Strollers for older kids?

[Lorelai]

You are welcome to use a stroller for your 8-9 yr old but I am also welcome to look at you when said child gets out of a stroller and strolls onto RNC or comment when you hit me with the stroller and 60 lbs of kid.

This is an outrage!!

No one should be allowing their child to stroll onto RNC - I didn't think that a stroller could even fit on that ride. Disgusting!! And my poor kids are sitting while others are strolling on like they own the place! And why do they get out of the stroller, only to stroll back in - this must be to taunt us!

And this getting hit with strollers thing - unbelievable!! If someone ever came up to me and hit me with their stroller, then tried to hit me with their child, well I'd call security, then child services. No one should be hitting others with their children. Some family destination. Ride strolling, stroller beatings, 60 pound children being used as weapons. Now I'm afraid to go.


sorry, couldn't resist - I actually see both side of the issue - but sometimes it just sounds so funny. a little levity.

 

[Aryanna&BiancasMommy]

Well I'm the "turkey" (which to be is more lashing out than anything I said) who has a different opinion about strollers. I gave my opinion, of what has worked with us for 3 kids and my reasons for backing up this oppinion. Many others feel this way,check out some other threads. I have yet to hear on any of the threads a real reason given for backing up why an older child needs a stroller. Not including a special needs child. I would also like to hear a reasonable explanation of why 20 years ago you could go to MK and never see a child over 4 or maybe 5 in a stroller. And there wasn't the terrible stroller jams. How did they manage then and not now? We have to pay for kids to have phys ed 3x a week to get exercise but they can't walk on vacation this I don't understand. Yes everyone is entitled to their own oppinion and it is not rude, unlike name calling, to express it even if it is different than yours. You are welcome to use a stroller for your 8-9 yr old but I am also welcome to look at you when said child gets out of a stroller and strolls onto RNC or comment when you hit me with the stroller and 60 lbs of kid.

Just a thought is your child worn out at the mall or just bored, I hate the mall and get worn out there but not at Disney.

And how would you know which child needs to be in the stroller... as looks can be deceiving. I just got back from Disney and rented a double stroller for my 5 year old and 2 year old... However, my 5 year old is also 48 inches tall and 60 lbs and looks like a 7-9 year old child. But she is still mentally ONLY 5 years old. And not just that, 4 weeks prior to going to Disney, she injured her ankle very badly. She is walking fine now and the swelling is finally gone, but the dr also ordered her to not do any MAJOR walking. I'm sorry, but I think it is ridiculous that adults need to judge every situation that they witness. Unless the child is getting hurt or you are being seriously affected by the situation (and a stroller jam is not seriously affecting anything) then mind your own business. Let each person make the decision they feel is best for them and their family.

 

[declansdad]

comment when you hit me with the stroller and 60 lbs of kid.

Would this be before or after you step across the front of the stroller?

 

[wallyb]

Well a couple of observations here.

The last time I was at WDW my whole family went-
(11 of us in all) we tried to talk my 4 and a half year old nephew to do the stroller thing for our sake - so we could get around a bit faster and he would have none of it.
"That’s a baby thing...I’m not a baby!"
So we didn’t push it.

Now I will admit (and hopefully I don’t get flogged for this) that a few parents could be a lot more considerate of others with the extra gear (stroller, back packs, duffels) and such. It gets a bit over overwhelming when you're pushed for time and you need to get from here to there and also run the stroller gauntlet.

 

[declansdad]

Now I will admit (and hopefully I don’t get flogged for this) that a few parents could be a lot more considerate of others with the extra gear (stroller, back packs, duffels) and such. It gets a bit over overwhelming when you're pushed for time and you need to get from here to there and also run the stroller gauntlet.

I won't flog you only want to add that this needs to go both ways.

 

[wallyb]

I won't flog you only want to add that this needs to go both ways.

Oh yeah!
A big helping of manners,common courtesy, consideration and cool heads all around.

 

[Mo-Yo]

Hanathy,

The turkey comment was not originally directed at you. It was a general comment about not letting other people's negativity and harsh judgements effect the decisions you make for yourself and your family.

I share this philosophy often with my children and encourage them to greet angry people sympathetically and empathetically and to go through life with confidence and a sense of humor.

I wonder if perhaps you were run over by a stroller as a young child because this seems to be a very serious issue for you. (That is a bit of levity, also.) If people with strollers have harmed you, I am sorry. Obviously people should be careful where they walk...stroll, etc. I haven't, by the way, run into you or anyone else that I know of.

I answered the OP's question by telling her how having a stroller worked for our family. I may be misunderstanding it, but it seems like your post blasts people for doing what works for them...and frankly, as long as they don't bump into you (or others), I don't see what the problem is.

I would hope that you wouldn't scowl at a family enjoying themselves on vacation because they rented a stroller and you chose not to. I didn't catch you scowling at us in Dec., but if I did, I would have told my kids not to let the turkeys get them down.

 

[MommyPoppins]

I haven't read all the other posts..but I've seen this question asked a million times and it usally always ends the same. Hurt feelings and a closed thread. It's no ones business but your own if you want a stroller and the same people who would give you a hard time about wanting a stroller for your older child will also be complaining about you when you return because they saw you dragging your child around and they(child) was tired and blah blah blah. Like I said, I haven't read all the other posts, so maybe for the first time ever this thread hasn't taken that direction.

What we did: We went last month. We have a double stroller for the babys and made the boys walk. They are 4 and 5. We talked to them beforehand and DS5 said he wanted to walk, DS4 didn't. But we told him that he had to, that we would take breaks and if it got too hard for him we would get a stroller. We took a afternoon break, so they weren't walking ALL day. But at night, when we were staying until closing(12) we did get them a stroller. We got a single and they took turns, and sometimes rode together. So I would get a single for the 4 yr old and then when needed the 7 yr old can have a ride to rest. It worked great for us. But FYI , the double strollers at Disney are heavenly and they easliy push with 1 hand, even when you put 3 kids in them. Have a great trip!

 

[mannasn]

Geez, and now I feel guilty for starting a thread on something I had no flippin' clue was such a touchy subject!

Live and let live, I say!

 

[YEKCIM]

My daughter is a petite almost-8-year-old, and she has already been "advised" that she will ride in a stroller (we call it a "buggy" for her benefit) during our 7 day WDW stay in July. With a stroller, we maximize our time in the parks, and minimize the "I'm so tired my eyes are crossed" meltdowns that otherwise occur during the afternoons and evenings. Without a stroller, we'd be done for by mid afternoon, at the latest, which would make Mr. YEKCIM have a meltdown, considering he is the primary funding agent. Mr. YEKCIM's only regret is that HE cannot ride in a stroller, and have Mrs. YEKCIM do the "driving" between rides!

~YEKCIM

 

[weirdpaintballr]

Ok....all I really have to say is that when I was 5 I managed to walk the entire trip....And that some 8 year olds must be really lazy if they can't handle the walking....But for everyone who does use a srollerlease be very consious of the fact that you are pushing around lets just say about 50 pounds, and it is really impolite and inconsiderate when you ram into people's ankles...I realize that accidents happen, but you can't honestly tell me that the lady that cut of my parents from my sister and I (all 4 of us holding hands, sis and I first, then parents behind) then repeatedly rammed into my ankles when she couldn't get around us after Wishes....ITs jsut so rude....Just because you have a stroller doesn't mean you get to run over people....and not even say sorry if accidental...

Also, I vividly remember getting a bloody ankle from repeated stroller ramming incident... It just makes me so mad...stroller-people who will run over anyone(old people, toddlers, doesn't matter) just to get in the Buzz Lightyear ride 30 seconds faster...

 

[beattyfamily]

Ok....all I really have to say is that when I was 5 I managed to walk the entire trip....And that some 8 year olds must be really lazy if they can't handle the walking....But for everyone who does use a srollerlease be very consious of the fact that you are pushing around lets just say about 50 pounds, and it is really impolite and inconsiderate when you ram into people's ankles...I realize that accidents happen, but you can't honestly tell me that the lady that cut of my parents from my sister and I (all 4 of us holding hands, sis and I first, then parents behind) then repeatedly rammed into my ankles when she couldn't get around us after Wishes....ITs jsut so rude....Just because you have a stroller doesn't mean you get to run over people....and not even say sorry if accidental...

Also, I vividly remember getting a bloody ankle from repeated stroller ramming incident... It just makes me so mad...stroller-people who will run over anyone(old people, toddlers, doesn't matter) just to get in the Buzz Lightyear ride 30 seconds faster...

But it goes both ways.

I've been stuck in Wishes crowds with a stroller and I don't hit people (I usually just sit still till the crowds die down anyway) but many times I've been ignored as if I'm invisible. My DH has to walk in front of me to make a path or else people practically fall on my stroller because they aren't paying attention and always think they have the right of way so if they are to the right of me, they can suddenly cut in front of me and I'm suppose to stop short to let them go. If they cut in front of me like that in a deep crowd, they may get hit by my stroller through no fault of mine.

It goes both ways. There are rude people with strollers and there are rude people without. We should all be considerate.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

I was refering to the rude people, who intentionally strike people with their strollers...It makes me so mad...It takes every bit of energy I have not to lash out while we are at the happiest place on earth....And i thank you for being one of the *few* considerate people who use strollers..(note: kind and considerate people who use strollers are not stroller-people, only rude stroller users are stroller-people)

 

[beattyfamily]

I was refering to the rude people, who intentionally strike people with their strollers...It makes me so mad...It takes every bit of energy I have not to lash out while we are at the happiest place on earth....And i thank you for being one of the *few* considerate people who use strollers..(note: kind and considerate people who use strollers are not stroller-people, only rude stroller users are stroller-people)

I see. Well, I have seen those people who run with their strollers to get somewhere and don't care whose in their way. I've been hit by them too...but I just wanted to stress that there are rude people with and without strollers, it's not exclusively stroller-people.

Thankfully, I'm done with strollers as my youngest is 6. Just have to make DH carry the backpack now!!

 

[Tricia1972]

BeattyFamily - Thank you for your voice of reason.

Most of the big debates that I have seen on DIS really come down to one issue and one issue only. SOME people are rude.

Some people cut in line, most don't
Some people intentionally hit other people with their strollers, most don't
Some people cut in front of strollers and get hit, many people believe in waiting turns
Some people will plow down others to get on rides, most people do
Some senior citizens push to the front of the line rudely, most seniors are polite

There is not ONE group of people that is all rude or all considerate. Strollers don't make people rude, people make themselves rude by the choices they make.

So really when we debate the issue of stroller or not, we shouldn't ever assume *all*. We could probably be pretty save in assuming that most all of the people here are considerate and when we are referring to rude people, we are referring to people who aren't on this board.

 

[MareQ]

Ok....all I really have to say is that when I was 5 I managed to walk the entire trip....And that some 8 year olds must be really lazy if they can't handle the walking....matter) just to get in the Buzz Lightyear ride 30 seconds faster...

WOW!!! Why so judgemental? It really isn't necessary to refer to "some" children in strollers as lazy. They're just kids! You have no clue why any child is in a stroller and why a parent has choosen to use a stroller - it's really none of anybody's business.

 

[Drake]

I did a fast read of these posts....and didn't see this mentioned (but, might have missed it).....

Put yourself into the kids perspective...there are crowds, the child is about 4 foot tall, all they can see are big people's waists or knees. Sometimes they are stepped on, pushed aside, etc. (not intentionally of course, but it does happen).

In a crowd I would rather have my child in a stroller for their protection and my peace of mind. I know where they are and I know they are safe. I can get them through crowds without them or anyone else being bumped, pushed or stepped on...

 

[Lorelai]

It's sad to see so much name calling in posts.

Reel it in people!! - Think of us all as just one big dysfunctional Disney lovin' family!

 

[Mo-Yo]

This thread really is like a car wreck...I just can't look away.

The way I see it...kids are kids...and when we are on a family vacation especially I want to make it easy on my kids. I certainly have no intention of pushing my teenager in a stroller, but while they are little and their legs and bodies are tired, I'll do it. Why not?

I don't think of my kids as lazy. They work hard at school. They are in various extracurricular and sports activities.

We like to rough it and camp for vacations. We aren't wimps.

We live in a seashore town where they ride bikes, walk to the beach and boardwalk and swim like fish all summer, but our days are NEVER as busy as our days in Disney.

So while we are dropping a few thousand dollars and walking five miles a day from dawn until dusk, braving crowds and hoping to see as much as we can, we use a stroller. I find it kind of crazy that I feel moved to defend such a simple decision.

But there...I did...now I am signing off.

I think I'll go start a new thread about line-cutting or refillable mugs, just for kicks.

 

[weirdpaintballr]

WOW!!! Why so judgemental? It really isn't necessary to refer to "some" children in strollers as lazy. They're just kids! You have no clue why any child is in a stroller and why a parent has choosen to use a stroller - it's really none of anybody's business.

What??? At the age of 8, if you can't walk all day long, there is something wrong....I have always been small for my age, and at 5, I managed to walk all day. yes i was tired, yes my feet hurt. But i was in WDW!! Nothing could stop me...


Also, i just thought of this but wouldn't it be quite difficult for the child to get the full experience of seeing the parts?