strollers

[icarus]

Wow, I guess I should rethink the stroller thing for our 5 year old.

I guess the true alternative would be to take a few 5 minute sit down breaks on a bench or even on the grass somewhere. As parents, I think some of us get more excited than the kids (I've seen this at Disney and other places), and actually move at a faster pace than our children, forgetting that they do NOT have the same walking pace as an adult. It doesn't take long for the little legs to get tired, where a break is needed. The key is to try and keep at a decent pace that the kids can move at as well.

When we go to Six Flags or the fairs, or the zoo's around us, we bring a wagon and when the kids get tired they sit in the wagon (ages 5 and 7). We've been doing this for years. They usually don't use it until 3:00 0r 4:00 (on a long day), and they're in and out after a few minutes. I have quite a bit of stamina and can walk forever, and don't feel that my kids have to do the same at their age, so I don't mind the break in the wagon for 5 minutes or so. Obviously at Disney I won't be flying my wagon down with us, so we will either rent a stroller or decide that we really don't need it and be sure to take breaks often enough. I think that we will see how it all goes on the first day.

 

[WDW4ever]

It can be a long, hard day for anyone. I know there are times *I* would have killed for a stroller or a ride myself LOL

 

[wen8jr]

I have no problem with normal stroller usage and if I accidentally step in front of you and get whacked it's my own fault and I'll apologize. However, there is a very large contingent of stroller users who use them as weapons to shove their way through or simply are idiots. We were walking on Frontier land one morning, very close to the right side of the path. There was no one else there. No one. I actually have pictures of the very wide, totally empty path. A woman with a stroller came running up behind us and actually clipped my 80 year old mother with it, nearly knocking her down, even though she had at least 30 feet of empty space she could have taken. We barely got my mom steadied when her idiot husband comes running along and did the same thing! They paired up ahead of is how we knew they were together.

Those are the stroller users we all hate. Not people such as yourself just trying to get through the park like everyone else.

I agree totally.

I do not believe that people complaining on this board about strollers are complaining about those that use them in a considerate manner. They are recalling the people who use them to run over top of other people and take up the entire walkway. I've been mowed down by people like this with strollers, wheelchairs, etc. They just feel they have the "right of way" for some reason.

A lot of them leave their strollers parked in the way where people cannot walk through. That is inconsiderate. People should look around and say, do I have this out of the way and park it where it will be not be a nuisance. That is what I done when I had my DS in a stroller when he was little. Instead I think people use them to save spots, take up space, etc.

And I would not judge other's use of a stroller, but there probably are quite a few with kids that don't have to have one and they just use it for their convenience. Not that it is wrong. Just be considerate when using one, just as those without strollers need to also be considerate.

As I read on another post this morning; I think it all stems from rudeness, selfishness and the fact that people are only concerned with "me, myself and I" in the way they treat others. It's a shame.

 

[ParrotBill]

Nobody wants to judge people who have exception cases like the ones many of you described here.... but take a look around when you are there next time and you will see why this comes up so often.

There are far too many older children in strollers. Far too many to all be special cases. I think the reason is they just don't want to face tired kids later. So slow down, take more breaks, and keep the kids hydrated. Don't try to run at breakneck pace with small kids! Use the WDW Railroad to come back to the front of the MK, walk to the back of a park and work your way to the front so you have less distance to go when everyone is tired.

 

[katiemomoftwo]

Am I crazy to hope that we won't need a stroller? My kids are 5 and 2 (she'll be 2 weeks short of 3). We generally don't use a stroller anymore. They tend to fight over it and they like to walk. Usually it's more of a hassle than a help. Plus, I would be the one pushing it all the time- my husband is tall and has to stoop over to push our little umbrella stroller. I plan on going back to the hotel mid-day for a break. I guess if the 1st day doesn't go so well, we'll rent a stroller the next day. We probably won't get a double though- I have a problem renting one for $18!
Katie

 

[theduck619]

I could not agree with you more on everything. Here are some of my observations:

1) This will be my first trip to WDW with my 2 year old twins and we will be using strollers and back packs with handles for when they want to walk. When my wife and I have gone in the past we always respected those with strollers for the simple fact Disney was built on the dreams of a child who as a man was able to to make it a reality. Everyone has a right to the Magic!!

2) When did parents stop teaching Please, Excuse me and Thank You? It is not a waste of breath to speak these words. For the most part all of my Disney experiences have been wonderful. I like to go the extra mile and say these things more then required to make someone else feel appreciated.

3) Who in thier right mind wants to carry a 40+lb kisd around a huge park? Quit judging people on thier actions and worry about what you need to in your own life. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like butting into other peoples lives constantly.

4) Get out of the sidewalk/walkway if you are with a group. You are not the only ones in WDW and you are impeading other peoples time. It's a courtesy not an inconvenience.

Whew I feel better already!

 

[MisMikiNikiLynne]

Well said!
However, with that said, I would like to add my pet peeve: Grandma (who can hardly walk) pushing a wheelchair with 2 or 3 (way, older) children sitting in it!

 

[aksunshine]

We'll be using a double for my 5 yo and 16 mo. old. My DD can walk when she feels like it, but the option will be there for her. My child's comfort is important to me. Everyone is different!

 

[Eeyore2003]

This discussion does go on and on, but I think the bottom line is that everyone should be more understanding and less judgemental of everyone!!!
Who cares who is using a stroller, ECV or wheelchair!!!
But strollers will bump into people, people will bump into people, ECV and wheelchairs might bump into you, heck people ALWAYS bump into other people at Disney World.
Some people are hugely polite, some people are hugely rude. Most are in between. Many times I apoligize and before the person can hear me they are cruising down the walkway from me. (I'm usually the slow one, I'm relaxing on vacation!!! )

People will discuss stuff in the middle of walkways, this is not a street sidewalk or interstate. This is a HUGE number of people on vacation and most in a place that they don't know where to go next. So people will stop in front of you, discuss plans in the middle of the walk/street, will bump into you, will use many ways and means of keeping their children near, out of danger and from getting lost, will use ECV's and wheelchairs when they don't at home, (it's a BIG place and allot of walking for anyone with any kind of leg problems),
etc.

If you go at huge crowd times you have to realize that there will be more of this than low crowd times. Just a fact.

And as a big time people watcher, I've noticed that Disney seems to bring out the worst in people and families. I think for many it's such a "big time", "expensive", "looked forward to" vacation and expectations are so high that the pressure is "so" on to make it perfect. When it falls short, YIKES!!!

It would be nice if it ran like the Visa Check Card Commercial. Everyone would be perfectly in sync, but life really doesn't run that way, even at Disney World.

 

[aprile]

2. Maybe people who drive strollers wouldn't have to be so rude pushing their way through the crowds if other people wouldn't have family reunions in the walkways. If you are a trying to decide what to do next, where to eat, or where to go, why can't these people stand over to the side of the walk way and do this so others can get through?

I am not part of a family reunion when I'm at Disney, yet I have been runover and run into with no apology, not even a "watch out" so I can get out of the way. I agree large groups shouldn't gather in the middle of the walkway, but barrelling through them with a stroller usually means innocent bystanders also get nailed by you and your stroller.

I'm tired of parents thinking it's OK to use strollers as a battering ram. At least when strollers were small and manageable, no one used them as weapons. Now they are huge and heavy and used with no thought to who might get in the way.

I find this acknowledgement that you do this at least honest, since no one around here ever admits they are the bad guy in these stroller incidents, it's always the other people, posters here always have 100 reasons why they are in the right as far as strollers go.

 

[Gracie'sMom]

When we go to WDW in September, my DD4 (one month short of 5) will have a stroller. She is 42" and 38 pounds. We take a single jog stroller when we go to places such as the zoo or theme parks. We do not use it for the Mall, etc. She is perfectly able to walk and will do so to her tolerance, BUT being a preschooler she's also liable to have a melt down when she tires out and wants to be held for a bit. Yes, the stroller takes up a little space on a walkway but a child having a tantrum would take up so much more and I can't hold her for long as I have had back surgery, knee surgery and a degree of arthritis to go along with it. So those of you who judge others may want to consider the parent in your equation.

I am a super curteous stroller driver and am always on the lookout for those around me. I do not remember having clipped an ankle as a result (knoock wood). I also say "Excuse me, please, thank you AND I'm sorry" when needed. I am raising my daughter to use these words as well.....

My first husband was a wheelchair user (muscular dystrophy) and I can't begin to tell you the rudenss of others. We would have "front row" seats for a parade or fireworks and people would always lean over in front of him blocking his view to get their own view. People would also literally step over his feet getting themselves clipped in the process then have the gall to give us the evil eye (me being me though...I apologized). I can also tell you stories of great generosity such as the time when we went to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and I was trying to push him up a rather large incline to get to the baseball stadium. A staffer seeing our plight came up asking if he could take over for me and helped us to the top of the hill where another staffer handed us bottled water!

I firmly believe that if people would spend more time working on their own happiness/pleasure and quite worrying about what others are doing we would all have a better time of it. Granted rude and inconsiderate people on both sides of the stroller need to be be called on their behavior but I will probably be apolgizing for someone elses rudeness as that is just me....

 

[Nom]

This discussion does go on and on, but I think the bottom line is that everyone should be more understanding and less judgemental of everyone!!!

ITA. My dd is 2, but looks about 4. She is almost 40 in tall. We will be using a stroller when we go in Oct, and I am sure I will get some looks because she looks like a 4 or 5 year old. People need to stop being so judgemental- they don't know how old she is!

It's like people who say 'Oh, look at all those able-bodied, normal people in wheelchairs or electric carts'. You don't know- the people may look 'normal' to you, but may still have a condition. Don't judge... you don't know their situation. Try to not judge others, concentrate on your own families and friends, and just have fun... you won't get worked up, and you'll have a better trip in the long run!

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

Am I crazy to hope that we won't need a stroller? My kids are 5 and 2 (she'll be 2 weeks short of 3). We generally don't use a stroller anymore. They tend to fight over it and they like to walk. Usually it's more of a hassle than a help. Plus, I would be the one pushing it all the time- my husband is tall and has to stoop over to push our little umbrella stroller. I plan on going back to the hotel mid-day for a break. I guess if the 1st day doesn't go so well, we'll rent a stroller the next day. We probably won't get a double though- I have a problem renting one for $18!
Katie

My kids are this age as well....We are bringing an umbrella stroller. My (just turned) three year old can use it when she wants, but most of the time it will probably carry our stuff. But at her age, I don't want to take the risk of having to carry her and/or listen to her complain that she wants to be carried. And if my 5 year old wants to plo down in it now and then, more power to him! But I would not pay to rent a stroller for kids the age of mine.

 

[icarus]

Use the WDW Railroad to come back to the front of the MK, walk to the back of a park and work your way to the front so you have less distance to go when everyone is tired.

This all sounds like a simple solution until fastpass is involved, where you have to go back and forth to get to rides.

But, you definitely have a logical approach to what could be a maddening day of craziness.

 

[kaysmommie]

I agree with you OP. My kids are 3 and 6 and I will be renting a double stroller so when DD gets tired she can sit with DS. Disney is alot of walking especially Epcot and small kids get tired. If anyone is judging you then they need to get a life. Kids get very tired at Disney walking around in the heat all day. I wish everyone would just be more considerate of others too. I often post about issues where people just have no manners. At least some of us do though .

 

[lori123]

I think it is a personal decision as to whether you want to use a stroller or not. I won't look at you and pass judgement if you are using one. I do worry about kids these days though - childhood obesitiy is a huge problem (I know strollers are not the lone/biggest cause of this). That said - our PERSONAL decision is - our 7 year old twins will be walking this time in WDW. We used to bring one umbrella stroller and let the kids switch off riding. I do see my kids running and playing at the park ALL DAY so I'm sure with little breaks, and no speed walking - they will do just fine. I'll let you know!

Oh - I wanted to add - if you are comfortable with your decision to use one - you shouldn't feel the need to justify yourself on a message board. Just grab your stroller and enjoy the parks! I often wonder if people who so strongly try to justify their resoning with why they do something have some doubts in their mind if they should. I don't know if that made any sense - LOL!

 

[ChrisFL]

Nobody wants to judge people who have exception cases like the ones many of you described here.... but take a look around when you are there next time and you will see why this comes up so often.

There are far too many older children in strollers. Far too many to all be special cases. I think the reason is they just don't want to face tired kids later. So slow down, take more breaks, and keep the kids hydrated. Don't try to run at breakneck pace with small kids! Use the WDW Railroad to come back to the front of the MK, walk to the back of a park and work your way to the front so you have less distance to go when everyone is tired.

AGREE 100%!!! So much in fact, Ive had to rename MK to "Stroller Encounter"

 

[ChrisFL]

I just have a couple questions...

When did kids change and why or how? It must be a scientific fact and should be studied. How is it that kids 10, 20 or more years ago children by 5 were perfectly capable of WALKING all day? No one carried these kids and they did fine. And don't say Disney wasn't so big, EPCOT has been around a loooong time and kids weren't in strollers then, same thing with airports.

Why is it any different or less tiring to play in 3 soccer games or 3 baseball games a day for a tournament, or dance all day in a competition and these kids manage that OK.

Yes having an excess amount of strollers does bother everyone. They take up a lot of room, slow things down on the busses and trams, take up room on the transportation, clog pathways, etc. And the size of these things can we say SUV-what ever happened to the nice umbrella strollers? Oh I know they can't hold elementary size kids.

I don't understand why the adults want to tire themselves out more pushing a kid who is perfectly capable of walking, yes there are a few,very few, who have a real medical need but not most. I have taken 3 different kids to Disney over the last 20 yrs and none of them used a stroller after 3 and all did fine and I bet very few stay as long at a park as we do. Disney was much nicer without all the strollers clogging everything. I was at an airshow yesterday and we walked about 6-7 miles and you know what almost all the kids were walking! I saw very few strollers and only for toddlers, cause it is hard to push on the field, and I saw no meltdowns, no kids dropping from walking or whatever else is supposed to happen to them, and it was hot and there is no shade on an airfield. Wonder why they can walk there but not at Disney?

I agree with all of this as well, something changed in the past several years, kids weren't always that lazy

 

[mrzrich]

Nobody wants to judge people who have exception cases like the ones many of you described here.... but take a look around when you are there next time and you will see why this comes up so often.

There are far too many older children in strollers. Far too many to all be special cases.

I know that most people don't know this, but there is an epidemic in this country 1 in 150 children are on the Autistic Spectrum. Think about how many kids are at WDW on a given day and how many you see that are still in strollers when you think they shouldn't be. Probably not more than 1 in 150.

Its really bad and unless you are touched by it personally, most people have no idea.

don't know if its the food supply or the vaccines, or global warmng, but yes something has changed in the last 20 years.

 

[blondemom]

I don't bat an eye if I see an older child in a stroller. It does not make a difference to me. I know how hot and exhausting the trip can be. I know that some people have more time to spend in the parks than others. I do not judge people on their actions. However, and I don't know how true it is, a cast member told me that they were planning on putting an attraction near Small World (where the Skyride was), but they had to change plans since they've run into "a stroller parking problem." He said that in the past few years, the amount of strollers has quadrupled. Since I go about every two years, I can certainly agree. It does seem to get worse, but usually only at Magic Kingdom. I agree that there are some very aggressive stroller drivers, and I have been the victim of many a hit and run. I've been bumped aside by someone whose excuse was "Well, I have a stroller." Okay, so that gives them the right to plow me down? I went in June and used a stroller occasionally for my 4 year old. We did take mid-day breaks, but WDW is truly a tiring trip. I read another post about strollers contributing to childhood obesity. This is not the case with my children as they are both barely hitting the 40th percentile in weight. They exercise regularly and eat right. If my child would like to rest in the stroller for a while, so be it. I pride myself in being a very good driver. I do not go against traffic and will often pull to the side to let other, faster walkers get past me.

And between you and me, if I could have a 10-minute stroller break, I'd take it. It does get very tiring standing all day!

To stroller or not - personal choice - but you're at Disney! You're luckier than most people who are home wishing they were!