STROLLERS?

[jltdone]

At what age do people stop bringing strollers for there kids. I know every kid is different but what was your experinces with the strollers at different ages. We brought it 2 years ago when our son just turned 5 and I AM SO GLAD I brought it. Next trip he would just of turned 8. He is tall but skinny not a lot of weight behind him yet he is 7 now. I was thinking to bring it just in case and more so for the evenings.
Any help would be great thanks.

 

[sponica]

At what age do people stop bringing strollers for there kids. I know every kid is different but what was your experinces with the strollers at different ages. We brought it 2 years ago when our son just turned 5 and I AM SO GLAD I brought it. Next trip he would just of turned 8. He is tall but skinny not a lot of weight behind him yet he is 7 now. I was thinking to bring it just in case and more so for the evenings.
Any help would be great thanks.

I think it's one of those personal choices, I don't even think my parents still OWNED strollers when we were that age. They were very much "you have legs, use them" parents. I just don't see an 8 year old WANTING to be in a stroller, but I could be wrong. (If you do bring one, DON'T take a picture of him in it. Think of all the teasing from his friends).

 

[china mom]

I think I was 51 when I stopped bringing a stroller for my kid.

 

[Realfoodfans]

Definitely personal choice. Used one when grandchildren were 3/4. Small, very slim grandson just 8 this time coped really well walking (and he is on the autism spectrum so walks twice as far we do). Planned plenty of sit downs, longer rides, hopped on the train at MK more than usual. He did not want to sit in his sister's stroller!

 

[BriLovesDisney]

I think I was 5 when my parents stopped using strollers at Disney.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Debating on a stroller for my 5 yo son. He did fine at 6 Flags without one but that was only one day.

If we do take it, his 9 yo sister who has run-walked a 3k will absolutely be lobbying to sit in it when he is not. I guess she figures no one she knows is going to see her.

 

[srwarden1928]

We recently had a trip that included my 2.5 yo great nephew. We hated the inconvenience of the stroller so much we actually left all strollers in the room one day. My niece said she can't wait until we don't need a stroller at all for him. So while I can't tell you just what age we will dump the stroller, I can tell you it will be ASAP. Yes strollers are very helpful in getting little children around, but it is such a pain having to park the stroller, get the child out, go back after the stroller, put the child back in, we all look forward to NOT having to do it.

 

[Wubar]

Taking my 4 year old son (will be 5 in May) to WDW in January. My wife and I entertained the thought of a stroller for about 5 minutes, some back and forth about whether to bring one, buy one, rent one (from Disney or outside company), or not bring one at all. We decided quickly not to bring it, since it is a hassle getting it everywhere. If DS is absolutely dying at the end of the day, we'll think about renting one for the last few days of the trip. Otherwise, hopefully his normal high energy and stamina will carry on for the entire trip!

 

[a742246]

To be honest a 8 year old may not want to be in a stroller. You may want to ask your child, before you go any further!

 

[TulipMom]

Congratulations on asking one of the most controversial topics on the dis boards. LOL For some reason people have VERY strong opinions about this. My favorite responses are from people who don't have kids or haven't taken a child to the park since before the new millennium. And before someone takes that personally - I haven't read any of the responses above.

Do whatever works best for you. Everyone has different kids, different ways of touring parks, different lengths of trips, etc. No 2 families trips are alike. We just returned last week from WDW with our 5 & 7 year olds. We had 6 park days of being there at rope drop and were in the parks for an average of 8-10 hours a day (after subtracting out of park breaks). We averaged around 6 miles of walking per day. My 5 yo definitely needed a stroller. She walked for 2-3 hours at times some days, but there were others times when she really needed a stroller. My 7yo did not need a stroller. He's a fit kid who doesn't complain, and only got tired on our very last night. He could have easily ridden in DD(5)'s stroller at any point and he just didn't want to or need to.

But, you know your kid and touring style best. Do what's best for you. You can always rent a stroller after you get there, if you find you need one. Can rent from WDW or get a last minute rental from one of the local companies.

 

[MudQueen22]

On our last trip, we brought our City Elite stroller (weight capacity 70 lbs) and the Ergo carrier. Our kids were age 23 mos and age 7. The 7 year old was 5 when we went prior, and we used an umbrella stroller to basically keep her from wandering off.
The plan was for the toddler to ride in the stroller some and in the Ergo carrier some, and let the 7-year-old have the stroller for breaks or if she started wandering.
As it turned out, she only wanted to sit in it a few times, but had matured enough to stay with us. The toddler didn't want to be in the carrier, and rode in the stroller much of the time. Sometimes, he walked with us, although it would have been way too much for him to do all the time.

I think next time we go, we will just bring the umbrella stroller for the younger one unless he gets too heavy for it. He will be 4 and she will be 9 on our next planned trip.

It's a very personal choice; every family is different. Honestly, every child is different.

 

[jltdone]

Taking my 4 year old son (will be 5 in May) to WDW in January. My wife and I entertained the thought of a stroller for about 5 minutes, some back and forth about whether to bring one, buy one, rent one (from Disney or outside company), or not bring one at all. We decided quickly not to bring it, since it is a hassle getting it everywhere. If DS is absolutely dying at the end of the day, we'll think about renting one for the last few days of the trip. Otherwise, hopefully his normal high energy and stamina will carry on for the entire trip!

I know each there own, but the last time we went was 2015 same thing as you my son was 4 and turned 5 while we were there in june. we threw it around ourselves my wife and I and so did the in laws since they came. I wanted to bring it and everyone thought I was crazy. In the end we brought it a umbrella stroller and let me tell you it was the best thing we did. We had a small cooler packed in the bottom of it with water and gatorade. Had his autograph book in it. LOVED IT. he walked a little bit but most of the time it was nice to have sit and we pushed it. I didnt really think it was a huge pain at all. To each there own I get that. There will be 2 children coming with us this time my son will be 8 and the other child will have just turned 7. So that was my thought is that is he too old, or maybe I could bring and save it for the afternoon parts of the trip ( we do like to breaks during the day). Still not sure maybe it will be a game time decision.

 

[jltdone]

Congratulations on asking one of the most controversial topics on the dis boards. LOL For some reason people have VERY strong opinions about this. My favorite responses are from people who don't have kids or haven't taken a child to the park since before the new millennium. And before someone takes that personally - I haven't read any of the responses above.

Do whatever works best for you. Everyone has different kids, different ways of touring parks, different lengths of trips, etc. No 2 families trips are alike. We just returned last week from WDW with our 5 & 7 year olds. We had 6 park days of being there at rope drop and were in the parks for an average of 8-10 hours a day (after subtracting out of park breaks). We averaged around 6 miles of walking per day. My 5 yo definitely needed a stroller. She walked for 2-3 hours at times some days, but there were others times when she really needed a stroller. My 7yo did not need a stroller. He's a fit kid who doesn't complain, and only got tired on our very last night. He could have easily ridden in DD(5)'s stroller at any point and he just didn't want to or need to.

But, you know your kid and touring style best. Do what's best for you. You can always rent a stroller after you get there, if you find you need one. Can rent from WDW or get a last minute rental from one of the local companies.

Im glad i could ask the most controversial topic going... HA HA..... Im not worried about the 1st day or the 2nd its the 3rd 4th and 5th day. My son and I did cedar point this year which is a pretty big amusement park he did fine but at the end of the day he was drained. DISNEY is a lot of walking for the average adult that does not do the gym and things, kids with smaller steps it is even more so for them. The umbrella stroller holds 60 pounds which my son is at 55 pounds now. even if he gets to be 62 pounds i dont think it is going to break. Your right every family is different, we also took breaks our last time we went and then went back at night. Im maybe thinking of bringing cause it packs very easy and rolls very nice ( it is a lite but heavy duty good stroller not a cheap thing) and just using it in the evenings. I LOVED it for the fact that we had a small cooler bag in the bottom of it with water and gatorade in it, we also kept the autograph book in it. It might be a game time decision but probably will be on the trip with us. Nothing like having a tired child that needs to take a break every 5 mins. Here you go sit down and rest and i will push you there is a lot better then come on lets go hurry up lets go walk you can do it its only 3 more miles.

 

[KrazeeK120]

We recently had a trip that included my 2.5 yo great nephew. We hated the inconvenience of the stroller so much we actually left all strollers in the room one day. My niece said she can't wait until we don't need a stroller at all for him. So while I can't tell you just what age we will dump the stroller, I can tell you it will be ASAP. Yes strollers are very helpful in getting little children around, but it is such a pain having to park the stroller, get the child out, go back after the stroller, put the child back in, we all look forward to NOT having to do it.

Interesting perspective. I loved having the stroller for my toddler and really didn’t find it to be an inconvenience at all. He’s 2 now, and I can’t imagine trying to get him to walk through the park. First, he’s really slow (or should I say observant...he has to stop and look at everything) and second, that’s just a lot of ground for a 2 year old’s legs in my opinion. I know some people use carriers, but having to get the kid on and off my back for every ride and hauling 31 lbs of squirmy toddler around is way more inconvenient than a stroller in my opinion.

I anticipate we will continue to use the stroller until he’s 4 and then evaluate when he turns 5. I think most healthy 7 year olds could handle walking the parks as long as the family isn’t going too fast. I also think many 7 year olds wouldn’t want to ride in a stroller.

 

[srwarden1928]

I know some people use carriers,

That is what she did all day the day we didn't use a stroller, and sometimes on the other days as well. She wore him on the front, not back, and was actually able to leave him there for some of the rides.

 

[KrazeeK120]

That is what she did all day the day we didn't use a stroller, and sometimes on the other days as well. She wore him on the front, not back, and was actually able to leave him there for some of the rides.

Ah, I see. After my son hit about 27 lbs, it hurt my back to carry him on the front for very long. And he would never want to sit that way on a ride. He wanted to sit next to me so he could see everything.

 

[Meeko5]

We rented a double stroller from an offsite company for our past 2 trips - my kids were 1/6 and 2/7 for those trips and we were SO GLAD to have a space for them to sit and relax while we trekked from place to place. My oldest is a slowpoke and a wanderer and it was nice for us not to worry about losing him or having to go at his glacial pace. We generally park it at the entrance of each land and leave it until we move to the next.

We are going again this year and rented a single. the 3yo will definitely need it, and I know the 8 year old will be happy to sit in it and be pushed around when his brother isn't in it. And I'll happily let him, since walking all day for a week makes ME want to sit and be pushed too.

 

[Fosteringaprincess]

My kiddos have all been different. my 2nd child stopped using it at 7 when we had baby number 4 there. She was 12 weeks old and whenever she was in the carrier my 7 year old would take a break in the stroller. It was tough for her, but she did it with little complaining. But we are in the parks 8 to 12 hrs a day...no breaks 6 days ( we take one day off in the middle for swimming and Disney springs). The next year my daughter was 8 and didn't use a stroller at all. Now fast forward 2 years and at 10 I caught her in the same stroller a couple of times to text....of course I kicked her out...haha but she wasn't embarrassed at all as I took her picture to show her friends!
My 3rd child is 7 now and he still rode in the stroller most of the time. He doesn't have the stamina like the other, and on day 3 he got very sick and had little energy the rest of the week.
Child 4 is 3 years old and walked alot! And rode a lot...but I bet by 5 or so she won't use hers.... But this girl is busy and rarely naps at this point and happy! The last night she got really sick and so thankful for the stroller! I am unlike a lot of people on here....I will be so sad when we no longer have a stroller. We really have no issues and don't feel like they slow us down at all. If anything they let us get places a lot faster!

 

[KbEgbs]

This is one of those issues that totally depends on the situation. When I went with my 5 year-old daughter, the stroller was a life-saver. She's 7 now and we'll be going again next month and am planning on renting a stroller again. I have no idea if she'll actually use it, but I'd much rather have it and not need it than not have it and wish I did. I don't want to risk having a child whining about how much her legs/feet hurt and wanting a piggy back ride the whole time. Also, when she's in the stroller I know exactly where she is and don't have to worry about her getting distracted and wondering off!!

 

[buzznina]

If possible take it with you on your trip and play it by ear, start without it and see how it goes. We LOVED having a stroller for our stuff and if we needed to get across a park a bit quicker I would tell the youngest to hop in and we made so much better time. Plus, at the end of the day I much rather push a stroller then carry a 60 lb child because their to tired. I feel sorry for a lot of kids at WDW, seeing them lagging behind and the parents telling them to hurry up. After reading 100's of stroller posts, I noticed that a lot of posts really has nothing to do with the child but more with the parents not wanting to deal with a stroller.