Stroller for my 8 year old?? I KNOW I KNOW!!

[huggiebear23]

My DD is such a complainer when walking. Even at the mall. I don't want to deal with whining. Thinking something small for her would help. She is very tiny. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Deb & Bill]

My DD is such a complainer when walking. Even at the mall. I don't want to deal with whining. Thinking something small for her would help. She is very tiny. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Skateboard?

 

[huggiebear23]

Ha ha!! As long as I drag her. It's funny because she is a competitive cheerleader, so you would think she has the stamina. Last child syndrome..

 

[maxiesmom]

I've rented a stroller for an older child before (around 7ish) but not because she was a whinier, but because she walked as slow as a turtle. I'm not sure I would rent a stroller just to stop whining.

Could you maybe do something such as if she continues to whine after being warned to stop that she misses out on the next ride? It would stink for the adults, but would she get the point so it didn't happen more than once or twice?

 

[huggiebear23]

I've rented a stroller for an older child before (around 7ish) but not because she was a whinier, but because she walked as slow as a turtle. I'm not sure I would rent a stroller just to stop whining.

Could you maybe do something such as if she continues to whine after being warned to stop that she misses out on the next ride? It would stink for the adults, but would she get the point so it didn't happen more than once or twice?

WHen I say whining, I really dont mean like crazy whining. Shes spolied. lol I guess she will have to suck it up.

 

[wdw4rfam]

If you want a stroller for her because you think it would improve your trip, do it, and don't let anyone else tell you that its not right. For My son, I used his maclaren volo stroller until he literally wouldn't fit, just for Disney. He walked starting at 9. Now on the other hand, DD is 6, and she walked the entire 10 days, and we took a stroller, but didn't need it. People will give their opinions, but you are spending a lot of money, and if it will make your trip better, do whatever it takes. A friend of mine rented one when her DD was 7, but she was big for her age. She fit, crammed in a little, bit it did the trick

 

[tourguide81]

Yea, I don't know. I'm mostly all about whatever will make your trip more enjoyable - but I don't think I could bring a stroller for an 8 year old. I do realize the days are long, but the issue isn't her stamina, it's her whininess and therefor annoying-ness. My 2 year old can walk a mall w/o complaining. I don't expect her to walk for the zoo or Disney or anything like that.

DD1 will be a new 6 by the time we go in September and I'm debating taking our maclaren vole for her or having her suck it up when the double stroller is full. If we do it, it will be for selfish reasons - so she can sleep in the stroller and we get in another hour of milling around, etc.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I can't tell you what to do, but I would guess she has more "energy" at Disney than at the mall

 

[Alexcina]

Stroller for sure! Heck, I'd ride in one if I'd fit!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I bought an umbrella stroller for my 7 year old last year, and we took it when we went in August, also. She was 7 3/4, but she is also very tiny. I was not ashamed, and nor was she. It really came in handy at the end of the day, and in crowds and rainstorms when I wanted to get us somewhere quickly.

 

[Coonhound]

A child who is 7 or 8 should be embarrassed to ride in a stroller like a baby.

 

[MomofIndigo]

Its up to you. You spent alot of money to go and enjoy it. If it allows both of you to be happy then by all means take one.

If you are worried about it, start taking walks. Maybe use a chart to see if she can walk without whining at all. Increase the length by a block or so (depending on where you live) every couple of days. If she can walk without whining, then put a star on the chart that goes towards spending money at WDW.

Charts are big deals in our home so when we need to work on something, a chart goes up.

 

[VickieMouse]

My daughter was 8 last year when we went in August. We brought a small umbrella stroller for her 4 year old sister. By day 2 my 8 year old was in it by the end of the day. Could she have done without it? Probably. But then I would have had to listen to her complain. They traded off very well. She definitely got some use out of it every single day.

I guess you can always think of it as somewhere to store all of your stuff if you bring a cooler, etc. I am personally dreading the day when my kids are too big to bring a stroller.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Do you know how tired you are going to be from pushing a stroller around all day?

Last trip DD was 5 and didn't use a stroller. I didn't bring a stroller. It was the best trip ever. We took midday breaks and she did great.

I guess I'm selfish because I want to have fun too and lugging around a stroller just isn't fun to me. I did it when my children were young and did not like it one bit.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I say no stroller. We just got back and my youngest is a month from turning 8. The last Disney trip he had in a stroller, he was 5. Yes, he gets tired sometimes and sometimes complains that his feet hurt -- and I tell him mine hurt too. We stop and take a little rest, maybe have a Coke or some water, maybe a snack if it's not close to lunch or dinner. If he complains more than once, I might say, "would you rather be at Disney with tired feet or at home?" and his answer is always "AT DISNEY!" and that's the end of it.

Truly, once you go stroller-free, you will LOVE it. It is so freeing! You don't have to worry about where it is, maneuvering it through crowds, whether it might get wet in a sudden shower. We don't carry a lot, and we tend to buy souvenirs in the first couple days of our trip so we can have it sent back to our resort.

 

[laughinplace199]

OP, have you asked your daughter how she feels about using a stroller?

When my DD was 8, I tried to get her to ride in her brother's stroller for a while because it was really hot and humid, which makes her asthma a lot worse. DD looked at me like I had 3 heads - she wanted nothing to do with riding in the stroller.

 

[THEJOEL]

I say do what works best for you.. My DD is 7 and we take the stroller every trip.. She is very tiny for her age and I feel more comfortable knowing exactly where she is when trying to get from the parking lot to the gate or in large crowds.. We do park it in certain areas and then she gladly climbs back in when time to move to another area.. She is also a competitive Cheerleader so she is in better shape than me.. But she has to take 3 steps to everyone of mine and I end up with sore feet and blisters by the end of each day.. The stroller is more for my peace of mind really and just makes it easier to keep up with her.. Only you know your DD so do what you feel is best.. Enjoy your trip !!!!

 

[angelmom27]

I was thinking the same way about my 8yr old DD on our sept trip we did last yr. It was only for the weekend so the cost of renting one from disney if we needed it was cheaper then off site rental places. Turns out she was so busy with rides and other things I was able to get away with not getting one. We were there for NOJ too so we had some long days. If she asked I would just say after this ride or something like that and she would forget. I say see how it goes and if you have to get a single at the park.

 

[huggiebear23]

Wow!! Some people are really rough. It was a simple question, looking for a simple answer. I did not asked to be judged. If you have an answer than answer it. If not look away.. For the judging people.. My 8 year sometimes needs a break that's all. Btw, she is a 2x national cheerleading champion!!! I don't doubt her ability nor her ability to listen, she is well behaved... Oh she is also a competition dancer. So please keep your opinions to yourself. In the years I've been on disboards I have never seen a reaction like this. Disappointing, thanks to all who have nice replies.

 

[MSSANDRA]

You child ....your trip....your money.....your choice! What I have seen, done and what worked for us: We have seen children that appeared much older than 8 being pushed in WDW rented strollers. The singles are smallish but she should fit ok if she is tiny, or you could rent a double. My oldest son had some stamina issues and we did offer to rent him a stroller one night when we was about 8 and we really wanted to tour WS and knew he was too tired to walk. He refused to ride in a stroller so we did not push it. Our youngest was 5 on our last trip and walked the whole time. I insisted on getting a stroller on our late night after he had been sick the day before and he refused to get in it. I pushed it around empty for a bit and them left it sitting.

What I would do is to not take a stroller and then if you decide you need one, rent when you need it. We do not like having to keep up with a stroller but it might work for your family. We do have a no whine rule at WDW. Anyone can tell us what they need at anytime (rest, snack bathroom etc) and we will try to meet that need ASAP but no one is allowed to whine once we are on WDW property. It works amazingly well!!! That magic tends to disappear soon after leaving property but it's nice while we are there!!!!