Strollers....

[irish_trip_mom]

We are going back in September....our triplets will be 8. Our last trip (when they were 6) we had a double, and used it mainly for our son who has autism. Now, our kids are small, weighing between 47-53lbs each. They never ride in a stroller at home, but especially for our son, I am considering at least a single (or a double for him and the bags). When he gets tired, he wants us to carry him, and while he may not weigh alot, it's too much! So, will we get dirty looks if we do have a stroller for him? I'd consider a wheelchair, but honestly for his size, the maneuverability is better for a stroller.

Thoughts?

 

[Leajess99]

Honestly, I would not worry about the looks if you get any. I would probably recommend the stroller as a wheelchair GAC thing just in case he needs it in lines. I would let him be as comfortable as possible and a stroller is a good place to hide out if he needs it. With his size a wheelchair would probably not be very comfortable for him. Also if he is not using it one of the other kids may want a ride as well.

I hope you all have fun on your trip.

ETA: Your little ones are the same size or slightly smaller than my 6 year old so I doubt many people would even realize the age.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, will we get dirty looks if we do have a stroller for him? I'd consider a wheelchair, but honestly for his size, the maneuverability is better for a stroller.

Ignore them, if there are any. It's not their business.

 

[Andyjo0930]

My son was almost 7 on our last visit. He is a big 7 year old (his father is 6'7"). He is also autistic and doesn't do well waiting, especially when he has to stand. The first time we took him, he was still in a stroller and we brought our double one from home. It was such a pain with the buses and everything, that when we brought him when he was 5, we though wow, no stroller. He was miserable and tired and always complaining. Last year I decided I didn't care how big he was, he needed a stroller. We rented one every day for him and it was worth it. He was a little cramped in the single one but he didn't mind it at all. I did get a few looks but believe me, it was better than having his feet explode. That's what he yells when he stands for too long... that his feet will explode and then he counts down from 10... makes a big explosion sound and then falls down because he has no feet.

 

[Schmeck]

If you want a stroller to use outside of the parks, how about renting one from one of the offsite companies in the stickies at the top of this forum? The larger, medical strollers might be more comfortable for your son, although it sounds like he'd still fit in the Disney ones. With an offsite rented one, you could use it to and from the buses or whatever transportation you use to get back to your resort.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

Thanks for the input! You know, he's good walking, but we do have to still hold his hand or guide him to keep him with us. And in his mind, he's still three....when he gets tired,wants us to carry him, and even if he's 50lbs, he's long and skinny! (An inch per pound...50 inches too! He asks me for piggy backs to bed every night, and he's not that much shorter than me now!) But we do stay at the Poly to keep his travel time down and just in case we do need to make a quick escape. So far, so good. That's the thing, he LOVES going to Disney. And he has such high energy that we move at a pretty good pace all day, but it's nice to have that stroller when he hits his wall.

 

[teachallday]

Having a 3 year old with 8 years of experience is never easy.

My 3 year old with 7 years experience is very draining at times, especially when she decides in the middle of something she isn't going any farther. At 53 pounds it is difficult to just pick her up and carry her. For our trip to DisneyWorld the beginning of August, we are renting a Special Needs stroller from Orlando Stroller Rentals.
http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com

I wish you luck with your trip and the decisions you have to make to make the trip the most magical for all three of your kids.