Stroller for 8 year old?

[pmaurer74]

We use a sit and stand stroller so our DD3 will ride in the front ant the DD5 stands on the back. She prefers to walk usually but when it is crowded I like to have her in the stroller while we are moving. We may ditch the stroller next year but we will see. It is great for holding things too but harder to navigate when crowded.

 

[Hannathy]

These threads amaze me. Just the other day there was a story on the news that the Government wants to spend my money to make it a rule that elementary kids get physical exercise (gym) everyday in school and then we see people putting these same age kids in strollers!!!


How about when we didn't put kids in strollers we didn't need to have paid exercise in school.

Of course they are tired, everyone is tired after a day at Disney.

 

[CandleontheWater]

8 sounds a little old, but its not out of the realm of possibility. I have a lot more understanding for the bigger kids in the strollers than I do for the astronomical number of fat people on scooters plowing throug the crowds with reckless abandon.

I didn't necessarily agree with the tone of your post, but you do realize that many of those people are in scooters due to medical conditions that are often exacerbated by a life time of inactivity. A lifetime that begins when they are being pushed in a stroller at 8 years old.

If you are going to be a hater, you might as well be equal opportunity

 

[turkeymama]

These threads amaze me. Just the other day there was a story on the news that the Government wants to spend my money to make it a rule that elementary kids get physical exercise (gym) everyday in school and then we see people putting these same age kids in strollers!!!


How about when we didn't put kids in strollers we didn't need to have paid exercise in school.

Of course they are tired, everyone is tired after a day at Disney.

In my opinion (and only my opinion), this is comparing apples to oranges. A day at Disney is different than a child getting the necessary exercise for a day. My child is plenty active at home. There is no way he can handle all the walking at Disney. It's just a different level of stamina needed. If your kid can handle it without a stroller, great! Be thankful.

 

[Hannathy]

I didn't necessarily agree with the tone of your post, but you do realize that many of those people are in scooters due to medical conditions that are often exacerbated by a life time of inactivity. A lifetime that begins when they are being pushed in a stroller at 8 years old.

If you are going to be a hater, you might as well be equal opportunity

I agree. If inactivity and is encouraged and rewarded as a child it only makes sense that it would carry over into adulthood.

 

[miami305]

I'm guessing it makes people feel like they are more accomplished parents? I honestly have no idea why it is such a big deal to some people. My 8 year old doesn't ride in one any other time, and we have discussed him using one at Disney next week. He doesn't want to, but he knows his limits. His legs hurt and he just doesn't have the stamina. No one would know that by looking at him while he sits in the stroller. I guess some people will look at me like I am a lazy parent for not putting my foot down with him based on some of the comments here. I just don't get it.

I am the youngest child in my family and was a very tiny kid. I never had a problem keeping up with the family. Was I tired by the end of the day? Yes, but so was everyone else. There has to be some cut off for being carried or pushed around by mommy. The cut off will vary by family and that is fine. To say an 8yr old is incapable of walking at an amusement park simply isn't true.

The pre Disney exercise program suggested by many sounds perfect for out of shape children. What a fab way to turn a casual evening stroll into powerwalks! Parents could make a simple colorful chart and give reward stickers for each family walk.

Edit to add: Does your DS drink water all during the day at the parks? Does he have fairly new sneakers? Do you take rest breaks in the a/c? Does he have fairly new sneakers when you go to WDW? Any of the these things can lead to headaches or sore calves and feet. Also, some kids need naps for a long time. An afternoon powernap might make for a more pleasant vacation.

 

[turkeymama]

I am the youngest child in my family and was a very tiny kid. I never had a problem keeping up with the family. Was I tired by the end of the day? Yes, but so was everyone else. There has to be some cut off for being carried or pushed around by mommy. The cut off will vary by family and that is fine. To say an 8yr old is incapable of walking at an amusement park simply isn't true.

The pre Disney exercise program suggested by many sounds perfect for out of shape children. What a fab way to turn a casual evening stroll into powerwalks! Parents could make a simple colorful chart and give reward stickers for each family walk.

And to say ALL 8 year olds are capable of walking at an amusement park simply isn't true either. My child does have physical delays that make it quite difficult for him. In order for him, and the rest of us, to enjoy the trip, he will ride in a stroller during part of our trip. I have no idea what that "cut off" will be for him.

To answer the edited part of your post, which I don't know if it was intended for me or OP...Yes, my son has good shoes, and he drinks plenty of water. We will be at The World next week and we have scheduled afternoon breaks for the whole family. He never stops moving at home, but he isn't exactly walking either. His activity is what is considered typical repetitive movements in autistic children. He paces, walks in patterns, moves his arms and hands, etc. Then he crashes with exhaustion. It doesn't matter how much I try to condition him, he will never be able to handle walking for extended periods or long distances. I shouldn't say "never", he very well could grow up to be a marathon runner. At this time, it isn't in the cards.

 

[miami305]

And to say ALL 8 year olds are capable of walking at an amusement park simply isn't true either. My child does have physical delays that make it quite difficult for him. In order for him, and the rest of us, to enjoy the trip, he will ride in a stroller during part of our trip. I have no idea what that "cut off" will be for him.

Healthy children and a child with a PHYSICAL delay that affects walking are 2 completely different things. If your child has a medical condition which limits walking, then it would be cruel to walk him 8hrs at Disney. Possibly criminal!

 

[Halbleib1]

My son was 7 on our last trip and walked the whole time. We were there 13 nights and he had no problem even with all the running around he did at the resort when we went back for a break in the afternoon. We also stayed for emhs and he had no issues with walking. The only complaint he had was his feet were bothering him a bit because he has some issues that should correct itself over time. We rested when he needed to. It was a good chance to relax and take in the parks.

 

[laughinplace199]

I don't know a healthy 8 yr old who would willingly ride in a stroller. A few years ago, I tried to get DD, who had just turned 8, to ride in the stroller for a bit. It was a super hot and humid August day and the humidity really aggravates her asthma. She was horrified at the thought of riding in a stroller at 8 years old.

 

[ssleblanc]

Neither of my kids would have agreed to ride in a stroller at that age. When they were 6 and 7 they had no problems keeping up. We got there early (not rope drop though I tried - I'm not a morning person and struggled to get going, but within an hour of opening). Some days we took breaks, some days we didn't. Did table service (a break/rest) meals once a day, and did a lot of shows.

Honestly, I am really out of shape - I'm a short fat chick who doesn't exercise enough. But, I didn't find the walking bad. You stroll through, stopping at attractions, spend a good bit of time waiting in line, viewing the sites. And no, I'm not someone who gets in the walkway and stops or walks way too slow, making those behind me angry (or want to dash around me mumbling).

I will have a stroller for my 3 year old in February. I'd like to avoid it (and dealing with the hassel of pushing a stroller/parking it/etc) but 3 is a bit young and I think we'll probably need it. If I didn't think I would really need one for her, I'd skip it.

 

[twinboysmom]

To each his own but most 8 year olds are over the weight capacities of even high end strollers. Not to mention, who wants to push an 8 year old that is most likely in better shape than their parents. This excludes children with disabilities including autism and such. That's a whole other topic and I don't think any posters would question a disabled child using a stroller or wheelchair. Whiny kid is not a disability.

We brought our then 6.5 year old nephew in June for 8 hot and humid days, not a particularly active child, he loves video games and junk food, and he did fine. When he got tired we took a break, searched for an air conditioned ride or show or ate Mickey bars on a shaded bench. He lives with my mil who mentioned a stroller and the kid looked at her in horror at the thought of being treated like a baby.

 

[MBitting]

I have a 6 year old and a 4 year old. For their ages they are both very tiny. A year and a half ago when we did our Disney cruise I had a side by side double stroller and to be honest with you, it was heavy for me to push with both boys in it. Plus my oldest would keep dragging his feet so I spent more time agitated asking him to keep his feed up.
We leave for Disney in 2 weeks so a few months ago I started researching different options. When we go to Disney we go FULL FORCE the entire time we are there. My husband I wanted to think of a way to keep everyone as happy as possible after a long day of MAGICAL FUN!!! A friend of ours had a sit and stand stroller so I asked if she would mind if we took it for a "spin" around town one night. After an hour long walk and the boys in and out of the stroller we were very pleased with the experience. The boys have a place to rest their feet, we have a place to keep our bags, and I have a place to confine the boys if we get in a busy congested area in the park.
I like to have the stroller for security, peace of mind, and a place for our boys to rest.
Depending on the size of kid I would say would depend if they are "too old" for a stroller. My DH and I said this will be the last trip our oldest will be aloud to be in a stroller but that is just because of our personal preference.

 

[Wendy31]

I'm not sure why a healthy, able-bodied, w/o any physical or mental disabilities 8 year old would need a stroller.

When we first took our kids to WDW, our DD was 5, & older DS was 3 (almost 4). We took 2 umbrella strollers, & they rode in them most of the time.

The next time we went, they were 6 & almost 5, & we took the strollers again. However, by the 2nd day, we were leaving the strollers at our resort.

Strollers are a pain in the parks - it's so much easier to navigate the crowds w/o a stroller! Additionally, it's a pain to fold up a stroller for the buses.

Now that we have a younger child again, we're back to using an umbrella stroller - and it is nice to have a place to store our stuff - my bag, extra water bottles, diapers & wipes, etc. And, since he's younger, I like that he's contained & secure.

However, I won't miss the stroller either when younger DS is old enough to not need a stroller.

I definitely won't miss having to park the stroller somewhere & then coming back out of the attraction & having to backtrack to find our stroller.

Yes, WDW is big. But, honestly, if your child can walk through your local mall or zoo or amusement park w/o any problems, he should be fine at WDW.

As someone else mentioned, there's not a lot of straight walking - it's walking & then stopping to stand in a line & then riding & then walking some more & then stopping & then walking some more & then stopping for a bathroom break & then walking a little bit & then standing & then sitting down for a snack.

And getting in & out of a stroller & finding a place to park your stroller for all that is more exhausting than just walking.

Your 8 year old shouldn't be any more tired than you are.

Walking is a wonderful way to get a little exercise!

 

[Wendy31]

And there the monorail derails...it was just a matter of time...

Totally OT!

Is that a Keeshond in the picture in your signature? We added a Keeshond to our family last summer! I think he's wonderful, & it's neat to find another one since you don't see Keeshonden very often!

 

[catherines_mama]

My kids all stopped riding in the stroller by age 5/6. Kids need the exercise and they should be able to walk. As someone said, they won't be walking all day and there are tons of shady comfy spots to sit around the park.

Just take it easy and don't GO GO GO all day, trust me, you'll appreciate the rest as well.

 

[angierae]

As others have said, unless your 8 year old has some sort of health condition, he will probably be able to run circles around you at the park.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd refused to even think about being in a stroller at the age of 5 when she went to WDW. In fact, she stopped being in a stroller once she started preschool, at the age of 3. She told me, quite matter of factly, that those were for babies and she was NOT a baby!!!
I can imagine there are plenty of situations that warrant a stroller for an 'older' child. It's up to you. But for me??? The hassle of getting around the parks with one stroller, forget about two, would prevent me from using one.

I have to say that sometimes it's best to listen to our kids...when they're pooped from all that walking??? Let them sit, grab a bite to eat, relax and enjoy the surroundings. Yes, there is a lot to see and do in WDW. But in all reality, even though you are walking a lot, you are also standing a lot in those lines, and you are sitting at shows and on attractions. It's not as if you are walking 6 miles all at once. Besides, it really does make for a wonderful night's sleep!!

 

[Finally08]

If your child needs one - then use it. If you just rather use one than listen to a whining child, then use it. lol. It is your choice, don't worry what anyone thinks!!

I was afraid we'd never get away from strollers at least part of the time because dd does has some physical issues. Luckily she's tiny too, so weight was never a stroller issue. Last year we took our first trips with no stroller...and she was 7. I was so proud of her and actually quite surprised at how well she held up! We did three trips without one, and only one day on one of those trips did I break down and rent a stroller to help her rest as we did the World Showcase at Epcot. She *could* have made it, but she was so grateful to not have to....and I won't lie, I miss having somewhere to put my stuff! The strollerless trips mean locker rentals and me feeling like a pack mule.

 

[mefordis]

I think one thing everyone here is missing is that the stroller stops the kids from WHINING so parents don't have to hear it for hours and hours and they can go on their merry way. Strap the kid in and voila -- it's like they aren't even there!

I'm not sure why a healthy, able-bodied, w/o any physical or mental disabilities 8 year old would need a stroller.

When we first took our kids to WDW, our DD was 5, & older DS was 3 (almost 4). We took 2 umbrella strollers, & they rode in them most of the time.

The next time we went, they were 6 & almost 5, & we took the strollers again. However, by the 2nd day, we were leaving the strollers at our resort.

Strollers are a pain in the parks - it's so much easier to navigate the crowds w/o a stroller! Additionally, it's a pain to fold up a stroller for the buses.

Now that we have a younger child again, we're back to using an umbrella stroller - and it is nice to have a place to store our stuff - my bag, extra water bottles, diapers & wipes, etc. And, since he's younger, I like that he's contained & secure.

However, I won't miss the stroller either when younger DS is old enough to not need a stroller.

I definitely won't miss having to park the stroller somewhere & then coming back out of the attraction & having to backtrack to find our stroller.

Yes, WDW is big. But, honestly, if your child can walk through your local mall or zoo or amusement park w/o any problems, he should be fine at WDW.

As someone else mentioned, there's not a lot of straight walking - it's walking & then stopping to stand in a line & then riding & then walking some more & then stopping & then walking some more & then stopping for a bathroom break & then walking a little bit & then standing & then sitting down for a snack.

And getting in & out of a stroller & finding a place to park your stroller for all that is more exhausting than just walking.

Your 8 year old shouldn't be any more tired than you are.

Walking is a wonderful way to get a little exercise!