Stroller etiquette

[Senator Tressel]

A Stroller Nazi would be someone who has very rigid regulations regarding strollers or is extremely controlling of stroller behavior. Not someone who has a stroller and uses it as a weapon.

 

[gator girl]

A Stroller Nazi would be someone who has very rigid regulations regarding strollers or is extremely controlling of stroller behavior. Not someone who has a stroller and uses it as a weapon.

Yeah, that's more like a stroller MacGuyver.

 

[LucyBC80]

Yeah, that's more like a stroller MacGuyver.

 

[LisaTC]

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!

Humor in Truth. Some of my worst encounters were people free from stroller usage. Backing up to take a photo or whatever and not looking behind them and elbowing me right in the chest -- YOWCH.

Having conversations and standing right in the middle of EVERYTHING at a dead stop and waving hands while they are talking, poking me in the eye.

The list goes on...I digress. It can happen with a stoller, it can happen without. Some people when they realize they've done something get defensive instead of apologetic, who knows why! Probably tiredness and getting poked or rammed themselves. I'm glad I waited until a nonstroller age to take my DD because I wouldn't have wanted to deal with a stroller. OY! Getting through the fray was bad enough with just my own body and keeping an eye on my DD & DH. Kudos to those who can even attempt to move a stroller through those crowds. There's bound to be incidents.

Hopefully, if we, at least in this conversation can maintain some semblence of etiquette we can rub off on at least one other person. I've taught my DD to constantly say: 'excuse me, pardon me, excuse me, pardon me' so much so that it is automatic. Don't know if people appreciate it or not, but at least it's said.

 

[juliebug1997]

I don't understand why the person in front should have to be hyper aware of what's behind them, when the person in back is the one with the better vantage point of whether their stroller/wheelchair/anything push-able is going. Only perhaps if you know you're going to need to stop unexpectedly, you should obviously quickly move to the side, but in general walking? I don't have eyes in the back of my head but people behind me have them front and center.

ITA, really. If you rear-end someone while driving, you are the one at fault. I've seen some people bring the triangular jogging strollers into the parks. One lady with her stroller got so mad at "being cut off" that she started chasing after someone else. It was in the area by pirates that gets a little narrower and it really couldn't be avoided. She then proceeded to run her stroller up the ankles/legs off the wrong person because she wasn't paying attention to what she was really doing.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I was hit hard last trip after Wishes. I was standing still because there was no where to go. A double rental stroller was right behind me and I guess the mom got tired of waiting because she rammed me - her dh reacted before I even turned around and yelled at her. I had blood running down my leg and a cut/bruise that lasted the rest of the trip. The stroller had 2 children in our that were bigger than my walking children - I'm glad she hit me and not one of them.

 

[juliebug1997]

Yeah, that's more like a stroller MacGuyver.

But in reality, wouldn't MacGuyver only need a paper clip and hair gel to take someone out?

 

[longrf01]

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.

+1 - especially this close to Yom Kippur.

As the driver of a double-wide, I have nipped a few ankles. All them of them when the person suddenly stops. I bring my body to a dead stop, but the stroller isn't that manuverable. So, if you are one of my victims and didn't hear me at the time, I apologize.

And to all of you Nanas in ECVs, I forgive you too.

 

[princessallegra]

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.

It was the OP, and it caught me off guard actually.

 

[Mom2six]

Last visit I almost had my knees taken out a few times by stroller nazi's. They seem to have mis-interpreted a stroller for a battering ram.
I almost landed on one poor kid whos mom back ended me ( no apology offered)
How is one suppose to avoid these wheeled death machines?

I just got back from a visit at the beginning of September, and you know people do not watch out for strollers at all. I can't tell you how many times I had to quickly move to the side or stop suddenly because people are looking up and never notice they are walking into your stroller. Or they zip in front of you (cutting you off from your party as well) and then go slow or stop. I never ran into anyone, but only because of my watching out for them, rather then the walkers paying attention to where they are going! I'm sure that wasn't the case with you - you probably paid attention and saw those strollers (which probably were driven by people not paying attention). But it goes both ways.

 

[Mom2six]

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

That is exactly what I was thinking - I do believe it is a large reason that "Nazi" became common for someone keeping tight control of things. That's not to say it is a good thing, as the Nazi reign in Germany was atrocious and did unspeakable things.

 

[mad madam mim78]

If it makes you feel any better I was bumped by a car in the drivethru at Starbucks and she just backed up and acted like nothing happened. I couldn't believe it! I got out of my car to make sure there was no damage but she had no intention of even apologizing. If I accidentally hit someone with my stroller I would sincerely apologize but some people are **** holes.

 

[larryz]

How is one suppose to avoid these wheeled death machines?

I don't think you can avoid them, so the best method is be prepared...
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4414740

 

[Kbendig]

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.

My son is obsessed with the tram car, he thinks watch the tram car is a direct order. I may have to say this at least once next time we go.

 

[munchkinsmomma24]

*shudder* This post is making my blood pressure climb We will be in WDW next month, and I will have my mom (chronic headaches), dh, myself (pregnant), my 8yr (probably in a wheelchair), my 7 year old, my 4 year old (who will walk some and ride in a stroller some), and my 20 month old (in double stroller at all times).

I'm not fond of strollers under normal circumstances, and would much rather use a baby carrier. But being pregnant, my son being a big 20 month old, and knowing my 4 year old may tire out and need to ride some, we will be renting a double.

Now I am scared to death we will hit someone with either the wheelchair or the stroller, OR that one of my younger kids will get run over by some other stroller pushing/ECV driving/wheelchair. *sigh*

"Find a happy place, find a happy place!!!"

 

[Ninja Mom]

I don't think you can avoid them, so the best method is be prepared...
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4414740

Actually I head to Home Depo and pick up a pair of those flexible dryer vents for that 360 degree protection. The best part is that you can attach all the fridge magnets you bought at the stores and show 'em off in the parks for trading!

~NM

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=flexible+dryer+vent+hose

 

[merina888]

Actually it's not strictly true that if you hit someone from behind with a car, the car in the rear is responsible. If you're changing lanes on a highway and you don't see the car already in the lane and their front bumper clips your rear bumper, you are at fault. That's a failure to yield the right of way, which would be the same for someone who bee-lines in front of a stroller and gets clipped on their heels.

If a car randomly stops dead on a highway (not for traffic reasons), and you run into them because you can't stop. The car that stops dead is at fault. That's why there are shoulders and minimum speed limits on some highways. My sister was held responsible by a cop and an insurance company when she stopped on a road because she started to slide off and the car behind her ran into her. She had to pay damages.

 

[MarineVet]

*shudder* This post is making my blood pressure climb We will be in WDW next month, and I will have my mom (chronic headaches), dh, myself (pregnant), my 8yr (probably in a wheelchair), my 7 year old, my 4 year old (who will walk some and ride in a stroller some), and my 20 month old (in double stroller at all times).

I'm not fond of strollers under normal circumstances, and would much rather use a baby carrier. But being pregnant, my son being a big 20 month old, and knowing my 4 year old may tire out and need to ride some, we will be renting a double.

Now I am scared to death we will hit someone with either the wheelchair or the stroller, OR that one of my younger kids will get run over by some other stroller pushing/ECV driving/wheelchair. *sigh*

"Find a happy place, find a happy place!!!"

One of the ways to avoid these collisions is to not be in the flow of traffic at some key times, like the end of a parade or at the end of Wishes. There are SOOOOOO many families heading out of the park at the same time, trying to get to the buses or ferrys, and they are in a hurry (!) so its more likely to have mishaps. If you see a lot of people headed somewhere in a hurry, try to step aside into a safe spot and wait till it subsides a bit, you should be fine.

 

[JessiBelle22]

Guilty ... I'm guilty of running over and/or bumping into someone in crowded places, such as WDW with a stroller. But I do stop and take the time to apologize to them. Honestly, most are never understanding, and are very rude, and get really nasty about it. At least the ones I bumped. Because I understand what it's like, I'm usually always understanding if I get hit, run over, or bumped with a stroller. My two cents on this subject.

September 2013 WDW!

 

[ppony]

Yeah, I'll stop ramming people with a stroller when they stop cutting right in front of me.

THANK YOU! Can't tell you how many times that's happened but I always manage to avoid the collision. How many of the hittees were actually to blame for the mishap? They'll never admit it. If someone pulls out in front of me on a road and I hit him because I had no where to go or time to stop, who was at fault? Clearly them, but it won't matter to them, or the state usually. Just don't cut on front of them and if you stop on a dime in the middle of a crowded walkway,.... well.
But yes, it is true that someone who slams on the brakes w/ intention to cause an accident by having a car behind them hit them, yes, they are at fault and will be cited if the police believes that was the case. Be aware of your surroundings is a good rule.

After almost 10 visits over 20 years, I've never had a stroller run into me and I've never rammed anyone else.

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?

I agree! If you aren't willing to at least use the same common sense while walking, then expect that you may get bumps and bruises. It's all about traffic, pedestrian and auto, one is just far more dangerous.