Reluctant 8 Year Old

[tarak]

Would anyone recommend a stroller for a 8 year old? Because right now I feel like...you're a big girl, you can walk. But she's asking for a stroller...AND she's big for her age. I'd have to rent a deluxe one with a very high weight tolerance.

I will have a 14 month old, too, though, so I could just suck it up myself and rent a double.

Thoughts, please?

I'd bring a stroller for the 14-month-old and see how it goes. Get one of the Disney strollers if you need one. I personally don't understand people who get bent out of shape about someone getting a stroller for an older kid. No one is making them push the stroller. Do what works for your family.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Yeah. I hear everyone and I think my plan is kind of a non-plan: prepare her, condition her for the walking, tell her we're not getting a stroller for big kids...And if it fails or she gets a case of "Mickey's Revenge" or what have you, rent the Disney double and ignore the haters.

 

[kmb584]

My daughter just turned 8 and has been walking WDW since she was 5. I simply can't imagine pushing her around in a stroller at her age, but that's us. If your daughter does need one, look into renting one for the week from an offsite company. They're a lot cheaper than Disney and the strollers are of better quality and easier to steer.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'd encourage shorter, more compact park days and days off from the parks...if you are always walking from the back of the park to the front for the bus for midday break and then doing the same at night...that's a LOT of not-fun walking that adds up.

She may be in great shape, but think about what kids do in the parks. They sometimes play on the water features, they sometimes run around the park features, and they have shorter steps than we do. I only ever rented a double stroller for my girls (at that age) when they got a stomach illness in the middle of the trip, and they were better, but not yet fully hydrated/caloried up to withstand 90 degree heat walks of a whole park - best $31 I ever spent at the time (and the shaded parts were also priceless). Only needed it on the 1st recovery day, but it was a lifesaver.

If you don't take days off (I always do, b/c I am a sweller, and there's really nothing much you can do to stop that except soak at night and eventually give yourself some time), I'd probably plan on getting the double every 3rd day to give her a break - especially on EPCOT day (huge park, little payoff) and maybe AK day (b/c that park retains heat like no other)...it's a good compromise, so she can do most of the trip herself, but still get a little break when she might be at a breaking point...and maybe on those 3rd days, she won't even need it...but knowing she can ask for it will probably mean she has as much fun as possible and worries not at all...

 

[MagicallyMom]

I'd encourage shorter, more compact park days and days off from the parks...if you are always walking from the back of the park to the front for the bus for midday break and then doing the same at night...that's a LOT of not-fun walking that adds up.

She may be in great shape, but think about what kids do in the parks. They sometimes play on the water features, they sometimes run around the park features, and they have shorter steps than we do. I only ever rented a double stroller for my girls (at that age) when they got a stomach illness in the middle of the trip, and they were better, but not yet fully hydrated/caloried up to withstand 90 degree heat walks of a whole park - best $31 I ever spent at the time (and the shaded parts were also priceless). Only needed it on the 1st recovery day, but it was a lifesaver.

If you don't take days off (I always do, b/c I am a sweller, and there's really nothing much you can do to stop that except soak at night and eventually give yourself some time), I'd probably plan on getting the double every 3rd day to give her a break - especially on EPCOT day (huge park, little payoff) and maybe AK day (b/c that park retains heat like no other)...it's a good compromise, so she can do most of the trip herself, but still get a little break when she might be at a breaking point...and maybe on those 3rd days, she won't even need it...but knowing she can ask for it will probably mean she has as much fun as possible and worries not at all...

I like where your head's at, but I can't forego the break because the little kiddo will be 14 months and will probably fare better with a nap.

I wish I could convince the big kiddo on a monorail resort for that reason, but she's set on AoA. Hopefully we all take our best attitudes and we'll do okay. I think your advice on AK & Epcot is pretty spot on. Not a bad idea to get a double jogger those days.

I feel like it's relevant to say we're planning on a January trip, so not as hot as the rest of the year.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Double post, sorry about that.

 

[Shanti]

When my son took his first trip at age 5, I did not bring a stroller, or even consider it, as he was past "stroller age" at that point. I'm very glad I didn't. The parks are much easier to manage without lugging/pushing a lot of equipment.

We took it at his pace, and he did just fine, as he has on every subsequent trip. The parks are a great source of fun exercise, and when we get tired, we slow down, rest, take a break or call it a day. I never push him or myself past endurance- I think that's what leads to the occasional meltdowns you see at WDW. Works for us.

Yes, I'll admit I don't admire the sight of healthy-looking 7,8 & 9 year-old children being pushed in strollers by their parents at WDW. It's not a common sight, but I do see it once or twice per trip. That doesn't make me a "hater", & I would never dream of glaring or making rude comments. But as you are already aware, that level of indulgence isn't something that a lot of parents respect.

 

[MagicallyMom]

When my son took his first trip at age 5, I did not bring a stroller, or even consider it, as he was past "stroller age" at that point. I'm very glad I didn't. The parks are much easier to manage without lugging/pushing a lot of equipment.

We took it at his pace, and he did just fine, as he has on every subsequent trip. The parks are a great source of fun exercise, and when we get tired, we slow down, rest, take a break or call it a day. I never push him or myself past endurance- I think that's what leads to the occasional meltdowns you see at WDW. Works for us.

Yes, I'll admit I don't admire the sight of healthy-looking 7,8 & 9 year-old children being pushed in strollers by their parents at WDW. It's not a common sight, but I do see it once or twice per trip. That doesn't make me a "hater", & I would never dream of glaring or making rude comments. But as you are already aware, that level of indulgence isn't something that a lot of parents respect.

Oh, I understand. I'm pretty sure I'm against it (for my child, specifically, I'm not judging what anyone else does to make their vacation work for their family) unless she gets a little sick from the food changes, which I've heard can happen, or...some extenuating circumstance. (Though hopefully nothing like that presents itself.)

 

[Firsttimer15]

I don't get where the hate talk comes from. No one here posted something hateful, everyone gave nice advice what might help the OP and her daughter. I think that was the intention of the post, advice how to handle it?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Mine would be walking. And I would let mine know if they need breaks , we will certainly do it.

 

[mjkacmom]

My 8 year old would be walking, and not choosing our resort. At that age, my kids could run circles around me!

 

[Tattylou]

I'm ok with my kids using a stroller in wdw even if they're on the older side. They don't use one at home, but at WDW it's a different story. Last week long trip, they were 7 and 5. My 5 year old has low stamina and asthma so he was likely going to need a stroller. However, my very active and energetic 7 year old swore up and down he would not be in a stroller. I brought one he could use too anyway and by 7pm on one of our longer park days he was whining to go back to the hotel room bc his legs were tired...low and behold he sat in the stroller and we saw fire works and finished up the rest of the night with a happy, not whiney kid. I want my kids to be happy and comfortable on vacation. It worked for us. To each their own.
This year we went to Universal and now he is 8, almost 9. No stroller needed. He was fine. I'd assume he'll never need it again.
So, I'd do just what you're thinking....hold off, but get her one if/when she needs it.

 

[AZMermaid]

I like that idea but I'm going to point out that if she is in school all day 10k steps can be difficult to achieve (even when I go to the gym I'll fall short if I don't run but instead bike, etc.). If you do that maybe get a baseline for her normal activity for a week and then double it on the weekends (if it's raining she can pace the house) and the set it higher for the week days but not so high it's not attainable ever. I found it to be discouraging when I wasn't making my goals and then I realized I was still running and completed a 50k so it's not like I'm not active but I have a desk job so steps don't always happen.

I am in school all day (first grade teacher) and I hit 8,000-9,000 steps without even trying- and I don't run around for two (three if the kids get there early enough) recesses a day! I would bet an elementary aged kid hits easily 6,000-7,000 steps a day- so adding a mile walk each night or so makes a good goal and would probably get her there. Figure you walk to and from the playground, to and from the cafeteria, to and from specials etc. If you are in my class- they walk to and from the sink to get a drink 74 times a day. It adds up!

We are going with the wait and see plan for our 5 and 6 year olds. We are tentatively planning on getting a single for our long AK day because it will be 3 weeks after pandora opens, the end of our 9 day trip and we plan to take a mid day break and go back to the parks. The other days we will go rope drop through 4-7ish. But- if she is rocking it, we won't get it. If my 6 year old is fading, we will get the double. Last summer at Disneyland, we went for 5 days, rented it one day for my then 4 year old and she sat in it like twice. I like your flexible plan.

 

[sk!mom]

I can't see 3 or 4 years into the future. Not sure why the age of my stroller-using children matters to you.... Will it personally affect your vacation? I'm sorry older kids in strollers offends you, but everyone has to do what's right for their family. The question the original poster asked was whether her 8 year old needs a stroller at Disney. I merely shared my personal story and why we'd be renting a double for my 4 and 8 year old. I'm not saying every 8 year old needs a stroller at Disney, but it's what works for our family.

Actually it kind of does "personally affect" my vacation. During busy times the walkways are clogged with strollers. This is fine for those with a need but it might help if those capable of walking, did so.

 

[cmarsh31]

We took a stroller when our kids were 3 & 6. 6 year old ended up in it more than the 3 year old, and it was a total pain. DH flat out refused to bring it a couple days. 6 & 9, didn't consider it - DH did pick up DD6 a few times during parades, late at night, etc. 8 & 11, everyone walked - DS11 complained way more (hello pre-teen) than DD8. DD8 was fine rope-drop to fireworks.

 

[Smittolis]

If your 8 year old wants one then discuss the notion with them, its not for me or others to judge what you do as a parent. I am personally a fan of strollers and always take a double stroller with us for our 3 kids, it works for us and how we set up our vacation. As a parent of a special needs child who relies upon a stroller for an older child, it is interesting to see how some people make judgments on what is and what isn't 'needed' simply by what they see with their eyes.

It's Disney World, if you are going to be upset by having strollers in a predominantly child focussed theme park then perhaps there are other things you should focus on ;o)

 

[Tink_83]

If your 8 year old wants one then discuss the notion with them, its not for me or others to judge what you do as a parent. I am personally a fan of strollers and always take a double stroller with us for our 3 kids, it works for us and how we set up our vacation. As a parent of a special needs child who relies upon a stroller for an older child, it is interesting to see how some people make judgments on what is and what isn't 'needed' simply by what they see with their eyes.

It's Disney World, if you are going to be upset by having strollers in a predominantly child focussed theme park then perhaps there are other things you should focus on ;o)

This is why I try not to judge, just because your child may look like they can walk does not mean you don't need it for a variety of reasons that are not obvious to me... I really don't care anyway and try to keep to my own business (really keeping up with my own kid is enough for me anyway)...

 

[arminnie]

Will you have another adult with you? Would a pediatric transport chair better suit her size than a stroller?

 

[AZMermaid]

This is why I try not to judge, just because your child may look like they can walk does not mean you don't need it for a variety of reasons that are not obvious to me... I really don't care anyway and try to keep to my own business (really keeping up with my own kid is enough for me anyway)...

I agree with this. If I see a child older than 6ish in a stroller I just assume they have special needs, hidden or not, and I try to remember to be thankful for my healthy children and move on with my day.

 

[maxiesmom]

I like the play it by ear and see how it goes idea. Not every family does the parks in the same way. If you are open to close people (and there is nothing wrong with that) then a stroller may be handy to have a time or two. If you are more take it easy and slow down people (nothing wrong with that) then you may not need a stroller.

I wouldn't let anyone badger you into doing something that doesn't work for your family. Don't let anyone tell you you are doing the parks "wrong". Do what works for your family!!!!!