stoller ideas for older kids

[l2much4u]

I have 3 children that are 5, 7 and 8... NONE of them can make the walk throughout the park...so we rented strollers (only 7 and 8 went last time) it was a fortune...does anyone have stroller ideas for the kids...the most they weigh is 48 lbs...Umbrella strollers hold only 35....

 

[blessedby3]

Not that this is a cheap option, but I just bit the bullet and ordered a Maclaren Volo stroller from babydealz.com for 63.99 + 5.00 shipping. This is a 2004 model which holds up to 55 pounds. I have been searching myself for about a month and this one is the one I found that would hold that much weight. My DD will have just turned 7 when we go in November and right now she weighs 42 pounds. We are going to be going next year also, so I figure we will get two trips worth out of it. It will cost less than renting for 2 trips, and I can resell it after we are done. Only the 2004 models and 2005 models have been tested at that weight limit per the customer service rep. at Maclarenbaby. Maybe you could buy one and they could take turns riding in it? The 2004 models dont have canopy, but they come standard on 2005. We are going in Nov. and I feel it wont be that important. The 2005 models are running about 99.00 with free shipping. Good luck. I am so sick of searching. Should get mine next week, and I will post as to how well this pushes with my DD6 and 42 pounds in it.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

I have a sit and stand stroller which I love and my (almost) 5-year-old fits comfortably on the back. I'm not sure what the weight limit is on it, though. I think you might have a hard time because your kids are a little older. Did you say the oldest is 48 lbs? That sounds a little small, so this type of stroller might work for you. It's the best stroller I've ever owned.

Not that this answers your question, but we usually start "training" the kids a month or two before we go with long walks after dinner, to help build up their stamina.

Good luck and have a great trip!

Susan

 

[sue1013]

I can see needing a stroller for the 3 yr old. But if my 7 and 8 yr. olds could not walk in the parks I would be very, very worried about them. Without a medical condition there is no reason children that age cannot walk.

 

[l2much4u]

Actually, I have a 5, 7 and 8... yes, they could walk...but they would get tired and cranky so WHY put them and us through it? Kind of silly... and NO, I'm not worried that they couldn't make it without getting tired...I get tired... So, your opinion is noted, but not agreed with...

 

[Disneyrsh]

We have 4 and 6 year old daughters, who regularly climb to the top of Stone Mountain, so they're in good shape, but we ALWAYS bring our double stroller to Disney, because there are time you want to hustle up a ramp or through crowds and it's much easier when you can ferry the kids on the stroller rather than making them hurry-they get so distracted and it's easy to lose them.

The stroller is also good for packing lots and lots of water in the baskets underneath, and sometimes one of the girls will just crash at some point and konk out for about 15 minutes in the stroller. We usually bring a big towel along to either keep the sun or rain off of them if they've had too much.

We've had a graco double wide stroller for the last 5 years, and we easily pack approaching 100 lbs on it with a 35 lb girl, a 48 lb girl, and easily 10 lbs of water and 10 lbs of assorted junk. Never had a problem with it not taking the weight.

It fits without folding in the handicapped section of the monorail, so if it's 10 at night and both kids are asleep, you can roll it onto the monorail without making them wake up. THe stroller is supposed to be the exact width of a wheelchair, I think it may be an inch or two wider but it fits through all the doors. When it's really loaded down it takes some arm strength to manuver it around stuff, but it rolls like a dream.

Might want to hit some garage sales in your area to see if you can find a used Graco double stroller. Mine's navy blue.

Also, if you find one that's kinda grimy, you can unscrew all the little screws and white nuts and throw every piece of fabric on the frame in the wash-we've done this before every trip to make sure we've got a clean stroller. We also grease the wheels but I admit we're going a bit overboard there...

 

[l2much4u]

Sounds like the perfect stroller...exactly what I need!!!

 

[cl1067]

Actually, I have a 5, 7 and 8... yes, they could walk...but they would get tired and cranky so WHY put them and us through it? Kind of silly... and NO, I'm not worried that they couldn't make it without getting tired...I get tired... So, your opinion is noted, but not agreed with...

I have to agree with you. We just went in December with my kids who were 4 and 8 at the time. My 8 year old was a month from her 9th birthday and yes, she could have walked it, but would just get whinny and cranky. Why let something like me "thinking" she should be too old for a stroller ruin our vacation?

 

[alisonbestford]

I bought a stroller from Winn Dixie on our arrival in Orlando for our 6 year old and it was invaluable

She's almost 50 lbs but the stroller held out and only cost $19.99

Before we set off she was adamant that we'd only need it to carry things, and DH looked at me as though I was crazy, but I walk at such a pace and she's far too heavy to carry so why make everyone's trip miserable? It was also fantastic to not have to carry around all the bags!
Those parks sure are big - I'm shattered at the end of the day, never mind if my legs were a foot shorter
I'd say some of the biggest 'kids' I've seen in the rented strollers are about 40 - I know I was tempted
Alison

 

[CRPDISFANS]

We also have the sit and stand stroller. We went when kids were 5, 3 and 2 mos. (I had a 2 week business trip at csr or we would not have been there!) It worked like a dream 2 mos old slept in front and 3 yr old sat in back w/ feet in basket and 5 yr old sttod behind him! It was awsome - they never got tired and most importantly they were so easy to keep up with. Now that they are a little older we will prob. rent a single and take turns. Hope this helps

 

[Perdita&Pongo]

I had this same issue two years ago. I solved it by buying a Safetech double stroller (after many, many hours scouring the Web for advice and ideas). It holds up to 75 lbs on each side and has dual recline, so it's perfect for my 2 & 8 year olds! I have used it on 2 trips to WDW & one to DL (including 3 r/t airplane rides) - it drives/rides like a dream. It's been worth every penny of the ~$170 I spent.

They are only sold on eBay. Search under "Safetech" and you will find them. Happy Strolling!

 

[alisonbestford]

I can see needing a stroller for the 3 yr old. But if my 7 and 8 yr. olds could not walk in the parks I would be very, very worried about them. Without a medical condition there is no reason children that age cannot walk.

How rude !

I know I shouldn't 'bite back' but I can't get over that

Alison

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

strollers are a good way to keep track of the kids also.
I like pushing the kids instead of looking for them
However it does seem sometimes the strollers and wheelchairs have taken over the parks.

 

[Donalds#1Fan]

I have seen teenagers in strollers people have rented. You get tired...think if you were 7 or 8. Kids have energy...but not that much. If you continually want to hear "mommy my feet hurt" then they could walk it, but you are on vacation...let them be comfortable!

 

[Donnask8pro]

KUDO"S to you Alison..... I agree.

blessed by3, where did you find that stroler for 55 lbs? I would love to check it out..thanks

 

[momlvsdsny]

I have to agree. We are going in June and I have an 8 year old and a 4 year old, that I plan on putting in a stroller. I know the 8 year old will want to walk for the most part, but there are times I know that his little legs are going to wear out, so why not?? Better than wearing your back out and listening to the "my legs, my feet, hurt, I'm tired" easier to push than deal with that. Just my two cents!

 

[NMW]

I also think the time of year you go makes a difference. On our early Dec trip my boys had just turned 5 and 7. The weather was cool and comfortable. They walked everywhere and never once complained or asked us to carry them. We had our then 23 mos old in a Maclaren umbrella stroller that was great by the way. We saw about 5 other families with the same stroller!

Anyway, I think the situation would have been totally different if we went in say, June. Walking in the sun and the heat in Fl tires adults out, much less young kids.

 

[jennifer293]

I got my graco side by side off ebay for $2.51

It looks brand new and I LOVE IT.. It will be coming on our trip in May. I would not leave home without it. It weighs about 50 lbs but worth every ounce. My girls will be 1 yr and 4 yrs. and I know the 4 yr old will want to walk at first but she will soon cave and want to ride with her sister.

I know people who have gone to Disney with small children and have left the strollers at home thinking the kids would want to walk>>>WRONG they ended up spending a small fortune renting a stroller every day..

It was just year before last that I went to a block party and took a wagon to pull my daughter in and ended up pulling my daughter who weighed about 30lbs and my 17 yr old sister who weighs about 100 in it.


You are never too old to get tired and it doesn't mean you have a medical condition!!!

 

[beth_cam]

This is a board on wheels that attatches to the back of a stroller to make a standing/riding place for an extra child. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2989&item=4365612598&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Looks like th original buggy board was recalled. they are about 75 new but you might be able to come accross one used.
So using this you could get away with two light weight strollers umbrella or just bigger for the recline and putting this on the back of one. or one double stroller with this attatched. however one you cant sit muchless recline on it

 

[michiele]

Oh, this is a painful subject for me. I have 3 kids: 5, 6 & 8. I mentioned to my husband that I had read about using a stroller. He said no way. The kids are old enough to walk... End of discussion. I told him people say kids that old just get tired... He is set against the idea of a stroller.

So, we are walking, but I figure we can always rent a stroller if things get bad. BAd thing is each of the boys ( 6 & 8) weigh around 60 lbs. Not sure if a stroller will work. I joking told my DH today that we can also rent a wheelchair for the same price as a stroller We also will have a car, so we can always run to a store and pick something up.

Good news is we are doing the first day as a half day in the late afternoon, so that should be a good test of our walking ability so we can get anything we need for the next day (which will be MK).

Michiele