stoller ideas for older kids

[Fridye]

If you're renting a stroller at WDW, here's a little known tip:

Stroller Discount – Pay for several days at once and get 10% off the rental price plus Disney Dollars. Single strollers are $8, doubles are $15. The CM will give you cards to tear off to redeem each day at any park and they'll stamp the receipt with the date it was used. When you use all of your days, turn in the stamped receipts to get one Disney dollar per day.

I hope this helps some of you!

 

[Disneyrsh]

Well, I have yet to see anyone post that yeah, they walked their kids all over the park!

I will say that we don't use the buses unless absolutely forced to with the double stroller. We have a system where I grab the bag out from under the stroller that the day's stuff has accumulated, both kids jump off, and my husband collapses the stroller all while walking towards the bus. Usually this is in Fort Wilderness on our way to breakfast and annoying the peacocks.

Those safetech strollers look HUGE-our little double graco probably weighs about 25 lbs. We call it "the donkey" because it's so tough.

We do take a break in the middle of the day; we usually get to the park before it opens and leave at noon, then come back around 5 after a swim and a nap. You still need the stroller, I'd say.

We've been to disney at every time of year and it doesn't seem to matter to the girls if it's hot or cold, the parks are still as big!

As for the wheelchairs, I figure, I'm not a doctor, I can't diagnose them, so I'm not going to form an opinion one way or another, but I'm pretty sure that what goes around comes around, and SOMEBODY knows who's being lazy and who really needs one. And I don't mean Santa...

 

[SueM in MN]

I am sticking to my opinion on the abuse of wheelchairs.
My Mother was in a chair for 15 years....she had MS.
I guess it bothers me more BECAUSE my Mother was in a chair.
I am very aware of the different reasons for using a chair.
I fully understand not all the reasons are obvious.
But come on .....you can't be at WDW very long and not see a wheelchair privilage be taken advantage of.
Respectfully,
Tink

Most of the lines at WDW are Mainstream lines (which means that wheelchair users wait in the same line with everyone else).
AK and the Studio were completly built with Mainstream Access.
MK and Epcot (being older parks) were built before access was even expected (much less Mainstream access). As they added Fastpass and renovated lines, they added Mainstream Access as much as possible. There are some rides that don't have enough space to add it, but those are the exception, not the rule.
So, the main wheelchair priviledge is having a place to sit while waiting in line.
If you need a wheelchair accessible car, there is the "priviledge" (not really a priviledge , since it's a necessity) of having a wheelchair accessible ride car on some rides. But, you may also have the "priviledge" of getting to wait longer for that car. The longest extra wait that we have had the "priviledge" of experiencing was 40 extra minutes at the Kilimonjari Safari (when the regular line was walking right on) just so that we could use the one wheelchair accessible seat in the handicapped tram.

From the
official Disney site here's the list of Mainstream queues:
Magic Kingdom® Park
Ariel's Grotto
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Donald's Boat
Judge's Tent
Mickey's Country House
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Mike Fink Keelboats (seasonal)
Minnie's Country House
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain®
Splash Mountain®
Stitch's Great Escape!™
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm
"The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management"
The Hall of Presidents
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The Timekeeper (seasonal)
Tomorrowland® Indy Speedway
Toontown Hall of Fame
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (seasonal)

Epcot®
Imagination!: All Atractions
Innoventions East
Innoventions West
Mission: SPACE
Test Track
The Living Seas: All Atractions
Universe of Energy: "Ellen's Energy Adventure"
Wonders of Life: All Attractions (seasonal)
China: "Wonders of China"
France: "Impressions de France"
FriendShip Boats
Norway: Maelstrom
The American Adventure: "The American Adventure"

Disney-MGM Studios
Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour
Fantasmic!
Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3D
Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage!
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith
Sounds Dangerous - Starring Drew Carey
Star Tours
The Great Movie Ride
The Magic of Disney Animation
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™"
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!

Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Caravan Stage: "Flights of Wonder"
DINOSAUR
Grandmother Willow's Grove: "Pocahontas and Her forest friends"
It's Tough To Be A Bug
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Lion King Theater: "Festival of the Lion King"
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Primeval Whirl
Theater in the Wild: "Tarzan Rocks!"
The Boneyard
TriceraTop Spin

 

[zdesiree]

Go to www.joggingstroller.com, they even have a jogging stroller that holds up to 100 lbs!! , I don't know how much you want to spent, but you should check it out, who knows!! I'm checking the Safari TT Double by Schwinn (it holds 50 lbs each side), I have three kids too (DS 6, DS 4, DD 3) so a stroller is a must.

 

[shirleyb]

Why not just rent a double, and the older two can take turns riding in the stroller. I'm one who doesn't believe kids that age need a stroller (but last time we went, my 7 yo was 100 lbs and 4'10" - I'm certainly not pushing him around - he's now 6'1" at 12 yo), but if you do, surely they could trade off riding in the stroller and that way you'd only need to deal with one stroller, not two?

 

[alisonbestford]

Why not just rent a double, and the older two can take turns riding in the stroller.

That sounds like a good idea, would it not work?

Alison

 

[beautybelle]

My son is eight years old and we will be going to WDW in May and yes I will rent a stroller for him because the parks are huge and he gets tired as well as I do. Heck if I could sit in the stroller Id let hubby push me around. LOL But anyway, I'd rather have ds sitting happy in a stroller than walking around crying a screaming.

 

[MCazer]

Now, I still have 2 umbrella strollers in my garage, and my husband wants to know when we are getting rid of them.

Well, when I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving with my Mom, sister & niece, Sister in law and Nephew, ages 5, 6, 7 and 9. We all use strollers. Why? Because kids complain... and I don't wan't to listen to it. They get tired, and it is just easier on us.

Well, you can also put your bags on them too. LOL

Anyway, whiile walking through the mall, we were single file (as it gets crowded) and I was the last, and as I walked past some young teenage girl (perhaps 17) and heard her comment on how old or children were to be in a stroller.... well, I backed up and looked her in the face and said....

"you will realize this when you have kids of your own, but would you rather see my children in a stroller happy or listen to them scream as they are dragged through the mall?" She was speechless.

Now, before anyone says "well, why take them then?" Well, the answer is, I don't have a nanny, my husband is working, and yes its fun to have the girls go out during the hustle and bustle and the neices and nephews love to see eachother.

Anyway, my kids weigh 60 lbs and the umbrella strollers work fine, plus they had lots of packages tied onto the handles!

I say, get a couple of cheap strollers. I got one for $3.99 from a local thrift store! One has a canopy and one has a little area for storage, and yes they are still hanging in my garage and I will yell at my husband if he tries to throw them out!

 

[alisonbestford]

We all use strollers. Why? Because kids complain... and I don't wan't to listen to it. They get tired, and it is just easier on us.

Well, you can also put your bags on them too. LOL

Anyway, whiile walking through the mall, we were single file (as it gets crowded) and I was the last, and as I walked past some young teenage girl (perhaps 17) and heard her comment on how old or children were to be in a stroller.... well, I backed up and looked her in the face and said....

"you will realize this when you have kids of your own, but would you rather see my children in a stroller happy or listen to them scream as they are dragged through the mall?" She was speechless.

Now, before anyone says "well, why take them then?" Well, the answer is, I don't have a nanny, my husband is working, and yes its fun to have the girls go out during the hustle and bustle and the neices and nephews love to see eachother.

Good for you
Why make life difficult?
I'd quite like to be able to strap DH in a stroller - at least I wouldn't spend forever trying to find him when he wandered off!!
Thank goodness for mobile phones!

Alison

 

[SuBeat]

My kids were 4 and 8 on their first trip to WDW, both walked the entire time and have on both trips since then. My youngest is now 7 and I can't imagine pushing her in a stroller now any more than I would have my DS on that first visit and I'm pretty sure she would want no part of it either. If they get tired, we stop and rest, just like we do if DH or I needs a break, in fact, we probably tire out faster than they do.

 

[chop456]

For me, the stroller is for keeping the kids happy as well as keeping them in my proximity. With the crowds at WDW, the stroller is a comfort/safety tool for me.

 

[kelma]

I think you're very thoughtful and smart to take a stroller for your little guys. We used a side-by-side one for our 3 and 5 year olds last year and it was wonderful. I've read the posts on just stopping when your kids are tired, as they are no longer enjoying the parks, but just because they are too tired to walk, doesn't mean they are too tired to enjoy the scenery or the rides .

In addition, I cannot imagine how anyone could be so presumptous as to believe they should decide how old anyone else's child should be when they stop using a stroller . Why would you even care? If someone else's 12 year old wants to ride and they fit in a stroller, is it really anyone's concern but the parents? I can't imagine anyone's life being so uncomplicated and carefree that this is all they can find to worry about

 

[zdesiree]

I don't understand what's the need of sticking the nose in other's people business. It's so personal the decision of how you are going to deal with your kids!!. Nobody, not even our parents, have the right to say that there must be something physical wrong.

Let me tell you something, if I'm taking my kids to WDW is to have fun and not to make my life and their life miserable. They are kids!!, their job includes to be tired at some time of the day, they are not machines. I don't give a !@#$ of what people may think if they are too big to be on a stroller, is not their problem.

 

[4travelers]

One thing I would suggest is not going for so long of a day at the parks. I know "GASP!!!" NOT SPEND EVERY MINUTE IN THE PARKS???? but with 3 kids they might be happier spending the morning or evenings at the hotel pool and going to the parks for only half the day. If you get to the parks at 12 or 1 you are still there for 7-9 hours! Or try full sit down meals to give lots of rest. Because even with all the wonderful suggestions for strollers, you still will be pushing 3 big kids around.

 

[disneywife22]

Most of the lines at WDW are Mainstream lines (which means that wheelchair users wait in the same line with everyone else).

I would be interested in understanding why then - a young girl in a wheel chair was allowed to go to the front of a character greeting line during my last trip - along with her ENTIRE family? Then to top it all - the rest of us that had waited in line missed the character because it was time for the characters refreshments! I have to agree with Disney Guest that the wheelchair policy is being abused - and it is frustrating. Good for you for speaking your mind

 

[mom2mira]

Most of the lines at WDW are Mainstream lines (which means that wheelchair users wait in the same line with everyone else).

I would be interested in understanding why then - a young girl in a wheel chair was allowed to go to the front of a character greeting line during my last trip - along with her ENTIRE family? Then to top it all - the rest of us that had waited in line missed the character because it was time for the characters refreshments! I have to agree with Disney Guest that the wheelchair policy is being abused - and it is frustrating. Good for you for speaking your mind

If they were "allowed" to go in front of others, I would think there was a reason. I know there are lots of kids/adults visiting Disney from "make-a-wish" and other causes and that could have easily been the case since it sounds like the CMs took the time to do this. I wouldn't think they would do something like that unless there was a reason. I doubt anyone using a wheelchair(or their parents) are expecting special treatment like that. I got the feeling that Disney Guest was referring more to people who may not really need a wheelchair using them to try and get special treatment. Now that is not okay.

 

[alisonbestford]

If they were "allowed" to go in front of others, I would think there was a reason. I know there are lots of kids/adults visiting Disney from "make-a-wish" and other causes and that could have easily been the case since it sounds like the CMs took the time to do this. I wouldn't think they would do something like that unless there was a reason.

I have to agree.
I worked, as a nurse, in an oncology hospital for many years and sometimes, due to illness, treatment, a myriad of reasons, 'windows of opportunity' to do things can be tiny.
Good on the CMs for making it possible on this occasion
I bet that the family mentioned would give anything if the girl in the wheelchair was well enough to be able to queue like anyone else

 

[4travelers]

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.

I think in the past traveling with children was a whole different game, Mom's couldn't nurse in public, strollers didn't really fold, and diapers were cloth. So almost noone traveled with a diaper age child. How could you when you had to wash diapers every day? So a lot families didn't go to Disney until EVERY child was out of diapers.

Now families can travel with children of every age, and we do. We don't feel the need to leave Grandpa at home because he can't walk very far. We travel as soon as the babie's born. People with special needs arn't stuck at home looking out their windows, loving family members can and do take them on trips.

So that means a whole lot of "pushing" is going on!

 

[4travelers]

I have to agree.
I worked, as a nurse, in an oncology hospital for many years and sometimes, due to illness, treatment, a myriad of reasons, 'windows of opportunity' to do things can be tiny.
Good on the CMs for making it possible on this occasion
I bet that the family mentioned would give anything if the girl in the wheelchair was well enough to be able to queue like anyone else

I don't mind people in wheelchairs skipping the lines. But it should only be two people skipping ahead NOT 6 or more! And I DO mind if the wheelchair bound person doesn't even ride the ride and the family uses it as a way to get the other 6 members of the ride on without waiting. I saw this happen a number of times where the family was using a "disabled assist" pass to jump to the front and you couldn't even see a disabled person (I know, not all disabilities "show" but if you can run to get on a ride you can wait in line). And this was on rides that had hour or more waits! If my 3 year old can wait in the heat without his stroller to sit in, so can't the members of the family "escorting" the wheelchair person. The sad thing about this is that people who really should use the no wait feature (like the make a wish children) get lumped in the with the families who abuse the system in the minds of the observer.

 

[bigcrit]

I have twin 8 year olds and wouldn't consider renting a stroller for them. I would rather take an afternoon break than push them around. I think they would consider it "babyish" as well. I think you you would be well served to take a break.