Stroller for 8 year old?

[Reddy]

We will be at DW for 7 full days......we plan on bringing the regular stroller for DD4...but I'm concerned that with all of the walking.....my DS8 will get tired.

I think that DS8 will fit in the stroller that we plan on bringing....but I'm wondering we should borrow another Umbrella Stroller or even rent one at the Parks.

What are your thoughts or suggestions?

I can see DS8 being incredibly tired....partly cuz he can be lazy and whiny at times....and I don't want to carry him around a lot.

have you tried having him walk with you before going??? having a walking trail at our park - that's what we did - it is a 3 mile trail (there is some shorter ones) but we had the whole family walk together at least once a week 6 months before hand

kept saying - everybody needs to be in shape for Disney

 

[siskaren]

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!

It seems to me though that giving in to whiny behavior is just going to encourage it.

 

[aripantaloon]

No way would I bring a stroller for my 8 year-old! She did just fine on our recent trip when we spent 9 days in the parks including 3 in which the two of us stayed in the parks until after Wishes. (around 11pm) She would be mortified to be pushed in a stroller.

Unless a child has a true medical condition (out of shape (or lazy and whiny), to me, is NOT a true medical condition), he should walk. When my kids got whiny, they got the warning that if they didn't stop it on the count of 5 that they were going to sit out the next ride. Keep it up and it will be 2 rides, and so on. That put a stop to it pretty quickly. They know that mom is serious when she starts counting.

 

[disnut8]

OP, I think having to push two strollers during the day would be a bit much for you and your partner (I am assuming you will have another adult with you). I think now is the time to talk to your son about not having a stroller and being a "big guy". Of course, you can always rent on at the parks but you don't have to tell him that and see how well he does. I would highly recommend that if he needs a rest break, you take one. It only takes about five minutes and then usually the person (and trust me, I've taken many rest breaks at Disney World) is able to move on.

Every child is different. I took my son when he was three years old and we didn't use a stroller. That had been retired when the kid was 18 months. We took our granddaughter when she was five and had a stroller. Her Stitch plush rode in it more than she. We just came back from a trip with our son and his family (that five year old is now 14!) and our grandson was five and there was no stroller even mentioned and the little guy - and he is little, very little - did fine. We just happen to have a bunch of walk happy kids in our family.

OP - it's ultimately up to you since you know your son the best. However, at the age of eight, I personally would not cave in with the whining stuff. He's at Disney World and should be happy he gets to go at all.

 

[Cyrano]

This is a hot button topic so this post is a timely reminder that any poster who takes this off topic, posts sarcastically will have their posts removed and the thread closed.

That does not mean that folks have to agree with the OP. As they have posted here we can safely assume they are looking for views for and against the use of a stroller for an 8 year old.

 

[4butlers]

A healthy 8 year old does not need a stroller. If you are concerned about him getting tired, then take breaks. You're not on the Amazing Race. There are no prizes awarded for how fast you go through the parks.

If he's lazy and whiny, then it's time to nip that in the bud.

This!
First of all, my 8 year old would be mortified if we put him in a stroller. I just asked him if he would want us to get him a stroller if he got tired at WDW. He looked at me like I had two heads! And, personally, if he were being lazy and whiney about walking around Disney World, then I could think of a thousand other ways to spend all that money. For us, going to WDW is a privilege.

 

[*TheWigs*]

Okay......thanks for your responses.....it's food for thought.....regardless....we will bring the stroller for the 4 year old.....but I will resist bringing one for DS8.

You know your children best...you will NOT be stared at by people...scratch that ...NORMAL people because it's none of their business! We brought our double stroller during our last visit to WDW with DD9 and DD6. Both are in great shape and COULD HAVE gone without the stroller, but it was very convenient to pop them in that when we all sat for a break or to put all of our bags into it when Mommy and Daddy got tired! Both of our girls are very petite and still fit in the stroller just fine. When we go back June 2013 however we will be leaving the stroller at home...for the very first time. Do what fits best for your family. If it works, bring the stroller...if it doesn't, then don't.

 

[ChristineOH]

After five pages of responses, OP has probably stopped reading!

But here was my experience:
June 2011 visit with DS9, DD7, and DS4. We rented a Disney single stroller. Most of the time, DS4 sat in it, or it was just the "stuff" holder. But it was very hot and humid three days of our visit. You can prepare for the walking, but you can't really prepare for the heat. There were times DS4 was carried and DD7 rode in the stroller. There were times DS7 sat in the back with her little brother between her legs. There were a couple of times that DS9, who hadn't ridden a stroller in YEARS, plopped down in it and asked for a turn.

I wouldn't bring a second stroller. It would be too much of a pain to push both kids/both strollers around. If you didn't have the 4yo, your 8yo wouldn't even think of asking to ride in a stroller, because you wouldn't have one. But you will have one, and if you are going in the heat, your 8yo likely will ask. Just talk to him about it and have a plan. Will he be allowed to ride for short periods? Not at all? Will you take that as a sign to head out for a rest? Just let him know what the expectations are.

 

[photo_chick]

If a parent wants to push their kids around all day then go for it. Personally I'm far too lazy for it and ditched the stroller right around my youngest minion's first birthday. I figured if he could run he didn't need to be pushed anymore.

My youngest, BTW, has ADHD and mild Aspergers. He's on the clumsy side because he doesn't pay attention to his surroundings and we constantly have to remind him to watch where he's going. Up until this past year or so we also had to physically have a hand on him most of the time or he would get distracted and wander off. (what I'm saying here is that walking with him has always been a challenge, and more so when we're someplace like WDW) Our last trip we had 9 days in the parks and he was 8 years old. At the end of the night I was begging for mercy and a bus seat but he was still ready for more.

 

[DizzDoll]

We first went to WDW when DS was 6 and DD was 8. I didn't use a stroller, and my kids did a LOT of walking. What DS hooked onto really quick was those big-*** spray misters that he took everywhere with him while at The World, and it was a blessing (an EXPENSIVE blessing) in disguise, but that was the boat that made him float. We also went back to the resort for an afternoon swim, and didn't stay out too late at night because they walked themselves comatose. But they were out in the fresh air, getting some good exercise, and enjoyed the dickens out of themselves. Back then we may have done 3 - 4 miles per park, but now that they're older (19 and 21) we can do as much as 25 miles a day!

 

[lustergirl]

A healthy 8 year old does not need a stroller. If you are concerned about him getting tired, then take breaks. You're not on the Amazing Race. There are no prizes awarded for how fast you go through the parks.

If he's lazy and whiny, then it's time to nip that in the bud.

DING DING DING: We have a winner folks.

 

[lustergirl]

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!

What happened to good old fashioned parenting? I guess that went out with the sign of current times. If a kid is whiny then that is the parent's fault for not giving them or break or letting them get away with it.

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

Unless there are physical limitations, I say "no."

Even when DH or the kids or grandkids want me to carry something "in my purse" or otherwise, I ask, "Do I have U-Haul written on my back somewhere"?

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

My son is 6 and we're definiately bringing a stroller this trip. For one, we carry so much crap to the park (water bottles in a soft cooler bag, souvenoirs, sunscreen, my camera equip), that we would probably bring a stroller even with no kid ... but we find the stroller handy for the little guy when we're waiting for parades or fireworks or whatever.

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.

What an awful thing to say!!! Oh and just so you know a healthy active 6 year old should have no problem getting through a day at Disney walking. We stopped bringing one for our kids at age 4 and they did great however we don't force tired whiney kids to spend their entire day tracking through an amusement park we take lots of necesary breaks. No fun for us and certainly no fun for the guest who encounter these kids. I have no idea why so many can 't grasp the concept of breaks.

 

[Planogirl]

I would just bring one stroller and let the 4 year old walk occasionally. The 8 year old could pop into the stroller during those times.

Strollers are a pain and two strollers just makes it worse IMO.

 

[deanimal]

I apologize if this has been mentioned before (I skipped a couple of pages), but you could do a "trial run" without a stroller at a local attraction, like a fair or the zoo. Go first thing in the morning and plan to stay all day. Explore every corner and do lots of walking. You could bring a pedometer and try to get in the 8 miles or so that the average family does at Disney in a full day.

At the end of the day if you feel you could really use a stroller, then you'll probably need one at Disney, too.

If its tiring, but do-able, you could always do a Disney training program. We're going in September and I'm using the trip as motivation to get the whole family moving. We're planning longer and longer walks and when the kids start to tire, I remind them that they have to get their bodies ready for our big trip so we don't miss anything. Getting ready for Disney AND getting a healthier family: what could be better?

 

[kandb]

If you think he might need it to keep him from getting tired/cranky, by all means get a double stroller. Do what works for your family, don't listen to a bunch of people giving THEIR opinion about YOUR son.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

I will answer this question the way I have answered it any other time.

DD was 5 years old on our first trip. We did not take a stroller for her, but we eventually rented one on the third or fourth day of the trip. Even still, she did not ride in it the whole day. It was more of a backup for the end of the day because the rest of us did not want to take breaks or go back to the room.

Fast forward to now. DS just turned 8. He is autistic, has sensory issues, low muscle tone, low stamina, and he is generally very "clunky" on his feet. We are planning on renting a double stroller at Disney for him next week when we are there. I know he is "too old" for a stroller. I know people will look at me with condescension for my choice because they don't know he has an invisible disability. I don't really care. He is my kid and I know what he needs in order to have an enjoyable trip.

My point is, all kids are different. Just because Mrs. Smith's 4 year old can tour the parks in true commando fashion with no stroller doesn't mean Mrs. Jones's 6 year old can do the same. If it turns out that your 8 year old needs a stroller, you put that 8 year old in a stroller and do it with a smile!

Have a great trip.

Well put

It's your vacation and your children. Only YOU know what's best for your family. Don't worry what other people believe/think. Have a great vacation.

 

[wgeo]

OP - do what's best for your kids and don't worry about anyone else. I did want to mention - my wonderful, amazing ds8 had absolutely no problem touring day after day at Disney, now cut to yesterday at the store and EVERYTHING hurt, random parts of his legs, he juuuust couldn't walk anymore I said tough luck, you walked at Disney you can walk here, and he says - but mom Disney was different, there was always something exciting to get to! My kids amaze me everyday. Give your kid a chance you never know, but when you do know - go with what works best for you!

 

[4butlers]

If you think he might need it to keep him from getting tired/cranky, by all means get a double stroller. Do what works for your family, don't listen to a bunch of people giving THEIR opinion about YOUR son.

I might be wrong, but I thought the OP was asking for others' opinions?