Strollers...I gotta ask!

[badblackpug]

As I was looking over the "Old WDW photos" thread, someone made a comment that you hardly see any strollers in the pictures, and that maybe this is because no way were parents going to pay for a stroller to push a kid around in that could walk. I have to know...what is it with people pushing around these giant kids in strollers? I am barely keeping the 2 y/o in a stroller...the 5 year olds certainly want NO part of it. "Strollers are for babies!" But I am seeing, more and more frequently, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 year olds in strollers! To the point where people have to rent a double stroller or a wheelchair to fit the kid in! I am not discussing special needs kids...I mean kids who should be able to walk?

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

oh boy op ... that "ding" you just heard, wasn't a low fare alert from Southwest.

"The Great Stroller Debate Round 783"

 

[Holly]

Meh. I'm still getting a stroller when my youngest is a teenager. How else will I cart around all that crap I take to the parks?

 

[rt2dz]

In an honest answer, I can say for some it is the fact that WDW is like nothing else.

My DS5 has not used a stroller at home since shortly before turning 3. He does not use a stroller at any long walking commitments since 3 1/2 (Sea World, Zoo, that type of thing) and many times, not even then. We live over 1 1/2 miles from school (one way) and, yes, he walks (escorted). BUT at WDW, he uses the stroller. He also naps there and hasn't anywhere else since shortly after turning 2. I don't know what life will be like at 7 or 8, I'm sure he won't be in the stroller, but who knows?

Oh, and be careful about judging kids ages. I have a DS who is very tiny for his age, one that is right on par, and one that looks at least 3 years older. Also, it may be some of those kids in the pics were only in a siblings stroller for a very short time.

 

[mytwotinks]

ditto above poster! I don't normally keep my kids up late and wake them up early the next morning and then expect them to walk 9 miles ( I have heard this is the average) a day. My 8 yo won't be in a stroller this year, but was in one when she was just turned 7 because I was there by myself with my two dd's and it was easier to keep track of them that way. Epcot was the last park that she gave the stroller up for though. There is tons of walking in Epcot. My 4 yo will be in a stroller in 3 weeks. Heck, I just spent $100 on a stroller that is big enough for her!

 

[sha_lyn]

I won't even touch you comments about strollers, but how would you know the kids in wheel chairs "should be able to walk". Must be some great crystal ball you have there

 

[bartleby1]

As I was looking over the "Old WDW photos" thread, someone made a comment that you hardly see any strollers in the pictures, and that maybe this is because no way were parents going to pay for a stroller to push a kid around in that could walk. I have to know...what is it with people pushing around these giant kids in strollers? I am barely keeping the 2 y/o in a stroller...the 5 year olds certainly want NO part of it. "Strollers are for babies!" But I am seeing, more and more frequently, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 year olds in strollers! To the point where people have to rent a double stroller or a wheelchair to fit the kid in! I am not discussing special needs kids...I mean kids who should be able to walk?

Hey, where is the "old wdw photos" thread? I missed that one! That sounds like a neat thread to look through.

As far as the stroller issue, I'm not sure how old these photos are, but could they be old enough that only MK existed? Or even just MK and epcot? I know when we went as kids, we only did two days at MK because that is all there was! That is a lot less exhausting than doing 6,7, or 8+ days worth of parks! Even when epcot opened, we did 3 days total (1-1/2 days in each park).

We rented a double for my 4 and 6 yr olds to share and I'm so glad we did. First, I don't think they could have handled walking 10 - 13 miles a day without having some break downs (yes, we are the crazy family that is in the park from open til close and those are the miles we went each day. I wore a pedometer.) Second, I would have been PARANOID trying to keep track of my 3 kids in the horrendous crowds that we encountered this trip. I love knowing where they are.

 

[DVCLiz]

You know, I remembered reading that other stroller thread, so when I was in WDW two weeks ago, I made a special point of sitting down on a bench and looking for them (while I was waiting for DD to finish a ride.). And, by golly, there were TONS of older kids being strolled around!!!!! So, I really made myself examine my feelings about those kids and their parents. And I was amazed to find that I DIDN'T CARE AT ALL!!!!!!!!! I'm so relieved - from reading the stroller debate I thought this must be a terrible thing that I would have to care about with the same passion I usually reserve for refillable mug abusers and illegal pool hoppers. But nope, I didn't care a bit - and I'm not sure why anyone else would, either.

 

[Kae]

Last time we went & the kids were 4 & 7. And my nieces were 5 & 10. My niece has problems walking for a long time so we would get a stroller after lunch but we would got a double because we knew that my dd would want to ride if her cousin was. And I must say it was a lot easier keeping track of the girls. We have also grabbed a ditched stroller after wishes & Illinations & put both my 4 & 7 yr old in it because of the crowds. And yes they were ditched, last June I had never seen anything like it. I bet after Wishes there was 50+ Strollers just left in the circle around the Castle & on Main St.

Kae

 

[XYSRUS]

Heck-I put my 8 and 6 yo in a double. You have too much time on your hands if you care what others are doing. Next year I'll get 2 doubles b/c I know my 4 kids will get tired from walking. I'll make sure to pass you too just to get your blood boiling! Do you really care?

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

Well, we are bringing our double stroller for our 1 AND 4 year old. We are at the parks from open to close and there is no way our 4 year old can walk that much. Maybe day 1 and 2 but by day 3 she'll need to rest, if not sooner. All that walking with the added heat is a lot on a small child to do day after day.

I also agree that its easier to keep track of them that way.

 

[bamabelle]

It was so hot the day we were at MGM in July that DD9 wanted to ride in the stroller. We had 2 doubles for DS2, DNeph's 5,4,2 but DD9 couldn't ride with them like in the ones in the MK. I broke down and rented her a single stroller so I didn't have to hear her whine. It was the best money we spent all week!

Our little kids don't have a choice about riding. We saw 2 lost children while we were there this year and both kids were under 5 and should have been in a stroller. When kids are hot and tired, a stroller can be your saving Grace as well as a great place for the backpacks and souveniers!

 

[bamabelle]

Last time we went & the kids were 4 & 7. And my nieces were 5 & 10. My niece has problems walking for a long time so we would get a stroller after lunch but we would got a double because we knew that my dd would want to ride if her cousin was. And I must say it was a lot easier keeping track of the girls. We have also grabbed a ditched stroller after wishes & Illinations & put both my 4 & 7 yr old in it because of the crowds. And yes they were ditched, last June I had never seen anything like it. I bet after Wishes there was 50+ Strollers just left in the circle around the Castle & on Main St.

Kae

What's up with all the lazy people leaving their strollers all over the place! If there is anytime to need one, it is upon leaving in a crowd of thousands of people! It does take longer to manuever out of the park, but so much safer for little ones! Thanks for getting them out of the way and doing a tired CM a favor!

 

[jrzemom]

My feeling is- things are so different now- you can't take your eye off your child for a split second! My oldest is only 4 - and yes we have a double for when she can't walk anymore- But I think it is so much easier to keep track of your children when they are sitting in the stroller. No wondering off anywhere. I am so paranoid about losing my daughters that yes if I feel safer they will be in a stroller!!

 

[lauritagoddess]

My DS is 4 and there's no way he could do all that walking. So we use the stroller because I don't relish having to carry my 45 lb child because that's what I'd have to wind up doing when he got tired. And I think the stroller can be a great place for a child to retire to when they get a little overwhelmed by everything going on in the parks.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Have to agree with a PP that said that it was probably because there was only one park at the time of the photos, or if MK and Epcot both existed, I think a lot of people picked one to go to! That would make a big difference for our family because we have the stroller with us due to the long walks from DL to the hotels, DTD, and DCA. There's much more territory to cover now!

Andrea

 

[PixiePop]

In an honest answer, I can say for some it is the fact that WDW is like nothing else.

My DS5 has not used a stroller at home since shortly before turning 3. He does not use a stroller at any long walking commitments since 3 1/2 (Sea World, Zoo, that type of thing) and many times, not even then. We live over 1 1/2 miles from school (one way) and, yes, he walks (escorted). BUT at WDW, he uses the stroller. He also naps there and hasn't anywhere else since shortly after turning 2. I don't know what life will be like at 7 or 8, I'm sure he won't be in the stroller, but who knows?

Oh, and be careful about judging kids ages. I have a DS who is very tiny for his age, one that is right on par, and one that looks at least 3 years older. Also, it may be some of those kids in the pics were only in a siblings stroller for a very short time.

I agree, my son only used a stroller at WDW. He gave it up completely last year (his choice-he is 6).

However, if he still wanted one it would be fine with me, it is much easier to keep in eye on him in the crowds. Also, my motto is: I rather have a happy, rested child than a tired cranky one.

 

[laughinplace199]

oh boy op ... that "ding" you just heard, wasn't a low fare alert from Southwest.

"The Great Stroller Debate Round 783"

 

[munchkinsmom]

Also, my motto is: I rather have a happy, rested child than a tired cranky one.

Amen! I believe that too.

Parents should do whatever works for them and their family to make it a great vacation. If it means bringing a stroller for a child who is or "appears" to look like a 5, 6, 7 year old, then so be it. Why should it matter?

 

[lisabelll]

Amen! I believe that too.

Parents should do whatever works for them and their family to make it a great vacation. If it means bringing a stroller for a child who is or "appears" to look like a 5, 6, 7 year old, then so be it. Why should it matter?

I completely agree! Before I had kids, I used to be really judgemental about what I thought matter Now I have 3 kids and have decided to choose my battles.

Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. ~John Wilmot"