Stroller for Older Kids

[nik76]

I know my kids are pushing the "acceptable" age to be in a stroller. They are 7 year old twins. Part of the reason I want to rent a stroller is because of the whining I'm sure will happen, somewhere to carry misc stuff, and part because I have really bad arthritis and being able to lean on the stroller helps.

I've looked at about 10 different stroller rental companies and I'm curious what stroller you might recommend for kids my boys' age. Citi Elite? Mini GT? BOB?

Thanks so much everyone.

 

[luvmy2babies]

Are you looking for a single for them to share? I see you said they are twins. Are they on the small side? Given the reasons you mentioned for renting, and given you are looking to rent from an outside company and not just use a park stroller, a double could be more trouble than help. Plus most doubles have a weight limit of 50lb per child or 100lb total capacity whereas some singles can usually hold a 65 child. The Liberty push chair holds a bigger child, but that I believe is a special needs stroller.

My daughter was 7 on our first trip and spent a little time in the city mini I rented for my son (then 10 months). She was under the weight limit. I’d let her sit in it when we were waiting at the bus stop at the end of the day and he was already in the Ergo carrier or when we were leaving the park going through a large crowd and he was already in the carrier (it was Thanksgiving week) and one day while we were touring after she had recovered from a stomach issue as she was well enough to go out, but it took a while for her to be up for the walking. I was fine pushing her the limited amount of time she was in it. I'm not sure how it would have been with arthritis or if she were a twin.

How long are you there for? Is it possible you could go at a slower pace to make things easier on them and you? It shouldn't be too too hot in a couple of weeks.

I didn’t see a BOB available from Orlando Stroller Rentals. Keep in mind that now Disney has changed the rules in regards to stroller rentals. With the exception of I think 3 companies, you have to be present when your stroller is delivered and picked up. Orlando Stroller rentals is one. I think Kingdom strollers is the 2nd of the 3.

 

[momof3littles]

I'm a newbie, and this is our first family trip, so take that into acct.

I have 3 kids. When we travel, one will be almost 10, one will be newly 7, and one will be almost 4. The youngest will most definitely need a stroller. What I did was opt for 2 singles. My thought was this: my will-be-7 yo is very petite. My youngest is not much shorter than she is. She is also sweet as pie, but when she's tired or hungry, she can be a bear. Low blood sugar does not go well with her My thought is that with two singles, we can split up to run to different rides, grab FPs, etc. If after a day or two we find we don't want to lug the 2nd stroller, we can leave it back in the room, and I'm out like 40-45 total for the week. We booked with Apple, so $5 per day insurance and no "rental" fee, and then a few fees added on. So two singles. I think we're going to have a rental car, and I'm thinking we might keep the strollers in the trunk so they don't take up room in our POR room, which will probably be a little small to start with.

I think I'd rather have it even if we don't use it. I also think it might be handy for hauling around our stuff I think folding two singles will be easier for us than a double, but I could be wrong.

 

[momof3littles]

Apple Strollers says on their site they are an approved vendor to deliver to Bell Services at the resorts. I hope that's the case and I don't have to be there, or I will need to change our time. I scheduled the stroller to arrive a few hours before we are due to arrive.

 

[happymommy]

Just wanted to chime in and say - good for you to look into strollers! I brought one till my DD was 7. Even when she was older I think once I had to rent one for a day, and wished I had ours!

It is staggering the amount of walking we do (and I love to walk a lot on vacation). I think there have been days where we've logged 8 miles at least.

Depending on your childrens' sizes, I may opt for a side by side stroller? I never had one (my double was a Peg Perego Tandem Twin, and it was the best!!!!) so I don't know about side by side. I think some rental ones that are tandem may be small.

Another option may be if you find one used (a good one?) and just bring it? Just a thought.

Good luck!

 

[Schmeck]

I know my kids are pushing the "acceptable" age to be in a stroller. They are 7 year old twins. Part of the reason I want to rent a stroller is because of the whining I'm sure will happen, somewhere to carry misc stuff, and part because I have really bad arthritis and being able to lean on the stroller helps.

I've looked at about 10 different stroller rental companies and I'm curious what stroller you might recommend for kids my boys' age. Citi Elite? Mini GT? BOB?

Thanks so much everyone.

Wouldn't pushing a double stroller with 2 7 year olds in it aggravate your arthritis? There aren't many strollers out there for 2 older kids - unless they are about the size of the average 5 year old. For one kid, a special needs stroller might work?

 

[angelmom27]

Apple Strollers says on their site they are an approved vendor to deliver to Bell Services at the resorts. I hope that's the case and I don't have to be there, or I will need to change our time. I scheduled the stroller to arrive a few hours before we are due to arrive.

You are good with apple they still deliver.

 

[nik76]

Kind of like leaning on a shopping cart helps, a stroller will. Plus I have a few bone spurs on one heel, plantar fascitis and my achilles is attaching to my heel... All that is helped by the stroller.

 

[jennylyn_b]

Apple Strollers says on their site they are an approved vendor to deliver to Bell Services at the resorts. I hope that's the case and I don't have to be there, or I will need to change our time. I scheduled the stroller to arrive a few hours before we are due to arrive.

It's Apple Scooters but Yes, That is correct. They are able to drop off and pick up from bell services. No worries!

 

[MidwayState]

This always blows my mind. How do you get your 7 year olds to agree to riding in a baby stroller? When I took my son for his 6th birthday, he would have thought I had lost my mind if I said, "here, get in this stroller." lol He skipped through the parks and drew many comments of, "I wish they could bottle that energy for us old folks!" Children that age should be able to run circles around us adults. It was me that needed the stroller, not him.

 

[Kingdome8]

If having a stroller makes ur day better then get it.
I let my oldest ride in it til she was 7 an next year my six year old and my 2 year old will share one. We just rent the double from the parks.
It's a lot of walking over a course of a week and an expensive week.
So if it saves the kids from whining and keeps u happy and at the park longer then get it. We do and I love having it. Good for holding drinks and other stuff but also gives a place for kids to rest or even nap.
Long live the stroller

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

I had the same problem as Midwaystate. My DD age 5 at the time of the trip, refused...flat out refused, and made quite the spectacle too. She wanted nothing to do with getting in a baby stroller. She didn't use one at home, so she didn't get it.

I would think like others that if you feel it's needed, I think I would go with a single, one single, and let them take turns when needed.

 

[Happyjen27]

I know my kids are pushing the "acceptable" age to be in a stroller. They are 7 year old twins. Part of the reason I want to rent a stroller is because of the whining I'm sure will happen, somewhere to carry misc stuff, and part because I have really bad arthritis and being able to lean on the stroller helps.

I've looked at about 10 different stroller rental companies and I'm curious what stroller you might recommend for kids my boys' age. Citi Elite? Mini GT? BOB?

Thanks so much everyone.

From one twin mama to another, I will urge you to get a double stroller. Single strollers are great for people without twins.

As for which one, that will depend on the size of your kids. We had the City Mini last year and loved it. I wanted the GT because the GT wheels are a smoother ride, but the City Mini did just fine for us. I would say determine your options based on the weights and heights of your kids and then pick from there.

My kids at 6 had no problem using the stroller. We don't even have a stroller at home, but Disney is different. My pair aren't hyperactive or anything, just normal, healthy, active kids and we loved having a stroller in which to relax. My situation may be different, because I have twins, I can't be taking any nonsense or fits from them. They are generally compliant with my requests and usually have no problem following logical reasoning. Plus, their little legs were tired and they were glad of the break.

 

[brymolmom]

I have to second the poster who questioned whether or not it would indeed help OP's medical concerns while pushing TWO 7 year olds...OP - If it was me I would test it out at home first...How much do they weigh combined? it's not at all like leaning on a shopping cart unless you have 100 - 140 pounds of food in it (assuming your two kids will weigh between that together).

If the kids are healthy I would take care of your own health concerns and just rent a manual wheelchair...That way you can throw the bag with your stuff in it...lean on it while walking to attractions to help with your own medical needs - and even sit in it if your arthritis gets bad enough.

 

[mousehunter3]

My 8 year old would still ride in a stroller if I let him. Some kids think of it as a "baby stroller" and some do not.

The OP is asking for advise on which stroller to get- not on whether or not she should use a stoller or if she is is capable of pushing a stroller.

I am also interested in know how much your boys weigh, since that will affect the type of stroller you are able to use.

People are so judgemental about parents using strollers. Who cares?

 

[mjkacmom]

Why not wait until you get there, to see if you even need one? I'd never bring 2 strollers for 2 seven year olds - I found it was always easier to have a double, so we could split up the adults without splitting up kids (fastpass run, drink run...).

My youngest were 4, 4, and 6, and we rented in the parks (1 double). More expensive, but I didn't want to have a stroller at the resort, or on the buses. I'm sure there were days we could have gone without - we really just used it to move quickly from one area to the next, and then parked it.

 

[OneLittleSpark1]

My 8 year old would still ride in a stroller if I let him. Some kids think of it as a "baby stroller" and some do not.

The OP is asking for advise on which stroller to get- not on whether or not she should use a stoller or if she is is capable of pushing a stroller.

I am also interested in know how much your boys weigh, since that will affect the type of stroller you are able to use.

People are so judgemental about parents using strollers. Who cares?

I think you're confusing sharing one's own experiences and bringing up a valid point, as some kids will not ride in a stroller if they don't at home, and we don't know if the OP's kids do or not and being judgmental. 2 different things.

 

[Schmeck]

I know my kids are pushing the "acceptable" age to be in a stroller. They are 7 year old twins. Part of the reason I want to rent a stroller is because of the whining I'm sure will happen, somewhere to carry misc stuff, and part because I have really bad arthritis and being able to lean on the stroller helps.

I've looked at about 10 different stroller rental companies and I'm curious what stroller you might recommend for kids my boys' age. Citi Elite? Mini GT? BOB?

Thanks so much everyone.

Rent onsite as needed. Otherwise, you'll be stuffing that double stroller into your vehicle or having to fold it up and balance it on the buses.

 

[nik76]

One twin is 60 lbs, the other 68. I was questioning double vs single because they could take turns. But after last night - a night in the ER because they both came down with croup, bronchitis and loverly high fevers - I'm leaning to a double or 2 singles in case the 12 days left don't get them completely recovered.

As far as them refusing to ride in one, the fact that they both ask to be in the cart at the grocery store, I'm not too worried.

Double vs singles... If we had two singles, DH could also push one... Argh! Decisions!

We are going to be at DW for 12 days

 

[KalamityJane]

I have back issues and kids that like riding. We did disney 3months post 16 compression fractures in my back with a double mountain buggy. Personally, you want something with air tires and preferably 4 wheeled with heavier kids.