stroller for 8yr old?

[HappyMommy2]

In regular life, my kids (5 and 3) never use a stroller. Nor do they often eat high-fat snacks.
At Disney, they ride in the stroller to their hearts' content, and eat high-fat snacks every day, while riding in the stroller.

If there is a problem with physical inactivity and poor diet it needs to be addressed at home on a daily basis. Disney is not the place to worry about those things IMO (unless you live nearby and go to Disney very often of course!).

BTW about Great Britain, I just watched a documentary the other night about the soaring rates of obesity in children and adults there, and about how it is becoming a national health crisis. So we aren't the only country that overindulges...

 

[kimatigger]

perfectly stated HappyMommy 2

 

[bscs]

thank you kdtwiss

 

[tw1nsmom]

If you want to do the parks commando style, then I would rent a stroller. However, if you're willing to take things at a slower pace, your DD shouldn't need one.

This past January we anticipated having to rent a stroller every day for our then four year old twins. We decided we would see how they did each day and rent one if they seemed as thouhg they needed it. The only day we ended up renting a stroller was our last day which was at Animal Kingdom. We had had a late night the night before and would be leaving directly from AK to the airport. I think getting in and out of the stroller was more of a pain/tiring for our children than walking all the previous days had been.

Just to put it in perspective for you, the children in question both have physical delays which include endurance issues. DD is overweight (poor muscle tone and metabolic issues) and both have been receiving OT and PT since they were three. They both happily walked for six out of the seven days of our trip. We just slowed the pace and I think we all enjoyed ourselves more because of it.

 

[KristiKelly]

When we were there last Oct, we didn't get a stroller for our kids, DS7 & DD4. Neither of them ever complained. The year before, DD was 3, we rented a single stroller for her but had to upgrade to a double only because DS6 got huge blisters on both heels. Our fault for buying new shoes right before going. We are going back next month, our kids now 5 & 8 so no stroller for them. But we will have stroller in tow for our 3 month old, I'll let her slide this year since she can't walk . In my opinion, I wouldn't even make a stroller an option. Just go into the parks and start walking. Tell her strollers are for the younger kids. The only time my kids got tired was while waiting in lines and strollers can't be taken there anyway.

Also, my kids do complain when we're at a mall, not because they're really all that tired but because they're bored. They will whine nonstop about being tired but as soon as we get home, they're running all over the yard, riding their bikes, etc.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I think you have gotten a great sampling of advice. I agree with a lot of it!

I would buy her that best walking shoes you can find. Lots of people forget about their kids feet! I would walk with her everyday to try to build up her endurance but remember that normal kids have differnt levels of endurance. Shopping is not a really good gage as most kids at 8 hate to shop and even though I LOVE it, it wears me out more than WDW. If she can keep up with her friends at play, I would not worry!
AT WDW I would pace myself and take lots of breaks. We enjoy at sitdown meal around lunch time!
If however she poops out and you want to contine, rent that stroller. WHo cares what othere think!!
We were at Epcot one night when DS was 8 and I wanted to stay and spend some time in WS at night. I tried to talk DS into a stroller to rest in while DH and I shoped but he would not go for it at all. NO WAY was he going to ride in a stroller.
MY 8 year old niece however begged for one the other day while shopping with her mom and me at a huge mall!! She would not fit in the small strollers that they had so we cut our trip short. I have told her mom for their Nov. trip that she should keep a open mind about renting a stroller!'

Jordnas' mom

 

[stczt]

As soon as mine were around 2 they were out of the stroller. We go to the zoo and 6 flags alot and my kids know they are walking. I would never think about getting a stroller for my 6 year old. My kids always talk about all these big kids in strollers and laugh at them

 

[kdtwiss]

I would think then it would be a mother's job to tell them laughing at people isn't polite.
Again - it's all some kind of huge moral debate! It's Disney for God's sake! Will everyone enjoy Disney more with or without the stroller - that is IT! That is the question, some kids are happier in strollers, some out, but renting a stroller for an older child is not a mortal sin. EVERYONE in OP's family may have a better time WITH a stroller. OP - don't mind what anyone else's family values are wrt a stinking stroller - do what is right and best for YOUR family. And if you see two little ones laughing at your big kid in a stroller you know who they are.

PP - not trying to offend you really - but what you said was a little callous. Perhaps you meant it in a constructive helpful way - but it did not sound like that to me. I know tho - it is hard to put your intent in a message.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Perhaps it could have been worded more sensitively, but I think the point stczt was trying to make was that older children in strollers might be seen by other children as kind of funny. That's all. And her point is well taken.

 

[kdtwiss]

I understood the point, and mine was we need to tech our kids not to laugh at others. I also try to teach my kids that it is not all that important if someone laughs at you, or thinks what you like is silly. Peer pressure is not too far down the road unfortunately!

 

[MamaLema]

A normal and healthy 8 year old doesn't need a stroller.

I think that when your child can't walk 20 min. at the mall, then they are bored and are looking for an excuse to leave.

My six year old "can't" walk for 10 min. at the mall because he's "tired", but has walked from 9-9 at WDW without a stroller.

 

[InderellaCay]

BTW about Great Britain, I just watched a documentary the other night about the soaring rates of obesity in children and adults there, and about how it is becoming a national health crisis. So we aren't the only country that overindulges...

Well, as long as they all get fat together, I guess that's okay. Now if the rest of the world had the food to chunk up too!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Well, as long as they all get fat together, I guess that's okay. Now if the rest of the world had the food to chunk up too!

LOL, I didn't mean it was okay for Americans to get fat since many British are fat too--I was just thinking the above comments from the British man denigrating Americans for overindulging their kids were a little ironic, since, sadly, the problem is not confined to the U.S.

To the OP, I think your best bet is to just budget for an occasional stroller rental at WDW, and then if you need one you won't feel bad about renting one. I don't think I'd bring a stroller of my own at that age. As others have said, I think your child will most likely be so interested in WDW that she will be able to walk much farther than she wants to during a boring shopping excursion at home.
We take lots of extra long walks at home in the weeks prior to our Disney trips and that seems to help us too.

I have to admit, though I am in pretty good shape, there are times at the end of a long hot day at WDW when my feet seem to cry out for a stroller, and I am 30 years old!

 

[MelodyMack]

Kids are not overweight because their mom rented them a stroller at WDW.

I also follow the same stringent "NO RULES" policy at WDW. My DD gets to eat dessert first, and stay up past her bedtime, and (GASP) ride in a stroller. What can I say? We like to live on the WILD side!!!

Mel

 

[anabelle]

My DD(8) had just got over mono and didn't need a stroller at WDW. But she is always whining in the store about not being able to walk.

 

[DazedandConfused]

Wow! I am shocked at the posts I am reading tonight - in this thread and others - but maybe it's my mood tonight - I'm having a bad night but here goes anyways!
To the OP : Please, do whatever will make your trip better and not stressfull. I have 2 boys both in the 100th percentile for height and weight (so they are on the bigger size for their ages) and I will be renting a stroller.

To all against stroller use, please don't condemn others for trying to make their vacations memorable for themselves as well as their children.
I am a physical therapist, working in healthcare for 10 years and I find nothing wrong with renting a stoller for older children at Disney.
Disney is an incredibly difficult place for children, fun, yes ,but difficult. It is a lot of walking, stimulation and a they are on a different schedule, away from everything they are used to. So, if it makes a child more comfortable to have a stroller to sit in now and again throughout the long days/nights of touring the huge place that Disney is, then, so be it. I think that too many people look at others and make quick judgements.
I can tell you that in the summer my children are outside and very active for many hours, most days -all day long, but it is not the same as walking or standing still for hours as we all do at Disney.
Yes, obesity is at an all time high, but making children miserable is not the answer. When I went to Disney as a child, I did not have a stroller but Disney was just MK and there was a lot less to do and see in a week's time. I think that everyone needs to do what they think is best for their children and forget that someone might be looking at them funny. I will continue to do what is best for my kids. I will not be one of those mother's yelling at my child 20 steps behind me to HURRY UP nor, will I be having my child misbehave and cry that they are tired while standing still in line for a ride for ten minutes after walking for 20 minutes to get to that point. I think we all have to realize that if we are tired after a day in the parks - How on earth are our children feeling??? They are smaller with smaller legs, shorter stride length, and much less stamina especially in stressful situations. I hope I don't offend anyone - just my opinon. I think that everyone should do what they feel is best for their own children. Thanks for listening - I feel much better now.

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD will be six on our next trip. We are bringing our stroller from home. It's a convenience for me as well as her. I am NOT looking forward to the time when she is too big for the stroller and I have to carry everything-change of clothes, snacks, water shoes, cameras, etc. (I do not carry a backpack-maybe it's just my generation!LOL) My DD walks for most of the time, but when she is tired, she rides. She is by no means fat, in fact she is just 42" and 35 lbs. On the few occasions when she has fallen asleep without the stroller, I have had to carry her and while 35# dosen't sound like much, it can really kill your back after about 10 mins. (Maybe if I had a strong man with me, then I could ditch the stroller ) She's weighed about the same (within a few pounds) for the last 1 to 1 1/2 yrs. So, I say mom, you be the judge, it's your vacation too!

23 days and counting!

 

[NikiM20]

my dd is 6 and weighs 65 lbs and i will absolutely be renting a stroller for her...the $$$$$$$ is worth not having to hear "Mommy my legs hurt, Mommy im tired" and if other kids laugh at her oh well, we will NEVER see these people again......she walks around the mall and walmart fine... if they had a stroller big enough for me I would rent one it is tiring to an adult to walk around WDW

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I was there in June and sat down waiting for my DS(6) and our friends outside Millionaire. A gentleman from the UK sat down and commented about the state of our nation and how we are ruining our children’s future. Since I was in the middle of the Happiest Place on Earth, I just looked at him sort of funny. So then he went on. He stated that it was the only country that had obesity morbid disease and that we were unwilling to do anything about it but pass it on to our children. As we sat and talked we watched many children obviously old enough to walk, being pushed around in strollers, consuming high fat snacks. I must admit that I agreed with him. Here is a chance for a child to wear themselves out, and enjoy as much as they can, only to fall into bed so tired from being delioursly happy about being here and what they did. I for one could not stand the stroller. I was so happy that when my child could walk, I threw it away. Since he was two we would walk the zoo, and sometimes he complains, but he has also gone from being the fat baby to a tall boy who needs slim pants (oh yeah we changed our eating habits also). He walked around Disney for 11 days. We took naps because he was tired, but hey so was I. But we swam, we walked and we saw most of it (you never see it all). I just saw for a minute what the rest of the world sees and we don’t. We are killing our kids. Throw away the stroller.

Standing ovation!!!

 

[kumquat]

I bet shes just bored shopping and hopes that be complaining you'll leave. At 8 she should be able to walk around Disney without a stroller. I know at 8 I was able to and that just 8 years ago so the parks havent changed much. I just cant imagine my eight year old cousin in a stroller. Of course no one would be willing to push him seing as he is already 95 pouds and almost my height (Im only 5 ft tall). However, I do feel you should do what is best for you.