Stroller for older child???

[disneymom727]

I vowed I would never be one of those parents who would push around a big kid in a stroller at disneyworld. Well here I am wondering if I should eat those words. My son will be barely 8 when we go in a few months. All along I figured he'd just walk and we'd bring a stroller for our daughter who is 3. After a trip to the zoo recently and listening to him complain I'm not sure what to do? I know we can rent a double from the parks but the extra cost seems crazy. I don't want to lug my daughters big stroller if we're just going to have to rent one when we get here. Any suggestions, tips, input will be much appreciated!

 

[RMulieri]

Personally I think an almost 8 yr old should be able to walk it..But I am in the minority on this I am sure

 

[danceintherain]

I would plan on having a stroller for him. I sometimes feel like I need one at the end of a long day at Disney, and my legs are longer than the average person.

If you really want him to walk, then you should go on long walks with him every day between now and when you go on your trip. It will help get his legs ready, and yours too.

Another option is a second child attachment for the stroller you already have. Some stroller companies have additional seats that can be attached, others just have a place for the second child to stand.

My last suggestion is to look for a secondhand double stroller at garage sales, thrift stores, craig's list etc. You could probably find one in fairly good condition for pretty cheap. Then...when he's not riding you can use the extra seat for bags and souvies without shelling out tons of money.
If you don't want to buy one, maybe you know someone who has one that they would let you borrow for your trip?

 

[mariepapa]

Personally I think an almost 8 yr old should be able to walk it..But I am in the minority on this I am sure

Nope, not in the minority. There are plenty of rest areas and the attractions are rest areas themselves. Yes, it is a lot of walking. But how did kids survive all those years prior to video games? They went out and played all day.

Even my DD9, who whines and moans about any form of exercise, survived WDW. And she is the better for it.

 

[dbal]

I too was one who vowed I'd NEVER let my kids ride in a stroller past 3 or 4. I've eaten those words and it worked for us.

First off, their legs get tired before ours do. They still may be up for more touring so sometimes having it is an extra energy boost for them.
Also- I don't know about you, but my little ones pace is a little bit slower than molasses. We ALL enjoyed the trip much better when she was in the stroller.

Could she have made it without the stroller? Yup. She is 8 now and she won't be using one for this trip. But if it will make everyones life easier and more enjoyable on your vacation; isn't that the point?

We did rent the double when our dd's were 5 & 8. The 8 yr old would NOT sit w/ her sister. Oh well. She walked and the 5 yr old had a nice double stroller to stretch out.

Good luck!

 

[Flipper]

Everyone is different and there is no one solution that works for all kids. This is just what we have done...We have not brought a second stroller for our older dd the last two visits (7 on the last visit) We have had the two kids (4 and 7 on the last visit) share one stroller. We would have the kids take turns riding in the stroller for some rest. Our 7 year old barely wanted to ride in it. I would probably just bring a stroller for your younger one and if you need one when you are there (may only need one a bigger parks like AK and Epcot), then you can rent. But I bet you will find you don't need one at all. It think with all the rides and shows there are more opportunities to rest than at the zoo. The only time she was really tired was the end of the night leaving the parks.

 

[daisyduck123]

Personally I think an almost 8 yr old should be able to walk it..But I am in the minority on this I am sure

Nope - another here who thinks that age is too old for a stroller for a healthy, average child.

 

[jjwampler]

Oh my gosh, we had the same experience! I took my two boys (4 and 7 years old) to the zoo here in Houston on Friday. It was 93 degrees and they were very sluggish and a little whiny.

I am indeed going to get a stroller for DS4, even though he hasn't used one anywhere else for at least a year and a half. However, I'm going to expect DS7 to walk. We are doing long afternoon resort breaks and we will rest on a bench while in the parks with something cold if he needs it.

That said, I can TOTALLY understand having a stroller for an older kid and you would get nothing from me but a big if I saw you!

Jackie

 

[PiperPizzaz]

Those double strollers are outrageous! What about one of those stand on things you can attach to a stroller?

We didn't bring ours last time but, it was November. (Our DS is 4 1/2 now) I am planning on taking ours Friday just because it is going to be so hot. I know he will get worn out faster. We just have to find it. Haven't used that thing in a long time!

 

[laceemouse]

The parks are total and utter gridlock with all of the strollers and wheelchairs there, it is nuts! We gave up the stroller way before our youngest was 8, it is so much easier getting around the crowds without it. We travel light and move while those with strollers are trying to part the sea of humans.

 

[tiggergirlinMI]

I have to warn you, there are going to be a few people, or more than a few that will tell you their opinion that they think he is too old for a stroller. All children are different, I teach younger children and can say that every child is different physically and mentally. My son when he was younger, a very long time ago!, could not handle the heat and would feel like he was going to pass out, and we LIVED down there, I wish I had thought of that idea back then. He would get so weak and need to sit down alot. He turned out to be a 6 foot tall toothpick who still tries to avoid heat due to how he feels in it.
If it will make your trip more enjoyable, DO IT. It's one trip, not an every day thing he will get used to.
You will get some comments with this thread, some not nice, just warning you.
I say do what you think is best and if it makes your trip easier, get a stroller, I saw quite a few of the sit and stand ones, with young children in the front and the older one sitting or standing on the back.

 

[YodaGirl]

Personally, I think that a healthy, average 8yr old should be able to walk. When I was 5, I walked and did fine.

That being said, you really have to do what is right for your family. Before renting, I'd look into a double stroller that is sit n stand. They have one at Babies R Us for $140. Your 3yr old can sit in the seat while the 8 yr old can sit or stand on a bench in the back. It costs approximately what you might spend renting a double stroller, plus you would have it at your resort. You can always sell it on ebay or craigslist when you got back to recoup some money. Of course, it just depends on the size of your kids as to whether or not they would fit. My 9 yr old niece is small enough to sit on the bench, but she's on the smaller side of average.

Here's the link: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3980761

 

[scarlett24]

We just returned from WDW a couple weeks ago. I asked my 6 year old prior to our vacation if he wanted a stroller and he said no. I ended up renting a double stroller ( for my 3 & 6 year olds) from Orlando Stroller Rentals b/c I was nervous that he would eventually start whining and I didn't want this to ruin our vacation. I am glad I did b/c we average about 5 miles/day in the parks, and while he is very active, I do think that would be exhausting for him. The stroller was delivered to our resort and waiting for us when we arrived. When we left, we were instructed to leave it with our resorts bell service. The service could not have been more convenient (we were on the monorail so we did not have to fold it up to go on a bus except for our trip to HS). The stroller cost us around $95 for a week. The stroller was spotlessly clean. If you think your trip will be more enjoyable if your child has a stroller, get one. Have a great trip.

 

[CampbellScot]

The cost for a double stroller at Disney has gotten OUT of control so renting from an offsite service may be a better deal. We had a double stroller for the kids the last two years we went. More for my step son who was five at the time, but we found that my step daughter rode along with him most of the time. (She was 8 that first year). It was worth it if only to cut down on whining and cranky tired kids. I think people underestimate how much the Florida heat can zap a kid of energy. My step kids are very active, play sports OUTSIDE not on Wii. They are very physically fit kids, but that heat really wore them down. If they were tired, they hopped in and that was that. It allowed for rests when the kids wanted them while we were able to keep moving at the same time. It worked well for our family. AND contrary to what you might hear from the Disboards, nobody gave us dirty looks, we didn't hopelessly clog walkways or run over anybodys feet.

Do what is best for your family. It doesn't matter if what everyone elses kids may be able to do. From what you've said, it sounds like a double stroller would be a very good idea for your family.

 

[LISAVWL]

I'll second Orlando Strollers. We've rented form them several times and had outstanding service each time. My kids were just beyond stroller age -- 4.5, 5 & 7.5 on our last trip and I'm so glad we rented the double stroller. They tire more easily then we do and it was nice to not have to move a a snail's pace from one point to another. They deliver it right to your resort and pick it up from there as well!

 

[DisneyNeophite]

Sorry, I think a healthy 8 year old is able to walk.

He may not complain at Disney like he did at the zoo- there is so much to see.

If you are concerned, make sure he wears good shoes, has plenty of water, is well rested and not hungry. A few weeks before your trip make a point to go out and get some extra walking time in.

I went in February and my just 7 year old was fine. I expected more complaining but did not really get any at all. We take lots of sit down breaks and took it easy when we were there

HTH

 

[disneymom727]

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions. I think we will figure out a way to get some sort of stroller. I like the idea of the one with the sit or stand seat. I actually checked the stroller rental site and they have it so that will be perfect. We did rent a double stroller from them a couple of years ago and they were great to work with. The cost will be MUCH cheaper than renting from Disney. Does anyone know if that particular one reclines? My daughter will probably just nap on the fly so we need that feature as well.

My son is also very active not a Wii all the time kid either (although as I type this he is currently playing ) but I agree the combination of the heat and walking might be too much. We tend to go and stay at one park all day and then take a day or two during the week doing something other than a park so it may be just too much walking for him.

Thanks again everyone! I think we'll just stroller it and not worry what other think or feel guilty for not making him suck it up. I want this much-needed trip to be enjoyable

 

[disneymom727]

Sorry, I think a healthy 8 year old is able to walk.

He may not complain at Disney like he did at the zoo- there is so much to see.

If you are concerned, make sure he wears good shoes, has plenty of water, is well rested and not hungry. A few weeks before your trip make a point to go out and get some extra walking time in.

I went in February and my just 7 year old was fine. I expected more complaining but did not really get any at all. We take lots of sit down breaks and took it easy when we were there

HTH

I was quite suprised that he complained at the zoo. I thought he'd be fine It was incredibly hot and crowded (we went on Good Friday). Our zoo is 5 miles from one end to the other which is what made DH and I start thinking maybe he couldn't handle 5 days in the parks.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Yeah we have a 9 year old and 2 year old...the last 2 years we used one of those Sit-N-Stand strollers and it worked out wonderfully.

 

[3_disprincesses]

Every child is different! My now 18 y/0 could hang with the adults on any trip by the time she was 3...my 6 y/0 wouldn't last 1/2 a day at WDW now without a stroller unless I wanted to sit and rest often. I don't want to waste time sitting on a bench! Some of you act like there must be something wrong with her - why? Her ped. says she is perfectly healthy but she just doesn't have the stamina of some other children. If using a stroller will make the trip easier on your child and yourself, use it. And it helps us get around the parks much faster. I've seen children much older than 8 climbing in and riding many times.