stoller ideas for older kids

[cocowum]

last year at the end of a 12 hour day my DD9 who weighed about 80 lbs. was begging me to rent a wheelchair for her. poor kid had to keep up with her Commando Mom She was so exhausted she fell asleep as soon as we got on the bus. We got a great video of her laying across the back seats in a big puddle of drool
I say if your kids fit in a stroller use one.

 

[SueM in MN]

the WDW rental strollers will hold up to a small 12 year old (especially if you rent double)

 

[Deb & Bill]

How about taking a swim break at your hotel if your older kid gets tired instead of plugging on? Everyone can use a break now and then, plus you get a chance to recharge and head out later on in the afternoon or evening.

 

[blessedby3]

Hello- Im the second poster on this thread. I wanted to let you know that I received the Maclaren Volo stroller yesterday and we love it. It is very big and roomy, yet very light. My 6 1/2 DD fits very nicely in it and it DOES push wonderfully!! I didnt think I would ever see that happen. The handles are much higher than a normal stroller which comes in handy for my 6'2" husband. The frame on this stroller is very sturdy and I wish we had known about this stroller years ago. Again, I got this one at www.babydealz.com for $63.99 plus $5.00 shipping by Fedex. It was the cheapest place I could find it and I checked a BUNCH of web sites and Ebay. Just wanted to post since I received it.
And to Sue1013, I take a bit of offense at your post since my DD will just have turned 7 when we go and we bought this stroller for her. There is nothing medically wrong with her, but she is the size of some 4-5 year olds, and there is nothing wrong with her riding in a stroller. Do you realize how much smaller a childs walking stride is and how many MORE steps they actually take than YOU! Dont be so critical of others that are thinking of their children- there is no need to drag a VERY TIRED child around Disney when there are other options. Just had to add my 2 cents!

 

[imsayin]

Just wanted to add my experience. When DS was 5, I never even thought about a stroller for him (No way was I putting a 5 y/o in a stroller!). Well, on day 2 or 3 of Disney, he was whining. DH & I argued about renting a stroller (he said no way). Well, we rented the stroller and the rest of the day was much smoother.

So, maybe you can wait until you get there, see how the kids do, and rent if you have to. I know we all hate to pay the rental costs, but maybe you'll just need it for one day.

 

[Momof5cubs]

I rented a stroller last summer for my 5 year old. He is in good physical shape and we, too, go hiking alot at home. However, being from New England I think that the hot Florida sun & humidity takes it's toll on little people who aren't used to it. So, added to the endless walking, is the climate change.

We have always rented WDW's strollers in the past. We are going this December and are bringing our own stroller (Peg Perego Aria Twin) for the first time.

 

[cascadecupcake]

We've always planned our "family" vacations (I say that because we have gone without the kids also) to Disney around our kids. When they are tired, we go. I'm like any parent and don't like to listen to the complaining either. If they don't want to walk around the parks, then they apparently don't really want to be there--And that's fine! We'll go back to the hotel, swim, and maybe come back later that day if they want. We just play it by ear and do what the "family" wants to do.

The thought of putting my big kids in a stroller so that I don't have to listen to them whine has never crossed my mind. If I have a need to travel around the parks all day and know it's too much for my kids to handle then I don't take them. We've gone down by ourselves before and enjoyed it. (although I enjoy it with the kids better! )

Disney is expensive. If you are in a situation where you feel you need to get the very most out of your admission price, but yet also know your kids aren't ready to physically handle that type of day, why not postpone the disney trip until they're older?

 

[punkin]

My oldest used the rental stroller until she was 8. If I gave her half a chance, she'd use one even now (she's 12).

Every one gets tired in the parks, and when you add the heat and humudity, even active children will poop out. This does not meann, however, that they are ready to leave the park. Only that they don't want to criss cross the park to do attractions (which I make everyone do ince I religiously follow the UG touring plans)

 

[WDWlover]

We're going to WDW this November, and our children will be 4, 7 1/2, and 10 months. I was wondering how we were going to do the stroller thing, so we had decided to make the 7 year old walk the whole time. I know we're bringing a stroller for the baby, and we were going to just rent a single from WDW instead of bringing a double stroller (we did that once, and it was a major pain!!!) However, now after reading this thread, we will be renting a double stroller from WDW so that way the 2 oldest can walk or ride when they get tired. I know the double is more, but when we're already spending a couple grand on the vacation, what's another 50 bucks to have less whining. So, in other words...I don't see anything wrong with older kids riding in a stroller there - I DO have an issue when I see 12 years olds riding!

 

[cocowum]

My oldest used the rental stroller until she was 8. If I gave her half a chance, she'd use one even now (she's 12).

Every one gets tired in the parks, and when you add the heat and humudity, even active children will poop out. This does not meann, however, that they are ready to leave the park. Only that they don't want to criss cross the park to do attractions (which I make everyone do ince I religiously follow the UG touring plans)

 

[poohpcgirl]

Per some great advice here on DIS, I bought a Mac Quest. My son is 41 inches high and 43 lbs. IT pushes like a dream and is just wonderful.

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

I don't think the issue is "physical condition."
If it is... you can't expect to take your children to WDW and whip them into shape by not using a stroller.
I prefer using Disney strollers.
For one thing they are the SUV's of strollers.....I don't have to get it back to my resort on a bus(although watching people try to get a huge stroller on a full bus is kind of entertaining as long as no one is injured!!! )
I take a sturdy umbrella stroller to use outside the parks.
For me safety has alot to do with using a stroller.
I want the little buggers locked and loaded in the stroller!!!!
Not to mention where would we pile all our stuff if not for the stroller??
Strollers just make for a better experience anywhere you take your children.
I am more offended by people who abuse wheelchair privileges... most of us have all seen someone get out of a wheelchair to ride Space Mountain,ect.
Have fun......

Tink

 

[alisonbestford]

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.

Michiele

LOL, just make sure he takes his turn at carrying them when they get tired
That was my threat to DH and, especially as his health is poor, that was the end of that disagreement

Have a great time.

Alison

 

[hilltopfamily]

I am more offended by people who abuse wheelchair privileges... most of us have all seen someone get out of a wheelchair to ride Space Mountain,ect.Tink

I'm guessing that you mean you've seen people who do not have an "obvious" physical disability (that you were able to detect). But please be aware that just because a person can get out of the wheelchair to go on a ride does NOT mean that they don't have visual and physical/mobility disabilities.

My DD14 suffered 2 terrible CVA's (strokes) at birth due to congenital heart defects. All her life she has suffered from legal blindness, poor balance, significantly decreased motor control of her left side, and a leg length discrepancy that causes scoliosis/uneven pelvis, and impaired gait. But, she can walk short distances. So we will be pushing her in a wheelchair, as we did 2 years ago at Universal, but she will get up and get on/off rides to the best of her ability. And yes, we will get unpleasant looks from others. Too bad they can't "walk a day in her shoes" before they give her unkind glances.

 

[alisonbestford]

.
I am more offended by people who abuse wheelchair privileges... most of us have all seen someone get out of a wheelchair to ride Space Mountain,ect.

Tink

Slightly different slant but have to agree with hilltopfamily on this one.
DH, who is 37, has a brain tumour with, until recently, no obvious outward signs .
We have a blue, disabled badge for the car and have had to endure people, literally, walking up to him and sticking their faces right in front of his to see why he can walk out of the car! Then they peer at the badge in the window! How awful must that make him feel?
As a result he refused a wheelchair when we were at WDW but it didn't half make life difficult for us all
Alison

 

[LauraAnn630]

We plan to bring our big stroller for our 2 yr old this year. He had a rough time napping in the little stroller last year.

Its so hot and exhausting! We will rent a double stroller when our 8yr old gets tired of walking (and he will) and leave the stroller at our room.

I also bought a clip on fan to go on the stroller! Everyone was asking where we bought it. I think we bought it at Ace Hardwear.

After about 3 days of none stop action and heat I WILL WANT A STROLLER FOR ME!! LOL

The bus drivers will not help you put the strollers on the bus. My DS and I decided to do an E-night last year. My DH and baby wanted to go back to the room. My DH couldnt get crabby baby and stroller on the bus. No one would help him put the stroller on the bus. The busdriver called him a FREE cab! He tried to put the baby in a seat and walk off the bus and get the stroller but crabby baby (1 yr old) kept following him off the bus too! He was crying and tired.

 

[alisonbestford]

He was crying and tired.

My DH would have been the same
Alison

 

[l2much4u]

Like I said we went last year with just the 7&8 year old...both were in the rented strollers, but it cost me a fortune by the time we went to all the parks (seaworld included)...I was looking for a cheap way to get out of the rental since this time we will have to rent a double and a single... everyone is right... there is no reason to make them walk it if they don't have to... plus it's kind of nice to have something to push and lean on yourself... hee hee

 

[DISNEY GUEST]

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

 

[alisonbestford]

I've no idea on the rental costs for WDW strollers but can guess it's not cheap to rent one, never mind 2
Just a thought here but is your youngest small enough to fit into a regular stroller, that you could maybe borrow or buy cheaply, from one of the supermarkets when you arrive? We bought a single stroller from Winn Dixie for $19.99 on our arrival for DD who weighs 50 lbs (only reason I know is because she had to be weighed whilst we were in Orlando for antibiotics for an ear infection ) and I've seen them in Walgreens costing a little more
How does the DIS stroller swap work?
That way you could either rent a double - not cheap I know but I'm thinking aloud here - or buy one of the strollers mentioned earlier in the post from E- Bay or somewhere similar?
Good luck anyway.
Alison