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

[Gumbo4x4]

By using a stroller you can also avoid having exhausted children. That is the whole point. Not every family gets to go back to WDW every year or so. So I can understand not wanting to waste a lot of time going back and forth to the resort for breaks. Or splitting up because one group can walk for a lot longer than another group. Strollers allow you to tour the parks at a good pace, without ending up with over tired children.

I'm still having a hard time getting my head wrapped around the idea of an adult with enough energy to push a double stroller around after their 7-8 year old kids have run them ragged all day though

 

[Pine View]

Has anyone used those double strollers that you can rent for the week and also the double from Disney? Which are easier to handle?

I was looking to rent one from offsite. The one model holds a 75lb child but when it is doubled it says 100lbs total. I was wondering if you felt that is right or will they hold more. I'm taking my 3 and 6 year old grandsons. The 6 year old has horrible pain during growth spurts and I don't want to risk it. He is taller than most 8/9 year olds and has almost reached his 10 yr old cousin. He and I plan on walking togeather before we go but, I don't want any whinny kids either.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

Sometimes I wish my kids would want to use the stroller. They always hated it from the moment they could walk. I envy the stroller families because they have a place to cart some of their things around! I say if the stroller works for your kids, go for it. It's not anyone's business. Don't worry about someone judging you as you walk by. You'll never see them again!

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd refused to get in a stroller after the age of about 4!! We tried, when going to a zoo or such. But nope, she wasn't having any of it!!! When she was 5, and turned 6, we were at WDW. She managed to walk around all day long. And no, she wasn't an active child at home, to say the least.
Here's the thing....you aren't walking miles on end at a time. You are basically walking from one attraction to another. And once at the attraction, the child has to get out of the stroller anyway. So, there is plenty of time for 'resting'. With little ones, you have to forgo commando touring!! You need to take breaks every few hours.

And after those fireworks shows, or parades??? OMG!! Having a stroller at these times is a nightmare. I realize that stroller users have just as much right to be there as anyone else, but no one is going to let you get past them. So, there you are....chugging along, tired, cranky, trying to push through the massive end of day crowds, in the dark. It's really not very much fun. Just an observation.

So, I guess you have to do what's right for you. But in all reality??? The amount of walking just isn't that much all at once. If a child can't walk for 100 yards, without getting tired, then perhaps a walking/playing regimen is in order at home. But again, it's up to you. I just would find it to be very restrictive having to use a stroller.

 

[maxiesmom]

Here's the thing....you aren't walking miles on end at a time. You are basically walking from one attraction to another. And once at the attraction, the child has to get out of the stroller anyway. So, there is plenty of time for 'resting'. With little ones, you have to forgo commando touring!! You need to take breaks every few hours.

And after those fireworks shows, or parades??? OMG!! Having a stroller at these times is a nightmare. I realize that stroller users have just as much right to be there as anyone else, but no one is going to let you get past them. So, there you are....chugging along, tired, cranky, trying to push through the massive end of day crowds, in the dark. It's really not very much fun. Just an observation.

So, I guess you have to do what's right for you. But in all reality??? The amount of walking just isn't that much all at once. If a child can't walk for 100 yards, without getting tired, then perhaps a walking/playing regimen is in order at home. But again, it's up to you. I just would find it to be very restrictive having to use a stroller.

But what about families who have children that are quite a few years apart in age? Not everyone is comfortable or happy walking at the pace of the smallest child. And not every family wants to split up. Talk about chugging along, tired and cranky! That is the issue we used to run into. For us it made better sense to put the youngest (I think she was 6 at the time) into a stroller. That way the rest of us could move along at a good pace, and she was still happy as a clam.

I do agree though that each family needs to do what is right for them. We don't all tour the parks the same way. What works for your family might make mine miserable.

 

[Madzac]

I look forward to the day we have a stroller free vacation! They are a nightmare at the end of park day!

Our last trip, we took two strollers and had a 1yr old, 4 yr old and 7 yr old. Oldest did just fine, no problems at all. Our next trip the kids will be 1, 4 (almost 5), 7 and 10. We plan to bring one stroller and a baby carrier. We will start family walks several times a week two months before to get them ready.

Do what feels best for you, but at that age I wouldnt bring one and if it gets too much rent one or take a break.

 

[djp0630]

I would make them walk. If they can't do it, you could always rent a stroller later. I am going to make my 6 year old walk when we go down.

 

[mytinyprincesses]

My daughters are 4 and just 6 when we will be going to Disney this year and I WILL be renting a double stroller from Magic strollers..My girls are very small and VERY active. That being said, there are 12 of us that go at one time and we like to stick together and we do commando at all the parks. My girls will prob. not use the stroller more than an hour or two a day BUT as previous posters have said I would rather have the stroller with me when my children start to run down or drag their feet to be able to enjoy our time with our whole family, then to have to stop and sit more times then nessesary!! I also look at it as a storage area that is well needed with the amount of people we are with. I have rented strollers from magic strollers every year we have gone and find them very managable and light.
I agree that everyone is entitled to an opinion and on here with this topic it seems more negative then positive... I could care less what people think of my choice of stroller use...I will be happy on my vacation and my children will be comfortable when they are exhausted. Do what is best for you and your family...remember the chances of your vacation being a success is all on you!!
Just because you choose to use a stroller in Disney does not mean that your children are lazy or don't get enough exercise in their daily lives that's just ridiculous to even ASSUME!! Have a great trip, we will!!