Stroller etiquette

[pikaboo27]

My poor DH. We call him a stroller/wheelchair magnet. If there is a wheel chair or stroller within 3 feet of him, it's going to run into him. And my DH is a 6'3" linebacker type. You can miss seeing him. We can be walking in a straight line in a wide open space, and someone will clip his ankle with a stroller. And no apology, of course.

Now, we push a stroller too, so I get it. The stroller can be tough to navigate big crowds with people trying to get a 3 second advantage by weaving through the crowd. And there is a temptation to use it as a battering ram when yet another group of 18-24 year olds runs in front you because they HAVE to go on Space Mountain RIGHT THIS MINUTE.

We have a nice big Bob because there is no way I'm pushing my 7 mon old in a little light weight Maclaren. After watching someone, pre-baby, knock one of those litter umbrella strollers over (with the child in the stroller) and just keep walking, I told DH, "I want the biggest, heaviest stroller I can get so that baby is protected in case some idiot can't see a stationary stroller RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM." Of course people still jump over the front wheel to cut across in front of me when I'm pushing it.

 

[gator girl]

What I see here is a great untapped market for steel-heeled sneakers.

*calls US Patent Office to initiate million-dollar idea*

 

[nmills]

I am so nervous to bring my stroller now! I have never bumped into a person, but I am the one who always hits poles or clothing racks in stores... My DH usually takes over and never has any issues with hitting things. I know we won't be able to enjoy ourselves without a stroller and plan on taking our time since it is our little ones first trip. I think someone mentioned bells, maybe I will put some jingle bells on the stroller we will be there for MVMCP so it would be a perfect fit. I will definitely be watching my surroundings and trying to avoid hitting someone at all themes.

 

[nmills]

I am so nervous to bring my stroller now! I have never bumped into a person, but I am the one who always hits poles or clothing racks in stores... My DH usually takes over and never has any issues with hitting things. I know we won't be able to enjoy ourselves without a stroller and plan on taking our time since it is our little ones first trip. I think someone mentioned bells, maybe I will put some jingle bells on the stroller we will be there for MVMCP so it would be a perfect fit. I will definitely be watching my surroundings and trying to avoid hitting someone at all themes.

All times *

 

[auprincess]

since the topic of this thread is called stroller etiquette ~ I would say the proper etiquette it so apologize if you hit someone with your stroller; and realize just b/c you are hit with a stroller, does not mean you are not at fault. Most strollers, unless they are a jogger with a swivel wheel in the front, cannot turn without a great deal of effort and space, so if someone who is walking suddenly cuts in front of a stroller, they are more than likely going to be hit.

 

[chartle]

What I see here is a great untapped market for steel-heeled sneakers.

*calls US Patent Office to initiate million-dollar idea*

Spikes would better but then you would start to see strollers with those spinning spiky things on the wheels like in a James Bond Movie but then it becomes an arms race.

 

[rock_doctor]

DW and I have been pushing a Stroller for the last 5 years in WDW and well i am on both sides here. We have etiquette and would never intentionally hit another stroller or person even though we are from NJ LOL

My mom uses a scooter and people just step out and stand in front of her, like she isn't there. I usually yell, "Watch the tram car, please". Which makes us laugh and gets a confused look from them... But they do usually move...

Seriously, the best way to deal with strollers, wheel chairs and scooters...steel toed boots.

 

[Spunky946]

It constantly disturbs me that people throw the word "Nazi" around without any kind of historical context. I agree some families are rude and don't pay attention to driving strollers in Walt Disney World, but I fail to see the correlation with genocide.

I agree, I hate that word and that people use it in casual conversation.

 

[ghtx]

It constantly disturbs me that people throw the word "Nazi" around without any kind of historical context. I agree some families are rude and don't pay attention to driving strollers in Walt Disney World, but I fail to see the correlation with genocide.

Blame Jerry Seinfeld, who first saw the correlation between genocide and poor soup-related customer service.

 

[scuba]

There is nothing here to see folks...please move along

Stollers vs ECVs vs flash photos vs pool hopping vs refillable mugs vs scrapper pins vs bus transportation vs naughty vs nice

That is all

 

[ghtx]

There is nothing here to see folks...please move along

Stollers vs ECVs vs flash photos vs pool hopping vs refillable mugs vs scrapper pins vs bus transportation vs nice pople vs mean people.

That is all

Don't forget vs. tour groups.

 

[nadiakim]

I think it's mostly about the apology rather than the bumping. People need to acknowledge when they run into each other, make eye contact and do the "Sorry" or "Excuse me"...it really does go a long way regardless of who is "at fault".

Agreed!! Cant we all just get along!

I've said it before...

y'all need to practice before you go to WDW...be vigilent!

have your spouse do a little Mike and Sully work out a few times before you go...

happyfeet, happyfeet, happyfeet...STROLLER!
happyfeet, happyfeet, happyfeet...DOUBLE STROLLER!

I see that as apples and oranges. People walking are pedestrians and anyone operating something with wheels (strollers) needs to watch out for them, not the other way around. You can't be constantly looking over your shoulder while walking and you should not have to.

Actually there are many of people who do not have strollers who are oblivious to their surroundings they move, stop, change direction without any regard for what or who is by them or coming in their direction. They are busy looking up at something. I'm not bashing them I have been in that spot too. Disney is the epitomy of eye candy. Your eyes shoot from one direction to the next, sounds are blasting all around, our senses become overstimulated in a nano second and we become no better than deer in headlights. This is especially true for people who are new or have not frequented Disney often. We all need to be more aware.

You need one of these if you wear glasses.

or these stuck to a hat.

since the topic of this thread is called stroller etiquette ~ I would say the proper etiquette it so apologize if you hit someone with your stroller; and realize just b/c you are hit with a stroller, does not mean you are not at fault. Most strollers, unless they are a jogger with a swivel wheel in the front, cannot turn without a great deal of effort and space, so if someone who is walking suddenly cuts in front of a stroller, they are more than likely going to be hit.

Or if you cut in front of someone with a stroller, causing that mom/dad to stop short, maybe get rear ended by the stroller family right behind them, an apology is just as in order. Bottom line, we all need to stop rushing around. The rides have been their for years and will continue to do so.

Blame Jerry Seinfeld, who first saw the correlation between genocide and poor soup-related customer service.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!

 

[LauraEadon]

I find a lot of your posts funny. No disrespect intended.

While I think everyone should be responsible for their own surroundings, people can make mistakes too. So while you shouldn't have to be hyper sensitive to who is behind you every time you stop, you should at least be aware.

I've seen it all.

The person who just STOPS. Whether to look at a map or sees a picture perfect moment. BOOM! Just... stops... right there in the middle of everything. Don't blame the stroller/wheelchair who runs into that dude.

The person who is completely unaware. Looking around while they barrel through the walkways running into people, be it with their body or a stroller/wheelchair. (That's who you should be aware of. If you see it, move or suffer bodily injury!)

The person who is aware but wants to "save time" by barreling through with the stroller/wheelchair. They are looking the person right in the back of the head as they just plow them down.

And finally, the person who has never been on an electric wheelchair before (ahem, cue my Nana). I had to run at one point to catch up to her and turn the knob WAY DOWN to slow her "top" speed. Honest, she didn't mean it, anyone she hit. She was promptly given a "driving lesson" after it happened and I didn't leave her side the whole day!

Seriously though, really watch out for all these types of people. Foot injuries are no fun when you're in Disney World seeing as your main source of transportation is by foot!

Also, after Nana's driving was under control, there were NUMEROUS times she almost ran people down by accident because of type 1, 2 and 3 people. Add in the "oh it's just an 80 year old woman in an electric wheelchair I can't cut in front of her" type.

DON'T JUST STOP WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WALKWAY! MOVE ASIDE!

:::End Rant:::

 

[CraftyMommy]

You are in a place surrounded by thousands of people. You will encounter all sorts of people.

It stinks that you have to be on alert if you see a stroller or wheelchair coming, but there isn't really anything you can DO about it. Its just something you have to accept. If I was ever run into by a stroller, it wasn't significant enough to leave a lasting memory on me.

I do remember being in AK getting my ankle banged up by an ECV. All I did was drop to the ground holding my bleeding ankle, and the lady who ran into me started yelling at me that it was my fault I was in front of her and stopped suddenly (because the line in front of me stopped). I should have known there was someone behind me with an ECV and I should have known she can't stop that quickly. I wanted to give her a piece of my mind but I held my tongue and decided it would do me no good to argue with stupid.

I let it go, accepted a bandage presented to me by a CM who had saw my bleeding ankle, and we all moved on about our day. I don't think there is anything that can be done. It would be silly for WDW to have stroller and wheelchair police walking around handing out tickets.

Accept the fact that rude people are allowed to vacation at Disney also. And try not to let it bother you.

 

[hammie59]

As a double stroller pushing mom I just want to point out that it's much more difficult to navigate a stroller (especially once there are kids in it!) than simply walking. A human being with two legs just seems to have an innate agility that a stroller does not! lol!

So when I'm pushing a stroller in a straight line and someone crosses in front of me it's not so easy to maneuver around.

Also, I'm sorry, but people who decide to just stop in the middle of a walkway suck! How am I supposed to anticipate that your whole group is just going to stop while you look in your huge carry-all for a lip-balm? Again, stroller, not so agile. Takes a bit more work.

Before we bash the strollers, can we also bash all the people with two legs who can't seem to walk in a straight line?

LOL, so true.

 

[rdearth]

And finally, the person who has never been on an electric wheelchair before (ahem, cue my Nana). I had to run at one point to catch up to her and turn the knob WAY DOWN to slow her "top" speed. Honest, she didn't mean it, anyone she hit. She was promptly given a "driving lesson" after it happened and I didn't leave her side the whole day!

Hilarious, but also a good point. Many people are not that experienced driving strollers through traffic either.

I still think it's just a common assumption, and maybe one we all do subconsciously, that people with strollers, wheelchairs, or scooters are travelling slower than we are when we walk without them. A lot of times that is not true and that's how a lot of people get clipped as they try to cut across them.

 

[pbrim]

Tell me, when you're driving, do you turn your head and check your blind spot before switching lanes? Or do you just expect the person coming up in that lane to look out for you? Also, if you do check your blind spot, do you crash into stuff when you do? And how is it you can turn your head to check your blind spot while driving but not turn your head to make sure no one is behind you while you're walking?

Apples and oranges. Yes, I turn my head to check my blind spot next to me when I change lanes, and I glance in the rear-view when driving straight to check behind me. When there are designated walking lanes painted on all the sidewalks in WDW, with on and off ramps for shops and rides, and each person is issued a rear view mirror and must pass a test on the rules for orderly walking before being allowed in, your analogy will be totally applicable.

HOWEVER, what you actually have is a milling free for all -- more bumper cars than freeway. It's all a person can do to keep track of the 180 degrees in front of them, much less the 180 degrees behind.

When changing lanes you know "This is my space, that is your space, before I move into your space, it is incumbent on me to make sure there is room." But there is no my space/your space for pedestrians. How are you supposed to know that while you are walking straight, there is someone moving up fast behind you, at an angle, that you need to swerve to avoid (and try not to swerve into someone else). You may have a spidey sense, but I don't.

And it's one thing to turn your head to check the space behind and to the left of you, but checking directly behind you without a rear view mirror will entail either walking backwards for a couple of steps, or coming to a complete stop to check behind, precipitating the exact pileup you are trying to avoid.

 

[LCoulter]

After the evening parade in MK, we were near the hub and most of the traffic was heading out of the park so were heading toward us.

DH had the stroller and was following a line of people heading toward the castle and I was following behind him. There was a woman with a stroller following behind me and she kept ramming the stroller into the back of my ankle/feet. As I took a step I would quickly lift my heel so that she would hit the bottom of my foot rather than the back of my ankle which really hurt. A few times I wasn’t quick enough and she got my ankle. I finally turned around and said, “You know that ramming me is not going to make me go any faster in this crowd, right?” and she just mumbled that the person behind her was pushing her. No apology and she continued to ram me, despite the dirty looks I was giving her. DH was about to trade places with me when the crowd broke and we were able to get away from her.

DH managed to follow behind the line of people without hitting the person in front of him. I can't believe that someone would just keep doing it with every step

 

[LCoulter]

Once we were in a crowd after a parade and someone without a stroller kept pushing me from behind when I was doing my best to remain still because I had the stroller. My son’s feet kept hitting the lady’s leg in front of me. She turned around and told me she couldn’t move. I apologized and told her I was being pushed from behind. It stopped after that. It was our small umbrella stroller and I was very afraid someone would fall on my son in that crowd.

I just saw this post about pushing so maybe the lady behind me was really being pushed as you were, although she rammed be many, many times before we were able to get out of the crowd so there was a lot of pushing going on

 

[TowMater92]

My worst trip was a graduation trip with 3 of my friends. We all had cuts on the back of ankle(not an exaggeration), we eventually just started stepping to the side and saying "sorry my ankle was in your way I'll get out of your way now with my bleeding ankle" that got a few strange looks and actually got a couple sorry's but not from everyone. I still don't know why it was so bad that trip but I still use that line when someone rams into me with a stroller or wheelchair.