this may be crazy, but...

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Oh please.

It's not like she pointed and laughed at the kids. They have no idea she said anything.

You're nuts if you don't think people will not notice a big kid in a stroller.

As long as you're doing what you feel works best for your family, why do you care with others think.

Hey, it’s your vacation. If you want to push a 12 year old around in a stroller, knock yourself out.

Just don’t be surprised (or care) if some people think it’s crazy.

Uh, what I think is nuts is your extremely rude and sarcastic remarks. Not just in this post but in your previous ones as well. I also don't see where anyone posted about "pushing a 12 year old" in a stroller. Again, a very nasty remark that is totally uncalled for.

 

[leighe]

I don't care what anybody else chooses to do on their vacation but I know that if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

I don't care what anybody else chooses to do on their vacation but I know that if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

I agree with this. I don't put much thought into who does/doesn't use a stroller at WDW. For me personally, I wouldn't let my 8 and older children whine and complain to the point that it interferes with the rest of the families vacation. If they are that tired, we would take a break, either in the parks or go back to the resort.


Rachel

 

[MomAndrea]

We are going at the end of August and we have been going back on forth on the issue of a stroller for our son who will be 5.5 at the time of our trip. We are already taking an umbrella stroller for our 3.5 year old daughter.

For now I think we have decided to forego the stroller for the 5 year old and if he becomes very tired we will take that as a cue to take a break, get a drink, find some shade, etc.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

... if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

Well said.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Uh, what I think is nuts is your extremely rude and sarcastic remarks. Not just in this post but in your previous ones as well. I also don't see where anyone posted about "pushing a 12 year old" in a stroller. Again, a very nasty remark that is totally uncalled for.

And your post about my niece wasn't rude??

If you don't like my post, then don't read them.

Why do you care what I think? YOU DO NOT KNOW ME. I'm just a stranger on a message board.

By the same token, you shouldn't care what a bunch of strangers in the parks think. If using a stroller works for you, then do it.

I don't care what anybody else chooses to do on their vacation but I know that if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

 

[badblackpug]

I agree with this. I don't put much thought into who does/doesn't use a stroller at WDW. For me personally, I wouldn't let my 8 and older children whine and complain to the point that it interferes with the rest of the families vacation. If they are that tired, we would take a break, either in the parks or go back to the resort.


Rachel

Absolutely! ..and let's face it, pushing an older child around in a stroller is unusual. You don't see elementary school children in strollers in the mall or the grocery store, so yes, some people, particularly those who are not used to this WDW "phenomenon" are going to look when they see a child of a certain age in a stroller. ...and my kids questioned it too. The direct quote was "look, mom, that kid is bigger than me and he is riding in a baby stroller." They did not point or laugh or make fun, but they did notice. My reply was the same as a previous poster's daughters "don't get any ideas!"

 

[estherhead]

Some children with autism or asperger's syndrome need strollers & could come off as whiney or complaining or down right bratty to others who don't know they are disabled. You can't always tell. My nephew was 9 last year & got a terrible tummyache in Epcot. My sister had rented a double stroller for her younger kids & made them walk on the way to the front so the 9 yr old could ride. Certainly a person could have judged letting a 3 yr old walk and a 9 yr old ride at 2 pm in the afternoon. But that person would have been judging without all the info.

This is a private decision, based on each family's individual needs. There are, however, lots of good ideas & lots of good advice interspersed in here. Don't worry that you will face judgement at Disney. I've only ever had people be empathetic and loving. If someone wasn't nice, I'd try to forget it and say, "Water off a duck's back."

As for going back to the room for a nap, this is always a great idea, especially to keep the ADULTS from being whiney and complaining. I have a lot more trouble with dh & I getting whiney than my kids. So take that into consideration before you choose to each push a kid around.

But don't worry if you do decide to push an 5, 6, 7, 8 year old around. You know your child. And you know you. The most important thing is that as much as possible, you all have a fabulous time, being flexible and ready to adapt at every moment for the happiness of your family.

 

[JackJack08]

Absolutely! ..and let's face it, pushing an older child around in a stroller is unusual. You don't see elementary school children in strollers in the mall or the grocery store, so yes, some people, particularly those who are not used to this WDW "phenomenon" are going to look when they see a child of a certain age in a stroller. ...and my kids questioned it too. The direct quote was "look, mom, that kid is bigger than me and he is riding in a baby stroller." They did not point or laugh or make fun, but they did notice. My reply was the same as a previous poster's daughters "don't get any ideas!"

I would agree, except going to the grocery store or mall doesn't cost me $6000. I can throw them in the car and take them home, when they act up at any of the above places....but I have paid good money to go on vacation and if $20 and a few glares from total strangers, who are into my vacation, more than their own is money and time well spent!

 

[SunKat]

I don't care what anybody else chooses to do on their vacation but I know that if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

I agree.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I don't care what anybody else chooses to do on their vacation but I know that if my eight year old was so whiney or exhausted that they couldn't get around the parks without a stroller then we would be going back to the resort and/or taking a pool day the next day.

Exactly!

Heck, my 8 year old is almost 80 pounds. No way in heck I am pushing that kid anywhere!!! Our last trip (this past Feb.) was our first trip without a stroller. My 5 yo did just fine. Never once had any trouble.

On the other hand, if you think you need one for your older child, no skin off my nose.

Have a good trip.

 

[dogluva]

I think you do what you need to do to make your vacation work, but I'd be looking into a fitness routine and/or a doctor's visit if you end up needing one.

My eight year old was the fittest kid I knew (he is 19 now), very active and never tired. Well the first trip we went I rented a double stroller for my two and four year old and by the end of the day, he was sitting in it with them!
This comment is way off base. Eight is still very young.

I say get the stroller and ignore comments like this! Have fun.

 

[badblackpug]

I would agree, except going to the grocery store or mall doesn't cost me $6000. I can throw them in the car and take them home, when they act up at any of the above places....but I have paid good money to go on vacation and if $20 and a few glares from total strangers, who are into my vacation, more than their own is money and time well spent!

I never said I cared one way or another who anyone pushed around in any type of conveyance, as long as you don't run up my heels with said conveyance. What I said was that it is an unusual occurance, outside of WDW, to see a child of that age in a stroller. If one is not used to seeing this, particularly a child, one may comment on it. As for anyone being "into your vacation, more than their own" I must disagree. Just because a child notices and points out something that, to him or her, is different, doesn't mean they are not enjoying themselves. It merely means they are observant.

 

[JackJack08]

I never said I cared one way or another who anyone pushed around in any type of conveyance, as long as you don't run up my heels with said conveyance. What I said was that it is an unusual occurance, outside of WDW, to see a child of that age in a stroller. If one is not used to seeing this, particularly a child, one may comment on it. As for anyone being "into your vacation, more than their own" I must disagree. Just because a child notices and points out something that, to him or her, is different, doesn't mean they are not enjoying themselves. It merely means they are observant.

I know your comment mentions children noticing but I really didn't respond with children in mind. Children notice everything....mine included...and sometimes I wish they weren't so darn observant. But sometimes the scowls you get from other adults, for the stupidest things, makes me just want to scream..........mind your own business!

 

[CapeCodMouse]

Countdown to this thread being locked ..........

Remember - there is a difference between necessity vs. convenience...

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd hate to be the family of two younger children, say 2 and 4, who couldn't get a double stroller because someone else got one for all their stuff and their older child with no medical condition who might get tired or hot. They don't have an unlimited supply of those strollers to rent.

Make your life easier. Take a break, go back to the hotel and go for a swim. Get an ice cream. Lie down on the grass and forget about those 12 hour "sun up to sun down" days. No living human can handle that pace let alone a child.

We did an all day in the park one time out of over 20 trips and it was the most exhausting day ever. So bad that the next day instead of heading to the parks for one more morning before heading home, we just headed home.

 

[deedeetoo]

I haven't read the whole thread but here is my response to the OP's question. We have made our kids walk once they have hit 6. Our oldest didn't complain at all. I think she would have been insulted if we had suggested a stroller. She walked everywhere at age 6 without a complaint. We had a different experience with DS. He did a bit of whining last year about having to walk but he got over it. He is now 7 and there is no way we are going back to a stroller.

Now with all that said, you need to do what works for your family and not feel guilty about it. If your ds need a stroller, get one. I wouldn't worry about what other people think. But at that age, you probably won't need one every day. I would just rent one if you find you have a problem that day.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Remember - there is a difference between necessity vs. convenience...

I consider keeping my sanity and making our vacation as wonderful as possible a MAJOR necessity. Therefore if I need to rent a stroller and push my kid around until he's 24, that's what I will do. And how this could possibly affect anyone else at WDW, I will never know.

I STILL do not see the issue here. It's akin to if I were to make a post abt how I totally object to when a parent allows their child to eat a diet of pure sugar while on vaca at WDW! We're on vacation! Normal rules just don't apply. Of course I don't rent a stroller at the local mall for my DS8 because, obviously, I don't expect him to walk 40 miles a day at the mall. If your kid can handle that and remain pleasant, kudos to you for having a perfect child. But please stop worrying abt those of us who feel it's best for our kids to ride a few of those miles.

 

[KorieDWnut]

We are not really stroller renters per say, but my kids do complain at home about walking. In Disney however, they just keep up all day, everyday because of the excitment. DS 9 and DS 6 did fine in September for a 7 day trip. It was great, and we had no complaining!

If strollers help, by all means, rent one, but kids get so excited in Disney they are like energizer bunnies!

Oh not my 2 youngest, lol. My almost 7yo will fall asleep anywhere...anywhere, no matter what, if she is tired. She doesn't care if she misses out on things, if she is tired, she is done. She is an itty bitty thing. 43 inches tall, 37 pounds of nothing. My 4yo is 38 pounds and only 2 inches shorter than her. I will be bringing one stroller with me and I am sure they will be trading off. DH and I took my youngest who is almost 5, to the small local zoo today and we forgot the stroller. She made it halfway around but then had to be carried piggy back the rest of the way. We could have forced her to keep walking but that would have made us all miserable.
At the store or even going for walks around the block, she walks fine, all the kids do, but for some reason if we are at an amusement park, or zoo, or some large place like that, they just can't do it.
I don't mind still using the stroller. Forcing them to walk at a place I just dropped tons of $$ at is not a battle I desire to pick.

My 9yo daughter would die of shame if I even mentioned the idea of her sitting in a stroller though. Even if she is nearing exhaustion, she would never allow herself to be pushed around in a stroller for any amount of time. I know because I have tried there before, lol. After about 6 she refused to sit in one. My almost 7yo has no shame though and thats fine with me.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I consider keeping my sanity and making our vacation as wonderful as possible a MAJOR necessity. Therefore if I need to rent a stroller and push my kid around until he's 24, that's what I will do. And how this could possibly affect anyone else at WDW, I will never know.

I STILL do not see the issue here. It's akin to if I were to make a post abt how I totally object to when a parent allows their child to eat a diet of pure sugar while on vaca at WDW! We're on vacation! Normal rules just don't apply. Of course I don't rent a stroller at the local mall for my DS8 because, obviously, I don't expect him to walk 40 miles a day at the mall. If your kid can handle that and remain pleasant, kudos to you for having a perfect child. But please stop worrying abt those of us who feel it's best for our kids to ride a few of those miles.

I think some of you must have missed the last question in the OP.

Renting a stroller for an 8 year old? My son has obviously been out of a stroller for years, but he is a major complainer when it's hot out, and since we are going in June I was wondering if renting a stroller for him would be an option. Will this look crazy?