Should I bring a stroller for my 7 yr old daughter?

[madamgeo]

We are bringing a stroller for our 3 yr old and not sure if we should with our 7 yr old. Does anybody bring strollers for kids that age. She is pretty slim, only about 60 pounds so I think she would fit in one. Any comments or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[LilAlice18]

I think that strollers should stop around 5ish. Children should be big enough to understand that there is going to be a lot of walking; and chances are - she will be excited the whole time & not want to sit and rest!!! Also, one stroller is already a hastle to keep up with, so 2 would be just one more big thing to keep up with throughout the parks.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I wouldn't. Rent one if you *really* need it when you get there. More importantly, rent a flame retardant suit because this thread may get a little or

 

[kami2199]

I would say N O ! My daughter was six when we went last year and I wouldn't have dreamed of putting her in a stroller (ME, I WOULD HAVE LOVED ONE MYSELF!) and I'm certain she would not have gotten into one. She did fine with all the walking. Unless your daughter has a physical reason, I wouldn't do it.

 

[Aliisa]

I wouldn't. Rent one if you *really* need it when you get there. More importantly, rent a flame retardant suit because this thread may get a little or

You know I just don't understand that! Does everyone visit the same Disney World that I do? When we go I swear I see more older kids in those rental strollers than the little ones! And honestly who really cares?? Its certainly not hurting anyone, so why flame??
That being said, I myself wouldn't bring one, just rent one if you need it
Have a great time!!

 

[Schmeck]

I'd rent one if you think you'd need one for your 7 yr old - lugging two strollers onto the buses would seem like a big pain to me! Of course, if you are staying offsite and using a rental car, or have your own car, then it's a bit easier.

Are there strollers that hold 60 lbs though? I thought the cut-off weight for most strollers was 50 lbs.

 

[kathi29]

I agree with everyone else, and it is my plan as well. If my 7.5 year old is ready to drop, I will rent a stroller. I'm certainly not carrying her
I don't see why she would as she seems to have unlimited energy, but I am not counting out the possibility.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't but I strongly don't believe in strollers for kids that age. They are or should be in the best shape of their lives and if I can walk it they certainly can. We didn't take one for my son at 5 and we definately didn't take one for him this year at 7. He did fine. and by the way he is very small and slight so to me that has nothing to do with it.

 

[fakereadhed]

And honestly who really cares?? I

ITA, but apperently there are enough "caring" people to fill at least 6 pages each time someone brings it up.

I wish they would put a sticky with hot button topics at the top of each board, labeled POST at YOUR own RISK. At least that way the newbies would know what they are getting into before they ask the question.

My kids at 7 held up pretty well and didn't need a stroller, but I would also rent one if they did. Or maybe your 3yo will not want hers. As far as being to old, my feet hurt pretty badly at the end of the day and I wish someone would push me around in something. Now, I would be too old. A kid not nearly so much.

 

[mrsltg]

Rent it when/if you need it. Also, sometimes your toddler may be ready to walk and your older dd can sit down for a few minutes. We did this a couple of times in August. DD 14 mos wanted out and dd 5 yrs wanted in. We swapped and the baby thought it wad hilarious!! Don't worry about what others think of you for having an older child in a stroller. We average 8+miles per day while at Disney - after a couple of days a lot of kids are going to be tired at least occasionally.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Evil Queen]

My youngests son's first trip was when he was 6, and I no longer owned a stroller. But had planned on renting one. When we got to WDW, he refused to ride in one, so I didn't get one, and also saved money.

Maybe your child will be able to let you know if she wants one or not.

 

[blessedby3]

I took our Volo for our DD7 last Dec. and we definately used it. Our DD hopped in and out during the day when she was tired or if we were in a hurry to get to a certain ride or show. It also came in handy at MVMCP when she fell asleep during the second parade and we didnt have to have anyone sit out and hold her- we just pushed on and enjoyed more shows and rides. It aslo came in handy for holding bags, etc. when she wasnt sitting in it. She doesnt ride in a stroller anywhere else, but at Disney we have so much commando walking that I dont have a problem with her riding in one at Disney. She is also small for her age, almost 50 pounds and we will be taking it again this Dec. when she will have just turned 8. Do what you think is best for your child and dont worry what others think.

 

[XYSRUS]

I say you can rent one, if needed. The first day will probably be fine and then after that a lot of kids poop out. Your kids will let you know what to do. Have fun and don't worry about anybody else.

 

[Ariel8676]

I wouldn't bring one, but i think i would rent one if i think my child needed a rest. Although children seem to have enough energy to fill a room, WDW is huge and there is so much walking..kids do get tired.
You know your child better than anyone here does, when you get there you will be able to judge whether or not she will need one. Don't worry what anyone else thinks...and on another note if you do get one and she doesn't use it much, you have somewhere to put your bags and stuff..lol

 

[KristiKelly]

We stopped taking strollers for our oldest 2 when youngest was 3. We did have to rent a double when DD4 & DS was 6 because DS got a huge blister on his foot from new shoes. My 6 y/o DD would not use a stroller, she says they're for babies. We will be taking a stroller for our 14 month old though .

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Since you are already bringing one, I don't think you need another one. When your 3 year old wants out, maybe your 7 year old can take that time to get in the stroller...to freshen up a bit.

I don't think people should flame about why people bring strollers for older kids. EVERY kid is different and you know your child! See, my soon to be 5 year old DS has ADHD and has the tendency to just run off. I also have a DD who will be 18 months when we go in December. I am bringing a DOUBLE when we go in December. He probably won't use it the whole time, but when he's a little out of control or he JUST gets tired, I want to have it there for him! We're driving, so I am going to bring both strollers...the single and the double.

 

[fivefordisney]

I rented double stroller for my DS2 and our bag. Once in a while our DD6 would jump in to keep her brother happy. She and DD9 were too busy having fun to worry that their legs were tired.

I would wait and rent a double. If your DD7 really wants to get in she will be able to... My DD7 wouldn't be caught in the stroller now. Did you ask her what she thinks? That might help you determine what to do.

Also, when we needed to get to a show or a bus...whatever... DD6 LOVED to run with us. Maybe your DD will want to do that too! Does she like to run around at home? My oldest DD now 10, would probably love to be carted around! (but NEVER if her friends were around!) I'd ask her...and then rent the double stroller to ease your mind.

 

[lkaanda]

A friend of ours just got back and said that they did not use one for the first few days for their kids 5 and 7. By the wend of the week they did, not so much because they were tired but they realized how long it was taking them to get everywhere. They ran into someone they knew who had done so much more in the same amount of time becasue their kids were in a stroller. See how the time goes and get her one if she wants it.

 

[puffkin]

We took our 7 year old niece last June and she too is very petite for her age. Being summer and her being the only child with 5 adults, we were concerned that she might not hold up. Our plan was to not mention the possibility of a stroller, but if she seemed to struggle, we would rent one as needed.

She held up great though the whole week and never even asked for a stroller (though she probably didn't even realize it was a possibility). I would just play it by ear and if you think she needs one, rent one. But I also wouldn't tell her that is your plan....because then she may ask for one when she might not really need one.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just went in July with our 5 yo DD and 2yo DS. We brought DS's stroller and thought we'd just share it for the two of them. However DD rarely needed to sit. She was such a trooper and walked the entire time!!! Now we did make sure she had rest stops if we were going for long stretches. We also told her in the beginning if the walking got to be too much we'd rent her a stroller. It was nice just having one stroller as oppposed to our trip the year before when we each pushed a stroller!

I too see lots of older kids in rented strollers at WDW and think its fine as it really is alot of walking and adults can move faster at times when kids are pushed. I know last October we went when DD was a new five and DS was 14 months and I took the double stroller into the parks as I was by myself. DH was at a conference and it was just me in the parks with the kids. It was alot easier to have them both in the double stroller. DD walked then a bunch too but it was nice when she needed a rest break or even a seat to watch street entertainment she had a stroller seat. It was also easier for entering and exiting the parks to have them both seated and no one wandering off!