Stroller for big kid - age 10

[wtccheermom]

My 2 year old walked the majority of our trip and not only did keep up but never once complained of being tired in fact we had to force him to leave and take a nap. I cannot imagine a non disabled 10 year old riding around n a stroller seems really unnecessary. I guess maybe it is me but I don’t get this dragging my kids through the world mentality it makes the kids miserable, the parents and often times everyone around them when they start having their meltdowns and behavior issues that come from being tired and over stimulated. I know my 8 year old who can sometimes have a lazy bone in her somehow gathers up the energy to outperform us all in Disney so you may be surprised with your granddaughter.

 

[Angelhalo]

I didn't expect such rudeness from so many people, esp since I am not kidding, and this is my very first post.

GD has mild asthma, and has agreed to be pushed 'sometimes' when she is tired. I asked her, and she said yes.She is a perfectly normal child, plays soccer, ice skates, but walking miles each day will not suit neither she or I.
I am disabled and will be on a scooter. She can ride with me sometimes, but I fear she will want to be carried by "Pop-pop" when tired.

She is healthy otherwise. We are going with cousins 8 and 6 yrs old who also are pushed if they are tired.

Thank you all for your answers. I appreciate the thoughts.

I cannot fathom a 10 year old who would want to be carried by her grandfather. How embarrassing!!! Nor could I imagine a 10 year old who would want to climb into a stroller. WDW can be exhausting for everyone. That's why they have benches. Sit down and take a break if folks are tired.

 

[Magic Mom]

Wow.

Oh and if a 10 year old doesn't have endurance, then there is a problem. It means they don't get enough exercise. My 8 and 11 year old soccer players are tiny. And they can run me into the ground. Walking through Disney is nothing to them. So, I don't buy the excuse that a 60lb 10 year old doesn't have endurance. If that's the case, then there are a lot bigger problems.

I agree. It has nothing to do with weight. Some of the girls on DD's cross country team are thin as rails, but could run and run and run all day. If a healthy 10 YO can't walk around the parks without a stroller, then it might be time to get the family out and walking and think about slowing down the pace to accommodate her asthma.

 

[mickeyboat]

We went in October with DDs 10 & 11 and while they did get tired, they did fine in the parks all day. We took breaks when we needed to and used meal times and times waiting for parades to relax. I told them to make sure to let us know when they needed to rest. They slept great at night, too!

I just asked them and they said they would have been embarassed to be in a stroller - heck, they were mad that the CMs made them use the strap when they rode Soarin'.

OP - If you are already renting a stroller for the 8 & 6 year olds, maybe the 10 year old could take a turn every once in a while if she wants to.

 

[mom2aandj]

I always am surprised reading these threads that there are kids that old who will willingly ride in a stroller. My DS is 10 (and also weighs less than 60 lbs--I don't understand the argument that being light would make it harder for you to walk around? You have less poundage to haul around! It's easier!! ) and there is no way he would EVER get in a stroller. And I can't think of any of his friends who would either!

 

[punkin]

I rented a stroller at Epcot when my younger DD was 4 and no longer using a stroller at home. She refused to sit in it, but my older DD who was 10 at the time, was very happy to be pushed around in it when she got tired.

 

[ajk912]

Wow.

Oh and if a 10 year old doesn't have endurance, then there is a problem. It means they don't get enough exercise. My 8 and 11 year old soccer players are tiny. And they can run me into the ground. Walking through Disney is nothing to them. So, I don't buy the excuse that a 60lb 10 year old doesn't have endurance. If that's the case, then there are a lot bigger problems.

Again, just because YOUR children don't have endurance problems doesn't mean that is the case for EVERY child. MY child spends entire afternoons outside weekends playing with her friends, she plays basketball, but I GUARANTEE her 'bad' leg will get sore if she was on it straight for more than an hour or two. She would be perfectly fine sitting for a while in one of the big kid strollers while we go from one end of the park to another. Why the bolded "Wow"? Have you ever broken a bone, especially a very thick one like your femur, that is on a part of your body that is used more often than most? It never gets sore? If she says her leg is sore, I am not going to say, "Wow" to her. That's mean. She'd be fine in one of the strollers, I am fine with one of the strollers, so that's all good. If we don't need it, we don't rent it, but if we do, I will.

Some of the posters on this thread and their judgement. Why do people even CARE if someone uses a stroller or not? Do you think one more stroller in Disneyworld is going to make a difference in crowds?

 

[ajk912]

I always am surprised reading these threads that there are kids that old who will willingly ride in a stroller. My DS is 10 (and also weighs less than 60 lbs--I don't understand the argument that being light would make it harder for you to walk around? You have less poundage to haul around! It's easier!! ) and there is no way he would EVER get in a stroller. And I can't think of any of his friends who would either!

Well, it may or may not be true but I was thinking from the angle that they are tiny so less muscle. My almost 10 year old is definitely not strong. My 11 year old, he is near 100 lbs, but he played soccer this year and played football last year and the year before that, so he has more muscle to him. He'd be fine going around Disney all day, and he was in 2008 when we went. That football conditioning makes Disney look easy.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I used to tell the kids, "I wish someone would stroll me around the park!". It can get tiring. But then again, it's not like just walking. There are a lot of pay offs and fun along the way. It takes awhile for that tiredness to sneak up on you. By then, we'd all be ready for a midday rest.

It will all work out. It's good to think about this in advance. We would walk with the kids more prior to our trip. That helps.

I hope you have a great trip, with or without the stroller. If she needs it, she needs it.

 

[mdsoccermom]

Again, just because YOUR children don't have endurance problems doesn't mean that is the case for EVERY child. MY child spends entire afternoons outside weekends playing with her friends, she plays basketball, but I GUARANTEE her 'bad' leg will get sore if she was on it straight for more than an hour or two. She would be perfectly fine sitting for a while in one of the big kid strollers while we go from one end of the park to another. Why the bolded "Wow"? Have you ever broken a bone, especially a very thick one like your femur, that is on a part of your body that is used more often than most? It never gets sore? If she says her leg is sore, I am not going to say, "Wow" to her. That's mean. She'd be fine in one of the strollers, I am fine with one of the strollers, so that's all good. If we don't need it, we don't rent it, but if we do, I will.

Some of the posters on this thread and their judgement. Why do people even CARE if someone uses a stroller or not? Do you think one more stroller in Disneyworld is going to make a difference in crowds?

The wow was in reference to you saying that with all the money you are spending, you are not going to cut your day short an hour or two because your daughter's leg was sore. That was what I was talking about. Your priorities. Keeping plowing through Disney vs. letting your daughter rest.

I've never broken a bone but I've dislocated my knee three times and have had 4 surgeries. I know pain. But, I take a break if needed.

 

[mickeyboat]

Just wanted to point out-this is why kids get exhausted at WDW!!!

We always, always, always went back to the hotel no matter how old my kids got. Took a break-went swimming-rested
It the people who insist on "getting their money's worth" and keep going nonstop that exhaust their kids

Take a break!

I agree with you in principle, but it might not always be a matter of getting my money's worth. It might be a matter of wanting to do as much as possible, because it might just be a once in a lifetime trip.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I agree with you in principle, but it might not always be a matter of getting my money's worth. It might be a matter of wanting to do as much as possible, because it might just be a once in a lifetime trip.

And that once in a lifetime trip may not have the fabulous memories associated with it if everyone is made miserable by being forced to go nonstop all day. Disney isn't a death march.

 

[MichelleVW]

I really don't get it. Let the children set the pace- rest when they are tired and go when they aren't. I found "Disney walking" much easier than I expected (and I was in need of a hip replacement both times we went). We walked, we waited in line, we sat on rides or in shows, we walked a little more, stopped to look at things etc. If the child can play soccer and ice skate, she can walk around WDW unless you do a "commando" trip and why would you do that with 3 kids who might tire easily?

Why can't the family just slow down? If she plays soccer, then a day of strolling/standing around the park and in lines shouldn't be any problem at all.

I am sorry, but if she has asthma induced by walking, then you take a rest. You don't put a kid almost in middle school in a stroller and keep going.

Just wanted to point out-this is why kids get exhausted at WDW!!!

We always, always, always went back to the hotel no matter how old my kids got. Took a break-went swimming-rested
It the people who insist on "getting their money's worth" and keep going nonstop that exhaust their kids

Take a break!

What they said...

 

[Chelley00]

There are plenty of places to stop and take a break if you don't want to leave the park. There are tons of attractions that offer a nice break where you are sitting down. You aren't constantly walking and standing.

My DD8 and DS5 just returned from 10 days of non stop touring and didn't use a stroller. A couple of days we did take breaks, but for the most part, we stayed at the park, sat when we needed to and maybe lingered over our meals in order to let them rest their legs a little. It can be done.

 

[maxiesmom]

Again, just because YOUR children don't have endurance problems doesn't mean that is the case for EVERY child. MY child spends entire afternoons outside weekends playing with her friends, she plays basketball, but I GUARANTEE her 'bad' leg will get sore if she was on it straight for more than an hour or two. She would be perfectly fine sitting for a while in one of the big kid strollers while we go from one end of the park to another.

Exactly. I was all ready to hop on the Our You Kidding Me side of this when I remembered that my then 10yr old niece hopped into her yournger sister's stroller during one trip. This is a girl who does not sit still at all, and plays multiple sports in school. At the time she was small for her age, and had been having bad leg pains that the doctor diagnosed as severe growing pains. So while we didn't rent her a stroller, we did rent a double so she could climb in with her sister.

Truth is, people need to do what works for their own families. And the rest of us can think it odd or crazy, or that people should just slow down, but it is not our decision to make. None of us raise our families exactly the same, and we need to remember that.

 

[ajk912]

The wow was in reference to you saying that with all the money you are spending, you are not going to cut your day short an hour or two because your daughter's leg was sore. That was what I was talking about. Your priorities. Keeping plowing through Disney vs. letting your daughter rest.

I've never broken a bone but I've dislocated my knee three times and have had 4 surgeries. I know pain. But, I take a break if needed.

You are misreading what I wrote then. I said her leg would likely get sore AROUND hour 2, I know for certain that she wouldn't be able to last all day. Sorry, I do see a stroller as a great alternative to taking a break 2 hours in. If she's fine with it, I am fine with it. We may rent a wheelchair when she is older. She isn't disabled but she does have a bone disorder, I consider her healthy for the most part but I don't pretend to know how she's feeling. Like others have said, a wheelchair is Disney's solution for stamina issues, so I don't feel bad at all about it.

And like others have said..it's one thing for those who go every year to say to take frequent breaks, but when it's a once-every-5- years trip (or a once in a lifetime trip) I don't think anyone WANTS to sit on the benches and sit and waste valuable park time, if they can sit back and let someone push them around till they are refreshed, they'd rather do that. I have no problems pushing. The last time we went was in 2008, and we likely won't go back before 2013, I know it's a fun but very BUSY week, and I get my workout in. We would ALL rather say that we saw a good portion of the park, rather than go back refreshed. And my daughter who tires easily, heck, she goes back refreshed too because I don't push her beyond what she feels her body can take. Everyone wins.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Really?...I smell

BUT, I'll take a bite and add that I believe it would be too cumbersome to try and push around a 10 year old all day at the world.

Lets get our kids active...stop the obesity trend!

 

[ajk912]

Really?...I smell

BUT, I'll take a bite and add that I believe it would be too cumbersome to try and push around a 10 year old all day at the world.

Lets get our kids active...stop the obesity trend!

I understand that being active will likely halt the obesity trend in children, but 60 lbs at age 10 (unless the kid is three foot tall) is probably average and not even overweight, let alone obese.

 

[PatsGirl]

I would be VERY concerned about the emotional and physical health of a 10 year old child who needed (not wanted) a stroller or was okay with being carried by their grandparent. A child that age should have as much or more stamina than their parents in the 40 year old range and certainly more than a grandparent. Sure, my kids might have sat in their younger siblings/cousins stroller for a brief rest while eating ice cream or something but to be pushed around? I don't think so. Maybe a visit to the pedi is in order

I too smell a troll here but couldn't keep my fingers silent

 

[MichelleVW]

Just quoting for those who missed it

Didn't miss it and still do not see a reason for a stroller in that post.

I would be VERY concerned about the emotional and physical health of a 10 year old child who needed (not wanted) a stroller or was okay with being carried by their grandparent. A child that age should have as much or more stamina than their parents in the 40 year old range and certainly more than a grandparent. Sure, my kids might have sat in their younger siblings/cousins stroller for a brief rest while eating ice cream or something but to be pushed around? I don't think so. Maybe a visit to the pedi is in order

I too smell a troll here but couldn't keep my fingers silent

I couldn't agree more.