Stroller for older child???

[Taja]

You know what suits the needs of your family best.

I do agree with the idea of beginning long walks with your DS as soon as possible to acclimate him to walking distances. I have to do this--just for myself! And there are many places to take breaks in the parks if his legs get tired.

We took a nine-year-old lass to WDW in December 2007--her first visit. She is small for her age--too small (not quite 47" tall at the time) to ride RnRC! But she was fine walking the entire time.

 

[dizzneebabe]

I'm in the same boat. And while I agree that 7 or 8 SOUNDS too old for a stroller, my DD burns out early (she's 6 now, but will be 7 when we go in Dec). She's always been a good sleeper and still falls asleep much earlier than we are ready to! We like to be out from early in the AM to late in the PM and I can't expect her to keep up with us that way.

I'd rather shake off a few nasty looks from you folks than to carry a 50lb kid through the parks!!!! But that's just me!

It doesn't inconvenience anyone else--so do what's right for you!

 

[Schmeck]

When we see older kids in strollers, we try not to judge - they could be disabled, physically or mentally. Must admit that none of them look too comfortable all squished up, and I'd rather sit on a bench and have a cool drink with my family than push 50+ lbs around myself. But that's my choice, and others can make their own choice.

Of course, asking people on a public forum to make that choice for you is

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Unless an older child has a specific disability, they should not be pushed around in a stroller. The person doing the pushing is going to tire out fast due to the weight of that child. Not to mention the stroller may not be large enough for the child and their body will be hurting after a while too.....
I understand that kids get tired, I have had 3 of my own, but they weren't in strollers at 8 years old. When they get tired you sit, and relax some place in the shade. Grab an ice cream, a soda or maybe popcorn.. and enjoy your downtime together..

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

I would do what you think is best for your family but keep in mind you might want the option late at night when he's falling asleep on his feet. Would you want to carry him We took a stroller for DD5 in January and were glad we did. She walked lots but I must admit my sling bag rode quite bit We were back in our room almost every night for 8pm Wishes but it made getting back to the resort a lot easier. DD5 fell asleep in the stroller a few times and it so convenient. We would park it at one attraction in Fantasyland and then pick it up on the way to another land. We'll definately take it next year unless she refuses to ride at all. DD5 is on the small side and our folding stroller holds up to 50lbs so I figure we're good for a couple more years She lost 2lbs on our trip and still hasn't gained them back

 

[aidtrismommy]

It really depends on th expectations of the family. Are you going to go comando all day and into the night? If you are going to wake a child up early, go at a pace without wanting to slow down or take breaks (I think someone posted they go for 15 hour days...), and keep the child up late, then yes, a child will be tired and unable to keep up and a stroller would solve that problem. If you are going to play it by ear, take cues from the child about taking breaks, go back for a nap/swim in the middle of the day, etc then the child should be fine with walking. I really think some people push their children too hard without letting them sleep on their normal schedule. This is of course going to effect a childs stamina. IMO, I agree with other posters about training for Disney and sticking to the childs regular schedule (letting them sleep a little longer if needed) As children get older, they will be able to stay out later and later and there is plenty of time for that. I would really like to see Wishes or ride Thunder Mountain at night time, but my children are young and need to be in bed at 8pm, my trip would be unpleasant if I tried to keep them up past their bedtime. Their needs are more important than mine and they always come first.

 

[ratlenhum]

I can't believe this discussion goes on over and over in threads

If you want to push your 8,9 10 + year old kid around in a stroller, whether it be for personal/medical/disability reasons, do it. You're not asking anyone else to push your kid. It's no one else's concern why your kid is in there, or that you will get tired from pushing, or that "it's crazy to push a kid that old around." Ignore people who say "my kids have been walking Disney since they were 2." They're kids are theirs, yours are yours. You know what's best for your and your kid.


If you are against the thought of a child that big being a stroller, then let your kid walk, but don't stare, point or comment at people who are pushing big kids in a stroller. It's none of your business. They're not asking you to push, it's not making you hotter or more tired and you do not know the reason the child is in the stroller. Many children have disabilities or health conditions that are not easily visible. Some parents just prefer their kids not to have to walk. That is their right.

So those with strollers mind your business and push your kid around. Those without, mind your business and go on your merry way.

People seem to be so concerned with what everyone else around them is doing at Disney. If you focus on where you are going, what you are doing, and enjoying your kids and family, you probably wouldn't notice so many big kids on strollers and everything else that seems to offend people at Disney.




Warning: Pass a comment to me anywhere while we're in WDW about my son being in a stroller and you'll get an earful. We put my son in a stroller for his safety and the safety and comfort of your family and others around us. We go to Disney to forget my son's issues for a week. Give me grief about my big kid being in stroller and you're going to get grief on how your comments are rude,ignorant and uncalled for. I can just as easily pass along the aggravation as I can the magic. Don't ruin the magic for us and I won't ruin it for you

 

[brymolmom]

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.

Let me rephrase...if your child NEEDS a stroller - definitely get one. A child with physical or other needs that prevent them from walking longer distances should certainly be in one. But most 8 year old kids do NOT need one - or else the stroller companies would be making them much bigger to accomodate the masses who would need them at that age. And believe me, they would KNOW if this is the case and would make them bigger to make money off of it. Most of the time, it is just a want, not a need.

It is not a judgement - it is a clarification of words. A judgement would be if I said that people who put a child in a stroller because they WANT to are...insert some sort of mean or judgemental phrase here. But I did not say that - I simply said it is a want not a need.

If you want it and think it is best...by all means do it - but don't justify it by calling it a need unless it truly is.

 

[Schmeck]

I can't believe this discussion goes on over and over in threads

If you want to push your 8,9 10 + year old kid around in a stroller, whether it be for personal/medical/disability reasons, do it. You're not asking anyone else to push your kid. It's no one else's concern why your kid is in there, or that you will get tired from pushing, or that "it's crazy to push a kid that old around." Ignore people who say "my kids have been walking Disney since they were 2." They're kids are theirs, yours are yours. You know what's best for your and your kid.


If you are against the thought of a child that big being a stroller, then let your kid walk, but don't stare, point or comment at people who are pushing big kids in a stroller. It's none of your business. They're not asking you to push, it's not making you hotter or more tired and you do not know the reason the child is in the stroller. Many children have disabilities or health conditions that are not easily visible. Some parents just prefer their kids not to have to walk. That is their right.

So those with strollers mind your business and push your kid around. Those without, mind your business and go on your merry way.

People seem to be so concerned with what everyone else around them is doing at Disney. If you focus on where you are going, what you are doing, and enjoying your kids and family, you probably wouldn't notice so many big kids on strollers and everything else that seems to offend people at Disney.




Warning: Pass a comment to me anywhere while we're in WDW about my son being in a stroller and you'll get an earful. We put my son in a stroller for his safety and the safety and comfort of your family and others around us. We go to Disney to forget my son's issues for a week. Give me grief about my big kid being in stroller and you're going to get grief on how your comments are rude,ignorant and uncalled for. I can just as easily pass along the aggravation as I can the magic. Don't ruin the magic for us and I won't ruin it for you

People go on and on about it because people keep starting threads about it, asking for advice. On public forums, you get both sides, especially when you ask for it...

My then 5 year old daughter once asked me why a kid bigger than she was in a stroller, and she was not - I told her the child probably was disabled in some way, and needed that stroller. If you had heard my daughter ask that question, and heard my explanation, would you have shared your aggravation with us?

 

[ratlenhum]

People go on and on about it because people keep starting threads about it, asking for advice. On public forums, you get both sides, especially when you ask for it...

My then 5 year old daughter once asked me why a kid bigger than she was in a stroller, and she was not - I told her the child probably was disabled in some way, and needed that stroller. If you had heard my daughter ask that question, and heard my explanation, would you have shared your aggravation with us?

Nope. Questions from kids are normal. I love when little kids ask why my sond does some of the weird things he does. I can then explain simply and then hopefully they'll understand a little next time they see another kid doing the same thing. Had I heard your response I would have smiled and said thanks because not all people are as understanding. My son looks and appears 100% typical, until he makes one of his weird noises, flaps or you hear him speak, but just walking around or sitting in a stroller, you'd think he was a typical kid.

There was a poster on here once that said her daughter pointed and laughed then commented on a big kid in a stroller. The mother said she couldn't help but crack up and agree outloud with her kid. Personally something like that would set me off, and probably not so much for what was being said about me and my kid, but because of the example that was being taught to that child. With autism on the rise (it was 1 in 10,000 kids 10 years ago, 1 in 250 when my son was diagnosed in 2003, and 1 in 100 now) people in general need to be a bit more aware and understanding of these kids, because this generation of kids is going to be exposed and spend a lot of time around special needs people for the rest of their lives. It's not going away.

Last year my son was having a PANDAS flare. It's an autoimmune condition and one of the symptoms is vocal tics. They were INSANE while we were there and by the end of the trip we were ready to lose our minds. He has 4 very specific noises he makes and one of them is a distinct squawking noise. He was doing it on line for some ride at AK. There was a girl about 10 behind us staring at him, curiously and not like he had 3 heads or something. She asked me why he was doing that and the mom hushed her. I told the mom it was okay then explained to the girl that he has a condition where his brain gets wacky sometimes and he makes noises he can't control. We don't know why he makes those specific noises but we know he can't control them. The girl watched him a bit longer. My son also tilts his head to one side and stares off into space from time to time. A few minute later the girl tapped me and said "I think he sees a hawk in one of those trees and he's calling it." I smiled and told her maybe she was right. I was just so thrilled this girl wasn't staring at him like he was crazy or saying bad things about him. He is well aware of when he's being stared at and hears and understand everything. He kept on with the noises and a few minutes later she smiled and said "you know, I think he does the best hawk call I ever heard." Only a child could find something positive in a noise that has driven us, his teachers, his therapists and anyone else around him insane for 2 years!!

If a child asks a question, and I can give them a simple answer they understand, then hopefully in the future they will be a more understanding classmate and peer because of what they learned.

It's rude stares and comments from adults that set me off.

 

[NJAmanda]

Please do whatever would make your vacation the most enjoyable. It really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You know your child and their limitations. If they need it, or if you want it, then get it! Don't worry about others! We always bring one with us, but our kids are a variety of ages from 1-6. We have rented and they are expensive, but nice to use sometimes when you don't want to lug yours. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[emeraldmom]

My boys are almost 9 and 12. Neither of them are big kids, especially the 12 year old, he easily passes for 9 or 10. They are both active kids, love to ride bikes, run around outside, and LOVE to swim. Our last trip was a year ago this month. The trip before was 6 months before. I didn't expect to need a stroller on either trip. On both trips, we ended up renting one a couple of the days.

WDW is way beyond what most kids typically do, even with breaks. The heat just makes it that much worse. The other problem is the crowds. This hasn't been mentioned, so pehaps I'm the only person to ever experience this. You would think that in WDW adults would be looking out for children. In far too many cases, you would be wrong. Especially at night. When people start getting ready for fireworks, it seems to be no holds barred. It's even worse after fireworks when the park starts to clear. My children have been hit, shoved, kicked, and almost knocked down by adults. This is while we try to stay out of the way of the mob. Once you're backed up against a fence or bench, you can't go anywhere. After about two nights of this, we got a stroller just to help keep them out of harms way. The stroller would still get bumped and jostled, but it was better than them having more bruises. Any yes, they did have bruises. I had more trying to keep myself between them and the crowd.

I would rather stuff my boys in a stroller and keep them safe than have them trampled by people who only seem to care about their own magic, and to heck with anybody else. I'm not saying everybody is that way, they aren't. But you know what they say about one bad apple.

Since we were going to want it at night, we started getting it earlier. The boys weren't in it too much early in the day, but it was still handy for holding our stuff. We're used to the hassle of "equipment" because my father needs a mobility scooter, so it's no more trouble for us to have the stroller.

To the original poster, I would consider taking your stroller. You can always rent the double when you get there if you feel like you need it. You may also be able to sort of switch off. When one is riding the other can walk. Just be careful at night.

 

[kittycat9]

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

Disney is a big place - I can see a child getting very tired by the end of the day - so I'm not going to judge. I also have a child that is turning 7 when we head to Disney this year, who has special needs, so strollers are pretty much something I'm always monitoring - especially now that he's outgrown traditional ones. He does walk now in moderation, but certainly not more than a couple blocks at a time so walking around Disney is out of the question.

That said - we bought a SNS last year for disney when the boys outgrew our Valco w/toddler seat. That was PERFECT then - and they were 2 & 5yo, but they pretty close to the max weight limit. The back seat and stand base only supports 45lbs, and you will start noticing every lb you attempt to go over it, the wheels and rear axle begin to sag. I suggest watching craigslist for something like a Mountain Buggy that can support your child's weight. If you find a single, you can get a standing board for the back. That way the kids can take turns in the main stroller, and when the larger child is in it - the younger can always stand on the back.

I managed to get a good deal on a single mountain buggy through a friend, then found a boogie board that clips on the back. My 3yo will have to stand on the board, because it only supports 45lbs, but the stroller holds up to 100lbs (my son weighs 65). We won't be able to use the sun hood though - he's far too tall for that (right now he's around 54"). But it works for us, and I'm not stuck pushing a double-wide through the crowds. The boogie board will also flip up and stay in the basket when we're not using it.

 

[smidgy]

first, my post does not in any way apply to children who are disabled or have any kind of special needs whatsoever, visible or not.

second, it is none of my business if it is "unhealthy", "contributing to obesity", or how often your child plays outside or plays video games, etc. etc.

that said, the only reason I have an opinion on this is:
if every able bodied child age 8 and under(without any other disablility) used a stroller,there would be hardly any room to walk in the parks.

now, if you didn't rent the stroller AT the park, but brought one (for every child age 8 or under), there would be half the room on the buses.

and this is the only reason I have an opinion, because then it does concern me.

just stating an aspect of this discussion no one has brought up yet.

 

[morecowbell]

I'm in the 8 is too old to ride in a stroller camp and I would guess that most 8 year olds have more stamina than most adults. I know I've spoken to a few people who have used strollers for their "big" children simply because they are lazy and don't want to contend with a whining child. If that's the case, so be it, but to make an argument that the child is tired? Take a break. There are many places to sit around the parks.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

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

We traveled with a friend a few years back. Her Grand daughter was 8, she used a stroller to keep her from getting overly tired and cranky. It worked out wonderfully. Every child is different and some just might not like the keep on moving of a day in the parks. Don't let it bother you if people look only you know what is right for your child. PS I also did it with my 7 year old one year.

 

[declansdad]

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.

Needs are a personal thing. None of us can say what a person needs. We may have an opinion but we do not know.

 

[declansdad]

WDW is way beyond what most kids typically do, even with breaks. The heat just makes it that much worse. The other problem is the crowds.

Too bad more people don't remember this. Even the fittest people are going to get tired and run-down while on a week or longer vacation at WDW.

 

[jmpurdy]

If the parents are totally willing to take their kids' cues and slow down, it will be much easier to tolerate the heat. But to say 'if you are tired, we are leaving' is very mean spirited IMHO, especially if that parent won't stop and allow the child to jump in a water/sprayer, etc and rest. I'm not talking about the families who do take breaks and pay attention to their kids' rhythms. It's the parents who bark at their kids that they spent so much $$ and they are going to spend every minute at the parks whether they like it or not and lay guilt trips on them. We are happy to see our grandchildren sit in a stroller as long as they like. We let them jump around in the bubblers around the parks and get wet. They dry quickly. We change up the rides so some are outdoors, then indoors to cool off. They wear hats to keep the sun off their faces, etc. We are going in July and plan on doing all of the above. Have a wonderful time OP!

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

If someone is tired, a break works for everyone. How much nicer would it be if both kids and parents took the break? Less whining, less traffic, happier people, more magic.