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

[PrincessLindy]

They probably won't need one. However every child is different. I would make sure they budget for the rental in case they decide they need it. Then at the end of the vacation if they didn't use it maybe use it for shopping.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

we are going to rent a stroller....for our almost 3 year old daughter! our son will be 5.5 when we travel, and i would imagine he would want a sit in the stoller the odd time, where i am sure dd would gladly trade to walk a bit!

depending on the child, i would say up to age 6 maybe...each parent knows there child, but imo if i saw an 8 and /or a 10 year old in a stroller (heck if i had to push that weight around all day) i would roll my eyes!

 

[NancyIL]

My sister and brother-in-law were at WDW last spring with their twins, who turned 7 on the trip. SIL mentioned she rented a double stroller for the kids, and I held my tongue! In my opinion, if the kids are so tired that they can't walk, you need to take a break, go back to your hotel room, and rest!! Returning to the park after a few hours of rest makes a BIG difference in comfort level, not to mention disposition...parents' included!

 

[lizanne]

Since the OP asked for opinions, I feel that a healthy 8 year old should be able to walk around the Parks.

On our first trip to WDW my children were 3, 5, 6, 9, 11. We never used a stroller. I have noticed a significant increase in the amount of strollers and particularly double strollers in the Parks in recent years. I can't help but wonder why.

 

[LakeAriel]

I think if you have a toddler or two with you and one happens to be walking an older child would love the novelty (and the rest) of sitting for a while. As far as renting a stroller specifically for a 7 plus year old? Please, that's humiliating...

 

[BriNJ]

I have 2 kids (just turned 4 and about to turn 6). The younger has low muscle tone and has a bad tendency to fall when she's been walking too long. So I will bring a stroller for her. I know though, that she'll spend most of the time walking with me holding her hand tightly- and we'll have a great time of it. My older child would not ride in a stroller if we forced him, and there is no reason for him to. Personally, I think an 8yr old (if they have no health problems) should do fine at Disney and will not need a stroller.

I dont see the point in using a stroller for older children. Its my opinion and I have a right to it. I dont however, have the right to be rude and if I saw you pushing your older child around, I might think my opinion to myself, but I'd never say anythign to you. Its your life, your child and your back, and your choice to do what you do.

For me though, if my children are really tired, then its time for a break. Disney, for us, is about our family time and if we are rushing around to the point where our nearly 6yr old is tired and his feet hurt, then its time for a break. Vacation is not the time, for us, to go commando and ruin someone's day.Just my opinion, if you feel the need for a stroller for an older child, its up to you.

To the opening poster- on our last trip, we covered most of the parks quite well with our not yet 5yr old walking. He didn't need a stroller and we didn't miss anything. So, for your post, no I dont think the 8yr old needs a stroller.

Bri

 

[mill4023]

Most 8 yr olds shouldn't need a stroller at WDW.

But I still don't understand why some people seem to care so much. Why are some of you so bothered by the fact that some parents would choose to bring a stroller for a child that YOU think is too old for it? Seems to me that it should be up to the parents to decide when their kids are old enough to walk the whole time.

I also don't understand the comments that if a child is too tired to walk, it's time to go back to the hotel and rest. What if you have several kids and one of them gets tired a lot more easily than the rest? What is wrong with having a stroller so the tired child can rest while still enjoying the parks?

 

[LakeAriel]

Most 8 yr olds shouldn't need a stroller at WDW.

But I still don't understand why some people seem to care so much. Why are some of you so bothered by the fact that some parents would choose to bring a stroller for a child that YOU think is too old for it? Seems to me that it should be up to the parents to decide when their kids are old enough to walk the whole time.

I also don't understand the comments that if a child is too tired to walk, it's time to go back to the hotel and rest. What if you have several kids and one of them gets tired a lot more easily than the rest? What is wrong with having a stroller so the tired child can rest while still enjoying the parks?

You'll understand the first time a nine year old kicks you in the back of your legs (accidentally, these strollers are not made for 9 year olds) and you almost fall flat on your face!

 

[babar41]

Most 8 yr olds shouldn't need a stroller at WDW.

But I still don't understand why some people seem to care so much. Why are some of you so bothered by the fact that some parents would choose to bring a stroller for a child that YOU think is too old for it? Seems to me that it should be up to the parents to decide when their kids are old enough to walk the whole time.

I think part of the reason some people care if people are using strollers when it is not necessary is strollers can and do make moving around (especially in Fantasyland) very difficult. If there were fewer strollers it would be a lot easier to walk around the lands. Where no one is saying they should ban the use of strollers, I think most people would be happy if there were fewer strollers at the parks. One way of having fewer strollers would be if only the people who had young children (pre Kind. age) or children who were not healthy enough to walk used strollers. If people didn't rent or bring strollers to use as "shopping carts", or camera holders... Just an idea.

[/QUOTE]I also don't understand the comments that if a child is too tired to walk, it's time to go back to the hotel and rest. What if you have several kids and one of them gets tired a lot more easily than the rest? What is wrong with having a stroller so the tired child can rest while still enjoying the parks?[/QUOTE]

You're right, just because one person is tired why should everyone have to go back to the hotel. Truth is most people would receive a benefit with a mid-afternoon break. But if your 8 year old is tired and your 15 year old wants to keep going, why not find a quiet place at the park to give your 8 year old a break while the 15 year old is riding a ride?

Strollers serve a purpose. They can be a wonderful tool for a parent. I think most people would be far more tolerant of strollers at WDW if there weren't so many of them and if so many of them weren't being used to carry items rather than small children as they are intended. JMHO

 

[rie'smom]

I'm thinking about bringing my 2 sons on our next WDW trip. Do the double strollers come extra large? One son weighs about 160 and the other weighs about 170 but they are still my babies. The older one is 30 and he's a lawyer who might be tired after a long day in court. My younger son is 22 and runs the family farm with his dad and everybody knows the hours a farmer keeps.And you know what else, sometimes my DH complains about being tired so I may rent one and stick his b_ _ _ in one too. No one better flame me either. It's nobody's business but mine if I want to put them in stroller!

 

[LakeAriel]

 

[NancyIL]

My 15-year-old son will be with me at WDW next month. If I tire before he does, I'm going back to the hotel for a rest and he can stay in the park. Or maybe I should rent a wheelchair so he can push me around the park.

Seriously - if you use a stroller for your child at home, whatever their age, then by all means use one at WDW. Just my opinion - but if your child is too old to use one at home, he/she is too old, period.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

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.

The Op you are quoting didn't say anything about "looking" healthy. If your DD looks healthy, but needs a stroller for some reason, other than being "hot and tired" that is fine. But I would ask why a stroller for an 8yo and not a wheelchair?

My kids have been out of a stroller since the age of 4. When my youngest was 4, we "tested" him. We did not rent a stroller entering the parks, and planned on getting one if he got too tired. He was fine. Never once complained. It was my 6 yo (at the time) who kept "suggesting" he probably needs a stroller.

WDW has numerous benches, eating area's ect to take a break. We do not go-go-go. We let the kids sit and rest, then move on.

I know people have a right to live the way they want, but I really can't stand it when I see an 8-9-10 yo in a stroller. I don't know why ot bother's me, it should be none of my business, but it does.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I'm thinking about bringing my 2 sons on our next WDW trip. Do the double strollers come extra large? One son weighs about 160 and the other weighs about 170 but they are still my babies. The older one is 30 and he's a lawyer who might be tired after a long day in court. My younger son is 22 and runs the family farm with his dad and everybody knows the hours a farmer keeps.And you know what else, sometimes my DH complains about being tired so I may rent one and stick his b_ _ _ in one too. No one better flame me either. It's nobody's business but mine if I want to put them in stroller!

No flames, but don't ask me to help push their butts around! Holy cow woman! Can you imagine??????

 

[RVGal]

Wow. I haven't been posting on this board for very long and I'm amazed at how often some variation on this topic comes up. How old is too old for a stroller? Sheesh. If this is the biggest problem we face...

I have yet to make any parenting decision based on what I think the reaction of other people might be. That doesn't mean I'm judging those that do care and adjust their decisions accordingly... I'm simply saying that I personally don't give a rat's hairy hind quarters what anyone else thinks. That's just me. It would also never occur to me to try and guess the age of a child in stroller and do the mental math to determine if I thought they were too old. Not my child, not my decision. Whatever.

I too have been ankle scraped and practically mowed over by berzerk stroller drivers. Of course, I've been ankle scraped and practically mowed over by berzerk shopping cart drivers at the grocery store. Maybe we should just set up a driver's license system for the push-variety vehicles and we'd all be better off? Well... judging by some of the licensed drivers on the freeways... probably not.

I guess my opinion on the stroller thing is the same as with all things Disney. Check your cares at the gate (same goes for embarrasment IMHO). Whatever works best for you, do it. Be respectful of those around you and you'll all have a better time because of it (this is a direct quote from my mom and I try to apply it to all aspects of my life).

 

[minijeanie]

when my daughter was 5 she looked like she was 8... Very very tall,,,,slim but tall.

We got a stroller for her because quite honestly, she wanted it. I got so many looks and snickers it was downright mean.

So even though I don't think a 8 or 10 yr old requires a stroller I would never knock someones decison.

And yes, if they get it the first day and don't need it, then no harm

 

[NancyIL]

Parents of infants and toddlers often bring their own strollers. The strollers that the older kids use at WDW are not the kind most parents own. Did Disney start providing big strollers because parents needed them? Or did Disney see another way of making money by providing them, and then they became a need?

 

[WaltD4Me]

Wow. I haven't been posting on this board for very long and I'm amazed at how often some variation on this topic comes up. How old is too old for a stroller? Sheesh. If this is the biggest problem we face...

I have yet to make any parenting decision based on what I think the reaction of other people might be. That doesn't mean I'm judging those that do care and adjust their decisions accordingly... I'm simply saying that I personally don't give a rat's hairy hind quarters what anyone else thinks. That's just me. It would also never occur to me to try and guess the age of a child in stroller and do the mental math to determine if I thought they were too old. Not my child, not my decision. Whatever.

I too have been ankle scraped and practically mowed over by berzerk stroller drivers. Of course, I've been ankle scraped and practically mowed over by berzerk shopping cart drivers at the grocery store. Maybe we should just set up a driver's license system for the push-variety vehicles and we'd all be better off? Well... judging by some of the licensed drivers on the freeways... probably not.

I guess my opinion on the stroller thing is the same as with all things Disney. Check your cares at the gate (same goes for embarrasment IMHO). Whatever works best for you, do it. Be respectful of those around you and you'll all have a better time because of it (this is a direct quote from my mom and I try to apply it to all aspects of my life).

Excellent post!
Couldn't have said it any better myself!

It continually amazes me why anyone cares about this issue. It continually amazes me how many people think they know what's best for a total stranger's child. Sure, it might be nice if there were a few less strollers, but seriously, it IS Disney and you gotta expect them and I'd be willing to bet if Disney said you can't rent a stroller for anyone over the age of six (which would be ridiculous) you wouldn't notice much of a difference,
.....especially in Fantasyland!

 

[ron808]

Most 8 yr olds shouldn't need a stroller at WDW.

But I still don't understand why some people seem to care so much. Why are some of you so bothered by the fact that some parents would choose to bring a stroller for a child that YOU think is too old for it? Seems to me that it should be up to the parents to decide when their kids are old enough to walk the whole time.

I also don't understand the comments that if a child is too tired to walk, it's time to go back to the hotel and rest. What if you have several kids and one of them gets tired a lot more easily than the rest? What is wrong with having a stroller so the tired child can rest while still enjoying the parks?

First things first, this is a mesage board. A forum created to exchange opinions, ideas & experiences. & the reason you're here is?.....

my point exactly. & it's not "caring" per se rather my former point.


Why are some people SO DEFENSIVE? I just don't get it.

 

[mattsdragon]

I'm thinking about bringing my 2 sons on our next WDW trip. Do the double strollers come extra large? One son weighs about 160 and the other weighs about 170 but they are still my babies. The older one is 30 and he's a lawyer who might be tired after a long day in court. My younger son is 22 and runs the family farm with his dad and everybody knows the hours a farmer keeps.And you know what else, sometimes my DH complains about being tired so I may rent one and stick his b_ _ _ in one too. No one better flame me either. It's nobody's business but mine if I want to put them in stroller!

ROFLMAO
(see)

Just whatever you do, don't let your kids push the stroller, the only thing worse than gettng your ankles run over by some kid pushing his/her stroller, is getting rear ended by a lawyer talking on a cellphone while operating a wheeled vehicle (and yes, the double entendre was intended).