Stoller???

[BamaFan121s]

I think it's best to determine what is best for YOUR child based on what YOU think works best for THEM as an INDIVIDUAL, not so much to limit it to age. Also consider what is your famiy's "park style." There is a big difference in expecting a child to be able to keep up when your family gets there mid morning, goes back to the room to rest mid-day and then comes back for a few hours at night VS a family who hits the park at rope drop and stays until the end of EMH. I don't know many adults who can manage that and not be exhausted, much less a child!

What is best for one family/child may not be what is best suited for the next. How anyone can look at someone else's child in a stoller and judge what they should be doing based on the childs size or activity is beyond me. (Or for that matter why anyone would give it a second thought instead of focusing their energy on their own family and having fun!)

 

[caroline1851]

There is no too old. It's what works for you. I'm bringing one from home for dd2 (almost 3) when we go in Oct.-but i bet she wont' even want to ride in it. ds6 will not. I offered that option to him and he looked at me like i was crazy.

 

[maj42169]

I dunno, if you have an older kid who was with parents that go, go, go and the kid's expected to walk for miles; I think it's probably best for the kid to be in a stroller when they're getting fatigued. Don't really think it's laziness and certainly don't think a child who doesn't actually need one should be renting a wheelchair! Lots of people that actually need them, for other than being a child who tires, might not get one...

My kids are in really excellent, active shape and walk or run probably two miles a day; but they get really worn out in WDW -- not an issue or laziness; just a lot of walking and a really long day.

Just an observation on the thread as a whole:
I see something like this every few months and I always wonder who would think their kids would be better in a stroller and not do it because other people might think something funny? Others, as in people you don't know and will likely never see again are influencing your child's comfort and your family's vacation? Not directed at anyone personally and not trying to attack or insult anyone but your kids are your kids; anyone else's opinion is immaterial. JMHO

Well said!

and "laziness" ISN'T the issue here.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

I think that stroller age is relative to each child. We plan to rent one next week for our almost 6 year old. He is still kinda small and we feel is unable to walk the 7 or 8 miles required to get around the parks for a day. He has not used a stroller anywhere but WDW since he was 3 but we find it invalualbe when it comes to avoiding the afternoon "meltdown".

 

[abcboys]

We just returned from a week stay at disney. I brought a stroller for my 2 year old and Wed. and Thur. we rented a stroller for the 6 year old (the 9 year old even rode, too) It gave them a break and they had done a lot of walking those first few days. Those disney stroller push WONDERFULLY!! I was pushing both older boys in one stroller (one day they gave us an upgrade to a double free) Easily 100 pounds of kid and it was so easy to push. Even easier than the maclaren. Well worth the $25 for 2 days.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I used a stroller up untill age 7 for my DD. You know your children best, you are aware of their physical and emotional limitations or abilities. I would play it by ear for older kids, if you find they need one, renting mid day is really not a big deal.

MK is the easiest park to go stroller free, Epcot the most difficult.

On our Disneyland trip DD(9) at the time, did OK on her own footpower. We will play it by ear for our Dec trip, she will be 11 we plan on taking it slower and letting her rest. If she is still having difficulty we will get a wheelchair for her. She is mildly autistic with a tic disorder and low muscle tone so we will see how it goes. She can do everything most children can do it just takes her a little longer and more effort.

We walk everyday 2 miles a day to build up her stamina, we started with 1 mile.

WDW is a big place, don't feel like a failure as a parent if your 4 or 5 year old needs a stroller. It can be physically taxing on healthy adults. So again, you know what is best for your children.

 

[Pineapple70]

disneycouple99 - thanks so much for the info! It helps a lot!