Stroller advice

[kaytieeldr]

Shel - maybe not rude so much as hurtful. I mean, you or I may not consider whatever comments graygables is referring to as rude, but SHE does and in her situation, that's what matters. Not that we'd make such comments, but if we heard them we might interpret them differently, because they're not directed at us.

As for encountering rude people at WDW in general, well, people seldom seem to have "Sunday go to meeting" manners any more. We act at Disney the same way we act at home. Except maybe for the part where even some adults have meltdowns

You should go to Walt Disney World expecting to encounter the same types of people you encounter where you live. Some funny, some friendly, some great, some helpful (thanks again, Rich and Amy!!!!) and yes, some rude and self-centered.

 

[2disneybabies]

To tzuhouse

Yes...if you are staying at a disney resort, just call disney and make the reservation for the stroller rental. If you are staying at a DVC you need to call them and they will make the reservation for you! You can book however many days you would like...it doesn't have to be the amount of days you are there total. We are going in 3 weeks for 7 days, I made an advanced stroller rental reservation for 3 days...just the longer days I know I will want one!
Hope you have a great vacation!!!!!

 

[DeirdreTours]

It's "opinions" like this that make our visits to WDW less magical than they should be. My 7yo appears to be a healthy girl. At home, she can run around and play, she takes dance classes, skates, but she can also fall asleep at 2 in the afternoon from sheer exhaustion. There are no explanations. She also has a brain chemical disorder (not pinned down yet, either) and the stroller helps keep her "organized" so she doesn't melt down as frequently. If not for the stroller, I would be carrying my 70 lb child asleep down Main Street after just a few hours in the park or trying to calm a screaming fit in the middle of the Splash Mountain queue b/c her brain can't take anymore stimulation.

So, what does a healthy-looking 7yo in a stroller mean? It means that airport security makes fun of her and tells me to stop "babying" her. It means that guests at WDW (like yourself) make rude comments and stare and point and sometimes make her cry (and me want to). It means that I have a difficult, if not impossible time using Disney buses. It means that wheelchairs get to use the monorail ramp, but I have to try to manhandle the jogger on before the doors close, sometimes over people's feet who have not made way for a "handicapped" person. I have a card attached to her stroller that indicates it is a wheelchair, but not everyone sees or acknowledges it. I also use a GAC, but it is meaningless in some places and does not protect us from the selfish rudeness of others.

So, before you go making judgment calls about why a kid is in a stroller (and assuming they or their parents are somehow unfit), mind your own business and keep your feet and shins out of my way.

I am at a loss as to what you are talking about. As I have REPEATEDLY said this is discussion of opinions about healthy children walking in WDW . AND I do not ever harass people (well, I would for something I thought risked immediate injury but I can't recall the last time that happened). Do you imagine that I run around accosting people with strollers? Do you confront everyone you observe in public doing something differently than you would do?
Your comments about minding one's own business in a discussion forum are ludicrious. And although the advice to mind one's shins and feet is always sound, the implication that you intend to assault people with your stroller is an ugly one.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Idea for a new smiley......eyes and face scrunched up with hands over both ears......


or maybe one eating popcorn......

this will have to do for now....

 

[tzuhouse]

To 2DisneyBabies:

Thanks for finding my message between all the rest! I called WDW-DISNEY today. They said that you can only reserve single strollers in advance. They wound up transferring me someplace else. She said that I could get a double stroller for extended stay (say for 6 days) and they do NOT have to be consecutively used. She also said that if I purchased 6 days and then only used 5 of them, they would refund a days worth. They said that I could NOT call ahead of time and reserve, but just buy multi-day tickets on that first morning. She also said that, since I bought an AP (can't believe they don't give stroller discounts to passholders, like SeaWorld), I could go to a park that first night when we get there, buy my multi tickets and then bypass that stroller line the next morning.

Mary

 

[graygables]

I am at a loss as to what you are talking about. As I have REPEATEDLY said this is discussion of opinions about healthy children walking in WDW . AND I do not ever harass people (well, I would for something I thought risked immediate injury but I can't recall the last time that happened). Do you imagine that I run around accosting people with strollers? Do you confront everyone you observe in public doing something differently than you would do?
Your comments about minding one's own business in a discussion forum are ludicrious. And although the advice to mind one's shins and feet is always sound, the implication that you intend to assault people with your stroller is an ugly one.

As far as minding your own business goes, that was a blanket statement to park visitors who need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and pay attention to themselves and their own family instead of making everyone else miserable by their selfish meddling. It was NOT intended to mean the message board. I don't "assault" anyone with my stroller, but if I say excuse me 3 times, they step in front of me, or stop suddenly, then all bets are off.

Your opinion perpetuates the problems. It is people who share that opinion that make our lives more miserable than they need to be. While you personally do not accost those with older children in strollers, it's the idea you perpetuate that there is something wrong with it and not taking a step back to consider the facts that causes the problems. Who are your to judge whether or not the child is "healthy"? Or to determine their level of stamina? Each child is different and it really is no one else's business why I choose to put my child in a stroller.

I have heard more than once in the parks remarks like, "Why don't you just get up and stand like the rest of us?" "Isn't she a little old for that?" "Why does *she* get to keep *her* stroller and the rest of us don't?" "What's the matter, mommy, can't let your baby grow up?" and so on. And, when it comes to boarding a bus? "Why should she be allowed to sit and I can't?" "Get your d*&# stroller off the bus" and worse. It all boils down to selfishness and a disregard for others.

As far as the security goes, no it didn't help and it only made DD cry harder. It's hard enough needing naps when you're 7, but to be called a "baby" all the time is too much.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have an eye disease that has robbed me of about 80 percent of my eyesite. I can see straight on just fine. So I would actually prefer to have little kids in a stoller and not running amock so I don't trip and fall all over them. I know this isn't reasonable of me to wish but I can see a large stroller rather then a dodging kid so much better.
That being said I have a 7 year old and I would never dream of getting her a stroller. We have annual passes to Disneyland. I am sympathetic to unseen physical ailments in people. I above most other people can totally understand that things are not always as they seem. Of course if your child has something wrong with them then by all means use a stroller. But for a regular healthy child I don't get it. Just as I would not give a 3 year old a bottle or a pacifier I would not give a 7 year old a stroller. Sure it may make them feel better and keep them from crying but I just personally for ME don't find it to be appropriate nor would my child ask. It has been years since my 7 year old has ridden in a stroller. Sure in the past weekends she has said her feet hurt. I was not unsympathetic. My feet hurt too. I told her that in a nice voice. Maybe it was time to take a rest??? Seems like it. Just because I wouldn't push my kids in a stroller at that age doesn't mean I love them less or she is less of a pricess to me. It just would never occur to me to do that. Nor would it occur to me to look in strollers to see the ages of other peoples children. I just simply assumed that after the toddler age when kids can stay with you and not dart all over they walk. Also I do not accept tiredness or crankiness for poor behavior in my children. I just simply do not. There will be dire consequenses for that no matter where we are whether I have flown all the way across the country to Islands of Adventure or whether I am in my own backyard at Disneyland. This is just me though and I see plenty of other people deal with it differently by a variety of either abusive or yelling type behavior. I can't remember the last time my kid through a tantrum in a theme park, they know we would be out the exit so fast. Thats just us though.

 

[madgomez]

As sweet as it is to think of my children as little princesses and a prince-- I would never treat them in a way that elevated their personal vacation comfort above the parents (beyond babyhood). Nor would I push their comfort concerns below mine. In our family, everyone's happiness is equally important. It is a vacation for all of us-- We are all there to have fun, explore and enjoy one another's company.

I guess I am fundamentally different in this regard from many in this thread: I would not be at all proud of making my feet sore so that my little princess could see everything while being pushed in a padded chair. Instead, when my feet are tired we take a break (or split up). And, if my child said she was tired, we would take a break as well.

Deidre, I just read thru this thread, and must agree that several of your comments were rude and judgmental, and not merely opinions. The implication of "spoiled children" or worse "treating them like invalids" is simply uncalled for.

But I believe the part of your post I quote here makes it clear what the difference is that makes you so adamant. You do not use a stroller because using one would put your child's happiness above yours. In other words, using a stroller would make you unhappy, so that overides whether using it would make your child happier.

I, for one, am happy and proud to sacrific a little to let my children enjoy their childhoods. I am happy to be the adult in the relationship and let my children be children. They can be treated as my equals when they are mature adults. Until then, I will parent them. That often entails putting their needs before my own, and that requirement of parenting does not cease after "babyhood".

 

[SammieG]

my son looks 8 or 9 to be honest.. but is only 5 - and he has a stroller (only when at Disney) But I have NEVER EVER encountered any bad feeling, comments, rude people regarding the stroller. Also I have never ever been rammed by a stroller in all the times we have been there.. not once.. and we have made 14 2 -3 week trips.. (thats a minimum of 35 weeks spent at Disney over the last 7 years)

So, whilst I appreciate these things must happen- I cannot say that I have ever experienced it. My son aged 3 looked more like a 5/6 year old, so we have had a good 2 years and 5/6 trips when it might have happened.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

When I see a healthy 6, 7 or even older child being pushed about like a little prince, I do not think the parent is really serving the best interests of the child.

My children just turned 6 & 7 turning our last trip. Both are fit and not lazy by any means. Both are competitive swimmers along with their other activities. However, they are not used to walking for hours in 90+ degrees. Yes, they get tired and yes, we rented a double stroller a couple of times. I am 100% confident that by doing so I was "serving the best interest of our children".

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Madgomez- I agree with your post!

To Deidre... yes, I do often walk enough to get blisters on my feet. It happens- but it doesn't mean I need to make my kids get blisters too.

As sweet as it is to think of my children as little princesses and a prince-- I would never treat them in a way that elevated their personal vacation comfort above the parents (beyond babyhood). Nor would I push their comfort concerns below mine. In our family, everyone's happiness is equally important. It is a vacation for all of us-- We are all there to have fun, explore and enjoy one another's company.

I treat my kids in a way that elevates their personal comfort above mine all the time... especially on vacation. So I guess that's where we'll disagree. Besides, elevating my YOUNG child's comfort level above mine (ie: I get blisters but don't force blisters on her little feet by refusing to let her use a stroller at times) makes MY vacation better. I can have blisters without complaining, crying, whining, etc. All of which I'd expect out of a child that had sores on their feet. So I avoid that... and that's a bad thing? Okay whatever. LOL
Besides- lots of children in the 4yr range still take naps and/or want to take a nap when they have a long physical day.... some people prefer to have strollers for them to catnap at times and make them happier/less tired human beings during the trip- as opposed to spending a good portion of the day going back to the resort only to have them be wide awake after the short catnap in your lap on the bus back to the resort and NOT want to go to sleep at the resort once you get there. Yes, I have experienced that many times- not making it up. LOL

 

[thaggie]

Yes, putting a healthy child in a stroller and pushing them around is, by definition, treating them as an invalid. The action directly implies that the child is less capable of walking several miles over several hours than the adult pushing the stroller. In the case of a healthy child, this simply isn't true.

So I decided to ask a pediatrician.

My neighbor is a very loving mother of 3 children (3, 6 and 8). Oh by the way she is also a very respected and published pediatrician. She has been published on child nutrition and exercise. I printed out this entire thread and asked for her opinion. It was........"I do Disney every year with my kids....if they get tired and ask for a stroller they get it! We are on vacation to have a pleasant time and not walk a Dinsey marathon."

I hope that everyone has a great trip to Disney. And yes you will see mea t some point pushing my 4 year old twins in a stroller!

 

[bytheblood]

Get the stroller.

 

[bizeemom4]

We'll be renting a double stroller for my very tiny 9 y.o. and very tall 6 y.o. for our two week trip over Thanksgiving. If they are too tired to go on and the rest of us still have plenty of energy to push them around, they get a stroller. Period. I don't really care if anyone thinks I'm babying them. They enjoy being pushed. I get to enjoy visiting the park.

 

[bytheblood]

Um, the original poster ASKED for opinions on getting a stroller for her 5 and 7 year olds. I offered my opinion. I am not running around the parks accosting parents and demanding they give up their strollers.

However, a healthy child SHOULD be able to walk and stand just about as long as the average middle aged parent can. If they can't that is definately something that should be brought to the pediatrician's attention. If you don't believe me....ask your pediatrician.

The majority of US children are not as fit as they should be (and over a third are overweight). Every child should be physically active for at least 90 minutes a day with vigorous (running, jumping, etc.) exercise making up at least 20 minutes of that. A child getting that level of activity at home will be fine with the 10 -15 minute bursts of walking throughout the day that is typical of WDW. We just returned from an 8 night/9 day stay and our 7 year old had no trouble at all. We had a stroller for the 2 year old, but even she often walked beside it. An added plus, after a full day of activity-- they both slept long and well every night.

If your child isn't getting the APA recommeded level of activity, then I would suggest that a trip to Disney is great motivation to get them moving more.

I stand by my opinion that pushing them around like invalids is not in their best interests. If you are walking so long that they would be exhausted, then aren't you? Or do you push yourself to the point of dropping while pushing a stroller?

Wow, you must be Helen, the mother of Dash and Violet. Please tell Bob I said hello and I am looking forward to his next movie.

I would be willing to bet many pediatricians would argue with you.

 

[bytheblood]

Oh I will be vary happy to get "huffy" here!!! DeirdreTours...you mention that the original poster asked for opinions...well post your opinion as the rest of us have and leave it at that!!! You don't need to preach to the rest of us. We are all very capable parents who can decide what is best for our children! My opinion is just that...my opinion! I don't think any differently of someone who has a different opinion than mine. I would NEVER tell hem how wrong they are for having their own opinion or that their child was an "invalid". I can't believe you don't see how rude you come off!!!!

Just want to add............

 

[bytheblood]

DUP!!!!

 

[bytheblood]

Get a grip on yourself.

HEY - This is a family friendly place here.

 

[bytheblood]

I said no such thing. Get a grip on yourself. The original poster asked if she would need a stroller for children. It is patently obvious that fit children do not physically benefit from a stroller. I stated the APA recomendations and that a child physically unable to manage walking around for several hours should be medically evaluated. Which they should be. I said nothing whatsoever about your child or your reasons for stroller use. Nor did I use the word "spoiled".

That you feel "lectured" by an opinion that differs (strongly) from your own is your own issue. If you choose to use a stroller until your child enters college, I could care less. My opinion that stroller use is past age 4 is more of a hindrance than a help and that isn't a benefit to the child is my opinion, has nothing whatever to do with you or your choices and cannot be personally insulting to you unless you CHOOSE to twist it to be so.

Deidre - You lectured and insulted. You did not give you opinon, but instead were lecturing on how people who do not do what you do are wrong.

An opinion would be, "I feel like my children are strong and healthy enough after the age 4 to walk on their own, therefore I do not get a stroller." You used the terms "little princes" and "invalids" to state you so-called opinon.

You are a very rude and hateful person.

As out of character as this is for me to say, I must...I do hope that you are not as ugly on the outside as you are in the inside.

 

[DeirdreTours]

Wow. Good to know that you only descend into petty, nasty, personal comments when really pushed. Can't imagine what your "in character" manners might be.

I am sorry that some posters here are so very insecure about their parenting that a different opinion sends them into hysterics.

I will leave you all to congratulate yourselves on the sacrifices you make for the comfort of your beloved children.

Bye.