Strollers...I gotta ask!

[disneynewbee]

My second dd looked too big for the stroller at two so I would never look at someone elses child and assume they are too old for a stroller. You don't know how old they are some peoples 3yo look like others 6yo. My dd will be four on our next trip and will be using a stroller for many reasons. First she is a little kid and gets tired especially after several days in a row in the parks. Two I don't have any intentions on losing her and with all those people it's not the easiest to keep track of a curious 4 yo (she will turn four the month before our trip). And three she is a little person who takes little steps we would not get that far if she walked the whole time especially if she is tired. And before anyone starts with the whole my kid is in shape and healthy and can walk the parks all day--- maybe one day or two days in a row but put your kid through that for 2 wks and see how well they can hang.

 

[dbmarie]

I really did not see only overweight kids being pushed in strollers. Actually what I saw were alot of parents enjoying themselves while their child took a nap or their child rested. We live in NY and it is not the norm for our girls to be walking around in 100 degree humidity or staying up until 1am. As a matter of fact I don't even own a stroller which is why I rent. And we usually do at least 9 days and I always get a stroller for my girls at both Animal Kingdom and Epcot. I don't for MK or MGM because I feel they are smaller parks and easier to get around. I can't believe you are saying overweight childern are the only ones who would like a stroller at AK or EP I am sure given the choice most kids would like the stroller. Maybe your childern are from a southern state or maybe they are just more high speed then my girls. I'm sorry that you have a problem with my use of a stroller and I'm glad that you are so worried about obesity. Maybe you should get involved in creating more sports and activites in your community for overweight childern instead of worrying about the two weeks that my child is in a stroller.

 

[dkal95]

Who cares what parents do as far as strollers go! If your kid wants to walk, let them, if your child wants to ride in a stroller, let them!

Man, I can't imagine people having nothing better to do in DISNEY WORLD, than to worry about the age of a child in a stroller.

I say, do what works for your family!

 

[copswife166]

I also used to wonder why so many big kids are in strollers. That was before I had a son diagnosed with autism. Please understand my perspective that not all disabilities are obvious and it's painful enough for parents with disabled children to see all the "normal" kids out there running around or traveling in strollers without having to worry about being judged by others! If that were my only worry, I'd be thanking God!

 

[all4fun]

We took our 8yr old niece once a couple of years ago and she asked why so many kids her age were riding in strollers. We didn't even think of renting one for her (because we were paying for her whole trip with us and were too cheap to, lol). Anyway, I remember thinking it was interesting that she observed that because I hadn't even noticed. Nor did I care. Honestly aren't there more important things to be upset about, really?

Btw, if after the first couple of days it seemed like she needed one, I'm sure we probably would have rented one for her. Fortunately she didn't.

 

[kaysmommie]

I couldn't agree with you more!
We no longer own a stroller at home but surely in WDW we need one. It's a ridiculous amount of walking for little legs. We'd get on 3 rides/day without one! I don't even understand why it's an issue with some people. Don't use that excuse about what our parents did back in the day. They also let us stand on the back seat and wave back to cars behind us doing 70 mph! Parenting 101: Just because our parents did it, doesn't make it right.

I will be renting a double for my 2 & 6 YO. DD is tiny and there is no way she could do all that walking. She is about 39 lbs. @ 6 so far from overweight. Epcot is about 10-14 miles per day. Who cares who walks and who gets a stroller.

 

[tink1969]

We are going to WDW for Halloween this year with our DD's who are 5&9.
You can bet that I will be renting a stroller for the 5 year old. Her little legs can't take a whole day of walking and standing in long lineups. Is she lazy?
Heck no! She is involved in gymnastics, swimming and soccer and we go for daily bike rides and walks. WDW is a different story. By mid-day she is getting tired, hot and CRANKY! Little children start the morning off running ahead of you through the parks because they are so excited. In the afternoon, they are dragging their feet a mile behind you. Children take 2 and 3 steps for every 1 of an adult. Adults walk quickly through the parks to get to each attraction and expect their little ones to keep up.
I vote for the stroller!

 

[sha_lyn]

I just had a thought..... The last 3 years we've visited US/IOA/SW in mid-late june on our way to national level martial arts tournaments. We didn't use strollers there, but you better bet we would have at WDW. The last thing I would need is for my daughter to show up at a national level competition with heat exhustion. We stopped using a stroller around the time she was 6, but if she wanted needed one we would have gotten it.

 

[mytwotinks]

Hi all you stroller parents! Just received the Maclaren Volo that I bought on ebay. I love it. It has a weight limit up to 55 lbs. and pushes really great. Dd is just too big for her combi and I didn't want to rent for this trip since we will be on the monorail. I want to take advantage of the fact that I can just leave her in the stroller all the way back to the room when she dozes in her stroller! I really didn't pay any more than I would have to rent and if I wanted to I could sell it for nearly what I paid (from what I've seen in recent ebay auctions). It folds up like an umbrella and only weighs 8 lbs. Just wanted to let you guys know of a great stroller option for those of us with young kids who have the misfortune to be a little bigger. I am not going to make my 4 yo dd walk just because she is as big as some first graders!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if I'm repeating, but I think there are a lot of reasons you might not have seen as many strollers in the "old days" as you do now, which have nothing to do with laziness of today's kids, or heartiness of yesterday's. Also, I don't now how old the old pictures were, but I'm thinking the seventies, when WDW's MK first opened.

Back in the old days, moms often didn't work outside the home, so there was less money for luxuries, such as rental strollers that weren't absolutely necessary. Personal strollers were bigger and harder to fold up, if they folded up at all, so families may not have been in the habit of taking them everywhere with them. There was only one park, and it contained fewer attractions than it does today, so families might have been there for a shorter period of time, or had more time to take breaks throughout the day.

 

[laceemouse]

I haven't read the whole thread, so sorry if I'm repeating, but I think there are a lot of reasons you might not have seen as many strollers in the "old days" as you do now, which have nothing to do with laziness of today's kids, or heartiness of yesterday's. Also, I don't now how old the old pictures were, but I'm thinking the seventies, when WDW's MK first opened.

Back in the old days, moms often didn't work outside the home, so there was less money for luxuries, such as rental strollers that weren't absolutely necessary. Personal strollers were bigger and harder to fold up, if they folded up at all, so families may not have been in the habit of taking them everywhere with them. There was only one park, and it contained fewer attractions than it does today, so families might have been there for a shorter period of time, or had more time to take breaks throughout the day.

While I agree with all the points you make, I just also think that parents in those days would never have had a bigger kid in a stroller, just like they never had a 3 or 4 year old drinking a bottle, sucking a pacifier and wearing diapers. They just wouldn't have done things like that. They expected kids to grow up and act right!!

 

[taximomfor4]

While I agree with all the points you make, I just also think that parents in those days would never have had a bigger kid in a stroller, just like they never had a 3 or 4 year old drinking a bottle, sucking a pacifier and wearing diapers. They just wouldn't have done things like that. They expected kids to grow up and act right!!

Last year at Epcot I got a NASTY woman making snide, rude comments the WHOLE time I changed my dd's diaper. DD had just turned 3. She is my 4th child, and the only one who was not potty trained before age 3. I have no idea why she couldn't do it, but she couldn't. Now, at just barely age 4, she wets her pants several times a day on most days. No idea why. We are working very closely with the pediatrician on this, but so far no real problem (besides "Her bladder is just immature still") has been identified. It is a pain for us, trying not to get angry or frustrated with her, which could create all kinds of complexes in her.

Sorry to go OT, just wanted to toss out there that my pediatrician, who is from an older generation that potty trained kids soon after they were walking, is not horrified at my quasi-potty trained 4yo dd.

Back to your regularly scheduled stroller-discussion!

 

[disneyfan551]

Hi all you stroller parents! Just received the Maclaren Volo that I bought on ebay. I love it. It has a weight limit up to 55 lbs. and pushes really great. Dd is just too big for her combi and I didn't want to rent for this trip since we will be on the monorail. I want to take advantage of the fact that I can just leave her in the stroller all the way back to the room when she dozes in her stroller! I really didn't pay any more than I would have to rent and if I wanted to I could sell it for nearly what I paid (from what I've seen in recent ebay auctions). It folds up like an umbrella and only weighs 8 lbs. Just wanted to let you guys know of a great stroller option for those of us with young kids who have the misfortune to be a little bigger. I am not going to make my 4 yo dd walk just because she is as big as some first graders!

Can you give me more info on your new stroller? I am in the market for a new one for my soon-to-be 5yo dd to use at Disney next month. I'm glad I read this thread today!!

 

[rt2dz]

While I agree with all the points you make, I just also think that parents in those days would never have had a bigger kid in a stroller, just like they never had a 3 or 4 year old drinking a bottle, sucking a pacifier and wearing diapers. They just wouldn't have done things like that. They expected kids to grow up and act right!!

I'm brother drank out of a bottle until he ws 3 1/2! Just wouldn't give it up. Drove my mother nuts, until a good friend (60s now) said her *older* brothers drank out of bottles even in kindergarten--they made them theirselves.

 

[Mallow]

This is going to be my first Disney trip (11 days) with my kids. My DS is 6 and my DD is 3. I was definitly planning on renting a stroller for my small for age 3 yr old. Then a friend that just came back suggested we rent the double stroller. Her kids are 7 and 2. She said it was so much easier. Although the 7 yr old mostly walked, the stroller was an extra place to put stuff & better yet, if there was a show starting soon on the other side of the park they had a better chance of making it by having the 7 yr old hop in. So now I plan to rent the double just in case.

 

[all4fun]

Last year at Epcot I got a NASTY woman making snide, rude comments the WHOLE time I changed my dd's diaper. DD had just turned 3.

edited by me.


Wow, my ds is 3-1/4 yrs old and still isn't p/t'd either. He just doesn't want to do it - and yes, we've tried! He's has a few other issues that aren't "visible" too that I am sure are related (mainly due to prematurity). I can't believe someone would stand by and make snide comments like that. How rude.... She better not run into me and do that. I just might give her an earful right back.

 

[disneynewbee]

While I agree with all the points you make, I just also think that parents in those days would never have had a bigger kid in a stroller, just like they never had a 3 or 4 year old drinking a bottle, sucking a pacifier and wearing diapers. They just wouldn't have done things like that. They expected kids to grow up and act right!!

Well I'm not in such a rush for my kids to grow up I let them go at there pace. I'm not sure why any parent would be anxious for there kiddos to grow up so fast. I don't babyfy them but I don't push them either. I've seen people screaming at there children about potty training. I will not do that it is not good for anyone involved. Doctors tell you to read your kids clues they will let you know when they are ready for the next step as far as potty training walking etc etc. Have you ever heard the song Let them Be Little- it's a great song maybe you should listen to it. My kids will walk when them and I feel they are ready not a complete stranger who knows nothing about them so you will just have to sit and stew and deal with it.

 

[mytwotinks]

Can you give me more info on your new stroller? I am in the market for a new one for my soon-to-be 5yo dd to use at Disney next month. I'm glad I read this thread today!!

It is AWESOME! The seat is wide and tall enough for my fairly tall 4yo(5 in January) dd. I think that she will be very comfy in it. The stroller also made out of a mesh that will dry very quickly if it gets rained on or if a wet kiddo gets in off of a ride or if maybe she spills in it. Wow that makes DW sound like a messy place! We will be there in Sept. so I just couldn't see having her sit in her combi all snugged up in 100* heat.

I think that I bought mine from a seller on ebay named babysurplus. There is a guy that sells them for $79 plus $20 shipping. I bought the 2005 version because the seat is all mesh, but there are more 2006 available. They look great too, but the bottom part of the seat is nylon and not the mesh, but the positive on that one is that the hood is light grey instead of black.

Happy shopping!

 

[mytwotinks]

This is going to be my first Disney trip (11 days) with my kids. My DS is 6 and my DD is 3. I was definitly planning on renting a stroller for my small for age 3 yr old. Then a friend that just came back suggested we rent the double stroller. Her kids are 7 and 2. She said it was so much easier. Although the 7 yr old mostly walked, the stroller was an extra place to put stuff & better yet, if there was a show starting soon on the other side of the park they had a better chance of making it by having the 7 yr old hop in. So now I plan to rent the double just in case.

This is a very good point. Sometimes you really have to hustle to get to things at the right time.

 

[ilovejack02]

Last year at Epcot I got a NASTY woman making snide, rude comments the WHOLE time I changed my dd's diaper. DD had just turned 3. She is my 4th child, and the only one who was not potty trained before age 3. I have no idea why she couldn't do it, but she couldn't. Now, at just barely age 4, she wets her pants several times a day on most days. No idea why. We are working very closely with the pediatrician on this, but so far no real problem (besides "Her bladder is just immature still") has been identified. It is a pain for us, trying not to get angry or frustrated with her, which could create all kinds of complexes in her.

Sorry to go OT, just wanted to toss out there that my pediatrician, who is from an older generation that potty trained kids soon after they were walking, is not horrified at my quasi-potty trained 4yo dd.

Back to your regularly scheduled stroller-discussion!

Oh my goodness.... if that would have been me I would have prob been escorted out of WDW by security LOL. That woman would have prob been wearing DDs diaper on her head