Stroller for 100+ pound kid

[smile4279]

My 11 year old was 7 last time we visited. He was about 50" and 70 lbs and was comfortable in the Disney strollers when he needed to sit down. He's now just over 5 feet tall and about 100 lbs and could still fit(though his legs would be cramped). The strollers really do have quite a bit of space width wise, though if they're super tall their legs might be a bit cramped.

 

[threelilbears]

Hi, I am going to Disney this October !!
however, both nephews are big (tall and overweight), about 105 pounds each. They are 7 & 8 years old and I know they will NOT want to walk at the end of the day.
What do you recommend when it comes to strollers? Will Disney strollers be fitting?

A wheelchair is going to be the best solution

 

[NancyIL]

I recommend a mid-day NAP (or break) so the kids (and parents) can make it to the end of the day.

 

[Lavitz]

Since the OP is asking for stroller recommendations for her nephews not my judgement, I'll also second renting a stroller with a 100+ lb weight limit.

On this topic, this situation is basically the only insistence where I do not roll my eyes when I see people pushing strollers that look like they are a robotic arm away from belonging with the SWAT team. Do you really need a 125 lb stroller to carry around a 9 lb baby?

After I roll my eyes I remember this scene, then I smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ej5cxTBdd0

 

[MooksterL1]

Hilarious!!

To the OP, this stroller was rented for a 2 year old, but you can see that he was kicked out when it started raining. You can kind of gauge the double stroller size. The kid's ages in this are 6, 7 and 8. Having said that, the two year old is now 8 and would not be a happy camper if I got a stroller for him so you might ask them beforehand just to avoid a meltdown at the happiest place on earth.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

In my opinion, an off site rental of a stroller that fits larger children is a better answer than a wheelchair. You may not even end up using it though, so be prepared to have wasted your money. My cousin rented one for her son, because she was convinced he wouldn't walk, and instead he wouldn't ride.

 

[DisneyFan13US]

One thing you might want to consider OP is that if they are 105 now, is a stroller that has a weight limit of 110 a good idea. I'm imaging the stroller will also be used for souvenir's and various other things. If you have to get something I would recommend the wheelchair. Who knows, maybe the threat of having to use a stroller or a wheelchair will be enough to get them walking

 

[Airship Ariadne]

I agree with the wheelchair recommendations, mainly so the adults, who have also been going all day, don't have the extra fatigue of having to push two kids that size in strollers...in a wheelchair they can do it themselves.

And because while people generally don't mock someone for being in a wheelchair, two healthy (except for being obese) 7 and 8 year olds in a stroller might be more of a target for ridicule...fair or not.

 

[capeseal]

I agree with the wheelchair recommendations, mainly so the adults, who have also been going all day, don't have the extra fatigue of having to push two kids that size in strollers...in a wheelchair they can do it themselves.

And because while people generally don't mock someone for being in a wheelchair, two healthy (except for being obese) 7 and 8 year olds in a stroller might be more of a target for ridicule...fair or not.

In fact, there used to be a blog with pictures making fun of kids in that situation. Not endorsing it, at all, just saying that it was out there and popular enough to end up on the Today Show.

But, I digress, I would definitely investigate wheelchair rental if they are too disabled to walk at those weights and ages. Otherwise, I agree with some of the suggestions for making walking the parks less daunting for the kids. Water breaks in the park, mid day breaks to swim or rest in the room, train in MK, longer sit-down rides like Spaceship Earth, plans to see sit down and see shows during the hottest part of the day at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom...

If you have time before your trip, I'd suggest starting them immediately with some light daily walking to get them ready. It is still light late enough in the evenings for them to do a 15-20 minute walk every evening and then you could up it by 5 minutes per week until your trip to get them moving before Disney.

 

[Vernie822]

I definitely agree.. healthy or not, 15-20 minutes of walking a day can only help! They might be nervous about walking all day. I have a young cousin about the same age. She is heavier, but built bigger in general. Although her parents have been getting her to eat much healthier, she still has a lot of self consciousness, which is sad. She's so athletic too - one of the fastest swimmers on the swim team and an allstar softball player, but she does kind of have some weight anxiety.

Maybe letting them know that you'll be taking swim breaks, doing sit down shows, etc., will help ease their minds and they'll want to walk! It also helps to know that everyone that's in the parks all day long will be hot and tired by the end of the day.

 

[Dismama2boys]

No judgement here. Just wanted to throw out there that I push around a double stroller with two kids and a car seat all the time - the whole setup including kids weighs less than 100 pounds. And it is HEAVY and hard. Whoever is pushing the stroller all day needs to be in great shape, and switch off with others if possible. A stroller may help the kids last longer, but I worry about the adult(s) pushing it.

 

[aidtrismommy]

Pushing a child over the weight limit of any stroller, even if the child "fits" in it is likely going to be very difficult. Pushing anything over 100 pounds is a lot of work, even more so in something that is not designed to carry that much weight. The stroller won't "drive" well.
As PP's mentioned, a wheelchair or something designed for that weight should be your best bet, pending the child actually wanting to sit in it.

 

[Mrsjvb]

And because while people generally don't mock someone for being in a wheelchair, two healthy (except for being obese) 7 and 8 year olds in a stroller might be more of a target for ridicule...fair or not.

obese isn't healthy regardless of the underlying reason for being so.

OP do you want ONE that they can share? I doubt you will find any stroller that can seat 2 kids with a weight limit of 225 pounds( factoring in growth spurts and being used as a pack mule). are you expecting them to trade off?

strollers do not go through lines( except in stroller as wheelchair accommodation for disabled folks), keeping track of it can be a PITA as well.

they are ungainly, and a mortal embarrassment to most kids over the age of 2

unless there is a pre established valid medical need, there is no reason kids that age should be using one. they will want to *( hell you will ALL *want* to sit down and be pushed along at the end of the day) and you will get frustrated with the whinging but they won't be scarred for life

 

[carlacmc]

Thank you all for the recommendations
I understand what you say. However, the oldest kid is kind of ...let's say he is not used to physical activity. The mother thinks the boy won't walk at all (they don't force him to do anything).
I also said to her that a wheelchair would be better but she thinks that he will not want to use it.

 

[Wiloughby1]

Did OP discuss this with the kids' parents?

I have a 38lb 7 yr old who said NO to a stroller. (38 is not a typo. he's small)

This is a conversation that should be had between parent and child about

1. How they feel about strollers
2. How they feel about exercise
3. How they feel about the expense of acquiring a mobility device

The way it's phrased, the OP mentioning the overweight issue, suggests that this conversation has not happened.

My niece is 12, overweight, and lazy. Overweight and lazy may or may not correlate- but it's not a disability. Either way, she is her mother's problem. I don't discuss her weight with her. We won't vacation together- Even if we did, I am not responsible for her comfort. Keep up or miss out.

 

[Vernie822]

What if you wait until you arrive, gauge how it's going for the first day, and then decide?

If you automatically tell him he can ride in a wheelchair, maybe he'll either be like "Heck no!!" or he'll sit right down and won't get up..

If you don't really give him the option, but see that at the end of day 1 he's really struggling, then maybe you could give it a shot?

A coworker of mine just went with their kids, ages 4, 5, and 2.. They thought the 4 and 5 year old would be fine. It was their first Disney trip. They quickly found that the kids were exhausted and couldn't keep up, so they rented a stroller for the remainder of their trip.

It might help to know your options beforehand, but wait it out until you realize whether or not you actually need it! Just a suggestion - I don't have kids, so what do I know, haha.

 

[belle1986]

No judgement here. Just wanted to throw out there that I push around a double stroller with two kids and a car seat all the time - the whole setup including kids weighs less than 100 pounds. And it is HEAVY and hard. Whoever is pushing the stroller all day needs to be in great shape, and switch off with others if possible. A stroller may help the kids last longer, but I worry about the adult(s) pushing it.

This is what I was thinking. Pushing my much younger, and smaller kids around our local amusement park kicks my butt and it is NOTHING compared to Disney.

 

[livndisney]

Thank you all for the recommendations
I understand what you say. However, the oldest kid is kind of ...let's say he is not used to physical activity. The mother thinks the boy won't walk at all (they don't force him to do anything).
I also said to her that a wheelchair would be better but she thinks that he will not want to use it.

If the "boy won't walk at all", a stroller is not going to help. The stroller will be parked at each ride/show. The nephew will need to walk the length of the line.

 

[cakebaker]

..... a mortal embarrassment to most kids over the age of 2

At the risk of turning this into the ever popular- when is a child too old for a stroller- debate....

I think to say any child over 2 would be embarrassed is a bit of an overstatement.

My grandson is 2 1/2 and while he considers his stroller a great impediment to his full enjoyment of the world (translation, running off in the opposite direction of anyone he knows as fast as possible), he's not embarrassed. He doesn't even know what embarrassed is. I know this because of things he does in public that he's perfectly happy to do- like get naked at the drop of a hat, yelling at the top of his lungs that he has to go potty.

He's just mad he has to be in it.

 

[LaurenT]

Thank you all for the recommendations
I understand what you say. However, the oldest kid is kind of ...let's say he is not used to physical activity. The mother thinks the boy won't walk at all (they don't force him to do anything).
I also said to her that a wheelchair would be better but she thinks that he will not want to use it.

She doesn't think he'll walk at all? How sad.
Is the mother coming too? Is there another adult going with you? If the one boy won't walk at all and you think the other will also not walk much, who's going to push the 225 pounds around Disney World all day? Doesn't seem fair to you!