stroller for 7 year olds?

[Softball Princess]

Yes. I think that it depends on the child, and how long you are staying at the parks. Half of the seven yo. that I know will not even get on a stroller. (If I was a 7 yo. I think that it would be fun to ride in a wheel chair)

 

[momofkids]

My children have done WDW at 5 & 7, 7 & 9, 8 & 10. We have never used a stroller. I have always brought Crocs to change into for the kids halfway through the day. That has always revived them. We also take lots of breaks and let the kids set the pace. I don't believe in strollers for older kids, but everyone has to do what works best for their own.

 

[Planner2012]

As others have said, I think it totally depends on the child.
I took my son for the first time when he was 7 and after reading posts on this board I had also wondered if we would need a stroller. It had been quite some time since we'd used one, but thought we could rent one there if need be. Turns out we didn't need one. We just took breaks when he got tired.

 

[disnut8]

We took our son to Disney World when he was three and didn't bother with a stroller. He took his son to Disney World when the son was five and didn't bother with a stroller. He took his daughter to Disney World when she was five and had an umbrella stroller where her stuffed Stitch rode most of the time.

HOWEVER - both my son and grandson ditched their strollers around the age of eighteen months. Yes, they did. Neither one wanted it anymore. And after that Disney World trip, my granddaughter ditched her stroller as well. We just have a walk happy family.

BUT - that's OUR family, not the OP's. The OP has not been to Disney World and the amount of walking can be a bit overwhelming to a first-timer.

I would recommend to rent a stroller if the need arises. Or, bring one from home and take it to the parks but leave it parked somewhere until you need it. If you do need it.

Yes, know your child but knowing your child and knowing how your child will react to the waking levels at Disney World when you've never been there are two vastly different things.

 

[Turn the Page]

OP it really depends on your child and how they react to all the walking, the weather, and the crowds. When I took DD when she had just turned 7 we didn't plan on a stroller because she is so active and never seems to run out of energy. We often took a break back at the resort in the middle of the day in the hopes that she would take a little nap and rest and all she did was play in the pool. She did great the first few days in the parks but by the fourth park day she was pretty tuckered out. She said she wasn't feeling good and we got her a stroller and she perked right up. She was just worn out.

We went in April so it wasn't nearly as hot as it would be in the middle of summer but still, the weather there in April is what our average weather is like in the middle of summer. We just aren't used to the heat and humidity and it drains the energy out of us. The one day stroller rental worked for us, it allowed DD to recharge and everybody was happy. Just do what is right for your family.

ETA: DD never really used her stroller after about 18 months old. She preferred to walk. However, in Disney World, she was happy to have a stroller for that day.

 

[LisaTC]

I have seen a lot of people talking about using strollers for older kids also. It would be strange to think about my 7 year old in a stroller, but is it a good idea to rent one? It will be our first trip.

If it would be strange for you to think about your 7 year old in a stroller, you've kind of already answered your own question. Pre-renting one likely wouldn't be for you.

My DD was 7 on her first trip. I had perused these boards extensively as well as **************.net and touring books regarding touring the parks. You know your own child's cues for tiredness. A PP was on the mark. If they are truly that exhausted to get around, go...go back to your hotel. Take a break. It isn't worth it. I saw so many meltdowns from parents trying to push their little kids (& most were in strollers & were so little and it was like 10pm) to the breaking point because they wanted to get the most out of their vacation and I get it, WDW is expensive, but to what end does one rationalize this is a good idea? I had to be cognizant because I can be commando, too, but you have to just reign it in if that isn't your kid. It can be a challenge because you get caught up in what I call the "Disney effect."

If they get tired, take a break. Ride PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress and other restful attractions. It's amazing what even 15 -20 minutes can do. Like I said before, my DD was having a blast just watching BTMRR and I kept wanting to go to the "next thing." Then I realized, she was having fun. Why drag her away to go "have fun" somewhere else? One really good tip..if you find yourself at one end of the park and they are done or tired....hop on the railroad to the front of the park, then it is a short walk to the buses or monorail.

There are sooooo many strollers at WDW. It would be a hassle for ME, but may not another. Granted for wee ones or a child with a physical challenge, it may be a necessity, but if your 7 year old is an average 7 year old, I'd hold off on the pre-rental, you can always get one in a pinch, if you feel you really must have it. I don't know many 7 year olds who would fit or even get in it. My DD would be in the category that we were treating her like a baby. To each their own. I have no judgment and frankly don't notice the age of kids in strollers. I'm too busy looking at all that is DisneyWorld! Personally, I just wouldn't want the added issue with maneuvering a stroller through the masses if I didn't have "littles" -- that sounds like work to me.

I, too, take a change of shoes in my pack for DD. A good, back saving back is key. Mine isn't big, but is user friendly and holds enough to get through a day. Water is key, too. Dehydration adds to excessive tiredness. Good shoes, good shoes, good shoes.

I guess, in summary, after my soapbox, I'd say, hold off on the pre-rental, then take it day by day. If you need to get one, get it and phooey on anybody who may take note. They don't know your story. This is a very hot topic and by hot, I don't mean popular, on this board, so....

One good piece of advice I got was they won't know what they are missing if you miss doing/seeing/ going on something.

 

[JanaDee]

On our first trip my boys were 5 and 7 and it never even occurred to me to use a stroller! Strollers were such a thing of the past at that age that it never crossed my mind. And I think my kids would have been mortified if I had suggested it, thinking strollers are for babies and they're not babies!

We took it at their pace. If they got tired, we rested. If they really started to burn out, we left and relaxed at the resort. If they walked slow, we walked slow. Some of my fondest memories are walking hand in hand and pointing things out and chatting as we moved along. You don't get the same interaction when you're pushing them around in a stroller.

I'm sorry, but I truly feel that the whole stroller thing is more about the parents than the kids. If school-age children are that tired, it's time to take a break. It should not be about the parents going commando and the kids putting a crimp in their plans. Isn't it about everyone having a good time and enjoying themselves? If you're pushing your kids beyond their limits because you absolutely have to ride every ride and go to every show and shop in every store and be at rope drop and close the park and walk from one end to the other 12 times, maybe you need a solo trip. Kids get cranky and whiny because they're pushed beyond their limits, not because they're having fun!

And any child with special needs or physical limitations, of course, needs to do whatever is necessary. This is not about them. This is about the otherwise able-bodied child who needs a stroller because parents don't know how to slow down.

Okay, fire away.....

100% agree on all counts. I wouldn't even consider a stroller for a 7 year old.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

We haven't done wdw (yet)... But are DL vets, and DL is a much smaller footprint with less walking (even with all the park hopping we do)... If your kiddo doesn't mind having a stroller don't rule out getting one. We used one at DL when dd was 4-7 (yearly trips)... When we went when she was 3 we didn't think to bring one, and we took turns carrying a tired girl back to the hotel at the end of the day... Never again... Lol. The stroller saved wear and tear on us, on dd and gave us a place to tie the balloon and put the sweatshirts when it got hot. At 7, did she sit in it all the time? No... Basically from the hotel to ropedrop, to the 1st area we would be touring, then we would park it and only use it again when going across the park or to park hop. Then again at the end of the night hauling back to the room it was really nice to have her ride, I could cruise us thru the crowds and she could rest. Have fun!

 

[ShannonMB]

I didn't read the other responses because I know it can be a contentious topic, I'll just chime in with my experience.

We took DD for the first time when she was 6 with no thought at all of a stroller, and it was amazing how well she kept up. She fell asleep standing up on the bus one late night she was so tired, but not a word of complaint the entire trip. She even carried her own lightweight string backpack to help carry souvenirs, autograph book, misting fan, etc.

Fast forward to 13 years of age, and the kid acts like she needs a stroller AND a personal assistant to carry her stuff! Tweens!

In short, I would never bother with a stroller for a healthy 7 year old. Too much trouble and in my experience they hold up better than the adults in the party most of the time! Have a WONDERFUL trip, whatever you decide!

 

[harbin]

We rented one from Orlando stroller rental the last time we were there for my 7 and 3 year old. We did not use it all of the time, but it was nice to have when needed. Heck, I want a stroller for myself sometimes! I don't know why anyone thinks its unreasonable for a 7 year old to become tired after walking miles in the blazing heat, no matter how much energy they have. It was also helpful to put both kids in it when walking through big crowds I know exactly where they are, no chance of losing one. I am with the previous poster though.... I can't wait to go to WDW without need for stroller! They are a pain in the rear end!

 

[dsneygirl]

We rented for MNSSHP and MVMCP for my 7year old. Otherwise he walked just fine every other day.

 

[jodeeb]

We have three boys, ages 14, 13 and 7. Our two older boys were finished with strollers by age 3 or 4. They went all day at Disney without a stroller no problem when they were 4 and 5 years old. We were able to go at their pace and didn't need strollers. But every child is different, and our youngest teaches us that every day!

Our youngest is seven years old and has a ton of energy - he's on swim team year-round and his engine runs far higher than either of his brothers. He just ran the Princess Half Marathon Weekend 5K - it was his 4th 5K, I think. He's one active child!!! But he has two teen brothers who are up to 3x his size and can walk fast. He also has an anxiety disorder and ADHD and sometimes needs the sensory break a stroller provides. So we end up renting one in the parks. It doesn't feel like a typical stroller, but gives him both a sensory break and helps him keep up with his older brothers. With his engine running so high, he can exhaust himself quickly, so the stroller rental works out well for him.

So I always say do what works for each individual child. And the Disney Parks strollers are great when kids are too old for a regular stroller, but might need a little extra support in the parks. We get the multi-day rental (discounted!) and just pick one up when we need it.

I agree with this. When my oldest DD was 7 she didn't need a stroller and I would have not considered getting one for her. However when she was 7 my youngest DD was 2 and we got one for her. There were times when DD2 would insist on pushing the stroller "by herself", so DD 7 would get in.

Then when we went when youngest DD was 6 we didn't hesitate to rent a stroller. She has sensory issues too. Having a stroller gave her a place to "take a break" from all the action. By giving her a snack and sometimes even putting a blanket over the top and sides, it gave her a little getaway. It also gave us a chance to move from place to place while she took a break.

With her sensory issues, we were never sure when things would blow up for her. The long trek to the hotel to rest would only amplify the situation and make it harder for her to "come back down", probably ruining the entire day. The stroller allowed us to give her the break as soon as we realized it was happening.

My main point as many PP have stated, is that all kids are different. Don't judge and assume that a child is just being lazy. My child at 6 was tall and looked 8 or 9. I think that all kids are different and just because you choose to get a stroller for your child, doesn't mean you are spoiling them, its just that you need to do what you need to do and know one else really knows your situation and it shouldn't matter.

 

[RysMomma]

We weren't going to rent a stroller, but after thinking about it, we changed our minds. Our son will be 6.5 and our daughter will just be 4 when we go. We figured they'd be fine without a stroller, but after thinking about the heat (we will be going in August) and how much walking we will be doing, we decided to rent one. I don't care what anyone thinks about it and although I know we'll be going back to the hotel rooms during the worst part of the afternoons, I'm sure our 6.5 year will get exhausted and want a place to sit. He hasn't sat in a stroller since he was 2, but I'm sure with the humidity and walking, he'll want a break, and I'm ok with that.