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

[mindyb7]

I've taken a stroller every year until last year. My girls were 3 and 5 last year and were just fine and might I add that week was recording breaking temps. When they got tired we just stopped and took a break or went back to the resort and sat by the pool. I think they will be fine. Just take a break when they need to.

 

[Navychica]

I'd say go without one and rent a double if you need to. My 7 year old sister has CP and uses a walker, canes, or a wheelchair depending on the day. She was so excited at Disney, she was almost sprinting with the walker, and didn't want to use the wheelchair at all. By the third day, she had conceded a bit and sat in her chair for short periods of time. You never know until you see them there! You always have the opportunity of renting the stroller if needed.

 

[vinotinto]

I definitely understand why you are asking this. Disney can be tiring, not only for kids, but for adults as well. I ditto the comments above. I would not take a stroller for kids that age, but would not hesitate to rent a double if I felt the kids needed it (after trying to go sans stroller). I'm bringing one for our 4 year old next trip, but the 7 year old will be walking. I would also make plans to take frequent breaks, and especially rehydrate. Your entire body feels tired when not sufficiently hydrated. When you are having fun, it's tough to think about rehydrating and resting, but if you wait until the kids are totally tired and thirsty, you've waited too long. Sit down and have a beverage frequently. It'll be more enjoyable for everyone. I often need to be reminded of this as well.

 

[bytheblood]

No. They should walk. And when they are tired, you can go back to the room for a break.

 

[Love Tink]

No. They should walk. And when they are tired, you can go back to the room for a break.

Shall they teleport?

 

[Wadecool]

Shall they teleport?

Beam me up to the POFQ!

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Shall they teleport?

Beam me up to the POFQ!

Forget the monorail. I'd pay extra for the teleport transportation option.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Fast forward 5 years from now, when they are another statistic regarding obesity in children. They need to start getting exercising now, for heavens sake...it's not normal for any child to have a sedentary lifestyle, which is pretty much what they have, if they only "exercise" during recess everyday.

Strollers for healthy 7 and 8 year olds?

 

[Sandy22]

OMG! This is a joke right? I can't believe people are taking this question seriously!

No wonder there is a childhood obesity epidemic! It's our job as parents to ensure our kids are physically fit.

 

[Bullseye]

OMG! This is a joke right? I can't believe people are taking this question seriously!

No wonder there is a childhood obesity epidemic! It's our job as parents to ensure our kids are physically fit.

Walking is the single best exercise for good spine health! But then again little legs have to take way more steps to get where they're going. It's a transitional thing, the next couple years the op may not be able to experience as much with the shorties doing their own walking, but you're "seasoning" them for future trips. In a few years when they're pre-teens they'll be leading the pack and Mom and Dad will be catching up!

 

[Planogirl]

Our son was running circles around me when he was 5 and thought that something was wrong with me when I insisted on stopping to rest. I would agree that most normal healthy kids don't need strollers. I could use one though.

 

[aubriee]

I took my eldest grand daughter to WDW when she was 7y/o and then again when she was 8 y/o. I never even considered a stroller. She was fine and in fact walked circles around me. I was the one who needed a stroller (hey, just joking). I had taken her by myself to San Antonio for a week to Fiesta Texas, Sea World, Children's Museum, etc when she was 6 y/o. She didn't need a stroller then either. We ran full speed every day and she did great. If one of us was tired (usually me), we took a five minute ice cream break. A healthy 7-8 y/o should be able to walk with no problem.

If a kid has a physical handicap where he has trouble walking or has low endurance, then sure, but a healthy 7-8 y/o, no way. lol My youngest grand daughter has Zellweger syndrome (really one of the rare disorders under the Zellweger umbrella). She is blind, mostly deaf and has neurosheath and liver problems. Her therapists are hoping to have her sitting by herself by 2 y/o and maybe walking by 5 y/o. If she does, her gait will be unsteady. However, most kids with her condition don't live past 5 y/o. If she does make it past 5 y/o, she would need a stroller or maybe even a wheel chair in order to do WDW. Of course we would rent one for her, but my other six healthy grand children would be walking at that age. Heck, we took our 3 y/o GS to WDW Feb 4th-11th. We did rent a stroller for him, but he spent probably 50% of his time walking. By the time he is 5 y/o there is no way he'd need a stroller.

 

[Callymum]

I took my son since he was nearly 5 every year and he was Fine, he walked, actually Ran round the place he was that excited. As long as you have little stops now and again. In fact when you think of it every time they go on a ride it's a rest isn't it. Cool Air and a Seat. Sooo Welcoming on a Hot Day.

 

[Cee]

I agree that the parks are likely more walking than your kids are probably used to. I also agree that they could build up their stamina by taking evening walks now after dinner. It would be a nice family outing and you could say that it's part of your planning and preparation for Disney!

I hope you have a vacation of a lifetime!

 

[RMulieri]

I wouldn't.At that age, barring any medical conditions of course- they should walk it.My daughter was 4 when she walked all of disney in the heat and humidity of Disney.When she got tired we rested.YES Disney is alot of walking, but you are also sittin,standing and riding.

 

[lan3]

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.

I think people get way too negative on this topic. I believe saying " I think 7 & 8 year olds should be fine without a stroller. I went with my 6 year old and he was fine" is a different opinion but respectful and constructive. Now things such as "you should take your child to a doctor" if they can't walk or "I laugh at big kids in strollers" is hurtful and overly negative in my opinion. People can give their opinions in a pleasant and constructive manner. It is a discussuion board not a judment and bullying board. Laughing at other's children and making harsh generalizations is what people are referring to when they are speaking of people being overly negative. Nobody is concerned with different opionions. When expressed in a polite way. most psters are quite appreciative of the help.

 

[JavaQueen8]

Thank you for your additional posts this was a great thread! I will just ignore the nasty comments. I wont bring a stroller and take breaks and make sure they drink a lot. Thanks again!!

 

[kayely]

If I had children that age I wouldn't bring a stroller either. The last time I went to Disney I was nine, my little brother was four. My parents didn't dare bring a stroller figuring the exercise would do us good. We were fine all week except for the last day. I remember my brother throwing himself down on the ground in Hollywood Studios because he had had enough. But this was also 100+ degree weather in the middle of June and the heat had gotten to him.

I wouldn't personally bring a stroller. I think your kids will be fine, just take breaks if they need rest and drink plenty of water.

 

[GenevieveRaqs]

Thank you for your additional posts this was a great thread! I will just ignore the nasty comments. I wont bring a stroller and take breaks and make sure they drink a lot. Thanks again!!

I think this is a very good plan.

It seems like many people on this board are into commando touring. And that's just fine if that's what you enjoy. But if your healthy, older children can't keep up with that kind of pace without a stroller, it might be time to reconsider your plans.

We will take our DS, who will be 4 in May, to WDW in October. We have no plans to bring a stroller for him. We haven't used a stroller at all in more than a year, and there is no way my super active son would be okay with being confined to a stroller at this point. If he needs to rest, we'll take a break and get a snack. If he's too tired to continue, we'll go back to the hotel.

 

[kaligal]

I think people get way too negative on this topic. I believe saying " I think 7 & 8 year olds should be fine without a stroller. I went with my 6 year old and he was fine" is a different opinion but respectful and constructive. Now things such as "you should take your child to a doctor" if they can't walk or "I laugh at big kids in strollers" is hurtful and overly negative in my opinion. People can give their opinions in a pleasant and constructive manner. It is a discussuion board not a judment and bullying board. Laughing at other's children and making harsh generalizations is what people are referring to when they are speaking of people being overly negative. Nobody is concerned with different opionions. When expressed in a polite way. most psters are quite appreciative of the help.

I don't think the doctor suggestion is necessarily rude. It could be, but it could not be.

An eight or ten year old who cannot walk around a zoo, amusement park or whatever should be checked by a doctor. If I had a kid who told me they were too tired after walking around to continue walking, I'd want them evaluated...and I'd want it done soon.

If a good friend called and told me that story, I'd tell them to have a doctor check it out.

Healthy kids that age are generally able to spend a day in a park. Tired at the end of the day, sure. But not so tired from walking that they require a stroller.

The laughing thing is mean.

If it were truly funny to the point that it makes people laugh, they could make a tv show. But it isn't actually funny. Nobody would actually laugh.