Stroller question - VIP Tour with kids

[katied]

Hi,
we have friends with two kids, age 4 and 7, joining us for a VIP tour. They do not plan to use a stroller. Our kids are tweens/teens, but I guess I’m concerned that the little ones will struggle to keep up on a fast paced tour, especially without a stroller. Any thoughts? We plan to hit 3 parks over 7 hours…
thanks!

 

[sponica]

Ugh, that sounds like a breakneck pace for kiddos. At the very least I would want a stroller for the 3 year old.

 

[lanejudy]

Have you talked to your friends about the pace you are planning? Have they been to WDW before to understand what you have planned? It sounds like there may be some miscommunication around expectations. I'd want to get that cleared up before spending that much money and not getting accomplished what you want.

 

[Bellex917]

I would def encourage a stroller... my 6 year old needed it last week on our trip. We are rope drop to park close people and she needed breaks to keep up with the rest of us. The pace of the tour will def be hard for a 4 year old without a stroller!

 

[Lilsia]

I am with lanejudy on this. I would have a discussion with them about the pace of the tour and what exactly you plan on accomplishing in what timeframe. You can easily do the parks at a child's pace normally without a stroller, but most people get a tour to be able to do as much as they can in that amount of time. Then it comes down to who is paying. If you are splitting the cost, they may want to do certain rides for the little ones, while your family has other plans. Or if you are paying, they may feel that they will be able to keep up but don't really understand the pace. I think going over the itinerary ahead of time is the best thing to do so there is no misunderstandings.
I am editing to add that they itinerary should be as specific as possible, again to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding. Start with, "we will be there no later then 8am, then we go strait to this ride, then straight to this ride, we will eat here at this time, then get in the car and go to this park, etc.

 

[katied]

I know… so, they have never done Disney… I have explained the pace, etc., but I‘m not sure they understand. They plan, after the tour, to do fireworks at MK, have 845 pm dinner, and then stay at MK for the late hours. I guess I’m thinking their kids will be struggling. I’ve tried to be blunt about the tour and the pace, but they don’t seem to understand. We are paying the tour… and we are controlling the plan… I think this is part of the problem… I’ve told them they can join, but it is our agenda and plan (and our cost).. but, when our kids were little, we would do am in the park, afternoon break/nap, and then back in the evening. I don’t think my kids could have done a 7 hour tour, then firework, sit down dinner, and yet more rides.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I know… so, they have never done Disney… I have explained the pace, etc., but I‘m not sure they understand. They plan, after the tour, to do fireworks at MK, have 845 pm dinner, and then stay at MK for the late hours. I guess I’m thinking their kids will be struggling. I’ve tried to be blunt about the tour and the pace, but they don’t seem to understand. We are paying the tour… and we are controlling the plan… I think this is part of the problem… I’ve told them they can join, but it is our agenda and plan (and our cost).. but, when our kids were little, we would do am in the park, afternoon break/nap, and then back in the evening. I don’t think my kids could have done a 7 hour tour, then firework, sit down dinner, and yet more rides.

I have had grandkids who at those ages could do your plan at your speed without stroller but have had other who could not. also when as in which day is your planned tour beginning, middle or end of trip? also what are plans for next day and I am including your older kids in this as it will most likely be a slow start the next day

 

[katied]

For us, this will be our last day at Disney. We will have been there 4 days. The next day, we switch hotels and head to Universal. So, we will sleep in, check out, and then hang out at the hotel by Universal and no park until the following day.

For our friends, this will be their second park day. They will have 3 more days before they head home.

 

[Anna131517]

I would just be very blunt with them and explain that the tour will not stop if the children get tired and need a break. They may learn their lesson on their first park day so it may not be an issue.

 

[katied]

Thank you for the advice. Will do.

 

[Centopar]

My oldest is four. She hasn't needed a stroller at home for two years now - but you can bet your *** that we're renting one when we go to Disney in December! (We'll rent a double for her and little bro.) We are also doing a VIP tour, and I can't imagine her not having one even on a normal park day; it'd be awful for her.

Could you perhaps rent one as a Christmas gift for your friends? I think they'd be very grateful on experiencing the reality of things!

 

[Sugardimples]

I think I would tell them that they need a stroller if they want to participate. Not negotiable. This is too expensive a tour to take a chance that a stroller won’t be needed.

 

[kwdw]

I’m not as concerned here. Zero concerns with 7 yo. It’s only 7 hours. With it being three parks, there will be the down time between parks. I think the 4 yo will handle the first two fine. Maybe the third one could be questionable, but it’s also possible one parent could peel off and go rent a park stroller at that third park.

Also, remember that their plans after the tour aren’t your concern. If they have cranky kids then, it’s not related to the cost of tour and you aren’t tied to their touring plan at that point.

I think showing them a detailed plan, and gentle discussion about the kids needing to keep up will suffice. If you trust them enough to share your VIP tour with them in the first place, I’d hope there is enough respect set an expectation.

 

[stephk1981]

Every child is different, stamina levels etc. As a previous poster suggested, I would make a printed out itinerary giving rough time estimates for each park and exact rides that you will be doing. This could go really well and everyone has a great day. Worse case scenario, you regret inviting them to share in your tour and feel you didn't get your money's worth because they slowed you down. If you feel like it will effect your friendship with these people if it's the latter, I probably wouldn't want them to join. A Disney tour isn't worth damaging a friendship over. Both of your families are in very different stages, due to ages of your children. In our personal experience, we have only ever gone on one VIP tour. Family came to visit us here in Orlando( we are local.) My mom and aunt paid for a tour along with my older cousin, 16 at the time. Myself, DSthen 12 and DD then 3. We brought a stroller for DDthen3 but honestly I could still tell we were slowing them down and DD wanted to do rides that the rest of the group didn't want to do. We went to HS first, Epcot second, then planned to go to MK last. DD and I parted ways with the rest of the group before Epcot. I took the monorail to MK and let her do what she wanted to do. The rest of the family had a much better time without us, my DS stayed with them until end of day. Either way I really hope it works out!

 

[Karin1984]

Do you have fitbit or other kind of step counter? Maybe a very practical example shows what you mean. On an average Disney day, I do between 18 and 22k steps, that is 12 miles.
Even when it is only 7 hours and maybe 8 miles within that period. Is the youngest up for that and then the entire evening after it?

You can always rent a stroller half way through the day.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Worst case scenario - they stop to rent a stroller and meet back up with you. If you have explained thoroughly, your part is done.

 

[katied]

Thanks. I’ve mapped it all out for them. They are brining an umbrella stroller, and I’m starting to feel ok… my kids and I have mapped our days alone… I think we will see and do everything we want, and my kids are excited to share Disney with some younger new fans. I think I need to relax and realize it’s about having fun… not ticking everything on a list… seeing the joy with some younger kids will be fun… and, if need be, they can take a break and we will change along. . Thank you all!