Talk to me about STROLLERS!

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm not saying that there's not going to be differing opinion, just that if those who post here are conscious of it, we can keep it to a minimum. I think any regular reader of these boards knows there are people who use strollers for larger kids, whether or not they're in the right or wrong is always going to be up for debate but like I said, I think the last thing these boards need is another thread that does debate it.

So let's agree to disagree and figure that they're are some truths to strollers at Disney

-They are available for rent to anyone who has the money
-You will see small, medium, and large children in them.
-They may or may not be handicapped/mentally challenged/developmentally disabled
-They may or may not be a lazy kid
-You may or may not agree with said kid using a stroller
-You SHOULD keep your opinion to yourself, because it's just that, an opinion (in other words if you're one of those people that would approach someone and offer your opinion to them as fact in a "I can't believe you're letting your kid sit in a STROLLER!! How disgusting!!" You are not my friend, and if you do it to me, I will shut you down so thoroughly you will be sitting in the corner crying for your mommy)

So I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I agree with you, Blackbeltdisneygirl, this subject does create some heated discussion back and forth. As a parent of a 25 and 20 year old, I am far removed from those days and my kids didn't go to Disney when they were very young, so I have no real personal experience with this as a stoller driver in the Parks.

However, I people watch, and I would have to conclude there is no one size fits all answer to this question. Bringing a stroller from home, wrestling with it on a plane and on buses looks like a hassle. But, renting one of the hard plastic ones at Disney look like they are equally a hassle in some ways too. I have heard frusted moms complain about the rented ones, and some of the "bigger" kids in them complain about a lack of comfort - they are crammed in there with legs hanging out the front sometimes. Overheard in Animal Kingdom this past May, "Its hard and hot in there Mom, I don't wanna get in" - "I paid for this thing, get in!".....Having said that, they can't be much more uncomfortable than being a child over 4 feet tall and being jammed into an tiny umbrella stroller. If it were my child, knowing how they are, and assuming its a must to have one, I would look into bringing my own. But hey, its nice to have all these options, huh?

As far as the stroller face chewing debate, I think its like with most things. The majority of folks are considerate when using them, but its that 10% who are not that stick in other's minds and bring the negative attention. I have no problem with a six or seven year old in one, or a twelve year old if he/she would have a hard time walking due to an injury or disablity. In fact, I really don't even care about that - its not my business. The irritant for me is the drivers who don't take a second to glance around before making a sudden turn and run into or over me. Without an attentive driver, they can become a battering ram. Folks are excited and get caught up in the moment, so it happens. And if it happens, and that person looks at me and says "oops", its all okay. Like I said, most people are responsible with them and a lot of us older people remember what it was like. I hope the ones with bad attitudes and dirty looks don't bum you out, cause they are likely in the minority as well. Enjoy your next trip.

It's good that u are still reading about these kinds of things bc one day your kids will have babies and need some advice on strollers at WDW. I have honestly never had someone say anything to me in person, thank the Lord for giving them brains! I have only seen it on the boards and been shocked. Anyway, hopefully noone is ever unlucky enough to say anything to me OR ram me on purpose. Mama won't like that! I have been mowed down by a big, mean lady at the airport though. I was like: "WOMAN. Don't you dare be messin' with my family on our way to Disney!" Haha, j/k, but I was mad and said some words for sure. Don't worry, no non-disney words were said!

We will rent a stroller for our 11 year old DD who has Downs Syndrome. She will walk some so the stroller will at times just hold our stuff. But when she gets tired or decides to hold a "sit in," well, she'll have a comfy spot, and with the stroller her limited stamina won't get wasted on the walking - she'll have energy for the rides, and I will get to actually enjoy my vacation instead of carrying or dragging or otherwise trying to leverage her to keep moving. Two years ago we had to rent two strollers - her older sister got Mono three weeks before our trip (that was already paid for). Fortunately it was not too severe, but she still didn't have the stamina for all the walking (doctor said okay to go but take it easy). Boy did we get some disdainful looks - no, we didn't run into or over anybody nor were we otherwise rude or pushy with her stroller - folks just thought older DD must be horribly lazy.

I am amazed people have the nerve to even look at u in a judgemental way. I have had mono, and if I could've had someone push me in a stroller to my college classes, believe me, I would've. It's tough.

I'm not saying that there's not going to be differing opinion, just that if those who post here are conscious of it, we can keep it to a minimum. I think any regular reader of these boards knows there are people who use strollers for larger kids, whether or not they're in the right or wrong is always going to be up for debate but like I said, I think the last thing these boards need is another thread that does debate it.

So let's agree to disagree and figure that they're are some truths to strollers at Disney

-They are available for rent to anyone who has the money
-You will see small, medium, and large children in them.
-They may or may not be handicapped/mentally challenged/developmentally disabled
-They may or may not be a lazy kid
-You may or may not agree with said kid using a stroller
-You SHOULD keep your opinion to yourself, because it's just that, an opinion (in other words if you're one of those people that would approach someone and offer your opinion to them as fact in a "I can't believe you're letting your kid sit in a STROLLER!! How disgusting!!" You are not my friend, and if you do it to me, I will shut you down so thoroughly you will be sitting in the corner crying for your mommy)

So I'll get off my soapbox now.

Hahahahahahahaha! If anyone could make someone cry in a corner, I think it would be u! No offense intended, it's just that u have a way with words! Glad I am not that person! I try to leave all judgements behind whilst at Disney. You see all types of people there! Disney is exactly like I think Walt intended it to be...loaded with strollers b/c it is loaded with families! Boy what I wouldn't give to see you tell someone off! Goodtimes.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

It funnier if you knew that I'm barely 5'3" and a generally happy looking person with a loud laugh...which is why people never believe me when I say I'm the last person you want to be mad at you. And you're not the first person to tell me that I have a way with words.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

It funnier if you knew that I'm barely 5'3" and a generally happy looking person with a loud laugh...which is why people never believe me when I say I'm the last person you want to be mad at you. And you're not the first person to tell me that I have a way with words.

Haha! I could probably see the top of your head! I don't know what it is about me, but people don't usually mess with me. I don't think I'm intimidating or anything. Maybe it's the harried "I have 5 kids, so don't you even THINK about messing with me!" look I feel like is perpetually on my face! I think we are alike in the way we speak, but I am so afraid of getting my face chewed on the boards that I curb it. I often type something and then delete it to put something less "me" b/c I don't want to deal with people bashing me. I got pretty beat up for something I didn't even say last year on the boards (it was another touchy subject-tipping!). Now I am fearful. I am much more to the point in person. I am prettty good at reading people (my husband says I should've been a psychologist), and I could tell from your signature alone that your personality is similar to mine. Glad we can all be sweet to each other even with differing opinions!

 

[kwdw]

From my point of view, I would rent a Disney stroller rather than bring one, especially for an older child. They can hop in and out of the Disney strollers so much easier, I think. My kids loved that aspect of using those strollers.

I second this for an older kid. You aren't going to need the stroller THAT much in comparison to a younger child. On short days - or trips to a water park or DTD - you won't want one.

For those long days in the park you expect - rent one in the morning so you have one - and for shorter adventures, you likely won't need one. Plus - they are really easy to get in and out of - probably important for an older kid used to their freedom.

I would also suggest some purposeful extra walking in advance - try a hiking trail close to home so it's fun, plan a silly scavenger hunt in the mall, etc.

And plan your days well. Trust me - I've spent full days in the park with MILES of walking, and full days in the park that we circled through the park once - which in terms of walking isn't that bad. Days get tiring fast if you are crisscrossing the park, waiting in long lines, dying of heat (cold, rain, hunger), eating crap, or not taking a break.

OH - and GET ENOUGH SLEEP. There's nothing sadder than watching a youngster fall asleep on the bus on the way to the park in the morning. You just KNOW that family is going to have a rough day......

 

[LockShockBarrel]

The only time I ever backtrack in a park is if I decide "screw trying to be healthy, I want that cupcake!"

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

The only time I ever backtrack in a park is if I decide "screw trying to be healthy, I want that cupcake!"

I learned the hard way about backtracking! I was at my parents' mercy on the first trip we went on. That was "pre-Disboards". They didn't know you could get fastpasses every two hours, and sometimes less. They also didn't know that for the most part they will let you on the ride after it technically expires. They were dragging us all over the parks. I sat down and cried the second day b/c I have terrible feet injuries and I was in excruciating pain! I say I was at their mercy b/c they paid for all 5 kids, and I felt like it was their trip. Since I didn't want to miss my kids' reactions I ran along behind them as they crossed and recrossed parks to get to ADR's and to use fastpasses. I wanted to die, but I loved it. That's when I decided there had to be a better way. Thus, my joining the Disboards. Our next trip was fabulous, organized, and MUCH easier on my feet! I will never, ever backtrack again! Every year we work out more kinks.

 

[GirlOutlaw]

For night time we use battery powered led lights..it looks cool and everyone comments on how neat they are. During the day, a neon colored ribbon would work well.

This is a great idea! I will have to look for some battery lights when christmas lights come out!

We took the stroller on our last trip (DD was almost 5) most the time it is a "catch all" but when we need it , its there. We are on a 4 hour time difference with Disney World and it really kicks my DD's little butt.

We bring our own stroller and mark with with a laminated card with a First name and cell phone# in case it gets lost/found. We also put a large "ALASKA GROWN" pin on the sun visor so it can be spotted at a distance.

 

[klm7926]

Just wanted to say that when we went in May for our first trip with our 4 and 6 year old VERY active boys we rented a double from magicstrollers.com and it was FANTASTIC! Delivered/picked up to/from our off site resort, clean, free cup holder and rain cover and easy to push. We rarely had a hard time finding it (we didn't do anything special with it). The only time we had to search for a minute or two was when the CMs moved them around.

Still debating if we are going to rent it again when we go in March (they will be 5 and 7). It saved us from leaving the parks each day for them to take a nap since the stroller laid all the way down and they both slept in it comfortably. We just found a quite alley or corner in the shade and they were good to go! I certainly don't want to carry a sleeping child (even if it was just to the bus to get back to our resort). Also our 7 year old has ADD (yes he really does...it's not just a blanket diagnosis) and has a very hard time keeping up with us as he is easily distracted.

BTW, I could personally care less if I see a child of any age being pushed in a stroller...to each their own! Disney can wipe out the most active person in the world!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just had to come and tell you guy that my friend decided to take her own stroller "even though my daughter's feet drag a little bit out of it". Oh well...can't win them all.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

BTW, I could personally care less if I see a child of any age being pushed in a stroller...to each their own! Disney can wipe out the most active person in the world!

I know!!! Anyone want to volunteer to push me around in October????

Just had to come and tell you guy that my friend decided to take her own stroller "even though my daughter's feet drag a little bit out of it". Oh well...can't win them all.

Oh well, you tried!!!!