Should I Get a stroller for my seven and eight year old?

[Art 1]

We are going to disney in june. Yay!! However, my daugher, 7 and neice,8, do not get a lot of physical activity during the day, just palying on the playground during school and they are fairly wimpy. should i bring strollers for them? I cant see them walking more than a mile without a rest. help!!

For us not at that age.

 

[delaneyc52]

Do what you think is best. When my twins were almost 7 we had a particularly busy day. That evening we were going to Epcot for what is now Illuminations and even after an afternoon rest, these poor kids were beat (we were a bit commando at that time) and we did rent a stroller for that evening only. So I guess what I'm saying is to judge what you do by how strenuous the day is or has been.

 

[Art 1]

We have a good time laughing (to ourselves) at the size and age of some of the kids we see in strollers at WDW.

I saw some just this last weekend and was shocked how old and big they were. I can remember back to when I was 7 years old and there was no way any of us would have been in a stroller. It wasn't even a consideration. But there were very very few fat kids then and we all played outside quite a bit.

 

[figmentfan6]

Just to weigh in with what I was like as a child. I have a younger brother (by six years), so when I was old enough to be walking on my own he was in a stroller. Even though I was in great shape (swam like a fish and loved to goof around outdoors), the heat of the sun and the standing for hours on end would always get to me a little bit. Whenever my brother wanted out of the stroller, I usually crashed in it for a bit simply because I was hot and a bit tired of walking. Never for a long period of time, but darn it's nice to be pushed in a stroller for ten minutes after walking for hours at any age. I don't think the OP is suggesting they stay in there all day, just that it can be an option for them if a little Prince or Princess gets a bit overheated and cranky and needs a five minute break!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I'm of the general opinion that each family must do what they feel is right for themselves. What is best for another family might not be right for yours.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if a child doesn't use or need a stroller at home, WDW is a completely different situation. The parks are huge and you can easily walk 6 - 10 miles a day when touring. And if you do that several days in a row, even healthy, active adults can get worn out. I posted before that there were times on our last trip that if I thought I'd fit and my DD could push me, I'd jump in a stroller.

I definitely used a stroller up until the trip when DD turned 5. When we went back when she was 6, I didn't bring a stroller but rented one for 3 of our 8 park days. And yes, two of those park days were Epcot days. The trek around WS really did both of us in. For that trip, renting a stroller definitely made for a more enjoyable trip. And I think that ultimately should be the deciding factor. If the stroller helps your family enjoy their vacation more, then use one and don't worry about what anyone else says.

DD is now 8, and I have no intentions of using a stroller for our trip in May. I'm planning a slower pace for this trip and a lot more downtime than we've done in the past. But since this is DD's 5th trip to WDW and my 10th, and we know we'll be back in a couple years, we don't feel the need to push to see and do "everything" like we used to feel.

 

[delaneyc52]

Just to weigh in with what I was like as a child. I have a younger brother (by six years), so when I was old enough to be walking on my own he was in a stroller. Even though I was in great shape (swam like a fish and loved to goof around outdoors), the heat of the sun and the standing for hours on end would always get to me a little bit. Whenever my brother wanted out of the stroller, I usually crashed in it for a bit simply because I was hot and a bit tired of walking. Never for a long period of time, but darn it's nice to be pushed in a stroller for ten minutes after walking for hours at any age. I don't think the OP is suggesting they stay in there all day, just that it can be an option for them if a little Prince or Princess gets a bit overheated and cranky and needs a five minute break!

Exactly.

 

[budafam]

I haven't read through the thread (too scared to!) but I took my 5 year old in October without a stroller and he walked the entire trip, from rope drop till park close with no issues. Not even a complaint. Disney will do funny things to kids who normally whine about walking long distances (adults too!) lol...

 

[Mirax]

Walking is the easy part. It's standing in line that is what starts the pain in the legs. Not only do you need to walk everyday but you need to just stand in one place for more than 5 minutes everyday. My kids do chores around the house while they stand for example washing dishes, cleaning counter tops and vacuuming the floors. Not only are we prepping for Disney, My house gets clean. Ok so they have to do chores no matter what but it's an excuse to get things done.

 

[minnie mum]

DH and I are bringing a stroller for our 5 year old for our trip in May. He may walk a lot of the time, but I want a plan B for when he gets tired and the rest of us are still energetic enough to go.

You asked the question, so you must want the opinions, but I would say ignore the Negative Nancys. It's your vacation, you do what suits you.

Make up your mind. Are opinions allowed or not? Oh I see, It's perfectly OK to give an opinion, but only if it's the one you want to hear?? Only one side to any issue in your rosy world? Only one possible answer to any question?? I guess these aren't DISCUSSION boards after all. Pulleeeaase.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We are going to disney in june. Yay!! However, my daugher, 7 and neice,8, do not get a lot of physical activity during the day, just palying on the playground during school and they are fairly wimpy. should i bring strollers for them? I cant see them walking more than a mile without a rest. help!!

How far can YOU walk? I can't speak for your DD or niece, but I haven't met many 7-8 year-olds who have less energy than I do

 

[Spunky946]

My ds was 7.5 this past trip and he did fine and only whined the couple of nights we were out later. The first full day of our trip he was up at 5:30 then back to the hotel for a long break and then to animal kingdom for dinner and then to HS for the lights. It was about 9:30 and he hit a wall on the way out of the park. Other then that he was great. I'd probably not bring a stroller and just rent one there if they need it.

 

[kathleendsm]

I haven't read through the thread (too scared to!) but I took my 5 year old in October without a stroller and he walked the entire trip, from rope drop till park close with no issues. Not even a complaint. Disney will do funny things to kids who normally whine about walking long distances (adults too!) lol...

Agreed! Our DD, who's 7, hasn't used a stroller in the park since she was (a young) 5. She doesn't always have the greatest stamina at home, but has only an occasional passing "my legs are tired!" remark at WDW. And part of it has to be because she is running ahead and then back while we're all walking in a straight line. Other than DH giving her a piggyback ride once or twice on the way to the car (I never take the tram because I hate folding up DS' stroller for such a short ride with all the water bottles and stuff in it), she has zero issues. It may help that we're not a commando family of course, and we rarely spend more than 6 hours at a time in the parks.

DS just turned 4, and due to special needs he has fairly low stamina as well as a need for a "safe place" in line. So I figure we'll use stroller as a wheelchair for him for another few years at least. It's funny, he HATED the stroller as a baby (much preferred riding in a Beco baby carrier on my back) but now he is totally fine with it.

 

[claryche]

For what it is worth. We just got back from our trip where my DS turned 6 and we didn't use a stroller. He didn't even ask for us to rent one, like we had done the previous year. We were at the parks 6 days and I probably complained about my feet more than he did.

I loved not having to worry about a stroller. It makes things a little bit harder because we didn't have a stroller to put our stuff in. But as far as my DS handling it, he was great. And he doesn't walk alot. And just does the typical kid things. But I will say that we also take things a little bit slower than some probably. So he had time to rest and if he did complain we rested, we didn't push him beyond his breaking point.

I say try it without a stroller and then if you find you just aren't getting done what you want done, because of the kids complaining or being slow, then get a stroller. But to me Disney World is all about those little moments, and I really try not to rush through it. And I think my DS not having a stroller, helps us not to rush.

 

[ccgirl]

We are going with my DS4 and will not bring a stroller. I think my DD was 5 the last time she rode in one at WDW.

I think the OP sounds a bit sarcastic in their post but I might be wrong. What does a healthy adult do when they are tired? They do not get a wheelchair or stroller, they duck into a show, get a snack, eat, sit on the bench. I use that same strategy for my children.

I could care less what others do with their children though.

 

[aripantaloon]

I see that you have decided against the strollers. I think that's probably the right decision. Those girls are definitely old enough to do Disney without a stroller, barring any true health issues.

My 8 year-old would never in a million years want to ride in a stroller. This trip, the only one riding in a stroller will be my almost two year-old. There is a stand bar on the back of it for very short trips if we are running and the 5 year-old can't keep up, but it's not designed for regular use. Our prior two trips, our oldest walked the whole time. She was just over ages 4 and 6 at the time. She did fine. She is active and has been in dance for several year as well as soccer for 3 years, though.

I just asked my 8 year-old if she got tired at Disney would she want to ride in a stroller. She looked at me like I had 3 heads and emphatically said "NO! I would never ride in a stroller. I'm 8"

 

[fairestoneofall]

When we went in 2008, my DS was 7 and DD 5. We rented a double stroller just for EPCOT one day because it can be exhausting to walk around World Showcase, expecially on a hot day. I think it was the third day of our trip.

And then in 2010, my DD was 7 and had the stomach bug on the third day of our trip. By the fourth day she was feeling better but we rented a stroller at AK for her and pushed her around in it. If people gave me weird looks, I really didn't notice, nor would I have cared.

On a normal day, MK and DHS are fairly easy to get around in, plus you stop and wait a lot so I don't think you'll need a stroller for these two parks. As for the other ones, play it by ear and see how your kids feel. If they seem to be whiny and losing steam, you can always rent one. And trust me, nobody will be pointing and laughing at you at the park for doing so, as some on here seem to want to make you think.

Have fun!

the year we went when DD was 8 and DS 5, (i had mentioned earlier that i rented one for DS on a morning he wasn't feeling great--he perked up later), i went ahead and paid for three-day rental just in case. i DID get a stroller on our Epcot day. it was really hot and I thought it might come in handy. it was also the only day we did not take a mid-day break. frankly, if they would've pushed me, i would've gladly hopped into the stroller!

 

[KristenFNJ]

(admitting first that I didn't read all of the pages, just sharing my honest opinion to the op!)

I think I read the average day in MK is 8-9 miles. That is a LOT. I am tired part way through that! Someone in another thread posted that they wore a pedometer and ended up walking 57 miles in a week! Yowza! Plus the heat, plus the activity... it's not like a walk around the neighborhood! It's thrilling, but physically can be downright grueling.

For some, planning an afternoon break from the parks works really well. If you're off property like us in our timeshare, or for any other reason, that might not be the best strategy. When DS1&2 were 5 & 7 we did get a stroller, and thank heaven we did! They were wiped! It was hot, and they needed breaks in the shade once in a while, which we could afford them without having to stop and miss out on attractions that we paid a pretty penny to enjoy. They didn't get cranky or moody because they had the option to rest if they needed. And, it's always great to have a cup holder and a place to hang your popcorn bucket and souvenir bags! (fwiw, at ages 7 & 9 they went without the stroller, since we were pushing DS3-2yo and they did alright, but they were dead and cranky by the end of the night each night.)

The bottom line is not about what anyone will judge about you for choosing a stroller for older kids, but how to have the best vacation you can have with your family. If you think even for a minute that you'd all be happier, have a better time, and get the most joy out of the the expensive tickets you're buying for this experience, then don't think about it for another second! Do what will give you the best trip!

 

[HMGar]

Make up your mind. Are opinions allowed or not? Oh I see, It's perfectly OK to give an opinion, but only if it's the one you want to hear?? Only one side to any issue in your rosy world? Only one possible answer to any question?? I guess these aren't DISCUSSION boards after all. Pulleeeaase.

Of course opinions are allowed..in fact, the OP asked for our opinions. What I'm suggesting she ignore are the Negative Nancys who throw out judgement regarding what people ultimately decide to do. It's nobody's business what the OP ultimately decides is right for her family. And if people critisize or look at her funny, she should completely ignore it. That is what I was suggesting. Pulleeeeeaassee

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Thanks for everyones opinion. Based on the feedback i will have them walk and then do a stroller if they ask for one. Have a great day!!

~Personally, if the girls "asked" for a stroller, I wouldn't give them that option. We can stop and take a break anytime or head back to the resort. I was a chaperone when both DD & DS were in Kindergarten and we took a field trip to the zoo, these kids were just 4 - 6, and we covered every inch of a very large zoo. No one brought a stroller for any of the Kindergartners "just in case." Several parents actually struggled to keep up with the kids! It was the same thing when we went to the farm, the apple cider mill, the pumpkin patch and maze. These were all very hot days with a lot of walking, the kids were fine, again, no strollers. Obviously, that's not to say that a child would never require a stroller! Each child is different and we should not unnecessarily question others parenting styles, unless it poses a serious detriment to the child.

~Both of my kids HATED strollers, from the moment they learned to crawl, it was almost impossible to keep them in a stroller. While all the other moms were showing off with their brand new stylish double jogging strollers, I was the one mom pulling the big double Red Flyer wagon! Thank goodness Disney doesn't allow wagons, lol. When I went to the store, I had to use a Bjorn baby carrier and then upgrade to the Cross Country baby backpack carrier. I got lots of second glances with the baby backpack carrier.

~At WDW, I brought a lightweight stroller when DS was two and he barely used it, DD used it more just because it was there. When DS turned three, I did not bring a stroller. I rented a double stroller one time that week at DHS, both kids refuse to use it the entire day until after dinner for evening EMH, where we waited well over an hour for the second showing of F!, both DD and DS rested in the stroller, I was really glad to have it.

~I really wouldn't notice a larger child in a stroller, it wouldn't bother me one bit, and I certainly would not judge anyone, it just seems kind of silly to do so. Have fun!

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I think comfortable walking shoes are the key. The times when I was most miserable at the parks as a kid (and even as an adult) were when I got blisters.