Stroller for an 8 1/2 year old?!?

[ccrosner]

My SIL and her family and my inlaws will be at WDW for President's Week. Never been before. We've been several times. We've tried to help her make some plans (dinner ressies, location, etc.). Now she's saying that EVERYONE is telling her that they need to rent a stroller for their girls--ages 8 1/2 and 10. My DH and I think that's ridiculous. We were there when our kids were 7 and 9 and couldn't imagine needing them....they were definitely old enough to make it around the parks and I never remember them getting that tired. My mother, maybe....but not my kids and we do a kamikaze Disney experience (up early and doing everything all the time). Are we crazy? Should I tell my SIL to get the stroller or that her kids will be mortified?

Just think it's nuts. Hoping others will too. BTW, my nieces are in great shape and have no physical or emotional issues. Just normal kids who've never been to Disney.

 

[dznygurl]

They shouldn't need a stroller at all.
My last trip, my DS was 7 and he walked all of the parks with no complaining. We went from sun up to sun down every day. I had a stroller for my 4 year old though.

My next trip is in three weeks. My kids are 10, 7, and 2. I am expecting my 7 and 10 year old to walk. I haven't even considered a stroller for them.

I suppose if they did start complaining we would just slow down our pace a bit.

 

[jacksmom]

I have an 8 yo that has been multiple times and we stopped getting a stroller before he turned 6! He wanted to walk and never had any difficulty! I would think any 8 yo in reasonable shape and good health would certianly be okay! I think a stroller would just slow you down! Why not try without first and see!

 

[ccrosner]

Thanks for the quick responses. Glad to hear others agree. Was just thinking that I was giving lousy advice...sounds like others are giving them lousy advice.

 

[chrome64]

You can always suggest to them to try going without it at first and then they can rent one later in the day if they decide that they need it. We all know it is very unlikely that they will decide to rent one in the end but, at least this way they will be able to decide for themselves!!

 

[TDS373X]

dd6 has been strollerless since trip last june at age 5 ...I should thing an 8 and 10 y/o would be mortified by the idea....

 

[blestmom]

You can always suggest to them to try going without it at first and then they can rent one later in the day if they decide that they need it. We all know it is very unlikely that they will decide to rent one in the end but, at least this way they will be able to decide for themselves!!

That's a great idea...very good advice. My 7 year old went all over the parks for 2 weeks last year...no problem. But this way they can make up their own mind, after giving it a try without first.

 

[lorli]

As much as I'd like to keep dd (4) in a stroller for as long as possible, for me not so much for her. DH says we can move faster if she is in a stroller, but I say I can keep her with me better with a stroller. I just can't imagine getting away with a stroller much longer for her even. At a certain point I think it becomes babyish and embarrassing for children even as young as six. We took our 7 yo neice with us last year and she was way not in great shape but she did wonderful with us. We too are a family the is up in the morning and going until way into the wee hours of night. I do have to say she went with her own family two week previously to AK and Islands of Adventure and her parents said she needed the stroller, she just couldn't do it. In fact they said their 9 year old son used it too. Judging from our experience with neice, they were just novices or saps, you pick.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Our last trip, my DDs were 6 and 3 (she turned 4 less than a month after our trip). We were also there with my ILs and nephew (13) and niece (9) for a couple of days. We rented a double for the time we were there. Mostly my 7yo rode and my 4yo walked. When we were with extended family, my niece would ride when the 4 yo wanted to walk.

Next trip, no stroller!! Older DD can definitely walk, but she is a drame queen!!

 

[goofyernmost]

This topic has surfaced before and frankly I am amazed that people even consider having any child over 6, that is healthy, ride on there ever fattening behinds all day. If anyone should be riding in strollers it should be the parents.
Have these people not noticed the boundless energy that kids that age have.

My children, 6 and 8 on there first visit walked without problem or complaint. In fact, it never occurred to us to do otherwise. No wonder we have a childhood obesity problem in this country. If I had my way they wouldn't even allow them to be rented for healthy kids of that age.

I have asked my children about it (they are in there thirties now) and they felt that they would have been humiliated to be considered such a "baby" at that age.

And now again...moderator please get rid of It really is out of place in today's society. Smoking isn't cool, ask anyone that has lost a family member to it.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

An eight year old should have way more energy than her parents, and if they can make it, she surely can! I don't know when this fad of pushing big kids around in strollers got going, but my kids were out of their strollers for good before they turned 3. "In my day" strollers were for babies, period.

Flame away, but IMO if an eight year old child can't run around Disneyworld all day, I'd be really worried - she's not getting enough exercise, and that's not a good sign for her future health. It's never going to get easier!

 

[jbird327]

If I had my way they wouldn't even allow them to be rented for healthy kids of that age.
QUOTE]

I'm glad it's not 'your' way. My healthy daughter, at 8, was in a stroller and that made the trip enjoyable for her. One should not presume that a child who looks 'healthy' may not have a very valid reason for needing assistance.

 

[JillL.]

WOW~~!

my 7 year old is very petite for her age and my DH walks at a very brisk pace, she there for rides in the double stroller when and only when she gets tierd... and only at disney... Disney is not a normal day out. its also more heat then we are used to. I say to all those parents out there considering it you know your kids if a stroller ride at disney will make the trip more pleasent for everyone then do it .

and i really dont think disney is the place to start a crash fitness program for obese children "No Jimmy you may not rest now give me 20 push-ups before we ride space mountain" Can you say heat stroke!!!

 

[tlady]

I would be embarrassed to push my 8-year old in a stroller. And she would be even more embarrassed to be seen in one at that age. IMHO, unless a child has a medical reason for needing it, no 8 year old should be in a stroller! No wonder American kids are in such sorry shape today.

 

[Honeybehr1]

My son turned 8 the day before our trip, walked his way all week. His brother was in a stroller for 3/4 of it just because it was quicker but he was 2 1/2.

The 4 yrs ago, we didnt bring a stroller (ds was 4 at the time) and he didnt need it either. Way too much energy to sit in a stroller.

 

[Deb & Bill]

WOW~~!

my 7 year old is very petite for her age and my DH walks at a very brisk pace, ...

Could your DH maybe slow down a bit? It might make it more fun for your daughter.

 

[JillL.]

Could your DH maybe slow down a bit? It might make it more fun for your daughter.

its not like we are running after him. he just has very long legs and she has to make 5 steps to his one! and she is always having fun when we are all together at disney

in fact we have so much fun i rarely notice the age of other peoples children who might be riding in strollers!

 

[ron808]

My SIL and her family and my inlaws will be at WDW for President's Week. Never been before. We've been several times. We've tried to help her make some plans (dinner ressies, location, etc.). Now she's saying that EVERYONE is telling her that they need to rent a stroller for their girls--ages 8 1/2 and 10. My DH and I think that's ridiculous. We were there when our kids were 7 and 9 and couldn't imagine needing them....they were definitely old enough to make it around the parks and I never remember them getting that tired. My mother, maybe....but not my kids and we do a kamikaze Disney experience (up early and doing everything all the time). Are we crazy? Should I tell my SIL to get the stroller or that her kids will be mortified?

Just think it's nuts. Hoping others will too. BTW, my nieces are in great shape and have no physical or emotional issues. Just normal kids who've never been to Disney.

Unless they are quadripeligic or obese as a grape kid then by all means.

geez, what are they thinking?! Save the kids from humiliation of a stupid decision from their parents. tick tock tick tock... Tell them to wear a helmet too or the PARENTS should get one instead.

this is not even close to being funny.

 

[Just_Me_06]

They have not need for a stroller ! i have not used a stroller since i was 4 . and the last time i actually seen myself in a storller (picture) was when i was 2 lol . but that was just me .

 

[mattsdragon]

I would think an 8 year old would be completely embarrased to be in a stroller. I remember our trip to Busch Gardens when I was 7 and not using a stroller, and there are much more hills there (especially back before Italy was born).

Tell your SIL that her kid doesn't need a stroller.