor sap drag you (and your grill) around all day for like $20? Disney could pay illegal immigrants 5 bucks a week and make a hefty profit, which, in turn, will help fund new attractions. It's a win-win situation - we don't have to walk, the illegals make some money, and we get new rides.

That made my day!

 

[2angelsinheaven]

<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZNxdm86769US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_1.gif' alt='Faint' border=0></a> <~~~ I'd think this is what you'd look like after a few hours of pushing.

I would suggest she walk, take it slow and allow plenty of rest breaks. You don't want to end up needing a stroller yourself.

 

[Madi100]

we went last time right before my youngest turned 3. The only time she even considered riding in our stroller was at Epcot. And, then we rented a double stroller. We will do the same thing again this trip for Epcot alone. I think Epcot has a lot of walking and it's not exactly a fun place for kids. I have a much more enjoyable time when they are in a stroller there, because I don't have to listen to them say they are tired or bored. They will be four and eight when we go. That is the only exception.