this may be crazy, but...

[PEANUT1]

on Halloween last year, we had a double stroller and my husband had our 1 year old in the bjorn and he pushed me (32) and my 4 year old bc he thought that I looked tired..

I would say don't plan on renting one and then if you need to, get one. you may be surprised. He will probably be fine. My 4 year old walked most of the time and we were there for 12 days.

 

[disykat]

Are you serious?! My older DS is very athletic. He swims, plays soccer, and basketball almost every day of the week. I think you need to understand that he is still a CHILD who may get tired from all the walking and standing in lines at Disney. I know that adults get tired from all this so should they go to the doctor's after each Disney visit as well?? I'm sorry, but your post makes absolutely no sense to me and I'm sure I am not alone in this.

Actually, yes, I'm serious. I don't get what's wrong with looking into a fitness program or possible medical issues (if you're not already aware of the reasons) for a school aged child who has difficulty walking at WDW. As an adult, if I needed assistance, I would do the same. There's a difference between getting tired and being unable to do it.

I said nothing about your 6 year old. I'm not sure why you're so sensitive. The OP has an 8 year old.

I would absolutely rent a stroller if it was necessary to keep our vacation going. It's not worth having a vacation ruined. However, you'd better believe I would be looking at why it was necessary.

 

[SmallWorld71]

While my boys did not use them after age 5, the Disney strollers are quite big and could easily accomodate an older child. Depending on your touring plans, you may or may not need one. Generally speaking, Epcot and MK have a lot more walking than AK or DHS. Remember, if you don't get one and find you need it later, you can rent one then. It doesn't have to be first thing in the morning. I wouldn't worry about what other people might think. There are lots of reasons why an older child like yours might need a stroller. DNephew8 has asensory integration disorder and can't walk long distances, DD5 has asthma and so on. Do what's best for your family and enjoy.

 

[gabriellyn]

You don't have to rent one right away - you can sort of judge how it goes the first day or two. I thought FOR SURE we would need one for our then-6yo, because he whines constantly about his feet hurting, plus he has a connective tissue disorder which may contribute to pain in his legs - I just didn't know how he would handle it, but I was prepared. But he surprised all of us! Like a PP said, don't underestimate the power of Disney. My DS never complained once nor did he ask for a stroller. I was stunned!

But if you end up needing one, don't worry about it and just do it!

 

[laughinplace199]

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?

Are you sure your 8 yr old will want a stroller? When we went to WDW in Aug, I rented a double for my DD8 & DS6 because my DD has asthma. With the Aug heat and humidity, I didn't want her to overdo it. It was like pulling teeth to get her to ride in the stroller. She really didn't want to ride in it. However, DS had no problems with it. He'll probably want a stroller for as long as he fits in one.

We're heading back to WDW in April. We're going to start off without a stroller and see how it goes. If the heat/humidity is bad, or it Ds is getting really tired (and therefore cranky), we will rent one.

 

[okeydokey]

Actually, yes, I'm serious. I don't get what's wrong with looking into a fitness program or possible medical issues (if you're not already aware of the reasons) for a school aged child who has difficulty walking at WDW. As an adult, if I needed assistance, I would do the same. There's a difference between getting tired and being unable to do it.

I said nothing about your 6 year old. I'm not sure why you're so sensitive. The OP has an 8 year old.

I would absolutely rent a stroller if it was necessary to keep our vacation going. It's not worth having a vacation ruined. However, you'd better believe I would be looking at why it was necessary.

Maybe it wouldn't be "necessary" but perhaps it will make the families vacation more enjoyable. Nothing wrong with more enjoyable.

To the OP, maybe you could try it out the first day and see how he does walking, if it gets too hot or too much, then rent the stroller. The parks are open late in the summer and a 12 hour day is long no matter what your age.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

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.

...... (You are joking, right?) Just because the child needs to sit down for a while? Even children get tired, especially in the hot and humid weather of central Florida. I was born and raised in Northwest Florida, and I have always been drained by the humidity (even as a very young child) and I never was taken to the doctor for this "condition" - Why do you think we move slower in the south? If the child needs a stroller it doesn't mean there is a medical issue. It simply means he or she needs to rest a while.

 

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

I say do what ever works best for him If he needs/wants to - go for it but he will probably do better then you think
We went last May and my 5 & 7 yr old did great ! They never complained a bit. We were there a week and always on the go! ( well we did sit for meals and on rides HAHA)

 

[Schmeck]

Just a reminder that if you end up getting a stroller, you might end up with a very refreshed child at the end of the day, with a very tired out parent that had to do all the pushing, LOL!

One thing to do instead of getting a stroller would be to take a break as a family when your son is hot and complaining. I'd bet the rest of you would be hot as well at that point. Sometimes it takes a complaining kid to get the family to slow down and cool off!

I'd expect my children to be able to keep up with me when they were 8 years old - actually, at that age, I had a hard time keeping up with them! If they had an extra hard time in the heat I'd make sure they were hydrated. If it became chronic, I'd have them checked out by a doctor as well, as we had a friend who died from leukemia, and tired/sore legs and irritability were the first symptoms. At first they just thought she had growing pains, or was out of shape.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

...... (You are joking, right?) Just because the child needs to sit down for a while? Even children get tired, especially in the hot and humid weather of central Florida. I was born and raised in Northwest Florida, and I have always been drained by the humidity (even as a very young child) and I never was taken to the doctor for this "condition" - Why do you think we move slower in the south? If the child needs a stroller it doesn't mean there is a medical issue. It simply means he or she needs to rest a while.

hmmmm.... disykat - I don't believe it's 'necessary' to rent a stroller,the above poster got it right- my son has no medical issues, and is healthy and trim. It was just so he would have a place to rest if he got tired in the heat and humidity which is why I asked about it...
anywho.. thanks for the input everyone. We'll do without it, but if he starts getting irritable about walking in the heat all day, I know we can get one and it seems many do!
thanks!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

The last time I was at WDW my younger dd was 7ish. I rented a stroller for her. Never would have one at home, but Disney has tons more walking in one day than the average day at home, but all the time standing on our feet waiting in lines adds up too.

It was a lifesaver! She didn't ride in it all the time, but we could also put the backpack in it when the heat made it heavy. My older dd -- age 11 at the time wanted to ride in it too. Heck, I would have ridden if I could have.

 

[tmonferdini]

I rented a double stroller last year for my DS8 & DD8. I've already told them when we go back in June, they're going to be hoofing it. I got it last year because we did commando-style. MK 1 day, MGM 1 day with no breaks. This year, we're going for 10 days with a break EVERY day. I've already built in "extra stroller money" just in case we may need it again, though. DS9 is also a constant complainer if he is not happy or is uncomfortable. He's not too sure about the "no stroller thing" this year. He's quite a bit smaller than DD9, so I tend to baby him a little more.

Guess we'll wait and see. But definately, do whatever is going to make your family happy and don't even give anyone else a second thought. They're your kids and it's your vacation. Do what's best & only you know what that is!!!

 

[tinkwdw47]

we get a double stroller for my 9 year old granddaughter...we don't hear her at all.....like that it is big enough to put our gifts in it as we roll....

 

[JackJack08]

My DD8 will be in a stroller....actually she will be 9 by then, when we go in October....but I AM NOT listening to the whining all day. Drives me crazy and I could care less what anyone thinks!!

 

[mom23boys]

Last year my two youngest sons were 5 and 8, we rented a double stroller for the whole time. Well worth the money. It was August hot and humid.

In 2005 my middle son then 6 and my DN age 7 were so miserable by the end of day one, also in August, that my DSis and I rented a double stroller for them, they were much happier.

BTW, my middle son the 8 year old plays travel soccer, basketball, baseball, is on the summer swim team, no he does not need to see a Dr. he is hot from the sun and as child he constantly has to be reminded to drink water they do not think like we do and I know I have to be on my kids all the time at Disney to drink water to rehydrate.

OP I have found the last two times we have gone with children over 6 they still need a stroller to relax, they get just as tired and need to refresh, no better place than a Disney stroller in August.

JMHO

 

[JackJack08]

Last year my two youngest sons were 5 and 8, we rented a double stroller for the whole time. Well worth the money. It was August hot and humid.

In 2005 my middle son then 6 and my DN age 7 were so miserable by the end of day one, also in August, that my DSis and I rented a double stroller for them, they were much happier.

BTW, my middle son the 8 year old plays travel soccer, basketball, baseball, is on the summer swim team, no he does not need to see a Dr. he is hot from the sun and as child he constantly has to be reminded to drink water they do not think like we do and I know I have to be on my kids all the time at Disney to drink water to rehydrate.

OP I have found the last two times we have gone with children over 6 they still need a stroller to relax, they get just as tired and need to refresh, no better place than a Disney stroller in August.

JMHO

You are right...heck if DH would push me I'd be in it too!!

 

[cinderella73]

Well as you can see by my tag under my name ( tag fairy gift) , I believe that WDW is a big and crazy place for kids and strollers are a great way to give a child a break. Some people may think that kids are all grown up at 6. But I am not one. I say 9 is still young enough to get tired and need a break. Some people will stare , because as you can see from a previous post some people are really rude. But just ignore those miserable ones that feel the need to make a negative comment. Your 9 year old will be glad to have a place to sit and drink . You will all get a lot more out of your vacation as well.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

Neither of my kids used strollers after the age of 2. It just became a dumping ground for stuff no one really needed anyway.

 

[wilderness01]

I've seen kids of all ages and sizes in strollers. If you think a stroller will make him happier and make your vacation easier, get a stroller.

I have as well.

 

[alicenwonder99]

On our last trip, it was a "mom & kids only" trip. I had my ds7 and dd9. We didn't use a stroller at the beginning of the trip, though I did get one for the MNSSHP (they're free) to hold all of our stuff.

On on of our last days, at Epcot, I rented a double stroller. I knew we'd be there all day, and I know how BIG EPCOT is. It was great having the double stroller. Some places we'd just park it and then go pick it up in a couple of hours.

But, the best part was that I was able to enjoy the park better myself. I didn't have to constantly keep an eye on 2 children.

Oh, and just ignore those comments about your child not being healthy if she needs a stroller. My dd9 is a competitive figure skater with many hours of practice a week. She is definitely in shape physically, and has stamina.

HTH