Stroller for older child???

[humboldthny]

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

Not the minority....once I booted my 3.5 year old out of her stroller she knew the expectation was that she walked without whining (that's what happens in our family if you're going to drag your feet on the ground while I'm pushing the stroller). We've taken her to Disney 4 times since she turned 4 and never used a stroller. She's actually noticed and made a comment or two about older children in strollers and we don't get complaints about the walking from her. I just make sure she gets plenty of water, rests when she needs to and has good, comfortable shoes...

 

[sam portadown]

When we went last year with our dd age 6 she needed a stroller. comming from Ireland to Florida heat we found it hard going on us let alone a child. We had not planned to get one but it was better than a ruined hol. Planning for next year when she will be 8 , hopefully will not need one but if she does we will get one. I do not care if people stare at us because we will be making the most of our family holiday, without draging a tried and cranky child. a cranky child=cranky parrents. Everyone is different, please do not judge as you do not know all the facts (where the family comes from etc)

 

[HoosierMomOf5]

I haven't read any other responses. We just got home Saturday from 1 glorious week at Disney. Our 5 year old walked it just like the rest of us with little complaint...the 12 yo on the other hand...big complaints. I say just let him walk. There are benches everywhere if a sit down is needed.

 

[maxiesmom]

Actually I am very surprised that an almost 8 year old child would consent to sit in a stroller - DS refused from age 4 as 'only babies can't walk'!

Obviusly do what's best for you, but surely a healthy child of that age should learn to walk around all day if they can't now? How will they cope in later life?

Just my opinion.

My older niece did share her younger sister's double stroller for a while during one trip. She had been to the doctor right before our trip complaining of leg pains. Turned out it was just growing pains, but it was very painful for her, and she was happy to be able to rest in a stroller for a little while.

I don't think being in a stroller has anything to do with coping skills. I think it has to do with the fact that a child's legs has to take 2 steps for and adult's 1 step. Double how much walking you do at the parks and see how exhausted you are. I don't think Disney World is the place to force march your child, just because they are a certain age. I would much rather be with a happy child in a stroller than an exhausted, crabby child who was forced to walk when it pushed them beyond their capabilities.

Each child is different. Do what is best for your family and don't worry about those who may judge you for it.

 

[sam portadown]

When we went last year with our dd age 6 she needed a stroller. comming from Ireland to Florida heat we found it hard going on us let alone a child. We had not planned to get one but it was better than a ruined hol. Planning for next year when she will be 8 , hopefully will not need one but if she does we will get one. I do not care if people stare at us because we will be making the most of our family holiday, without draging a tried and cranky child. a cranky child=cranky parrents. Everyone is different, please do not judge as you do not know all the facts (where the family comes from etc)

Forgot to add . we go to Florida in the middle of July ,so very hot and humid. not like home

 

[pixiefairy]

OP...you may be pleasantly surprised at what your child can handle once you are there at WDW. The first family trip we took, we did use a stroller...we'll be using one this year as well (2 younger kids). My dd was 4, and she walked the WHOLE time. Never a complaint. She may have switched once with our 3 year old...we had a sit n stand, so she just jumped in and we let our ds3 walk. Youngest ds was only 13 months. This time around....dd is 6, ds is 5 and youngest is 3. I bought a second hand nice Graco double stroller. Even if our ds 5 is perfectly fine walking, he's a wanderer, and I'd rather have some place to stash him. Also...end of the night, trudging out of the gates...he WILL fall asleep. And dh refuses to carry him this time, lol. Just do what's best for you. Oh, forgot to mention that my ds 9 who was 7 at the time never complained either...and he's not big on lots of activity. So, like I said...you may get a surprise at their stamina. Have fun!

 

[BuzzBiteyear]

Seeing the Sit 'n Go mentioned for the younger child to sit in while the elder can stand or sit. We have one of these and it has worked pretty well, up until last year. Last year, I pretty much had to do all the stroller pushing, as DS2 was about 35lbs and DS6 was about 40lbs. Going straight was fine, but turning was a bit of a hassle at times. We're not even going to take it this year as DS2 and DS6 are both about 41 or 42lbs. Seeing as DS6 is very small for his age, I can't imagine using one of these with an 8 y/o. Heck his future cousin is very tall for her age and is 7, weighing close to 100lbs. No way it would work with her. (Seeing those 2 play is pretty funny, people figure he's 4 and she is probably 10).

 

[2DisPrincesses]

Our oldest was 4 on our trip in November. We had a double stroller and the only time she used it was at the end of the night- we did the Parks open to close and DH was so glad we had room for her in the stroller because it saved him from carrying her.

In June, she will be 5 and we are taking our sit-and-stand for the same reason.

If you think you need one- use one (regardless of what others think). If it makes your trip pleasant/enjoyable that's all that matters!

 

[KellyNY]

I would wait and see how he is doing in park before renting anything. Go one day with only stroller for your DD and you will know what to do.

 

[declansdad]

It doesn't matter what other people think; you do what is best for you and your family to make your trip enjoyable. No one knows your child better than you do.

 

[Elmo888]

Much has been said, but I didn't see this mentioned (I might have missed it) and I don't know why it isn't mentioned often...

Conditioning! Conditioning! Conditioning!

Condition your kids (and condition yourself) to the walking. Start walking 6 or 8 weeks (or more!) before your trip with your kids. Start with 10 or 15 minutes or 1 mile 5 days a week and work up to walking for an hour (we walk to a mile to school and/or take a longer walk home or you could go on an after dinner walk, etc.). Kids need conditioning just like adults, and the more walking that you do, the better condition you are in to do a lot of walking.

I have purposely conditioned my older DD at 6, 7, and 9 before our trips, and she did great in the parks. When she was 6, she and I had been conditioning but DH hadn't. She and I were leaving him in our dust (with the 2 year old in a stroller)! He was impressed with her stamina. So much so that he conditioned himself with walking before our last two trips.

Make it fun - we called it "getting into Mickey shape" (younger DD who was 5 on our last trip kept telling me that her head was already in a "Mickey shape"!) or "training for Mickey". Talk about your trip while you are walking to keep motivated.

Someone else did say this, but it is worth repeating - set expectations. I think that helped my DD, too, when she was 6.

 

[lblume91]

Last summer our youngest DD was almost 6 & it was our first stroller-less trip. We all loved it!! I was fully prepared to break down mid-week & rent one but she never complained once. We "practiced" at home by walking every evening, starting with one mile per night & building up to 3 miles. She said if she was big enough to ride all the rides (which she did!!), then she was big enough to walk like the rest of the family. The freedom from the stroller was awesome! No searching for it in the "parking lots" outside the rides, no worrying about what you left in it when you parked it, no picking it up or dropping it off at the main gates, no stressing about running anybody else over. (We all know how bad it hurts when you're rammed with a stroller in the back of your ankles!)

 

[MightyMom]

My 6 1/2 year old DS weighs only 42 pounds.... he's a skinny little thing who gets tired just walking for an hour at an air conditioned mall!!

He's always begging my older DS11 to let him ride on his lap. (DS11 uses a wheelchair)

We'll be going in August. I'll be taking a stroller. I'll park it somewhere and grab it when he gets tired towards the end of the day.

I have to push around a wheelchair all day.... so pushing around a stroller is not a big deal.

 

[wdwlver]

My youngest just turned 5 and this will be the first year I don't bring a stroller with me. I do, however, plan on renting one if she gets tired. She is very active but we are going the first two weeks of August and it's always very hot......

If I feel she needs one, she'll get one.

 

[brymolmom]

One comment on posts....many have posted that the child "needs" it. This I do not necessarily agree with (unless there are unknown emotional or physical facts unknown) as MOST children at age 8 do not NEED one. Now, whether they want one or, more likely, the parents WANT one to not have to listen to or deal with whining....well, that is something different entirely. We all get tired at WDW - but more often than not a rest or a sit-down show is needed, not a stroller.

 

[livie1205]

I would never push a 8 yr old around in a stroller.....NO WAY NO HOW...my kids started walking at wdw at 4, my dd4 went stroller free in April and did GREAT.It was soooo much easier.I think a healthy 8 yr old CAN walk wdw...now not wanting to is another story.

 

[KimK2006]

One comment on posts....many have posted that the child "needs" it. This I do not necessarily agree with (unless there are unknown emotional or physical facts unknown) as MOST children at age 8 do not NEED one. Now, whether they want one or, more likely, the parents WANT one to not have to listen to or deal with whining....well, that is something different entirely. We all get tired at WDW - but more often than not a rest or a sit-down show is needed, not a stroller.

We "NEEDED" it to make the trip for all of the members of our touring party more enjoyable. It was more for our benefit than my 7 year old. Yes, we could have toured slower, sat down more, etc., but when the answer is as simple as getting a stroller so the 7 year old can keep up with the grown ups and older kids at the end of a long, hot day, what is the harm?

 

[nhtinkerbell]

My son will b 8 when we go in Oct. and there is no way that i will put him in the stroller. There r lots of places to stop and sit for a while. If u r stayin at a resort mayb do half a day then go back after a stay at the resort for a break.
You mayb surprized that he is so busy to even know that he is doing all that walking around. Plus he will sleep really good that nite.

 

[Nikisha421]

I asked this same question last summer...and it got ugly quick about my 7 yo DD here it goes...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2232558

 

[maxiesmom]

One comment on posts....many have posted that the child "needs" it. This I do not necessarily agree with (unless there are unknown emotional or physical facts unknown) as MOST children at age 8 do not NEED one. Now, whether they want one or, more likely, the parents WANT one to not have to listen to or deal with whining....well, that is something different entirely. We all get tired at WDW - but more often than not a rest or a sit-down show is needed, not a stroller.

Posts like this make me a little crazy. You can't possibly know what someone else's child needs. And it really doesn't matter. You choose for your family, and let others choose for their own. Why bother making judgements about what other people choose to do for their family? If someone says their 8yr old needs a stroller than their judgement is what matters.