stroller for 8yr old?

[Suzanne74]

I think it basically comes down to what type of trip you are taking.

If you like commando style and hate wasting time wandering down Main Street etc.. and GET TO THE RIDES!! then I think a stroller works well. It also works well getting out of the parks when you Commando style parents are leaving at closing with 3yr olds Don't worry - I am one of them, LOL!! It is much nicer then carrying them thru the crowds, etc...

If you spend more time looking at all the details that are in Disney, take frequent in-park brakes, take in lots of shows, shop, parades and tend to leave at your kids actual bedtime, then a stroller might just be a pain in the butt.

I have used one on the past 2 trips for dd (almost 4 in a week!) She likes to get in esp when we are getting to and from, at the end of the night, waiting during parades, etc.. We also tend to stay later at the parks and dd will sit in the stroller and have an ice-cream while we stroll down Main Street and browse a little. I am still debating whether we take one this time since we are going for 10 days and will tend to take it easy and do the non commndo stuff this time. We barely use it to store anything and maybe since she is only 4 - it never feels like a pain to push her. I actually enjoy it as I have peace of mind where she is.

I rather see an 8yr old tired girl in a stroller then being dragged by her poor little arm thru the park (I see SO many of these and it is a shame!)

I also rather see a 4yr old holding hands and having a blast then being pushed ALL OVER THE PLACE while they are squirming to get out.

So really it all depends on the vacation style and your child's demeanor - that's all.

HTH

 

[danalee]

Just coming back, I seen alot of kids, all ages, in strollers! it was NO BIG DEAL~
Do what works for you, if it makes your trip more enjoyable to let your daughter "ride" sometimes instead of walk then go for it!
We rented one a couple of times for my 6 year old, he was a trooper but sometimes he just needed a seat. So to get from point A to point B was a breeze when he was in the stoller~ AND I loved the peace of mind I had when, at leaving time in the crowds, I knew RIGHT where he was!!!

I read this entire post, and the commment by the mom of the bigger kids that laugh at kids in a stroller SHAME ON YOU for letting them laugh~

 

[PLUTO2]

To allow children to laugh at other children and sound so proud about it is just....pitiful.

 

[alisonbestford]

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

Hmmm, and, unfortunately, these may well be the kind of kids who grow up into the adults who, literally, stick their faces in my DH's face when we park in a disabled bay as he's only 38 but terminally ill with a brain tumour!

This post makes me sad as part of the reason DD (6, almost 7) rides in a pushchair when we're on holiday is because it's easier for me to keep track of her and help out DH whenever necessary.

Live and let live!

 

[PLUTO2]

Alison I wish you and DH the best.

 

[bscs]

Hmmm, and, unfortunately, these may well be the kind of kids who grow up into the adults who, literally, stick their faces in my DH's face when we park in a disabled bay as he's only 38 but terminally ill with a brain tumour!



Praying for you and your husband

 

[delilah]

We didn't rent a stroller for our son, 7, when we went this past spring. We were accompanied by my brother and his family, which included a 6yo and a 3yo. My SIL is philosophically opposed to having older children in a stroller, which is fine and her choice. However, her 3yo son is in a stroller. Whenever he would want to get out and walk, the older ones would want to climb in, and I don't think any single stroller is intended to hold two 50-60 lb children. We spent lots of time getting the older ones out of the stroller. Furthermore, her 6yo daughter got horrible blisters on her feet, and, needed to be carried, which, of course, made my son think he needed to be carried, too. If it hadn't been so late in the day, I would have broken down and rented a double stroller at that point. My 52" son is quite a challenge for this 62" lady to carry. This is an alternative reason for a stroller.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have a 7, 6 and just turned 5 year old. We bring an umbrella stroller for five year old ds and rent a double for the two olders dds. I don't care who likes it or doesn't like it. It makes mine and DH's life easier. They never use a stroller anywhere but Disney. If we had to move at their pace we'd move at a snail's pace, plus it makes it easier to keep them together and we can store things in the stroller. I figure with all the money I'm paying to vacation the last thing I'm going to worry about is if someone else's kids are laughing at mine in the stroller. I feel sorry for those kids.

 

[barganhunter23]

Through the years we have rented a stroller without question.Our DS was 3,5 and 7 years old each time we made the trip.He has boundless energy and generally cannot sit still.But the days are long and he did need breaks now and then.While I admit we hesitaited on the last trip (7 Yrs old) Not only did it allow him a little down time during a very long day at the park-we generally go for 10hrs!-but when he was not using it we had a very handy place to keep all our items.
We are going back in Oct and he is now 9 and I wont mind if he says he wants another stroller.I'm just happy to be going back!